Devotional

Saying Good Bye to the Class of 2011

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Pieter Stok

I didn’t think it would be so hard. I have been a teacher for a long time and I’ve seen many students leave over the years. But this time it has been more difficult. I have been their home room teacher for over two and half years. When we first met we didn’t like each other but a year later I was asked/volunteered to be their Homeroom teacher and so the journey together started.

Now they are leaving. Secondary school has finished and the rest of life is beckoning. They are keen and yet nervous about exploring more of life. But there is still so much to learn, there are still so many warnings to give, issues to alert them about and skills to learn. Nevertheless they are going.

My wish for them is fulfilled lives. Happiness is transient and fleeting but fulfillment is an on going objective – something to strive for – a means of making life more than just mediocre.

The class has the personality and the ability to leave mediocrity in its wake. There are so many skills, abilities, qualities and traits that none of them need to be ordinary.

Most of all, and best of all, there is a strong understanding of the reality of a relationship with Christ and a place and purpose in the Kingdom of God. My most ardent prayer is that this won’t be squashed by the cynicism of the world. It is my prayer that this relationship and this sense of place and purpose that will sustain them in all the hopes, aspirations, trials and traumas of the years to come.

Lord bless them and keep them. Amen.

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Learning to Ride a Bike

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Do you remember the first time you successfully rode a two wheeled bike? The exhilaration and sense of achievement was amazing. There was also a sense of mystery. How was this possible? What stopped you from falling over? I can still remember the first time I rode a bike. The time and place is etched in my mind. After falling one way and then the other and scratching knees and shins, I finally succeeded in navigating myself around the tree rather than going into it. From then on bike riding was a breeze.

Faith is like that. Not understanding who God is and wondering what it means to depend on Him seems so hard. The idea of trusting in the unseen and overcoming the doubts seems almost impossible. And yet, once you trust in Him and open yourself up to His love and guidance, you realise that He carries you and that no spiritual gymnastics are required.

Too often we treat “faith” like a mountain to climb rather than a lifestyle and relationship to trust in. We make it more difficult than it needs to be. Like many new bike riders trying to balance – we try too hard.

Paul says to the Ephesians: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God… Eph 2:8.  A gift is to be received. Take it and pull it close to yourself – and don’t try too hard because God does all the work. It is His gift. If you do take hold of it, it is like riding a bike. You’ll wonder why you ever thought it was so difficult.

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Separated From the Love of God

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Early Medieval Stone Cross in Norway

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Romans 8:35

Have you ever contemplated the concept of being separated from the love of God? Now I know the true child of God cannot be separated from that love, but just think if it were possible. What would go though your mind? Horror? Fear? Despair? Probably all three and much more. Well, that would be true for me. The idea of being separated from God’s love defies my imagination. It horrifies me. It is too terrible to contemplate.

Why do I ask this awful question? Because when I look at the members of the body of Christ, including, sadly, my own heart at times, I don’t see the thankfulness, relief, joy and gratitude of people who truly understand what the love of God means. Maybe as an antidote we should reflect on what it means to be outside it; to imagine what being outside that sphere really means.

I believe such a genuine reflection would have at least two (possibly more) results. One result would be, our sometimes casual, complacent and neglectful relationship with God would be dealt a severe blow. Greater thankfulness, obedience, joy and probably, relief would be visible in our lives. We would live the Spirit filled life that redeemed people should be living – can be living. The second consequence would be a greater passion to see others saved. Understanding what it means to live outside God’s love, I believe, is a great motivator for our lifestyle, words and attitudes towards those who haven’t grasped the love of God through faith.

I know we can’t force people to believe, but living like people who know what they have been saved from should be obvious from every atom of our being. May our prayer be to live lives that comprehend the amazing and eternal love of God.

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A Journey Continued

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Quite a while ago I wrote about the spiritual journey my wife and I are taking through the

Sheep Grazing over the Catacombs in Rome near an Olive Tree

book “A Journey with Jesus” by Larry Warner. He uses the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius as the foundation of the book.

