Search

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. “Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow”, Psalm 51:7. These words were written by a man – a king – whom God loved in spite of his sin. The king lusted after a married woman in his heart. He gave in to temptation and committed adultery. Sex resulted in a child being conceived. The king tried to get himself out of his own mess. He arranged leave for the husband from his job in the army. He hoped normal husband and wife relations would cover his sin. But he failed. The king tried again to cover his own wrongdoings. He partied and got the husband drunk. But even in his drunkenness the husband had more moral fibre than the king. Becoming desperate the king used his authority to place the husband in the thick of fighting on the battle field so that he would be killed. This scheme worked! The husband died. But that was not the end of the matter. King David married the woman and became the father to his own child. For a while it appeared he had got away with lust, adultery, deceit and murder. But, “the thing David had done displeased the Lord”, 2 Samuel 11:27. God still loved him. God sent continuous conviction of sin. The king was sadly depressed. His body constantly ached. His soul was troubled day and night. Only when he admitted his sin to God –and before men – was he freed and renewed. There was still more heartache. God took the child away. But David experienced an underlying foundational freedom which comes when any sinner says to his or her Saviour Jesus: “Have mercy on me, O God. I know my transgression. Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me”. See 2 Samuel 11 & 12; Psalm 51. March 2009.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. The cross has been the symbol of Christianity for hundreds of years. These bead cross necklaces (in the picture above) were made by Nuer women from the Sudanese Presbyterian Evangelical Churches in and around Khartoum. Like millions of other Christians, these women use the simple cross to remind them of two things: 1. Where Jesus went for us. “Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the skull. Here they crucified him” John 19:17-18. 2. What Jesus wants expects us to do. “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” Matthew 10:38. This month, God-willing, we will celebrate Jesus’ death, followed by his resurrection on Easter day. We can celebrate his death because of: God’s purpose for it. It was no accident of history. God’s presence in it. God was in Christ bringing the world back to himself. God’s provision for human salvation through it. Now we have access to God and the risen Jesus stands as our advocate. Only God is good enough to pay the penalty sin deserved. And in JESUS he did. For what it means to Live as the People of the Cross today, on the HOME PAGE of this website, click on ISSUES FACING CHRISTIANS IN SUDAN TODAY, then select “Prologue – the People of the Cross” from the subject index. April 2009.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. These children at Suk Mahale may look concerned as they think about tomorrow. No human being knows, or can tell them, their future! Last month I discovered cancer had returned to my neck and throat. This is two years and five months since my voice-box was surgically removed. April 6th 2009 glands and tissues seen to be infected by my surgeon were precisely excised. During May, God-willing, I will be treated with radiotherapy every day for five weeks, “to mop up anything we cannot see”. It is precious to my wife Brenda and to me that our God is not surprised by what has happened. God is so great. God is putting everything together in His wonderful plan for our world – and His plan for the two of us. At the right time, and in the best possible way, God is outworking His creation purpose. Like Daniel’s three friends who were facing the fiery furnace trial, Brenda and I firmly believe God is able to save and deliver me from death through cancer. Also like those men, we recognise God knows better than we do. Daniel 3:27,28. If God chooses to take me home to heaven soon (for a reason He has not disclosed to us, but it will nonetheless be a good reason) we will still both try to love Him, to praise Him and to worship Him. God will continue to do the right thing even when we would personally choose something completely different. That just goes to show how much we both still have to learn about the mystery of God and His ways. Paul’s prayer is my prayer: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”, Philippians 3:10. May 2009.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. Our Best defence is God Himself! Always. From a restaurant by the Nile I took this photo of the defences built about 130 years ago to protect Omdurman and restrict access to Khartoum. These earthworks are part of the tourist route in the area. The traveller can see well-preserved ruins, a fitting monument to the people who built them and the many who fought over them. The nearby Mahdi museum also has artefacts from battles of the history of this area. The writer of Psalm 121 was an experienced fighter. He knew the ups and the downs of army life. He had also grown to realise that it is God Himself who is the best defensive asset any person can have as his or her own. Weaponry, shields, trenches, armour-plating all have their place, but none are comparable to the defensive power of our Almighty Christian God. 1. God helps and cares for His own, verse 2, even when unseen. 2. God defends His own. His resources are everything, verse 2. 3. God protects His own, verses 3,4. No terminal damage need come from our own stumbles, slips or falls. 