Spoke to Charles Mugisha in Rwanda yesterday. This in prep for taking a team of 14 young adults (well OK with couple of older folks!) to Rwanda from June 16 to 26. Very cool stuff as we look to revisit a refugee camp which Freespirit supporters have helped enormously. Around £13,000 has been sent , initially to provide food and more recently, working with the local government we have built a factory to make roof tiles. This will employ young men from 3 separate Refugee camps consisting of around 6000 people. Its pretty awesome visiting these amazing people and we will be back there holding a celebration with the local Mayor very soon!
The team will also be working with children from a school of about 800, visiting the rural poor with gifts of mercy and working with some 250-300 street kids at the Dream Centre
More to come! Martin
Thursday, 22 May 2008
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Snakes, mattresses and Street Children
I have recently returned from Rwanda, and am wondering how I am going to convey the experience which was one of very real highs and lows.
For the end of the trip , Don Egan had organized a Safari, which meant 6 hours in what was more like an off road rally! Part way through a Black Mamba snake crossed our path, and unable to stop, we drove over where it had crossed. I was about to leap out to get close and photograph it when both Don and our Rwandan guide prevented me from leaving the jeep.
I later learnt Black Mambas are just about the deadliest snake in the world and they have been known to get caught under the axles of four-wheel drives and bite the occupiers as soon as the door is opened. Hmmm.... I learnt a lot about Black Mamba snakes quite quickly!
Another snake is described by Jesus as "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy"; I have never encountered anything so devilish as the events and consequences of the genocide in Rwanda.
Just over a week ago I went around the genocide memorial in Kigali city. In 1994 nearly 1,000,000 people were killed in 100 days. The picture of evil was far greater than I had ever imagined from afar. Here is a place where truly death and destruction have reigned.
yet in the midst of that I found this:
The RSVP programme that feeds 80 - 100 street children twice a week, every week. The worker is Patricia, whose Rwandan name means JOY....and she is full of just that! Building relationships, sharing life skills, and dealing with very disturbed children. One by one they are volunteering to come off the streets into a home and the promise of a new life.
In the next room, women are being trained in a skill to help lift them from the poverty trap as some have been left destitute when their husbands have died from AIDS, or were killed in the genocide or are in prison.
Despite being moved twice already from other premises, the ministry continues to grow. I discovered that the Rwandans who partner with RSVP really know how to overcome impossible odds!
Later we went to the school RSVP helped to build. What a miracle. In 2001 Don agreed to buy a piece of land. Just four years later, we were shown around a school with 505 children all in uniform.
300 of these children are sponsored through RSVP, without which they would have no chance of escaping the poverty trap. Many would otherwise be joining the kind of children I saw at 6:30am carrying sticks and water down the roads, with no shoes on and bellies inflated by ringworm. Day in, day out, with no hope of change.
Not surprisingly therefore, when interviewed, the sponsored children all said how they had prayed for a sponsor because they had seen a brother/ sister or friend and wanted what they had. I interviewed Alfred the head teacher who told me that the Rwanda television company, who covered the building of the school in a programme, referred to the school as a 'miracle'.
Charles Mugisha and Fred Katagwa, who head up the ministry talk about taking the "gun of education to kill poverty, ignorance, and disease". Here is a powerful partnership between outside organisations like RSVP and local Rwandan Christian ministry, truly transforming the society.
One of the hardest moments for me was visiting some of the very poor. Rebecca is employed as a Christian social worker and she took us on her rounds. The first lady we visited had nothing. She sat on small pile of sticks, in front of some recently peeled banana skins. It seems her husband and sons had all been killed in the genocide. We were led into her so-called bedroom. It was an empty room with an uneven earth floor that she lay down on each night. She was probably in her 70's. I have never seen such poverty. I found it deeply disturbing.
That night I could not sleep on my mattress and planned to give it to her the next day. In the morning we visited homes again and distrubuted matresses and food, paid for by RSVP's Gifts of Hope scheme. Rebecca was close to tears and immediately said this was indeed an answer to prayer. At about £10.00 a mattress it was not difficult to make a huge difference! Don left £1,000 for Gifts of Hope. These will be distributed by Rebecca and her team.
In the midst of seeing all the work of the partnership between RSVP with Africa New Life Ministries, we preached at a 3 day conference attended by about 500 people a day.
This brought together some 13 churches, at a level of unity that left one pastor in tears - at the end and he hugged us! ...only God can do this.
Something is happening that is the opposite of what I started with. In fact it looks and sounds something like the words of Jesus in John 10;10
Following on from : 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; Jesus said: I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full!'
We live in a global village and God commands us not to forget the poor. We know it in our bones that it is better to give than receive, and it was clear to me that the integrity of the work, which is a partnership with indigenous people in Rwanda, will be a blessing in both directions!
Wells Church Belfast
St Patrick’s weekend….there could not be a better time to visit N. Ireland!
With a team of Martin Garner, Diego Campos, Kelvin Jellyman, and Steve Plumb. (Don Egan who had planned to join us was ill). We headed of early on Saturday morning 18th March.
We were hosted for the weekend by infectious missionaries Adrian and Janice McCartney. Adrian is of N Ireland’s true pioneers having started Streetreach 4 years ago.
This summer Streetreach will take up to 1,500 young people onto the streets of some of the toughest communities (both catholic and protestants) of Belfast - one of the most troubled cities in Europe over the last 50 years.
Like similar ventures Streetreach has had a huge impact, winning awards for crime reduction at one of the most sensitive times of year, beside bring tons of the light and love of Jesus into these areas.
Martin brought a team over leaders from Sheffield to help with the first year of Streetreach and people have been joining in ever since.
Saturday we visited a 24/7 prayer room in the city centre built around St Patrick.
In the afternoon we visited to Hill hall estate in Lisburn where Martin and Sharon lived 5 years earlier, and had been involved in pioneering mission.
It was great to see what was happening.
Lisburn cathedral, under the leadership of Rev. Sam Wright have continued to encourage the ministry.
One of the key players is Billy Moore, a wonderful man whose ministry was recognized by the wider church when in 2005 he was commissioned by the local Bishop as 'lay minister in the Church of Ireland'. Billy leads a church that meets in the local pub.
During our visit Martin took time to visit people in the community and share Christ with them. One lady decided it was time for her to come back to Jesus and so she turned up at the pub church the next morning.
One of the special highlights, was spending time with the local para-military leader.
Martin had the chance to apologise to him for the way that the message of Christ had been miss-represented to him and his community.
It was a chance to agree that we put people in boxes and end up judging them!
Martin also spoke about the fact that people have often real experience of God, but they were rarely talked about. He said that God belonged to these people and was not the God of the ‘religious people’ but was THEIR GOD!
It was great to talk with Wendy who had joined the outreach in the area. Wendy’s family all come from the area and even though she had moved away, God had called her back. She already knew she was making a difference!
We left with the hope to return and make a DVD which could be distributed to every house in the community, with stories of changed lives, and a clear message about God and Jesus (but without some of the unhelpful religious language that is so often a barrier).
On Sunday morning Steve Plumb preached at Wells, Church in Moneyreagh (which was to feature in the next couple of weeks on GMTV in the Sunday morning slot!).
Then in the evening, Martin lead a meeting mostly for men at Wells church.
He talked the tough subject of 'temptations that men face', and the open doors that can be found when we understand that God already speaks to people.
With a team of Martin Garner, Diego Campos, Kelvin Jellyman, and Steve Plumb. (Don Egan who had planned to join us was ill). We headed of early on Saturday morning 18th March.
We were hosted for the weekend by infectious missionaries Adrian and Janice McCartney. Adrian is of N Ireland’s true pioneers having started Streetreach 4 years ago.
This summer Streetreach will take up to 1,500 young people onto the streets of some of the toughest communities (both catholic and protestants) of Belfast - one of the most troubled cities in Europe over the last 50 years.
Like similar ventures Streetreach has had a huge impact, winning awards for crime reduction at one of the most sensitive times of year, beside bring tons of the light and love of Jesus into these areas.
Martin brought a team over leaders from Sheffield to help with the first year of Streetreach and people have been joining in ever since.
Saturday we visited a 24/7 prayer room in the city centre built around St Patrick.
In the afternoon we visited to Hill hall estate in Lisburn where Martin and Sharon lived 5 years earlier, and had been involved in pioneering mission.
It was great to see what was happening.
Lisburn cathedral, under the leadership of Rev. Sam Wright have continued to encourage the ministry.
One of the key players is Billy Moore, a wonderful man whose ministry was recognized by the wider church when in 2005 he was commissioned by the local Bishop as 'lay minister in the Church of Ireland'. Billy leads a church that meets in the local pub.
During our visit Martin took time to visit people in the community and share Christ with them. One lady decided it was time for her to come back to Jesus and so she turned up at the pub church the next morning.
One of the special highlights, was spending time with the local para-military leader.
Martin had the chance to apologise to him for the way that the message of Christ had been miss-represented to him and his community.
It was a chance to agree that we put people in boxes and end up judging them!
Martin also spoke about the fact that people have often real experience of God, but they were rarely talked about. He said that God belonged to these people and was not the God of the ‘religious people’ but was THEIR GOD!
It was great to talk with Wendy who had joined the outreach in the area. Wendy’s family all come from the area and even though she had moved away, God had called her back. She already knew she was making a difference!
We left with the hope to return and make a DVD which could be distributed to every house in the community, with stories of changed lives, and a clear message about God and Jesus (but without some of the unhelpful religious language that is so often a barrier).
On Sunday morning Steve Plumb preached at Wells, Church in Moneyreagh (which was to feature in the next couple of weeks on GMTV in the Sunday morning slot!).
Then in the evening, Martin lead a meeting mostly for men at Wells church.
He talked the tough subject of 'temptations that men face', and the open doors that can be found when we understand that God already speaks to people.
"An incredible time. It was very exciting to see what God is doing amongst the para-military in that particular area of Northern Ireland. The rhythm and the movement in which God led us was very unexpected.
I can only speak for myself, but I must say that what I learnt during those three days by being with Martin will be always remembered."
