This is a quick video of what the Lord allowed me to be apart of last Thursday, September 24th, 2009. It was an incredible, action packed few hours, in which this video hardly does justice.
Simply and magnificently, God is Good, and God is Great.
And I had fun.
†
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A Night in London (vidddgeeoooo)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Free Gift
I’ve been here, in London, for almost two weeks now. Time has flown by and the Lord has worked magnitudes in that short time. The Lord has spoken, largely through His Word, where He has lead me to both Ezekiel and to Romans. It is Romans that I feel He wants me to press on this afternoon. Ezekiel will come later, when the time is right.
The Holy Spirit led me to Romans right before I arrived in London. I have continued to read through the heavy and dense material as I sit in these cultural London cafés.
The Spirit has continued to press on me that we – human, man, flesh – live in sin. We are surrounded by sin. We are consumed by sin; habits, addictions, small & large. We are sin, plain and simple. Since the Fall, humankind has been riddled by sin.
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned… For as by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners… (Romans 5:12a & 19a).
How many of us today told a lie? How many of us cheated on a test? How many stole some money, a song off the Internet, or some food from your roommate? Men, how many of us lustfully looked at a woman? Women, how many of you gossiped or “told a friend about another friend’s problem?”
Men, we sin. Women, you sin. We all sin. Whether we like it or not, mankind are slaves to sin, to our selfishness. At times we can’t help it, and at other times, we choose to sin. We are not “good people” and believing such is a lie straight from the slippery lips of satan. Of course we all are capable of doing good, but that doesn’t make us good at our core. We, as humans, choose to do the selfish, the prideful, and let jealousy, and let anger take control. We let sin take control.
But there is freedom from sin. There is freedom from ourselves. There is freedom, period.
The freedom is found in Jesus Christ. My friends, that sin that we all do, that sin that we all are, it keeps us from being united with God. (God, the creator of the Universe we live in, that we study trying to find Him in – which, isn’t going to happen. You can’t define the creator by His creation. You can see Him in it, but not entirely.) The sin we are, keeps us from being united with God. He doesn’t want to be separated from us. He wants us. He wants us to want Him, and more so, God wants a relationship with us; much like a friendship but much sweeter.
“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:24&25).
You see, God wants us so bad that He sent His Son. Himself in the flesh, Himself in man form, so that Jesus could choose to sacrifice Himself on the cross for us, for our sin. For the very thing that we are, that we do. Sin, being a wedge between man and God, has now been lifted because of Christ. Because He - being sinless - loves you (and me) so much that He died a brutal death for the crap that we choose to do, the sin we choose to do. He died for, and to that sin, but He then rose from the clutches of death, taking power over sin and over death. He wants to give that power, through the Holy Spirit, to you! He wants freedom for you!
The bottom line is this: “For when you were slaves of sin… what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death” (Romans 6:20&21). Friends, some of you are still slaves to sin, to yourselves, doing your will in life. Yeah, it seems harmless but take a second, look, and stop faking to yourselves. This is real life and there are real choices to make. Build your own kingdom – meaning, go to X college, study Y amount, get Z as a job, and make tones of money with which you can make the earth a better place. The earth, just like you and I, the money we make, and all in this world, will one day perish; one day be no more. Can’t you feel that there is something larger then you beckoning for you? That something is more like a someone, and He is the Almighty God.
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
God loves you. He wants, He’s jealous for a relationship with you, and He wants to show you a life that is abundant in Him. Jesus said “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (sounds like sin…). I came that they (those who receive Him) may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). God wants the best for you, and that’s Himself in your life as intimate as humanly possible.
All of you reading, that don’t know Jesus, know that I’ve prayed for you to receive His love, not just a title or a lifestyle, but Him, completely. And that His Holy Spirit would fill you, fill that void you feel, the depression you feel, and the brokenness you feel. That you would surrender to Him, and experience the passion and completeness of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I’ve prayed this for you: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life” (Romans 6:22). That you would be set free from the strangle hold of sin and its death grip. Freedom only comes through Jesus, through confession that we are sinners, and genuinely praying to receive the Holy Spirit, making Jesus Lord of our lives. Let Him in. Allow the Savior and God of the universe to flood your soul; to heal you, to breathe a breath of fresh air into your dying body. Let Him take your hopes, your worries, your life, and let Him be what you’ve been longing for, a Savior.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Receive the gift freely given — but cost Jesus sweat, shame, blood, pain, and death — done out of His love for all of us.