Over the last few weeks the devotions have concentrated on sin, not in a self deprecating manner, but sin as the component of our lives that separates us from God and His grace. Sin is not a popular word today. Society, including many Christians, has sanctified many behaviours that have previously been regarded as sin. This just doesn’t extend to homosexuality and abortion but also to greed and materialism. The reasons I mention this is that we are good at judging people on the basis of the sins we don’t commit and close our eyes to the ones we do.

What I have found refreshing in Warner’s exercises is that I have been given an opportunity to lay open all aspects of my life. What this has done is that it has reminded me of how comprehensive the salvation that Christ offers had to be. It needed to cover every aspect of my life – not just the ones I select. It also halts complacency and reminds me that there is still so far to go in my sanctification.

With that reminder comes the wonderful assurance that in Christ all my needs have been met and I can say with the psalmist, “Keep my safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.” Psalm 16:1

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The Already and Not Yet – The Beauty and the Pain

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Pieter Stok

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Ps 32:7

On this Sunday morning my reflection is simple. Every time I am gardening I am reminded of the “Already” and not yet”. Beautiful flowers bursting forth, and vegetables sprouting and growing remind me the Christian is already seated in heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6 – Already seat with Christ). This is an important reminder because in the garden you are also surrounded by weeds and bugs – the opportunists who take any and every opportunity to destroy that which is good. That is the “Not Yet”. There is still a struggle, in this life, against sin and its pervasive results. Objectively we may be seated with Christ, but subjectively we struggle with the present.

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Are Our Lives a Condemnation?

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Hebrews 11: 7 By his faith he (Noah) condemned the world.

2 Cor 2:15 -16 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.

A blog by Kevin Nunez (http://kevinnunez.org/2011/10/18/christ-like-fragrance/) resonated with some thoughts I was challenged with last night while reading Hebrews 11. Is the life of the church an affront to the world and its values? Noah’s faith was an obvious contrast to the times in which he lived. His faith highlighted the lack of faith, and rebellion amongst his neighbours.

Living in an era of appeasement and conciliation this attitude seems alien. Yet, unless the world in which we live is confronted by its rebellion against God there is nothing for it to repent from, and believe in.

I don’t believe this requires fire and brimstone preaching. In fact, I believe the onus is on us to become that pleasing aroma. Rather than concentrating on the world we should be concentrating on our faithful obedience. Why, for example, is it that rate of marriage break down is as high in the body of Christ as outside it? How can we be a pleasing aroma when many of our marriages stink! There are a host of other areas where the church (read Christians) reflects the world rather than Christ: lack of love for our neighbour, gossip, environment, consumerism, selfishness … add the myriad of other areas that come to your mind.

A friend once said, when speaking of the Salvation Army,”The reason that they are respected is because they are tough on themselves and easy on everyone else.” He added, “Most churches and Christians, are easy on themselves and tough on everyone else.” Unless we become tough on ourselves, our lifestyle, wordstyle and lovestyle then we wont be that condemnation of the values of the world or that pleasing aroma that attracts people to repentance and faith.

Paul asks, “Who is equal to such a task?” Then he reminds his readers that we are in Christ. “In Christ” our words and actions should confront the world, but as Christ also did for us, we should offer life, hope, a kingdom and eternity.

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Grover Visits Conwy – A Story of Whimsy

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Grover at Conwy Castle

One of my favourite photos is a the picture of Grover (above) taking a breather at Conwy Castle in Wales. A few years ago he had his brief moment of fame when this photo was used in a LA Times Travel blog.

Grover at Edinburgh Castle

Once, inside Edinburgh Castle an American tourist asked what we were doing when my wife and I were setting Grover up for a photo. At the time I suggested that these photos could be used back at school as an inspiration for stories. In fact, there was a time when Grover was photoshopped extensively in Middle School.

But if the truth is known we take Grover with us just to add a touch of whimsy to our travels. The kids have left home, we need someone to take a photo of.

