Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving: Rector's brief
The 4th academic Quarter of 2010 lies behind us at LTS and our Seminarians are on their way home after more or less two busy semesters, successful examinations, evaluations and acknowledging of success and failure. This year the LTS in Tshwane was able to teach, accommodate and support more than fifty students at various levels utilizing nearly twenty teachers and living off the ongoing support of friends of the LTS in South Africa and abroad – especially from the LCMS, but also regularly from the LKM/SELK and its South African counterpart the MLC, various congregations and individuals in both the FELSiSA and the LCSA. Both the LCMS districts Rocky Mountains under President Randy Golter and South Illinois District deserve special mentioning for their contributions to the LTS in Tshwane. By God's grace the means, joy and capacity was provided to keep our Seminary running without major disruptions, but rather smoothly as a venue of devotion, peace, contemplation, theological studies, discourse and dialogue, music and a bit of volley ball too. I believe it is a good home for the Lutheran Seminarians learning and teaching here. A good reason to celebrate "Thanksgiving" and especially so as our Seminary has been here in Pretoria for an entire decade – 10 years under the protection, good will and mercy of our Lord – the triune God – who's goodness never ends!
Dr. Gunter Rencken [Chairman of the LTS Board of Directors] sends his regards, congratulates the achievers amongst the Seminarians and thanks all friends of the Seminary. He is on a business trip and is sorry that he can't be with us today. The same holds true for Mr. Berno Niebuhr/Mr. Michael Grosse, who both excused themselves.
We are very well aware that a lot of the good achievements here in Pretoria were due to the good foundations laid by the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa way ahead of this time and far off in Enhlanhleni, which is situated in the poorest of SA's rural areas: Umsinga. There students were well prepared in a 7-year-program that was constantly being fine-tuned to meet the pastoral needs of the LCSA in its rapidly changing context. Six of those students, who started off in Enhlanhleni eventually graduated with Honours and even Masters degrees in Pretoria. It's mainly due to the good foundations laid back in KZN that this was possible.
Today we are also praising God that he has provided this Seminary with life-long teachers and friends, who have enabled the smooth running of this institution over decades. Both Mr. Rifford Thwala and my father [Rev. E.A.Wilhelm Weber DD] served this Seminary in Enhlanhleni before continuing with this service for some time even here in our nation's capital.
Mr. Thwala was a long-standing member of the Seminary Supervisory Board first as a delegate of the LCSA diocese in Gauteng, but later also as the chairman of the LTS Board of directors. Mr. Thwala served this institution well for many years and was part of the supervisory board which oversaw the move of the Seminary from the rural Umsinga to the urban Arcadia. It was always his desire to have this Seminary called "St. Timothys" – and I hope that meeting in this chapel called after this faithful bishop, teacher and pastor of the early church will be gratifying to him. We thank God that he has provided the Church with such faithful men, who work through good and bad days to serve the Church in its various ministries to the very best of their abilities. Baba Thwala siyabonga! We pray that your days in retirement will be blessed and that you too will once see, what you have here believed – for Christ's sake. Voluntary service likes yours makes it possible for the church to address some of its massive challenges and we are very grateful for your unwavering services over years.
In this year my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber was blessed to celebrate his 50th Ordination jubilee. We as family, as LTS and also as the LCSA are thankful for the long time God has spared him and enabled him to serve this our Church and especially this very LTS as missionary of the Mission of Lutheran Churches [MLC – previously MELF] for five decades even if he had lucrative offers to move elsewhere instead.
You were ordained in 1960 by Missionsuperintenden Christoph Johannes and installed by missionary Johannes Henning in Roodepoort/Ventersdorp [W.Transvaal] as pastor of that large congregation after learning SeTswana. It was a good time for you and your wife and looking at photos of your children – they were very happy there too. When travelling in the NW-province today, I am again and again reminded by congregants there that they have not forgotten your services. Since that time you were called to serve as teacher at the LTS in Enhlanhleni. You learnt isiZulu, you wrote your dissertation, you were called to serve as rector of the Seminary for nearly 30 years, but also as deputy-dean of KZN for nearly 20 years, as Church treasurer also for nearly 2 decades and as keeper of the minutes of the LCSA Church Council for the same time and besides all that you together with your wife Karin still raised a family of nine children, teaching them not only the Christian life, but also the basics in playing piano and brass instruments, hunting and enjoying the beauty of SA in the mountains and by the sea. Most of all I believe you taught us to love the Christian Church with a special soft spot for the confessional Lutheran Church wherever it is – taking us to Swaziland, Botswana, South Africa, but also abroad to the Lutheran churches in France/Alsace Lorraine, England, Denmark, Finland, East- and West-Germany, bringing up theologians like Wilhelm Oesch [Oberursel], Robert Preus [Ft.Wayne], Hermann Sasse [Australia] and Friedrich Wilhelm Hopf [Bleckmar] and others you met at conferences/meetings in the USA, Canada and Australia in the table talk in Enhlanhleni, where we sat with bishops, deans, pastors and evangelists of the LCSA: Schulz, Dube, Ntuli, Lenkwe, Mogale, Segoe and many others friends and visitors. Your daily prayer list mentioning morning and evening the other confessional Seminaries throughout the world: Oberursel, Ft.Wayne, Cambridge, St. Louis, St. Catherines, Mequon, Edmonton, Sao Paulo, Porto Allegre, Nagercoil, Adelaide besides the LTS in Enhlanhleni created space in our little brains for the one, holy Christian Church of which we thankfully are a part of – not domed to a sectarian isolation, which was worsened by apartheid ideology. And God has graciously answered your prayers. Those Seminaries still exist and some even thrive. The list as lengthened even. God has continued to provide students and teachers to learn, teach and live faithfully as students of the Word of God. The triune God has provided more than you asked for, when you pleaded for the means, the joy and also the ability to do the work he called us to do. You loved being a pastor – as far as I could judge that from the outside. Even Saturday afternoons you would go in full-armour of a Lutheran pastor's battle dress to conduct the weekend service up at the Church – not once or twice, no regularly. Just as you would play the Lutheran chorals and tunes on the piano Sunday mornings before breakfast. You enjoyed preaching be it in Gunjane in a thatched hut on a Zulukraal, in Uelzen on a German oak pulpit or in Umlazi in an exploding South African township. You didn't miss a chance of being part of Youth Retreats up in NW. You wrote continuously – by hand, on a typewriter and then very soon on a computer: Sermons, speeches, newsletters, translations, minutes and family letters. You made time to have tee and coffee breaks with your wife and you never missed a chance to sing her praises. You regularly picked up your children at school in Uelzen or Wartburg. You even found time to accompany them to athletics, see their school plays and take them on class tours to Durban or into the Berg. You have had your share of trouble too. You have buried your father, mother and brother besides losing this or that good friend along the way and your cousin just a few days agao. You know that what remains of all the work, trouble and joy of this time and world, remains under the gracious hand of your heavenly father, who forgives us all our trespasses and heals all our diseases, who redeems our life from the pit and crowns our lives with love and compassion. And thankfully nobody and nothing can pull us from his hand – now or ever. That gives strength, courage, hope and faith even things look gloomy.
Allow me to point out the end of Moses, which we read about in Dt. 34,1-4: Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. And the LORD said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give it to your offspring.' You have been there and seen that land with your own eyes too. You saw, that God's promises to Moses were fulfilled even in that regard, but much more in Jesus Christ – our Lord and Savior.
