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Christian thoughts from everyday life in and around the three cities. Contents are below. CONTENTS: Page: 1. The Heart of the Matter 3 2. Its Only Bread 4 3. Birds Teach People in Khartoum 5 4. Freedom and Road Rules 6 5. A Sign of Things to Come? 9 6. Life Under the Influence 10 7. A Battle Every Day in My Garden 12 8. Change is Here To Stay 14 9. A Uniform Scent 15 10. Incarnation More Remarkable than Evolution 17 11. The Streetlight, the Star and the Saviour 19 12. Outside the Cinema, Inside Christianity 20 13. Choose the Right Bus! 23 14. Is Charcoal More Useful than You? 25 15. Time to Wake Up! 26 16. The Old Ways Die Hard 28 17. Walking in the Dark 30 18. The Test of Light 32 19. Keeping the Devil Away! 34 20. Washed Up and Clean 36 21. Waiting for a Reply 37 22. Are You Ready to Go? 39 All these articles first appeared in the Khartoum Monitor newspaper almost weekly, between September 2002 and April 2003. The published booklet (November 2003) was dedicated to the many friends Brenda and I enjoyed working alongside during our brief time pastoring Khartoum International Church

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. Engineers use their skills and their knowledge to do many clever and useful things. The pictures* are of the Merowe dam, about 220 miles north of Khartoum on the Nile, close to 4th cataract. The river divides into small branches with islands in between, now linked by walls. The dam is 5.6 miles in length, 220 feet high, collecting a 3 cubic miles reservoir, taking about 20% of Nile’s flow, and will eventually hold back an upstream lake of 108 miles. It powers 10x125 MV turbines supplying Atbara, Khartoum, Omdurman, Port Sudan, Dabba and Dongola. (Information source: Wikipedia. Photos come from the Merowe dam website.). It is amazing to think that water can be engineered in such a way. It helps to produce electricity for so many people, businesses and projects. Of course the Nile with its Blue and White tributaries, are also used for irrigation to produce fruitful farmland. Hundreds of people make their living from it by offering boat transport to people and to cargo, and by fishing. Engineers and entrepreneurs make such good use of this God-given resource every day. The same God who created the waters of the Nile also made you and me. He is the Master engineer and the Supreme designer, Genesis 2:6, 10-14. He wastes nothing, making proper use of all His immense resources. Since He designed us to fulfil the plans He had in mind for our lives, we can trust Him to use everything He involves us in. He works it together for our good, and makes us more like God the Son, Jesus Christ, into the bargain, Romans 8:28-30. “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong”, 1 Corinthians 1:27. He said: “My power is made perfect in weakness”, 2 Corinthians 12:9. One of God’s greatest servants, Paul, learned how to “delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties” because he realised “When I am weak, then I am strong” in my Lord Jesus Christ”, 2 Corinthians 12:10. Seeing what great things human engineers can do, stop and think for a moment – how much more can our great God and Father do? He is more than able, whatever needs to be done. July 2014.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. Our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26. I am a bird-watcher. It is a hobby almost anyone can do anywhere at any time. Try to identify the different kinds of birds around you, wherever you happen to be. Watch carefully. Do it when you have a few minutes to spare. It can also be a relaxation for hours at a time. Remember, the Lord Jesus told you to do it! Matthew 6:26 above. Think about the lessons you can learn from these wonderful winged creatures that God has made for us to enjoy. Listen to them praising God with their songs everyday, come what may. Watch their colourful charm showing off God’s glorious handcraft. The birds pictured above are “weavers”. They have that name because of the way they twist grasses together in nest building. I remember watching a colony at work by Shambat village, alongside the river Nile, north of Khartoum Bahri. The hard working male birds were flying from the ground to the tree canopy with their beaks full of grasses, palm fronds, roots and reeds. Once in the treetops each bird would tie real knots in the material using its beak and its feet. By tying knots, the bird makes the nest more secure. A weaverbird has a strong, conical beak, which it uses to cut. God is their (and your) great Designer. Some species of weaver build hundreds of nests close together. Several nests will be built on one tree branch. Others may hang from telephone poles. Weavers often build on tree branches that overhang rivers to help protect the nest from predators. The nest’s narrow tube-like entrance opens upside down, making it hard for a predator to get inside. God’s way is the best way. Always. One lesson for us not to follow is that the males of many weaver species are polygamous. They build more than one nest, with more than one female, during a single breeding season. We should never go against God’s revealed will for us, which the Bible says is one man and one woman for life in the family, Genesis 2:24. Our Lord Jesus Christ also said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock”, Matthew 7:24-25. Watch and learn lessons from the nature your God has given you to see all around you! You are in the middle of it for a good reason. Use it. August 2014.

