Kiwi Chronicles

Frail Flesh

2011-12-20T12:46:00.001+13:00

My song is love unknown,
My Saviour’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take, frail flesh and die?

Samuel Crossman

Jesus was born into a time of economic, political, social and religious tension. The Roman census which displaced Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is about tax revenue and may well have been the spark that ignited civil unrest (taxation and protest have long been closely aligned). Herod ‘the Great’ responded viciously to any hint of rivalry, dispatching forces to murder infants and toddlers who could be the prophesied Davidic King/Messiah. Religious authorities were revelling in the rebuild of the Jerusalem Temple, funded by the half-Jewish Roman puppet king that Herod was. The world was in upheaval.

Jesus was born into this messed up, volatile, tense and fractious context. On a night of banal regularity, a young woman gave birth to her first child. She was remarkable only in that her story echoed those of so many others. Poverty, risk, desperation and isolation accompanied the birth of her son, her husband the only help at hand that we know about. His hands, so used to carving wood, put to the unfamiliar tasks of birthing.

This child born without a halo, lacking the symphonic soundtrack, at risk of infection, starvation, hypothermia… the normal risks of birth in a non-medicalised environment. This child is so ordinary: mucus wiped away, his body dried, his umbilical cord cut, fed at the breast, placenta delivered. He would be placed out of harms way – to sleep off the rigours of birth as mother and father cope with the clear up.

Off in the hills above the town shepherds are visited by angelic beings and are told what no one would know, if it were not for Heaven being unable to hold its secret silent. Off in the distance pagan magicians follow a star they have divined heralds the coming of a Jewish King who would see to the rise and fall of many nations. In the northern hills of Galillee, Elizabeth, an elderly woman cradles her own miracle 9 month old son, and wonders when the news of her kinswoman’s delivery would come; when the news of the Deliverer would reach their village.

This frail child, lain in an animal feeding trough, is the Bread of Heaven come down to bring eternal life, the Light of the World come to reveal the way, truth and life, the One and Only Son of God. His frail flesh will grow and is headed for the cross, the grave and then to reign as the Lord of Life defeating Death for all eternity. There in that child, God has not simply come to be among us – but has come to be one of us, to be with us, that we might come to know Him.

Two thousand years on, we gather in malls and spend money we do not have, eat food we do not need, buy clothes that will not wear out before we weary of them, celebrate an old man dressed in red, lie to our children, lie to each other and talk of the spirit of Christmas. All the time Christ is reduced to a plastic figure at the base of trees: ignored, marginalised and paid scant regard as we march on into selfish consumption.

How fitting a reminder of our need for Him still.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Have a great Christmas:

don’t allow the celebration

to hide Christ from your heart.

Global Home Here #wa2011

2011-08-11T17:27:00.003+12:00

I sat in my room on the last day of the World Assembly and wrote this:

Bus loads have left, the buzz is gone. Hearts and heads are set toward home. Those hearts and heads are pretty full as we head back into our respective areas of ministry. Some are staying - flights to some parts of Africa and Asia are not as frequent as to the major population hubs in the world.

It is now over a week since I left Krakow, most of us are now home. I know at least one delegate will still be walking, patiently, through tough terrain and in dangerous circumstances. He will be walking for a number of days yet - avoiding the authorities that will imprison, torture and kill him if they understand the work he is actually doing. Others have returned to the comforts of consumer driven societies, others to the chaos of countries torn by civil unrest and political turmoil. I've returned to New Zealand, caught up in the excitement of the approaching Rugby World Cup. This is my second full day back 'at the desk'.

I'm missing friends from around the world; aching for the excitement of World Assembly - for cameraderie, for fellowship, for hearing different languages, for the power and presence of a multicultural people united under the Lordship of Jesus. But IFES World Assembly was akin to the Transfiguration of Jesus - a glimpse of something to come but not a place to set up home. Like the transfiguration that glimpse of glory is to empower us in ministry and send us into the campuses, contexts and churches of the world. We gathered only to go; to return.

Some of the things that stand out from this IFES World Assembly for me:

The use of the expressive arts

Often it is said with real truth, that evangelicals are boring. We are - at least en masse. However it was a relief and a powerful challenge to our straighlaced tendancies (to be soberminded is no bad thing, but to be dull is a terrible curse) that the drama and music at this IFES World Assembly were powerful and relevant, contributing to our engagement with and preparedness for Scripture, and opening our hearts and minds to the claims and glory of Jesus. Without this element we would have worshipped with less full hearts and engaged with duller minds.

The power of visual media

Tim Pieska produced some amazing videography during the assembly - others too contributed to photographic and videographic presentations during the assembly. These images didn't simply provide eye-candy to amuse and distract, but they moved hearts and engaged minds. These were more than video summaries they were presentations of Gospel truth: and powerfully so. The week was emotionally charged and I found myself in tears listening to scripture read and preached, wetfaced in conversation and in prayer but too in watching and being ministered to by these visual presentations of truth. Without this element we would have lacked a language to express the truths we were learning and being called to.

World Assembly 2011 Daily Impression - 30/07 from IFES World on Vimeo.

The opportunity provided by social media

This blog received over 1000 visits from 240 cities in 57 nations during the 10 days of World Assembly. Twitter traffic from our gathering reached around the world in multiple languages. This is the most globally connected IFES World Assembly that there has ever been. Several nations were unable to have representatives at World Assembly because of Visa issues, others just weren't able to make it because of numbers or finance. Social Media both enabled greater engagement in the auditorium for those present but also opened the opportunity for men and women around the world to read, see and hear what happened. The IFES media page will contain increasing amounts of audio and video from the assembly. http://www.ifesworld.org/media SO the opportunity continues. Without this element the World Assembly would have been parochial, irrelevant and disingenuous in a world where we can communicate across the globe as easily as we can with our next-door neighbour.

