Thoughts From A Youth Pastor

Shaped or Shaper

2010-06-16T11:00:00.001+01:00

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like without brands, advertisement or even TV? What about a day without seeing a billboard or a glossy magazine article? The world we live in bombards us with images, adverts, and ideals that we all think we need to live up to.

Building anything involves plans. Plans to instruct where to put things, how things will look even plans to tells us what materials to use. My father in-law is a structural engineer and spends most of his day drawing plans for builders. He know that it is essential that what he draws and designs needs to be accurate and precise otherwise the building will not only look a mess but will probably collapse. Do we take the same care and attention building the house of God?

Often the instructions we choose to use are not what God intended for us. We read trashy magazines, watch gossip TV or are drawn in to the next craze. We become interested in the latest celebrity fashion or relationship break up. How we can look better, thinner, stronger or more beautiful. The world tells us not to be content or happy with whom we are who God has created us to be but to build for ourselves our own little kingdoms. The house of God becomes shaped and built upon the instructions of the world rather than the blue print, which God has laid out in his word.

Matt 6:33 tells us to seek 1st Gods kingdom, investing into building his kingdom, his purposes, his plans and desires out here on earth. Gods desire is that we build into our lives kingdom purposes and principals; Faith, Love and Hope. We are called to be culture shapers, a people who will shape the cultures around us counter to what the world’s expectations are. Don’t allow your life to be shaped by the instructions of the world of insecurity and inadequacy. Rather be a shaper of culture…someone who brings hope to the hopeless, love to the unlovable and faith in times of despair.

Vision: More Than Ambition - Leadership

2010-03-11T18:30:00.005Z

Today i spent a couple of hours with one of my leaders. We do this on a regular basis, meet up have some food discuss the chapter of the book we are going through and generally chat about faith, leadership and life. One thing struck me today that as leaders we are constantly filled with lectures or should i say inspirational talks on vision. Only a couple of weeks ago was I at the Gathering hearing Glynn Barret enthuse the next generation of world changers with the title 'Future Goggles". Some of my young people were enthralled at this simple truth of looking beyond what we see into a preferred future.

This week I have been in talks with some of my own colleagues and staff about booking speakers for our yearly vision day for youth and children's workers. A day full of vision.

For me vision comes naturally. It is looking beyond the current view of life, seeing past circumstances and seeing a complete picture. My vision has always been a collaboration of circumstance, passion and Gods direction. I remember my first vision 10 years ago, dreaming with my friend about seeing a generation of young people rise up and change the world they are apart of. Like a fish to water my role is about getting vision and then passing it on.

My concern is that as leaders we are so full of visions we become frustrated at the lack of direction we should be taking. Only today have I spent time with a leader who wants to have vision but doesn't know how, what or where to go with it once they have it. Can we be so shallow to think that because people are hearing lots about vision they are able then to apply it to their own situation. A good leader is one which gives a vision talk, a great leader is one who sits down with their leaders and helps develop that vision in each one of them. Vision is more than just ambition it is about seeking God's heart for your future and allowing God to direct your path.

Vision is gaining Gods clarity in an ever changing environment.

Pace: 20Ten Raced Or Paced - Leadership

2010-03-05T13:52:00.004Z

I have recently started distance running again, something I used to do in my early and then late teens. Five years on I am not as fit as I once was, or I thought I was. This has meant I have had to re:learn the art of race pace. Running might seem simple but it is not just the technique that wins races but the culmination of attitude, tactics, training and pace.

After coming back from a long run a couple of weeks ago my wife happen to mention that she would have joined me at least for some of the way. So with a husbandly heart I offered to go back out again for a quick mile around the block. As we went out I realised that if we started the run at my pace quickly my wife would struggle with the distance so I made sure we slowed down to a fast jog, which saw us finish a mile with no stops or problems. Pace is key to seeing a race through to the end, regardless of your finishing position.

As leaders often we misjudge our pace. We put our vision across to quickly to our leaders who get fired up without an outlet and end up unmotivated and disappointed. The opposite can happen and weeks of planning can leave a leadership both impotent and frustrated. In our own lives our passion to see a vision complete leaves us angry and disappointed with God when things don't develop as quickly as we would like.

The key to pace is constant review. Looking ahead to the distance we need to travel, weighing up the energy we have and the boost we can find and making sure we find a good balance. Ministry is the same. Too many of us look for fast food timing to produce Michelin stared results. If we want quality then pace is essential.