Christian thoughts from everyday life in and around the three cities 1. THE HEART OF THE MATTER. I couldn't believe what I saw recently: a donkey cart filling up it's big oil drum with petrol at my local petrol station! I had to look twice because I didn't believe it first time. I know that donkey carts don't use petrol. They use 'donkey power' which comes from the food the animal eats, not any fuel in the tank! Looking at the reality behind the appearance, I soon discovered the donkey, driver and cart were simply going to deliver the drum of fuel to someone else. It wasn't what I had first thought it to be. God doesn't get deceived by outward appearances. The Bible says that God looks on the heart of a person, their real inner-self. He sees us all and understands what we are really like. The most amazing thing is that although God sees us as we really are, he still loves us. His love provided his son Jesus, who died and lives to help us become more and more the kind of people God himself wants us to be. Don't be taken in by your own outward show. God isn't. Take a second look at him, and take a long look at yourself. The starting point for change is arriving at the truth, not trying to hide it

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”, 2 Timothy 2:15. I enjoy discussing the Bible with other people. We have a home group from our church that meets where Brenda and I live. It is only a small number of people so I can lead the study in spite of not having a real voice (since God used cancer to take that away in 2006). I speak quietly! God wants us all to understand His will, how to live our lives in a way that pleases Him, in a way that is upright and good. He has shown us how to do this in His Bible that He has given to us. All of my writing tries to point readers towards applying the Bible into everyday life. These pictures were taken at the launch of my “Christian Theology in a Sudanese Context” back in 2004. You can read it in English and in Arabic on this website. Makram Morgos who helped me translate it, publish it, distribute it and even record a DVD of me teaching it before I lost my voice box, is now at home in heaven. (The digital videos are also on this website). When that work was all done God took my voice away. Later, God called Makram home. Neither he nor I can now speak to you personally, but God can still speak through what has been written and recorded. The Bible is the most important book in the world. “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”, 2 Peter 1:21. “All Scripture is God-­‐breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”, 2 Timothy 3:16-­17. A “workman” is “a man whose job is building or repairing things”, Macmillan School Dictionary, Oxford, 2004. If we want a well-­built, well-­maintained Christian life, we must learn how to use the Bible well. That God has given us this tremendous resource the Holy Spirit will make clear to us as we read it. Over centuries people have tried to destroy the Bible and evade its message of human accountability to our Creator God. Some still do today. Do not ignore the Bible. Read it, learn it, live by it. God will positively change you for the better as you do! September 2014.

Christian thoughts from daily life in and around the three cities. IT’S ONLY BREAD Sud. Pds. 1,000 will buy you some bread. Everyone knows that. You can choose from various types. There are long, thin breads sold from the back of a Toyota box. There are large round breads sold from roadside wooden tables in plastic bags. Different shops offer more variety, some even sliced loaves for Brits like me to feel more at home! God made us to eat bread. Daily bread is something Jesus taught us to ask for in prayer. Twice he miraculously shared the little bread he had with thousands of people - at no cost to them! Some began following him, expecting to be fed like that everyday. Even today I suspect some folk attend gatherings as much for 'the free lunch' as to give condolences at a funeral, or congratulations at a wedding, or even to learn from a specialist conference or class. But those people heard Jesus say: "There is more to life than bread". Bread will feed your body, while only the words of God will feed your spirit. People are not fully alive if they eat physical bread only. Those who live as Christians think about God's word, the Bible, in their everyday lives. As they chew it over in their minds it releases spiritual vitamins as evidenced by their healthy Christian choices. When you next see a chap on his bicycle, with a five feet wide tray laden with bread, wobbling his way to the sales pitch, remember: people are designed by their Creator, to live on daily bread PLUS. This 'plus' is the much longer lasting and significant 'every word of God’. Not everybody I see gives evidence of doing it. What about you?

