"the church is the body of Christ"

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

There is a way

~ Casting Crowns

This blog post

http://www.futurechurch.co.za/regeneration

picked up this interesting blog post - please read it:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5400568.ece

I read it. And felt I had to comment even if only for myself:

Hope. "It offers something to hold on to..."

This is where the tangible love 'takki' hits the tar. Jesus with skin on.

This is not my area and I don't speak this lingo but I thought I'd like to comment anyway.
I find it challenging that I've stumbled upon this post directly after 1) the following email enters my inbox from a missionary to orphans in Malawi and 2) I read the blog post below from a missionary in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

-unedited-
"...between death threats (truth) and a directed horrible attack on our credibility etc miraculously God has helped us provide for our children and the many others he has us assist here the average twenty to thirty thousand Rand spent a month somehow always is there even when it cannot be explained and somehow when ever we see a nice shirt of treat to make one little boy or girl feel special when we go into our wallets it's there. The proud moments when one who only knew the way of a thief to survive steals something and even though his act wasn't noticed mere minutes later i get a knock on our door "Uncle i'm sorry but i stole this" as he produces the item. or the child who stains every muscle to help us carry a heavy load. The 4 year old showing his older 'brothers' not to leave their clothes on the floor as he folds his and places them in his cupboured. These are the miracles we have the pleasure in witnessing no more no less than anyone who is mom or dad teacher or friend to another. Nothing special yet every bit special in Him." I asked him when they would get leave to go 'home' and spend time with their families... "I'm not sure when we'll be able to get away as were pretty much alone here so can't leave our children but perhaps one day God will make the way."

http://kristiapplesauce.typepad.com/kristi/2009/01/the-shock-this-is-a-pretty-discriptive-postread-with-care.html...

At the global leadership summit this year we were asked to consider "What is church?".

Jeffreys Bay Baptist- Hope 2009 - THIS IS CHURCH:

For there is no-one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done here

~ Christ Tomlin

We must go,
Live to feed the hungry, stand beside the broken.
We must go.
Stepping forward
Keep us from just singing
Move us into action.
We must go.

~ Tim Hughes