What's in a name?

Names are funny things. Some of us are more aware of them than others, but how much do they mean to us? It's just a name right.

When you look through the Bible, there are countless occasions where people get a name change after having a significant encounter with God. Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul. Each time God was saying, 'This is a new start. This is who you are.' Cool hey!

Personally, I've felt a little convicted when it comes to my name. After my experiences while living in the US of trying to explain my name was not Donnel or Darnel and finding that Dan was more easily understood, I have since stuck with it. Problem solved. But recently I've realised the importance of the 'iel' in my name. See the name Dan means judge or judged. Dan was one of Jacobs 12 sons who went on to become one of the tribes of Israel. The name Daniel, however, means 'God is my judge', with the 'iel' being the God part. Only a small difference, but in many ways a big one.

Therefore, I have decided that I will now introduce myself and sign off as Daniel, and if people want to call me Dan then that's fine, but I want to proclaim and live out the true meaning of my name, which recognises the Lord as my judge and the one that I fear.

Stepping into the past

One of the roles that I have at the moment is co-ordinating a week of 24-7 prayer a month for the whole of next year (2008) across Guildford in the UK. It's really exciting to see the response from churches and individuals to this idea and I think it's going to be a significant time as we seek to join with Jesus in what he's doing in the Town by spending time with Him and then following Him to those places and people.

I was talking about this with a friend the other day and we both recognised the importance of the generations before us who have faithfully prayed and sought the Kingdom for Guildford.

It's on their foundations that we are building this house of Prayer.

I was thinking about this for a while after and was just blown away by the thought (once again) that we are part of something a lot bigger than ourselves. I wonder how many people have prayed and dreamed about what we are about to undertake and here I am an outsider from Wales, helping make it happen. Why me?

It also makes me wonder about my own family and what I am stepping into there. We have been reading through the Old Testament and seeing the way God works through family. What promises have been given to my family that I am now either living out or am carrying? Are the dreams that God has put on my heart been given to my relatives before me?

This then makes me think about my own life and the choices I make. The main choice I have is whether to follow Jesus or not. When I choose to follow Jesus, I lay down my own life and dreams and take up my cross. But instead of this being a negative thing, what I am in fact doing is allowing God to be my Lord (or boss) and let him govern my life. Again, this can have negative connotations, but what we are in fact saying is that we want our lives to be lived in the way they were supposed to be. To carry and fulfill the promises that God has for us, without us getting in the way. We then allow the story of God to continue in our lives that His Kingdom would come and His name glorified. Another word for this is Humility.

This is both amazing yet mysterious. It leaves us with a healthy fear-of-the-Lord, where we realise that we did not choose God, but He chose us.

Maybe our choice is not in fact to choose Jesus like some commercial brand, but to accept our position in creation and to live our lives in obedience to the creator and his sovereign plan. This is where we find life in all its fullness.

Compassion in suffering

Last Saturday I woke up with a funny tummy. It just didn't feel right. A visit to the toilet confirmed my fears, I was not well. As the day continued, I progressively got worse.

Between the hours of 11am and 3pm, I was vomiting every 20 minutes. I don't know where it was coming from. I was hot, then cold. I was sweating cold drops of water, which ran down my pale face. The only two places I visited were my bed and the toilet. It was not pleasant.

Inbertween each heave, I would groan a prayer to God "Please make it stop. No more", and it was during one of these times that God really spoke to me. As I knelt in my place of suffering (over the toilet!), God began to give me compassion for those who I know, and even those I don't, who have to live with physical suffering daily.

See, in the back of my mind, I knew that what I had was just a temporary thing. I had experienced tummy bugs before and knew it would stop (well at least I hoped it would), yet many deal with sickness where there seems no end. Terminal cancer, diabetes, epilepsy. Serious, painful conditions.

How do they cope? Where is their hope?

So as I knelt there, I found myself praying on behalf of others. I could feel their pain, albeit temporarily, and it sucked and I let God know this!

I don't want to be ill again soon, but I just found it amazing that in my place of pain and suffering, I was able to cry out for others. It just reminded me that Jesus understands our pain and suffering as he experienced it while he was here on earth as he was beaten and crucified for us.

It's given me a new perspective on what the cross means as Jesus intercedes for us now from heaven, with the scars still in his hands and side. It's also given me a fresh compassion for those who are suffering physically. I have so much respect for them.

There is a day coming when there will be no more pain and suffering. Lord, let it be soon. Amen.

I don't like cricket, i love it!

Last week I was involved in a cricket final. Check out this link for more info.

A piece on peace

Before I start writing (although technically I already have), I would like to make a few apologies. Firstly, for my lack of posts over the summer (been quite busy) and secondly, for the title of this post (it seemed appropriate for the content).

Ok, so I'm back in Guildford, with a new Transit year starting next week and I've found some room to breathe a bit. It's been a bit manic the last few weeks finalising the curriculum, sorting out things for the houses, arranging transport etc. I do really enjoy it (in a weird kinda way), but mid-way through this week just gone, I found myself exhausted, not sleeping well, worrying about the 'what-ifs' and running all the worse case scenarios through my head. The worries and anxieties were really beginning to overwhelm me. Then on Wednesday night, we had a small gathering at our house to eat, pray and worship together and God just reminded me how much rest and peace there is in his presence. As I took my eyes off myself and my own problems and focused them on Him, they didn't look so big anymore. I was able just to sit and soak in His love, not feeling that I had to earn it, but just enjoy it and as I did, my burdens were lifted from me.

