January 27, 2010

Beautiful

Today Apple launched their latest device the ipad.  I am an apple user, I’ve had a few apple notebooks and I was one of the first people amongst my friends to get an iphone, so I get a little excited when apple launch something new and I have to admit the ipad does look cool.

But beautiful?

Reading some thought’s, comments and tweets that’s exactly what people are saying, but if that’s beautiful then what is everything else.  As cool as I think it is, it’s only some glass ,aluminium, silicone and plastic put together to make a machine.  Is it really beautiful?  Some say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If the beholder is God, as looks over creation as he looks at us, that means he sees me as beautiful!

Beauty for me is seeing my wife and son play together, it’s the old couple in the park that still hold hands, it’s the sunset I saw driving back from Hoddesdon yesterday, it’s seeing muslim and christian work together for the sake of community, it’s waking up and seeing my wife next to me in the morning, it’s reading the stories of hope like that of the survivor who has been recovered from the rumble in Haiti after being buried for 14 days… It’s good to take another look.

What was beautiful about your today, what do you need to take another look at?

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January 6, 2010

Colouring Within the Lines

Yesterday afternoon when I got back form a morning of prayer, coffee and chat with the rest of the team Hannah took a well deserved and in her opinon overdue session at the gym.  So it was Jaden and I playng around watching some tv.  He’s got this huge dinosaur colouring book and we were colouring in together.  I had a moment when I was choosing the right colour green for the jungle where I stopped and had to ask myself what I was doing.  Not only was I choosing the most obvious of colours I was also being very careful to keep within the lines.  Jaden didn’t care what colour he had, and I think cared even less for keeping inside the lines and was happy to just scribble away on a any part of the page.

I felt God was saying I want you to be like that with me, understand that I want you to scribble away, I’m not expecting everything to be perfect and in it’s right place or in the right colour.  I know that life can be messy, but let’s colour it in together.  Colouring in can be fun not just a chore.  I felt guilty but I have to confess that I then started scribbling away with Jaden, and I had much more fun.

God has given us a huge capacity to dream beyond ourselves, and potential for creativity yet I recognise that I limit myself to what is comfortable  and what is the norm and within the lines of my everyday.  Who wants things to be tidy, sown up and sorted?  I crave and yearn for wide open spaces, for creative mess, to even make mistakes along the way and colouring in with my Father.

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January 4, 2010

Learning To Pray

Looks like a great day and opportunity for learning.  Prayer is something that I lack discipline in and I’m always looking for ways to learn in this area.  Here is the link to Holy Trinity Brompton.

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January 2, 2010

Resolutions – Bah Humbug

Humbug because I don’t believe in them.  You might have made some, but please I’m not judging you or your decision to make some.  I guess I should make myself clear.

A couple of years ago after being fairly religious about making new years resolutions, pinning my hopes on the newness of the year, that things would change that I would be different somehow I stopped and had a reality check.  I found my resolutions self destructive, it would usually take me a few days or weeks before I was back where I didn’t want to be and I would heap guilt on myself and well I think you get the picture.

“So now there is no more condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1

I belong to Christ Jesus so I stopped condemning myself and I stopped making resolutions.

I resolve instead to make myself available to be changed not to do the changing myself, in my own strength.  I surrender myself fully, and there are some practical things that I’m doing along the way, one of which is the life journal reading the bible in the year.  There are loads of these out there but I just happen to like this particular way of reading, praying and writing down what God speaks to me in the year, you can find these and more from YouVersion

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January 1, 2010

Bible In A Year

Amongst many things that this next year will hold, I’m attempting to read the bible in a year.  Actually it will be the include the New Testament twice.  I’m following this reading plan, with some Psalms but there are many more to choose from if you want to give it a go.  I know that I need to and I want to!  I want to grow and this seems like a really good way of doing it. Finding out who I am by finding out who God is.

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December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas

It’s Christmas!  Wow, we have been in Queens Park for a whole year now…where has it gone?  We feel this first year, finding our feet, setting foundations, meeting people, has been a tough but very exciting and successful one!

Firstly, let us take this opportunity to thank you for all your love, prayers and financial support!!  We have been absolutely been blown away by God’s provision and all your amazing generosity!

We pray the Lord will bless your involvement with advancing the Kingdom of God through our ministry of love to the community.

So, Christmas….joy, decorations, good will to all men…huge expense!  This year, with the help of local christian groups, we are trying to tell the real story of Christmas, the story of love, with simple, practical acts of love.

We’ve delivered food hampers to four families in the community who need a little extra help this Christmas…join with us and pray for these families at this special time of year.