The Holy Spirit led me to Romans right before I arrived in London. I have continued to read through the heavy and dense material as I sit in these cultural London cafés.
The Spirit has continued to press on me that we – human, man, flesh – live in sin. We are surrounded by sin. We are consumed by sin; habits, addictions, small & large. We are sin, plain and simple. Since the Fall, humankind has been riddled by sin.
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned… For as by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners… (Romans 5:12a & 19a).
How many of us today told a lie? How many of us cheated on a test? How many stole some money, a song off the Internet, or some food from your roommate? Men, how many of us lustfully looked at a woman? Women, how many of you gossiped or “told a friend about another friend’s problem?”
Men, we sin. Women, you sin. We all sin. Whether we like it or not, mankind are slaves to sin, to our selfishness. At times we can’t help it, and at other times, we choose to sin. We are not “good people” and believing such is a lie straight from the slippery lips of satan. Of course we all are capable of doing good, but that doesn’t make us good at our core. We, as humans, choose to do the selfish, the prideful, and let jealousy, and let anger take control. We let sin take control.
But there is freedom from sin. There is freedom from ourselves. There is freedom, period.
The freedom is found in Jesus Christ. My friends, that sin that we all do, that sin that we all are, it keeps us from being united with God. (God, the creator of the Universe we live in, that we study trying to find Him in – which, isn’t going to happen. You can’t define the creator by His creation. You can see Him in it, but not entirely.) The sin we are, keeps us from being united with God. He doesn’t want to be separated from us. He wants us. He wants us to want Him, and more so, God wants a relationship with us; much like a friendship but much sweeter.
“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:24&25).
You see, God wants us so bad that He sent His Son. Himself in the flesh, Himself in man form, so that Jesus could choose to sacrifice Himself on the cross for us, for our sin. For the very thing that we are, that we do. Sin, being a wedge between man and God, has now been lifted because of Christ. Because He - being sinless - loves you (and me) so much that He died a brutal death for the crap that we choose to do, the sin we choose to do. He died for, and to that sin, but He then rose from the clutches of death, taking power over sin and over death. He wants to give that power, through the Holy Spirit, to you! He wants freedom for you!
The bottom line is this: “For when you were slaves of sin… what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death” (Romans 6:20&21). Friends, some of you are still slaves to sin, to yourselves, doing your will in life. Yeah, it seems harmless but take a second, look, and stop faking to yourselves. This is real life and there are real choices to make. Build your own kingdom – meaning, go to X college, study Y amount, get Z as a job, and make tones of money with which you can make the earth a better place. The earth, just like you and I, the money we make, and all in this world, will one day perish; one day be no more. Can’t you feel that there is something larger then you beckoning for you? That something is more like a someone, and He is the Almighty God.
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
God loves you. He wants, He’s jealous for a relationship with you, and He wants to show you a life that is abundant in Him. Jesus said “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (sounds like sin…). I came that they (those who receive Him) may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). God wants the best for you, and that’s Himself in your life as intimate as humanly possible.
All of you reading, that don’t know Jesus, know that I’ve prayed for you to receive His love, not just a title or a lifestyle, but Him, completely. And that His Holy Spirit would fill you, fill that void you feel, the depression you feel, and the brokenness you feel. That you would surrender to Him, and experience the passion and completeness of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I’ve prayed this for you: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life” (Romans 6:22). That you would be set free from the strangle hold of sin and its death grip. Freedom only comes through Jesus, through confession that we are sinners, and genuinely praying to receive the Holy Spirit, making Jesus Lord of our lives. Let Him in. Allow the Savior and God of the universe to flood your soul; to heal you, to breathe a breath of fresh air into your dying body. Let Him take your hopes, your worries, your life, and let Him be what you’ve been longing for, a Savior.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Receive the gift freely given — but cost Jesus sweat, shame, blood, pain, and death — done out of His love for all of us.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Thankful for the Risk OR Just Plain Terrified?
It’s been a week since I flew out of the airport in HotLanta (Atlanta) and landed in Heathrow International Airport; here in my new home of London. You see, before I departed, I was terrified of what London held for me – what and why the Lord wanted me here. The Lord gave me pieces of what and why, but not details. Details that would have disabled my fear, but also left me acting, and not depending on His guidance. Fear still overran my mind and body while I sat in Heathrow Airport trying to pray through what and where to go in the big unknown that was London.