Diego Campos
"It was inspirational to see the enthusiasm, committment and creativity of the Christians in Hill Hall and Moneyragh as they are 'Getting the message out'. The whole Street reach Project is awesome and I with others from Sheffield hope to be on the team for summer 06."
Steve Plumb
Water for Life
Not long after moving to Sheffield four years ago, I was driving past Ladybower Reservoir. I felt a nudge from God to pull over, and as I did so, I noticed a sign, designed to speak of the stunning reservoir beyond it. The bold words read:
"Water for Life"
The caption went on to explain how every home in the city received water from this reservoir. In that moment an inner voice spoke:
How about the message of Jesus being available like tap water to every home in the city?
Let’s get talking….about God and Jesus!
“Always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you”…..writes Peter, who of course famously went and denied Jesus 3 times in succession when he had been arrested!
Actually we all have opportunities probably every day to have conversations that can change the direction of people’s lives….for good! So here are some ideas in the hope that you know the fun and excitement of being a difference-maker.
1) Love people. Its not meant to be soppy! "Jesus looked at him and loved him”.
When you look at someone as you talk to them, remember they are hugely loved by God…just as they are.
STOP thinking about what you are going to say next…..you will just end up getting self absorbed and nervous.
The big idea in the New Testament is that we are ‘IN CHRIST’, so that means chill out and let him live through you.
Let him show you how he feels about this person. I talk to God as I look at someone and pray: “show me lord, help me feel and think about this person the way you do.”
2) Listen first. Don’t go rabbiting on.
Start by being REALLY interested in them. Ask simple questions about life. THEIR LIFE. Given half a chance people love to talk about themselves.
Ask and listen…
3) Life. When you do speak, talk about real life.
Remember this: YOUR story IS their Story. It is the human story.
I often get out photos of my children, of Sharon my wife. I talk about what I am struggling with, what my hopes are.
Resist attempts to make your life sound ‘all sorted’.
4) Say what you see. O.K. You’re loving, you’re listening, you’re asking questions and showing genuine interest in them, and in their life story.
Now …Christ is in you… what do you see? I mean what dreams, hopes do you see?
Where do you see integrity, love…good things? Remember all good things come from God.
Be courageous and affirm who they are as a person and what their potential is. What does Father God want to say to one of his prodigal children?
5) Simple answers. When young children ask questions about life, the deal is not to give long, complicated and clever sounding answers. Same here.
Short simple answers to simple questions. If you don’t know, say so!
6) Sorry. For example: I am sorry for the times I have failed to communicate the real message of Christ to you.
Or: I am sorry for the way the church that I am a supposed to be part of has failed you and people like you and stopped you from seeing the true message.
Fact is, this is often true (unless you and the church have been a 100% reflection of Jesus that is!?).
7) Spiritual stuff. Assume that this person is spiritual. Because they are. Not only that, but they have probably had an experience of God and not talked about it or recognized it as such.
I often say, (once we are in a trusting place) something like: “ Can I ask a question about you?
It fascinates me that I often find people have had interesting ‘spiritual experiences’, or odd things happen that make them think about God, but don’t talk about it.
Has anything like that ever happened to you?” (e.g. answer to prayer, aware of God in nature, dream or vision, aware of evil presence etc).
8) Story. Here’s a different way to explain the faith thing. When you are born you have this amazing life potential before you.
Your story.
As your story unfolds people often find life does not work out as they had hoped. I am ‘disappointed with my life’ is a common feeling.
The deal with the God stuff is you have a choice about which version of your story you are in. You can have the one you have now.
You just hope for the best as you work life out by yourself.…..or you begin to recognize that God has the version of your story as it was meant to be. Full of his dreams, hopes and resources for you. This is what it was like for people who met Jesus then. This is what the Spirit of Jesus is doing today. It’s the ‘Dream of God’ (that’s another way of saying ‘The Kingdom’).
The big themes are grace, faith, and action; identity, forgiveness (not sinfulness), human potential, building life on solid ground, love, life and light.
Develop your own favourite ways of re-telling Christ’s message.
9) Be expectant. You have been chosen by God to be fruitful. Say to God each day, “ I am available today.” Christ wants to live his life through you to touch others. Opportunity abounds if only we have eyes to see.
Actually we all have opportunities probably every day to have conversations that can change the direction of people’s lives….for good! So here are some ideas in the hope that you know the fun and excitement of being a difference-maker.
1) Love people. Its not meant to be soppy! "Jesus looked at him and loved him”.
When you look at someone as you talk to them, remember they are hugely loved by God…just as they are.
STOP thinking about what you are going to say next…..you will just end up getting self absorbed and nervous.
The big idea in the New Testament is that we are ‘IN CHRIST’, so that means chill out and let him live through you.
Let him show you how he feels about this person. I talk to God as I look at someone and pray: “show me lord, help me feel and think about this person the way you do.”
2) Listen first. Don’t go rabbiting on.
Start by being REALLY interested in them. Ask simple questions about life. THEIR LIFE. Given half a chance people love to talk about themselves.
Ask and listen…
3) Life. When you do speak, talk about real life.
Remember this: YOUR story IS their Story. It is the human story.
I often get out photos of my children, of Sharon my wife. I talk about what I am struggling with, what my hopes are.
Resist attempts to make your life sound ‘all sorted’.
4) Say what you see. O.K. You’re loving, you’re listening, you’re asking questions and showing genuine interest in them, and in their life story.
Now …Christ is in you… what do you see? I mean what dreams, hopes do you see?
Where do you see integrity, love…good things? Remember all good things come from God.
Be courageous and affirm who they are as a person and what their potential is. What does Father God want to say to one of his prodigal children?
5) Simple answers. When young children ask questions about life, the deal is not to give long, complicated and clever sounding answers. Same here.
Short simple answers to simple questions. If you don’t know, say so!
6) Sorry. For example: I am sorry for the times I have failed to communicate the real message of Christ to you.
Or: I am sorry for the way the church that I am a supposed to be part of has failed you and people like you and stopped you from seeing the true message.
Fact is, this is often true (unless you and the church have been a 100% reflection of Jesus that is!?).
7) Spiritual stuff. Assume that this person is spiritual. Because they are. Not only that, but they have probably had an experience of God and not talked about it or recognized it as such.
I often say, (once we are in a trusting place) something like: “ Can I ask a question about you?
It fascinates me that I often find people have had interesting ‘spiritual experiences’, or odd things happen that make them think about God, but don’t talk about it.
Has anything like that ever happened to you?” (e.g. answer to prayer, aware of God in nature, dream or vision, aware of evil presence etc).
8) Story. Here’s a different way to explain the faith thing. When you are born you have this amazing life potential before you.
Your story.
As your story unfolds people often find life does not work out as they had hoped. I am ‘disappointed with my life’ is a common feeling.
The deal with the God stuff is you have a choice about which version of your story you are in. You can have the one you have now.
You just hope for the best as you work life out by yourself.…..or you begin to recognize that God has the version of your story as it was meant to be. Full of his dreams, hopes and resources for you. This is what it was like for people who met Jesus then. This is what the Spirit of Jesus is doing today. It’s the ‘Dream of God’ (that’s another way of saying ‘The Kingdom’).
The big themes are grace, faith, and action; identity, forgiveness (not sinfulness), human potential, building life on solid ground, love, life and light.
Develop your own favourite ways of re-telling Christ’s message.
9) Be expectant. You have been chosen by God to be fruitful. Say to God each day, “ I am available today.” Christ wants to live his life through you to touch others. Opportunity abounds if only we have eyes to see.
The Five Love Languages
Fascinating isn’t it! We are all different yet we all have the same commission. To love our neighbours as ourselves…to be THE LIGHT of the WORLD. How about the way we give and receive love?
My eldest daughter loves to give gifts to people unwell, to friends and to her family. My youngest daughter likes hugging people…and likes to receive hugs…a lot
Have you heard about the five love languages? A categorizing of the way we give and receive love (from a book by Gary Chapman).
Here are the big five:
Now then have a think about them.
Understanding how you, me and others give, and receive love can be very helpful in ALL relationships. I prefer touch (very huggy me) and words. Sharon, my wife, prefers acts of service and quality time. No matter how many times I hug her, it never quite hits the spot as much as sitting down for a good natter. Took me a long time to learn!!…. Ring any bells with you?
Now this is just an observation of the way humans behave, but we have a great commission…to love our neighbour as ourselves…every day. Taking every opportunity in our work, in our streets, and in our community.
How about that - the idea that we could improve our own service and witness to those outside of God’s Kingdom by understanding this love language stuff?
I began to notice that some people in our community love it when we serve them. Others are less bothered, but gifts open up some of these sometimes to the point of tears… Others are desperate for time and someone to listen and understand… all kinds of different people
As Christians, we often major in one language of love when it comes to reaching out… that of words, or in some contexts, just acts of service. How about if we put all five on offer, and work on maximising the people God has made us to be as we reach out to others.
For the people we are reaching, let's watch and listen, and be aware that we need different people, and new different approaches if we are to communicate to as many as possible.
Now, who do you know who is reluctant in sharing their faith and can't communicate using one of the five languages?
God wants us all (however shy) to fulfil more of their destiny, as the LIGHT of THE WORLD…
Roll on the spring!
My eldest daughter loves to give gifts to people unwell, to friends and to her family. My youngest daughter likes hugging people…and likes to receive hugs…a lot
Have you heard about the five love languages? A categorizing of the way we give and receive love (from a book by Gary Chapman).
Here are the big five:
. Acts of Service
. Words of Affirmation
. Quality Time
. Gifts
. Touch
Now then have a think about them.
Understanding how you, me and others give, and receive love can be very helpful in ALL relationships. I prefer touch (very huggy me) and words. Sharon, my wife, prefers acts of service and quality time. No matter how many times I hug her, it never quite hits the spot as much as sitting down for a good natter. Took me a long time to learn!!…. Ring any bells with you?
Now this is just an observation of the way humans behave, but we have a great commission…to love our neighbour as ourselves…every day. Taking every opportunity in our work, in our streets, and in our community.
How about that - the idea that we could improve our own service and witness to those outside of God’s Kingdom by understanding this love language stuff?
