Ascension Day - 17th May 2012

I know that  I may be sounding like  a traditionalist, or perhaps  like the man,  of whom Paul warned you in Colossians 2:16 “Let  no one pass judgement  on you in questions of food and drink , or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath…”.

People in Colossae  were  defining religion by  what they ate and drank and by what sacred days  they kept. I assure  you  that I am  not a traditionalist,  nor  a legalist. I believe  that Ascension Day is a profoundly Christ centered event, and as such, ought to be celebrated and remembered in the Christian church.

The fact is that this years' Ascension day  will probably pass unnoticed by many Christians in the world!

  

Namibia  is one of the few countries in the world that  still has   the  Day of the Ascension listed as a public holiday. That is truly remarkable, particularly when we remember  that hardly anyone here knows what ‘ascension’ means, let alone  what it’s  theological  significance might be.

Ascension day is a  Christ centered event.  

• 40 days after the resurrection Christ  left this earth in bodily  form  and  ascended  to  be  where He came from, at His Father’s  right hand  in heaven.   
• From there He now rules  and from there  He intercedes  for His people.
• From there He shall come again.

I lament the fact that  Christendom  in general  has  forgotten this event. In terms  of its theological significance  can we  really say that, all things considered  that the ascension of Christ is less significant  that the birth (incarnation) of Christ?  Surely not. It is an integral part of the person and work of Jesus  the King.

We call upon the church in Namibia (and worldwide)  to  recognize  Ascension Day  by honouring it with a public service of praise and thanksgiving.

We we commend our Namibian  governing authorities   for upholding  this  day as a  public holiday. God bless Namibia!

FEEDBACK : "Shepherding a Child's Heart" Conference in Windhoek - May 2012

About 150 people  from various denominations  gathered for  the  “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” conference  which was sponsored by the Eastside Baptist Church  in Windhoek. Tedd Tripp, our speaker and  the author of the book “Shepherding a Child’s heart”  was  accompanied by his wife Margy   and  together  they were  a real treat , as  Tedd  spoke to us in 5 sessions ,  and as together they ministered to  individuals during the course of the conference.

Tedd  answering questions

Those who know Tedd and his approach to this subject  will know that  he works  from “first principles”. The Scripture teaches us that  the issues  of life  come from the heart. Behaviour is symptomatic, and therefore secondary. The heart  is primary.  When this is applied to  children, then we know that their behaviour, like that of adults,  is motivated by a heart  that   has been corrupted by the fall.  Our hearts  by nature are selfish and proud. With this theological fact in mind, Tedd masterfully  expounded  how behavioural issues at the various stages of childhood  need to be understood and dealt with by understanding  what the Bible teaches concerning  the heart .

Frans Brits leads a Q & A session

Tedd’s Reformed Theology  then applies  the  remedies  in terms  of a thorough understanding  of grace. Grace is what God  extends to repentant sinners, and  when we understand how He deals with us so very mercifully, then we shall also learn to deal mercifully and graciously with others who sin  – particularly the children  given to us by God .

Margy  answering the questions of many women

Tedd is not soft on discipline. He discussed the matter of ‘spanking’  and showed us that this practise too was rooted  in Scripture (Proverbs in particular). At a young age  this form of  discipline  can be very effective, because God’s  Word  recommends it! Tedd cautioned parents  however not to spank  in anger, but in love. This takes much wisdom.

The  five sessions  (see previous blog for specific content matter)  were  interspersed with Question and Answer sessions. Many  good questions were asked  and answered.

The  Barnabas Book  ministry  of the Eastside  Baptist Church , under the leadership of Coen and Annie Welsh  provided  many helpful  books  which were snapped up  at good prices!

The feedback given by many  of the  conference was very encouraging, and so  we  pause to give thanks to the Lord  who gives  ‘people gifts’( Eph 4:11-16)  such as Tedd and Margy  to the church  to equip the saints  and to  help them to mature.