As I look back over these last mad few years, I can see again and again that he has given me peace when I have needed it. He hasn't always changed the circumstance or made the problems go away, but he allows us to face them them with a peace that our God is bigger than these things and that He is in control.

Philippians 4:6-7 says "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Wow! What a promise. It's in God's presence, when we commune (share thoughts and feelings) with him, when we worship Him (even when we don't feel like it) that we find peace. A peace that doesn't make sense to us. A peace that guards our hearts and minds from further attack and allows us to see God as He should be seen, in control of all things!

I'm holding onto this promise again as I enter another busy season of life. I pray too that you would know His peace in your life and that the stresses and strains that we experience from day-to-day would not overwhelm you, but that you would know the Father's joy and love for you in a real way.

Amen.

The Log Carrier

I'm sat outside our prayer room here in Guildford, and find myself with a bit of time to blog! My last few weeks have been so busy as we finished this years Transit (2006-2007) and began to plan for next year's, as well as planning for a mission training time with 24-7 (which we are in the middle of), which mainly consisted of trying to accommodate 25 people from all over the world around the city, so I apologise for my lack of writing. Looking back, I don't know how I kept going as I was juggling all of these things. His Grace is enough I suppose!

There have been many moments I could share with you about God's goodness, provision and guiding from the last few weeks, but one moment in particular has really stood out for me and given me great encouragement.

A couple of weeks ago, I took the Transit guys to the Gower in South Wales for a time of reflection and fun. A time to just enjoy each other and the beautiful creation around us before we went our seperate ways. One night, we decided to have a bonfire up on the hill and needed to get some wood for it. One of the guys remembered seeing some big pieces on the beach the night before and suggested that we walk down and get them. He did warn us that we might need two people per log as they may be heavy.

'No problem' I thought.

So a few of us started out on the 5 minute walk to the beach through the grass and the dunes. When we were about half way there, one of the walking party remembered what the logs that we were fetching were like and started to panic a bit, while trying his best to convince us that it wasn't worth the effort and that we should just have the fire on the beach instead. But our leader had other ideas.

'We will be fine', he said.

So I continued to follow. When we got to the beach, I started to appreciate the apprehension of the others. These logs were big, pointy and awkward. But, I wanted to support my friend. He had a vision, which I could see meant a lot to him. We loaded the weighty log onto our shoulders with a grunt of effort and started out on our journey.

After 20 minutes of carrying, dropping, pain and encouragement, we reached our pit. We gave out a moan as the log fell one last time from our shoulders and hugged each other, with a few back slaps thrown in for good measure. What a great feeling! We did it! We were dripping with sweat, covered in cuts and unable to lift our arms above shoulder height (they were bruised for days after), yet it felt so good.

That night, we had an amazing bonfire, which everyone enjoyed. Stories were told, marshmallows eaten and hands warmed. A memorable last night together.

The next day as I stood in the shower (which I shared with a few spiders and a rabbit briefly that morning), God spoke to me through the previous days events.

For a long time now, I have struggled with the idea of me being a leader as I have been told that they must have vision and lead from the front, which I think is true, but have never really felt described me very well. Sure, I have dreams and ideas, but I've always seen them as very general and nothing really that grand. What God gave me in the shower that morning was my vision. He showed me that my role in life is to be a log carrier. By this I mean, a supporter and carrier of other people's vision's.

My friend had a vision. To carry a log from the beach to our fire pit. He could not do it alone and needed someone to go through the pain and ultimately the joy of seeing that vision come to fruition. I had to stand with him when others were doubting and push him on when he was struggling. He also did the same for me. There were many times we had to stop on our journey and take a breather and then will each other on a bit more. To see and feel his joy at the end, gave me a sense of joy too. To experience his pain was also important. As I said, my shoulders were bruised for days afterwards, but now they are fine. They were marks of our journey.

God was showing me, that he wants me to be a carrier and supporter of other people's vision's. To journey with other's and see them live out the calling that God has for them. Ultimately, it's not about me, but about God and His plan for others. The great thing is that if others do this for me, then suddenly we have a community that loves and supports each other and who long to see God outwork the plan He has for each other's lives come to fruition.

This really excites me as I think about what God is birthing around the world with Boiler Rooms and other such communities as we seek to live this life before us with others under God's guiding. I find it liberating to know that there isn't just one type of leader and that we don't have to be someone we are not. God knows our strengths and weaknesses and places us in communities were they can be complimented by others (a bit like a body).

I pray that we would all become log carriers for others and that together, we would see God's Kingdom come in our towns and cities as we support and love one another.

Amen.

Family tree

Over the last two days I've had the privilege of hanging out with people from the older generation. Just spending time with these guys, hearing their stories and drinking their tea has both encouraged and inspired me. I love the pace in which they live life. Each day is important to them, so they make sure they live it to the full. Now to the younger folk, that may look limited, but they really do push themselves. I also love the openness in which this generation has when sharing. They know the value of verbal communication (see previous post entitled FaceSpace).