I began to notice that some people in our community love it when we serve them. Others are less bothered, but gifts open up some of these sometimes to the point of tears… Others are desperate for time and someone to listen and understand… all kinds of different people
As Christians, we often major in one language of love when it comes to reaching out… that of words, or in some contexts, just acts of service. How about if we put all five on offer, and work on maximising the people God has made us to be as we reach out to others.
For the people we are reaching, let's watch and listen, and be aware that we need different people, and new different approaches if we are to communicate to as many as possible.
Now, who do you know who is reluctant in sharing their faith and can't communicate using one of the five languages?
God wants us all (however shy) to fulfil more of their destiny, as the LIGHT of THE WORLD…
Roll on the spring!
Top Tip Number - 5. Know what feeds you!
First of all let's clear some ground here.
If I was to ask an average group of Christians how to maintain their walk with Christ, the usual answers are bound to include prayer, reading the Bible, going to church, fellowship with others, journaling, fasting etc etc.
It is these very answers, and in the resulting attempts to tick all the boxes that often produces so much failure, guilt and condemnation for Christians. So let's ask a different question:
How did you begin the Christian life? By faith of course!
How do you continue in the Christian life? By faith of course!
The only issue is how to feed your faith.
I have thought long and hard about this.
How many times have we heard people say "you just need to pray more"; "you just need to read the Bible more"; "you just need to fast more; …go to church more; ....give more; ...do more...” and before you know it we have a whole new set of laws.
Paul's letter to the Galatians is all about this very issue and the inherent dangers of moving from faith to law. So let's get it straight once and for all; You cannot add to FAITH (and that includes Bible reading, fasting, praying, going to church etc!). Paul writes:
This issue is crucial because so many people walk around feeling as if they are failing in the Christian life because they can't keep some new set of laws (which by the way usually starts out as someone discovering how God feeds the faith of their particular personality and then gets peddled as the new answer to spiritual disciplines for all personalities and types of people).
Personally trying to keep a list of laws does not motivate me! Here is the key question to ask:
How does God feed me?
Now when you ask this question it is good to recall the times when you have been aware of God speaking to you, guiding you, bringing peace and the reassurance of His Presence.
So for me (and remember you are not necessarily the same personality type as me) I love long walks alone in wild places. Solitude. I love reading the bible in chunks and studying key themes.
God often speaks to me through certain types of movie. I enjoy journaling but only on a few days in the month. I love reading the adventures of the great pioneer missionaries etc.
I have never been able to keep daily disciplined quiet time (shock horror!).
I don't like fasting. But I am motivated to make sacrifices for people that I love if it brings breakthrough in their lives
Can you see the difference? I want to approach things like praying and reading the Scriptures with a sense of joy and anticipation understanding that this is how God feeds me; that this is how faith grows; how love grows, how peace rules over my heart, how I become an overcomer.
What I don't need today is a list of laws that I am bound to fail to keep.
What about you?
Indeed there are times when spiritual disciplines stop. It is good to ask God, what should I be doing now? The classic disciplines are there as an aid to cause our faith to grow, to help us become more like Jesus, as Paul puts it ‘until Christ is formed in you’
So please be free of the law! Be free to find the grace-filled paths where you meet with God. Let go of the expectations of others (especially religious people!). Sometimes it can be the best thing to STOP praying and reading the bible in a certain fashion especially if it’s making you law-bound. Take a break! Ask God juts to lead you in his ways in your next season. He knows you better than you know yourself.
So may I encourage you as you read this to review your walk with God. Notice the times when you felt closest to him. Notice how he feeds the unique special personality that is YOU and be motivated to pursue you those things that feed your faith every day
May you have a renewed awareness of God's grace that every aspect of your life and may your faith grow in Jesus Christ in whose sight you have already been made perfect.
(with thanks to Dave Ducker for helpful comments)
Extra verse
If I was to ask an average group of Christians how to maintain their walk with Christ, the usual answers are bound to include prayer, reading the Bible, going to church, fellowship with others, journaling, fasting etc etc.
It is these very answers, and in the resulting attempts to tick all the boxes that often produces so much failure, guilt and condemnation for Christians. So let's ask a different question:
How did you begin the Christian life? By faith of course!
How do you continue in the Christian life? By faith of course!
The only issue is how to feed your faith.
I have thought long and hard about this.
How many times have we heard people say "you just need to pray more"; "you just need to read the Bible more"; "you just need to fast more; …go to church more; ....give more; ...do more...” and before you know it we have a whole new set of laws.
Paul's letter to the Galatians is all about this very issue and the inherent dangers of moving from faith to law. So let's get it straight once and for all; You cannot add to FAITH (and that includes Bible reading, fasting, praying, going to church etc!). Paul writes:
"The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me".
Galatians 3 verse 20
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love"
Galatians 5 verse 6
This issue is crucial because so many people walk around feeling as if they are failing in the Christian life because they can't keep some new set of laws (which by the way usually starts out as someone discovering how God feeds the faith of their particular personality and then gets peddled as the new answer to spiritual disciplines for all personalities and types of people).
Personally trying to keep a list of laws does not motivate me! Here is the key question to ask:
How does God feed me?
Now when you ask this question it is good to recall the times when you have been aware of God speaking to you, guiding you, bringing peace and the reassurance of His Presence.
So for me (and remember you are not necessarily the same personality type as me) I love long walks alone in wild places. Solitude. I love reading the bible in chunks and studying key themes.
God often speaks to me through certain types of movie. I enjoy journaling but only on a few days in the month. I love reading the adventures of the great pioneer missionaries etc.
I have never been able to keep daily disciplined quiet time (shock horror!).
I don't like fasting. But I am motivated to make sacrifices for people that I love if it brings breakthrough in their lives
Can you see the difference? I want to approach things like praying and reading the Scriptures with a sense of joy and anticipation understanding that this is how God feeds me; that this is how faith grows; how love grows, how peace rules over my heart, how I become an overcomer.
What I don't need today is a list of laws that I am bound to fail to keep.
What about you?
Indeed there are times when spiritual disciplines stop. It is good to ask God, what should I be doing now? The classic disciplines are there as an aid to cause our faith to grow, to help us become more like Jesus, as Paul puts it ‘until Christ is formed in you’
So please be free of the law! Be free to find the grace-filled paths where you meet with God. Let go of the expectations of others (especially religious people!). Sometimes it can be the best thing to STOP praying and reading the bible in a certain fashion especially if it’s making you law-bound. Take a break! Ask God juts to lead you in his ways in your next season. He knows you better than you know yourself.
So may I encourage you as you read this to review your walk with God. Notice the times when you felt closest to him. Notice how he feeds the unique special personality that is YOU and be motivated to pursue you those things that feed your faith every day
May you have a renewed awareness of God's grace that every aspect of your life and may your faith grow in Jesus Christ in whose sight you have already been made perfect.
(with thanks to Dave Ducker for helpful comments)
Extra verse
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him”
Philippians 2: 13
Top Ten Tip - 6. Don't take yourself too seriously
I laughed last night. I was spending some time with Sharon, my wife. It seems like we laugh together a lot these days. I can't tell you how much of a blessing it is.
I cried last night. I seem to cry or be close to tears at some point most days (don't worry it's a good thing!). Maybe it's something I see on the TV or something I read that sets me off. Sometimes it's when I'm just thinking about friends and family.
It didn't take much to set me off when I baptised my teenage daughter two weeks ago. All I could think was: "Look, what God has done with my life".
It is good to be emotionally connected - to live life deeply. I notice that I can only do this at times when I don't take myself too seriously.
When I become grim-faced thinking how I've got to change the whole world.
When I am heavy with the burden of concern about whether I'm achieving or failing and how I might be viewed in the eyes of others.
When I can only laugh manically or cry because I am stressed and over-worked, I'm probably in part taking myself too seriously.
The 'Message' version of Micah chapter 6 (which is a wonderful summing up in a few words of the message of the prophets in this period of Old Testament history) says this:
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously take God seriously.
What I am saying is this: there must be time in our lives for lots of fun. Raucous, hilarious, liberating FUN, and there must be a perspective within me that says:
'I might die tomorrow, God's Kingdom WILL carry on without me!'
It's not all down to me. This I believe is part of what Jesus meant when he said that we can only save our lives if we are willing to lose them. (Luke 9; 23- 25)
We need : time to laugh with the feeling of freedom, with the feeling of being unconcerned, because we are small and God is big.
When we make ourselves big in our own eyes we start taking ourselves too seriously.
I want to run a long race don't you?
In fact, I want to finish the race I started way back in my early 20s. In order to run a longer race, I know now I must have a regular rhythm of rest. Regular times, filled with fun and re-creation that demonstrates I'm not taking myself too seriously.
I want to take God very seriously, but that means believing that I have placed my small life into his big hand, and he is able to guide me, and lead me and provide for me.
It means even when things are not working right he is working, forming my character for the next part of the journey.
It means believing that all I have to do is what he asks me to do, even when nothing seems to be happening.
I was blessed this morning by receiving any email that some of the Top 10 Tips had helped a friend of mine to lead others to faith in Christ! Wow! That's a very small seed sowing with a big result. Only God can do this!
So may I ask you a couple of questions?
Can you in honesty say there are times each week, when you feel carefree, and you know you're not taking yourself too seriously?
What are you planning to do in the next few days and weeks in an effort to get the right perspective about who you are and who God is? Do you have a rhythm for rest and fun somehow built into almost every day and every week? I wanted to encourage you to make sure that having fun whether it's intentional time with friends or having a hobby or special rests times laid aside that you will not survive in any meaningful way. If you keep walking around with an ever-so-serious-head on,..then your spiritual life will die.
Final thought?
I have a tendency to think big, to dream big dreams, and I do believe that some of these dreams come from God, but there are times when I try to make them happen.err.. kind of by myself.
So here is a quote from Mother Theresa, which I have been meditating on for the last week. It's a good one for not taking yourself too seriously and getting the right perspective about what really matters in life!
For meditation Philippians Chapter 2 Verses 5 - 7
I cried last night. I seem to cry or be close to tears at some point most days (don't worry it's a good thing!). Maybe it's something I see on the TV or something I read that sets me off. Sometimes it's when I'm just thinking about friends and family.