We would like to thank all those who donated food!

What’s next?  We are very excited to tell you we will have a brand new website up and running in the New Year that you can check out.  (details to follow)

Hannah is also now without her part time job, so the new year will bring new and exciting things…we just don’t know how this is going to work out yet.  We would really appreciate your prayers on this matter.  We have a peace and a vague idea where this is headed but obviously this has significant financial implications.

We look forward to updating you in the coming months.  In the meantime, the Pape family would like to wish you wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year!!

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December 21, 2009

Love Came Down

My personal advent preparation and subsequent assembly, carol service and outreach focus was around the theme ‘What Are You Waiting For?’.  It was a great theme, it was helping to spend time waiting and I guess with stilll a couple of days to go before the big day then I’m still waiting but my focus has changed.

The change has happened because of some music that I’ve been listening to and because this year we were able to give out four Christmas hampers to families from the community.  You can check out some pics here.  It felt like we literally carrying bags of love around the community, and the look on people’s faces when we turned up on their doorstep with some bags of love was amazing, they were full of thanks and it really blessed us to see what a difference just this little has made.  Our prayer before we went out and braved the snow and ice was that they would know Love Come Down, and that phrase has played on my mind over and over and over again.  For many this is what love came down looks like and will look like before they know the man who was a child, the one who had all the rights and privelage of a King, yet came as a servant.  We could see that the hampers would only go so far and that four families is only scratching the surface of the need in the community but we are excited about the possibilities for next year, and how Love Came Down might be something that we can communicate all year round.  Jesus isn’t just for Christmas. I recently found these words that I wrote for the end of a film that I made for a Christingle service a couple of years back that focussed on the work of the Childrens Society.  I might post the whole thing up later but for now here are the words: He was no stranger to being on the run to the dirt and filth of the street with a handful of hay and wrapped in the lambs grave clothes he was born a King without a throne, or palace or people Born in the dirt and grime of the stable the wise men had to hold their noses when they arrived late with gifts the unlikely shepherds came to honour the perfect lamb Threat of death pursued him, a promising but short life lay ahead of him a baby innocent and without a care carrying the weight of the world upon him A refugee, homeless an asylum seeker son to a teenage mum grew up a rebel some would come to love him others would hate and spit on him throw stones and harsh words at him he has been there done that he made the t-shirt this is Jesus Despite all of that, he still came, in Love, with Love, for Love, for Us. (My musical inpsiration has come from Jars of Clay and some good friends of ours Pete and Nicki Sims)

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December 15, 2009

Hope

Let me tell you a story about Hope… David goes to our church and two months ago his wife lost her battle with cancer, the battle was lost but actually we all know she is in a better place.  It was and still is an emotional time for him.  I remember when he got up infront of the church in tears to say thank you  for prayers and support even though he was struggling with the why of it all.  Last Friday he was burgled and all his wife’s jewellery was stolen, evey piece that David had bought for her, jewellery that he had promised his wife he would give to his daughters in law and grandchildren as he saw fit. David got up to share this on sunday and it’s fair to say that he wasn’t the only one that was brought to tears by the telling, but David wasn’t sharing because he was angy or that he had lost hope. He was sharing that he was able to text his sons to go to church despite what had happened and praise God.  He wasn’t hopeful because he was experiencing or had experienced good stuff of late, he was hopeful because he knows the one from whom all hope comes from, a hope that is certain, not a maybe or a wish but a full assured hope that Jesus is Lord!  A hope that he will see his wife again, that those pieces of jewellery albeit given in love and had sentimental value were and are just pieces of metal.  There is nothing that compares to the hope that we have in Christ Jesus.   David mourns, he cries but he has hope, and in the light of all that I’ve been through this week, today and all that I might go through I am hopeful. So  ”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

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December 13, 2009

Enter The Story

Enter the Story.  If anyone has come across Advent Conpsiracy then those those three words might be familiar.  If you haven’t a clue what I’m talking about then check it out here. We are in the season of advent (though through some huge oversite on our part or our families Hannah and I are without an advent calender) And this last week has been the busiest in terms of time taking advent assemblies and some carol services, the advent assembly that we’ve created for the primary schools had us telling the christmas story once again, and in the words of one of the teachers we taught it in a way that brought new fresh things out at least for her, and hopefully the young people to. So we’ve been telling the story again, in a different way to another group of young people, it’s a story that they’ve heard before and one that we have heard and then passed on before but somehow the importance of telling the story, of enabling them to enter into it has new meaning, it seems that more important this year. We all enter the story in different depths, for most it’s not deep at all, infact it’s a shallow.   So is that depth dependent on the story tellers, is how the story is told drawing or turning people away.  For example a church in the town has a big vinyl hung across the front of the building wishing passers by a Happy Christmas with the invitation to ‘Join Us’, harmless you might say…You might sense my mocking tone, but is that the best way to get people to hear the story? How are you telling the story this year, is it come and join us or are you going to tell the story?  You see I believe the story becomes more when it connects to the heart of the community, it seems to speak deeper.  And this isn’t a vain attempt in bigging ourselves up but this year with the help of different groups of Christians are giving Christmas hampers to four families in the community.  Our hope is that the story will be more than come and join us and more here is Love. We’re trying to enter the story and hoping and praying that others will too.