Yesterday we spent some time at a couples house who are both in their 80's who have a lot of experience in praying for healing and have some great stories to tell. It was amazing to meet a couple who after years of serving and giving, were still so in love with Jesus and wanting to serve others. It really was amazing.

But the thing that really got me thinking was when they talked about how their greatest joy in life was to have children who grew up loving Jesus, who in turn had children, who in turn had children. 4 generations knowing and loving Jesus.

This set the daydreaming part of my brain (which is most of it) off on a walk!

I started thinking about how amazing family is (again) and the importance of passing down the story. By this I mean the story of God. We see in the Old Testament, that a nation was formed as the story and blessing was passed through the generations. The Israelites would set up monuments to physically remind them of what God had done. They celebrated festivals. They had laws. All of this was done to remind them of how good God is, not just for their own benefit, but for those that would come after them. When the story was not passed on, the people forgot about God and usually found themselves in a lot of trouble.

This leaves us with a challenge. Are we passing on the story? Are we telling others about how good God is? Are we setting up monuments to remind ourselves and others? How are we communicating the story? In an age that has forgotten God, we have a responsibility to remind them of who He is and what He has done.

The other thing that blew my mind was the thought that somewhere in my family history, somebody made a decision to follow Jesus. I have been fortunate enough to be born into a family that knows and loves Jesus. My parents, my Grandparents, but somewhere along the line someone made a decision. Someone stepped out in faith and shared the Gospel with that relative and in that moment, my life was affected. How crazy is that?

Who knows what will happen when we just obey God?

Our decisions affect not just ourselves, but the generations to come. We need to start thinking outside of ourselves. It's not all about us and now! We are part of something much bigger that we will never fully understand this side of heaven. This is why it's important to obey God when He speaks.

Off the back of these ramblings, I've decided to do a little research into my family tree.

Maybe it's something you'd like to do too?

Summer Colds

How annoying are they? I have one at the moment and I just find it very confusing. How can I have a cold when it's warm outside? How do you treat a summer cold? Wrap up warm? I don't think so! Maybe rest is the answer?

Does sunbathing count?

FaceSpace

After months of constant and prolific peer pressure as well as a curiosity that would have killed a whole alley of cats, I have become a member of the unstoppable phenomenon that is facebook. Having already been a part of myspace for a while, I am some what used to this quite surreal world of friendship.

It has many benefits.

I can keep in contact with friends from all over the world. This gives me a chance to see how they're doing, encourage them and steal their photo's!!!

But I also have concerns.

When does it become a security thing? My identity? An ego trip ('How many friends have you got?')? An escape? What is the point where we lose touch with reality? With those around us? When the time spent on myspace/facebook replaces time spent with family/housemates/neighbours then I don't feel it's healthy. If it eats into our time with God, then it becomes serious. It can take the form of an idol.

Is it even true friendship?

For me, friendship requires sacrifice. Syber friendships provide a safe, easy way to keep in contact that means we can hide behind our screens and let people know what we want them to know because that's all they'll know.

So what am I rambling on about??? Well, I just feel that we should enjoy and use these means of communication, but not forget those around us!!! That we should really think about what friendship is and make sure we live it out.

Here's a challenge.

For those of you on facebook/myspace, try fasting it for a week (or even a month) and make an effort to get to know your neighbours, work colleges, shop owners. Learn their names, invite them to your house for dinner. Love them!

Let me know what happens!

Thoughts at 24

I spent yesterday reflecting on my year as a 23 year old. It's been a year of highs and lows, but one thing has remained constant, and that's God. I've experienced Him in so many different ways this past year, but particularly in the area of provision.

It led me to read again Matt 6:25-34. This is the well known passage from Jesus' sermon on the mount, where He tells us not to worry about our own needs in life, but to put the Kingdom first. For many, they interpret this to say that we don't need to work, because God will supply, for others it becomes another burden as they worry about not worrying. Here is the key to this passage;

'Seek first the Kingdom of God', or as the Message translation puts it, 'Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God provisions.' Our main priority in life should be to love God and love each other, in order that God's Kingdom would advance, but we get so caught up in our own lives, that we don't have the time and energy for anyone else!

How much of your prayer time is spent praying about yourself?

What happens when we put the Kingdom first in our lives? Well, Jesus says our needs will be met. I've experienced this recently. Money has been a pressing concern over this year as I have no regular income, and my outgoings well outweigh anything that's coming in. So I've prayed (and worried) about it for some time and not much has really changed. So in the last month or so, I've been travelling around, visiting and supporting friends in different parts of the World. I've been so busy, I haven't had time to pray (or worry) about money, yet it's been the time where I've received the most.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that God deals with us on a commission basis or that we shouldn't ask God for things, but what it does say to me is that if we stop worrying about ourselves and live a life of wild abandonment for others in obedience to Him, which doesn't always make sense, God will provide our needs, whatever they may be.

As we put the Kingdom first, our problems seem very small in comparison to an almighty God. As we care for the poor, the abused, the lonely, the hurting, the dieing, it puts our problems into perspective.

In a society that tells us we need more, we need to stop and ask why!

Jesus said in Matt 10:39, that those who let go of their life will gain it, but those who try to keep it will lose it. As we let go of ourselves and our worries and embrace the goodness of God and live in obedience to him, we will find this life to the full, as we have been promised. It may not be a life that Hollywood sells, but it's the life I want. A life that brings freedom and liberty. A life with no constraints, totally connected between mind, body and soul. A life led by the spirit, not by the world. A life of adventure and mystery. A life of learning and discovery. A life of pain, but also of healing.