It didn't take much to set me off when I baptised my teenage daughter two weeks ago. All I could think was: "Look, what God has done with my life".
It is good to be emotionally connected - to live life deeply. I notice that I can only do this at times when I don't take myself too seriously.
When I become grim-faced thinking how I've got to change the whole world.
When I am heavy with the burden of concern about whether I'm achieving or failing and how I might be viewed in the eyes of others.
When I can only laugh manically or cry because I am stressed and over-worked, I'm probably in part taking myself too seriously.
The 'Message' version of Micah chapter 6 (which is a wonderful summing up in a few words of the message of the prophets in this period of Old Testament history) says this:
But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do. What God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously take God seriously.
What I am saying is this: there must be time in our lives for lots of fun. Raucous, hilarious, liberating FUN, and there must be a perspective within me that says:
'I might die tomorrow, God's Kingdom WILL carry on without me!'
It's not all down to me. This I believe is part of what Jesus meant when he said that we can only save our lives if we are willing to lose them. (Luke 9; 23- 25)
We need : time to laugh with the feeling of freedom, with the feeling of being unconcerned, because we are small and God is big.
When we make ourselves big in our own eyes we start taking ourselves too seriously.
I want to run a long race don't you?
In fact, I want to finish the race I started way back in my early 20s. In order to run a longer race, I know now I must have a regular rhythm of rest. Regular times, filled with fun and re-creation that demonstrates I'm not taking myself too seriously.
I want to take God very seriously, but that means believing that I have placed my small life into his big hand, and he is able to guide me, and lead me and provide for me.
It means even when things are not working right he is working, forming my character for the next part of the journey.
It means believing that all I have to do is what he asks me to do, even when nothing seems to be happening.
I was blessed this morning by receiving any email that some of the Top 10 Tips had helped a friend of mine to lead others to faith in Christ! Wow! That's a very small seed sowing with a big result. Only God can do this!
So may I ask you a couple of questions?
Can you in honesty say there are times each week, when you feel carefree, and you know you're not taking yourself too seriously?
What are you planning to do in the next few days and weeks in an effort to get the right perspective about who you are and who God is? Do you have a rhythm for rest and fun somehow built into almost every day and every week? I wanted to encourage you to make sure that having fun whether it's intentional time with friends or having a hobby or special rests times laid aside that you will not survive in any meaningful way. If you keep walking around with an ever-so-serious-head on,..then your spiritual life will die.
Final thought?
I have a tendency to think big, to dream big dreams, and I do believe that some of these dreams come from God, but there are times when I try to make them happen.err.. kind of by myself.
So here is a quote from Mother Theresa, which I have been meditating on for the last week. It's a good one for not taking yourself too seriously and getting the right perspective about what really matters in life!
"We cannot all do great things, but we can all do small things with a great love."
For meditation Philippians Chapter 2 Verses 5 - 7
Top Ten Tip - 7. Speaking the Truth in Love
What I mean by this is learning to say it as it really is. Steve Nicholson of the Vineyard church in North America calls it “not getting a sticky tongue”.
I remember when I was at college, I was passing a room containing two fellow students and I could clearly hear them as they mocked and gossiped about another student. Even though I risked their friendship I was so angry and concerned that I immediately challenged them that they absolutely shouldn't do this. What if the very person they were talking about walked past the door; they would be deeply hurt by what they as they heard. Later that day both of those students came to me and thanked me for what I'd done and apologised for what they had said. I wish I spoke out more often!
The truth is it's really hard to be that challenging isn't it? When you hear gossip or lies or exaggeration coming from a respected Christian mouth it can be hard to challenge (especially if it's your own).
Speaking the Truth in Love is just saying it as it really is without the emotional baggage that is either angry towards or fearful of other people. How many times have I said yes and inside been shaking my head thinking no? How many times have I heard someone make a joke at another's expense and even though I winced, the laughter of others stopped me from speaking out. How many times I have I allowed other people to tell me what I should be doing instead of coming right now and saying this is who I am and this is what I'm about!
A few years ago I was asked to lead a group of 60 people. Having many times held back from being truthful about who I was and what I was about I decided to take a risk and told this group that I wouldn't be doing any Pastoral care for anybody (and encourage them that I felt they had all the gifts they needed amongst themselves to care for one another). This is because I'm just not very good at Pastoral care I want to be involved in mission. The second thing I said to them was that I didn't do Christian meetings (you now, the organising ones). I can't tell you what a relief it was to get that out in the open! One astute and gifted guy came up to me afterwards and he asked how we would be able to meet together if I didn't do Christian meetings. An idea popped into my head so I told him I liked going for walks and invited him to come walking in the hills with me.
The opposite of speaking the truth in love in the New Testament is called falsehood (Greek word = pseudo). I want to be somebody who is the same, a person of integrity: someone who knows when to speak and knows when to be silent. My African friends have a saying
"anything minus integrity equals nothing"
May you have the boldness and grace today to keep learning to speak the truth.in love …about yourself …about other people … and about God in all circumstances.
Go on SAY IT AS IT IS!!!!!
For meditation:
I remember when I was at college, I was passing a room containing two fellow students and I could clearly hear them as they mocked and gossiped about another student. Even though I risked their friendship I was so angry and concerned that I immediately challenged them that they absolutely shouldn't do this. What if the very person they were talking about walked past the door; they would be deeply hurt by what they as they heard. Later that day both of those students came to me and thanked me for what I'd done and apologised for what they had said. I wish I spoke out more often!
The truth is it's really hard to be that challenging isn't it? When you hear gossip or lies or exaggeration coming from a respected Christian mouth it can be hard to challenge (especially if it's your own).
Speaking the Truth in Love is just saying it as it really is without the emotional baggage that is either angry towards or fearful of other people. How many times have I said yes and inside been shaking my head thinking no? How many times have I heard someone make a joke at another's expense and even though I winced, the laughter of others stopped me from speaking out. How many times I have I allowed other people to tell me what I should be doing instead of coming right now and saying this is who I am and this is what I'm about!
A few years ago I was asked to lead a group of 60 people. Having many times held back from being truthful about who I was and what I was about I decided to take a risk and told this group that I wouldn't be doing any Pastoral care for anybody (and encourage them that I felt they had all the gifts they needed amongst themselves to care for one another). This is because I'm just not very good at Pastoral care I want to be involved in mission. The second thing I said to them was that I didn't do Christian meetings (you now, the organising ones). I can't tell you what a relief it was to get that out in the open! One astute and gifted guy came up to me afterwards and he asked how we would be able to meet together if I didn't do Christian meetings. An idea popped into my head so I told him I liked going for walks and invited him to come walking in the hills with me.
The opposite of speaking the truth in love in the New Testament is called falsehood (Greek word = pseudo). I want to be somebody who is the same, a person of integrity: someone who knows when to speak and knows when to be silent. My African friends have a saying
"anything minus integrity equals nothing"
May you have the boldness and grace today to keep learning to speak the truth.in love …about yourself …about other people … and about God in all circumstances.
Go on SAY IT AS IT IS!!!!!
For meditation:
“and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:23-27)
Top Ten Tip - 8. Always Taking Risks / Always Overcoming
First, a joke. An old Italian man lived alone in the country. He wanted to dig his tomato garden, but it was very hard work as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.
A few days later he received a letter from his son.
At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son.
The thing about Vinnie is - he asked the right questions!
He could have said: "Why am I stuck in prison? or, why do people grow old? or, why is my father all alone?
What kind of answer would he have obtained from those kinds of questions?
You know this thing called the Christian life? Well in case you hadn't heard, it's impossible!
In Matthew chapter 5 to chapter 7, Jesus spells out what it means to live the Christian life. Most of us know some of it; many of us don't know most of it.
Sometimes people think it's about a very high standard of moral living. It is not just a high standard; it's an impossible standard! Just try reading through it slowly and see how you're doing.
Just think of some of the things that Jesus talks about:
Loving your enemy means not just forgiving them, but loving them, and 'doing good' to them.
How about never judging others, but instead constantly working on God's self-improvement programme, by taking the plank out of our own eyes.
How about not worrying about money 'ever'?
Jesus was clear that for anything we needed we just have to ask for it and it would be given to us, as we seek his kingdom.
These and many other things that Jesus teaches when you get down to it, seem to be impossible.
So the Christian life is impossible and the sooner we realize it the better. When we acknowledge that it is impossible, we will have to rely fully on God's resources, and then we start to become the real over-comers God always intended us to be.
Not trying to do things in our own strength, but learning to overcome the obstacles that appear before us. For example, dealing lovingly and truthfully, in challenging relationships. Humbly allowing God to continue to work on our character through trial.
Taking the growth risks in our ministry, because lives need to be changed.
Making faith steps with finance that may seem foolish to anyone else watching.
One of my favorite verses when it comes to overcoming and risk taking in the course of God's kingdom is John chapter 15, verse 16. I think I learnt it on the weekend that I gave my life to Jesus Christ.
He says this: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit".
You see it's a bit like this. Sometimes we think we chose to follow Jesus. We remember the choices we made, the event that we go back to, the book that we read on the day that we signed up for Jesus. We often have it in our minds that we have chosen to follow Jesus. but He says that's not the case. He says "I chose you". This is one of the main thinking patterns that greatly helps in overcoming adversity.
Just stop for a moment and say out loud 'God has chosen me' Say it several times and start to believe it again. God has chosen me.
Remember, and recall all the ways you know that he has chosen you, and called you and set you on destiny's path. I remember it, even when I go wrong that God loves me and: HE'S CHOSEN ME!! And when a big barrier suddenly falls from the sky and stands in front of me, defying me to take the next step, that's the point at which I must learn to be an overcomer. One of the main ways I overcome is by remembering: the deal is God chose me and I didn't choose him.
He chose me to bear fruit. I am chosen by God Almighty with all his resources, with all his armies, with all his Angels and with all kinds of his people on my side.
The obstacle must be bowled over by that and I can carry on. Then another obstacle comes and I remind myself - Jesus said then and he says to me today "You didn't choose me Martin. I chose you and appointed you to go double the height and overcome the next obstacle".