The engagement with ideas and ideals

We talked about the nature and character of gospel ministry, examined prejudices and challenges, explored new media, gave students the platform for the day and opened up the thorny issues around social engagement and gospel proclamation. We explored the claims of Christ's Lordship over our lives, the universities in which we are serving Him and the universe in which we live. I heard people discussing the socio-political impact of the gospel as well as exploring the personal implications of the call to repent of sin. I had conversations about architecture, scripture, culture, academic integrity, social media (of course), marriage, death, singleness, cross-cultural communication, sexuality, the love of God, sociology, integrity in leadership, international commerce, dealing with disappointment, parenthood, dealing with persecution, speaking in tongues, the importance of student leadership, art, beauty, tattoos, graduate ministry.... the list goes on and on. Every and anything was up for open, direct and Christ-centred discussion. The length, depth and breadth of discussion encapuslated the absolute clarity of the call to engage with all of life with the whole Gospel. Without this element we would have been shallow in fellowship and restricted in our focus.

The close bonds of fellowship in service

Conferences are easy places to forge friendships but sitting at table with many men and women who had been friends for many years I was struck by how important these friendships are in encouraging and sustaining gospel ministry. I was especially struck as I spoke with good friends who are serving around the world - years and thousands of miles had stretched between our meetings and yet our fellowship renewed my love of Christ, reminded me of His call on my life and lifted my heart as well as broke it a little. Add to this new friendships, which surprised me as God used them to challenge me afresh and call me anew. It was a delight too to see the students of the Polish IFES movement, ChSA, serve the delegates as a team of friends. Without this element the World Assembly would have just been a business meeting, as it was it turned out to be a family gathering.

The importance of student leadership in student ministry

This World Assembly had the largest number of students in attendance (both sheer numbers and as a percentage) than ever before. IFES is a fellowship of student ministries - student lead, student focused and student powered. I was taken aback that we also appointed the first two student representatives onto the IFES International Executive Committee. I was also taken aback to hear that some present were not entirely encouraged by student involvement. The TSCF students (Josh, Michael and Charlotte) were told more than once that World Assembly is really a "staff gathering". Students started the work of IFES, students and recent graduates began to staff the work as a means of resourcing students and the work has most often been founded on courageous men and women, short in years but great in faith, who have acted faithfully and joyfully in the face of adversity. Ramez Attalah spoke on the student day of World Assembly about the important lessons he learned in success and failure as a student. A testimony that rings true in my own life: a testimony and vision that drove and called me to the work of IFES in the UK and now here in NZ and will keep me in the work as long as the Lord allows. When IFES student ministry loses it's focus on student leadership it becomes an organisation concerned with effectiveness and numbers and loses sight of the power of risk and the hope of transformation. Without the element of student leadership World Assembly would have become an exercise in strategy whilst losing sight of the most strategic opening God has placed before us: students reaching students in the student world.

Tuesday Night #wa2011 - Liveblog The Final Session

2011-08-03T06:43:00.005+12:00

After the introductory worship the THUMPING countdown begins. the laptop screen pulsates, my heart rhythm is in danger of being disrupted: I'm sat in front of the speakers. 30 seconds to go... the crowd do the countdown from 10. It is sad and fun together - now the summary of the day video.

Anja (Ansa) from the programme team - from Madagascar - teaches us a clapping song and introduces a Mexican wave from the delegates. Martin explains the programme - the talk from Daniel Bourdanne, the Lord's supper will be led by Gernot Spiess (Gen Sec of SMD, Germany).

Martin announces that a lot of the video footage will be available on the website as well as the thumb drive given to the delegates at the end of the meeting tonight.

Anja prays in 3 languages and then we raise our voices in song:

Strength will arise as we wait upon the Lord...

Our God, You reign for ever

Our Hope, our stong deliverer..

Yesterday, today and forever,

you are the same, you never change,

you are faithful, and we will trust in you.

Daniel comes to speak to us and addresses us in French with Tom Parfitt translating into English from the stage.

We have spent some intense days togehter and now we will go home. Last year our child had a unique experience: he was away from home for 3 days - he and we were nervous. He returned from his trip to Ireland and would not stop talking about it. A lot of us will remember Nigel's great jokes. We have experienced the great hospitality of the Polish hosts. We will also remember friendship. We will remember the tears in prayer in groups and alone. We will remember all of this and we will speak of them.

This evening I would like to encourage us to remember one image, one name, one person: Jesus Christ. Above and beyond all our memories of our time together, we are to fix our memories the person of Jesus Christ. He is the author of all the blessings we have received here. We know that it is better in our daily lives to have a source of water rahter than a bottle of water. I'm going to invite Tom to read Col 1:15-17 in English.

Jesus is raised here to the position of the King - Lord. Lord of all, over all, for all. Some of the Colossians considered Jesus to be a mediator but nothing more.

Paul first reminds us Jesus is God - God made visible. True and full knowledge of God is impossible outside of knowing Jesus. Any god that does not reveal himself through Jesus is not God at all. The alternative is a god of our imagination and limitations. We must remember that Jesus is God, with all of the implications of that.

He is the Lord of the Universe and the University: He alone gives meaning and true interpretation to all things. Universe and university are under him - university only fully understood through Jesus Christ. This Jesus created all things, without Jesus, life and the universe would be chaos.

The third implication is that everything exists by and for Jesus. He has not abandoned this world - he controls the world, history, my story. The evil we see in hte death of Jesus cannot hold him - he rises from the dead, ascends on high and rules. It all converges on Him, He is the centre of all things. As Lord of the universe, he is our hope. As we leave this place we will go into the valley. We will go back into a depression, perhaps loneliness, into contexts of violence around the world. As we leave here we may feel so small in view of all that we see and know. We will be shaken inspite of Polish hosptiality, shaken inspite of the teaching - this is why we must fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the source of living water who will renew us and feed us in adversity, sustain us in suffering, carry us through persecution, he will keep us when we encounter death - of those we love. We will be carried by the LORD of the universe. He is the One who will give us strength to be prophets on campus, in the world in which we live, in IFES as we serve Him. That is why He says that all authority has been given to Him; why he commands us to go in discipleship of the nations and promises to go with us. Mth 28.