Are you putting the Kingdom first today? If not, why not? What is distracting you? What are you worried about? Give it to God.

Ask Him how he wants to further the Kingdom through you today and let Him worry about the details!

Warfare

I've really been aware of the reality of spiritual warfare this week. We've just launched another week of prayer here in Guildford, with the focus being on the nations and the lost, and it really has been hard work. It was hard work to set up, it's been hard to fill up the slots and many have talked about a heaviness when trying to pray. It strikes me that this isn't normal. Or maybe it is? Maybe we should expect it to be hard when we are praying that God's kingdom would advance. Maybe we should expect opposition? Yet when it comes, it's so easy to cave in.

I've just been reminded of how important it is that we stand up and fight. We are in a battle. A battle for our hearts, minds and soul. The ultimate victory has been won, but we are in a battle to believe that. The battle is between truth and lies. We are told that Jesus is truth and that the Holy Spirit is the bringer of truth, and we are also told that the enemy is the chief of all liars. So this is the battle. Our opinion of God, ourselves and the world are constantly under attack from the lies of the enemy and we must stand on the truth.

So, we MUST fight. We MUST fight through the doubts that bring us down and focus on Jesus.

We MUST pray, asking God to reveal us the truth and also speak it out. There is power in our words.

We MUST read our bibles. There is so much truth in these pages, yet so many of us don't read them.

Finally, we MUST do this together. It's important that we stand, support and encourage each other. That we speak truth to each other, otherwise we will be picked off one by one.

My prayer for you is that you step up to the plate. That you take your place in the ranks, and stand on truth. If your not part of a community that loves and supports you, challenging and encouraging you in truth then find one.

Most importantly, don't give up. If you are struggling, speak to some one. Don't get isolated.

Don't lose your voice!

Is this the way to Auchderarder?

I've just returned from spending a week in a small community just outside Perth in Scotland. Myself and two others went up as representatives of 24-7 prayer to assist them as they embarked on their first ever week of prayer.

After helping to set up the room (the usual stuff- paint, sand, map of world etc), we helped lead their Sunday service, which was great fun and attended a baptism, which was even better! There was such a vibrancy and hunger about this group of believers that was both infectious and challenging.

As the week started, we weren't sure if the slots would fill up. Some people seemed nervous and apprehensive, but after a rousing opening hour, the slots continued to fill until nearly the whole week was full. The people who signed in ranged from young children, to families, to old ladies. It was beautiful to see the diversity in the way people connected with God, many for the first time. God was really moving! There is so much brokenness in the community and just being in God's presence brought both release (through tears) and peace as God began to heal hearts. It was wonderful to just step back and see God at work, knowing it had nothing to do with how cool or interactive the prayer room was.

My favourite story from the week comes from one lady who was praying in the shift before us one morning. As we chatted about her time, she slipped in the fact that she thought she had started praying in tongues! We asked her what she meant and so she explained how when she was praying on the Monday (this was Wednesday), she suddenly noticed that she was no longer speaking in English, but another language, yet her heart felt alive. WOW! So natural. The other cool thing was that she was one of the people who was baptised on the Sunday. Two baptisms in two days. You have to bear in mind that this is the Church of Scotland, where this sort of behaviour is sometimes frowned upon and not really promoted, unlike a pentecostal church. This lady had just met with God in her own time in her own way. I love it!

During the week, we also found time to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside (for pics, check out my buddy Aaron's blog), which involved long walks and castle exploring. There is something quite mystical about Scotland. If you've never been, I definitely encourage you to go.

It's been such a crazy month or so. Swansea to Ibiza to Windsor to Kansas City to Guildford to Auchderarder. Climate, cultures, people, time zones. They all change. But God doesn't. In all the places I've been, it's been the same God I've prayed to, the same God I've talked about and the same God who's answered my prayers.

It hurts my head!

Pictures from home

Check out this website for cool pics of the beaches near my home in Swansea.

Birthday list

Hey guys,

As many of you know, my birthday is on the horizon (May 22nd) and I'm sure many of you would like to get me a gift. Well, you can! I've made a gift list with living generously where you can purchase a gift for me that will actually go to someone who really needs it.

Back in KC

Hey y'all!

I'm currently sitting in the 24-7 Prayer office in Kansas City, which is in the Boiler Room building that I lived in for 9 months last year. It feels quite surreal being back and it almost feels as if I've never been away. There are some new faces about and some of the decor has changed, but on the whole, it's the same core that I left nearly a year ago. It's been so cool to catch up with old friends and share stories of what God has been doing in our lives and what he's about to do. It's just reminded me again how big our God is and how amazing His church is. The only reason I have these friendships in these different parts of the world is because of Jesus.

He is what unites us.

John 15 has been a chapter of the bible that has come up again and again in my mind this year and I'm constantly being reminded that we can do nothing apart from Jesus and it's in and through Him that everything good happens. I love it!

This Saturday I'm going to a wedding of a friend I made here in Kansas City. There are going to be 400+ people there and I have a feeling it's going to be quite crazy. I love the fact that I'm at the age where my friends are starting to get married. It's so cool to be a part of the covenant and vow that a couple make to each other and to God. There's something so powerful about that. It's more than signing a registration book, it's the unity of two people under God.