Don't let 20Ten be a race to achieve in ministry. Pace your vision, goals and expectation to Gods timeframe not yours.

The Twenty Ten Black Hole!

2010-03-05T13:24:00.005Z

Since January I have found it increasingly hard to find time to blog, not an excuse I know. What with busy schedules, family commitments and church life overtaking home life, even my day's off have become work related.

Today I sit in Starbucks the place where caffeine and thoughts culminate in gaining clarity on life again. As I think back to even the last 2months so much has happened both in my personal life and in the life of the church.

We have had our first children's and youth worker vision day. A great success seeing over 40 leaders come together for a day of training and vision development. We are already planning next years event, opening it up to our region.

We launched 11Sixteen a youth cafe in Oasis Coffee shop, seeing the transition from church based youth work to community based youth work. This has blown all our expectations out of the water seeing a regular 16 young people come along on a Wednesday night. As I look to the future I pray that this group of young people will start on a journey of faith.

Of recent our young people have just come back from 'The Gathering' fired up and refocused for the year ahead. It was a proud moment seeing my young people respond to God across the sleepless, junk food filled two days. After nearly 9months in posting at Coventry the vision seeds I planted months ago are beginning to break through and shoot. The most satisfying part of any ministers role is seeing people engage with Jesus.

On a personal level Lisa and I have had our first holiday since our honeymoon, a week at Centre Parcs. This was a long time coming, as both of us had started to feel the strain of life and needed a break. During a week of swimming, cycling, badminton and sleeping, I really felt the increasing need to bring back balance in my life, both spiritually and physically.

Without a balanced approach to life all we end up doing is fighting fires, not what God intended for leaders. I have started long distance running again even through the cold weather, and spurred on by my nutcase of a boss I have been entered into my first 10k race in May. More stories about this will appear on here I'm sure. My alarm has been going off earlier and I have been getting into the office earlier. All in all balance has brought, productivity at work, intimacy with God and physical freedom.

All in all the last few months have been fast paced and intense. Lets hope the engine starts to cool for a few weeks....Not a chance!

00s or 10s? Change Is Always A Given

2009-12-30T10:57:00.005Z

Only days away we will be celebrating yet another end to a year and the beginning of another. It seems like only yesterday that 2009 was slowly approaching, and here we are now out of the Naughties into the 10's. Not sure all of the 00's were naughty some were quite good actually!

On Christmas day this year my Dad got a new present a family quiz type thing and although some of the questions were as you can imagine, naff, one or two grabbed my attention.

What has been the biggest change for you in the last year? What would you do differently in the next ten years? Whats the biggest technological change in the last 10 years that has changed your life?

I guess this got me thinking 10 years disappears in a flash, blink and you've missed it. Its crazy to think that 10 years ago the internet was just creeping up on us and mobile phones were still the size of a preverbal brick! It puts a some what life changing few years into perspective. As we enter a whole new decade will we be stumped by the failures or problems we faced in the 00s? Or have we grown beyond those boundaries?

I have a definite hint of being too far ahead in my own life than I actually should be. If you asked those close to me about how old I am. They would probably agree that I think, act and often plan as if I were ten years ahead. I guess this is a good way of facing life with a certain maturity, planning ahead, looking at the bigger puncture and being able to relate to those just a slight bit older than you. Nevertheless this I feel has stumped my enjoyment of the last few months. I have become cynical if not a little anal about a number of life issues. Marriage is a wonderful thing, it has brought me so much happiness and fulfilment. It has also given me scope to see that although my long term planning is exciting, mature and helpful. It is also a bit of a cork in the excitement and unpredictableness of life. Loosen up I hear my wife say! My catchphrase is obviously save save save (a good conservative mannerism) However how much can and should I save. God has called me to be a good steward, perhaps though being a good steward is also enjoying the finances that God has blessed me with. A thought?

As I enter the yet uncharted territory of the 10s I look at last ten years, not with regret or distain but with a reflection upon 10 years of growth and guidance. I choose to enter the next ten as equally enthusiastic but with the guidance from the one I can whole trust. Jesus Christ.

Mince Pies and Mulled Wine

2009-12-17T10:35:00.003Z

This week I did something I have never done before. I had an evening with our next door neighbours. Living in a village i understood that community was important, but now living in a city community becomes even more important.

I was apprehensive about spending time with a couple I didn't know or hadn't properly met before. But all turned out great, infact it was really good to spend time with some people who were non 'churched'. It was nice to get to know another young couple who seemed similar to us yet so different. It made me think about how our lives would have been if we hadn't got such a strong faith in Jesus?