May IFES NEVER turn form the centrality of Jesus Christ. May we be ready to die for the Lord Jesus Christ, the only one who can save our world. May the Lord grant us not to compromise on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. May he be with us in His Peace.

Let us pray - Lord Jesus we want to stay faithful to you, please use us in our different contexts, encourage us, may we not be afraid. Amen

Gernot Spiess comes to the microphone.

Brothers and sisters, as we prepare to close we are invited to share in the Lord's Supper. We are called to receive and share the bread and wine at The Lord's Table. We will celebrate in a simple way. There will be stations where we will each receive bread and the grape juice.

We are invited to look to two special gifts - unity in Jesus, strengthened in His power. He is in our midst and we are invited to His table. At the same time - he who calls us also sends us. At His table we are set steady for what lies ahead of us.

We stand to sing
How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Heavenly Father, sovereign God, as we come ot your presence we know we are sinners. You know our hearts and weaknesses, we have failed. We pray for forgiveness and healing.

Our Lord says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We come to this table, not trusting in our own righteousness, but in your faithful promises in your unfailing mercy. Feed us on Christ.

Santo, Santo, Santo,

Mi corazon te adora

Mi corazon sabe decis,

Santo eres Senor

Almighty God, thank you for giving your son for us - pour out your Spirit on us as we remember as he commanded.

On the same night he was handed over, he took bread and after giving thanks he broke it and said 'take eat, this is for you, do this in remembrance of me' In the same way, he took the cup and said 'take this all of you, this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant, shed for you and for many, do this as often as you drink it - do it in remembrance of me.

We pray the Lord's prayer in our own languages.

The drama group come and prepare the stage for a reflective piece. The screnn shows a Da Vinci's Last Supper. The actors come with the cloth that earlier in the week was the tie that bound them and they form the cross again. The song plays and the actocs enact the alst supper at the cloth now a table. The students of world assembly join in the dance filling the auditorium. Gold flags flow, red too - the dance reflects on thw words : we respond to your invitation - we remember You. The students come to serve - to bring communion.

Christ has died, Christ is risen - come eat and drink.

I find this fitting and moving. The students of the movements serving the staff who serve them. Sharirng the union of the fellowship - doing what Daniel exhorted us to do: remembering Jesus who saves us, strengthens us, unites us, gives us hope.

Oh kneel me down again

Here at Your feet

Show me how much You love

Humility

Oh spirit be the star

That leads me to

The humble heart of love

I see in You

You are the God of the broken

The friend of the weak

You wash the feet of the weary

Embrace the ones in need

And I want to be like you Jesus

To have this heart in me

You are the God of the humble

You are the humble King

Gernot: let us close in prayer

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father. We have sat at your feet, ate at your table, send us out as your family. Thorugh Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, we have been saved and healed. We say thank you in the Name of Jesus, The Lord of the Universe and the the University.

There is much thanks giving as the teams who worked on preparing and delivering the programme this week - the Darek, Ewa, Mirek, the office team, the volunteers, the tech team, the worship band.

Dieter speaks to them and reminds them

that God has worked and blessed them as they have blessed us. God was and is present. There has been a special purpose for this time - the International Executive Committee thought it fitting to have the met here in Poland. We have celebrated the pioneering days. You have blessed the whole fellowship, have all served and smiled - ready to serve. We came at the right time of your country - the blessing of the rich history, also the sorrows and the horrors here - not only yours and but European history. We have been inspired - how we can serve and regain a sense of identity, dignity and a hope for the future. You are being called to declare the glory of Christ, ChSA - do it with boldness and integrity, with God's help.

That was an appropriate thank you. We sit in anticipation - no one is sure what is happening. We're all looking for what should come next... There is a false start and then an interruption. Dieter is obviously a little lost and so Martin comes to help him. Slightly awkward but funny. There is more thanks to be given, programme team, teaching team, scripture presentation team, plenary session and seminar speakers, ministry forum facilitators, people who have shared stories and testimonies, reports, morning prayer team, small group leaders, the IFES UniverCity, bookstall leaders, communication team, pastoral care and prayer ministry, MCs and special guest programme, translators, the International Service Centre and now we ask our General Secretary, Daniel, and the World Assembly Director, Martin. Daniel will now pray.

(I want to add thanks to you for reading, praying and participating in the World Assembly through this blog, thanks for the encouragements and thoughtful posts. More posts will come reflecting more on the application of what we have learned)

Daniel Prays
Heavenly Father, thank you, for the heart of Martin and Rose and their family. Thank you for their years of service, for the years of their lives. You can see how they serve you, bless and renew them Lord, and not just them but also their children and family. Continue to help them to come closer to you. Thank you for all you have done. Thank you for all the blessings.

Dieter is called back to the stage to hand over a symbolic relay baton - handing over the responsibility fo the INternational Exexcutive Committee. We are very proud to have Chris as chair, representing NZ and the Southern Pacific. In a moment we will honour him in a traditional Haka (Maori honouring/greeting). Dieter prays for Chris after exhorting to faithfulness.

The Mexican delegation are invited forward as the incoming hosts of the world assembly. Ewa and Darek stand ready to hand over a symbolic baton - you will discover the our Lord Jesus, is THE Lord of everything. Ewa speaks tenderly and with encouragment. A Mexican wave comes over the room twice. A video about Mexico plays.

Then Sierra Leone gives shirts and a statue to Daniel. We now take up a collection of fellowship for the brothers and sisters in the IFES movements in the Francophone Africa.