4. God focuses His sight on His own, verses 3,4,5,7,8. His watch is closer to us than the watches by which we tell our time! 5. God preserves His own in the routines of daily life, verses 5,6. 6. God keeps His own from all harm, verse 7. Things that happen to us therefore need not be harmful! Ask 'What is Father God doing?' 7. God guards His own, verse 8, and He will do so for always! He leads us safely on into forever’s eternity! Always remember, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth”. June 2009.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. “We, who with unveiled faces, all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit”, 2 Corinthians 3:18. What begins as a rough piece of plain cloth can end up as a colourful and beautiful dress or shirt. It only needs to be put into the hands of someone who knows how to “tie dye” and tailor. The top picture shows where the “tie” comes from in the name, “tie dye”. Not in either picture is the actual moment of dying. It is immersion, where the plain cloth is soaked to the selected point in the chosen colour dye. The liquid is sometimes hot and sometimes cold depending on the planned future use of the cloth. The Khartoum centre for the Nuer Presbyterian women is where these photos were taken. Brenda and I enjoyed being shown around and meeting many lovely people, now almost ten years ago. As Christians it is good that we can and do give our lives into God’s hands. Because He is our Father in heaven, He knows what to do with our lives to make us the best people we can ever possibly be. God wants to make us like Himself, that is like Jesus! Among many attributes Jesus was gracious, gentle, kind, truthful and loving. Jesus lived to a 100% morally high standard. His living behaviour never once let down what His words said. Jesus was firm in His understanding and expression of what was right and what was wrong. He lived a godly life – even when He was persecuted for it. Every time you see some “tie dye” material ask yourself this question: “Am I allowing God to change me into the type of person He wants me to be?” No experience is wasted when we accept it from His hand. “The gospel of the glory of Christ”, 2 Corinthians 4 verse 4, is understood best when heard from people whose lives reflect something of Jesus in everyday matters. July 2009

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. I learned a lesson last month simply by changing my route and by walking in the shade! I had been having radiotherapy, a seven week course of treatment at the hospital. The medics were trying to try kill off any cancer cells left in my throat following recent surgery to remove some of my cancerous glands and tissues. While walking to and from treatment I was warned, “Whatever you do, keep your head, face, neck and throat out of the sun”. “Don’t let your skin be exposed to the sun’s rays”. The dangers were explained and so I was obviously very, very careful. I wore a floppy hat with a wide brim – the kind men wear to keep the sun off them while playing cricket. I also carefully turned the collar of my shirt up to cover my neck. And I asked my wife, Brenda, to gently rub a barrier cream into my skin three times daily. I was serious about keeping the sun off me! One afternoon, I was feeling a little silly all dressed up like this while everyone else was enjoying the rare English summer sunshine! Suddenly I realised something so obvious I don’t know why I hadn’t seen it before. The western side of the longest street I walked along was in the shade because of the way the sun’s rays were blocked by the rooflines of the houses that side of it. I always walked on the eastern side – don’t ask me why – but I ALWAYS did. It was as if God said to me, “Colin, it is good that you are being careful, and I think you are being wise protecting yourself. BUT, never forget that the BEST protection is always the protection that I give you myself”. God applied it to the rest of my life: “You will need to change some of your bad habits built over several years. Things you always do without thinking. Your usual way. Only by changing will you enjoy the complete provision I have made for all of your life”. God clearly challenged me, “Come on, Colin, leave your own ways and walk this world my way”. What does God challenge you about today? “The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand”, Psalm 121:5. God, who made heaven and earth, can easily look after all of your needs! Do what you can, of course, but always be willing to trust God for what you can’t do for yourself. GOD HIMSELF IS your shade. August 2009.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” John 6:27. People were looking for Jesus but for the wrong reasons! They only wanted their bellies to become more comfortably full of food. Some of them had seen Jesus work miracles – physical healings from chronic and indisputable sickness, John 5:1-15; 6:1-2. But they weren’t convinced. Others saw or heard about Jesus feeding thousands of people sufficiently from just one boy’s small picnic lunch, John 6:3-15. Still they weren’t sure. One stormy night Jesus’ closest disciples even watched Him walk on the surface waves of the sea of Galilee, John 6:16-21; 6:17-26. Who was and is this Jesus? God was definitely special in and around Jesus from Nazareth. But it is NOT the miracles which make Jesus special. Jesus was special in and of Himself! Jesus was, and is, a very special person. Jesus is the way God has expressed Himself to us. Jesus knew (and spoke) the truth, John 6:26; 6:32; 6:47; 6:53. Jesus knew (and demonstrated) God at work, John 6:27; 6:29. Jesus gives a certain type of life to the world, John 6:33. This life does not depend on any physical food or drink, John 6:35. This life can become your life, irrespective of where you were physically born or where you currently live. This life is God’s gift to those He loves and all He chooses, John 6:37-40. Jesus likens Himself to a loaf of bread, John 6:33; 6:35. He is available to meet the deepest needs of all hungry people. All women and every man, from the youngest baby to the oldest elder, including every world famous megastar and all those individuals whom no-one else has ever noticed. ALL PEOPLE are welcome to meet Jesus and to be satisfied by Him. The very first people who heard this teaching said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”, John 6:60. The world’s population has been divided ever since! Today, in Sudan as elsewhere, there are some who believe while others don’t! Please read John 6:27 again (in red type, below the photos above). Think: “Which group am I in? Why am I in it? Is it time to change?” September 2009.