So then my faith grows day by day, and so does my ability to see the invisible and make the impossible happen by faith.
Let me finish by making this really simple and concrete.
We agree that the Christian life is impossible in our own resource.
We agree that God has chosen us to do his bidding, with his resources.
We start asking the right questions.
Asking the right questions? Have you ever noticed, we ask questions all the time? (secretly, in our minds) for example:
Do I want to go to this service?
Why are other people more successful than me?
Why is this thing not working again?
Why have these people, let me down?
Those kinds of questions tend to produce the same negative answers in our mind. Usually the answers reinforce our inabilities, our failure's and our weaknesses. Now let's think like a Vinnie.
Recently I have been in the process of training my mind to think differently; to agree with God and ask the questions from that standpoint. A question beginning with a 'why' usually ends up in a 'pity party'. A question beginning with 'how' or a 'who' usually has more faith attached to it.
Questions like, 'who can I spend time with who knows how to overcome this kind of difficulty?' How can I do this job differently to get where God wants me.
Great question askers I think included Nelson Mandela, who when he was imprisoned for years seems to have asked himself a question like, 'what can I do to get ready for when I am president?' - it's well known that he wore out shoes exercising everyday in his little cell.
How about Joni Eriksson Tada, who inspired me a great deal as a young Christian (she became a quadraplegic in her late teams through an accident), must have eventually asked herself. 'How can I use what's happened to me to be a blessing to other people'.
Then there is Henry Ford, who to the complete incredulity of many of his friends and colleagues kept asking the question. 'How can I make the motorcar, affordable to every person?'.
These people became overcomers by simply thinking about life differently, and by asking the right question with a different mindset.
Romans 12 verses one to three challenges us to 'be transformed by the renewing of our minds'. May I encourage you to stop asking any negative or faithless questions that come to mind, any time impossible circumstances seem to arise. We only end up with our own poor resources.
By changing a 'why' to a 'how' or a 'who' and agreeing with God and all that he has called you to be, may you keep on walking toward your destiny and overcoming the impossible.
Dear Vincent,
I am feeling pretty badly because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me.
Love, Dad
A few days later he received a letter from his son.
Dear Dad,
Don't dig up that garden. That's where I buried the bodies.
Love, Vinnie
At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son.
Dear Dad,
Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances.
Love you, Vinnie
The thing about Vinnie is - he asked the right questions!
He could have said: "Why am I stuck in prison? or, why do people grow old? or, why is my father all alone?
What kind of answer would he have obtained from those kinds of questions?
You know this thing called the Christian life? Well in case you hadn't heard, it's impossible!
In Matthew chapter 5 to chapter 7, Jesus spells out what it means to live the Christian life. Most of us know some of it; many of us don't know most of it.
Sometimes people think it's about a very high standard of moral living. It is not just a high standard; it's an impossible standard! Just try reading through it slowly and see how you're doing.
Just think of some of the things that Jesus talks about:
Loving your enemy means not just forgiving them, but loving them, and 'doing good' to them.
How about never judging others, but instead constantly working on God's self-improvement programme, by taking the plank out of our own eyes.
How about not worrying about money 'ever'?
Jesus was clear that for anything we needed we just have to ask for it and it would be given to us, as we seek his kingdom.
These and many other things that Jesus teaches when you get down to it, seem to be impossible.
So the Christian life is impossible and the sooner we realize it the better. When we acknowledge that it is impossible, we will have to rely fully on God's resources, and then we start to become the real over-comers God always intended us to be.
Not trying to do things in our own strength, but learning to overcome the obstacles that appear before us. For example, dealing lovingly and truthfully, in challenging relationships. Humbly allowing God to continue to work on our character through trial.
Taking the growth risks in our ministry, because lives need to be changed.
Making faith steps with finance that may seem foolish to anyone else watching.
One of my favorite verses when it comes to overcoming and risk taking in the course of God's kingdom is John chapter 15, verse 16. I think I learnt it on the weekend that I gave my life to Jesus Christ.
He says this: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit".
You see it's a bit like this. Sometimes we think we chose to follow Jesus. We remember the choices we made, the event that we go back to, the book that we read on the day that we signed up for Jesus. We often have it in our minds that we have chosen to follow Jesus. but He says that's not the case. He says "I chose you". This is one of the main thinking patterns that greatly helps in overcoming adversity.
Just stop for a moment and say out loud 'God has chosen me' Say it several times and start to believe it again. God has chosen me.
Remember, and recall all the ways you know that he has chosen you, and called you and set you on destiny's path. I remember it, even when I go wrong that God loves me and: HE'S CHOSEN ME!! And when a big barrier suddenly falls from the sky and stands in front of me, defying me to take the next step, that's the point at which I must learn to be an overcomer. One of the main ways I overcome is by remembering: the deal is God chose me and I didn't choose him.
He chose me to bear fruit. I am chosen by God Almighty with all his resources, with all his armies, with all his Angels and with all kinds of his people on my side.
The obstacle must be bowled over by that and I can carry on. Then another obstacle comes and I remind myself - Jesus said then and he says to me today "You didn't choose me Martin. I chose you and appointed you to go double the height and overcome the next obstacle".
So then my faith grows day by day, and so does my ability to see the invisible and make the impossible happen by faith.
Let me finish by making this really simple and concrete.
We agree that the Christian life is impossible in our own resource.
We agree that God has chosen us to do his bidding, with his resources.
We start asking the right questions.
Asking the right questions? Have you ever noticed, we ask questions all the time? (secretly, in our minds) for example:
Do I want to go to this service?
Why are other people more successful than me?
Why is this thing not working again?
Why have these people, let me down?
Those kinds of questions tend to produce the same negative answers in our mind. Usually the answers reinforce our inabilities, our failure's and our weaknesses. Now let's think like a Vinnie.
Recently I have been in the process of training my mind to think differently; to agree with God and ask the questions from that standpoint. A question beginning with a 'why' usually ends up in a 'pity party'. A question beginning with 'how' or a 'who' usually has more faith attached to it.
Questions like, 'who can I spend time with who knows how to overcome this kind of difficulty?' How can I do this job differently to get where God wants me.
Great question askers I think included Nelson Mandela, who when he was imprisoned for years seems to have asked himself a question like, 'what can I do to get ready for when I am president?' - it's well known that he wore out shoes exercising everyday in his little cell.
How about Joni Eriksson Tada, who inspired me a great deal as a young Christian (she became a quadraplegic in her late teams through an accident), must have eventually asked herself. 'How can I use what's happened to me to be a blessing to other people'.
Then there is Henry Ford, who to the complete incredulity of many of his friends and colleagues kept asking the question. 'How can I make the motorcar, affordable to every person?'.
These people became overcomers by simply thinking about life differently, and by asking the right question with a different mindset.
Romans 12 verses one to three challenges us to 'be transformed by the renewing of our minds'. May I encourage you to stop asking any negative or faithless questions that come to mind, any time impossible circumstances seem to arise. We only end up with our own poor resources.
By changing a 'why' to a 'how' or a 'who' and agreeing with God and all that he has called you to be, may you keep on walking toward your destiny and overcoming the impossible.
Top Ten Tip - 9. Having an Abundance mindset
It is so easy to be gripped by fear, believe me, I know!.
One area that affects most of us at some time is about pro-vision. God has given to each of us a vision or a dream, but what is always lacking at the start is the provision to make that vision a reality.
One of the greatest tests of faith is to keep walking towards your vision and when you can't see the provision and not panicking!
I noticed early on in leadership how easily the fear of failure could grip leaders, and one of the biggest fears was not having enough. Not having enough money, not having enough spare time not having enough resources, not enough people.
I can picture in my mind how one particular person considered the problem of the lack of a youth worker in their church. They cultivated someone with this in mind and then right at the last minute the person said they didn't want to do it. The church leaders were devastated because they had invested everything (that is - all of their faith) into this one person.
This is not an abundance mindset!
I've lost count of the number of times that I've led mission teams without an abundance mindset.
I've wondered whether the team would have enough money, where the money would come from, where the people would come from. I have watched people, who are good friends, say yes they will come, and then right at the last minute change their minds, it has left me reeling from the fear of failure, but, I want to keep on leading mission teams, and I want to keep on leading breakthrough, and I want to keep on obeying God however impossible the call seems.
So I am learning to cultivate an abundance mindset. I want to not worry about the immediate circumstances, but to believe that my life follows the same God who, when Peter had been fishing all night and caught nothing, sent Jesus to him and said,
"Let's cast off and throw your nets on the other side of the boat".
Such an abundance of fish was caught that the boats began to sink.
This is a big faith issue. It's about learning to believe that.
Whatever God calls you to - there are always more workers, there is always more provision and we should not to allow the enemy to cast a shadow of fear over us.
I have learned, and I am learning, to really believe when Jesus says that "we must seek first the kingdom and everything else will be added to us" that he really means it. He clearly intended for us not to worry. I want to live in what Jesus intended for me. Don't you?
Every time it feels like we can't see with it our natural eyes, an abundance mindset, grown in faith, trusting God's promises enables us to take greater risks with the peace of God guarding our hearts.
Here is the verse I meditate on when I think about developing an abundance mindset. It is in 2 Corinthians Chapter 6 and, as you read this, I pray that you would know that this word is for you, to be lodged in your heart and to produce faith and fruitfulness
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all
things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
One area that affects most of us at some time is about pro-vision. God has given to each of us a vision or a dream, but what is always lacking at the start is the provision to make that vision a reality.
One of the greatest tests of faith is to keep walking towards your vision and when you can't see the provision and not panicking!
I noticed early on in leadership how easily the fear of failure could grip leaders, and one of the biggest fears was not having enough. Not having enough money, not having enough spare time not having enough resources, not enough people.
I can picture in my mind how one particular person considered the problem of the lack of a youth worker in their church. They cultivated someone with this in mind and then right at the last minute the person said they didn't want to do it. The church leaders were devastated because they had invested everything (that is - all of their faith) into this one person.
This is not an abundance mindset!
I've lost count of the number of times that I've led mission teams without an abundance mindset.
