There are volunteers outside the church too …

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

bob woodwardFound this in today’s “Fact of the Day” in the “Daily Maverick”: Who says the best don’t come cheap? Bob Woodward is one of the most famous journalists in the world. His reporting into the Watergate scandal, alongside colleague Carl Bernstein, earned him a Pulitzer Prize and brought down a government. Robert Redford played him in a movie. He still works at the Washington Post, where he began his career, receiving for his services the princely sum of $25 per month. That’s not a typo. A few years ago, aware of the paper’s precarious financial situation, Woodward offered to work essentially for free – and the paper gratefully accepted. Woodward earns enough from his books and speaking engagements to make this possible, and will continue the arrangement under the Post’s new owner, Jeff Bezos. “He’s worth every penny,” joked Bezos.

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Löhe on Philippians 1:7

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

rembrandt-saint-paul-in-prisonIt is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. (Phi 1:7 NIV)

As the apostle St. Paul was writing this letter to the Philippians, he was imprisoned in Rome. In this serious situation the remembrance of the Philippian congregation and the other Churches in Macedonia was very comforting to him, because they were sharing the partnership in the gospel. They shared the same faith and confession even as they shared similar discriminations and persecutions for their Christian confidence. St. Paul knew that he was not alone in this calamity, but that his brethren were sharing this very same fate and that they too were bearing it with patience and joy for Christ’s sake. That is why they were in his very heart and the love which he had towards them, gave rise to the strongest hope of all the best in and through them. This hope is a singular matter. Not all people are Philippians and not all stay and remain in the partnership of the gospel, not all are shareholders of the faith either. Some fall by the wayside, some forsake their Christian hope, others get lost on the way. Yet God would that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1.Tim.2,4) Yet people, people would not listen! Their opposition, their unwillingness, their unfaithfulness is the reason why Jesus Christ cries and weeps outside of Jerusalem. Therefore test yourself! Don’t kill off the hope that is in you. Cling to the Lord and plead him to strengthen and keep you in the saving faith – now and always.

Lord Jesus Christ! Receive our prayers that we bring before you. Direct our paths to life according to your will and commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, guide our thoughts, consecrate our senses and save us from all sorrow and trouble. Keep and preserve us by your holy angels so that we may be protected against all evil and remain unified with you in the true and saving faith. To you be all thanks and praise now and forever. Amen. (W.Löhe)

1.  Entrust your days and burdens To God’s most loving hand; He cares for you while ruling The sky, the sea, the land. For He who guides the tempests Along their thund’rous ways Will find for you a pathway And guide you all your days.

2.  Rely on God your Savior And find your life secure. Make His work your foundation That your work may endure. No anxious thought, no worry, No self-tormenting care Can win your Father’s favor; His heart is moved by prayer.

3.  Take heart, have hope, my spirit, And do not be dismayed; God helps in ev’ry trial And makes you unafraid. Await His time with patience Through darkest hours of night Until the sun you hoped for Delights your eager sight.

4.  Leave all to His direction; His wisdom rules for you In ways to rouse your wonder     At all His love can do. Soon He, His promise keeping, With wonder-working pow’rs         Will banish from your spirit What gave you troubled hours.

5.  O blessed heir of heaven, You’ll hear the song resound Of endless jubilation When you with life are crowned. In your right hand your maker Will place the victor’s palm, And you will thank Him gladly With heaven’s joyful psalm.

6.  Our hands and feel, Lord, strengthen With joy our spirits bless Until we see the ending Of all our life’s distress. And so throughout our lifetime Keep us within Your care And at our end then bring us To heav’n to praise You there. (Paul Gerhard 1607-1676 tr F. Samuel Janzow 1913-2001)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the twenty second Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 371 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter Readings for Tuesday, the 29th October 2013

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

SolomonAnd you acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. (1Ch 28:9 NIV)

The Lord said to St. Paul: “I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.” (Act 26:16 NIV)

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Löhe on Philippians 1:6

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0051I – apostle St. Paul – am confident of this, that the triune God, who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phi 1:6 NIV)

It is quite obvious that God has started a good work amongst the Philippians. This positive history encourages us as we are looking into the future. Without any doubt it is of the most crucial and vital concern that we remain in the partnership of the gospel until the very end. It this partnership should cease it would spell disaster and that day would be the worst day of our life. For if we would no longer partake in the gospel the very waters of eternal salvation and the blessed life in Jesus Christ would cease flowing and his very hand of grace, mercy and love would be thus withdrawn. Yet for those, who have tasted how friendly our most holy God is and who have come to share this living partnership with the gospel and with the living God himself, we have the confidence that they will remain in this partnership due to his faithfulness and goodness. The godly blessing and divine perseverance encourages us to retain this hopefulness even under great duress. The apostle St. Paul puts his hope and confidence for the final completion of the Philippians not so much on their good head-start, but rather on the faithfulness of the Lord, who began this good work in them in the first place. Trusting in him, we are confident that the end will be good and salvific too: I am confident of this, that he, who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phi 1:6 NIV) Whoever remains faithful until then, has won. The Lord’s help until then means victory and completion and eternal salvation.