Well, you have seen and tasted the friendliness of our Lord and God, you have heard, learnt and believed his promises of the promised city, land and world in the new creation, you have taught, preached and confessed that we will one day also see, what we have here believed, because he is faithful and does as he says. And one of his most comforting promises is that the portals of hell will not destroy his Church. No, for Christ's sake the Church will remain forever. Not because you or we or our children hold it, but because he himself is the foundation, pillar, cap- and cornerstone and nothing can prevent his Church from remaining his dwelling forever a sanctuary for all those, who are tired, heavily burdened and seeking rest. There in his gracious, merciful and friendly presence, you have solace, peace and joy – now and forever. He who has started the good work in you will complete it for Christ's sake. That's comforting to you, to us, but also to the Church as a whole. Praise be to his name now and forever +
The past cooperation with Lutheran Churches across the continent and even abroad has kept our Seminary at feasible levels on most counts. Without international support the LCSA would not be able to train its future pastors and deaconesses in such a professional and excellent fashion. We just don't have enough teachers, students, resources or capacity to do this alone. However because I believe that this is not required of us either it doesn't perturb me. On the contrary I see this interdependence as a true strength of the global Lutheran Church enabling local excellence with international flavour. Networking, cooperation and interdependence are not swearwords, but great blessings in the Church. St. Paul talks about the various members of the body cooperating for the common good. Well, I believe that that is what this Seminary is about. Left to our own devices we in the LCSA would be much more imperfect, handicapped and even paralysed than we are. Thankfully the triune God has joined us together with faithful friends across the globe by the shared Lutheran confession with the common purpose and mutual goal of striving faithfully to fulfil his mission in this world making disciples amongst all nations by means of pure gospel teaching and administration of the sacraments just as he instituted them.
I am convinced that our role as confessional Lutheran Church and especially as those training future Lutheran pastors for service in Africa is going to grow in urgency and significance as time passes. Not only is the church growth in Africa phenomenal, but sadly also the level of ignorance and even rejection of key doctrinal matters concerning us and our salvation. Theology matters and it matters very much in Africa. We need to cooperate much more closely with our brothers and sisters on the continent in the theological training of our future pastors, but also in addressing the burning issues of this time and age in this specific context and situation as it prevails in Africa. This holds true especially for the sister seminaries of the ILC in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya or if you prefer: West, Central, East and South Africa. Four main areas in the Lutheran Church of Africa – each with their own basic courses in theology, but pooling together for the optimal use of resources on the post-graduate or advanced levels as envisioned by the Lutheran Chair of Theology at the University of Pretoria.
As Bishop of the LCSA I am thankful that the transition into this additional office has not disrupted the running of the LTS in any significant way. On the contrary I believe that the close connection of the LTS to the LCSA Church Office has facilitated the streamlining and fine-tuning of the necessary cooperation between these two bodies. This holds true especially for the recruitment of students, their ongoing support by the various dioceses, their placement for practicals, internships and vicarage, their ecclesial evaluation, approbation and calling. Finally it helps to get the training to be even more concentrated and focussed on the pastoral outcomes. In the past the LCSA has done well like other Lutheran Churches by having its bishops located at the Seminary and even fulfilling leading roles there. I am happy that this trend is set to continue.
Although you have been updated on the happenings at the LTS throughout the year by the quarterly newsletter, sporadic ruminations of the LCSA Bishop, emails, notes and comments on the web via this blog and Face book and even by snail mail allow me to give a brief outline of the year at LTS.
Student Abia Anibati from the Lutheran Church in Sudan was the student representative in the past year. Enoch MacBen from the Lutheran Church in Uganda was their secretary and Gemah Ballah from the Lutheran Church in Liberia was their treasurer.
We had 55 students and nearly 20 teachers with us during the past year 2010: 11 students in the Beginners Course; 12 in the Main Course; 23 in the Advanced Course and finally 9 in the Deaconess Course.
It is my suggestion to the Shareholders coming Tuesday that we should make more use of the professional services of UP lecturers in the Beginners Course specifically in both the biblical languages Greek and Hebrew, but also in Academic and computer skills. This would ensure that we are indeed working at university standards and promote our chances of accreditation. Both the introduction to the Bible of the Old and New Testaments and also to Lutheran Theology using Luther's Catechisms and the Augsburg Confession over 2 years, remain our domain.
A special word of recommendation to Rev. Tswaedi, who in the past year taught both subjects from the Old and the New Testament under the heading of biblical theology. His fast experience in the leadership of the Lutheran Church in Southern and the rest of Africa on ILC-level are priceless. We pray that it will benefit the formation of future Lutheran pastors from the continent to become faithful servants of God's word in the ministry they have been called to serve. We also pray that Rev. Tswaedi will have enough resilience, joy and energy to continue with his pastoral ministry in Mofolo N, his ongoing theological studies and personal research. Please give our heartfelt gratitude to both your wife and your congregation that they have consented to have you serve here at LTS.
Umfundisi Musawenkosi Mntambo has made himself very useful at the LTS over the past decade. He is serving not only as teacher in various subjects, but also as chaplain responsible for the Seminary devotions. Siyabonga umfundisi and may you and your family be blessed richly as you continue to serve the Lord of the Church: Jesus Christ +
Salomé van Niekerk has now been with the LTS for nearly one and a half years. She's acquainted herself well with the tasks at hand and is especially adept at communicating with staff, students, guests and visitors. She did the flowers today, the program, the certificates and lots of other hidden arrangements. Thank you very much Salomé. You are a great helping hand, smiling assistant and very good secretary here at the LTS. She is now engaged to Neill and they are planning to marry next year. God bless you both according to his abundant love and goodness +
Together with the volunteers Pat & Lee Hoffmeier [LCMS SID: January – March], Kianga Rehr [SELK – LKM: January-March]; Minka Schulz [SELK – LKM: March-May], Friederike Weber [August-] and Vincent Cane [November-December] Salome has done some tremendous cleaning up of the filing system at LTS, but also of the various places the LTS stores books, clothes, tools and stationary. Together with Anita Burnham [LCMS RMD: January – June] and Renate Straeuli [FELSiSA: St. Pauls August – November] they have managed to accommodate guest professors, visitors and participants of various courses successfully. In the last Semester lunch has been served regularly to the students and available staff at St. Pauls, which has improved the atmosphere at the Seminary significantly. Thankfully Renate has agreed to continue with this service next year.
Thank you for your support and for your input to have this our beloved LTS in Tshwane grow, mature and expand to its full capacity and potential. May the triune God continue to bless it and the entire Lutheran Church in Southern Africa and abroad with his grace, peace and good-will as he did in the past! Peace be with you all for Christ's sake +
Bishop Dr. Wilhelm Weber: Murrayfield, the 24th November 2010.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Cicero - Magazin für politische Kultur
Eine interessante Geschichte
Cicero - Magazin für politische Kultur
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ [2.Cor.5,10]
Honourable Synod of the LCSA diocese in KwaZulu/Natal, dear brothers and sisters!
The end of the year is a time of reckoning. Not only individually in schools, universities and seminaries, but also for body corporate in the public and financial sectors – even though they might have their cut-off date in December or February respectively and we have this at the end of the Church year coming to a close already. This synod is part of this general accounting process, where the KZN diocese gives an account of what it has done in the past year and also what it has left undone. We are to hear reports from all congregations giving an overview of their strengths and weaknesses, of their challenges and opportunities. We will also hear from our brother Dean Thwala about the workings of the diocesan council and its operations the past year just as the chairs of the various leagues, bodies and organizations within this diocese like the men's, women's and youth' league, the Property Fund etc. Together we will have to face the issues of the diocesan finances and how the diocese is to address the challenge of growing its resources and increase its capacity and improve ways to prove it more sustainable. Budget issues will have to be scrutinized and a strategy developed to address the challenges of sustainability of congregational and diocesan projects, personnel, facilities and programs. Pastors need to give an account of their congregational endeavours over the past year and we will have to evaluate, critique, comment, applaud, commend, correct, supplement and change here and there. It is vital that we take this reporting business serious. We need enough time to do this properly. Therefore we should start on time and leave enough space for discussion, deliberation and decisions too. There is a lot to be addressed, looked at and worked on.
