God has a sense of humour

Mark 16:18

2010-09-17T21:34:00.001-07:00

Why aren't people coming to church?

2009-08-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

I learned a new acronym this week...’BCS’...but more on that later.

I have written before about falling asleep in church….

The Pastor was in fine form….he was onto point 14 of his sermon on something or other and had just passed the 60 minute mark. He was surprised, on embarking on point 15 to see a man in the second row asleep and was deeply affronted. The Reverend kindly requested the man next to him to wake him up to receive the following reply…”You put him to sleep….why don’t you come down and wake him up yourself.”

I know that going to church is important…the writer to the Hebrews encourages us;

‘Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing’ (Hebrews 10:25)

But sometimes I wonder whether ‘I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.’ (1 Corinthians 11:17) may be closer to the mark.

It is my solemn belief that church should be the most exciting place we go each week. We should leave feeling encouraged, a little smarter and a little closer to God and our fellow travellers. How often though do we stuff it up and bore people so much they want to stay home? Are people enduring an unpleasant experience coming to church?

My Dad is involved in prison ministry. The team has watched and wondered why the church service in one wing of the prison had dwindled down over a period of weeks to an all-time low of 2 loyal attendees.

They finally spoke with the Governor of the prison to see if there was any obvious reason….It turns out that apparently some of the prisoners had been using church as a new place to exchange contraband and a new rule had been implemented.

It is little wonder that church attendance was dropping so dramatically – perhaps a BCS (Body Cavity Search) for all attendees is almost as unpleasant as it sounds.

Even Jesus spat the dummy....

2009-03-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

I have had a lot of suggestions as to what constitutes a Dummy Spit of Biblical Proportions….many of which I will write about in this series of “The 10 greatest dummy spits of the Bible.”

I don’t think you can write about Biblical accounts of people losing it without considering our Lord’s episode in the temple in Jerusalem.

This story is recorded in all four gospels….but I really like the way The Message translates John’s account:

“Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" (John 2:15-17 The Message)

Jesus quoted from Isaiah 56:7….The reason He was so cranky was that the part of the temple that the merchants had set up in was known as the ‘Gentile’s Court.’ Non-Jews were allowed only into this part of the temple and commerce had crowded them out. Jesus then goes on to quote what I like to refer to as the “Seven 11” verse….Jeremiah 7:11 – the ‘you have turned my house into a den of robbers.’

Jesus’ dummy spit was:

- Because the Gentiles had no access to pray in the temple

- People had set up a pet shop and Thomas Cook currency exchange branch in the temple

- Proof that you can lose it without committing sin…..maybe easier for Jesus than mere mortals like myself!

Divine Anger Management

2009-03-10T21:51:00.001-07:00

I am working on a series of the “Ten Greatest Biblical Dummy Spits” (and I would be delighted to receive your suggestions via comments below – and I will credit your input)

Moses was an A-grade dummy spitter…..and as a result suffered his fair share of divine anger management. Moses killed a man in a fit of rage, disobeyed direct instructions from God and at various times threw his toys out of the cot. (an Australian-ism….sorry)

Arguably his most famous episode however was this one……

Moses disappears up Mount Sinai for 40 days and returns with the Ten Commandments – written by God himself on stone tablets…also provided by the creator. When Moses comes down the mountain he has a little WTF moment when he discovers the people of Israel, with the assistance of his dopey brother Aaron, have made for themselves a golden cow that they have decided will be their new God. (see rules number 1 and 2 - Exodus 20:3-4)

Moses was angry that 20% of the new rules were already broken and in a fit of rage he smashed the two tablets to pieces.

But his punishment for this little outburst was…..he had to cut out two new tablets, walk all the way back up the mountain – lugging said tablets, take dictation and write the commandments himself – in stone – and struggle back down the mountain again.

He looked after the two new ones – then he hid them in a special box and carted them around everywhere. (2 Chron 5:10) Perhaps this was because Moses’ writing was not as neat as God’s and he was embarrassed……

Demoniational Divisions

2009-02-01T21:35:00.000-08:00

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said "Stop! don't do it!"

"Why shouldn't I?" he said.

I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!"

He said, "Like what?"

I said, "Well...are you religious or atheist?"

He said, "Religious."

I said, "Me too! Are you christian or buddhist?"

He said, "Christian."

I said, "Me too! Are you catholic or protestant?"