The film sliding doors showed how someones life can go in two directions after a life changing experience. Tuesday was a sliding doors moment for me. Seeing what was and what could have been. I'm thankful for the life changing experience of Jesus who brought me from being lost to being found. From purposelessness to purpose.

This Christmas create community, enjoy it, interact with it. Eat mince pies and drink mulled wine. And remember the life changing experience that could take your life in an alternative direction.

Prepare with Portishead

2009-12-14T09:40:00.003Z

As we prepare for christmas this year think about those who are less fortunate than yourself. This week I was moved by the action of a small group of people, that when mobilised can make a huge difference in the life of another. This year hundreds of thousands of people will not be preparing their homes, trees, turkeys or gifts. These people will be in indescribable situations and facing things that all of hope we never face. Oppression, abuse, prostitution, extreem poverty, severe rejection and neglect. A christmas joyless. What can we do.

Buy this single from amnesty international! Portishead are not only an incredible jazz, electro group but they have written a song for Amnesty International for International Human Rights Day. All proceeds go to the work of freeing others, releasing them from oppression and bringing back peoples basic human rights! This is an AMAZING cause get involved!

Holidays Are Coming

2009-12-07T17:01:00.005Z

It's about this time of year when we see that aged old advert on the TV with the red trucks and theme tune that by Christmas Day you can't get out of your head; "Holidays are coming, holidays are coming." We find ourselves at this time of year again. Oh how we always seem so under prepared for the Christmas Season to be here. Christmas is such a brilliant time of year filled with the love and fun that pretty much gets everyone in the 'Christmasy' mood.

In preparing our homes, our wallets, our stomachs for the coming weeks. Let us not forget to prepare our hearts. It is so important that we prepare the whole of lives for this eventful time of year.

So when you hear or see that famous advert for the popular fizzy refreshment. Don't forget in the rush to buy presents, prepare your home and stomachs. Prepare you hearts for King Jesus.

The Customer Is Alway Right

2009-12-07T16:57:00.000Z

When I was doing my A levels I worked in a local mexican restaurant as a waiter. There was one thing that we always had to remember. The customer was always right. As staff we needed to remember that we were there to make the customer feel as at home as possible. We wanted to treat them exactly how we wanted to be treated if we went out for a meal. The service we provided was often the catalyst in encouraging the customer to return.

Building good, strong relationships needs to be based on treating others how we would wish to be treated. We can't expect people to be friends with us if all we ever do is treat them like dirt or give them abuse. Friendships take time and effort, but they also take care.

The Bible teaches us that good friends respond to needs of others. The question is do you see your friends needs and respond, or do you get up and walk to the other way. I think that as we start building good close friendships that we need to see people as Jesus sees them. That means looking past the ideas we have about friendships and start treating them differently. Trusting them again, forgiving someone or even reconnecting with an old friend. Jesus provided the perfect rule for healthy relationships; ‘Whatever you want others to do to you, do also to them’.

The World & One

2009-11-20T11:29:00.001Z

In this passage Jesus tells his disciples to go into all the nations and make even more disciples. All the nations seems like a tall order seen as there are no cars, planes or trains that can help them travel. There is no internet to spread the message faster. Mobile telephones have not been invented. This surely is going to take their whole lives. I guess that is the point.

There is an old story of a young boy on a beech throwing star fish back into the sea. Thousands of them have been washed up on the shore but he is throwing them back in to save their lives. A pointless task you might think but the boy knew that for all of those he couldn't save he had at least been able to save one or two.

I don't think Jesus never intend the disciples to try and travel the length and breadth of the world. He knew that it would take longer than their whole lives to spread the message to the whole world. However I think he wanted them to share the message with everyone they came into contact with. Jesus heart is that everyone might have the opportunity to hear this life changing message. One by one.

Matthew 28:16-20 / Mark 1:40-45

Torches

2009-11-20T11:28:00.001Z

In the summer we do a lot of camping. We go on youth camps and kids camps and we have no electric. So how do we see at night? The answer is a torch. It helps us see in the dark, it stops us from sleeping in wrong tent and even helps us walk to the toilet in the middle of the night. You definitely wouldn't turn the torch on and then put it in a black bag, you wouldn't see it. So why do we do that with the life that God has put inside of us.