If anyone has come across Advent Conpsiracy then those those three words might be familiar.  If you haven’t a clue what I’m talking about then check it out here.
We are in the season of advent (though through some huge oversite on our part or our families Hannah and I are without an advent calender) And this last week has been the busiest in terms of time taking advent assemblies and some carol services, the advent assembly that we’ve created for the primary schools had us telling the christmas story once again, and in the words of one of the teachers we taught it in a way that brought new fresh things out at least for her, and hopefully the young people to.
So we’ve been telling the story again, in a different way to another group of young people, it’s a story that they’ve heard before and one that we have heard and then passed on before but somehow the importance of telling the story, of enabling them to enter into it has new meaning, it seems that more important this year.
We all enter the story in different depths, for most it’s not deep at all, infact it’s a shallow.   So is that depth dependent on the story tellers, is how the story is told drawing or turning people away.  For example a church in the town has a big vinyl hung across the front of the building wishing passers by a Happy Christmas with the invitation to ‘Join Us’, harmless you might say…You might sense my mocking tone, but is that the best way to get people to hear the story?
How are you telling the story this year, is it come and join us or are you going to tell the story?  You see I believe the story becomes more when it connects to the heart of the community, it seems to speak deeper.  And this isn’t a vain attempt in bigging ourselves up but this year with the help of different groups of Christians are giving Christmas hampers to four families in the community.  Our hope is that the story will be more than come and join us and more here is Love.

We’re trying to enter the story and hoping and praying that others will too.

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December 2, 2009

Smack in the face!

These seems to be happening to me a lot lately.  Maybe it has to do with the company I’m keeping.  But in that case I should stop going to church.  You see it’s God doing the smacking!  The times that God is bringing stuff to my attention, where my vision is focused sharply on reality and truth is happening a lot lately, big changes are happening in me and around me.

This latest smack in the face came courtesy of  Simon Guillebaud who lives in Burundi, he literally lives in a war zone and heads up Glo. He was preaching at church this sunday and his sermons can be found here.  They come with a warning… if you want to carry on living safe and cozy lives then don’t follow the link, if you believe in a gospel that is safe and cosy then please check it out.  I’m not going to add anything more except to say that I choose to live in faith over fear and I choose to Live not just exist.  Be challenged, be blessed!

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November 23, 2009

So I say Thank you!

Just lately as I’ve become more and more aware of the truth, the truth about what God says about me my prayers have taken a change in focus.  I’m still saying sorry for the stuff that I know is Sin, I’m still repenting and daily turning around from those things that harm me and sadden God but I’m learning to say thank you! Thank you that I am free from sin, that I’m not judged or condemened, thank you that I don’t have to live, think or speak in that way.  I also pray in this way, as with the bible verses in previous posts I want to encourage you to pray these in your quiet times, try and do it in the morning as your day begins.  This is not a magic formula, there will be times when you forget or you don’t feel like you have the time to pray or read the truth, remember there is no condemnation, so feel and be free.  But know that God is about transformation, and he wants to do that in all of us.

Jesus Christ Is my Lord

I am in Him by God’s grace, today I live and move and have my being in him

The Lord is my Life

His life has become my life.  Today I have all that is in Him, every spiritual blessing in heavenly places

The Lord is my Righteousness

He has cleansed me from my sins by His blood and made me totally acceptable in His sight.  Today I will live free from sin.

The Lord had given me His Spirit

I have an anointing from the Holy One.  Today he fills me with power and leads me into all the truth

The Lord is my Peace

Today I do not need to worry about anything

The Lord is with me always

He will never leave me nor forsake me.  Today His presence goes with me and gives me rest

The Joy of the Lord is my strength

Today I will rejoice in Him and give thanks in all cicumstances.  His praise will be on my lips

The Lord is my Healer

By his stripes I am healed, for he bore my infirmities and carried my sicknesses.  He is my health and salvation.  So today I speak His health and healing over my life.  I resist all sickness in His name

The Lord is my Provider

He is my shepherd so that I shall not want.  Today He makes all grace abound to me so that in all things, at all times, having all that I need, I will abound in every good work.