This is not part of a grand inquisition, but rather part of the joint venture carried out in congregational visitations, but also at diocesan level of finding, supporting and uplifting and perfecting the treasures the Lord of the Church has entrusted to his Church worldwide, but also to the Lutheran Churches throughout the KwaZulu/Natal diocese: Chatsworth/Phoenix, Ntshongweni, Umlazi, Ebenezer, Glencoe, Dannhauser, Gudliqele, Sunsetrest, Enhlanhleni, Mozane, Nini, Kranskop, Matimatolo, Bloubosh, Madadeni, Osizweni, Makholweni, Nondweni, Ceza, Mahlabatini, Gamalakhe, Emthwalume, Mafu, Mvutshini, Mzumbe, Imsikaba, Khombela, Maphumulo, Pella, Tholeni, Ekuvukeni, Limehill, Somsuku and Tugela Ferry.
Together we strive to examine our responsibilities as stewards of our Lord and to encourage ourselves in his mission and calling. This evaluation is done on the basis and through the means of his holy law, which describes what is required of faithful servants of the Lord. Each of us has received gifts, talents and special duties by our Lord, but as brothers in the office of the ministry there is also a common task, which we are specifically called and authorized to accomplish in carrying out our divine obligation and that is to preach the Christian gospel purely and administer the divine sacraments as the Lord himself instituted them for the salvation of his people and to his honour and glory. We can't leave this to somebody else. It is our personal burden entrusted to us by the laying on of hands at our ordination!
The Sundays are our main delight, privilege and duty. The divine services are the pastors special responsibility and should receive his most concentrated attention and care in preparation and also in the execution. Our sermons are to make the voice of God heard in our time and place. The liturgy, church year, agenda and hymnals give us much needed and most excellent support and guidance to lead the worship service with love and dedication. Prayers carry the cares of the congregation and church and community before God. He has promised to hear us! He serves us at his table with his most precious Body and Blood. That is when the heavens open and we can see and taste, how friendly our God is. All these divine practices by far outweigh any of our doings, plans and efforts. Therefore they should also dominate the proceedings and not be sidelined by announcements and acts by artists, clowns and other masters of human ceremonies and entertainment. Baptisms and also hearing Confession and granting Absolution remain central pillars of our faith and life. Great care should be taken to provide sufficient/ample time and space to practice these sacraments in our congregations regularly.
There is a lot of work going on in churches and congregations. Our communities are faced with serious issues like peace & reconciliation, gender & poverty; HIV/Aids & TB; Unemployment; orphans and widows. We need to have open eyes and hearts for the concerns and needs in our communities. Look especially out for those, who are side-lined and without any lobby. Where are the people in need? Traditionally the Church has taken special care of children at Kindergartens and Schools, ill people at hospitals, lonely and desperate people in prisons. Where are they in your area? Migrants? Have you made contact with the Muslims in your area? The leaders and members of the traditional religions at your place? Do they know about the Lord Jesus Christ and his Church? Do they know the saving gospel of the forgiveness of sins by grace through faith? Who will tell them if not you? Call them, visit them, invite them – make yourself visible and heard in your community as the voice of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Not only you should know, what the business of Lutherans in this place and time, but you should make it known to those outside too. Engage in this business until the Lord comes again in glory! [cf. Lk.19,13]
Our families are threatened to fall apart as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, teenagers and students look for work and education, wherever they can find it, leaving their families and living somewhere as migrant labourers – be it in the mining areas or mega-cities of our land. This adds strain to our marriages, imperils the familiar structures of children's formation in the traditional forms of families. Reading, hearing and applying the Word of God together; singing, praising and lamenting with songs of the Lutheran Hymnal besides praying and learning Luther's Catechism by heart becomes the exception and no longer the rule in our congregations and families. We should be careful to remember that the Lord creates, sustains and keeps us in the true faith by his holy word and sacraments. Therefore in all temptations, hardships and sufferings of this life, we should seek refuge with him and his means of grace. They are the true medications, helpmeets and keepers of our faith! And it is especially important for us pastors individually, for our families especially as it is for those in the congregations. We ought to do this daily and not only expect it of our congregants. Dear brothers I urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. You have received the most precious gospel. Don't hide it under a bushel! You and your people need to live in its light. Make use of the good institutions and traditions of the Church: Bible studies in the various leagues and committees, divine services during the week [Matins/Vespers; Confessional Services], choir-practices etc. Lk.12,31; Lk. 14,33; Lk.17,10;
Today [14th November 1865 Ludwig Harms died in Hermannsburg. He is our church father. His people came to SA in 1856 and started the Lutheran mission here in Zululand leading to the establishment of our Lutheran Church in 1967. Not far from here in 1862 my forfather Fritz Weber started a Lutheran mission at Dlomodlomo and later carried it on in Emyati. The work of the Lord and the building of his kingdom continues and we are thankful for that. You as pastors need to record the history of your congregations and even of the Lutheran Church in KwaZulu/Natal. We should know where we are coming from so that we can be better equipped on the way forward.
We are not on our own. Remember pastors meetings/fraternals, but also the pastor conventions and refresher courses and conferences.
Finally remember that there are often no quick fixes for our real problems and challenges. Sometimes the only way out for us is to stay, persevere, endure, suffer faithfully. Our Lord himself prayed: "If it is possible let this cup pass by me, but not my, but your will be done!" and his apostle St. Paul asked 3 times for his trouble/thorn in the flesh to be removed, but Christ only said: "Let my grace be sufficient!" Therefore in some issues, we just need to take up our cross and follow Jesus. However you can remember: We will overcome finally and He is with us always – even now already – his staff comforts me even in death's dark vale. He is coming again to judge the living and the dead. He will surely rescue you from all evil. Just wait and see! Therefore may the Lord have mercy on you and strengthen your faith +
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Ausland: Mehr Entsendungen - Arbeitswelt - Beruf und Chance - FAZ.NET
Fuer die Kirche schon lange ueblich. Haelt sie auch in Zukunft mit?
Freiheitspreis an Necla Kelek: Aus Muslimen müssen freie Bürger werden - Debatten - Feuilleton - FAZ.NET
"Die grüne Parteivorsitzende zum Beispiel hat solche Sorgen nicht und macht sich lustig über die, die „ein paar Unterschiede in den Kulturen nicht aushalten können“. Als wenn es in der Integrationsdebatte um Sushi oder Shisha und nicht um elementare Menschenrechte ginge! Dieser vor allem unter Intellektuellen verbreitete moralische Hochmut, der alles und jedes relativiert, der Probleme kleinredet, wenn es nicht die eigenen sind, der Sorgen verhöhnt, der Freiheit mit every things goes verwechselt, der vor lauter Beliebigkeit nicht mehr weiß, dass Freiheit ohne Verantwortung sich selbst abschafft - diese Verantwortlichen sind die wahren Integrationsverhinderer."
Cicero - Magazin für politische Kultur
Bernhard Schlink ist lesenswert - auch dieses Interview fand ich gut.
Cicero - Magazin für politische Kultur
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Integrationsgipfel: Dieser Polizist redet Klartext im Kanzleramt - Politik - Bild.de
Diese deutschen Erfahrungen bringen mich dazu zu fragen, ob nicht in SA auch ein Integrationsforum bzw. mechanismus gefunden werden muss, damit suedafrikanische Kinder lernen miteinander zu leben, sich zu verstehen und miteinander klarzukommen in dem sie alte Feindbilder abbauen bzw ueberwinden und neue Bekanntschaften und Freundschaften schliessen.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sermon for the Reformation festival 2010
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. (Rom 3:21-28 ESV)
Reformation 31st October 2010
Dear friends of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Reformation celebrates the renewed manifestation of God's righteousness in this world. Time and again God's righteousness get's blurred, covered up and hidden by all sorts of other issues, things and people, false teachings, human ideologies and corrupt doctrine. However the triune God himself sees to it that this is never a permanent affair. God himself prevents the demise of his church. He himself keeps and preserves a remnant of sanctified saints in this world as its light and salt in the midst of all darkness and corruption. It is he, who has promised that the gates of hell shall not overcome his church in this world. Therefore he himself sees to it that the beautiful gospel comes to light again and again, so that people will hear and believe it and thus be saved from death to eternal life with him in his kingdom. Throughout the Ages it has been God's concern and successful doing that his good news in Jesus Christ for godless sinners be proclaimed loud and clear to those, who otherwise would have no hope. That is why he calls, educates, trains, tests, ordains and installs men into his service of preaching the saving message of the forgiveness of sins to those, who are caught up in iniquity, doubt, despair, false belief and other great shame and vice so that they will hear and believe and thus be justified by God's grace. Due to this divine input the one holy Christian church has grown throughout the world, gaining members amongst all nations and people, who are looking forward to the return of their Lord in glory and therefore pray consistently: Come Lord Jesus, come soon!