Faithful God and Father, you have started your good work amongst us. We are grateful for that and we praise you for this daily. Let this good work now continue to flourish to the honour of your holy name. Bless the good work of parents and teachers. Let your holy Word bear abundant fruit in the pastoral service amongst the ill, the youth, the lost and confused, but also amongst the healthy, prosperous and faithful. Strengthen and complete your most precious work in each one of us. You only can do it. Amen. (P.Wurster)

1 Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:

2 Beneath the shadow of thy throne thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame, from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.

4 A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone, short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all our years away; they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.

6 Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be thou our guard while life shall last, and our eternal home. (Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the twenty second Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 369 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 28th October 2013

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

St Paul iconAnswer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again. (1Ki 18:37 NIV)

St. Paul writes: “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” (Col 1:9 NIV)

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Löhe on Philippians 1:3-5

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0179I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Phi 1:3-5 NIV)

This is quite an approach against all of us, who wouldn’t even be able to say that they have done that for their most beloved fellow kin, whereas St. Paul does it even for the entire congregation in Philippi. He emphasizes that he joyfully prays for them all and that in every prayer for them, this prayer mounds into joyful gratitude. To pray in this way – often, joyfully, gratefully – that was the big strength and virtue of the apostle St. Paul. Do we pray joyfully for others – even entire congregations? Do we pray often and does our prayer mound into words of thanks and gratitude? Who of us would have the good conscience to admit this? Most often we are so weak and poor with regards to prayer – especially if it is for others and where gratefulness is concerned. We compare poorly with the apostle. How will this fare even further if we realize the reason for the apostles gratitude? He is grateful for their “partnership in the gospel”. This is the reason for the apostle to rejoice and give thanks and praise to the Lord of the Church. This very fact we most often take for granted like the air we breathe. This partnership in the gospel is obviously a very high and precious gift and treasure for the Church and all its people. This partnership in the gospel is actually the partnership with God too. As we pray it is appropriate that we don’t overlook this partnership in the gospel and with God. It is something he has blessed our Churches and congregations with too – and in most abundant measure.

O Lord God you have called and justified your people. We are to trust in your faithfulness and wait for your grace always as we receive wonderful gifts and treasures from your fatherly goodness. You are our light, strength and gracious Father. Grant that we remain grateful for your grace and mercy – especially for the partnership in your most holy gospel and forgiving presence. Amen. (Hermann Bezzel)

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Thomas Ken, 1637-1711)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the twenty second Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 369 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 27th October 2013

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

walkways and bywaysThen you will remember your ways … and when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed … declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘” (Eze 16:61.63 NIV)

Or do you not know that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Rom 2:4 KJV)

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Political commentary: FW de Klerk on Africa’s perspective on Europe

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

europe 1SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK 
AT THE 12TH EUROPE LECTURE  THE HAGUE
25 OCTOBER 2013

EUROPE IN THE WORLD – A PERSPECTIVE FROM AFRICA AND SOUTH AFRICA

I wish to speak to you tonight about Africa’s perception of Europe. I would also like to discuss Europe’s search for greater internal integration on the one hand and its wish to play a more coherent role in the international community on the other.

First I wish to talk about my own relationship with Europe as the descendant of one of the many peoples throughout the world that trace their roots to your continent. My ancestors were Huguenots from France who came to South Africa via Holland in 1688. My language, Afrikaans, has its roots in the Dutch, Flemish and German spoken by the employees of the Dutch East India Company and by the first settlers in the Cape. It also draws richness from the Malay language that was brought to the Cape by slaves from the East Indies. My religion derives from the Dutch Reformed Testament of Dordt in 1619. My culture, like the cultures of so many peoples throughout the world, is suffused with the unparalleled literature, art and music of Europe.

And yet I am an African. For centuries my ancestors have identified themselves with Africa – from the moment more than 300 years ago when Hendrik Biebouw, a Dutch settler in the Cape, proudly proclaimed “ek ben een Afrikander!” – I am an African!