He said, "Protestant."

I said, "Me too! Are you episcopalian or baptist?"

He said, "Baptist!"

I said,"Wow! Me too! Are you baptist church of god or baptist church of the lord?"

He said, "Baptist church of god!"

I said, "Me too! Are you original baptist church of god, or are you reformed baptist church of god?"

He said,"Reformed Baptist church of god!"

I said, "Me too! Are you reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1879, or reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1915?"

He said, "Reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1915!"

I said, "Die, heretic scum", and pushed him off. -- Emo Phillips

God shall supply all your needs

2009-01-28T16:57:00.000-08:00

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Beating Tanks into Tractors....

2009-01-22T20:04:00.000-08:00

"Probably the night before.....that's the way I always do it." This was Rev Joseph E Lowery's response to a reporter who contacted him and asked him when he was going to prepare his benediction prayer (full text) for Obama’s inauguration ceremony.

The 87 year old, retired Methodist minister and civil rights leader from Alabama said he was humbled to be involved.

In my opinion, Lowery stole the show! His benediction was the highlight of this historic occasion.

My favourite part is his contextualisation of the Prophets Micah and Isaiah. (Micah 4:3, Isa 2:4) Instead of beating swords into plowshares, Lowery prayed for a time when we would beat tanks into tractors. I guess when the first black President of the United States has just been inaugurated after decades of struggle for equality, a tongue-in-cheek sideswipe at America’s military policies was of little consequrence.

Beating “tanks into tractors” got me thinking about how Rev Lowery may translate Ephesians 6……

Stand firm then, with the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the flack jacket of righteousness in place, and with your feet booted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the riot shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the rounds of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the assault rifle of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

A little pre-Christmas cameo.....

2008-12-21T22:24:00.000-08:00

I have always been fascinated by angelic visitations recorded in the Bible. The thing that strikes me is that, more often than not, the first thing angels say is “Fear not!”

I am pretty sure that angels are a whole lot more impressive than smiling, fluffy soy latte-sipping winged lady-boys portrayed in art and popular culture. In fact I think they are probably closer to this………….

There is a scene in the movie Terminator (T1) where Sarah Connor first meets the terminator (Arnie’s character) who has returned from the future to be her son John’s guardian. Due largely to his size and appearance Arnie’s character has some difficulty explaining that he is here to help…..A case of ‘Fear not’ perhaps?

Anyhow…..one of my favourite ‘Fear not’ moments occurs as the scene is being set for Christmas. Nobody in Israel has heard boo from God for 400 years. (the inter-testamental period….or the gap between the OT and the NT) In the last two verses of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:5) God promises to send back Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and vice versa. Then silence……..

We pick up the story in Luke 1…..

It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering. Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear.

But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God. “He'll drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for
God."

Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman."

But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time."

Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people. (Luke 1:8-22 - The Message)

Zachariah was doing a job that he had trained for his whole life to do….a job that he would only ever get to do once. He was burning incense on the alter in front of the curtain that separated him from the presence of God – the Holy of Holies.

Gabriel’s response to Zachariah’s unbelief is interesting…..”I am Gabriel, I stand in the presence of God” (NIV)….he may as well have said “I have balls as big as Texas” because normal people fall flat on their faces in the presence of God. In fact, Zachariah knew that behind the curtain – the presence of God - was almost certain death for anyone except the high priest once a year. Even the high priest went in with a rope tied around his waist so his colleagues could drag his body back out if he died in the Holy of Holies….Again….’Fear Not’ credentials!

The final amusing part of the story is that Zachariah couldn’t speak for 9 months…..I wonder what sort of sign language you use to explain that you have just encountered an 8 foot tall messenger from God?

The last part of the story goes on to explain that Mrs Zachariah did indeed become pregnant…..Zachariah must have known some sign language…..or maybe she took pity on him.

The need for speed

2008-12-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

This is my first post in some time…..I broke my wrist in a cycling accident and have been forced by circumstance to commute by public transport.

This has given me time to contemplate transport in general and an interaction in the Bible that I find quite amusing.

Elijah travelled differently to me…..at various times he:

• Travelled for 40 days and nights on the strength of two angelic happy meals (1 Kings 19:8)
• Out-ran King Ahab’s chariot (1 Kings 18:46)
• Took his famous last ‘Chariot of fire’ ride (2 Kings 2:11)
• Was a frequent flyer – he understood the crash position (1 Kings 18:42)

The one that entertains me the most however is found in 1 Kings 18:7-15. Obadiah was the manager of King Ahab’s palace. He was a devout man who feared God….he was also afraid of his boss.