This did not only happen in the time of Martin Luther, whose work as a reformer started around 1517 and whom we remember especially on Reformation Day. No, the godly enterprise of putting the torch of the saving gospel onto a high and lofty stand has been a constant blessing by God to his people throughout the times and ages. Just think of the times of Abraham, Moses, Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah. However Reformation also happened in the time and through the work of the Church fathers – especially St. Athanasius and Augustine, but also Pope Gregory the Great. It happened after Martin Luther had passed away and the orthodox Lutherans overcame their dissension and strife in the publication of the Book of Concord in 1580. We think of men like Martin Chemnitz [2nd Martin]; Philip Nicolai; Jacob Andrea and others. It happened in the confessional revival in the 1850's: Wilhelm Löhe, C.F.W. Walther and Louis Harms. By God's grace and mercy Reformation even happens in our time, whenever the heavenly Father in his great mercy grants his Holy Spirit so that by the pure preaching of God's Word in Law and Gospel people are drawn to Jesus Christ. He enlightens them through his gifts [Word & Sacrament], sanctifies them and keeps them in the true faith.
What is this true gospel – this righteousness of God? In its essence Reformation is the work of the triune God. He brings his forgiving grace to shine so brightly and his message of merciful salvation of sinful people to resound so clearly that by faith the people's hearts perceive clearly and their ears hear precisely what he has to show and tell them – even though they were totally corrupted by malice and caught up entirely in sinful malady and shadow of death and the devils wickedness. God himself sent his only begotten Son Jesus Christ so that he as faithful lamb of God, would carry all the sins of the world onto the cross and there overcome sin, death and devil victoriously – once and for all. He voluntarily shed his precious and innocent blood to make up for our sins as a holy and acceptable sacrifice. His vicarious satisfaction on the cross – pro nobis - has overcome the ferocious wrath of the father, has achieved a everlasting propitiation for our sins and opened up the kingdom of heaven to all of us – not with gold or silver, but by his innocent suffering and death on our behalf and by shedding his most precious blood for the forgiveness of our sins. He did this, while we were still enemies of God and lost in our own iniquity, corruption and deceitful ways. He did this not because we deserved it or would come up for it in this or that fashion later – no – he did this work of redemption, salvation and reconciliation for us and for our salvation out of pure goodness, mercy and loving kindness. The forgiveness of our sins is therefore ascribed solely to the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God and the effective work of the Holy Spirit. That excludes all personal merit or boasting. All the praise and glory belongs entirely to the triune God.
All glory be to God alone, Forevermore the highest one,
Who did our sinful race befriend And grace and peace to us extend.
Among us may His gracious will All hearts with deep thanksgiving fill.
[Martin Luther LSB 948,1]
Nobody deserved this grace, because everybody was caught up in the sinful mess himself and therefore nobody could save himself. It was all God's doing. However he did it once and for all, completely satisfactorily, effectively and perfectly. There is no need for additional sacrifices, complimentary restitution or further compensation. Jesus Christ finished the work of justification perfectly. It is completely finished and accomplished. There is nothing outstanding anymore! There on the cross of Golgotha this work of divine redemption was done. That is where your salvation was achieved. We thank God for that! By the workings of the Holy Spirit he now distributes it amongst the nations, making disciples through baptism and his gracious teaching and preaching. These are the instruments by which he transports the godly grace of forgiveness into our lives, hearts and souls.
Before Martin Luther's time the gospel had been seriously compromised. The divine service had been transformed into human practice. God's good works for us were no longer emphasized and proclaimed as the most important, instead the focus now was on what we had not done and were still to do. The gospel was replaced with the law. This was the opposite of what God desired for his people and especially his church. No longer was the Lord's Supper the good gift of our Lord Jesus Christ's body and blood given and shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins. Rather it had been perverted into a human sacrifice to pacify God's ongoing wrath. Similarly it was with Confession and Absolution. No longer was the main focus on God's gracious forgiveness of all our sin so that we may have peace and quiet for our souls, but rather it was harmfully misused as a device to exert pressure on troubled spirits and to exhort restitution of all kinds from them – money, bodily exercise and spiritual work out. No longer were people encouraged to put their entire hope on Christ's institution of holy baptism to be saved, nor were they held to trust on having been adopted as heirs of his kingdom through this washing of regeneration. Instead people were pushed to seek other supposedly better and greater means to please and impress God positively – like entering a monastery, becoming a priest, giving up all worldly ties, living in poverty and in obedience to ecclesial authorities. The law of God was sidelined and instead the canonical law of the church authorities was emphasized. Instead of fixing the eyes on Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour, the people were mislead to trust rather in human beings – obey the Pope rather than Christ, pray rather to the saints than to Christ and to hope rather on Mary's compassion than on Christ's grace, love and mercy. Obviously all that was not only misleading, but extremely harmful. If we fix our hearts on something else than the triune God and his holy Word, institutions and mandates – then we are losing the saving faith and are committing most serious idolatry. Thank God, he brought his church out of this evil darkness and brought it back to the saving light of his good and saving and life preserving gospel – through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with him and the Holy Spirit now and forever. This very blessed reformation of the Church and thereby its blessed return to the true foundation of its faith and salvation makes us very grateful even today. Because of it we are not lost in our own doings, but rather are focussed on the saving works of Christ.
As we go about celebrating Reformation this year, let us also remember that in 2017 God willing it will be 500 years ago that God has done this wonderful and very blessed work of Church renewal in Wittenberg, Germany through his pastor Dr. Martin Luther. Let us also remember that by that time God willing it will be 50 years that our Church was constituted in Southern Africa. That gives us reason to be thankful for all the goodness the triune God has granted us through this confessional Lutheran Church – the pure teaching of his gospel of the forgiveness of our sins for Christ's sake and also the authentic administration of his most salvific sacraments. Through these means of grace the Lord of the Church – Jesus Christ – still builds, keeps and sanctifies his most venerated body of believers in the saving faith. Therefore it is our most precious treasure here on earth. We pray from the depth of our hearts that he may keep and preserve us and this church in it most faithfully and by his blessed means of grace may achieve the goal of our faith: the eternal salvation with him in his everlasting kingdom. May our gracious Lord grant this in his mercy + Amen.
"What I on earthy have done and taught Guide all your life and teaching;
So shall the kindom's work be wrought and honoured in your preaching.
But watch lest foes with base alloy The heav'nly treasure should destroy;
This final word I leave you." [Martin Luther LSB 556,10]
Wilhelm Weber +
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Südtirol: In der besten Stube | Lebensart | ZEIT ONLINE
»...und er schrieb in seine Chronik / wieder ein Erlebnis, voll von Honig.«
DDR-Küche: "Soljanka? Perfect!" | Lebensart | ZEIT ONLINE
Ist doch echt cool - das freut mich, dass sie das macht!
Super, wenn einer aus 'ner Diktatur sich 'ne tolle Suppenkueche und damit 'ne neue Existenz in Kalifornien zusammenbraut! Toll!
Siebeck: Im Höhenrausch | Lebensart | ZEIT ONLINE
Das Leben ist so schoen - dolce vita!
Urlaub in Tirol ... das waere doch mal was, aber auch in Israel, in Ost-Preussen, Finnland und eventuell Zimbabwe, Mosambique. Oh, das Leben ist so vielfaeltig und inhaltsreich ... es ist eine Lust zu leben.