I've wondered whether the team would have enough money, where the money would come from, where the people would come from. I have watched people, who are good friends, say yes they will come, and then right at the last minute change their minds, it has left me reeling from the fear of failure, but, I want to keep on leading mission teams, and I want to keep on leading breakthrough, and I want to keep on obeying God however impossible the call seems.
So I am learning to cultivate an abundance mindset. I want to not worry about the immediate circumstances, but to believe that my life follows the same God who, when Peter had been fishing all night and caught nothing, sent Jesus to him and said,
"Let's cast off and throw your nets on the other side of the boat".
Such an abundance of fish was caught that the boats began to sink.
This is a big faith issue. It's about learning to believe that.
Whatever God calls you to - there are always more workers, there is always more provision and we should not to allow the enemy to cast a shadow of fear over us.
I have learned, and I am learning, to really believe when Jesus says that "we must seek first the kingdom and everything else will be added to us" that he really means it. He clearly intended for us not to worry. I want to live in what Jesus intended for me. Don't you?
Every time it feels like we can't see with it our natural eyes, an abundance mindset, grown in faith, trusting God's promises enables us to take greater risks with the peace of God guarding our hearts.
Here is the verse I meditate on when I think about developing an abundance mindset. It is in 2 Corinthians Chapter 6 and, as you read this, I pray that you would know that this word is for you, to be lodged in your heart and to produce faith and fruitfulness
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all
things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Top Ten Tip 10. Nothing Hidden
This is really important. It's important to me because I have watched personal friends crash to the point where they will never be able to fulfil everything God had planned for them here on earth. All because something was kept hidden.
The simple and amazingly powerful answer is confession. Confessing our sins to one another is about walking in the light and having nothing hidden..
Right now I can confidently say that there is really nothing hidden in my life. The worst, the very worst things about me are known by somebody. As painful and difficult as it is - I am known.
I’m not telling you, because I'm proud like I have achieved something. I am not proud of the rubbish and the bad choices and the deliberate actions that I've done, I am telling you, because it's so liberating.
The things that were in the darkness have been brought into the light. This brings peace and freedom and safety from accusation.
Anyone who keeps stuff hidden, keeps it in the darkness. These are the very things that the enemy can use to accuse us, and rob us of all that God has promised, and even cause us to trip and to fall!
I cannot advocate this highly enough - the practice of a personal confession to a fellow Christian, preferably of the same sex, whom you trust. This is what 1 John chapter 1 is all about - walking in the light.
First of all John talks about ‘The Life’ and tells us that Jesus is the Word of Life. He is the Risen One, who brings life to us and puts life back in us. It’s like John is saying "we have seen him and touched him; he’s the one, the Word of Life. We have fellowship with God. We walk with God…..and we want you to experience the same thing, and we would be so excited and grateful if you did".
This is the message - God is the light, in him there is no darkness at all. In Chapter 1, verse 7, he says "if we will live in the light, we will have fellowship with one another, and we will be cleansed and made pure by the blood of Jesus (verse 9). If we confess our sins this will be forgiven, if we claim we have not sinned, we are deceived, we are lying and that very Word of Life cannot come into our lives".
This is my quick overview:
John is saying that The Life is in us, and anything in us that is in darkness needs to be brought into the light.
The way that God has ordained to do this is to confess it to one another and then humble ourselves before one another so that together we are keeping in the light. Nothing hidden.
We become more aware of God’s grace in our lives, rather than some proud and arrogant “look at me, I can do it all by myself” attitude. And it really is amazing as people go through the fearful process of confessing to one another, abandoning the fear of what others will think and coming out the other side, there really is so much light and freedom and awareness of God's love for us. I want to be someone who has nothing hidden.
May you not go through the life holding on to stuff that is holding onto you and dragging you down when Jesus has called you to freedom
The simple and amazingly powerful answer is confession. Confessing our sins to one another is about walking in the light and having nothing hidden..
Right now I can confidently say that there is really nothing hidden in my life. The worst, the very worst things about me are known by somebody. As painful and difficult as it is - I am known.
I’m not telling you, because I'm proud like I have achieved something. I am not proud of the rubbish and the bad choices and the deliberate actions that I've done, I am telling you, because it's so liberating.
The things that were in the darkness have been brought into the light. This brings peace and freedom and safety from accusation.
Anyone who keeps stuff hidden, keeps it in the darkness. These are the very things that the enemy can use to accuse us, and rob us of all that God has promised, and even cause us to trip and to fall!
I cannot advocate this highly enough - the practice of a personal confession to a fellow Christian, preferably of the same sex, whom you trust. This is what 1 John chapter 1 is all about - walking in the light.
First of all John talks about ‘The Life’ and tells us that Jesus is the Word of Life. He is the Risen One, who brings life to us and puts life back in us. It’s like John is saying "we have seen him and touched him; he’s the one, the Word of Life. We have fellowship with God. We walk with God…..and we want you to experience the same thing, and we would be so excited and grateful if you did".
This is the message - God is the light, in him there is no darkness at all. In Chapter 1, verse 7, he says "if we will live in the light, we will have fellowship with one another, and we will be cleansed and made pure by the blood of Jesus (verse 9). If we confess our sins this will be forgiven, if we claim we have not sinned, we are deceived, we are lying and that very Word of Life cannot come into our lives".
This is my quick overview:
John is saying that The Life is in us, and anything in us that is in darkness needs to be brought into the light.
The way that God has ordained to do this is to confess it to one another and then humble ourselves before one another so that together we are keeping in the light. Nothing hidden.
We become more aware of God’s grace in our lives, rather than some proud and arrogant “look at me, I can do it all by myself” attitude. And it really is amazing as people go through the fearful process of confessing to one another, abandoning the fear of what others will think and coming out the other side, there really is so much light and freedom and awareness of God's love for us. I want to be someone who has nothing hidden.
May you not go through the life holding on to stuff that is holding onto you and dragging you down when Jesus has called you to freedom
Labels
People put labels on us don't they? ... a lot.
Whether it's members of our family, friends, people around us at school or at work.
It's like they want to stick us with labels.
Or, they want to put us in a box, of the way that they think we are.
So, once you've got these labels...is that it?! Are you stuck with them for life?!
Labels is the title of the first DVD produced a by Free Spirit for people who aren't yet followers of Jesus.
This is a great opportunity for people to share our faith in a simple way.
This DVD is high quality, and attractively packaged, and can be purchased for £5.
I would like to make these available to everyone, so if you could to pay a little more, it would help towards the cost of production, and would be a great blessing.
Drug dealer raised from the dead!
Barry Woodward overdosed on heroin after years of drug abuse and was left for dead in a Manchester phonebox. Hear the amazing story of how his life was transformed. Now captured on DVD.
"Captivating - a superb and creative resource."
Canon J John.
Visit Barry's website www.proclaimtrust.org
Cell Break-out
Rich and Louise are keen missionary types living in Sheffield with wonderful heart for the gospel and the poor. I was inspired by what they had been up to recently and thought it might be encouraging especially for those of you looking for your cell/ small group to be more effective.
Throughout Jesus’ mission he was out in the community, discussing faith with his disciples and anyone who wanted to join in.
Jesus and the twelve were like a mission team. They would go into the village, challenging people to walk in forgiveness, bringing good news to the poor and the broken.
As a community, Jesus led his disciples out into the world, then, on occasion, the disciples and Jesus would retreat back onto a mountain or to some other more private, intimate place. There they would interact with each other, deepening each other’s understanding of faith and encountering God together.
The community of Jesus and his disciples was holistic; they lived their mission together, shared life and experienced God.
Recently God has been challenging our cell group. It has all happened in a kind of accidental way, God has used our circumstances to lead us.
For many months, our cell group met on a weekly basis in our home. We would eat together, worship and work out faith. There was nothing particularly wrong with what we were doing and many cell groups successfully operate in this way.
However, our cell group met some distance away from where the culture we wanted to reach lived. The group members found it difficult to come and the reality was that inviting people to join us was almost impossible.
A girl joined us; she was/is struggling with faith, God and life. Her only comment afterwards was that she thought the group was weird. I invited another guy, he was interested in finding faith, but coming to our house was just too difficult for him. And why would he come? Our house is, after all, our house. It is not neutral territory.
God seemed to show us that Jesus met in the community, in the meeting place, where everyone met. Jesus and his community of followers would go out and discuss faith/life/God in the community and if people wanted to join in, fine.
In some ways they were a forum about God. Anyone could come, as you were, with whatever questions you had. Subsequently, we moved our cell group into our cultures meeting place, a café - bar.
We are careful to be intentional about who we are and what we are doing. We are followers of Jesus. We meet and we talk about Jesus. It is important that we aren’t attempting to deceive people into the kingdom. Everyone we invite to join us knows that we are going to talk about the person of Jesus and how to walk in his ways.
Since doing this we have encountered several new people. Here are some of their stories.
A 21 year old joined us. He has walked with the Lord before and he knows a lot of the Bible. Since meeting him God has been almost whispering in my ear:
‘he needs to know that he is forgiven and that there is grace for him.’
In fact, the first time I met him God gave me a direct prophetic word for him. It was terrifying!
Recently, he has been speaking about going back to college. That is exciting not because we value education so highly, but because I see Jesus giving him hope for his life again. It is like God is saying,
‘you are worth something! You can do it. I see beyond all that you see.’
It is a blessing to be a witness to it!
Last week he brought his friend along, apparently his friend is a ‘secret follower of Jesus.’
Last week I was deleting old emails. I found one from someone I had previously invited to my house. I thought I would send him one last email and leave it to God. Here is his reply to my invite to join us:
'Your invitation sounds great, to meet and have an informal chat about faith/life. Beer is a good social lubricant! Anyway if it is OK with you I will come along and say hi. As you said in your previous e-mail, faith is something that can be explored together. And who knows may be our meeting was not a coincidence?'
A girl joined us. She has recently become a follower of Jesus. All she wants to talk about is Jesus. And why not? She been inviting people along to join us and talk about how to follow him. She is a blessing to us.
A few weeks ago we met a busker in town. He invited us to a gig. He is a very good musician.