One day Elijah turned up while Obadiah was out walking and said “Go and tell Ahab Elijah wants to see him.” Obadiah’s response is hilarious…..

“I don't know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me.” (1 Kings 18:12)

You can add astral travel to Elijah’s ‘mode of transport’ list……beats the bus!

Road-kill sandwiches

2008-11-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

In church this weekend, Pastor Paul preached from 1 Kings about Elijah. This reminded me of a story in the Bible that always puzzled me…..

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there."

So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. (1 Kings 17:2-6)

Some translations label this passage as “The miracle of the ravens”….What miracle? What did Elijah do that pissed God off so much that he was fed by ravens?

I remember sitting in Sunday School as a child…..watching the “miracle” played out in front of me in full technicoloured flanelgraph….thinking to myself “What sort of meat would ravens be delivering?” “How in the heck did Elijah cook it?”

Ravens, according to Leviticus were considered detestable (Lev 11:15) presumably because they live off road-kill. All this meant though was that ravens were off the menu....but apparently not what they delivered.

The ravens also brought Elijah bread…..road-kill sandwiches!

In the fullness of time, God sent His Son.....

2008-10-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

Live long and prosper...

2008-10-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

My brother wrote last week on a Scriptural perspective on the current economic woes. I have wondered over the last week where this leaves the prosperity teaching (I refuse to call it the “prosperity doctrine”…..the word doctrine lends tacit legitimacy to it) that is so rife in the church today.

Does that fact that my superannuation balance is shrinking mean that God no longer loves me? Is there sin in my life? I own stocks that have dropped through the floor – what was God thinking? My Father….why have you forsaken me?

I am concerned that Scripture must be wrong……I have a couple of dynamic translations of passages that I think will help put things in perspective:

Each man should invest what he has been advised by his planner to invest, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful investor. (2 Cor 9:7)

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and with the optional leather trim (Luke 6:38)

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and go long in oil futures…..give the poor instructions on how to do the same, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Luke 18:22)

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to show orphans and widows how to maximise their investment returns and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

I have been believing God for a S class Mercedes for so long……but I would settle now for a Lexus or even a nice little E class…….”My God shall supply all my ridiculous wishes according to His riches in glory.”

Jesus loves the little children

2008-09-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

....and Strats!

Rock of Ages

2008-09-24T22:12:00.001-07:00

Dude, of course I can play....Look at my hair!

The top 5....as voted by you.

2008-09-14T22:31:00.000-07:00

Here are the top five places you have visited on my blog. Please feel free to add your comments....I will publish them as long as they are not naughty!

1 Brood of Vipers
2 Talking Donkeys
3 Though some have fallen asleep
4 Fishers of men
5 I tried being reasonable...I didn't like it

It's all in the transalation

2008-09-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

There is an old argument, posed by it's sceptics, that the Bible cannot be true because nobody ever goes to the toilet. This argument may have been viewed as valid because of the way these instances were historically translated. Bible translators went to great lengths to employ various euphemisms to protect the readers sensitive ears.

It is little wonder we get confused by different translations of the Bible. In 1 Samuel 24, King Saul goes into a cave to relieve himself and David has the perfect opportunity to kill him – but chooses not to.

Most modern translations have now settled on “Relieve himself” to describe why Saul was in the cave (New International Version, New American Standard Bible, The Message, Amplified Bible)

Some of my favourites are….

“to answer the call of nature” – Berkley
“to get rid of his body waste” – New Life Version

The King James progression….

“to cover his feet” – King James Version
“to attend to his needs” – New King James
“to relieve himself” 21st Century King James

Why can’t they all be as simple as the New International Reader’s Version…..”Saul simply went to the toilet.”

I would have thought that if you are going to the toilet that covering your feet would be something you tried to avoid.

When the Bible is translated into Australian and Saul goes “to see a man about a dog” you will really have no chance of understanding what is going on.

Jesus the comic book hero

2008-08-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

I have an enduring interest in the contextualisation of Scripture. I firmly believe the message must not change – however the way it is delivered must continue to evolve. I have become interested from afar in the Mars Hill church in Seattle. Their pastor, Mark Driscoll, has been variously described as a “cool Calvinist” and as “Theologically conservative but culturally liberal.”

