Giant small people!

Last night I again was amazed at the physical stature of another giant in the faith, The Arch a.k.a. Desmond Tutu. He is so short that he looks up to me (and I am only 5'7" - sorry to old for metric height). I recalled the first time I had met him, in 1980, as I was elected to go on a South African Council of Churches (SACC) Pilgrimage of Hope to Israel, Switzerland (WCC) and Taize in France. We met with him but the government had taken his passport and so he was not able to lead us. They were so afraid of this really little man - for he was an enormous obstacle to their destructive policies!

At the launch of the Desmond Tutu Chair of Ecumenical Theology and Social Transformation in Africa at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) a number of speakers spoke of his influence and legacy. A most inspiring address was given by Rev Dr Michael Battle, quoting James McClendon - an American Baptist theologian. He spoke of biography as theology. It is in the living of his life that Tutu's seemed to have profound influence for the gospel. That's what makes him a giant!

May my theology be expressed through my living, not my speaking.

Me, a racist?

I have just been called a racist again! Someone asked me for help and I responded that I could not help in that way but could provide for their need in a different way. I was then called a racist. I could not quite follow the thought process but realise it was just one of those terms we throw out to make people feel guilty.

I used to take pride in explaining my anger with the person for calling me a racist by stating how I was one of the white people who was opposed to apartheid and how I had worked to bring about change. Then I realised that they weren't really interested! I guess they knew it would get to me. I am one of a multitude of white people living in South Africa who lived through apartheid. And none of us ever supported it anyway! It is impossible now to find any white person who supported apartheid! Not sure where they all went - can't all be in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, USA or Canada!

I guess the real issue for me is that one cannot do or say anything without these meaningless terms being bandied about. Have we lost our critical spirit? If I question another's culture or values am I criticising them and being prejudiced? Is everything in each culture so sacred that it cannot be questioned? Me thinks not! But then again I am a racist, sexist, ageist . . . (fill in any other term of prejudice that suits the moment!)

My wife, she's fine!

Recently my wife went for her second annual checkup MRI scans to see what was happening as a result of the radiation to the benign tumour on her acoustic nerve. The news was wonderful! When the tumour (acoustic neuroma) was discovered it was rather large - about the size of a tennis ball, according to the neurosurgeon. Afte the 11 1/2 hour operation to "debulk" the tumour the neurosurgeon showed us the result. A small amount was left as to try and remove that would sever a facial nerve and leave Flavia with paralysis of the facial muscles, leading to a drooping mouth and eye.

The first scan shows the full extent of the tumour (the rather obvious white blotch on her brain). The operation was done by cutting through the neck muscle and then removing the offending tumour.

The second scan shows the drastic reduction after debulking. All that is left is a small "thumb / bean" shaped tumour.

The next step was radiation - which would necrotise ("kill") the remaining cells. The second scan show a decrease in size of about 1 mm all round and she is now simply left with a small thumb/bean-shaped tumour that has no real effect on her at all.

The total effect of the tumour has been that she lost complete hearing in her left ear. Other than that she is normal (well, that is also up for debate!)

The final scan shows the even-further reduced tumour. She will always have this small reminder with her.

We are eternally grateful to God for the continued process of healing.

Worthy of posting

I sit with the dilemma that was expressed by Murray a while back. When faced with the blank screen my mind recognises that my mind has a lot in common with the screen. This is exacerbated by the other blogsite that I read written by colleagues who are profound thinkers and writers! So . . . what to say . . . well I have a solution today. I heard a great joke (I think humour is one of my fortes - so let me share it and hope anyone reading this will enjoy it! Have a great day!

ROAD RAGE

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a very busy road. Suddenly, the light in front of him turned amber. He did the right thing, coming to a stop, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and hooted, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup. As she was still carrying on, in her most outraged bad-mouthed rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer (not a Metro Polce Officer in Cape Town - the real thing). The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. Several hours passed, and a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake Miss. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were hooting, flipping off at the guy in front of you, and swearing profusely at him.

I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Follow me to Bible School' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car."

The real problem is - this is not always so funny! The real inconsistencies is what make so many Christians and Christianity often the laughing stock of this world.