From Genesis 19 we have a rather unusual story of hospitality.
Although he had lived in Sodom for many years, and had constantly breathed in the unbridled toxicity of sin, Lot remained a righteous man. He was attracted to righteousness and its protection. In this sense Lot was a type of remnant (of God's people) in a fallen land. There are people who, like Lot, will stop at nothing to defend the truth and righteousness - even if this should require their very lives. Thank God for such people!
Lot convinced the visitors to stay in his house with him and his family. He insisted strongly that they stay not in the open square but inside the house because he knew what sorts of neighbors he had. Lot knew that his neighbors would stop at nothing to assault any new comer in town, even if that should be God himself! He could not leave the guests outside, at least for his conscience's sake. Lot wanted to protect the town's guests. So he made them his own. Though he did not know them, though they were mere strangers, Lot felt the earnest responsibility to receive them, as 'the least of these' in whom Christ, though disguised, is present.
Not long before bed time, the townsmen came true to their character. Lot's fears were confirmed, perhaps not surprisingly, when the townsmen demanded 'a copy' of the visitors. But Lot, being careful to protect his guests, was adamant to reject the unseemly request. Apparently, though Lot had chosen to live in a town whose morals were less than desirable, he had nevertheless not lost his righteous edge - repeatedly acting as judge to the towns people (see also 1 Corinthians 2:14-15). Refusal to allow them the deviant pleasure of assaulting recent guests was his last major act of judgment to the town. They pressed hard against the door in order to force their way into the house and sexually harrass the visiting men.
Notice how Lot offers his daughters in stead of the guests! To many people this is beyond comprehension! How dare he make such a promise?! Is Lot out of his mind? And I have a question for you too: would you offer your beautiful girl child to be harrassed by a gang of roudy and self centered men from the neighborhood? Or could it be that he is extremely hospitable to his guests - so hospitable indeed that he was willing to do the unthinkable? Let me leave this for you to answer because I see no direct response to this question in the text. But let me mention here that the biblical cultural setting was similar to many of today's African cultures. How do Africans receive guests? How do you receive your guests?
When the angels reached out to blind the men at the door, a couple of things happened. To the men at the door, the blinding had a double effect: abating a delicate situation and punishing their sins. Beyond that, however, the angels reached out to Lot's rescue and to the rescue of his family. I am reminded of the fact that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble," (Psalm 46:1). God came to Lot's rescue because Lot chose to stand on God's side. Though outnumbered, Lot had God on his side. This should encourage us to seek righteousness, justice and the good of all. For, the eyes of the Lord range to and fro throughout the whole earth that He might show himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to him (2 Chronicles 16:9).
So, to what is the Lord calling us today? The Lord calls us to receive strangers in our midst, to receive one another in the Lord, and to keep good relationships amongst the people with whom we constantly interact. My prayer is that this word of God will be an encouragement to you and your walk with the Lord.
Robert.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Fellowship and Swallowship!
Friends,
Thanksgiving:
Wonderful! We had such a lovely time last night. At least 18 adults attended, more kids than the adults were present. Thank you each and all for your contribution. The food was good, fellowship was lovely and it was great to meet our new African members. Reuben made challenges seem easier than they could be filling our baskets with laughter!
I am so excited about the African Fellowship! This is the best it has been so far, for as long as I have known it. Thank God for this positive growth! This fellowship has such great potential to rise and shine above our wildest expectations. The chief ingredients are the unity of the body along with the catalyzing presence and blessing of God. These aspects are interdependent: unity breeds blessing and blessing enhances unity (compare with Psalm 133). We want to stay within the confines of that beautiful spiral. . .
Future:
The structure of our leadership will quite likely change in the near future. Please join me in prayer for God's great guidance as I work with a few others through the logistics of this change.
Following Fiona's suggestion and the rest of last night's conversations, I would like to make our next fellowship a time of worship and prayer. We will still have a swallowship component. I am yet to work out the details of this. So, please watch your email inbox and the blog. . .
In the mean time, let us continue as before: each loving the another and responding to one another's needs and concerns, along with our usual informal fellowship on campus and elsewhere. I ask your continual benefit of the doubt for each other and the winsome love that God has commanded us to share.
Invitations:
Monday - we have been invited to lead in a time of worship and praise at the Global Community Development Center (Cox's Garage). I will be leading this and I need some of you to please join me with songs and prayers from Africa. We will sing and pray as we send off the people, then we will stay behind in prayer and supplication for those who work elsewhere. This Monday we have will have a team visiting local widows, and another team working on a local community beautification project.
ESL (English as a Seventh Language) - ESL has been made available to us. Please contact me for further details.