One day we will be part of the bride that is reunited with her bridegroom when he returns. Watch this space!

The Great Commission or the Great Suggestion?

This past week I've been on a mission focused course called Kairos. This is an excellent course, which I strongly recommend everyone to take part in. The course really challenges your mindset of what it means to be a Christian, what the Bible says to us and that ultimately we have been blessed to be a blessing.

From the beginning to the end of the Bible, God is about all of the nations (tribes, people groups) across the world glorifying Him. This goes from Adam and Noah being told to go forth and multiply, to Abraham's nation being told that they have been chosen to reach the nations, (Blessed to be a blessing) then, when Jesus comes, he reaches out to Jew and Gentile before leaving the disciples with the commission to go and preach the Gospel to all Nations, which is our mandate as the Church.

So, the challenge for us is do we have a passion to see God glorified in every tribe and nation? Does our perspective reach that far? Are we happy to just receive Blessing from God without then being a blessing to others? Are we content that there are people groups in the World who have never heard the name of Jesus?

I could write a lot more, but I won't spoil it for those of you who want to do Kairos in the future. I will finish with this.

When Jesus says 'Go', what is your response?

Obesity gene

So I read in the newspaper yesterday that scientists have discovered that a specific gene in the body is to blame for the obesity epidemic in this country!

And I thought it was because we eat rubbish and don't exercise enough. How silly am I!

Tales from Ibiza

Today I returned from a 4 (and a bit) day trip to Ibiza where we endevoured to encourage and support the 24-7 prayer community that is being established on the island (Check out Brian's and Team Edmond's blogs for more info). The summer season doesn't start for a few weeks, so it was a chance, as a team, to see the island and in particular the West End, in a slightly different light than usual. Instead of it being overrun with young pink holiday makers, wearing next to nothing, it was dotted with older people shopping and taking pictures of themselves in front of landmarks, like trees. The weather was cloudy and spitting all week (yes, I know!), but I think this was God's way of testing our motives for going! Each day we went to a different spot of the island to walk and to pray. It was a time, once again, where God really spoke to me of His beauty through creation.

The one experience I really want to share with you happened on the last full day of our trip. We spent the day praying around the bars and clubs of the West End in San Antonio asking God to speak to us. As I was walking I came across a place called Bar Amsterdam, which had lot's of graffiti all over it. As I stood under the yellow canopy that covered the front door, I was surrounded by names of people who had previously been there. It felt a bit like a prayer room! As I was praying for the different names, I came across a group from Swansea, my home city, when suddenly it hit me. I don't know why it hadn't before, but at that moment I realised that what the guys in Ibiza are doing is for more than just the island and the individuals that go, but they are reaching out to the young people of our nation. The young people from our cities, our towns our streets.

If God were to move in Ibiza it would affect the whole of the UK.

I began to see how strategic this place is in reaching our nation. It's more than just a summer thing. I could see Ibiza becoming a place where missionaries are sent back to the UK with the name of Jesus on their lips and a passion burning in their hearts to see His kingdom come.

So anyways, later that night I bumped into a friend from school that I hadn't seen for 8 years who now lives on the island. It seemed really random, but it just reinforced my thoughts and feelings on how our home cities and towns can be reached through this place. So many young people from Wales go to Ibiza each year and I long to see change in their lives.

My prayer is that Ibiza would no longer be a place where people feel they need to escape from life, drinking themselves to excess and wrecking their bodies with drugs. I pray that they would go because it is a place that gives them life and life to the full through Jesus. That they would find the love they are looking for in Him and not in just the physical act of sex with a stranger. I pray that Ibiza would be a catalyst for spiritual change in UK as it is for so many other things, that His name would be above any other.

This week has been just what I needed with a good mix of work (gardening, painting), rest (lot's of eating and chatting) and prayer. I encourage any of you that is passionate about seeing God redeem the club culture or wants to reach out to their generation to pray about going on a team this summer to Ibiza. Check out this website for more details.

Thank you for your prayers when I was away, and please do continue to pray for those who are in Ibiza and who will be going out in the summer.

Hamen.

The crazy month of April is nearly here!

Well, I'm back home in Swansea. Have met the new family pet Tom, the loveable (and hyperactive) 7 month year old Border Collie and am enjoying the comforts of home. Spoke at my old youth group last night, just telling stories about my last few years. I do forget how much I've been through! It's amazing to see how when we just say 'OK' to Jesus' invitation to follow him he just takes us on this amazing adventure of mystery and excitement.

As the title of this post says I have a busy month coming up. After this week at home, I'm going to Ibiza for a week to meet up with the 24-7 community there, before returning to the UK to do a mission training course called Kairos, before going to the States for a week to catch up with friends and go to a wedding. It's gonna be fun!

Would appreciate your prayers over this time. Pray that I would have fun, find rest and fall more in love with Jesus.

Very funny video!

Check it out!

Why do I pray?

I've been blown away recently by God's grace and the way in which he answers our prayers. I've seen God provide money for both myself and others in the last few weeks, I've seen him heal my Grandfather from Leukemia and I've really been aware of the ways in which he has been constantly moulding and changing lives for the better.