At the gig he came and gave us a copy of his CD, asking us to give him some feedback. He wanted us to contact him again. My wife replied and invited him to talk to us about faith and God sometime. Here is his reply to that email:
'As for meeting up for a beer and a chat about God and Life, I would be more than happy to.
I rarely think or talk about anything else.'
We have since spoken to him, while he was busking. He couldn’t believe that we met in the place we did. He said something like, it isn’t that a place of hell. I thought great, that is where Jesus would be. Our busker friend seems to struggle with the word Christian and the idea of Christianity, but so do I.
I have to confess that I have made mistakes with this guy. Our invite to him is to learn about Jesus. I think God has revealed that our friend is like the people of Athens, he needs someone to say ‘this is the unknown God!’ but still I say the wrong thing, and feel awkward. My wife is much better at talking to him than I am. We are, after all, still learning.
It is only the beginning for us. Last week we invited everyone back to ours to join us on the mountain with our God. Only two could make it, but it was good. Our model is to follow how Jesus lived. We will continue to meet in the café-bar every week, returning to the mountain on occasion. It is exciting to be out. It is also terrifying. Through it all we feel God’s grace moving and what is more, we see it!
Throughout Jesus’ mission he was out in the community, discussing faith with his disciples and anyone who wanted to join in.
Jesus and the twelve were like a mission team. They would go into the village, challenging people to walk in forgiveness, bringing good news to the poor and the broken.
As a community, Jesus led his disciples out into the world, then, on occasion, the disciples and Jesus would retreat back onto a mountain or to some other more private, intimate place. There they would interact with each other, deepening each other’s understanding of faith and encountering God together.
The community of Jesus and his disciples was holistic; they lived their mission together, shared life and experienced God.
Recently God has been challenging our cell group. It has all happened in a kind of accidental way, God has used our circumstances to lead us.
For many months, our cell group met on a weekly basis in our home. We would eat together, worship and work out faith. There was nothing particularly wrong with what we were doing and many cell groups successfully operate in this way.
However, our cell group met some distance away from where the culture we wanted to reach lived. The group members found it difficult to come and the reality was that inviting people to join us was almost impossible.
A girl joined us; she was/is struggling with faith, God and life. Her only comment afterwards was that she thought the group was weird. I invited another guy, he was interested in finding faith, but coming to our house was just too difficult for him. And why would he come? Our house is, after all, our house. It is not neutral territory.
God seemed to show us that Jesus met in the community, in the meeting place, where everyone met. Jesus and his community of followers would go out and discuss faith/life/God in the community and if people wanted to join in, fine.
In some ways they were a forum about God. Anyone could come, as you were, with whatever questions you had. Subsequently, we moved our cell group into our cultures meeting place, a café - bar.
We are careful to be intentional about who we are and what we are doing. We are followers of Jesus. We meet and we talk about Jesus. It is important that we aren’t attempting to deceive people into the kingdom. Everyone we invite to join us knows that we are going to talk about the person of Jesus and how to walk in his ways.
Since doing this we have encountered several new people. Here are some of their stories.
A 21 year old joined us. He has walked with the Lord before and he knows a lot of the Bible. Since meeting him God has been almost whispering in my ear:
‘he needs to know that he is forgiven and that there is grace for him.’
In fact, the first time I met him God gave me a direct prophetic word for him. It was terrifying!
Recently, he has been speaking about going back to college. That is exciting not because we value education so highly, but because I see Jesus giving him hope for his life again. It is like God is saying,
‘you are worth something! You can do it. I see beyond all that you see.’
It is a blessing to be a witness to it!
Last week he brought his friend along, apparently his friend is a ‘secret follower of Jesus.’
Last week I was deleting old emails. I found one from someone I had previously invited to my house. I thought I would send him one last email and leave it to God. Here is his reply to my invite to join us:
'Your invitation sounds great, to meet and have an informal chat about faith/life. Beer is a good social lubricant! Anyway if it is OK with you I will come along and say hi. As you said in your previous e-mail, faith is something that can be explored together. And who knows may be our meeting was not a coincidence?'
A girl joined us. She has recently become a follower of Jesus. All she wants to talk about is Jesus. And why not? She been inviting people along to join us and talk about how to follow him. She is a blessing to us.
A few weeks ago we met a busker in town. He invited us to a gig. He is a very good musician.
At the gig he came and gave us a copy of his CD, asking us to give him some feedback. He wanted us to contact him again. My wife replied and invited him to talk to us about faith and God sometime. Here is his reply to that email:
'As for meeting up for a beer and a chat about God and Life, I would be more than happy to.
I rarely think or talk about anything else.'
We have since spoken to him, while he was busking. He couldn’t believe that we met in the place we did. He said something like, it isn’t that a place of hell. I thought great, that is where Jesus would be. Our busker friend seems to struggle with the word Christian and the idea of Christianity, but so do I.
I have to confess that I have made mistakes with this guy. Our invite to him is to learn about Jesus. I think God has revealed that our friend is like the people of Athens, he needs someone to say ‘this is the unknown God!’ but still I say the wrong thing, and feel awkward. My wife is much better at talking to him than I am. We are, after all, still learning.
It is only the beginning for us. Last week we invited everyone back to ours to join us on the mountain with our God. Only two could make it, but it was good. Our model is to follow how Jesus lived. We will continue to meet in the café-bar every week, returning to the mountain on occasion. It is exciting to be out. It is also terrifying. Through it all we feel God’s grace moving and what is more, we see it!
I pray to angels
I spoke to Julie, a friend of mine, this morning who is an Occupational Therapist working with adults with mental health problems.
The clients live in houses, with a few people to each house, and 24-hour care. One of the clients is a young man in his 20's who suffers pretty severe paranoia. Sarah has been taking him on outings with others as part of her work.
One of the staff, a housekeeper, has known this particular client a long time and had noticed a change in him. So she commented to Sarah that she noticed his behavior had improved significantly and that he was helping out with chores, which he did not normally do.
The housekeeper said to Julie:
"It's down to you taking him out"
Julie's reply was simple and straightforward: "I think it's more to do with the fact that I have been praying for him".
To her surprise the house keeper then said to her:
"Don't think I am strange or anything, but I have not told this to anyone...but I pray to angels."
Julie listened on:
"I have had a rough year with one thing and another and one night I saw brightly light orbs at the bottom of my bed. I know they are angels"
Julie responded encouragingly with: "That's great, because God sends angels to look after us. You can even pray to Jesus who made the angels"
This little conversation has opened up a regular chat about prayer and God and angels. The next week Julie showed the housekeeper these words from time just after Jesus had live on earth and some of his early followers were being persecuted for their faith:
"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation"
(from Hebrews chapter 1 verse 14).
Julie is continuing to want to impact this client (and his family) and is having regular conversations with the housekeeper.
As part of her job she has been able to take the bold step of starting a 'spirituality group' (which is a bit of a buzz word in the health care professions at the moment) and has invited me to come and speak with the group in the New Year!
The clients live in houses, with a few people to each house, and 24-hour care. One of the clients is a young man in his 20's who suffers pretty severe paranoia. Sarah has been taking him on outings with others as part of her work.
One of the staff, a housekeeper, has known this particular client a long time and had noticed a change in him. So she commented to Sarah that she noticed his behavior had improved significantly and that he was helping out with chores, which he did not normally do.
The housekeeper said to Julie:
"It's down to you taking him out"
Julie's reply was simple and straightforward: "I think it's more to do with the fact that I have been praying for him".
To her surprise the house keeper then said to her:
"Don't think I am strange or anything, but I have not told this to anyone...but I pray to angels."
Julie listened on:
"I have had a rough year with one thing and another and one night I saw brightly light orbs at the bottom of my bed. I know they are angels"
Julie responded encouragingly with: "That's great, because God sends angels to look after us. You can even pray to Jesus who made the angels"
This little conversation has opened up a regular chat about prayer and God and angels. The next week Julie showed the housekeeper these words from time just after Jesus had live on earth and some of his early followers were being persecuted for their faith:
"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation"
(from Hebrews chapter 1 verse 14).
Julie is continuing to want to impact this client (and his family) and is having regular conversations with the housekeeper.
As part of her job she has been able to take the bold step of starting a 'spirituality group' (which is a bit of a buzz word in the health care professions at the moment) and has invited me to come and speak with the group in the New Year!
Jesus can help you
My friend Ronan in his early 20's is definitely a cool dresser among his peers (models himself on me, I guess) and a keen gospel teller! He loves talking to people about Jesus. .
He works part time as a year tutor with the education department in Sheffield, with the older youth that have missed on education for whatever reason.
One young 17 year old was getting to know Ronan over a couple of weeks. Life at home was pretty awful for the young man and Ronan was aware of this as he came in one day recently complaining of bad chest pains.
Ronan looked at him and aware of what was going on the guy’s background just blurted out: "I can give you no advice. You just need Jesus - Jesus can help you."
Ronan then offered to pray for the young man who accepted the offer - the chest pain left him immediately.
He went away quite surprised and when he got home he noticed his relationship with his parents suddenly started to improve.
He knew it was God reports Ronan, so he spent 3 hours on the Internet that night looking up this guy called 'Jesus'!
So the next time they met and Ronan heard what had been happening, with the family and the Internet search and all that and he said:
"You have encountered Jesus. Now do you want him in your life?"
The guy said "Yes", so Ronan lead him in a simple prayer. Then Ronan said:
Now you can receive Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God coming to live inside us. The guy said "Yeh!"
Ronan lead him in another prayer and the guy said
"yeh! I can feel the Holy Spirit! I can feel it! I can feel it!"
I read the short text that was sent to Ronan's mobile phone the next day. I won't tell you exactly what it said but it was full of thankfulness of a young man who wanted to keep following Jesus and had a new friend in Ronan.
He works part time as a year tutor with the education department in Sheffield, with the older youth that have missed on education for whatever reason.
One young 17 year old was getting to know Ronan over a couple of weeks. Life at home was pretty awful for the young man and Ronan was aware of this as he came in one day recently complaining of bad chest pains.
Ronan looked at him and aware of what was going on the guy’s background just blurted out: "I can give you no advice. You just need Jesus - Jesus can help you."