What caught my attention recently was a quote from Mark which appeals to me…..

“Jesus was not a limp-wrist hippie in a dress with a lot of product in His hair, who drank decaf and made pithy Zen statements about life while shopping for the perfect pair of shoes…….In Revelation, Jesus is a prize fighter with a tattoo down His leg, a sword in His hand and the commitment to make someone bleed.”

Another thing that I have just discovered is the “Manga Bible.” Manga, loosely translated, is the Japanese word for “comic.” The Bible has been translated from Genesis to Revelation in cartoons.The Manga Bible’s author, Ajinbayo Akinsiku wants the world to know Jesus Christ, just not the gentle, blue-eyed Christ of old Hollywood movies and illustrated Bibles.

“For the unchurched, the book is to show that this thing, the Bible, is still relevant,”

“Jesus is a samurai stranger who’s come to town, in silhouette,”

“We present things in a very brazen way....Christ is a hard
guy, seeking revolution and revolt, a tough guy.”

I must admit to thinking the whole thing is a little light-weight at first until I read a quote from the Archbishop of Canterbury – the Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams…“It will convey the shock and freshness of the Bible in a unique way.”

Samurai....Prize Fighter....Revolutionary……Maybe we really need to rethink Jesus.

Politically Incorrect Post

2008-08-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

Mount Isa has been in the news lately – not just in my home state of Queensland, but internationally as well. The crux of the story is that the mayor of Mt Isa, John Molony, has suggested that his town may be a great place for women who are ‘beauty challenged’ may want to move to. Mt Isa is a mining town and the ratio of males to females is 5 to 1.

Mr Malony was accused of being politically incorrect…I heard him on radio defending his statements and affirming that he is in fact NOT politically correct. (His defense of “you cannot pick up a turd by the clean side” actually entertained me more than his ‘beauty challenged’ comments.)

Anyhow, this reminds me of one of my favourite Pearly Gates stories…..

Three guys die together and go to heaven.... St. Peter says, "We only have one rule...don't step on the ducks as they are God's favourite creation."

They enter heaven and see ducks everywhere, and it's almost impossible to not step on a duck. The first guy accidentally steps on one, and soon here comes St. Peter with the biggest, ugliest woman he'd ever seen...

St. Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment is to be chained to this ugly woman forever."

The next day the second guy steps on a duck...Sure enough, St. Peter comes with another ugly woman and chains them together.

Seeing this, the third guy is very, very careful. He goes for months and doesn't step on any ducks.

One day, St. Peter comes along with this beautiful woman: Blonde, blue-eyed, very young and very sexy. He chains them together and leaves without a word.

The man remarks, "I wonder what I did to deserve this good fortune?" And the Blonde says, "I don't know about you, but I stepped on a duck.

If Jesus was an Aussie

2008-06-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

One of the constant tensions in attempting to correctly interpret the Bible is the issue of cultural context. Because I wasn’t alive back then, don’t speak Greek or Hebrew and read an English translation of the Bible, I look at it through very different eyes to the writers.

I think it would be easier if Jesus was Australian. I cannot prove that Jesus actually liked fishing – he did however hang out with fishermen a lot – If Jesus really did like fishing he would have fitted in well in Australia where fishing is a national obsession. We even have a ‘Fishing Party’ that puts forward candidates at our national elections.

However, if Jesus was born in Australia (cue old joke….why wasn’t Jesus born in Australia? Answer…they could not find any wise men) things would be very different.

Jesus would have gone to the wedding feast at Caana (see also) and turned water into beer.

Jesus would have entered Jerusalem in a Holden ute and instead of spreading palm branches – the people would have queued for hours to have a look under the hood at his V8.

Jesus would have gone to the football after temple – after all there are ready made crowds at the footy.

If Jesus was an Australian, he would not have had disciples – he would have had ‘mates.’ Collectively they would be known as ‘the boys.’

And finally, based on a complex set of time honoured Australian naming conventions they would have been called….

Johnno, Thomo, Andy, Matt, Luke, (this one can’t be shortened or have an ‘o’ added – as I said – complex set of rules) Nat, Jimmy and Rocky. (Matt 16:18)

If Michaelangelo's David was an Australian

2008-06-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

I have been having email subscription issues...