Funeral of moruti S.J. Mokopanele: 1. Thess. 4,13-18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all + Let us pray: “Lord God, maker of heaven and earth and giver of life, we give thanks for all the mercies You granted our brother Souwane Joseph Mokopanele during his earthly life, especially for calling him to faith in Jesus Christ through Holy Baptism. Comfort all who mourn his death with the hope of the glorious resurrection of the body and a happy reunion in heaven. Remind us that we, too, are mortal, and prepare us to fall asleep in faith and on the Last Day receive the glory promised to all who trust in Your beloved Son, even Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers [and sisters], about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Dear friends of Jesus Christ, especially you the Mokopanele family!
Pastors like all Christians believe and confess the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Moruit Mokopanele like all Christians was called to the living faith that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has brought life and immortality to light. Through his death He destroyed the power of death and by His resurrection He opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Because He lives we shall live also. Because of him neither death nor life nor things present nor things to come are able to separate us from God’s love in Jesus Christ. He says: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die”. (Joh 11:25f) Because of Jesus it is now a fact of life: We die here to live there eternally! On the first Easter morning 2 men dressed in white proclaimed: He is not here. He is arisen. He is arisen indeed. Therefore go and tell his disciples! Since that very day this good news has travelled to the ends of the world. That was the gospel moruti Mokopanele proclaimed too as pastor of the LCSA. He like all of us was waiting for the day, when he would see, what he had always believed. Because our Lord is God and because he always does, what he promises, we can be sure that Mokopanele will not be disappointed. He was first born on the 3rd August 1933 to die on the 30th September 2010. On that 30th September he died to live forever with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We here are witnesses today that death is not the end, but a new beginning because Jesus destroyed death and brought to light life and immortality.
This miraculous turn-about from death to life which occurred Easter once and for all starts for us Christians in Holy Baptism. There in holy baptism our brother Souwane Joseph Mokopanele too was clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covered all his sin just like it happens with all baptized Christians. St. Paul writes to the Romans: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (6:3-5) Yes, in Holy Baptism our death commences. There in Holy Baptism we start dying and that dying doesn’t stop until we are truly dead and buried – like our brother Mokopanele today. Since our holy Baptism we die bit by bit every day. As confirmands we already learnt that that is the real meaning of Holy Baptism, “that the old Adam and old Eve in us should be daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man/women should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity.” So brother Mokopanele was an old hand at dying. This was not a new thing for him – even though dying remains a challenge again and again. We don’t get used to it. The old Adam, the old Eve don’t like dying. They struggle against it. They would always rather remain alive and kicking and because the old Adam is part of me and my set up, I too remain adverse towards repentance. The Holy Spirit must call, pull and shove me towards it. In Christ’s name St. Paul reminds us: “Don’t you know that it is God’s goodness that leads you to repentance?” Finally when we are dead, the old Adam and the old Eve are laid to rest – never to bother us again. We however who are reborn in Jesus Christ through Holy Baptism, we who are new creatures in him our Lord and Savior since that Rebirth through Water and Holy Spirit, are then at last safe and sound in our heavenly Father’s good caring hands. Nobody and nothing can snatch us out of those compassionate hands ever again. No, even when at the sound of the last trumpet we all rise again from our graves with these our bodies miraculously restored, rejuvenated and perfected we will live with him forever and ever – and he will be all in all: Holy perfection and perfect bliss! That life started in Holy Baptism never to stop again. That is the faith of all Christians, who confess with the Nicene Creed: I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life + of the world to come.
Dying off to sin and being revitalized through the workings of the Holy Spirit, who is the Lord and giver of Life [Nicene Creed] is a daily process. The triune God uses his gracious forgiveness on a daily basis to get us used to the idea that we are justified by grace through faith. That’s how he calls us to faith and strengthens our trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We call it sanctification! Every day he calls us to deny Satan and all his evil conniving, reject all malice, envy and greed, eliminate all distrust and infidelity that impact so badly on life in general and particular. He invites us on the other hand to embrace his love, peace, grace and goodness – the stuff real life is made of. All this he richly and daily provides me with … “out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me” [ML on 1st Article SC]. Oh come and enjoy how truly meet, right and salutary his divine goodness and mercy is every morning!
Well, you see that process of a Christian life in dying and rising up again is put into daily practice. Every evening if you go to bed and you cross yourself + and commend yourself into God’s hands you are practicing going to die and being buried. So when in due course you do lie down to die, it will be like going to bed and to sleep. When on the other hand you get out of bed in the morning and your cross yourself in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit + you then practice to live the new life with Christ “… in righteousness and purity forever” . That’s a foretaste of rising from the dead and living with God eternally. No wonder we can rejoice every morning and pray: Ah, Thou Dayspring from on high, Grant that at Thy next appearing We who in the graves do lie May arise, Thy summons hearing, And rejoice in our new life, Far from strife [LSB 872,4]
That kind of rehearsal of the new life also occurs when you pray: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us!” [5th Petition of the Our Father] It’s what happens when you feel and know your sins in your heart and you go to the pastor to ask God for forgiveness. Then he as properly called and ordained minister of the Church absolves you in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ: Your sins are forgiven! Depart in peace + See, that’s how the new life in Christ is put into practice here and now in this very life of ours and in this time and age. Yes, our entire life as Christians is one of repentance and conversion – of dying off to sin and living the new life with Jesus Christ just as Martin Luther proposes in the first of the 95 Theses: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent” [Matt. 4:17],3 he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.[1] “
Even at the Lord’s Supper we are trained to die and are encouraged, empowered and enlivened to partake in the new life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There at the Lord’s table we hear: “This is the true body of Jesus Christ given for you into death. This is the true blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of all your sins.” It is written: “As often as you eat this bread and drink of this cup you proclaim the death of Jesus Christ – until he comes.” Every time when we go to kneel at our Lord’s Altar, we are reminded of the suffering and death of Christ and that he did that for us and for our salvation. After partaking in the Lord’s Supper the Church praises the triune God with words of Simeon [Nunc dimittis]: “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." (Luk 2:29-32) Therefore we don’t mourn like those without hope. Since earliest days our hope is in the Lord, who overcame death, devil and sin and brought life and immortality to light through the true gospel. He lives and we shall live too – and be with him always. Peace be with you now and forever + Amen.
Let us pray: “O God of grace and mercy, we give thanks for Your loving kindness shown to our brother Souwane Joseph Mokopanele and to all Your servants who, having finished their course in faith, now rest from their labours. Grant that we also may be faithful unto death and receive the crown of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
3 The Latin form, poenitentiam agite, and the German, tut Busse, may be rendered in two ways, “repent,” and “do penance.”
[1]Luther, M. (1999, c1957). Vol. 31: Luther's works, vol. 31 : Career of the Reformer I (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (31:25). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Daily Light
October 1, 2010 - Friday Morning
The fruit of the Spirit is ... temperance.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 1
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 2
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 3
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 4
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 5
training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 6
______________
1Gal 5:22,23; 21Co 9:25-27; 3Eph 5:18; 4Mat 16:24; 51Th 5:6-8; 6Tit 2:12,13;
Monday, September 20, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
IziNtshumayelo zokuSebenzelana ekuZwaneni
IziNtshumayelo zokuSebenzelana ekuZwaneni
Intshumayelo ngomkhosi wokubonga ukuvuna, ngomhla ka 05. 09. 2010 45/2010
Egameni likaNkulunkulu onguYise, neNdodana, noMoya oNgcwele.
1. Iculo 162/10
2. Umkhuleko: Nkulunkulu, Baba wethu osezulwini, siyacela uMoya wakho oNgcwele ukuba asifundise ukukubonga ngendlela efanele. Lokhu sicela egameni loMsindisi wethu uJesu Kristu. Amen.
3. Iphistola ngohlelo lwesine lilotshiwe ku 1 Thimothewu 4:4-5;
Ivangeli ngohlelo lokuqala lilotshiwe kuLuka 12:13-21.