Finally, after an hour or so, the Lord gave me courage and the sense of freedom that London offered me outside the retractable doors of Heathrow. All I had to do was allow Him to lead me and the doors would open, automatically.
Jesus wants that for you, for all of us. He wants to guide you, to lead you, to be active in your life. Let Him. Let Him lead you into the unknown so that He can show you His hand. He’s God, and He’ll show you a glimpse of His power and provision. The doors will open, like they’re automatic. Jesus commands us constantly in His Gospel to not be afraid. Fear is of man and of satan. Allow the Lord to dispel all fear and follow Him wherever it is He’s leading you. His purpose and His will are worth the unknowns He’ll have you face.
Jesus is begging you to take Him seriously and live like He did. He’s jealous for a relationship or if you are Born Again, a deeper one. He’s begging for us to take Him seriously and not just receive Him, but live under His guidance. I think it angers Him to have consumeristic Christians who simply attend a church or place God in a 15-minute time span during their day. Jesus went to the cross, died, and rose again, not just to have us be comfortable, and live faithless lives (a life so comfortable we need not have faith to walk through the day). He gave His all for us so that we may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). The Spirit, that power, that miraculous and overwhelming awesome, lives in all who proclaim Him as Lord and Savior. Its time we acted on faith and followed His Holy Spirit’s voice, and Jesus’ example. Its time we placed Him as our lives, the definition, and not just a piece in the mornings so that we can feel good and get our jollies later. He demands us—all of us. He paid for us. He deserves, and commands respect. Jesus is jealous for us and wants to show you more of Himself. He wants us to be examples of His love, His sacrifice, and His forgiveness. He wants to work so brilliantly in our lives that people can’t explain what’s happened, but give responsibility and Glory to God.
My friends, a “London” awaits you. He may have you on a cliff, had you there for weeks, calling you to jump into the unknown. Jump. He wants to show you more of His love and He can only do that if we follow where He leads. The unknown we jump into is only unknown to us, to our human, restricted minds. The Lord knows exactly why, and where He’s calling our actions. We need to trust Him. We need to remember that He is faithful—that Moses and the Exodus were real. The Lord provides. He guides with a pillar of fire by night and a cloud of smoke by day.
He’s guided that way in London. Within 24hours of arriving, He connected me with a Church-plant here in London with an awesome group of people and men on fire for Jesus. The Lord has provided for my needs like never before. His hand has been in everything. I’ve been blessed and so thankful for the sharpening fellowship Reality London provides, and the way the Lord has called people who don’t know Him to me while sitting in Starbucks. There are lost and confused people in London, and who want the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m so thankful He’s allowed me to take part, a small part, yet a part. Jesus wants us to take Him seriously. To live a life desperate for His action – I finally did – but will you?
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ (More than comforts, more than your life itself, more than all materials you have)
He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’
He said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’
He said to him ‘Tend to my sheep.’
He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’…
When Peter saw him (John, following Peter and Jesus), he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’
Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’
You follow me!’”
John 21:15-17 & 21&22.
Let Him lead. Trust in Jesus. Trust Him with your life. Let His heart become your heart and your desires will become His desires. If we love Him, then that love will show through our obedience to His call. Follow Him. There will be blood, sweat, pain, uncomfortable nights (days too), and tears. But there will be love, joy, comfort in the uncomfortable, and Jesus. Follow Him and Jesus will open the doors automatically (working by itself with little or no direct human control).
Finally, after an hour or so, the Lord gave me courage and the sense of freedom that London offered me outside the retractable doors of Heathrow. All I had to do was allow Him to lead me and the doors would open, automatically.
Jesus wants that for you, for all of us. He wants to guide you, to lead you, to be active in your life. Let Him. Let Him lead you into the unknown so that He can show you His hand. He’s God, and He’ll show you a glimpse of His power and provision. The doors will open, like they’re automatic. Jesus commands us constantly in His Gospel to not be afraid. Fear is of man and of satan. Allow the Lord to dispel all fear and follow Him wherever it is He’s leading you. His purpose and His will are worth the unknowns He’ll have you face.