Jesus tells his disciples in this passage that they are like shining lights of what Jesus has done in their lives. Like a torch they can help point the way in the darkness. We shouldn't hide that light it would be as pointless as putting a torch in a bin bag, useless! We need to show others God love by both practical examples of what he has done in our lives. This isn't a way to earn our way to heaven, rather it is a great way of showing others Gods love in a practical way.

Our faith and love for Jesus shouldn't be hidden it needs to be shown. We can guide people to Jesus by using the light that is in us. Like big torches we can help point our friends to him. Let's just make sure we don't hide the light.

Matthew 5:13-16

Who's Got The Power

2009-11-20T11:25:00.001Z

I guess we have all experienced the teaching or direction of a coach once or more in our lives. Wether that be a football coach, a dance coach or even a vocal coach. We have all had people who have been able to develop our gifts and talents. The best coach for our whole lives isn't our sports director or teacher but is Jesus. He has the best for us at all times, he wants to see us develop and see our lives changed.

Jesus doesn't just help us develop and change our lives, he saves them. He has the power for life and death, to bring salvation to all men. Paul tells the Romans that Jesus message of life is the power of God for the Salvation of all. Jesus has the power. This week we have looked a lot at what it means to witness, our whole lives are a witness, our words our hearts motive all are apart of our witness. The most important thing however is that we actually witness.

Have you ever seen one of the those movies where the hero of the film has got the only power/cure/key to saving peoples lives. He/She doesn't keep it to themselves they make sure that they get the cure the message to everyone. I think thats how we should be. We have the cure the message the hope that can bring life to all people. Why aren't we sharing it then?

Romans 1:8-17

Love Love Love

2009-11-20T11:24:00.001Z

Do you ever wonder why we talk about witness so much? Is it because we have to do it? Are we punished if we don't? Jesus speaks to those around him and shows them Gods love not because he has to, rather he see's them and has compassion on them.

If someone was only your friend because they had to be i'm not too sure they would be the best friend in the world. Its more than a bit fake! Witnessing is the same, we need to do it out of our care and worry that our friends don't know Jesus, not as a commandment. Authentic or real witnessing can only come from your own experience not out of a list of things to say or do to bring your friends into relationship with Jesus.

What about others we see around us. Do we have compassion for people who are suffering. It is easy to get lost in our own little worlds without seeing what is going on around us. The truth is we need to have both compassion for our friends and also for those around us who don't know Jesus. Witnessing is all about compassion if you're not compassionate perhaps you need to check your heart.

Matthew 9:35-38

Spanning The Gap

2009-11-20T11:21:00.001Z

A few weeks ago there was a TV programme where James May (from Top Gear) decided to try and build a full size bridge across a canal using only meccano. It was a success and he managed to cross from one side to the other without falling in and of course getting wet. Bridges are built to join two places together across a gap or a river or even the sea!

Often we can create a gap between ourselves and our non-christian friends. We can often be so different that we don't have anything in common with our friends, those we are at school with and sometimes even our family. Paul in this verse builds a bridge between himself and other people he comes into contact with. He becomes all things to all men so that the message of Jesus and the gospel is heard by as many people as possible. I guess like me, you might struggle with thinking that we have to become like our friends to reach them for Jesus but still stay holy and with out sin. I am definitely not encouraging you to swear or smoke or disobey your parents or teachers to reach your friends for Jesus. Rather, what about hanging out with them and just being you. You don't need to copy them to reach them, just spend some time with them. If they like swimming go for a swim, if your friends are mad on X-Factor throw an X-Factor party. Paul does what ever it takes to reach those around him, but he stays holy and refuses to compromise.

Build a bridge to reach your friends and family who are lost and don't know Jesus. You don't need meccano for this just your good ideas and a heart to see your friends impacted by Jesus.

You're The Witness

2009-11-20T11:18:00.001Z

Witnessing is a really old word for people who share the message of Jesus. It might make you think of someone stood in the street telling people about Jesus or an evangelist like Billy Graham doing a big event to see people come to Jesus.

If you are a witness to something it means you have seen something others may or may not have seen. You may have witnessed a goal being scored in a football match or someone involved in an accident. When someone asks you what has happened they want to hear what you saw, heard, tasted or even felt.

Jesus teaches us that we don't have to be special to be a witness. We don't need to stand on street corners or hold big events. Our whole lives should be a witness to what Jesus has done for us. Kind of like a reflection on the outside of what Jesus has, and is doing on the inside of us. We don't need to use long words or put on a special event to tell people what Jesus has done in our lives. It is as natural as talking about what we witnessed at a football match or concert. Your the best witness to tell people first hand of the changes that have happened in your life.