4. Isivumo senkolo: Ngiyakholwa nguNkulunkulu uYise ... 5.Iculo 158/1
6. Umkhuleko wakhe ofundayo intshumayelo 7. Iphistola ngohlelo lwesibili lilotshiwe
ku-2 kwabaseKorinthe 9:6-15, lithi: "Kepha nakhu: ohlwanyela ingcosana uyakuvuna ingcosana, nohlwanyela kakhulu uyakuvuna kakhulu. Yilowo nalowo anikele njengalokho azikhethele khona enhliziyweni, kungabi ngokudabuka nangokucindezelwa, ngokuba uNkulunkulu uyamthanda onikelayo ethokoza. Kepha uNkulunkulu unamandla okunipha umusa wonke uvame, ukuze kuthi ninokwanela konke ezintweni zonke ngezikhathi zonke, nivame imisebenzi yonke emihle, njengokuba kulotshiwe ukuthi: ‘Wahlaphaza, wapha abampofu; ukulunga kwakhe kuhlala kuze kube phakade.’ Kepha yena onika ohlwanyelayo inhlwanyelo nesinkwa sokudliwa uyakulungisela evise imbewu yenu, andise izithelo zokulunga kwenu, ukuze ezintweni zonke nicetshiswe kukho ukuphana konke okuveza ngathi ukubonga uNkulunkulu. Ngokuba ukukhonza ngalenkonzo akuqedi kuphela ukuswela kwabangcwele, kepha futhi kuvamisa kakhulu ukumbonga uNkulunklu ngabaningi, lokhu ngokuvivinyeka kwalenkonzo badumisa uNkulunkulu ngenxa yokulalela kokuvuma kwenu ivangeli likaKristu nangenxa yobuqotho bobudlelwane benu nabo, yebo, nabo bonke, banilangazelele futhi ngokunikhulekela ngenxa yomusa omkhulu kakhulu kaNkulunkulu okini. Makabongwe uNkulunkulu ngenxa yesipho sakhe esingakhulumekiyo." Amen.
8. Intshumayelo: Bathandekayo eNkosini! “Kuhle ukubonga uJehova!” (IHubo 92,1) Ngempela kunjalo, kuhle ukubonga uNkulunkulu wethu, uMdali noMlondolozi wethu, uBaba wethu osezulwini ngokuba muhle. UNkulunkulu uyasipha imihla ngemihla konke esikuswelayo ekuphileni kwethu. Siyazi ngomusa nangobubele bukaNkulunkulu kithina. Sizwile ngakho, sifundile ngakho, sikwazi ngempela ngothando lwakhe kithina esingabantwana bakhe ngombhapathizo. Ngempela thina esingabakhethiweyo bakaNkulunkulu ngomusa wakhe, silazi ivangeli lakhe, siyalazi ngempela. Izinhliziyo zethu zifanele ukuchichimeka ngokubonga ngokuba siwazi umusa wakhe kithina. UPawulu uyaloba ngokuthi: “Ngokuba niyawazi umusa weNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu ukuthi, nakuba ecebile, waba mpofu ngenxa yenu, ukuze ngobumpofu bakhe nicebe nina.” (2Kor8,9) Bathandekayo eNkosini lomkhosi wokubonga ukuvuna awusiwona umkhosi wokuzibonga thina, noma ukubonga amandla ethu, noma ukusebenza kwethu ngokukhuthala, kungumkhosi wokubonga uNkulunkulu wethu. Uma simbonga uNkulunkulu siyakhumbula njalo umsebenzi wakhe owasenzela thina, ngisho umsebenzi wokusihlenga ekufeni okuphakade, emandleni esono nasemandleni kaSathane. UMsindisi wethu waba mpofu ukuba sicebe thina abampofu ngamagugu ezulu.
Uma sigubha lomkhosi namuhla wokubonga ukuvuna, siyabonga uMdali wethu ngokuba uyasipha okuningi okuhle. Yebo, “uyabapha bonke abantu, nabangalungile, isinkwa semihla nangaphandle kwesicelo sethu” nangaphandle kokubonga kwethu, kepha emkhulekweni weNkosi “siyanxusa ukuba asiqondise lokhu, samukele ngokubonga isinkwa sethu semihla”. Inkinga yethu, inkinga yabantu ingukukhohlwa umusa nothando lukaNkulunkulu kithi. Ngesinye isikhathi siyacabanga ukuthi sikufanele konke esinakho. Siyacabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu ufanele ukusondla nokusipha konke okuhle. UMdali uyasipha ukuphila, uyasipha konke esikuswelayo ekuphileni kwethu. Kufanele simbonge. Ngomusa kaJesu Kristu sicebile kakhulu. Ngomusa kaJesu Kristu sitholile ukuphila okuphakade, ukuphila embusweni wakhe. Lomusa kaJesu Kristu uyabusa ukuphila, ukuqonda, ukwenza kwethu konke.
Kulelizwi lanamuhla umpostholi uPawulu uyakhuluma nebandla lakhe ngomnikelo: “Ohlwanyela ingcosana uyakuvuna ingcosana, nohlwanyela kakhulu uyakuvuna kakhulu. Yilowo nalowo anikela njengalokho azikhethele khona enhliziyweni, kungabi ngokudabuka nangokucindezelwa, ngokuba uNkulunkulu uyamthanda onikelayo ethokoza.” (2Kor 9,6-7) Umnikelo uyindlela yokubonga uNkulunkulu ngakho konke esikutholayo esandleni sakhe somandla. Ukubonga akufaneli ukuvela ngokushaya noma ngokucindezela. Ukubonga akufaneli ukuba khona ngokuphoqeka. Ukubonga kuvela enhliziyweni, ngenkululeko. Ukubonga kuvela ngokuthokoza, ngothanda. Kuyiqiniso ukuthi siyafundisa abantwana bethu ukuba babonge. Uma bethola ukudla, uma bethola izipho, uma bethola okuhle, siyabafundisa ukuba babonge. Ibhayibheli nekhathekisemu liyasifundisa ngokubonga, ngokuba uma sisengozini, kaningi siyakhohlwa konke okuhle esikutholayo imihla nemihla kuNkulunkulu. Ukubonga kuyisithelo sokukholwa. Nokukunikela kuyisithelo sokukholwa kwethu, ngokuba ngakho siyambonga uNkulunkulu wethu. Ngokunikela siyamdumisa uNkulunkulu. Ngokunikela siyamlalela uNkulunkulu. Ngokunikela siyamkhombisa uthando lwethu kuye onguMdali noMlondi wethu. Ngikhululekile ngomusa wakhe, ungisindisile ngokufa kwakhe, uyangivikela imihla namalanga, uyangipha konke engikuswelayo ekuphileni kwami. Yebo, uyangipha ukuphila okuphakade, ngiyathanda ukumbonga nangomnikelo wami.
Ukubonga uNkulunkulu ngemali yethu kuyisithelo sokukholwa kwethu. Ukukholwa kwethu kuyathela lesisithelo sokunikela. Asithengi lutho kuNkulunkulu ngokunikela kwethu, kodwa siyambonga ngenhliziyo yethu yonke. Lithi izwi lethu: “UNkulunkulu uyamthanda onikelayo ethokoza”. Asiniki umnikelo wethu ngokuba sicindezelwa phansi ngomthetho. Siyanikela ngokubonga, sinikela ngenkululeko, siyanikela ngenhliziyo ebongayo. Ake singamhlambalazi uMdali noMlondi wethu, kodwa simbonge ngendlela elungile. Kumnandi ukubonga uNkulunkulu, kuhle, kufanele. “Kuhle ukumbonga uJehova!” (Ihubo 92,1)
Kuvelaphi lemali noma lomnikelo esinikela ngalo na? Umnikelo wethu uqhamukaphi na? Impendulo siyathola kulelizwi lanamuhla elithi: “Kepha yena onika ohlwanyelayo inhlwanyelo nesinkwa sokudliwa uyakulungisela evise imbewu yenu, andise izithelo zokulunga kwenu, ukuze ezintweni zonke nicetshiwe kukho ukuphana konke okuveza ngathi ukubonga uNkulunkulu.” Konke esinakho kuyavela kuNkulunkulu uBaba wethu osezulwini. Konke esikunikela yena, kungokwakhe ngempela. Asimniki lutho, kodwa yena uyasinika konke. Ngokunikela sandisa umbuso wakhe ukuba ufinyelele nakubo abanye abantu abasemhlabeni. “Ngokuba ukukhonza ngale nkonzo akuqedi kuphela ukuswela kwabangcwele, kepha futhi kuvamisa kakhulu ukumbonga uNkulunkulu ngabaningi, lokhu ngokuvivinyeka kwalenkonzo badumisa uNkulunkulu ngenxa yokulalela kokuvuma kwenu ivangeli likaKristu nangenxa yobuqotho bobudlelwane benu nabo, yebo, nabo bonke, banilangazelele futhi ngokunikhulekela ngenxa yomusa omkhulu kakhulu kaNkulunkulu okini.” Umnikelo wethu uyasiza abangcwele, uyazala ukubonga okukhulu kakhulu nakubo abanye abakholwayo, kuyakhiwa nobuhlelwane phakathi kwethu nabanye abasonta nathi.