During worship a dance party breaks out - EVEN Australians and Norwegians are dancing! TRULY a work of the Holy Spirit.

Speaking Personally: Tears before it's over #wa2011

2011-08-03T05:11:00.002+12:00

I shouldn't cry as much as I do. There have been tears everyday of IFES World Assembly, more than once a day sometimes.

I've cried as I've heard God's Word read. Tears have soaked my face, and my nose has run with snot, as I've listened to stories of brothers and sisters hindered and spurred on by oppression. Tears have leaked out as I've been moved by the beauty and power of the visual image. I've fought back tears listening to people speak of their joy in Jesus. I've cried in grief, joy, pride, brokenness, anger, love and in humility. I've cried more in the last week than I have in the last year: I think.

I feel like a weakling, a fool.

I've cried a lot today - sure tiredness is kicking in, but it is also because God is at work in my heart and life. I'm about to go into the final session of congress.

Part of the response of tears is acknowledging that I am not up to the task that God has called me to. I am weak. I am foolish.

I spoke with a good friend over lunch - he has poured out several years of his life in a tough European context. I shared coffee with another good friend just after lunch - also pouring out his life in yet another tough European context. These cities are where tourists long to go and missionaries fear to tread.

Thinking of their love for God and his people, for the selfless choices and their faithfulness under all sorts of external and internal pressures is precisely the stuff that moves me and makes my face leek. They make me love Jesus more because they love Him so well. They remind me of His strength for the weak and grace to the sinful - to me, to you.

Jesus is Lord of the Universe and Lord of the university. This gathering of faithful brothers and sisters from around the world has been profoundly challenging and moving... and now it is time for the final session. No doubt, there will be tears before it's over.

Tuesday Morning #wa2011 - Liveblog Scripture Engagement LAST DAY

2011-08-02T19:38:00.004+12:00

Tiredness, sadness and the heart set on home is how I'd describe this mornings prayer meeting. Tired because of the huge amount of energy expended. Sad because of the loss of each other's company from tomorrow. Hearts set on home because that is why we have gathered - not to have a good time in each others company but to refresh and be refreshed as we focus upon the work ahead. It is so special to be able to pray together with brothers and sisters from every continent. I will miss this dynamic especially when we leave tomorrow. But for today, I will make the most of it.

In the main auditorium we sing and sway - tiredness and marks the gathering but there is too a determination to be together fully in our last day. Nigel comes to the stage - it really is good to see him well again - in an All Blacks shirt (the New Zealand Rugby team). He invites us to pray with those sat next to us for the day ahead.

We sing:

We stand and lift up our hands

For the joy of the Lord is our strength...

Together we sing, everyone sing...

Holy is the LORD God Almighty!

God of wonders,

beyond our galaxy

You are holy, holy

The universe declares Your majesty

You are holy, holy

We sing and then pause, silently remembering and praying for our brothers and sisters without the freedom to gather to worship. It seems right to pause here - God is Holy and before our Holy God we pray for boldness and faithfulness for the persecuted church.

A brother comes and prepares us to hear a greeting from a General Secretary who could not be with us because of tensions. He speaks of the growth of a movement in the pressures of a muslim nation. He talks of the conversion of one muslim student. Books helped this man to understand the work of God in Him. The Gen Sec asks for help - for those who have more liberty and those in a really pressured part of the work. The gathering clap the video - needing someway to express the love.

Nigel comes to the stage - my seatmate says, OH OH! - Daniel Bourdanne hugs Nigel in a slightly awkward way. Photo's will flood the internet no doubt. If so I'll put one here.

Daniel begins to speak of how our time today is about processing the work - we need to be fresh in order to process the work. We must be ready to take off and be ready to apply.

Nigel explains he's appreciated the focus on the cross, on Jesus and on the sufficiency - asks how do we keep it clear.

Daniel speaks of understanding for ourselves what the cross means in the centre of our lives, then we must understand the implications of this focus - not a simple theological commitment but a life commitment. Sometimes we only go half the journey - we think carefully but we do not live carefully.

There will be varying Scripture readings - first one will be translated but the second not. Marilyn Stewart will lead us in Scripture engagement.

Daniel prays:

Heavenly father this is our last day together. We want to open our hearts and minds, for what you have prepared for us - for dessert in this feast. We are looking forward to the beautiful food you have prepared for us, to help us today. You may have a special thing for us, use the opportunity of this day to make it available to us, we want to be fed by you and the work of Your Holy SPirit in our lives. Bless us, bless our speaker who will be sharing with us.

Marilyn speaks to us

Morning - is it really our last day together. Our hearts turn to home, thinking about packing, about fitting books in. It would be easy today to be distracted and to miss what God is saying. Sit back and settle into the day. Sit back and hold your palms up. Sit back and take a few deep breaths. Bring to mind the things that you have brought to this day. Ask the Lord for the help you need.Lord our prayer is that we would remain open to you in us and about us, keep us attentive to you this day.
Now turn your palms down, take another deep breath. THis IS the day that that Lord has made and we WILL rejoice and be glad in it. The Scripture today invites us into the joyful worship of our God.

Listen to Ps 145 as it is brought to us by our readers: students come to the stage again to present the passage. Voices from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe echo around the auditorium. It is so humbling.

¹ I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
² Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

³ Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
   his greatness no one can fathom.
⁴ One generation commends your works to another;
   they tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
   and I will meditate on your wonderful works.^[b]
⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works—
   and I will proclaim your great deeds.
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness
   and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

⁸ The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The LORD is good to all;
   he has compassion on all he has made.
¹⁰ All your works praise you, LORD;
   your faithful people extol you.
¹¹ They tell of the glory of your kingdom
   and speak of your might,
¹² so that all people may know of your mighty acts
   and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
   and your dominion endures through all generations.