The Lord is my Banner , my Victory

He always leads me in truimphant procession in Christ.  Today I shall live as an overcomer

The Lord Loves me

Today I abide in His love.  I can love others with the same love which he loves me

The Lord has given me authority

…over all the power of the enemy.  Today I submit myself to God.  I resist the devil and he flees from me.  I overcome him by the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony.

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November 19, 2009

A Promise of Truth

A promise that is two fold, one because I said that I would get blogging some time today, and two because what God says in his word, what he promises is truth for all!

Tuesday as always is the time when the schools and youth team get together to pray, plan, drink loads of coffee and generally be with each other, this Tuesday was great and we started reading some of our favourite Psalms to each other.  So I wanted to include them here for you to read yourself, pick one make it your own, read it and pray it and believe it.  All the verses are in the ESV translation, just because that’s what bible I happened to have with me.

Psalm 84

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

 

Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!8 You have said, Seek my face. My heart says to you, Your face, Lord, do I seek.9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Psalm 95

1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.11 Therefore I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter my rest.

Psalm 46:10

10 Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 118

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!2 Let Israel say, His steadfast love endures forever.3 Let the house of Aaron say, His steadfast love endures forever.4 Let those who fear the Lord say, His steadfast love endures forever.5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,16 the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;4 to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;7 to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever;11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;17 to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;18 and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever;21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever;22 a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever.23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;25 he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

It was a great way to start the day, and I honestly felt so built up and kind of set up for the day.  The day went well and was ended with our twice monthly Life Group and again the subject was about truth, but specifically speaking truth over ourselves.  So often we have stuff that people say to us and it sticks, or we believe the lies and speak them over ourselves.  What follows now is a list of bible verses that I want you to turn to right now, maybe you’ve got the bible on your phone or you’ve got an online version like this or maybe your old fashioned and have one of those paper things, it doesn’t really matter.  Go and read these, you may not have a high estimate on what you think about yourself but allow these to show you what esteem God put’s on your life.  Remember it’s a promise, God is faithful, it’s truth, God doesn’t lie. Be free!

Jeremiah 31:3 , 1 Peter 2:9-10, 1 Peter 2:4-5, Colossians 1:13-14, Hebrews 10:10, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:16-17, Psalm 139:13-16, Psalm 8:4-5, Galatians 5:1, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 43:4

 

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November 11, 2009

Retreat

Today was Schools Ministry Billericay retreat day.  Every half term we try to get away, take some time out to refocus on the mission.  And today was a kind of steak in the ground day.  We’ve found it easy to go along with how our diary dictates our day to day and week to week.  It’s only by the grace of God that we are able to do what we are doing.  It’s only a few things that have slipped because we’ve become comfortable, but they make a difference and we’ve noticed them.  So starting from today, change is afoot!

We started with a walk at Hanningfield Nature Reserve which meant a longish walk in the wood, of course I took my camera, didn’t get a lot of shots or any that I’m really happy with but you can check the set out here.

From left to right the team is: Jane, Kate and Ruth

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November 10, 2009

I wana be in the Light

For the die hard DC talk fans amongst you, you will have recognised the lyrics in the title straight away.  But if not then check out the song here.

For the past week of so the light bulbs in the different rooms in our house have been gradually going leaving us with in the example of the living room one little bulb to light our way.  The honest fact about that is that we haven’t had the money to replace them, (it’s not just being romantic when you start lighting candles).  So today some money came through and we were able to buy some new bulbs, and WOW what a difference, we can actually see.

Ok so this post isn’t about being able to afford light bulbs, it’s about learning to live in the light.  I went around the house replacing the light bulbs and my eyes actually hurt as the rooms were flooded with light.  It got me to thinking about how accustomed we can become living in darkness, how familiar does it become to us that we don’t actually miss the light until we do something about changing it.   It’s not that the dark has increased it’s just that we’ve become used to living with a lack of light in our situation.  The darkness could be whatever you want it to be, sin, a stressful situation at home or at work, whatever.   The light hasn’t disappeared, it’s divine intensity hasn’t lost it’s strength, the darkness has not overcome it.  It take great joy in this following verse which for us who are disciples of the Christ has already happened.  I once was in darkness but I have seen a great light, the darkness was like the shadowy spectre of  death but light has dawned, it’s a new day, hope has dawned…

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! Isaiah 9:2 (MSG)

This verse is used loads at Christmas.  Hannah and I were praying tonight and asking God that we would shine in this place specifically that like the star that guided the wise men to worship Jesus that we might be a signpost pointing people to worship Jesus, so that might know that light has dawned that there is a new day, that there is hope.