Izwi lanamuhla liyagcina ngokubonga, ngokubonga okukhulu kakhulu nangokukhuthaza ibandla ngelizwi elihle elithi: “Makabongwe uNkulunkulu ngenxa yesipho sakhe esingakhulumekiyo.” Thina esingabantu siyaswela amazwi ukubonga uNkulunkulu ngokufanele. Asikwazi. UNkulunkulu makasisize njalo njalo ukuba sifumana amazwi amahle yokumbonga ngendlela efanele. Simbonga ngokucula nangokuhlabelela. Simbonge ngokugida nangokusina. Simbonge ngokushaya izandla nangamacilongo. Simbonge ngomnikelo nangokuzinikela. Simbonge ngakho konke ukuphila kwethu. “Makabongwe uNkulunkulu ngenxa yesipho sakhe esingakhulumekiyo.” Amen.
9. Umkhuleko: “Mbonge uJehova, mphefumulo wami; konke okuphakathi kwami makubonge igama lakhe elingcwele. Mbonge uJehova, mphefumulo wami, ungakhohlwa imisebenzi yonke yakhe yomusa, yena othethelela zonke izono zakho, owelapha zonke izifo zakho; okhulula ukuphila kwakho ekubhujisweni, okuqhelisa ngomusa nangobubele; osuthisa ukulangazela kwakho ngokuhle, ubusha bakho bubuyiswe njengokhozi.” Amen.
. Umkhuleko weNkosi: Baba wethu osezulwini ...
10. Iculo 171/314
Ukuthula kukaNkulunkulu odlula ukuqonda konke makulondoloze izinhliziyo zethu nemicabango yethu kuKristu Jesu, iNkosi noMsindisi wethu. Amen.
Lentshumayelo ilotshiwe ngo-2010 ngu-P. C. Weber.
Ukucindezelwa nokuthunywa kwezintshumayelo kuyasekelwa yinhlangano ethiwa: Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
Dithero tsa Tirelano mo Kutlwanong
Dithero tsa Tirelano mo Kutlwanong
Thero ka moletlo wa go lebogela thobo, e le ka 05. 09. 2010 45/2010
Mo leineng la Modimo o e leng Rara le Morwa le Mowa o o Boitshepo!
1. Sefela sa 360 - 330/341
2. Thapelo: Modimo, Rara wa rona yo o kwa legodimong, re a kopa Mowa o o Boitshepo wa gago gore o re rute go go leboga ka tshwanelo. Re kopa jalo mo leineng la Mopholosi wa rona, Jesu Keresete. Amen.
3. Epistolo ka fa thulaganyong ya 4 e kwadilwe mo go 1 Timotheo 4:4-5;
Efangele ka fa thulaganyong ya 1 e kwadilwe mo go Luka 12:13-21.
4. A go ipolelwe tumelo ya bokeresete! 5. Sefela sa 13 -13/14
6. Thapelo ya mmadi wa thero. 7. Epistolo ka fa thulaganyong ya 2 e kwadilwe mo go
2 Bakorinthe 9:6-15, e re: "Mme akanyang tse: Yo o jwalang go le gonnye le gona o tla roba go le gonnye; mme yo o jwalang go le gontsi le gona o tla kotula go le gontsi. A mongwe le mongwe a abe ka fa a ikaeletseng ka teng mo pelong, e seng ka bohutsana gongwe ka go patelediwa; gonne Modimo o rata yo o nayang ka boitumelo. Mme Modimo o nonofile go lo atisetsa neo nngwe le nngwe ya bopelotlhomogi, gore lo nne le tsotlhe tse di lekanyeng ntlheng tsotlhe ka gale, le letlotlo la go ka dira tiro nngwe le nngwe e e molemo; jaaka go kwadilwe ga twe: 'O gasitse, a fa bahumanegi; tshiamo ya gagwe e nna ka bosakhutleng.' Mme yo o nayang mojwadi peo le senkgwe sa go jewa, le lona o tla lo naya peo ya lona, a e atisa, a ba a godisa maungo a tshiamo ya lona, gore lo hume dilo tsotlhe go ka dira tiro nngwe le nngwe ya lorato e e direlang Modimo tebogo ka rona. Gonne tirelo ya go thusa jalo ga e tlatse go tlhoka ga baitshepi fela, mme e bile e atile ka malebogo a mantsi mo Modimong; gonne boikanyego jwa lona jo bo itshupang ka tirelo eo bo dira gore ba galaletse Modimo ka ntlha ya maipolelo a lona a go utlwa Efangele ya ga Keresete le ka ntlha ya nnete ya go kopana nabo le botlhe. Mme le bone ba tla lo rapelela, ka ba lo tlhologeletswe ka ntlha ya bopelotlhomogi jwa Modimo jo bogolo mo go fetisang mo go lona. Mme Modimo a o lebogelwe neo ya ona e e fetang go ka bolelwa!" Amen.
8. Thero: Barategi mo Moreneng, go monate go leboga MORENA, Pes. 92:1. Ke nnete go ntse jalo, go monate go leboga Modimo wa rona, yo e leng Motlhodi le Mmoloki wa rona, le Rara wa rona mo legodimong, gonne o molemo. Modimo o re abela ka metlha tsotlhe tse re di tlhokang mo botshelong jwa rona. Re a itse, fa o re direla tsotlhe tseo ka bopelotlhomogi le ka bopelonomi jwa ona. Re utlwile ka tseo, re ithutile ka tseo, re di itse tota ka lorato lwa ona lwa go re rata ba re leng batho ba ona ka kolobetso. Tota re ba ba tlhophilweng ke ona ka bopelotlhomogi jwa ona mo go Keresete. Re itse Efangele ya ona, re le itse tota. Dipelo tsa rona di tshwanetse go penologa ka tebogo, gonne re itse bopelotlhomogi jo o re utlwelang botlhoko ka jona. Paulo a kwala, a re: Gonne lo itse bopelotlhomogi jwa Morena wa rona Jesu gore le fa a ne a humile, o ne a humanega ka ntlha ya lona gore lo hume ka khumanego ya gagwe, 2 Kor. 8:9. Barategi mo Moreneng, moletlo ono wa go lebogela thobo ga se moletlo wa gore re ikgalaletse, gongwe go godisa thata ya rona, le e seng go tlotlomatsa go bereka ga rona ka tlhoafalo. Ke moletlo wa go leboga Modimo wa rona. Fa re o leboga, re gopola ka metlha tiro ya ona e o e re diretseng, ke raya tiro ya go re golola mo losong lo lo sa khutleng, le mo kgolegelong ya boleo, le mo thateng ya ga Satane. Mopholosi wa rona o ne a humanega gore re hume, rona ba re leng bahumanegi ba ba tlhomolanga pelo, gore re hume ka dikhumo tsa legodimo.