Jesus is begging you to take Him seriously and live like He did. He’s jealous for a relationship or if you are Born Again, a deeper one. He’s begging for us to take Him seriously and not just receive Him, but live under His guidance. I think it angers Him to have consumeristic Christians who simply attend a church or place God in a 15-minute time span during their day. Jesus went to the cross, died, and rose again, not just to have us be comfortable, and live faithless lives (a life so comfortable we need not have faith to walk through the day). He gave His all for us so that we may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). The Spirit, that power, that miraculous and overwhelming awesome, lives in all who proclaim Him as Lord and Savior. Its time we acted on faith and followed His Holy Spirit’s voice, and Jesus’ example. Its time we placed Him as our lives, the definition, and not just a piece in the mornings so that we can feel good and get our jollies later. He demands us—all of us. He paid for us. He deserves, and commands respect. Jesus is jealous for us and wants to show you more of Himself. He wants us to be examples of His love, His sacrifice, and His forgiveness. He wants to work so brilliantly in our lives that people can’t explain what’s happened, but give responsibility and Glory to God.
My friends, a “London” awaits you. He may have you on a cliff, had you there for weeks, calling you to jump into the unknown. Jump. He wants to show you more of His love and He can only do that if we follow where He leads. The unknown we jump into is only unknown to us, to our human, restricted minds. The Lord knows exactly why, and where He’s calling our actions. We need to trust Him. We need to remember that He is faithful—that Moses and the Exodus were real. The Lord provides. He guides with a pillar of fire by night and a cloud of smoke by day.
He’s guided that way in London. Within 24hours of arriving, He connected me with a Church-plant here in London with an awesome group of people and men on fire for Jesus. The Lord has provided for my needs like never before. His hand has been in everything. I’ve been blessed and so thankful for the sharpening fellowship Reality London provides, and the way the Lord has called people who don’t know Him to me while sitting in Starbucks. There are lost and confused people in London, and who want the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m so thankful He’s allowed me to take part, a small part, yet a part. Jesus wants us to take Him seriously. To live a life desperate for His action – I finally did – but will you?
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ (More than comforts, more than your life itself, more than all materials you have)
He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’
He said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’
He said to him ‘Tend to my sheep.’
He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’…
When Peter saw him (John, following Peter and Jesus), he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’
Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’
You follow me!’”
John 21:15-17 & 21&22.
Let Him lead. Trust in Jesus. Trust Him with your life. Let His heart become your heart and your desires will become His desires. If we love Him, then that love will show through our obedience to His call. Follow Him. There will be blood, sweat, pain, uncomfortable nights (days too), and tears. But there will be love, joy, comfort in the uncomfortable, and Jesus. Follow Him and Jesus will open the doors automatically (working by itself with little or no direct human control).
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Keep Beating
Yesterday, a dear friend wrote me an email. An email that was full of encouragement and challenges. The email was full of Jesus. In the email, my friend wrote a phrase and this morning the Lord and I tweaked it a bit. I was praying through it, praying for it, and desiring to be it.
The prayer being: “Lord, prepare me to usher You (the Messiah, Jesus Christ) into London—keep me beating in Your heart of light in this decaying body of darkness; draw them to You.”
This reminds me of Psalms where constantly we are reminded of how short our lives are. How short life itself is. This also reminds me of how many people don’t know Jesus, not just in London, but also in the States, and the World. That should bother every Christ follower. He demands that we spread His love and His message of Truth to everyone. He calls us to be a beat in His heart for the world.
“A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass, and all it’s beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of God will stand forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8
We are of grass and flowers. Our lives will last but a second; but only a beat in the time Jesus created. We must beat for Him – for His glory, His Son who will last forever.
“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ who you have sent. I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.” John 17:1b-5
With His life, Jesus beat to the heart of the LORD because the Lord’s heart was Jesus’ heart. Jesus and God were one. Only Jesus can revive the decaying body that we – His Light – live amongst.
Jesus continues to pray, “All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” John 17:10&11
We don’t last forever, but Jesus does. Since before the world existed, He was. We are simply a beat, just as Jesus was with His earthly life. Lets have our lives beat to His heart, as one, to glorify the one True God. We do that, and London, Anderson, Clemson, -- the world – can’t help but experience Jesus.
The world would beat as one. Beg Jesus to revive the body, the city, the home, the family that are all in decay. Let His light shine through us to the cracks and deepest depths of darkness.
So I beg you, be the heart beat of Jesus in your city, at your job, in your school, in your home, at your parties, and glorify Jesus in you.
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast Spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
Keep beating & beg Him to revive.
The prayer being: “Lord, prepare me to usher You (the Messiah, Jesus Christ) into London—keep me beating in Your heart of light in this decaying body of darkness; draw them to You.”