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November 7, 2009

BBQ and Bonfire Night

Two of my fav pics from last night at the bbq and bonfire night.  You can see the full set here

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October 26, 2009

Speaking Life

Speaking Life sounds like one of those popular sound bites that you might have heard in church or even some life coaching seminar or book. It is more than a phrase though, it’s a foundation principle that is woven into the fabric of our church. No wonder then that our church is alive and people are being released from dead situations, thinking and living and moving into abundant living through Christ.

I wanted to encourage you with some scripture from yesterdays 9:30 am service. Check these verses out: 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 2:20 you can listen to the whole thing here on ‘Identity Theft‘

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October 26, 2009

Belonging

What does it take for you to feel like you belong?

In short it is tragedy that has meant that we (Hannah and I) feel more a part of church than ever before.

We’ve been in a church before where it’s been sad when somebody that we’ve known has died, unexpected and sudden but not like this. We’ve been at CGC since May and this feeling of belonging is important to us because we’ve been in transition. Up until the move we’d been at Christ Church, Billericay the place where for four years I was the youth outreach worker. But we felt it was time for a rest and a move, and we’ve felt god leading us in all of this. We’ve said that it’s only for a season but don’t know how long or how short that season will be for, and to be honest I think we’re hoping and praying that the season is long.

So we’ve been going to church and getting to know some great people, it’s been a while since we’ve had to that because everyone has known who we are. We’ve felt welcome and are getting loads from being there but it wasn’t until nearly a month ago that something changed.

I don’t want to make this tragedy about us but it certainly has had a profound effect on us. Nearly a month ago now Femi and Maria a couple from our church lost their baby boy, Oluwatomi, suddenly and unexpectedly , at the time I was away in Birmingham, Hannah text me and the guys that I was training with prayed but for the rest of thy week my thoughts often went to Femi and Maria. The following Sunday at church was an emotional one ( it’s emotional typing this now) There was just something about the service, it was very powerful and at a particularly high point Femi and Maria and their parents walked into church, for some of us that was it we were in tears and more flowed when Paul our pastor got up to share the sad news, we prayed and cried together and the service continued. It was in that moment that I felt that I belonged. We were united in grief, We weren’t on the sidelines looking in we were part of the story of the church, without anything being said or ritual performed or piece of paper signed we became part of what God is doing in that place. I reflect upon it now and it’s strange how God works in that way, like I said it’s not about us but I know we weren’t the only ones touched by this

Femi and Maria continue to be an inspiration and blessing to us all. Despite pain and loss they know that God is good! We lift them in prayer and stand with them.

Since then things just seem to be ramped up, there is something about the place, for the last two weeks we’ve been so excited to get to church, I can honestly say we’ve not felt that for ages!

So God is good, and we continue to find out what he is doing at this time and in this place and trying to jump into it all.

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October 26, 2009

Why Messianicomplex?

This is my first wordpress blog. I’ve used typepad before and was paying for it but this is free and for a while I’ve been using tumblr, but more recently I’ve wanted to be able to write something of substance and need a place to host that, so here I am. ( I am very fickle)

Why messianicomplex you might ask. I first heard the word used by Bono (although I can’t rememer in what context he was using it) It is not a messiah complex where I believe that I am destined to be any kind of saviour ( that’s the wiki definition). But instead it is that Jesus my saviour is on my mind 24-7, he is my DNA, he has got under my skin, he is shaping me to be like him. I don’t know if I will ever be in a place where I share in his sufferings but I’m along for the journey and the destination. I’m finding out what God is doing and trying to join in. What I write here will be part of that journey.

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May 5, 2009

Testing out posting from phone

Ok so I should be going to sleep, it's been a long day but I couldn't resist trying out this feature and post a blog entry from me phone.

I'm sure it'll be easier from an iPhone app but for now I'll give this a go when I'm out and about.

I'm actually sitting infront of my computer right now, which does seem a little geeky whilst blogging on me phone. Now to send and see of it works.

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May 5, 2009

Gathering Takeaway

So a change from the normal worship event, we're making space to go a little deeper. And so Gathering Takeaway is born. Our first is tomorrow night, you can see the details on the facebook page, we (I) still need to update the website so facebook it is for now.

If your in the area, come and join us

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