It's been amazing, but also quite sobering at the same time. Sobering in the fact that when he has moved, I've reacted with surprise and often scepticism.

An example of this would be the healing of my Grandfather. For months now he has been suffering with Leukemia, which has eaten away at his body and robbed him of his strength (but not his humour!). I have been praying everyday for him, asking God to ease his pain and give peace to the family. When I was feeling a bit bolder, I would pray for his healing, although I think I had resigned myself to him not making it. He's old and cheated death before. Maybe this is his time?

So when God healed him I found myself in this mix of amazement and shock. I didn't expect him to be healed! But thankfully God had different ideas. Even in my unbelief, God answered my prayers.

I find comfort in the fact that this wasn't a dissimilar problem in the Bible either. Two examples spring to mind.

Firstly, there is the story of Zechariah in Luke ch1. Zec had been praying for years for a son, yet when an angel came to tell him that his prayer had been heard and God would give him and his Barron wife a son, he questioned the angel on the basis of their age!

What was he thinking?

When God heard his cry and answered his prayer, he rejected it. He questioned it. He doubted it. As a result of this he was dumb for the whole of the pregnancy, so that he could have time to think things over!

The other example is in Acts 12. In response to the arrest of Peter for preaching the gospel, the believers gather to pray for him long into the night. As they are praying, an angel comes and frees Peter from prison. Peter rushes to the house where they are meeting and knocks the door. A servant girl answers the door, sees Peter, and rushes back to everyone leaving Peter at the door (pure comedy). When the rest of the people hear the girl's story, they react with scepticism.

'You're out of your mind'. 'It must be his angel'.

They had found it easier to believe that it was his angel than the real thing. Again, why had they been praying? Why were they so surprised?

Through both my own experiences and these stories, God has really been challenging me about my prayer life.

Why do I pray?

Do I really believe God will answer my prayers?

Am I afraid to pray to big?

Am I ready for God to answer my prayers?

It is clear that we serve a good God who answers prayers (maybe not always in the way we want him to), even when our faith is small, but how much more is there? This is an exciting yet daunting thought. Could God really change a city around? Could he really use me?

The person that inspires me most when it comes to listening and obeying God is Mary the mother of Jesus. This is her response to the angel when he reveals that she will be the mother to the Messiah, through the conception of the Holy Spirit (craziness!):

"I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." (Luke1:38 NIV)

She then busts out into a song, worshipping God. She chose to trust God. Amazing!

The challenge for us is not to be afraid to pray big prayers and then when they are answered, having the attitude of Mary that is humble and obedient, full of praise to God, not full of doubt and scepticism.

I pray that you would know more of God's grace in your life and would live with his praise being continuously on your lips as you dare to pray and believe.

Injustice

A travesty of justice occured on the weekend.

Wales are trailing by 3 points having just conceded a try with 2 minutes to go. The referee blows for a penalty. Wales have a chance to draw level, but the players want the win. 'Have we time?' they ask. 'Yes' is the response. Young Hook kicks to touch. Ref blows final whistle. The Italians have won the game. How could the ref do that? How can he abuse his power like that?

I can assure you, I was shouting a few other things at the TV at that point. In my view it was more of an injustice that the guy who scored the winning try had punched our captain in the face in the first half. I punched the floor. My face red with rage. This was wrong. Very wrong. This feeling carried with me through the rest of the evening and into the next day. It was only when I calmed down a bit that I heard God whisper,

'Why don't you get this passionate about the real injustices of this World?'

D'oh! God's done it again!

I had got myself so worked up and incensed about an incident that in a couple of weeks will be forgotten about. Yes, it does affect lives, but certainly not as much as people trafficking, pollution, debt, poverty, etc etc.

Where is my passion for this? Why do these issues not affect me as much?

It has troubled me. Lord, I need more compassion. Have mercy on us! There is so much junk in the World today and I don't want to become numb to it.

In a lot of ways, who cares if the ref misled the players and blew his whistle. What's more of an injustice is a woman being promised a job in Britain, having her passport taken off her and then finding herself trapped in prostitution. That happens on a regular basis in this country as does so many other acts of injustice. It has to stop!

The greatest injustice, however, is someone dieing without hearing that Jesus loves them and died for them.

'How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!' Romans 10:14-15

I pray that God would open our eyes to the World around us and that he would break our hearts with the things that break his. Amen.

Moustache competition

Last Thursday we had a moustache competition in Transit. Check out these photos!

They're back!

So I read this week that the Police are reforming. I can't tell you how much this warms my soul! Let the good times roll!

"Cool guys with the Video Nights!"

Since Christmas the Transit (the discipleship course I'm helping to lead) guys here in Guildford have been exploring ways of getting to know their neighbours without being too out there and a bit weird! So, cookies have been made, babies have been sat (is that correct?), hello's have been said in the street and films have been watched. Yes that's right, every other week the house turns into a mini cinema. A projector is rented, as is the movie, and fliers are sent out to every house in the street. It's a wonderful idea.

What person wouldn't want to come and watch a movie on a big screen?

The attendances thus far have, however, been low and somewhat disappointing. Three turned up to the first one, none to the second, one to the third. Heads dropped, hearts sank. Should we continue?

