When I think of Easter, I picture Jesus having to go down the Via Dolorosa, a public spectacle of humiliation, pain, and suffering. There was no other way (Luke 22:42). He had to make sure that our faith would be perfected so we would be able to fearlessly stand up against evil, like He did. It also means that God knows all our suffering, how and whichever way we encounter it. He went through it Himself. Crucifixion is one of cruelest punishments, inflicting an unbelievable amount of pain.
Says Max Lucado (in his book: ‘Fearless’):
‘Certain chapters in our lives seem so unnecessary. Suffering from disease or loneliness. Genocide, the horrible and indescribable atrocities committed during the holocaust and that what we see happening even during present day wars. Suffering persecution. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, storms, etc. The list of suffering is endless. If we assume this world exists just for pre-grave happiness, these atrocities disqualify it from doing so. But what if this earth is the womb? Might these challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us, equip us for the world to come? As Paul wrote: These troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing (2 Cor. 4:17).’
I am reminded again of the story of Jesus healing the man who had been blind from birth. At the end, Jesus points to us and says: “You are the light of the world. A City on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matt.5:14). Jesus is saying: Wherever and whenever we find darkness we must resist it, fight it, and in so doing become more like Him. This is the challenge that He extends to us: You, together with Me, let us change this world and make it a better place. We are not called to solve riddles that cannot be solved or to find explanations for the unexplainable. Our faith only becomes real when we enter the darkness with the Spirit of Jesus in us and work together with Him doing the works of His Father: “Let there be light!” in an often dark and chaotic world.
Our fight against ignorance, poverty, blindness, sickness, diseases, etc. all originate from this point in our lives, where we realize that He is challenging us to become like Him, with His Spirit in us, actively involved in the bringing of light where it is dark. People who follow in the footsteps of Jesus through service to Him, e.g. caring for the widows and orphans as He instructed, are the light in this chaotic and dark world. Let us continue to build on the example of our Lord Jesus in caring for our fellowman and child.
News from Crystal Cathedral Ministries SA / Bread on the water:
Note that we have started a series of old sermons made by the late Dr. Schuller. If you have not yet started watching them, you can click on this link:
CCMSA | Bread on the water
The page may take a minute or so to load. The sermons are ranked in order, from the bottom to the top. It is best if you begin by looking at the very bottom of the page and work your way up. I also like writing articles that may give an alternative view of what is being presented / promoted by the mass media. Click on this link:
Henry’s Blog | Bread on the water
Scroll down and choose the article that you would like to read. You are welcome to comment on the articles, I will try and respond to all your comments. Jesus warned us that near the end of time, conflicts and wars will increase. Indeed, one sometimes gets bewildered by what is going on in the world and you do not always know how to respond to the chaos around you. If you were blessed by any of the videos or articles, please remember to put something in the jar for us! CCMSA / Bread on the water can only exist thanks to your donations:
WE NEED YOUR HELP! | Bread on the water
(Regrettably, donations to this ministry are not tax deductible due it being regarded as a church)
News from Heart for Children:
Blessings to all of you who made it possible for us to reach the R200000 mark for our project to supply the orphanage in Murchison, KZN with alternative power. Click here if you had not seen our newsletter:
R200000!!!! | Heart for Children
We have been informed that they are busy getting quotes for gas stoves- and installation! It seems that the school in the village already has solar panels, but the inverter needs to be replaced. Once we know how much they need for all of this, we will know what is left for solar installation for the homes. Instead of putting solar on each of the children’s homes, it might be better to erect a field full of panels that can serve the whole village and that can be expanded later. We will keep you informed!
After Easter we will prepare your tax certificates. Please make sure that we have the correct full names of the person wanting to claim a tax benefit, his/her ID – and address as it is known by SARS. If you do not want or need a certificate, please let us know. We will want to make note of this as it prevents us doing extra work.
We also want to remind our donors that that we are willing to publish the names of their businesses that they want to promote on the sponsor page of the Heart for Children website. You just ask! See:
SPONSORS | Heart for Children
Many thanks for your faithful contributions to the children. Please remember that monthly donations are preferred so that we can plan our assistance to the homes that we promised to assist.
If you are traveling this weekend: please do not take any risks and drive carefully!
We wish you a very blessed Pass-over and a Happy Easter!!
Henry and Annette Pool
Cel. +27836297690 (Henry) and +27834696875 (Annette)
E-mail: henrypool7@gmail.com
HEART FOR CHILDREN
Henry’s Blog | Bread on the water
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