Tag: The Rabbi

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Thought Leaders Series: 2018

In their bid to galvanise the people after the Exile towards nationhood, the Elders needed a new metanarrative.

So, they captured stories from their oral traditions (very similar to what is left in the folk and oral traditions in most African settings), updated elements of these stories, infused new scripts; with a view to stir the minds of their audiences towards this new overarching narrative.

Most of this work we see in the so called historic books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Chronicles, Samuel, Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther). The editors were careful to use characters known through Jewish history to convey the sort of values that will strengthen and foster unity and prosperity; and those that were detrimental to the cause.

Hence they weaved into these stories character traits like collectivism, selflessness, faithfulness, loyalty, sacrifice, patience, humility, vision, kindness, unity, etc. At the same time inverses like individualism, selfishness, disloyalty, greed, shortsightedness, pride etc.

To this end the characters we find in these stories are not there by coincidence, they are symbols and milestones in the struggle of a people trying to carve out a future amidst the complexities of the world around them. Hence we find ourselves in major difficulties when we try to read these stories through the lenses of Christian dogmas and doctrines; or treat them as principles that govern all aspects of life.

While there might be elements of universality in them, they are clearly Jewish stories which were written retrospectively, with the vision of bringing the people together towards a common goal – nationhood. In simple terms: One God, One People, One Covenant.

Starting this Sunday I will be examining some of these stories with a view to highlight the virtues the editors were trying to convey and why they were necessary.

In other words the sort of Operative Narratives and Scripts the Elders wanted to see manifested in the lives of the citizens of this great nation they envisioned.

Reachout | Revive | Recover

http://www.healingsprings.org.uk

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Spiritual Intelligence: Donkeys Leading Lions

Donkeys Leading Lions…

This phrase has been used so many times to describe; the fate of soldiers and the politicians that lead them to senseless wars, or that of soldiers and some of the Generals that have led them in wars.

Perhaps the best possible origin can be traced to this Arabic proverb;

An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep

With this as a backdrop, I hope you will agree with me that the need for leadership, and effective succession planning strategies cannot be over-emphasised. In the words of The Rabbi to His disciples;
Follow me, and I will make you… This statements my friends, graphically explains the process of discipleship. Followers are bound to be transformed and made through the process of following.

If our apprentices are not being transformed, If we are not making leaders out of ordinary everyday people, then I’m afraid we have to go back to the drawing board.

Sadly, like King Saul many have subjected the soldiers to a fast at a time when they need “the bread of life”, as a result we have too many weak believers, and very high mortality and casualty rate within our ranks.

The Rabbi said this to His audience about the leaders of their era;

Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my Father shall be rooted up, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and both will fall into a ditch.”

I pray that we arise from the depths of despair, receive courage and fulfil our destiny!

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This couple obliged to have their photo taken by a complete stranger (me) yesterday. I like their sense of style. God bless them!

~ Sabali

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Spiritual Intelligence: Do Your Utmost To Come Before Winter

Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve mefor His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

Do your utmost to come before winter.

Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

 

Leadership can be a lonely road sometimes… Perhaps one of the reasons why many do not stand-up to the challenge. A leader must gravitate towards the object of the call. Hence those that are called by God undergo a process of transformation even as they draw towards the One that has called. On this subject Paul wrote;

Follow me, as I follow Christ

This shows a chain of connectivity with Christ as his source and Paul (the leader) as the conduit. This of-course does not make him superior to his followers as we are called to serve one another, for the body functions to optimal capacity with each cell, tissue, and organ playing its role effectively – so also the church.

However this also poses a major problem as those closest to the leader are likely to run out of emotional and spiritual capital needed to respond to this pull as things get tougher, or as the heat increases. Little wonder why Paul mentioned his experience with Alexander and Demas, as he beckoned on Timothy to come before winter in my opening scripture.

The Rabbi Himself suffered doubt from his cousin John, evident as he sent his disciples to verify His messianic credentials. This is the same John that heralded;

Behold the lamb of John that takes away the sins of the world

Even Peter denied him thrice during His passion.

Friends I pray this morning for strength, determination and courage to withstand and overcome the opposing tides of our time. To stand-up and be counted when it matters most. To be a beacon of hope in a lost world. And to help reclaim the kingdom once again. So help us God. Amen.

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~ Sabali