Many Christians I meet are deadly serious. There is nothing wrong with being serious; certainly when it regards faith and our relationship with God. But there is also a place for the light-hearted, the joyful, spontaneous – shall we call it – silly. Grover is just one of a host of idiosyncracies in our family that celebrates that whimsical, daydreaming aspect of life. When we come together as family there are serious discussions about faith, work and life, but there is also the banter about “stuffies” and playing with Lego and silly movie quotes and the bizarre make up of relationships that inhabit our family. Have you got or singlet sister? Of whom may you ask, “Have you got a bag?” No, I wont explain.

Grover at the Colosseum

But there is a joy and lightness in whimsy that allows you to celebrate life in the midst of all the harsh realities. Next time you go on a trip, take a stuffed toy and you will be amazed by the discussions you will start with people around you. And no, people with white coats haven’t come looking for us … yet.

PS. Photos of Grover’s adventures can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pstok/sets/72157604854152768/

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Family, Life | Tags: , , , , , | 9 Comments

I have Two Faces … or more

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Pieter Stok
I have two faces,
No.
Maybe more.
Faces for all occasions.
The private and public.
For friends and not so friends
For family and others not so close.
…
There is a game I play
We all play,
Where the depths
Thoughts and pains,
The awkward feelings and fears
Angers and spites
Are only on display,
at best, for some.
… maybe none.
…
A bright “Hello”
A hearty joke
Bonhommie is the display window.
The Soul, the heart are cloaked in rooms behind.
…
But You see,
You know,
Even the things I hide with excuses,
and bluster.
You cut through the darkness and
All is revealled, displayed and laid out
To Your eyes and Your heart.
…
I mumble “Thankyou”.
Even if I didn’t want You to look.
I am honest with You.
Not because I want to be.
But in You I can’t hide
My many masks.
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The Bible and the Enigma Code

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Subtitled: The Bible and Bletchley Park

Bletchley Park Mansion

In 2005 one of the first things I did when we arrived in the UK was visit Bletchley Park. It was just across the railway line and up the road a little from where we lived. As I didn’t have a car, it was an easy visit that I could tick off my list of things to see.

Bletchley Park was/is home to to the first programmable computer – the Colossus (in recent years it has been restored). It was utilised to decipher the German Enigma Code, a sophisticated encryption machine used to encrypt secret messages to be sent around the Reich – particularly to ships. Cracking the code made a huge difference to the Allied war effort.

The Turing Bombe

Where does the Bible fit into the picture? Many people I come across treat Scripture like an encrypted German message and they respond in a variety of ways. Some tell me the Bible is too complicated and they can’t be bothered decoding it. Others spend a lifetime searching for the key. Like some human “Colossus,” their brains are whirring away trying to decipher a secret code that underpins the Bible. If it is not a form of numerology, it is another scheme they try to develop by which the “truth” may be found. Countless hours have been spent and many books written on aspects of Scripture that, sadly, do not draw us closer to the truth.

In fact, the truth of Scripture is quite plain. Maybe it is too easy! The truth of the gospel is quite simple. We are sinners. We cannot in our own strength be reunited with God, so God sent His own son to take the punishment we deserve, by which the affront to His holiness is dealt with and we can be restored to God. And even at this point God applies this truth through the amazing person of the Holy Spirit. In short, we have a triune God dealing with our deepest needs. All we need to do is believe and accept the gift He offers.Now how complicated is that?! There are no spiritual gymnastics required and any efforts on our part to obtain salvation are of no use.

The apostle John wrote nearly 2000 years  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,  that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Jn 3:16) It was true then. It is true now.

Yes there is more, There is the Kingdom of God, there is the call of God on the life of His children, and many other wonderful qualities. All of these extra truths are anchored on the simple gospel truth mentioned in John 3:16 (above).

One final anecdote: I had a wonderful cousin who had Down Syndrome. Stephen understood the gospel and was in love with his Saviour. The gospel message was simple enough and clear enough for him to understand and clasp to himself. He loved telling people about God’s love for them. He did not need a secret code book, or a spiritual decrypter. All he had was a simple faith. That was all he needed.

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… and narrow the road … leads to life

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Pieter Stok

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Mt 7:14

Robin Hood's Bay

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