[Livingwaters] FW: TGIF. What drives your ambition?

[Craig Groome]

Subject: TGIF. What drives your ambition?


When Baron Pierre de Coubertin instigated the modern Olympic movement in
1896, he summed up his ideal in the words "The important thing in life is
not the victory but the contest; the essential thing is not to have won but
to have fought well."  Later sportsmen have not always agreed with this.
Damon Hill said "Winning is everything.  The only ones who remember you when
you come second are your wife and your dog." [1]

Another stark contrast in attitudes towards competing is offered in
"Chariots of Fire", comparing two gold medallist sprinters in the 1924
Olympics.  Eric Liddell famously said "God ... made me fast. And when I run,
I feel his pleasure."  Harold Abrahams' perspective was different: "I will
raise my eyes and look down that corridor; 4 feet wide, with 10 lonely
seconds to justify my whole existence."

Aim to be at TGIF this Friday morning (5 Sept).  All welcome, no entrance
fee, no booking required.  TGIF starts 06:15 am for 06:30 am and ends 7:30
am sharp.  This week at the 3 venues:

HYDE PARK:  John Child on "Where is history heading?"

CRESTA:  Craig Groome on "H'mose'uality - The difficult questions" (part 2
of a 2-part series).

BROOKLYN:  Adrian Smith on "What Alanis Morissette really wants".

More details follow.

############.
ETHICS CONFERENCE.
Ministering in troubled times: A Biblical response to current ethical
issues.
This Friday 5 September 2008, 08:00 - 16:30, Lonehill, Jo'burg.
############.
A number of key ethical issues are surfacing which need theological
engagement.  Now is the appropriate time to examine some of these challenges
that are shaping the future of our country.  They will be affecting the way
we live and what we believe in the future.
Speakers include Michael Cassidy, Moss Nthla, and others.
Cost: R320.  Hosted by SATS.
For more info or to book, call Jenny at 011 234 4440 or visit
www.satsonline.org/satsonline/index.php?q=node/7212
Book by Thursday!

############.
THE TEMPLATE INSTITUTE CONFERENCE.
Rediscovering a faith that influences our thinking & actions in every arena.
This Fri & Sat, 5 & 6 September 2008, Moreleta Park, Pretoria.
############.
"Martin Luther is noted as having said that a gospel that does not deal with
the issues of the day is not the gospel at all.  Our goal is to help bring
vital, relevant, effective, Christian thought and action back into the 21st
Century."  (Landa Cope)
Speakers:  Landa Cope (founder and executive director of The Template
Institute) & Dr. Matt Rawlins (CEO of Green Bench Consulting).
Cost R250 per person.  For more info or to book, call 012 343 9488 or email
xformt at mweb.co.za
Brochure downloadable at www.tgif.org.za/downloads/tti2008.pdf
Book by Wednesday!


This Friday at TGIF:

************.
JOHN CHILD on WHERE IS HISTORY HEADING?
at the Seattle Coffee Company, HYDE PARK Shopping Centre.
************.
The influence of books like "The Late Great Planet Earth" and the "Left
Behind" series has led millions of people to believe that we're "On the road
to Armageddon" [2] and that the Bible teaches the world (and church) is
doomed to moral and spiritual decline, going from bad to worse as the end
draws ever nearer.

But is this pessimistic view of history and the power of the gospel really
what the Bible teaches?  John Child, theology and ethics lecturer at George
Whitefield College in Cape Town, will offer a refreshing challenge to this
modern consensus, looking at the "big picture" of biblical eschatology.

************.
CRAIG GROOME on H'MOSE'UALITY - THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS (PART 2).
at the Seattle Coffee Company, CRESTA Shopping Centre.
************.
Don't laugh about the disguised key word in the title.  One would have to
write it as h'''s'''''''' to get past some spam filters.  Perhaps it's an
indication of exactly how sensitive a subject we are addressing.  The debate
has raged across the globe in parliaments, businesses, educational
institutions and supreme courts.

Has the church helped enforce the h'm'se'ual identity?  Does the Bible
condemn h'm'se'uality?  Does God provide hope to those who are dealing with
this issue in their own lives?  Craig Groome will tackle the difficult
questions.  Craig has many years of counselling experience and is the
national coordinator for Living Waters, offering people a safe place to face
issues such as abuse, addiction and gender insecurity, and to find freedom
from relational brokenness. [3]

************.
ADRIAN SMITH on WHAT ALANIS MORISSETTE REALLY WANTS.
at the Seattle Coffee Company, BROOKLYN MALL.
************.
Alanis Morissette's album "Jagged Little Pill" has sold 30 million copies
worldwide.  In many ways, she represents her generation's view on life and
its struggle for meaning, and also resonates with many people across
generations and continents.

Don't miss Adrian Smith as he takes us on an insightful and compelling
exploration of her song "All I Really Want" - its observations about life
and the solutions it offers.  And hey, if all else fails, there will be some
really good music :-)

************.
Send an email to contact at tgif.org.za :
  - to comment on this email or on a TGIF event you have attended;
  - for more information on speakers or topics;
  - to suggest speakers or topics;
  - for maps to the venues (maps also available at www.tgif.org.za);
  - to add or delete your email address on the mailing list.
TGIF provides exposure to diverse standpoints, hence views expressed by
speakers are not necessarily those of TGIF.  Advertisements, source
references and web links in this email do not necessarily constitute
endorsements.
************.

[1] from www.askoxford.com/worldofwords/quotations/quotefrom/beijingolympics

[2] the title of Timothy Weber's 2004 history of dispensationalism

[3] Craig can be emailed at info at livingwaterssa.org.za