Well, last night as a result of the bi-weekly fliers, the guys were invited to a cocktail party at no.12. I tagged along as usual and we went a little unsure as to what to expect. We entered the house to find we were a lot younger than most of the people there. They were in their late 20's, early 30's and very smartly dressed (I had fortunately decided to wear a shirt, although I am sporting a mustache this week. Another story), yet we felt so welcomed and comfortable. We introduced ourselves as the guys from number 2 and suddenly everyone was saying 'Hey, these are the cool guys from number 2 who do the film nights.'

Cool? We've only just met!

It suddenly hit me that just by opening up the house for a film and letting people know they are welcome breaks down so many barriers.

The night went on and we were able to share why were in Guildford and how we wanted to serve the street and the community and people loved it. We started dreaming together about street parties and barbq's. Friendships were being formed.

I guess this experience has taught me again that we don't always get our prayers answered in the way we expect them to and that forming friendships with our neighbours is a lot easier than we think. It's just about being open, honest and inviting them into your homes and lives.

I think this is what they call being incarnational?

Well pleased!

Luke 3:21-22 says:

"When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

This event in the life of Jesus has really spoken to me in the last couple of days. First of all, it's just a really cool scene. Crowds of people are flocking to John the Baptist to see what this whole baptism thing is about and are compelled to turn their lives around (or repent) with the anticipation that the Kingdom of God is coming, and it's in the midst of all this that the word in flesh walks into the water.

I wander how many people actually noticed Jesus? We are told John did and he was quick to point out that this was the dude, but what had Jesus actually done? What had he achieved? Why would have anyone noticed him?

It's at this point that the story really speaks to me.

"You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

This is the Father's message to his son. Unconditional love. His love is not based on performance or results or how much love he gets in return, he just loves him because he is his son. As I said, Jesus hadn't 'done anything for God' yet. No one had been healed. No one had heard the good news. No one had been raised from the dead. In fact, the first 30 years of Jesus life were so uneventful, that they have not even been recorded!

So what's my point?

Well, the love that the Father had for the Son is the same love that God has for us today. This is the love that God speaks over me every day, but so often I don't receive it. I can't receive it. I don't deserve it. I'm not holy enough, I don't pray enough, I haven't brought enough people to Christ etc etc. I find so many ways to discredit myself, telling God why he shouldn't love me but he does. My view of love can be so conditional. I beat myself up over what I have and haven't done for God and convince myself that God does the same. Don't get me wrong, praying, reading the bible, telling people about Jesus etc are important as we long to see God's kingdom advance, but this is not the gauge in which God measures his love for us.

I'm learning more and more about God's grace and how I just need to accept it. I don't pretend to understand it, but I'm choosing to believe it.

As Jesus came up out of the water, the Father saw his Son and couldn't hide his love for him. As we get out of bed every morning, God does the same thing!

I pray that your heart would be open to receiving God's love for you, especially when you don't feel like you deserve it!

Conclusion

After a long hard think I've come to the conclusion that I'm an extroverted introvert!

Discovering yourself!

It's weird to think that the person you are is not necessarily the person God intended you to be. I'm currently on a journey of discovery and am finding out some revolutionary things about myself. For so long I've been quiet, shy, reserved, unable to express emotion but seen as strong. This has always been who I am. That was the way God made me. This is how I thought it was going to be and I had to make the most of it, but since I allowed God to really enter my life 2 years ago, I've found that a lot of these character/personality types have been shaped and reinforced by experience (mostly negative) and my own defeatist attitude to life and to God's ability to change me. As I've let go of this version of myself, I'm finding my true self, the person I'm created to be, which seems to be more like I was as a child. Carefree, up to mischief, enjoying life, enjoying others, constantly learning, trusting my Daddy. It was in my teenage years where this was shut down by rejection and peer pressure. To have emotion was not cool. To express a different view was to be alienated. So I became a bit of a recluse or loner. Kept my head down. Said little. No emotion. Left alone. Content. But ultimately I was killing my soul and my heart was being blocked, leading to a mind driven personality. Controlled. Calculated. Safe. Or so I thought.

Jesus talked about a bit about this to his followers. He told them that to find life, they must lose it. I've always thought that this meant denying myself and choosing the hard or difficult option or even giving up the things I enjoy (which may be part of the process), but am instead finding that it is more about letting go of the person I've created and letting God speak into my identity, which is in Christ. This brings life to the full as I let go of the baggage that has held me down out of familiarity and comfort and embrace the unknown, which is scary, but worth it.

One such discovery I am currently making is that I'm actually an extrovert rather than an introvert. This may shock some of you, but I do get my energy from company and find that I learn best with others. I've always thought that because I'm not always loud and am comfortable on my own (which I am grateful for) that it made me an introvert, but have found that those things don't really give me life. Of course I like my own space and need to get away sometimes, but don't we all. Living in community has taught me how much I love and need others in my life and how important they are to my growth and maturity.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the person you are is not the final product. Its not a case of taking stock and just getting on with life. Its more than likely that the person you think you are has been created and controlled by external events, which have caused you to build walls around your heart, preventing God from working there, and you feel like this is how its always going to be and to ask God for change would sound ungrateful and scary. Let's face it, we find comfort in familiarity, even when we know its not good for us (a quick shout out to all you smokers out there).