Letting It All Go

2009-11-12T17:54:00.002Z

The more we worry the more the problem doesn't get sorted. We can spend so long thinking about that thing that doesn't ever happen. We stress, freak out and get frustrated when we can't work out how to take the pressure off ourselves. The truth is what we worry about rarely happens...”will I fail this test”...”I'm going to be late” or even irrational thoughts “the world is coming to an end”...”i'll going to miss neighbours!”... Experts say that only 8% of what we worry about actually happens. Thats not much!

Paul tells the Philippians that the answer to their worry is to pray. Don't worry about the big or the small just allow God to deal with all of our thoughts and worries. We need to bring God all of our thoughts, worries and prayers and trust that he is going to do the best thing for us. Don't let worry take control of your life allow God to take priority!

Yahweh Mailbox

2009-11-12T17:36:00.002Z

I send a lot of text messages and emails and often I don't get a reply. It is difficult not knowing if the person has received my message and if they have then I wonder why they are not responding. Sometimes that can be the same with our prayer life. We pray and ask God for something or to do something and he doesn't respond. Do you often wonder why not? James tells us that we should pray 'earnestly' looking for 'powerful' results. Do we always see those results?

In the film 'Bruce Almighty' we see Bruce have to deal with millions of prayer requests. He devises a system called Yahweh Prayer and thinks that by categorising them all he will be able answer the prayer requests better. Instead he ends up saying yes to everyone. What a disaster! By saying yes to everything he ends up causing may havoc than good. If God said yes to everything would we all be happy?

When God hears our prayers he doesn't only hear our request but he hears our attitude and heart. If we are just giving him a list of wants out of our selfish nature or desires then God isn't going to be too quick to respond. What else is going on in our lives that takes away from the heart behind our prayers. Are they empty requests or heart felt requests to our loving father?

MSN Prayers

2009-11-12T16:50:00.002Z

Have you ever tried to do something for the longest period of time ever? I once saw a television programme where people were trying to make and break world records for doing things for the longest period of time. A couple on there were trying to break the world record for the longest kiss. It looked to me like their lips were stuck together at one point!

Paul encourages us to pray continually. How do you do that? It sounds like you would have no voice after a few hours if tried that. I don't think he is telling us to walk around bumping into objects or praying like a babbling man while we do our shopping or get on the bus to go to school. He is encouraging us to be in an attitude a heart of prayer at all times. Kind of like an open text message or msn conversation with God. When we chat online with our friends we sometimes leave the room, eat dinner or make a drink. But our friend is still their at the other end of a computer waiting for us to come back. God is always waiting to hear from us, we just need to speak.

Pray at all times in all situations and allow your heart to be connected to God...

Routine or Rut

2009-11-12T16:35:00.003Z

Your day to day life might be a blur to you but you have created yourself a routine. Everyone has one so your not alone. You get up at a certain time, have the same cereal, see the same people on the bus to school, life seems to just carry on the same each day.

There is a really funny film where a man ends up repeating the same day over and over again. He is stuck in a rut of life which he is both comfortable with but also scared of leaving! Hows your rut looking? Routine is different from a Rut. Ruts are created when the creativity or the joy in our routine is lost and we become lost in the boringness of life. Don't get stuck in a rut make sure your routine is still fresh and alive.

Jesus like routine as well and he encourages us to find our own prayer routine. For some this might be at a certain time of the day, as soon as you wake up, or before you go to sleep at night. Others of you might like to pray in a certain way or place. It is in these regular places or time that we develop and build our relationship with God. We grow in routine, we get fed in routine we stay sane in routine!

The problem is if that place or time of prayer becomes boring or empty just like being in a rut. It is worse having a routine that is turning into a rut, rather than having no routine at all. Change the time, the place or even the way you pray to get out of that rut.

Dictionary Prayer

2009-11-12T15:59:00.001Z

The worst thing is hearing someone get tongue tied. They just can't get the words out properly. I was once making an important presentation to a number of senior ministers. I had prepared really well but had not read my notes well enough, big mistake. I rambled got off the point and tried to look clever with long words which made the situation look even worse.

