by Dries Cronje on May 21, 2009
Thelma Hall writes in her excellent little book, Too deep for words: rediscovering Lectio Divina…
For the prospect of transformation to a life of love has for us the intimation and attraction of an ultimate truth: it is in the surrender of my false self with its claim of full autonomy, and in letting love become the dynamic central reality of my life, that my true self will be most fully realized. But this means beginning to follow Jesus along a path which must take me in a direction directly opposite to my instinctive self-oriented choices. It is “shifting my center,” away from my self, to self-giving, in love. This is precisely Jesus’ meaning — that I only discover who I am and possess my true identity by “losing myself” for his sake.
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by Dries Cronje on January 19, 2009
Consider this scenario. You are driving along the freeway, and (illegally!) sending a text message with your mobile phone at the same time. Then… as these things happen, you hit the guy in front of you. Not a big smash, but a smash.
It is rush hour, and both of you pull off to the side. There’s not much tension, since you both realize that these things happen. ID numbers, phone numbers, etc. are exchanged, and an arrangement about the accident is made. You were the party at fault, and you are going to pay the other party’s insurance excess.
Your car is not insured, but luckily the damage to your car is minimal, and you are happy to keep on driving it like that. What a bad morning! You were stupid, guilty, and even reckless not to have your car insured. Thankfully, you immediately arrange insurance for it. And… life goes on. [click to continue…]
by Dries Cronje on January 9, 2009
One of my friends and fellow followers of the Way, Pierre du Plessis, leads a community of Jesus disciples that do their best to be true to the Jesus way. See 3rd place. They have a motto (borrowed from Mother Theresa) that has always been helpful to me in remembering part of what we need to do as followers of Jesus.
They go out from their gatherings with the goal to “Feed One.” Mother Theresa said that, “If you can’t feed a hundred, then feed one.”
Simple right.
Yes. So… let’s go out and live like this. Let’s “Feed Jesus.” He says in Matthew 25 that if we feed marginalized people, it’s as good as feeding Him.
Find one person (can’t be that hard!) and feed them. If you live in Africa, where it’s really easy to find physically hungry and neglected people, then maybe feed someone by buying them food. Actually, I’m sure it isn’t that hard to find physically hungry people anywhere. If you do struggle, feed someone in another way.
Jesus suggests the hungry, but also the thirsty, homeless, shivering, sick, and imprisoned. No excuses.
Why postpone… Why not help someone today. Find marginal space, look around and “Feed Jesus.”
by Dries Cronje on November 15, 2008
Good news… I have finished Following Jesus 101 – A Crash Course to Help Anyone Follow Jesus Better. It is live and available for (free!) download at TheJesusFeed.com/FollowingJesus101.pdf.
Be sure to let me know what you think!
Today also marks the official launch of The Jesus Feed. So… please subscribe to make sure you don’t miss anything. The conversations, challenges, blog posts and newsletter will kick-off in full swing on Monday.
Take care,
Dries Cronje