Prayer Needs:
Please pray for my best-man, the Rev. James Ssebaggala, who will be consecrated bishop of Mukono Diocese (Anglican) tomorrow in Uganda. The story http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/732328 is incomplete but it is, nevertheless, informative. I am sure more news will be forthcoming here in the near future.Consecration of a Bishop is a major undertaking and I am particularly interested in James as a personal friend. So, please pray for him and his parishioners.
Thanksgiving:
Wonderful! We had such a lovely time last night. At least 18 adults attended, more kids than the adults were present. Thank you each and all for your contribution. The food was good, fellowship was lovely and it was great to meet our new African members. Reuben made challenges seem easier than they could be filling our baskets with laughter!
I am so excited about the African Fellowship! This is the best it has been so far, for as long as I have known it. Thank God for this positive growth! This fellowship has such great potential to rise and shine above our wildest expectations. The chief ingredients are the unity of the body along with the catalyzing presence and blessing of God. These aspects are interdependent: unity breeds blessing and blessing enhances unity (compare with Psalm 133). We want to stay within the confines of that beautiful spiral. . .
Future:
The structure of our leadership will quite likely change in the near future. Please join me in prayer for God's great guidance as I work with a few others through the logistics of this change.
Following Fiona's suggestion and the rest of last night's conversations, I would like to make our next fellowship a time of worship and prayer. We will still have a swallowship component. I am yet to work out the details of this. So, please watch your email inbox and the blog. . .
In the mean time, let us continue as before: each loving the another and responding to one another's needs and concerns, along with our usual informal fellowship on campus and elsewhere. I ask your continual benefit of the doubt for each other and the winsome love that God has commanded us to share.
Invitations:
Monday - we have been invited to lead in a time of worship and praise at the Global Community Development Center (Cox's Garage). I will be leading this and I need some of you to please join me with songs and prayers from Africa. We will sing and pray as we send off the people, then we will stay behind in prayer and supplication for those who work elsewhere. This Monday we have will have a team visiting local widows, and another team working on a local community beautification project.
ESL (English as a Seventh Language) - ESL has been made available to us. Please contact me for further details.
Prayer Needs:
Please pray for my best-man, the Rev. James Ssebaggala, who will be consecrated bishop of Mukono Diocese (Anglican) tomorrow in Uganda. The story http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/732328 is incomplete but it is, nevertheless, informative. I am sure more news will be forthcoming here in the near future.Consecration of a Bishop is a major undertaking and I am particularly interested in James as a personal friend. So, please pray for him and his parishioners.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Fellowship on Friday
Friends,
Our first fellowship is scheduled for this Friday! It will be exciting see you all again! God has been good to us and the semester has started really well. I am sure there are many stories with which we all need to catch up. Here are a few things I suggest you consider prior to the meeting.
Needs: our activities are not yet etched in stone. These, I propose, should relate directly or indirectly to our fellowship needs. Sam and I met recently and have a list of good ideas to pursue for this semester but we decided that the best way forward will be to listen to you the members. We want to get an idea of your hopes for this semester; what your areas of need might be, and what your thoughts are concerning our ideas. When we have heard from you Sam and I will be better assured of the way forward as we do the rest of the fine tuning.
Diaries: Please note that there might be a slight change in dates for our meetings. So please update and carry your diary to the meeting. Our first fellowship is scheduled for this Friday! It will be exciting see you all again! God has been good to us and the semester has started really well. I am sure there are many stories with which we all need to catch up. Here are a few things I suggest you consider prior to the meeting.
Needs: our activities are not yet etched in stone. These, I propose, should relate directly or indirectly to our fellowship needs. Sam and I met recently and have a list of good ideas to pursue for this semester but we decided that the best way forward will be to listen to you the members. We want to get an idea of your hopes for this semester; what your areas of need might be, and what your thoughts are concerning our ideas. When we have heard from you Sam and I will be better assured of the way forward as we do the rest of the fine tuning.
On Friday evening it will be a simple agenda.
We start at 5:30pm with singing and brief worship; self introductions and welcoming the new students/ families among us.
6:00 dinner and conversation (please remember it is a potluck dinner. Carry sufficient food for you and your family plus one or two friends).
6:30 one continuing student will speak about his/ her experience at Asbury Seminary; followed by discussion of seminary survival.
7:00 House-keeping: future events, dates, blog, treasurer,
8:00 prayer and adjourn.
We are blessed to have child care this semester. Gray is a graduate student in the Intercultural program and has graciously offered to look after our kids. All parents with kids here please let me know today or, at the latest tomorrow the names and ages of all the children so I can pass them along to Gray for her timely preparation.