Ronan then offered to pray for the young man who accepted the offer - the chest pain left him immediately.
He went away quite surprised and when he got home he noticed his relationship with his parents suddenly started to improve.
He knew it was God reports Ronan, so he spent 3 hours on the Internet that night looking up this guy called 'Jesus'!
So the next time they met and Ronan heard what had been happening, with the family and the Internet search and all that and he said:
"You have encountered Jesus. Now do you want him in your life?"
The guy said "Yes", so Ronan lead him in a simple prayer. Then Ronan said:
Now you can receive Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God coming to live inside us. The guy said "Yeh!"
Ronan lead him in another prayer and the guy said
"yeh! I can feel the Holy Spirit! I can feel it! I can feel it!"
I read the short text that was sent to Ronan's mobile phone the next day. I won't tell you exactly what it said but it was full of thankfulness of a young man who wanted to keep following Jesus and had a new friend in Ronan.
Lost and Found
This story comes from Barnsley, just north of Sheffield.
Harry and Marie are a great couple. Harry only came to faith about 6 years ago and is now retired and on fire! Marie has started a women's renewal meeting in the area called Aglow. She was returning from a national gathering of Aglow with friend Angela.
Angela takes up the story:
We were returning home in the dark at about 7:00pm. It was a dark and cold night when Marie and another friend who were in the care 'felt' we should go a different way home. So as I was driving I duly responded and we took a left instead of going straight on.
Not far down the road was a woman, clearly somewhat distressed and walking in the middle of the road. I pulled the car over and got out.
As I approached I recognised this lady as a former work colleague. She was clearly frightened but she knew who I was. We talked for a while and eventfully I got to pray for her. She calmed down and allowed us to take her home.
It turned out the she had an argument with her husband earlier, and was recovering from a breakdown 2 years earlier.
This night something had snapped and she did not even know how she got outside, away from home, in the middle of the road where they had found her.
The little rescue was an eye opener for this lady's husband. He has no contact with church but knew Angela, Marie and their friend loved God.
"I guess you think you were meant to be there." he said
"I know I was meant to be there." said Angela confidently,
so the husband responded with a question:
"Sooo......how come you came to be there?"
Later Angela reflected that there was nil chance of her being in that area at that time of night normally.
You know the rest....
Harry and Marie are a great couple. Harry only came to faith about 6 years ago and is now retired and on fire! Marie has started a women's renewal meeting in the area called Aglow. She was returning from a national gathering of Aglow with friend Angela.
Angela takes up the story:
We were returning home in the dark at about 7:00pm. It was a dark and cold night when Marie and another friend who were in the care 'felt' we should go a different way home. So as I was driving I duly responded and we took a left instead of going straight on.
Not far down the road was a woman, clearly somewhat distressed and walking in the middle of the road. I pulled the car over and got out.
As I approached I recognised this lady as a former work colleague. She was clearly frightened but she knew who I was. We talked for a while and eventfully I got to pray for her. She calmed down and allowed us to take her home.
It turned out the she had an argument with her husband earlier, and was recovering from a breakdown 2 years earlier.
This night something had snapped and she did not even know how she got outside, away from home, in the middle of the road where they had found her.
The little rescue was an eye opener for this lady's husband. He has no contact with church but knew Angela, Marie and their friend loved God.
"I guess you think you were meant to be there." he said
"I know I was meant to be there." said Angela confidently,
so the husband responded with a question:
"Sooo......how come you came to be there?"
Later Angela reflected that there was nil chance of her being in that area at that time of night normally.
You know the rest....
The Doctor Story
This story comes from a Doctor's surgery in Sheffield. The doctor who is a follower of Jesus employs a number of staff that are pre-Christian and this is about one particular staff member. It all happened recently.
This staff member, a woman, came in to work very stressed up, She is someone who loves to help people and take on their burdens but was feeling overwhelmed and shared her great struggle at coping with other people's problems, with friend.
My friend responded (and he felt he need to be bold and step out of his own comfort zone) and so said to her: "I think I can see what God is doing here."
He continued "You are a wonderfully compassionate person who feels for peoples in their problems and loves to take their burdens, but that's only half the story......"
The woman listened up.
"You see," my friend continued, "God has made you this way so you can pass the burdens onto him. Then you can be free again and not weighed down by them. If you learn to pass burdens on to God you will be much more fulfilled and you will be able to listen to other people's burdens and not be squashed by them."
So she asked my Doctor friend 'how do you pass on your burdens'. He then just told her how he dealt with similar situations himself:
"One thing I do to remind me that God is with me is to hold Jesus hand. I can't see him , but I hold his hand."
This clearly intrigued the lady and she felt that she could trust my friend with what was really bothering her the most....
She then went on to explain that there was a major conflict between her mother and brother and that she was going to the family home over the weekend. Here, she knew that she wanted to help resolve the conflict but would just end up receiving 'flack' from her mother. My friend then took one step further in the conversation and told her that Jesus had died for her so he could take the 'flack'. He then suggested that she need only hold his hand and pass the flack straight on to him. The lady left for the weekend and headed off to see her family...
She came back after they weekend and said that she had indeed 'held Jesus' hand'. She found that she was able to talk to her mother with wisdom that she never normally had and was able to challenge her and found her mother asking advice as to what to do to resolve to conflict with her son. Holding Jesus hand gave this lady both courage and wisdom and she knew something had happened. She reported back how she had said silently..
"if any flack comes its not mine.... its yours" as she held Jesus hand.
The conversation with her mother produced reconciliation in the family the very next day. She came in and told my friend all about it and how she felt 'so much lighter' as she lifted her hands and waved them around in the air as if to demonstrate.
She then went to two other staff in the surgery, both pre-Christian and proceeded to tell them about 'holding Jesus hand' and passing the 'flack' on to him. She enthusiastically explained how effective it was in helping her family relationships!
Martin's comment
This staff member, a woman, came in to work very stressed up, She is someone who loves to help people and take on their burdens but was feeling overwhelmed and shared her great struggle at coping with other people's problems, with friend.
My friend responded (and he felt he need to be bold and step out of his own comfort zone) and so said to her: "I think I can see what God is doing here."
He continued "You are a wonderfully compassionate person who feels for peoples in their problems and loves to take their burdens, but that's only half the story......"
The woman listened up.
"You see," my friend continued, "God has made you this way so you can pass the burdens onto him. Then you can be free again and not weighed down by them. If you learn to pass burdens on to God you will be much more fulfilled and you will be able to listen to other people's burdens and not be squashed by them."
So she asked my Doctor friend 'how do you pass on your burdens'. He then just told her how he dealt with similar situations himself:
"One thing I do to remind me that God is with me is to hold Jesus hand. I can't see him , but I hold his hand."
This clearly intrigued the lady and she felt that she could trust my friend with what was really bothering her the most....
She then went on to explain that there was a major conflict between her mother and brother and that she was going to the family home over the weekend. Here, she knew that she wanted to help resolve the conflict but would just end up receiving 'flack' from her mother. My friend then took one step further in the conversation and told her that Jesus had died for her so he could take the 'flack'. He then suggested that she need only hold his hand and pass the flack straight on to him. The lady left for the weekend and headed off to see her family...
She came back after they weekend and said that she had indeed 'held Jesus' hand'. She found that she was able to talk to her mother with wisdom that she never normally had and was able to challenge her and found her mother asking advice as to what to do to resolve to conflict with her son. Holding Jesus hand gave this lady both courage and wisdom and she knew something had happened. She reported back how she had said silently..
"if any flack comes its not mine.... its yours" as she held Jesus hand.
The conversation with her mother produced reconciliation in the family the very next day. She came in and told my friend all about it and how she felt 'so much lighter' as she lifted her hands and waved them around in the air as if to demonstrate.
She then went to two other staff in the surgery, both pre-Christian and proceeded to tell them about 'holding Jesus hand' and passing the 'flack' on to him. She enthusiastically explained how effective it was in helping her family relationships!
Martin's comment
Wow I love that story. I love it because my friend is helping a work colleague discover that the Kingdom of God is near!
He positively affirmed who she was: made in Gods' imagine to do certain things, but could not be effective and fulfilled until she connected with God. He even got something about the Cross of Christ communicated in a simple and effective way. Now that's what I call the start of discipleship!
He helped someone to see and experience that the Kingdom of God is near.
I have to say I thought the image of holding Jesus' hand might just be helpful to me in my walk with God too!
Hey if that story encouraged you, let me know.
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Freespirit
After 20 years my heart still beats for the same thing.
How do you connect ordinary people with the amazing resources of the living God?
Jesus said "the Kingdom of God is near" and I frequently find that
it is so true.
Many people have had spiritual experiences or have a hunger for God but a Christian culture can be hard for them to connect with. _My dream with the FreeSpirit trust is to continue to work out how to connect people with God. I am working this out with my family and a small team in Sheffield.
The context is urban, multiracial and multicultural. I dream of modeling pioneer mission so that others can catch the lifestyle. I dream of equipping individual Christians in their witness so they know the great fulfillment as they see more lives around them changed. I dream of seeing more churches empowered in the mission task in their area. I am committed to use my spiritual gifts as best as I can to work out mission, develop the best methods and produce the king of materials that will help this to happen.
If your dreams are stirred as you have read these words then I invite you to join me in partnership with FreeSpirit.
How do you connect ordinary people with the amazing resources of the living God?
Jesus said "the Kingdom of God is near" and I frequently find that
it is so true.
Many people have had spiritual experiences or have a hunger for God but a Christian culture can be hard for them to connect with. _My dream with the FreeSpirit trust is to continue to work out how to connect people with God. I am working this out with my family and a small team in Sheffield.
The context is urban, multiracial and multicultural. I dream of modeling pioneer mission so that others can catch the lifestyle. I dream of equipping individual Christians in their witness so they know the great fulfillment as they see more lives around them changed. I dream of seeing more churches empowered in the mission task in their area. I am committed to use my spiritual gifts as best as I can to work out mission, develop the best methods and produce the king of materials that will help this to happen.
If your dreams are stirred as you have read these words then I invite you to join me in partnership with FreeSpirit.
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