   The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises
   and faithful in all he does.^[c]
¹⁴ The LORD upholds all who fall
   and lifts up all who are bowed down.
¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
   and you give them their food at the proper time.
¹⁶ You open your hand
   and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

¹⁷ The LORD is righteous in all his ways
   and faithful in all he does.
¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call on him,
   to all who call on him in truth.
¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
   he hears their cry and saves them.
²⁰ The LORD watches over all who love him,
   but all the wicked he will destroy.

²¹ My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

Footnotes:

Psalm 145:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which (including verse 13b) begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Psalm 145:5 Dead Sea Scrolls and Syriac (see also Septuagint); Masoretic Text On the glorious splendor of your majesty / and on your wonderful works I will meditate
Psalm 145:13 One manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Syriac (see also Septuagint); most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text do not have the last two lines of verse 13

Marilyn invites us to read the psalm for ourselves - note that captures your atttention: a word, a phrase a thought... turn to the person next to you and discuss what you have noticed. My observation/question is about the Kingship of God. King David rejoices to love The King. I wonder how people who do not know or have Kings.

here are the things I have noticed.

David's experience of kings is varied. David doesn't define Kingship by his experience - he speaks to Him who is King and LORD.

This is an acrostic poem - we cannot appreciate it in translation: it is an painstaking process of creation - it takes time and attention, he meditates, chews them over and praise wells up within him: God is the object and subject of his affections. David is a writer to the glory of God - the praise and worship.

In vs 1-7 God is addressed personally and the praise of David becomes all encompassing. The word ALL is used over 20 times in this psalm. This is our experience here - the work of God in us expands our hearts in praise as we hear of His work among the peoples of IFES. We read verse 13 together.

Verse 8 is the central statement of the Psalm: Gracious and compassionate, slow to anger. This is God's own self description (Ex 34:6 and elsewhere http://goo.gl/zQcWj ) What does it mean to live like this?

It is sobering to reflect that we can be busy, active and engaged. We can be effective but forget this truth. I was a servant but not a daughter. I wanted to be clear that God had love for me but I thought God was about how I thought of Him. I began with myself and how I felt. I defined God by my perspecitve - I memorised this verse and began to recite it when I needed to be reminded of who God is. Slowly I came to know that God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love/mercy. This is the start of my day, my posture toward God and the world. Is it frustrating work and discouraging - of course it is student world. However, is God good? Of course and we must know it.

God will not abandon me, he does not leave us - we watch for God at work, remember him at work and see the glory of his works. We see David's activity in this remembering in th verses that follow verse 8. He is near - the nearness of a friend. God hears , saves us, watches over us. These are present tense attributes and actions of God Himself in the lives of His broken people. God's intentions toward those who love Him are for good.

Take the time to read through verses 8-20. Note the affirmations of your heart and see the places where it is hard to affirm.

An actor takes to the stage - he performs the text of the psalm. Holding a crown, placing it down on a table, singing the refrain "The Lord is gracious and compassionate". He whispers the final verse "My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord"

Take the postcard you were given at the beginning of the session and write in the yellow space on it something that you would like 'to take with you', remember as you leave this place.

We leave this place and some will leave to difficult, suffering, distressing places and circumstances. We do not return alone - because this is true of who God is. We can say with David, we will praise His Name, each day.

We stand to sing. The songs cous on the goodness of God, on the lamb on the throne, the great saviour. The musical instruments stop but our voices are still raised:

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God to Thee

How great thou art

How GREAT THOU ART!

Nigel comes up front and expresses appreciation for Marilyn and the other contributors. Nigel speaks confirming details of departure. And the details of the rest of our time. Nigel says goodbye as this is his last time as MC and there is a standing ovation. It is funny - he makes it clear that a lot of people have made this week happen and he isn't one of them. He reminds us - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and friendship together in God.

Monday Evening #wa2011 - Liveblog Social Justice

2011-08-02T05:56:00.008+12:00

The evening opens with a video summarising yesterdays madness with the students:

World Assembly 2011 Daily Impression - 31/07 from IFES World on Vimeo.

Another video plays - an infographic illustrating and summing up the impact and depth of social inequality on a global level. It is provoking as a video, it is also depressing that New Zealand appears at the top of the scale both in wage inequality and also in social injustice. I sigh and pray.

Scott Bessenecker comes to the stage

God cares about issues of economic laws. God's law includes debt forgiveness and radical redistribution of wealth. There are dire warnings against the exploitation of the poor and neglect of justice. Israel disregarded the economic laws of God, they ignored the poor and the needy, the Exile resulted (corresponding to the years of sabbath they had ignored). Is 3:13-15 Even in exile the people were commanded to seek the welfare of the people and nation who had enslaved them. The flourishing of teh nations would be facilitated by the just administration of Israel.

God starts judging His people but not only. God's wrath against injustice is white hot against the rich and the power. God's rule is not about child prositution, not about enslavement of men and women, not about the exploitation of men and women and children and environment. Where is the plunder of the poor? Is it in our houses, in our wardrobes, in our lives? The IFES movement in SIerra Leone are making their homes among the poor, the graduates of IVCF have made their homes in disenfranchised communities, and lived among the broken.

Vidoe: Is it possible to give up the fresh air and life fo comfort? Living in the inner city of south LA. Familiar scenes of pverty adn graffiti, urban sport. The guy speaks of living for the sake of Christ. Urbana was the place of this guys call to the urban poor - "Although I miss my family and friends, serving God here is worth it."

Video 2: Chinese music, scenes of temples and slums. Before I came here I thought of the poor as a demographic, here I've come to learn they are people, individuals, characters - real people." "after living here I love God a lot more" These are the slum communities of Bangkok.