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. OLDER THAN FOREVER, STILL RELIABLY THE SAME – OUR PRISTINE GOD. There was a lot of rain in parts of Sudan this year! I took the top photo when my car was stuck in the mud back in 2002. A friend sent me the bottom photo of a road down south last month! Neither the car tyre nor the road were in pristine condition! The word “pristine” means “remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted; remaining free from dirt or decay; clean”. It also means “typical of the earliest time or the original condition”. What do I mean by “OUR PRISTINE GOD”? Genesis 1:1 starts off “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. When everything else was about to begin, God was already there. He was the only One there, but He was not alone. He was the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This One God in three persons made everything else that there was and is. Today He still uses everything for His own purposes. When the car tyre was made it was in pristine condition. The road was well made too. As time passed both the tyre and the road were used. During the changing conditions of life things happened. The big amounts of rain turned the roads into mud slides. The tyres simply span round and round. No vehicles were going anywhere. As we live our Christian lives we sometimes allow our understanding of the pristine God to become clouded by everything we see happening in life around us. The mess of the world corrupts our view of God. What we think about God – if indeed we stop to think about Him at all – is determined by the immediate things we see, rather than the ultimate things which are true. We say to ourselves, “Why is God allowing this?”, when we may be better asking “What is God’s purpose for us in bringing this situation to be?” “In the beginning God” lived dependent upon nothing else. Out of nothing our pristine God made humankind and our environment. Nobody questioned God’s ability. What Almighty God said, He did. God breathed life into dead dust. God met one man’s needs for companionship by giving him one woman. God used the couple’s mutual skills to provide family life. It was only when human beings decided they knew better than God they went their own way. That sin (going their own way) brought suffering and death into their (and our) world. God’s world is no longer pristine! BUT always remember, GOD HIMSELF IS! “What you worship as something unknown I am going to explain to you” Acts 17:23. October 2009.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. I have four ideas to share with you about your reading of the Bible. You can easily remember them by touching the four fingers on your left hand with your right hand, one at a time! · Pray … Read … Think … Do …! 1. The Bible is not simply another book among many for us to read. The Bible is God’s word to all people. It is God speaking to us! Praying before reading is like tuning in the TV and radio to the channels you want to listen to. It is like putting the right SIM card in your mobile for the network you pay to use. You tell God you are listening, and He is pleased. Jesus gives us understanding when we ask Him, Matthew 7:7-8; 12:11-13. 2. Books look very good on the shelves of a library, a bookshop, even in a home. But that is not what books are really about. Books are to be read! A battered and tatty worn out book has achieved its purpose far more than a crisp and clean volume always kept on a shelf. Our Bibles are for reading! Jesus often said to his listeners, “Haven’t you read ….?”, Matthew 19:4; 21:42. Error spreads when people don’t know their Bibles, Matthew 22:29. 3. Muslim people sometimes dismiss the Bible by saying it has been corrupted. Whilst it is true that people have sometimes wrongly interpreted the Bible, the Bible itself remains the word of God. God cannot be corrupted. We can trust Him to look after His word always. We can think about the true meaning. Jesus told His disciples: “You have heard that it was said ….. but I tell you …..”, Matthew 5:21-22; 5:27-28; 5:31-32; 5:33-34; 5:38-39; 5:43-45. 4. One can see a lot of house-building in and around Khartoum. Jesus compared His own words with building a house. He promised people that doing (which means : living out) His word in daily life will always bring security. It is a great foundation for whatever storms attack us, Matthew 7:24-29. Pray .. read .. think .. and do! What are you waiting for? November 2009.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. Shepherds! I used to see them very early in the morning coming in from Shambat towards the Khartoum city markets. During eide smaller flocks of sheep were by the roadsides waiting to be bought for family sacrifices. One or two shepherds were with each flock. I imagine that there have been shepherds almost as long as there have been people and sheep! The Bible says: 1. Able “kept flocks”, presumably including sheep, Genesis 4:2, and he offered the best of them to God. 2. Jabal was “the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock”, Genesis 4:20. 