This reminds me of Psalms where constantly we are reminded of how short our lives are. How short life itself is. This also reminds me of how many people don’t know Jesus, not just in London, but also in the States, and the World. That should bother every Christ follower. He demands that we spread His love and His message of Truth to everyone. He calls us to be a beat in His heart for the world.
“A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass, and all it’s beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of God will stand forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8
We are of grass and flowers. Our lives will last but a second; but only a beat in the time Jesus created. We must beat for Him – for His glory, His Son who will last forever.
“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ who you have sent. I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.” John 17:1b-5
With His life, Jesus beat to the heart of the LORD because the Lord’s heart was Jesus’ heart. Jesus and God were one. Only Jesus can revive the decaying body that we – His Light – live amongst.
Jesus continues to pray, “All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” John 17:10&11
We don’t last forever, but Jesus does. Since before the world existed, He was. We are simply a beat, just as Jesus was with His earthly life. Lets have our lives beat to His heart, as one, to glorify the one True God. We do that, and London, Anderson, Clemson, -- the world – can’t help but experience Jesus.
The world would beat as one. Beg Jesus to revive the body, the city, the home, the family that are all in decay. Let His light shine through us to the cracks and deepest depths of darkness.
So I beg you, be the heart beat of Jesus in your city, at your job, in your school, in your home, at your parties, and glorify Jesus in you.
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast Spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
Keep beating & beg Him to revive.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Blessings from Jesus
I woke up this morning at Noon - blessing number one. Yeah, I said noon, 12:00p, you know, when the sun is directly above your head... I also spent last night in bed for the first time since Kenya a few weeks ago, so I'm not surprised I slept for so long, and Jesus provided such rest. I'm also thankful that I got to wake up and take a shower (blessing number 2)... something I hadn't done yet in London.
This morning, er... afternoon I woke and went outside into the park that surrounds the hostel I'm staying in - blessing number 3. The hostel is beautiful and the park that surrounds it is called Holland Park - breathtaking in Autumn (#4). After some time on a bench in the Park, I walked to a Costa Cafe for some coffee.
In the Cafe I got to spend 4 or 5 hours reading and writing/praying. The Lord placed a few people in my path and challenged me a bit, but all in all a beautiful day, full of rest, full of Him. Rest that I haven't really had recently. My body was tired. I love being free to study and spend that much time in Jesus (#5). Feels good.
Here's something the Lord hit me with today:
"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When He had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." John 20:19&20 (#6).
The disciples were riddled with fear for they suspected the Jews were about to do the same to them, that they did to Jesus. I can only imagine what my heart would feel and all the scenarios that my mind would be tormenting me with while locked up in a room, hiding. Then Jesus busts in from who knows where, and who knows how, but He does -- He enters a locked room. As He appears, He says, "Peace be with you." And He does so, not as a greeting. (Side note: we've perverted that into a greeting/farewell - we can't give peace, we can just beg God for it.) Jesus busts all up in that room and delivers just what the disciples need. He spoke directly to their heart. And the best thing is He'll do that for us, today. The disciples were overwhelmed with an earthly fear and Jesus gives them peace. In fear, Jesus dispels it and brings His peace to our soul. In return, while carrying His peace with us, carrying Him with us, He demands that we go out and speak to others; to be His light in the uncomfortable, and dark situation. He gave us faith (#7). He gave us Truth (#8). He gave us His Love (#9). He gives us the understanding of life and who life is made for (JESUS). How can we not tell everyone? How could we not want to be the Son of Man's light into a barren world?
I needed to hear that from Him today.
Blessings from Jesus = His peace, His eyes, and His heart -- Him -- while I'm in a city that desperately needs Him. I pray His blessings upon us and that we strive to bring Him glory.
This morning, er... afternoon I woke and went outside into the park that surrounds the hostel I'm staying in - blessing number 3. The hostel is beautiful and the park that surrounds it is called Holland Park - breathtaking in Autumn (#4). After some time on a bench in the Park, I walked to a Costa Cafe for some coffee.
In the Cafe I got to spend 4 or 5 hours reading and writing/praying. The Lord placed a few people in my path and challenged me a bit, but all in all a beautiful day, full of rest, full of Him. Rest that I haven't really had recently. My body was tired. I love being free to study and spend that much time in Jesus (#5). Feels good.