In 1972 Chicago, dropped its history of economics. They moved economics out of the humanities - a science of maths, without regard to its philosophy. My country does not have enough money to function. The government is voting to increase the possibility of debt to fund a military habit $2.5million per day. Have we made the field of economics less humane, without ethic increasing wealth upon wealth. Marek, an influential economic leader here in Poland makes significant difference in economic reality.

The students here - are you willing to live in the communities of the poor, are you willing to live among the powerful in order to seek kingdom justice and kingdom transformation. Living in a way that our lives speak of the fullness of God's grace, mercy and justice.

We will be visited by three 'spirits' tonight, just like Scrooge. There will be questions after a time of dialogue.

Nishan Del Mel

Good evening - it is a privileg to be able to talk about global economic justice. I don't like economists, and I am an economist. I want to talk about the systems of injustice - not simply personal but societal and structural. As an example - many of us went to Auschwitz. Eichmann born in 1906 into a Luthern family. Eichmann rose to a high position in the Third Reich, he became a senior civil servant and organised the systematic deportation of Jews to extermination camps. Hannah Arent - "Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil" The thesis is that people who carry out evil are not just psychopaths, but ordinary people who accept the standards of society and do what is asked of them with the energy of good workers.

All we need to do to be evil is to be normal. We simply need to engage in society without question. Evil is part of the fabric of the world in which we live. The repentance that is required is not of a superficial kind, not for isolated individuals, part of society - created by God, but terribly flawed. God rescues Israel from exploited slavery, and shows them how to live. God gives the people law, not as window dressing but as essential to the relationship with God for the saved. God rejects their worship when they neglect justice, Amos 5:22-12, 21-24

11 Therefore because you trample on [1] the poor
and you exact taxes of grain from him,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not dwell in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
but you shall not drink their wine.
12 For I know how many are your transgressions
and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
and turn aside the needy in the gate.
13 Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time,
for it is an evil time.

14 Seek good, and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
as you have said.
15 Hate evil, and love good,
and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

16 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:

“In all the squares there shall be wailing,
and in all the streets they shall say, ‘Alas! Alas!’
They shall call the farmers to mourning
and to wailing those who are skilled in lamentation,
17 and in all vineyards there shall be wailing,
for I will pass through your midst,”
says the Lord.

18 Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why would you have the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, and not light,
19 as if a man fled from a lion,
and a bear met him,
or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall,
and a serpent bit him.
20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?

21 “I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
I will not look upon them.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
24 But let justice roll down like waters,

and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

We are called to overcome the structural evil - in structural evil, our action or inaction in our society will leave us with dirty hands (see Amos 5:18-29). There is evil in societies and those of us who hope in a latter day of salvation without it transforming our lives, we are in deeply dangerous waters.

Revelation 21:22

This is God drawing us to Himself - the systems, structures and ideas. It is a glorious vision. BUT what then about our university ministries. What are we doing if our calling is in regard to the structures of the world. Keynes: the ideas of economists are hugely powerful, those who think they are free of influence are those who are influenced by the ideas and philosophies of a previous generation. The ideas that influenced are taught and propagated at university. Ideas unexamined are dangerous. Universities are the ground in which students are encouraged to examine and explore the ideas - faith must engage and critique these ideas. Our task is to join with God in rescuing the world from the Eichmann Syndrome.

We are dealing with the structures of a system that is deeply flawed and broken. The Theology of Economics begins in the garden of Eden - to fill and subdue the earth. In the creation of humanity they are given the special place of joining with God in the choosing and naming of creation. Human choice has to be collective and cognisant of society.

Theologically speaking - economics is the structure of thinking that we would bring to bear on human society to guide and negotiate the freedom and choices that enable us to pursue together our calling to be co-creators with God.

Legal Structure - property rights. Is not need based.
Engineering: social good can be reliable engineered from self-serving choices.
Assumptions - more choices = better life and outcome.

Self-serving choices caused economic destruction not protection in the production and execution of the financial crisis around 2008. Foundations of economic ideas are stuctural and systemic. IFES has an obligation to engage with the university in this way.

Dr Michael Schluter takes to the stage:

I'm from Cambridge, and so I'm afraid I reflect a European perspective though I have lived in Africa, American and more recently East Asia. I have a radical perspective on how to change the world. In the mid70s there were Marxist revolutions. What alternative to Marxist ideology is there? To critique is to accept, to replace is what is required. His pastor then suggested it was OT Law which might be the best place to study for an alternative. There is a consistent system for capital, land and labour markets are all mentioned. What is the big idea - the goal - of the Law. It is not simply about justice, family, stewardship... it is Jesus who explains the OT Law's economic focus: Matthew 22:

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Love is a quality of relationships - the organisation of all of these things, God is interested in good and right and loving relationships. How do we do what we do economically in order to promote good relationships. Every public policy is an issue of relationships. Everywhere I looked I found the issues underlying the discussions. This truth has to be expressed in a language which does not lead to dismissal: The 2005 book - "The Jubilee Manifesto"

The basic point is that the Bible's primary category of thought is relationship: Trinity is relational. God's focus is the relationally marginalised - the relationally poor, who are most often financially poor. Jesus ministry worked out in this context too.

The problem with the capitalist system is about the use of capital. Charging interest on a loan is wrong: the Bible is clear - throughout - it is wrong and clearly wrong on all loans at all rates of interest when money is lent to all/any people. The most telling example where Jesus hammers this home is the parable of the talents - 'so you knew did you that I was a hard man, who reaps where he doesn't sow - you should have put my money in the bank" if you are a hard person who reaps what you didn't sow, then interest is the choice you should make. We need to realise that the Bible has given us an agenda to build relationships and the relationships to build people.

A new slogan - No reward without responsibility, no investment without involvement, no profilt without participation. If Christians lived like this we would transform the economic system.