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. South Sudan is a very diversified land. The vast majority of people are functionally illiterate. With hundreds of different tribes and languages represented. A written curriculum may presently only reach about 2% of the population. So here is a challenge to those of you in the 2% who can read this! It is common in South Sudan communities to tell stories around the fires in the evenings. This is one way rich cultural traditions are passed on from generation to generation. Here is an opportunity for followers of Christ to join those times and share stories of truth and life with those who have gathered. One need not be literate to pass along these stories and precepts. The only practical and feasible alternative is an oral based programme that can cross all geographical boundaries and be understandable and teachable to most of the ordinary people. It is common in South Sudan communities to tell stories around the fires in the evenings. This is one way rich cultural traditions are passed on from generation to generation. Here is an opportunity for followers of Christ to join those times and share stories of truth and life with those who have gathered. One need not be literate to pass along these stories and precepts. Photo on line: http://www.aljazeera.com/photo_galleries/africa Women share with other women the next day around the water wells. Youth and children exchange the stories they heard while out tending goats or cattle. And the elders share the same truths while sitting under the shade of the Lulu or Mahogany trees throughout the day. Not a written word is needed. The original sharer must carefully teach the Bible. Oral sharing is not the answer to everything, but it is another strategy to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, it is the one that Jesus Himself used.[1] [1] From Issues Facing Christians in Sudan Today edited by Colin Salter, (WeeFour publications: Redruth, Cornwall, UK) 2009, page 245. Inspired by a friend and amended slightly here. In Matthew 13 our Lord Jesus Christ uses parables – lessons about Christianity drawn from the everyday life of His listeners. He spoke about growing seeds and plants, about weeds amongst the crops, about the tiny mustard seed, about yeast rising bread dough, about hidden treasure, the merchant seeking valuable ‪ photo on line: www.washingtonpost.com, and sorting a net full of fish. In Matthew 7, after using more parables, the amazed crowd understood Jesus’ authority in teaching, vs 28-29. People will understand our sharing of the good news best when we copy our Lord’s example. October 2014.

Christian thoughts from everyday life in and around the three cities. BIRDS TEACHPEOPLE IN KHARTOUM. Many of God's creations can teach us human beings valuable lessons. On the fifth day of creation God made 'winged birds' to 'fly above the earth'. The weaver bird is one that lives in our city in several varieties. It is yellow and black, around fifteen centimetres long, with a touch of red on its face around the beak. I was with a group of friends on the Sillette agriculture scheme recently, watching several of these birds 'weave' their nests. They make hollow balls of grasses, with a hole in the bottom for the door. These are suspended from tree branches, almost looking as if they are fruit. Their colonies are frequently noisy. A weaver flies hundreds of journeys backwards and forwards to gather materials and to build its family home. Surely God intends us to learn that we also must work to earn our food, our home, our family living? We do not have a divinely given right to be fed and housed by our government, by our community or by outside helpers. We do have a divinely given responsibility to work hard. By this method God intends to provide for us. The earliest Christians knew this was true and they made a rule: "If a man will not work he shall not eat". Our Lord Jesus said to his followers: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" The birds work hard to gather and God provides for them as they do. Let's learn this lesson from the birds.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. I always try to grow sweet smelling red roses in my garden. We even did when we lived in Khartoum. My favourite rose is this English one, called Fragrant Cloud. It has a strong, outstandingly pleasant sweet aroma, adding to the beauty of its colour and shape. But I can’t smell my roses anymore. I have lost my sense of smell since becoming a neck-­breather when my voice box was removed owing to cancer in 1996. Because air doesn’t pass through my nose, I can no longer fully enjoy my roses. But I can still remember, and imagine. Just last week we had unseasonably heavy rains with squally winds. My roses took a merciless beating from both, while my wife and I stayed indoors and could only look out of the window, powerless at the damage being done. The day after the rain stopped. I started to clear away the debris. I cut off nine, once beautiful now battered, roses. Their petals were pitted, their colour drained and their shape horribly distorted. Having cut them, instead of throwing them away, I put them all in a 2.5cm shallow pie dish filled with fresh water. Brenda came into the kitchen, stopped and said, “What is that beautiful fragrance?” I pointed to the beaten up roses and I smiled in my heart! Father God quietly said to me: “My son Colin. You may feel disabled now you have lost your preaching voice. But remember, I am your Father God in heaven. I can still spread the fragrance of Jesus, even using damaged people, like the one you have now become”. I still pray: “Thank you, Lord God, for your overriding sovereignty, wisdom and ability”. Our God can use you too! “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him”. 1 Corinthians 1:27-­‐29. You may be bashed and battered, but God sees you as part of His beautiful creation. November 2014.

