“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt 5:43-45
 

Zeitgeist is a German language expression literally translated: Zeit, time; Geist, spirit, meaning "the spirit of the age and its society". The word zeitgeist describes the intellectual, cultural, ethical and political climate, ambiance and moral of an era or also a trend.

A friend of mine shared an article with me recently that I found incredibly inspiring. The article is entitled "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God" . In the press industry a Christian journalist would never get away with writing an article declaring the positive change that comes from a life serving God. Such an article would be deemed subjective and would never be published. So instead, God uses a man who professes to be an atheist!

About 2 months ago I recognised that I was becoming increasingly stressed and frustrated without any apparent cause. I was also finding myself pretty stagnant and dry despite trying hard to exercise the disciplines that we were talking about at the time. I felt like running away and living like a bum on a beach somewhere. I lay awake one night bemoaning my case to God.

Amazing Grace Lyrics

John Newton (1725-1807)
Stanza 6 anon.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

California wildfires
Status: The number of active wildfires is 26. There have been 2,093 fires since June 20.
Damage: The fires have consumed about 1,069,000 acres and destroyed 162 homes and one commercial building. They are threatening 4,310 homes and 86 commercial buildings.
Response: More than 11,000 firefighters are battling the blazes, using 660 fire engines, 129 bulldozers and 78 helicopters.

I've recently been touched and stirred by the testimony of friends of ours who's boy was born with congenital cataracts about 2 months ago. One of the fascinating things is that he has had a hard time learning to smile because he can't see his parents. It reminded me of our relationship with God and how we grow into his likeness as his character is revealed to us. "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Logo dyno

Logo growth

Hey guys

I've been exploring. Like I said when we chatted; It feels like quite an elusive thing we're dealing with.
We're going to have a breakthrough soon though - I can feel it!

Anyway, any comments or feedback would be welcome.

Love,

Marc

An old favourite at Covenant Life is the Mafia Homegroup promo. We've put it online so you can check it out at http://www.covenantlife.co.za/homegroup_mafia_promo