Funmil Para-Mallam

In speaking on the empowerment of women, I speak not on behalf of all women but I do address issues which impact many people. Dr Carolyn Baylies (d.2005) - she had been an activist in the church but renounced her faith. She fought on issues in social justice for many people. Carolyn had rejected efforts to talk of Christ, many women turned away from the church by the churches work and prejudice. Discrimination against women has real economic impact on society. You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women.

Women empowerment is not women wanting to be men, taking over men, or getting vengence. It is a level playing ground, equal opportunities, addressing historic wrongs, removing strucutral and systematic barriers that prevent women from being fully human. The mere mention of these issues sets off alarm bells in people's minds.

Many freedoms are now taken for granted, the situation is changing for the better. But female agency is key and there are many women who have found their place through struggle and endeavour. A lot more needs to be done. Facts, figures and faces will present the issue as it truly is: this is not exhaustive.

Poverty - year 2000 the millenium goals were enunciated. Poverty is, but is not simply, economic - there are also issues of deprivation, vulnerability and other non-material factors. Poverty wears a woman's face. 565 million women to 400 million men are poor, women earn 50% less than men, the poverty gap of the last 10 years has grown. In China - women are consistently disadvantaged from childhood, in education, in pay, in opportunity. In Africa female genital mutilation is ongoing. Choice and freedom are the issues at the most fundamental level.

Sexual and Gender based violence. Women and girls are physically and sexually assualted, women are experiencing violence by men who are intimately involved and related to them. HIV in Africa is a gender issue but also globally. Women face sexula harrassment.

Political Participation and Representation - women are at the edges of societal engagement. Silence does not mean contentment it can also mean oppression. The language of silence is not new - can be traced through church life. Martin Luther spoke about the subjugation of women. Jesus attitude toward women is our example. What can IFES do - suggesting: challenging doctrines and practices, engage with feminism, initiate gender dialogues, model gender justice and women empowerment. In seeking to engage the campus - what are we going to do to change, challenge and support women and men to change the world.

The empowerment of women aligns with God's Kingdom agenda for the earth. God created humans in His own image - to rule the earth together.

THIS IS REALLY HARD TO LIVEBLOG - THE PACE IS QUICK. I WILL DO MY BEST TO GET THE QUESTIONS DONE.

Scott asks Funmi - why is it important for men to engage in the work.
Funmi: It is precisely because women are marginalised when they engage in gender dialogues; men can bring change.

Scott asks Michael - what is looks like when a city organises around teh relationship principle.
Michael: there is no real turning back from a market economy (batering or communism are the alternatives) but it is important to realise that Christians are looking for a process of reform rather than revolution - revolution often oppresses the poor all the more. The processes in place would be to limit a debt, encourage citizens to get out of debt (churches taking part) thinking about relational companies and rating them on a relational basis

Scott asks Nishan: How do we speak the good news into a structure?
Nishan: we learn the language of economics and engage with Economists in the profession and expertise, and also them as a person.

A question from a Madagascar delegate (written from the tanslation) Dr Schluter said Money is the centre of the universe, the middle east is the centre of the world with its oil. If we look at average oil consumption in 40 years there will be no oil. (The question is very long in French - people are giggling). Translator says it is essentially about the use of oil and the world economy.
The second question from Latin America (written from the translation) - a comment about the speed of the delivery of presentations. The questions is about the money invested in global environment when there is so much economy.

Nishan answers - we have a problem because we are consuming too much and producing too little, we must think about consuming less as Christians.

The buzz is huge in the auditorium. Martin Haizmann comes and announces that the collection that is about to happen is to give toward Agape/Cru/Campus Crusade. Nigel comes to the stage - he's in good form and has people laughing again at the most mundane of notices. We head into our final day tomorrow and then go and head home.

As we give we listen to piano music - is it compulsory the world over? Does this cover the sound of coins to avoid embarrassment? ;)

The music dies down, Nigel has a look in his eye that could mean trouble.... I was right: he's making jokes... which can't be recorded appropriately but involve baldness, sickness and the possibility of dying. Nigel challenges us to talk to our neighbour about our hopes for tomorrow. I pray with a brother from Africa - it is a great blessing to me, I hope some to him.

Auschwitz – Viewing the Unconscionable #wa2011

2011-08-02T02:25:00.001+12:00

The delegates of World Assembly who chose to do so clambered aboard the fours busses for the one hour bus ride to the memorial that is Auschwitz Birkenau. It is my first time visiting a holocaust site. It may be my last.

The place was crowded, large groups following our guides who addressed us through radio headsets to prevent raised voices. The headsets someone gave a sense of privacy and locked us away from the rest of the group. We followed where the guide went and were shown one place of horror after another.

Here they were stripped and shaved… here is two tonnes of hair shaved from the heads of women prisoners… no one in the photographs in this corridor survived… this is the wall where thousands of prisoners were shot… you will now walk through the small gas chamber, 10,000 people were killed in here: please observe silence to respect those who died here.

The shuffling of feet on the stone, the walking in single file, the silent groups walking behind their guides. The terrible lack of words. The inadequacy of words and tears. The feeling of powerlessness. The overwhelming sense of darkness.

I tried to hear them, the prisoners; to guess the places of brief hiding, seeking a moment of humanity in the monumental edifice of evil. I looked for marks on walls they may have made, for stone worn down by their footfall. For something that would indicate their presence more than the aching absence still at the heart of European society.

Then the eyes of a young boy looked at me from the past. He was being walked to his death, calmly being reassured he was going to shower with his family. His mother and other children walked with him. He had the boldness to at look the cameraman, directly – as children do. This boy knew how to avoid trouble, remaining hidden and unnoticed in the brutality of the ghetto. He knew better but still he looked, curious, threatened even.

His gaze, alive and bold, stretches out through the years. He places the viewer in history, in the place of the Nazi photographer, witnessing and documenting the relentless massacre of men, women and children. He is gone, dead within an hour of the photograph.

Where was Jesus? If he is God at all, He is God in and through all.