One hundred and fifteen years ago my people fought one of the first and greatest anti-colonialist wars in the history of Africa. The Anglo-Boer War was the costliest of the more than 40 wars that the British fought between the Napoleonic War and the First World War. It involved the deployment of more than 430 000 British troops and ended in the destruction of our country, the burning of our farms and the death of 27 000 of our women and children in concentration camps.

So, despite my deep roots in the rich culture of your continent, I regard myself as an African. I identify with my continent; I strive to promote its interests in its relationship with other parts of the world – and I support its sports teams when they are playing teams from other continents.

I mention all this because you Europeans sometimes forget the enormous impact that you have had on the rest of the world during the past 500 years. In that period you colonised and populated three of the world’s six inhabited continents – North and South America and Australasia – and conquered much of the rest of the world. Only 12 significant countries escaped European rule – and the sovereignty of the greatest of them, China, was severely limited by the imposition upon it of 62 treaty ports by the European powers and Japan.

Southern Africa was deeply affected by the rising tide of European imperialism. Modern South Africa was forged in the wars of conquest that the British fought during the 19th century against the three dominant peoples of the sub-continent – the Xhosa, the Zulus and the Afrikaners. At the beginning of the 20th century Britain found itself in possession of a ragbag of vexatious territories in Southern Africa – that one historian quipped it had acquired in a fit of absent-mindedness.

Read full text of speech HERE.

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Löhe on Ephesians 6:17

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

knight2Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph 6:17 NIV)

The helmet of salvation is part of the Christian’s protective armour, while the sword of the Spirit is an assaultive weapon. That’s the word of God. It brings the joyful news of our salvation. However it also is a dangerous weapon. It is the source for all deadly arrows to shoot at the enemy. Every soldier does not only bear the brunt of attacks, but would rather attack and afflict mortal wounds himself. So even while we are messengers of peace and even bear a lot of injustice, discrimination and persecution, yet as confessors of the truth we too wield the powerful word of God as a mighty, powerful weapon. Jesus Christ himself, the lamb of God bearing the sins of the world during his vicarious suffering and dying, still fought a mighty battle and bore down to bear mortal blows on his and God’s frightful foes. His battle was not just won by suffering and endurance, but he also fought the most effective battles with the almighty word and truth of his.

The entire spiritual warfare against the power of the evil one is fought in such darkness, that most don’t even see the dreadful foe, they don’t even realize there are fiery arrows flying about and they even go so far as to deny the very existence of any battle or strive. The souls that are awake however know what is going on and they are quite aware of the severity of this warfare. Sometimes they perceive the dreadful abyss into which all of humanity is threatening to fall. Yet the call is sounded to stand fast, not to give up or fall into despair. Therefore fight the good fight of faith and remain faithful unto death +

O Lord God, heavenly Father! Support us with your grace, so that we may resist all temptations successfully and retain victory through all hardship. If we stumble, lift us up; if we fall, stretch out your mighty hand to pick us up. Lead us continuously with your truth and teach us for you are our God, who helps. Every day we wait on you. Recall not our trespasses and iniquities, rather remember us in your mercy and forgiving goodness. Grant us respite from our troubles. Forgive us all our sins and in all our tribulations and conflicts ensure us of your fatherly love and mercy. In all battles fill us with your grace and there in victory with the joy and bliss of eternal salvation. We ask this for Jesus Christ’s sake – he our Lord and saviour. Amen. (J.Arndt)

O God, forsake me not! Your gracious presence lend me; Oh, lead your helpless child; Your Holy Spirit send me That I my course may run. Be you my light, my lot, My staff, my rock, my shield. O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not! Take not your Spirit from me; Do not allow the night Of sin to overcome me. Increase my feeble faith, Which you yourself have wrought. Be you my strength and power. O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not! Lord, hear my supplication! In every evil hour Help me resist temptation; And when the prince of hell My conscience seeks to blot, Be then not far from me. O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not! My heart your grace addressing, O Father, God of love, Grant me your heavenly blessing  To do when duty calls Whatever you allot,  To do what pleased you. O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not! Lord, I am yours forever. The true faith grant to me; Grant that I leave you never. Grant me a blessed end When my good fight is fought; Help me in life and death. O God, forsake me not! (Salomon Frank, 1659-1725 tr August Crull 1845-1923)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the twenty first Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 368 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 26th October 2013

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

apostlesSing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. (Isa 12:5 KJV)

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Act 5:42 KJV)

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