3. Abraham “acquired sheep”, Genesis 12:16. 4. God is a shepherd to His people, Genesis 48:15, Psalm 23:1, 1 Peter 2:25. Ownership of sheep was an important economic factor in the pastoral time of the Patriarchs. Their meat was eaten, 1 Samuel 14:32. They were shorn for their wool, Genesis 31:19. They were milked, Deuteronomy 32:14. God planned mankind should always creatively use His creation. Some of God’s leaders learned to lead by being shepherds. Moses was a one, Exodus 2:17 and 3:1. David was another, 1 Samuel 16:11. God wants us to learn from what is around us. People without a living relationship with God are described, more than once, as “sheep without a shepherd”, Numbers 27:17, 1 Kings 22:17, 2 Chronicles 18:16, Isaiah 13:14, Matthew 9:36. God wants us to learn His way from Him. Pastors and ministers are to be “shepherds of God’s flock”, Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2. God wants us to protect, care for and guide our people. But my favourite shepherds in the Bible are those lowly unnamed people who were tending their flocks in the fields by Bethlehem, Luke 2:8. From God’s glory they heard firsthand news of universal joy! “A Saviour has been born to you”, Luke 2:11. They went quickly to see the new baby. And when they had seen Jesus, they spread the word, glorifying and praising God, Luke 2:20. This Christmas, we who know Jesus must do the same! Our neighbours, of whatever faith or none, deserve to know this Jesus. December 2009.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. If you look at almost any group of people you will see that some of them – perhaps most of them – are carrying a bag of some type. I want to ask you to see those bags as representing the different physical, emotional or spiritual burdens each one of us carries from time to time. It may help you to help people! Paul wrote to Christians in one Roman province telling them to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way fulfil the law of Christ”, Galatians 6:2. The immediate context shows this was to help people battling against sinful behaviour in their own daily lives, verse 1. The great evangelist and teacher warned his readers to first examine their own lives before condemning anyone else. Aim to help ease a person away from what is wrong in their lives and encourage them into what is good. Do this as you walk alongside them. Some burdens people carry must be seen as unhelpful. They should be put down – and you may have to help them to do it. Other burdens may be God-given (see below). Then it is much better to help some individual carry a load than to condemn him for dropping it! Verses 3-5. Jesus said what all people who chose to follow Him should carry with them. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”, Luke 9:23, and “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”, Luke 14:27. The immediate contexts are Jesus’ teaching about suffering while being a Christian disciple, and even suffering to the point of division between close family members. Carrying a cross for our Lord Jesus is something every Christian should expect to do. Just like we pick up a handbag, a briefcase, a shopping basket or even a plastic carrier bag, so we must be mindful that we live with the cross of Christ on our shoulders. That cross overshadows all we do. The one who carried a cross when Jesus did was soon to die. As Christians we must learn to die to our own desires and to come alive only to what God wants – for ourselves and for others too. Let us carry only what God wants us to carry as we step out into the future. January 2010.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. Ten years ago these youngsters from my church were building sandcastles by the Nile. About a dozen sandcastles were built. As the pastor I had the job of judging which one was the best! Within a few hours all of the sandcastles were destroyed by the river Nile’s water. Today you would not find a single trace of the youngster’s hard work. Don’t make the same mistake in your own life! In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus spoke about the right and the wrong ways of listening to his teachings. If our listening does not lead to us living out the words of Jesus, his own teaching says we are foolish. It is just as if we have worked to build a house, but the foundation we have laid is useless. The house will soon fall down when the heavy rains come. Our lives will not cope with life’s challenging situations. On the other hand, if we listen regularly to Jesus’ teachings, and we apply them faithfully to our own lives – in our home life, in our work life, in our church life, in fact in every part of our lives – Jesus promises that we can withstand all of the circumstances life will throw against us. Jesus’ teachings are a solid foundation for everyday life in Sudan in the 21st century. Looking ahead towards the next two years, Sudan is facing very big challenges. All sorts of groups will be putting pressure on individuals, churches, tribes and other communities. They will be saying things like: “Follow me” or “Come with us”. We may fear we have no choice. But we do! We must remember to test everything we are asked to do. Don’t make a mistake! How does it compare to the teachings of our Lord Jesus? As Christians we have already said that we will follow Jesus. The next few months will give us many chances to show that we mean what we say. Living Jesus’ way we will be strong, even if we have to follow him to death. Our strength comes from a crucified Saviour who will be with us right up to the end. Jesus never once made a mistake. Now he calls on us to follow him. February 2010.