Thank you all. . . I look forward to seeing you again on Friday.
Robert Magoola
President.
Friday, September 10, 2010
First Week of Fall 2010!
The first week has finally ended. This week saw most of us in classrooms with the professors telling us all that we will do for them and with them and with one another during the rest of this year. Yes, indeed, they have carefully crafted their plans to meet the expectations of their provost and peers, of the accreditation body (or bodies) and of their own selves. Guess what, they will continue to expect these things of us until we give every ounce thereof. I do not think they will be like Shylock in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", who was so bent on his usury for an ounce of flesh until he was tricked into "not a drop of blood"! No, they will not be so hateful! But they will be just as determined. And so we must deliver. For some it will be a temptation to be overwhelmed - gosh it is too much! I imagine a few who will appear underwhelmed - like nothing is happening, and will be asking for more (like Oliver Twist). And yet some will likely be sufficiently whelmed - no big deal, for 'this is why we are here' kind of thing!
Let me remind us of something that has always encouraged me. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his first book (10:13) he said: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. But God is faithful who will not allow you to go through temptation beyond what you can bear. But with every temptation, God will also provide a way of escape so that you may stand up under it. At first sight it appears that Paul has three points. But they are four things here.
All temptation is common. It is nothing new. If we are going through it someone else has been through it already. The very professor who has asked for so much of you has been through the same things as he/ she is putting you through. They managed. So will you and I. Besides, we are not the first. And neither shall we be the last.
Above all, we have Almighty God. He is the overall Master of Ceremonies. He does not let us go through temptation of a magnitude that we are unable to handle so that neither of these aspects is greater or lesser than the other. Our God does not only know us and out capacities. He also knows our circumstances. And He matches them. If we are overwhelmed He will grant us respite. If we are underwhelmed He will grant us extra challenges. If we are complacent He will shake up a few things so we will remember to look up to him. If God is in control, why should God's children worry? Our God carefully specifies the parameters of our trials.
Additionally, God supervises the means of dealing with temptation. With every temptation, God provides the means of escape. It is not escapism, which is simply weak and fearful of challenges. But if there is an overwhelming setting, God provides for our escape. From the fires of our life, God provides an escape route. While He is able to stop them burning down all our life's earnings, He sometimes chooses to make us start anew. Now, don't ask me why God does that, because I don't know. But that does not make him any less of God or any less deserving of praise and worship from you and me. Escape that God provides is necessary for our salvation. If He shows us an escape route, we do well to take it.
But there is more to this verse! God provides an escape route so that we may be able to stand up under the temptation! Even if it might not go away, like that of Job, God enables us to stand up under it. After all , it is the one who stands that wins. If we are tired and spent at the end of the day, but we have done well, then so be it! We have won still. And we do this because God has done so through and within us. He provides an escape route so we can stand up under the same temptation from which we sought to run away. In the power of God we can stand. Let us stand up, then, for our Lord Jesus in the power that God provides.
Praying for a good semester! May God's blessings rest upon you and all yours.
Robert Magoola
Let me remind us of something that has always encouraged me. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his first book (10:13) he said: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. But God is faithful who will not allow you to go through temptation beyond what you can bear. But with every temptation, God will also provide a way of escape so that you may stand up under it. At first sight it appears that Paul has three points. But they are four things here.
All temptation is common. It is nothing new. If we are going through it someone else has been through it already. The very professor who has asked for so much of you has been through the same things as he/ she is putting you through. They managed. So will you and I. Besides, we are not the first. And neither shall we be the last.
Above all, we have Almighty God. He is the overall Master of Ceremonies. He does not let us go through temptation of a magnitude that we are unable to handle so that neither of these aspects is greater or lesser than the other. Our God does not only know us and out capacities. He also knows our circumstances. And He matches them. If we are overwhelmed He will grant us respite. If we are underwhelmed He will grant us extra challenges. If we are complacent He will shake up a few things so we will remember to look up to him. If God is in control, why should God's children worry? Our God carefully specifies the parameters of our trials.
Additionally, God supervises the means of dealing with temptation. With every temptation, God provides the means of escape. It is not escapism, which is simply weak and fearful of challenges. But if there is an overwhelming setting, God provides for our escape. From the fires of our life, God provides an escape route. While He is able to stop them burning down all our life's earnings, He sometimes chooses to make us start anew. Now, don't ask me why God does that, because I don't know. But that does not make him any less of God or any less deserving of praise and worship from you and me. Escape that God provides is necessary for our salvation. If He shows us an escape route, we do well to take it.