Christian thoughts from everyday life in and around the three cities. FREEDOM AND ROAD RULES Driving around Khartoum is more fun than driving in England, which is my home country. Here, I am able to start a new lane if my lane is full, even if it means traffic three or four cars wide on the road. Here, I am allowed to go the wrong side of a roundabout (circle) or a divided road, sometimes I am even directed to do so by a policeman. Here, I have the right of way if my vehicle is the biggest or if I get to the junction first. Here, I can change from lane to lane freely without signalling my intention. I can also push my way into moving traffic if I don't mind being shouted at for a few moments. The question naturally arises: 'Why have any road rules at all?' The answer is surprising, unless you think about it for a bit. Rules actually give everybody on the road greater freedom. People often think that rules stop freedom. In fact the reverse is true. Rules encourage a spirit which gives everybody freedom, as long as everyone keeps them. I believe 'Christians can obey God's laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us'. It is a matter of my choice. Remembering I live in the sight of God: will I choose to do what is right or will I choose to do what is wrong? On a traffic light red means 'stop' while green means 'go'. Drivers know from experience during electricity cuts, there is little freedom at road junctions when people try to go as they want to whatever the colour of the light! The presence of police at busy junctions, trying to make sure the rules are obeyed, is aimed at keeping all the traffic flowing. God wants Christians to follow the Holy Spirit's prompting and to obey his rules. The Bible teaches us to live as Jesus did, in the only way which pleases Father God. When we love God and we love our neighbour in the way the Creator intends, we promote God-given freedom in our society. Both Old and New Testaments urge parents to teach their own children to learn and to keep God's laws. Jesus told us we display our personal love for God as we live by his commandments. The rules of Christian living, applied by a person keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, are an attractive witness to those who stand by and watch. They speak more clearly than any words we say. What do people see and hear from your life?

Christian thoughts from everyday life in and around the three cities. A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME? When did you last see a crowd of people sitting outside a family home in the shelter of a temporary racooba? Perhaps it was a wedding, an engagement, or a death in the family. My neighbour recently celebrated his younger brother's marriage. For several days a sense of expectancy built up. The family had made plans. The racooba was delivered on a truck and erected by men from the hire company. A guard or two slept in it overnight. Early next morning plastic chairs were delivered. Crates of drinks and pots of food came a little later. For those of us watching, all these things were a sign that something was going to happen. Our Lord Jesus Christ told Christians to watch for the signs of his returning to this world. The nearer it came, the more we would hear of civil and international war, natural disasters such as famine and earthquake, the persecution and execution of Christians, betrayal and deception in religions, and large numbers of Christians growing careless in their love for God. Can you see any of these around you today? These signs point out that Jesus is coming back soon. The setting up of a racooba along your street could mean happiness or it could mean sorrow. For some Jesus' return will be a family celebration of life, acceptance by God and joy. But for others his return will be a family funeral of death, weeping and total hopelessness. Their wrong choices in this life will be reflected in their eternal destiny in the next. The fact Jesus will return is absolutely certain. The date is unknown. The challenge for us all is to be ready to meet him when he does.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus”, Luke 1:31 (NIV). Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”, Luke 1:46-47. Zechariah prophesied, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people”, Luke 1:68. An angel of the Lord said to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”, Luke 2:11-12. < Photo: Rokon displaced people early in 2014, by the late Bishop Francis Loyo. The men looking after their sheep went to look for this Saviour. Terrified at the appearance and in panic at the presence of God, vs9, they saw Mary, Joseph and the baby with their own eyes. Mary “treasured up all these things”, vs19. The shepherds told everyone they saw, vs17-18,20. At this time probably nobody knew what was going to happen to this baby Jesus. The name “Jesus” means “God saves”. Mary realised her son would be her Saviour. She may not have realised the price of redemption (being redeemed, being made free from sin) would be so high. The life she had brought into the world would have to die in order to reconcile sinful humankind with the Holy Creator God. God deserves great praise for making this possible. This baby born to be the world’s Saviour was and is exactly that. He was not only born for the shepherds, or Mary, or Joseph. Jesus was born for you and for me too. This Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, be at peace (not panic) in the presence of God. 1. Think reflectively on this awesome, history-making, life-changing, event. 2. Take Jesus as your own personal Saviour and Lord. Turn from your life of sin. 3. Tell others about your new-found life as a genuine Christian. Follow Jesus in every aspect of your life. Live with Jesus as your Lord and show it in all your actions. December 2014.