My prayer and challenge to you is that you would ask God the difficult question of 'Do you see me in the way that I see myself' and allow God to answer. Then be prepared to let go of the person that has been created by the world around you and allow God to speak into you and breath life over your dry bones and unblock the wells of your heart. Change comes by Grace alone and our willingness to receive it. We cannot change ourselves, but we can put oursleves in positions for that to happen. Prayer is a good place to start.

Let God take you on a journey of discovery!

Grace and peace be with you always.

Cool Story!

This Easter, 24-7 Prayer are running some mission teams to various parts of the globe. The trip to Ibiza caught my eye (mainly as I have friends who have just moved there and it will be sunny), but I didn't feel particularly drawn to it in as much as I wouldn't have minded if I didn't go. So anyway, on Saturday, my friend Graham and I were chatting in the kitchen about the trip and I said something like 'Well, I think I'll only go if someone gives me the money (as I don't have it)' to which Graham replied, 'and it's only £100 now (it was quoted as £200)' to which Maria (who was also in the kitchen) interrupted to say 'Aki (her husband) has a cheque for £100 in his wallet which he feels God has said to give to you'.

Silence.

'Are you joking?' At the time I thought Maria (who is Finnish) was trying to join in with the British sarcasm and was pulling my leg, so thought nothing of it. But to my amazement, Aki handed me a cheque for £100 today (dated 19/1/07, day before kitchen conversation) and it looks like I'm going to Ibiza at the start of April for 5 days!!! Pretty crazy really!!!

What is your response?

Picture the scene:

You have just been told that your actions will cause the death and disposition of the generations ahead of you as well as the destruction of the land in which you live.

What would your response be?

Remorse? Shock? Would you try and set about making a change? Try and stop this from happening? This was the situation that King Hezekiah of Judah faced in 2 Kings 20:12-19 after showing the Babylonians around his Kingdom. He had just put his country in jeopardy, and the prophet Isaiah had come with the news from God that this would have catastrophic implications for the future of his Kingdom. So what is Hezekiah's response to this?

"The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!" For he said "Will there not be peace and truth at least my days?" (2 Kings 20:19 NKJ)

I'm sorry! Did I read that correctly? It sounds as if Hezekiah is pleased with this news!?! Did he not understand what the prophet had said? Well, it seems that he did, but the reason for his joy was that ultimately this news did not affect him. He would be dead before any of the predicted calamity began. So selfish, so narrow minded, yet not too dissimilar to our attitude toward the future ahead of us.

Unless you have been stuck in a nuclear bunker with just re-runs of Fawlty Towers to watch, you will probably be aware that we, the human race, are destroying the planet that we currently live on. Raw materials are being exhausted at a rapid rate, rain forests are being cut down creating deserts, the ice caps are melting as a result of the warming of the Globe, animals are dieing out, we are using more water than can be replaced and so on.

What is our response to this?

Does this disturb you or is it just something you don't think about because it doesn't really affect you? Does it concern you that the way we are living now will have serious affects on our children and their children and (if they make it) their children? We clearly can't go on living in the way that we are at this present time. A lot of the responsibility for change does fall on the shoulders of the big corporations and governments who are exploiting the planet for their own benefit, but we also have a vital part to play in this. Recycle, walk instead of using your car to go to the corner shop, turn off the tap while you are brushing your teeth, turn off the light when you leave a room, turn your heating down 1 degree, write to your local MP and ask them what they plan to do, lobby parliament, raise awareness in your community. If your not aware of any of this, do some research. Ignorance is no longer an excuse!

How does God feel about this? Have we even asked Him? Let us start to take care of the planet that God has given us, not necessarily for ourselves, but for those who will come after us. Don't leave it to someone else. Don't be like Hezekiah.

What is your response going to be?

Is it possible to follow Jesus and live for yourself?

As I read through Isaiah 58 today, I was struck by God's response to the people as to why He wasn't noticing their fasting and sacrifice. "I will tell you why! It's because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting." (Isaiah 58:3 NLT) This sentence sent my mind into a whirl of thought about my own life and my own motives. So often I get frustrated with God for not noticing my good works and often point to the way that I've sacrificed my time and energy to serve Him, and yet when I take a step back I begin to realise that many of my motives and indeed this prayer comes from a selfish place. Why do I do the things that I do? What are my motives? Do I serve God and others to make myself feel good? To get noticed? To get a blessing from God? How often do I not do things that God has asked me to do because I'm tired or have something better in mind? The longer I thought about this, the more I began to see how selfish I can be at times and how much time I think and pray about me and my needs. This then raised the question in my head of,

'Is it possible to follow Jesus and live for ourselves?'

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Prayer For Peace (Mother Teresa and The Sisters of Charity)

Lord, make me a channel of your peace,

That where there is hatred,
I may bring love:
Where there is wrong,
I may bring the spirit of forgiveness:
Where there is discord,
I may bring harmony:
Where there is error,
I may bring truth:
Where there is doubt,
I may bring faith:
Where there is despair,
I may bring hope:
Where there are shadows,
I may bring light:
Where there is sadness,
I may bring joy.

Lord, grant I may seek rather
To comfort than to be comforted;
To understand than to be understood;
To love than to be loved;
For it is by forgetting self;
That one finds,
It is forgiving
That one is forgiven,
It is by dying
That one awakens to eternal life.

Amen.