But there is more to this verse! God provides an escape route so that we may be able to stand up under the temptation! Even if it might not go away, like that of Job, God enables us to stand up under it. After all , it is the one who stands that wins. If we are tired and spent at the end of the day, but we have done well, then so be it! We have won still. And we do this because God has done so through and within us. He provides an escape route so we can stand up under the same temptation from which we sought to run away. In the power of God we can stand. Let us stand up, then, for our Lord Jesus in the power that God provides.
Praying for a good semester! May God's blessings rest upon you and all yours.
Robert Magoola
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
First Day of School!
The first day at Mwiri Primary School, Jinja still lingers in my memory. It was one of the best primary schools in the country at the time, and certainly the best in our region. My parents were thrilled to get me in there and they did not hesitate to communicate that to me. I was so glad to get to school. And I gleefully said my farewells.
When our kids were getting ready to start school, I remember how my wife and I prepared each of them for their first day. We gave them special clothes and made special conferences with each one of them: telling them much of what we knew about their school. We gave them much hope. They were filled with joy at the prospect. We took pictures for historical purposes, seeking to preserve the special irreplaceable moments. Yea, though we have a wonderful time at the start, the honey moon soon ends and ‘real’ life starts. . .
We have come together at Asbury to study and reflect, to prepare for a lifetime of ministry. This is not to say that we have not been in ministry. But it is going to mar the start of a new phase of ministry. Even after one or two days of seminary experience, you are not the same as before. God enabling, all the classes will improve us and make us better ministers of God's word and sacraments. So I pray for the professors and fellow students, that we together will stand in God's presence and learn at Jesus' feet. . . Like me in primary school, and my kids going to school for the first time, the start of semester is such an exciting time! For new students, it is a new experience, so much cool stuff around us. For returning students, joy fills our hearts at teh sight of old friends and new acquintances. For now, it is all joy!
It is later in the semester that we begin to wonder if this was our best choice after all. We wonder if this was even good for us. Well, was it? One young lady, having found her man, joyfully told a friend about him. The friend said: “When the days of difficultly and darkness come, do not doubt what the Lord revealed to you in the light!”
Similarly, we do well to remember that: when the assignments pile up and something or another isn’t working as it should. When tiredness sets in and blistered tongues cannot taste of food; when beckoning phone calls arise from our past, inviting us home again . . . and threaten to hinder our current progress, or when our new society we fail to perceive; when all is dark and difficult – let us remember to look up to the One who called us here. That One will sustain our hope. It is about Him that David wrote in the psalm: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil because you are with me. It is not because we are out of danger that we relax. No, it is because the danger we are in does not match the might of our Friend and Companion on the slippery downward slopes. Danger must first deal with our God before it can ever reach us. It is a matter of faith: do we trust God, or do we not? When things get difficult: take heart my friends. You will get there. Your enemies will watch you spread a napkin over your your lap to dine with the Master in victory! And I say, halleluiah!
Your first day at Asbury will soon turn into the next and the next. The first week will soon turn into weeks of hard work. I must say, though, I quite enjoy the school. There are many improvements that are constantly happening. While we are getting used to one innovation, behold, another appears in the distance. This is a good time to be at Asbury! And there is a lot of good to learn here. Let’s take the advantage of what has been served up on our plates. And let us move forward in the way the Lord has allotted for us.
Robert Magoola
When our kids were getting ready to start school, I remember how my wife and I prepared each of them for their first day. We gave them special clothes and made special conferences with each one of them: telling them much of what we knew about their school. We gave them much hope. They were filled with joy at the prospect. We took pictures for historical purposes, seeking to preserve the special irreplaceable moments. Yea, though we have a wonderful time at the start, the honey moon soon ends and ‘real’ life starts. . .
We have come together at Asbury to study and reflect, to prepare for a lifetime of ministry. This is not to say that we have not been in ministry. But it is going to mar the start of a new phase of ministry. Even after one or two days of seminary experience, you are not the same as before. God enabling, all the classes will improve us and make us better ministers of God's word and sacraments. So I pray for the professors and fellow students, that we together will stand in God's presence and learn at Jesus' feet. . . Like me in primary school, and my kids going to school for the first time, the start of semester is such an exciting time! For new students, it is a new experience, so much cool stuff around us. For returning students, joy fills our hearts at teh sight of old friends and new acquintances. For now, it is all joy!
It is later in the semester that we begin to wonder if this was our best choice after all. We wonder if this was even good for us. Well, was it? One young lady, having found her man, joyfully told a friend about him. The friend said: “When the days of difficultly and darkness come, do not doubt what the Lord revealed to you in the light!”