Prayer can be scary we hear people in church and out of church using long words which i'm not sure are even found in the Oxford Dictionary. The point is though, God isn't interested in how many long words we can fit into a short sentence or what we sound like when we pray, he just wants to hear from our hearts. There is no point in telling God one thing with our mouths and not telling him the full truth of what is in our hearts. Paul says in 1 Corinthians that you can pray and worship all you like but if your hearts not in it then you sound like a drum kit falling down the stairs, Noisy! In the Old Testament Nehemiah was faced with a tricky situation, facing the king of persia, he didn't have loads of time so he prayed really quickly and God heard him.

It isn't the way we pray but the why we pray! We pray so God can hear us not for the people who are around us. God hears the long prayers but he also hears our short prayers in times of need. Pray with the right heart attitude and God will hear you and honour you.

In My Den

2009-11-12T15:50:00.002Z

Often we can fill our lives with stuff. We get busy we allow ourselves to be taken over by the things that we have to do. We can get tired quickly we can run out of energy and like anything we need to recharge. It can feel like we are being taken over by the things that we have to do: home work, school clubs, church actives, helping out at home. It all adds up. We're not alone, Jesus also faced times of busyness in his life where he needed to find some space to think and pray.

We can do the same thing. When I was younger I used to build dens in my room. I would put a blanket over the top of my desk and prop it up with my bed, it became my own space. Dens were brilliant, they made me feel like I was in my own special place. It was the one place I felt that no one could take away from me. Jesus left his busyness to take time out to relax with his father. He was able to find a place to meet God and escape to his father. Jesus den was the wilderness, where's yours? Where do you go to get away from it all and spend time with Jesus.

Matthew 1:13 "When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place"

Ready Brek Glow

2009-11-12T15:44:00.002Z

Have you ever seen the Ready Brek advert where someone eats a bowl of Ready Brek and suddenly gets a golden glow around themselves. In the Old Testament Moses received his own Ready Brek glow. Moses was close to God so close that he asked to see Gods Glory. Exodus 34 tells us that Moses’ encounter with God left such an impression on him that it radiated from him and everyone could see it!

What glows out of your life? Is it good or bad. Often what we put into our lives glows out of us. Heard that phrase “garbage in, garbage out”? If we spend more time in prayer and worship that is what will radiate out of our lives. In moses case people could see that he had changed after his experience in Gods glory. What do people see coming out of your life?

Who is it you worship

2009-11-12T15:43:00.001Z

What do you worship? We all worship something, pop stars, football teams are to name a few. The trouble is if we don't worship God we always find something else to love, put our time and energy into and we end up worshipping it. A few weeks ago I was at Old Trafford to watch Manchester United play football along with 50 thousand other people. They were all chanting and shouting and singing songs about Manchester United who they were worshiping.

If we don't worship God we will always put something else in his place. Sometimes this can even be ourselves! Jesus teaches us that the only person we should be worshipping is God. He is the one that should have our full attention and love. The Israelites found a something else to worship when Moses wasn't looking, a golden calf. They ended up putting something else in the place of God.

God wants our whole lives to be living worship vessels. Lets make sure that we give God all of our worship and not other things that could take our attention, and then worship. Jesus says ‘This is your primary purpose: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only’. (Luke 4:8)

Whats Your Favourtie

2009-11-12T15:41:00.006Z

Worship is not just music! I know crazy! Church has become a place where we become fixed on our favourite songs and styles of worship music. Some of us like Hillsong, some Kirk Franklin or Israel and New Breed. Some people [although they're probably really old] like a guy called Graham Kendrick, he is a bit old now! Although it is nice to be able to worship God through our own style of music, its not the most important thing! God is!

Worship has become about what we like or dislike, but the whole point is that it should be about what God likes. It doesn't matter if we play the latest worship song in church or if we have a great band the most important thing is that we bless Gods name by worshipping him. I'm not sure God even really has a favourite worship song or band, not even Hillsong. He even likes the Hymns the oldies sing!

Worship is about what we give to God not what we get back from it! So next time you are in church and you don't like or know the song we are singing try and remember that it is not about you it is about the person we are singing too, Jesus. Having our own worship CD's or favourite worship leaders is a good reflection of our own personalities, but it shouldn't be the reason why we worship.

Spirit & Truth Seeker

2009-11-12T15:40:00.001Z

God desires that we are not just people who follow him but people who worship him. Jesus spoke of the kind of worshipper the ‘Father seeks’ (v23). God is obviously on the lookout for a certain kind of person who He can connect with at a deep level, and that kind of person must be a worshipper. Someone who will worship in Spirit and in Truth?