Jesus was in the ghettos, the transport trains, the sorting queues, the changing rooms, the gas chambers, the ovens. He remained in the camps, stood naked in the snow, endured the beatings, tortures, insults, degredation, hard labour, starvation and pain. He did took it all with and for the prisoners, endured evil at the hands of evil people - he was there because he had borne the cross.

He reigns today over a world full of sin - where people remain broken, where preventable disease is allowed to continue because it is convenient to the pharmaceutical companies; where men, women and children make the clothes we wear for poor wages in bad conditions; where the money we spend on leisure in a month could sustain an entire family in the developing world for a lot longer than a month; a world where the horrors of sex trafficking are so overwhelming it is hard to conscience that we can continue our normal daily lives while it is happening; where the coffee and the chocolate we so quickly and easily consume is so affordable because it is the product of inequality.

It is so easy for us to look at 5 years of history and one horrific set of circumstances and become blind to the fact that Jesus has reigned over this world before us and will do so after us. He is LORD, He is GOOD. I struggle too, honestly do - struggle to make sense of God's kindness to us in the face of a world full of people like me. But kindness has indeed been shown in Jesus Christ.

The Holocaust reminds us that people like you and me are capable of great evil. That evil is the reason Jesus died on the cross.

Monday Morning #wa2011 - Liveblog Scripture Engagement

2011-08-01T19:46:00.005+12:00

The delegates trickle in - weary, tired, full of thoughts and prayers. By the looks of faces and the demeanour of people the prayer is for energy and pressing in to the end. Sabine Kalthoff comes to the front to welcome us this morning, she asks us to pray for Nigel Pollock who is unwell, "If you want Scottish humour here tomorrow morning, please pray."

Daniel is called to the microphone and asked to tell us how we can make the most of our last two days together. He tells of his first time at a Chinese restaurant when he ate a lot in the first few courses only to discover there were many more courses and the food got better and better with each course. He encourages us to keep ourselves from walking away from the feast of God's table because we are full, when the best food is yet to come. He also talks about how we will gather up two offerings - one today in support of the ministry of Agape, the student ministry of Cru (recently renamed Campus Crusade for Christ) as they are fellow workers in the student world, even though we do not agree on every area of strategy and implementation we are fellow workers; the second offering will be to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Francophone Africa for whom there were huge visa issues.

We come to lift our voices in praise. Maybe it is just me but the tiredness is almost palpable and in that tiredness there is a stillness before God. We are encouraged to think about the cross, to find the power of the cross in everything we do today.

A brother from Sierra Leone Fellowship of Evangelical Students stands at the lectern and speaks of the way in which young graduates give one to three years in order to serve in rural communities. Three young men set off without all their costs raised. They went to Bond Island and contributed greatly - developing young people to the point of 5 going to university, they lead worship, contributed to church, the local mayor gave his life to the Lord, church attendance increased, the impact on the community was huge. A campus that was closed to the work became open and alive again. There are many requests for more such missionaries throughout Sierra Leone.

A member of staff tells us about a student in an Asian nation under Islam became a speaker of truth on campus. He thought he was not important as he was often ignored in his family. He participated in student ministry. He was satisfied by what he did and not disturbed by what was going on campus and in society. Through a period of unrest at the universities he became aware of the student power and influence. He eventually was elected to student senate - to oppose corrupt lecturers and corrupt admin staff. He had to oppose the campus authorities through fear and courage under threats. He has to choose to work against his own lack of confidence because student ministry has changed him to be able to express thoughts and demonstrate diplomacy.

Sabine - we will look at Philippians 2 and in a meditative approach and will respond in sung worship. Let us expect that God will speak to each one of us this morning.

Annette Arulrajah from Malaysia comes to lead our reflection.

"Come and move, Holy Spirit, and open your Scriptures to us." We will listen to a drama presentation and to gaze upon God's Word. There will be two minutes of silence between each of the drama's. We are invited to come and engage with God.

A song plays - telling the story of the crucifixion: the Via Dolorosa as the camera focuses on the cross that is centre stage this morning.

Students come and read Philippians 2.

¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing   by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,   he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,   to the glory of God the Father.

Silence fills the auditorium for two minutes. The passages is read again by two members of InterVarsity staff from the USA. It is great to have the passage read by different people in different ways.

Silence again comes across the auditorium as we consider the humanity of Jesus and his divinity expressed in humility.

Annette comes to the lectern:

We have reflected upon passages of vision about the Lord Jesus Christ. We are given visions to comfort and provoke us. We are called to worship in and out of our comfort zones. We are challenged to become a new race under the cornerstone of Christ. We are called to look at Christ, in the words of a hymn which takes on the depth of theological reflection on Christ's servanthood. Called to an new humanity, called to Christ's humility, to see the great exchange - God next to us.

Recently the challenge to participate in the demonstrations for a clean elections. Also a challenge from a student who sought grace and transformed her from a broken life.

God loves the unloveable, transforms the unchangable. Jesus chooses a pathway of humility and so we are changed. The name conveys the character of people: let us worship Him in our lives.

Forbid it Lord,

that I should boast

Save in the death of Christ, my God,

All the vain things that charm me most

I sacrifice them to His blood.

We pray together the prayer of the litany of humility:

O Jesus! meek and humble ofheart, Hear me.

From the desire of beingesteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of beingloved... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of beingextolled ... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of beinghonored ... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of beingpraised ... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of beingpreferred to others... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of beingconsulted ... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of beingapproved ... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of beinghumiliated ... Deliver me, Jesus.

Fromthe fear of beingdespised... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of sufferingrebukes ... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of beingcalumniated ... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of beingforgotten ... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of beingridiculed ... Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being wronged... Deliver me, Jesus.

Fromthe fear of being suspected ... Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,

Jesus, grant me the grace todesire it.

Thatothers may be esteemed more than I.