Similarly, we do well to remember that: when the assignments pile up and something or another isn’t working as it should. When tiredness sets in and blistered tongues cannot taste of food; when beckoning phone calls arise from our past, inviting us home again . . . and threaten to hinder our current progress, or when our new society we fail to perceive; when all is dark and difficult – let us remember to look up to the One who called us here. That One will sustain our hope. It is about Him that David wrote in the psalm: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil because you are with me. It is not because we are out of danger that we relax. No, it is because the danger we are in does not match the might of our Friend and Companion on the slippery downward slopes. Danger must first deal with our God before it can ever reach us. It is a matter of faith: do we trust God, or do we not? When things get difficult: take heart my friends. You will get there. Your enemies will watch you spread a napkin over your your lap to dine with the Master in victory! And I say, halleluiah!
Your first day at Asbury will soon turn into the next and the next. The first week will soon turn into weeks of hard work. I must say, though, I quite enjoy the school. There are many improvements that are constantly happening. While we are getting used to one innovation, behold, another appears in the distance. This is a good time to be at Asbury! And there is a lot of good to learn here. Let’s take the advantage of what has been served up on our plates. And let us move forward in the way the Lord has allotted for us.
Robert Magoola
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Welcome back to the seminary!
Hello there Fellow African,
Welcome back to Asbury! My prayer is that all of you have had a fruitful summer and that this will be a wonderful new year! Happy new (academic) year! Now that the New Student Orientation is over, the rest of our seminary career has just bagan. There will be no turning back, hopefully. It is all forward movement . . . as we march with Jesus!
Fellowship:
On Friday, September 19th the African Fellowship will welcome our new African friends and their families to the Asbury Seminary community. Our plan is to meet on the evening of Friday September 19th. That is end of next week. I hope you all can make it! I am still working on the logistics of venue and exact timing. Please plan on bringing some food for a potluck.
This year, God enabling, the African fellowship will meet on the third Friday of every month. That is October 15; November 19 and perhaps December 17 or 10th (depending on exam and other schedules).
Whenever we meet whole families are expected and warmly welcomed. So, please bring your family and let us have a wonderful time together. I look forward to eating some of your food and to the wonderful fellowship that Africans are so good at.
New Blog:
I am glad you stopped by! This is our new blog. It belongs to teh Asbury Seminary African Fellowship. Please check back often on this our online "village square" for internal and external communication. I hope we will use it as a tool to not only communicate amongst ourselves but also to be hospitable to those strangers who visit our "village" away from home. I will need some contributions of your experiences, your hopes, aspirations, expectations, encouragements to one another, deep thoughts and any other messages that will be helpful and appropriate.
Please let all your friends know about our blog! Some of our families back home and friends both here and there will find this blog particularly beneficial for their learning about how we all are. In that way, we can be a blessing to them. And they too can be a blessing to us through their responses to our interactive blog spot.
Thank you and may God bless you.
The Rev. Robert Magoola, President
Asbury Theological Seminary African Fellowship
Welcome back to Asbury! My prayer is that all of you have had a fruitful summer and that this will be a wonderful new year! Happy new (academic) year! Now that the New Student Orientation is over, the rest of our seminary career has just bagan. There will be no turning back, hopefully. It is all forward movement . . . as we march with Jesus!
Fellowship:
On Friday, September 19th the African Fellowship will welcome our new African friends and their families to the Asbury Seminary community. Our plan is to meet on the evening of Friday September 19th. That is end of next week. I hope you all can make it! I am still working on the logistics of venue and exact timing. Please plan on bringing some food for a potluck.
This year, God enabling, the African fellowship will meet on the third Friday of every month. That is October 15; November 19 and perhaps December 17 or 10th (depending on exam and other schedules).
Whenever we meet whole families are expected and warmly welcomed. So, please bring your family and let us have a wonderful time together. I look forward to eating some of your food and to the wonderful fellowship that Africans are so good at.
New Blog:
I am glad you stopped by! This is our new blog. It belongs to teh Asbury Seminary African Fellowship. Please check back often on this our online "village square" for internal and external communication. I hope we will use it as a tool to not only communicate amongst ourselves but also to be hospitable to those strangers who visit our "village" away from home. I will need some contributions of your experiences, your hopes, aspirations, expectations, encouragements to one another, deep thoughts and any other messages that will be helpful and appropriate.
Please let all your friends know about our blog! Some of our families back home and friends both here and there will find this blog particularly beneficial for their learning about how we all are. In that way, we can be a blessing to them. And they too can be a blessing to us through their responses to our interactive blog spot.
Thank you and may God bless you.
The Rev. Robert Magoola, President
Asbury Theological Seminary African Fellowship
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