What does that mean? Jesus was teaching his followers to worship him not only from their own emotions but with the full power of the Holy Spirit in them as well. We have a 'helper' in the Holy Spirit who comes along side us to help us worship God better. It is good to remember the truths about who God is, what he has done for us, how much he loves us. Knowing this will help us worship, as Jesus says 'in truth'.

Writers tell us that the word ‘worship’ in the Hebrew language means ‘to bow down’, and in the Greek text it means ‘to kiss the hand’. It shows us that worship is more than just singing a song, it is giving our whole hearts to such a big, mighty awesome being. It isn't just a matter of how we are worshipping but remember who we are worshiping.

Peach, Orange or Banana

2009-11-12T15:39:00.001Z

Is your life like a peach or an orange? Or maybe your just a Banana!!! An orange is split into segments but a peach is whole. I have an annoying habit of wanting everything belonging in its right place. This means CD's in the right cases and DVD's in their boxes. This can often be a bit like how we look at our faith. Do you put you life into nice little compartments with your faith in one compartment and the other parts of your life in another part?

Do we worship God in every part of our lives? Or do we just allow him to be worshiped with our voices on a Sunday? Do we worship him in our friendships, the way we treat our teachers or parents? Do we worship him on the football pitch or when we are catching up with our friends. The trouble is God never said that we should just worship him with part of our lives he wants our full attention and heart.

The Bible encourages us to worship God ‘at all times’ and in a variety of ways. I love how the Message describes Romans 12:1, ‘Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering’.

What am I Singing

2009-11-12T15:36:00.002Z

When we sing worship songs in church do we really understanding the words we are singing? One of my worst habits is singing both out of tune and at inappropriate times. I often mix up words of a certain song to fit the tune of another, with absolutely awful consequences. Have you ever listen to the words of the songs which our favourite bands are singing and what they mean? Often we can be both singing and listening to songs that we don't fully understand. This can be the same in church?

Do you sing songs on a Sunday which you don't understand? Or even worse that you don't mean? In Isaiah 29 God is frustrated at his people who are singing songs that they don't really mean. Words which are empty and without feeling. Kinda like telling someone you love them with no emotion. The sounds are coming out but they have little meaning. God wants to hear our real emotion with real feelings so don't hold back. Next time your singing a worship song perhaps listen to what your singing and the words you are saying.

De-clutter

2009-09-22T15:34:00.007+01:00

Moving has been one of the most stressful and liberating times in my life. We have recently moved house and spent many an evening in preparation filling boxes with our most precious items. Things we haven't used in years, stuff that is gathering dust on out shelves and the inevitable christmas jumper that has never been worn. This has given us the opportunity to let a few things go and to empty ourselves of the "stuff" we have had on our shelves or drawers for years! In the last month we have made a number of trips to the tip and with the amount of clothing that has gone to Oxfam, we could of clothed half of Britain. Reflecting on this liberating process I asked myself the question can we de-clutter spiritually?

When moving on from one physical place to another we allow ourselves to get rid of all that we should leave behind. But do we do that Spiritually. Recently I was having coffee with a friend who had spent a number of days on a retreat, no ipod, phone, pda, laptop nothing to distract him. This time for him was spent de-cluttering his spiritual life of the things that he had gathered over the years and months both as a Christian and in ministry. It was a time for him to lay stuff down and let it go. For him it was one of the most liberating times he has ever had.

But what do we need to declutter spiritually. I think in a culture today of fast food spiritual teaching and quick fire answers to our own journey with God we allow ourselves to pick up the thoughts and opinions of so many "others" in our desire to be fed. I have at least 5-6 different pastors podcasts downloaded each week, new books, the ever "reliable" spiritual guidance of God TV and even an application for my IPhone. Opinions, teaching, points of thought are all great but often can clutter our lives, full of other peoples views and opinions of God. We become a product of another persons journey and forget our own spiritual exploration. Sure the guidance of those further on the adventure is helpful and often essential, but it shouldn't become our standard.

So de-clutter and let go. Allow yourself to discover God again for yourself.

Making The Grade

2009-08-20T11:45:00.003+01:00

As I turned Facebook on this morning I was bombarded with status updates from all those receiving A level results. It was a wash of both jubilation and disappointment, a day when for so many a few characters on a piece of paper could decide their future. Or does it...