Here's something the Lord hit me with today:
"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When He had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." John 20:19&20 (#6).
The disciples were riddled with fear for they suspected the Jews were about to do the same to them, that they did to Jesus. I can only imagine what my heart would feel and all the scenarios that my mind would be tormenting me with while locked up in a room, hiding. Then Jesus busts in from who knows where, and who knows how, but He does -- He enters a locked room. As He appears, He says, "Peace be with you." And He does so, not as a greeting. (Side note: we've perverted that into a greeting/farewell - we can't give peace, we can just beg God for it.) Jesus busts all up in that room and delivers just what the disciples need. He spoke directly to their heart. And the best thing is He'll do that for us, today. The disciples were overwhelmed with an earthly fear and Jesus gives them peace. In fear, Jesus dispels it and brings His peace to our soul. In return, while carrying His peace with us, carrying Him with us, He demands that we go out and speak to others; to be His light in the uncomfortable, and dark situation. He gave us faith (#7). He gave us Truth (#8). He gave us His Love (#9). He gives us the understanding of life and who life is made for (JESUS). How can we not tell everyone? How could we not want to be the Son of Man's light into a barren world?
I needed to hear that from Him today.
Blessings from Jesus = His peace, His eyes, and His heart -- Him -- while I'm in a city that desperately needs Him. I pray His blessings upon us and that we strive to bring Him glory.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
God’s Provision in London
Let me tell you a little story that could peak your interest. That, if believed, could change your outlook on situations. On one side of the story we have God – the magnificent, the omnipotent, the never failing, and the ever faithful; while on the other side weighing in at 130lbs, we have me – the doubter, the weak of mind and all too seldom, heart, and the king of frustration.
There have been times that I’ve grown frustrated since arriving in London. The first night, Friday, was obviously a smack in the face. I had no idea what to do once I got off of the Tube on Covenant Garden. I just wanted to explore and sleep; which are quite the opposite feelings. Instead, I just walked down the street to and found the Temple of London. Here I am thinking this is a Jewish or Hindu or some other religions’ shindig. I poked my head in and lost interest because there was noting around. I got as far as the steps, when I sat distraught about what to do and not hearing straight from the Lord where I should go. I began to beg God for guidance and the Holy Spirit told me to go back in the Temple. Now that was the last thing I wanted to do, but I obeyed and found a prayer room. It ended up, that this wasn’t a Temple, but a Church that preached the Truth of Jesus Christ. A French woman sat beside me in the room and began to talk to me, to open up about life, and gave me some advice about London. Now hear me, I understood everything and all, but the best advice she told me was the all McDonald’s have free wifi. In fact I think they are the only place to give free wifi. (you can tell be/c all the American’s are in there.)
Saturday, I wake up at 5am and go to McDonald’s for some time with Jesus and to check the interwebs. I met some awesome people while I was there. One young lady, Nadene sat and talked to me about Jesus and how it was refreshing to see someone read the Bible. She actually gave me some money to help with everything. The next guys that I met, were Jay and Dusty who are traveling all over Europe with their school. The two guys sat and talked for some time, and told me about a Church plant, Reality London that started a few weeks ago. I checked the Church out on the interwebs and felt like the Holy Spirit was drawing me to attend there Sunday (today). So, on Sunday I woke up and walked the two miles to Reality London where I met the Pastor, Mark, his wife Lizzy, and Christian the worship leader. That is the core of the church – these two families. I helped them set some stuff up and told them all about how Jesus has been pursing me lately (ie coming to London and what He spoke to get me here.) We then had church, in a movie theater, in London – well more specifically, Notting Hill. The sermon was on John 1:1-18, which 1, is my favorite scripture in the Bible; and 2, what Jesus used to soften my heart on the day I decided to obey Him and dropout of school. Even cooler, I just taught a Bible study on the scripture because the Lord rocked my face with it, again. Want more? The worship set, at times, were identical to prayers that I’ve written in my journal these past two days of being a Londoner. Aaaand just to add to it, Mark used other scripture that I’ve been praying these past two day, including the passage from John 17 I posted yesterday. As if it wasn’t obvious that this was one of God’s divine appointments, Mark was cool, paid for my lunch, and helped me find and pay for a hostel. The hostel is in the middle of Holland Park and reminds me of a dream I once had.
You see, Jesus is a God of taking the obscure details that make us feel like we arn't in His will, details when we’re pissed or frustrated, and then He reveals His will and show’s us feeble minded fools that He is God. Showing us that He’s got us in His clinched, yet soothing fist, protected.