Fa re dira moletlo wa go lebogela thobo, re leboga Modiri wa rona, gonne o re abela tse dintsi.tse di molemo. Ke nnete. O abela batho botlhe le ba ba sa siamang tse di molemo, senkgwe sa letsatsi le letsatsi, le fa ba sa rapele, le fa ba sa leboge, mme mo thapelong ya Morena re a kopa gore a re lemose gore ke ene yo o di re abelang, re tle re di amogele ka tebogo, ke raya le sejo sa letsatsi. Se re tshwenngwang ka sona, le se se tshwenyang batho botlhe ke go lebala bopelotlhomogi le lorato lwa Modimo, lo o re ratang ka lona. Ka nako e nngwe re a gopola gore Modimo o tshwanetse go re abela tse re di tlhokang. Re a gopola gore ke tshwanelo ya Modimo gore o re otle, le go re fa tse di molemo. Motlhodi wa rona o re abela botshelo, o re naya tse re di tlhokang mo botshelong jwa rona. Ke tshwanelo ya rona gore re mo leboge. Ka bopelotlhomogi jwa ga Jesu Keresete re humile thata. Ka bopelotlhomogi jwa ga Jesu Keresete re abetswe botshelo jo bo sa khutleng, jo e leng botshelo jwa go tshela mo pusong ya gagwe. Bopelotlhomogi jo jwa ga Jesu Keresete bo okamela botshelo jwa rona, dikakanyo le ditiro tsa rona.
Mo lokwalong le Lefoko la thero ya kajeno le ntshitsweng mo go lona moapostolo Paulo o bua le phuthego ya gagwe ka ga dikabelo, a re: “Mme akanyang tse: Yo o jwalang go le gonnye le gona o tla roba go le gonnye; mme yo o jwalang go le gontsi le gona o tla kotula go le gontsi. A mongwe le mongwe a abe ka fa a ikaeletseng ka teng mo pelong, e seng ka bohutsana gongwe ka go patelediwa; gonne Modimo o rata yo o nayang ka boitumelo, 2 Kor. 9:6-7. Koleke, gongwe kabelo mo phuthegong ke tsela e ntle go leboga Modimo ka ntlha ya tsotlhe tse re di amogelang mo diatleng tsa ona, o e leng Mong-wa-thata-tsotlhe. Tebogo ga e a tshwanela go tlhaga ka go bediwa, gongwe ka go patelediwa. Tebogo ga e a tshwanela go tlhaga ka go gatelelwa fa fatshe. Tebogo ya nnete e tlhaga mo pelong ka kgololesego. Tebogo e tlhaga mo pelong e e itumelelang Morena yo montle wa rona ka go mo rata. Ke nnete re ruta bana ba rona go amogela se ba se abelwang ka diatla tse pedi, ka go leboga. Beibele le Kategisima di re ruta go leboga, gonne mo dikotsing le mo ditlalelong re lebala ka pele go lebogela tse di molemo tse re di amogelang mo Modimong ka metlha. Tebogo ke leungo lengwe la tumelo. Le dikabelo tsa rona tota-tota ke maungo a tumelo, gonne ka tsona re leboga Modimo wa rona. Ka dikabelo re galaletsa Modimo, Ka go ntsha dikabelo re supa gore re utlwa Modimo. Ka dikabelo re supa gore re rata yo e leng Motlhodi le Mmoloki wa rona. Re gololesegile ka bopelotlhomogi jwa gagwe, o re pholositse ka loso lwa gagwe, o re femela ka malatsi otlhe, o re naya tse re di tlhokang ka malatsi otlhe mo botshelong jwa rona. Ke nnete, o re abela botshelo jo bo sa khutleng. Ka moo ke rata go mo leboga ka dikabelo tsa me.
Go leboga Modimo ka madi a rona ke leungo lengwe la tumelo ya rona. Tumelo ya rona e ungwa leungo le la go abela dikoleke. Ga re leke go reka sepe mo Modimong ka dikabelo tsa rona, mme re o leboga ka tsona ka pelo yotlhe ya rona. Lefoko le re: Modimo o rata yo o nayang ka boitumelo. Ga re abele dikoleke tsa rona ka ntlha ya go patelediwa ka thata ya molao mongwe. Re ntsha dikabelo ka go leboga, re ntsha dikabelo ka go rapela, re ntsha dikabelo ka pelo e e lebogang, e e dumisang Modimo. A re se ka ra nyatsa Motlhodi le Mmoloki wa rona ka go leka go ithuanya el ene ka dikabelo tsa rona, mme re mo leboge ka tsela e e siameng. Go monate go leboga Modimo, go molemo, ke tshwanelo. Go monate go leboga Morena, Pes. 92:1.
Madi a e leng dikabelo tsa rona a tswa kae? Dikabelo tseo tsa rona di tlhaga kae? Karabo e e bona mo Lefokong la thero ya kajeno, le le reng: Mme yo o nayang mojwadi peo le senkgwe sa go jewa, le lona o tla lo naya peo ya lona, a e atisa, a ba a godisa maungo a tshiamo ya lona, gore lo hume dilo tsotlhe go ka dira tiro nngwe le nngwe ya lorato e e direlang Modimo tebogo ka rona. Tsotlhe tse re nang natso di tswa mo Modimong, mo go Raraetsho yo o mo legodimong. Tsotlhe tse re di ntshang go nna kabelo ke tsa ona tota. Ga se rona ba re o neelang, mme ke ona o o re nayang tsotlhe. Ka dikabelo re thusa gore puso ya ona e atisiwe gore e gorosiwe le mo bathong ba bangwe mo lefatsheng. Gonne tirelo ya go thusa jalo ga e tlatse go tlhoka ga baitshepi fela, mme e bile e atile ka malebogo a mantsi mo Modimong; gonne boikanyego jwa lona jo bo itshupang ka tirelo eo bo dira gore ba galaletse Modimo ka ntlha ya maipolelo a lona a go utlwa Efangele ya ga Keresete le ka ntlha ya nnete ya go kopana nabo le botlhe. Mme le bone ba tla lo rapelela, ka ba lo tlhologeletswe ka ntlha ya bopelotlhomogi jwa Modimo jo bogolo mo go fetisang mo go lona. Kabelo ya rona e thusa baitshepi, e tsala tebogo e kgolo thata le mo badumeding ba bangwe, go agiwa bojelwane fa gare ga rona le ba bangwe ba ba tsenang kereke mmogo le rona.
Lefoko la thero ya kajeno le khutla ka go leboga, ka go leboga thata, le go tsoseletsa phuthego ka Lefoko le lentle le le reng: Mme Modimo a o lebogelwe neo ya ona e e fetang go ka bolelwa!" Re tlhoka mafoko a a re tsoseletsang go leboga Modimo ka tshwanelo. Ga re kgone go leboga Modimo ka fa o ratang gore re o leboge ka teng. A Modimo o re thuse ka metlha gore re bue mafoko a mantle go o leboga ka tshwanelo. A re o lebogeng ka go opela le ka go sina, re o leboge ka go opa diatla le ka diphala. Re o leboge ka dikabelo le ka boineelo. Re o leboge ka botshelo jotlhe jwa rona. Modimo a o lebogelwe neo ya ona e e fetang go ka bolelwa! Amen.
9. Thapelo: Baka MORENA, mowa wa me, le tsotlhe tse di mo teng ga me, bakang leina la gagwe le le boitshepo! Baka MORENA, mowa wa me; se lebale sepe sa ditiro tse di molemo tsa gagwe! O itshwarela maleo a gago otlhe, O golola botshelo jwa gago mo tshenyegong, o go rwesa bopelotlhomogi le mautlwelobotlhoko mo tlhogong. O go kgorisa tse di molemo gore o busediwe bokaung jaaka ntsu. Amen.
Thapelo ya Morena: Rara wa rona yo o mo legodimong ...
10. Sefela sa 5 - 5/5
A kagiso ya Modimo e e fetang tlhaloganyo yotlhe e boloke dipelo tsa rona le maikutlo a rona mo go Keresete Jesu, Morena, Morepholosi. Amen.
Thero eno e kwadilwe ke P. C. Weber, ka ngwaga wa 2010
Kgatiso le go rongwa ga dithero tseo go tshegediwa ke kopano e e bidiwang The Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)