I reflect upon my own A level results day and the hollow feeling which i had when opening that results envelope. Knowing that I had not made the grade to go to my first choice Uni was devastating. The following 8 hours was awash with emotion as I trawled through clearing only to later find out that i had been accepted for my second choice, Bournemouth. The Irony is that after only 5 weeks at university I returned home to 'consider' my choices for the future. The significance of that piece of paper only lasted as long as I needed it to be significant.

Seven years later I have 2:1 degree in Applied Theology, a great job and a beautiful wife to be. Those results were not to determine my future, God was. He knew from the very day I received those results that they would not hold me back from entering into the life that he had laid out for me. It would be easy to quote that classic verse from Jeremiah 29:11

"I For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,"

The truth is God does have plans to prosper us but often we can't see that in the midst of our disappointment and frustration but the reality is God walks through it with us. In our tears he is there, in our anger he is there, in our joy and jubilation he is there, he is with us through everything.

Deut 31:6 "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

Remembering this simple truth can help us to fix our eyes on Jesus throughout our lives knowing that what ever season of life we are experiencing we can be assured of his presence and love. Results, Tests, Scores are all a measuring stick for our earthly progression but they are not a final judgement upon our lives.

Our future is hidden in him who resides in us, our journey and joy is in the discovery of that future.

Let Your Perspiration Be An Inspiration

2009-08-20T10:32:00.004+01:00

I am old enough to remember a craze throughout the 90's called the scratch and sniff card. A card you would find in magazines, newspapers and TV publications which would bring an interactive element to that which you were watching on television. They were such a success that after about 18 months we never heard of them again and any of you born in the 90's won't remember them at all!

Smell however is so important to all of us. We spend hundreds of pounds each year on smelling good buying deodorant, aftershave, perfume to smell good for both ourselves and those around us. Smell determines how others take us, how we interact with one another and even what repels us from one another. A number of years ago I was on a long Air India flight to the states. After a breakfast, lunch and dinner of Indian delicacies (Curry) the young man sat in the seat in front of me had what can be only described as a frustrated gut! For 8 hours I was bombarded by a number of smells so pungent I think it was the first time during a flight i thought i was going to be sick. His smell definitely left me repulsed and gaging for fresh air as soon as we landed.

Smelling good isn't just a physical issue it's a spiritual one also. In Pauls second letter to the church in Corinth he encourages to church to smell spiritually fresh bringing life to those around them and not death.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16 "For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life And who is adequate for these things?"

We have been infused with the fragrance of Jesus and it is our role to allow that smell to disperse around us. How we smell determines the atmosphere that others enter, do we smell spiritually fresh or are we bringing an unrighteous stench to those around us. The smell of death is pungent and vile it doesn't bring an attraction to those around. For anyone who has been into a morgue the smell of death is stale and unwelcoming, it reeks of the past. It doesn't smell good!

When I go out with my other half she spends time in wanting to smell nice for me, and her smell enters the room before her. It brings me a glimpse of her before she actually comes through the door stirring me to take her out. Our spiritual smell needs to be just the same it needs to give people a glimpse of Jesus Christ in our lives. It is an opportunity for those around us to see the Kingdom of God coming in and through us. What we perspire is key to what others see and taste of the kingdom. Like the can of Sure deodorant sat on my bathroom shelf, we all hold a potential to bring the fresh smell of life to those we interact with. Nevertheless if we never activate that potential we will never bring that smell of life. Activation is the key to Inspiration.

Our world is full of hopelessness, emptiness and despair; the smell of death is strong. We have the opportunity to bring hope, life and Jesus into the worlds of those we encounter, by the fragrance of the spirit that is placed within us. The question is... how do you smell?

First Blog - Worst Senario

2009-08-07T13:28:00.001+01:00

Well here it is the first blog from my desk. I'm sat at home the sun is shining and I am contemplating a week of camping ahead. As i prepare for the inevitable rain shower or too i am reminded of that old scouts saying "always be prepared", so in response i have packed the most essential of all wet weather clothing, the humble welly!

Its funny how we always seem to prepare for the worst and not the best! Is this just a reflection upon our physical lives or on our spiritual lives as well? Do we prepare for the worst, worrying what is to come or is our faith big enough to believe that he has the best for us at all times? In our preparation for the worst scenario we often forget to prepare for the best? How many of us have put on layers of cold to protect from the wind and rain only to find that it never comes? Perhaps we need to start thinking about preparing for the best rather than the worst scenario!

As I finish packing my bag I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul when he says that our faith should not rest in the wisdom of men (or weather men) but in the power of God (1 Cor 2:5). The final question is should I pack the wellys?