2008-05-28T01:11:00.000-07:00

I think I have fixed my email subscription issue - I am hoping the whole thing arrives next time!

Tim

The battle hymn of the republic

2008-05-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across these gems link ...misheard lyrics from the 'battle hymn of the republic." Here is the original...

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on.

Now for the alternates....

'He is trampling on the village where the grapes are wrapped and stored'
'He's trampling out the villages and killing with his sword'
'He is trampling through the vintage where the caves of rattlers snored'
'He's stomping on the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored'
'He has trampled on the village where the great giraffe is stored'
'He's the champion out of Venice where the great surf master scored'
'He is driving down the alley in a green and yellow ford'

and my particular favourite....

'He has trampled on the village where the great giraffe is stored'

Glory Glory Hallelujah!

Work related expenses

2008-05-21T21:31:00.000-07:00

With the end of our financial year coming quickly again, my thoughts start to pregressively turn to what is known as 'tax minimisation.' I go through my receipts and try to figure out what I can legitimately claim.

Rahab is one of the enigmatic characters in the Bible. A prostitute working in the town of Jericho, she is named in the Hebrews hall of fame! (Hebrews 11:31)

The story entertains me in a number of ways.

"Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." ........So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. " (Joshua 2:1 NIV)

I am not sure exactly sure that these were Joshua's specific instructions....but I suppose if two foreigners want to slip into town unnoticed, the comings and goings at the home of a prostitute would make them less obvious.

Rahab then goes on to lie to the King of Jericho (who is not even named) and hides the spies (who are not named either) upstairs on the roof. Rahab makes a deal with the spies to spare her life and the lives of her mother and father, brothers and sisters and "all those who belong to them." (Joshua 2:13 NIV) I wonder how this conversation with her family went down? Was Rahab despised by her family for her profession? I am guessing that they knew how she paid the bills without a husband.

The long and the short of the story - the spies hide in the bushes for three days, the Israelites do their famous "walking around the city" seven times thing...the walls come down and every living thing in the city is killed... "men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys." (Joshua 6:21 NIV)

"But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day. " (Joshua 6:25 NIV)

I guess this also gave Joshua the opportunity to personally confirm the exact nature of any 'work-related' expense claims submitted to him by the two spies.

Someone called me a heretic....

2008-05-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

From a genius graphic designer called Tim Nyberg link

It's not all about me...oddly enough

2008-05-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

My brother's blog (http://godward-thoughts.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-than-happy.html) today inspired a random thought....the thought God has a purpose for me that is not nessecarily about me.

I am continually amazed by the old adage that 'God works in mysterious ways.' God also allegedly uses the 'simple things to confound the wise.' This is of particular comfort to me. I used to think that God could not use you until you reached some form of Christian Nirvana - some imaginary state of God conciousness or enlightenment. (I can't think of any other religious worldviews to cite off the top of my head here!)

All through Scripture God repeatedly uses flawed individuals and one of my favourites is Jonah. For anyone looking for comical situations in the Bible - read the book of Jonah. It is really short.

The classical thought is that Jonah runs from God, repents and is used mightily to preach in Ninevah. I have a slightly different take for your consideration....

Yes, Jonah ran away - he got into trouble in a storm on the high seas - he gets lobbed overboard - a large fish swallows him. A bad day in anyone's book.

After 3 days and nights Jonah finally prays to God...If you read (Jonah 2) how many times he prays "I" and "me"...it is little wonder the fish vomited him up! I still maintain that at this stage Jonah has not neccesarily repented - he is just sick of the smell.

Jonah then trudges off to Ninevah and proclaims the most minimilist sermon in the Bible - "Forty more days and Ninevah will be overturned" (Jonah 3:4) Eight words! The whole city repents. (I have sat through many sermons over the years that I wish the preacher had seriously abbreviated!)

Jonah becomes very angry with God - he sits back under his vine (more on this later - this is a funny story) and waits for God to destroy Ninevah.

God has used a prophet who has gone out of his way to be rebellious and disobedient...he is angry and unreasonable - God still uses Jonah to change the hearts of a whole city - despite Jonahs' crappy attitude.

What can we learn from this?

1. God does not have to wait until we are perfect to use us

2. The call of God is irrevocable

3. Even eight words from God can change a city.

4. It's not all about me - contrary to popular opinion

Illustration by Hennie Blaauw http://www.illustrators.co.za/blaauw.htm