Separated, they’re just awesome little connections made and sweet gestures. But put them together, and we see a glimpse of God’s provision. No there are no coincidences. None.
My question is what aren’t we doing because we think God can’t provide. We all have something He’s commanded us to do that we would do, if Jesus could get our back. Guess what? He’s the flyest cat of all time—actually He created time—so I’m going to push the chips all in, and say He’s got our back. Sadly, we all shortchange the power that took the Messiah from death and back to life, and fold on His calling in our lives. We make grave mistakes out of fear, and we rob the most High God of the Glory only He deserves.
We should all stop the nonsense, ok. He went all in. He calls us to do the same. He will provide.
So take the leap. He won't catch you. He'll do better. He'll give you wings to fly.
There have been times that I’ve grown frustrated since arriving in London. The first night, Friday, was obviously a smack in the face. I had no idea what to do once I got off of the Tube on Covenant Garden. I just wanted to explore and sleep; which are quite the opposite feelings. Instead, I just walked down the street to and found the Temple of London. Here I am thinking this is a Jewish or Hindu or some other religions’ shindig. I poked my head in and lost interest because there was noting around. I got as far as the steps, when I sat distraught about what to do and not hearing straight from the Lord where I should go. I began to beg God for guidance and the Holy Spirit told me to go back in the Temple. Now that was the last thing I wanted to do, but I obeyed and found a prayer room. It ended up, that this wasn’t a Temple, but a Church that preached the Truth of Jesus Christ. A French woman sat beside me in the room and began to talk to me, to open up about life, and gave me some advice about London. Now hear me, I understood everything and all, but the best advice she told me was the all McDonald’s have free wifi. In fact I think they are the only place to give free wifi. (you can tell be/c all the American’s are in there.)
Saturday, I wake up at 5am and go to McDonald’s for some time with Jesus and to check the interwebs. I met some awesome people while I was there. One young lady, Nadene sat and talked to me about Jesus and how it was refreshing to see someone read the Bible. She actually gave me some money to help with everything. The next guys that I met, were Jay and Dusty who are traveling all over Europe with their school. The two guys sat and talked for some time, and told me about a Church plant, Reality London that started a few weeks ago. I checked the Church out on the interwebs and felt like the Holy Spirit was drawing me to attend there Sunday (today). So, on Sunday I woke up and walked the two miles to Reality London where I met the Pastor, Mark, his wife Lizzy, and Christian the worship leader. That is the core of the church – these two families. I helped them set some stuff up and told them all about how Jesus has been pursing me lately (ie coming to London and what He spoke to get me here.) We then had church, in a movie theater, in London – well more specifically, Notting Hill. The sermon was on John 1:1-18, which 1, is my favorite scripture in the Bible; and 2, what Jesus used to soften my heart on the day I decided to obey Him and dropout of school. Even cooler, I just taught a Bible study on the scripture because the Lord rocked my face with it, again. Want more? The worship set, at times, were identical to prayers that I’ve written in my journal these past two days of being a Londoner. Aaaand just to add to it, Mark used other scripture that I’ve been praying these past two day, including the passage from John 17 I posted yesterday. As if it wasn’t obvious that this was one of God’s divine appointments, Mark was cool, paid for my lunch, and helped me find and pay for a hostel. The hostel is in the middle of Holland Park and reminds me of a dream I once had.
You see, Jesus is a God of taking the obscure details that make us feel like we arn't in His will, details when we’re pissed or frustrated, and then He reveals His will and show’s us feeble minded fools that He is God. Showing us that He’s got us in His clinched, yet soothing fist, protected.
Separated, they’re just awesome little connections made and sweet gestures. But put them together, and we see a glimpse of God’s provision. No there are no coincidences. None.
My question is what aren’t we doing because we think God can’t provide. We all have something He’s commanded us to do that we would do, if Jesus could get our back. Guess what? He’s the flyest cat of all time—actually He created time—so I’m going to push the chips all in, and say He’s got our back. Sadly, we all shortchange the power that took the Messiah from death and back to life, and fold on His calling in our lives. We make grave mistakes out of fear, and we rob the most High God of the Glory only He deserves.
We should all stop the nonsense, ok. He went all in. He calls us to do the same. He will provide.
So take the leap. He won't catch you. He'll do better. He'll give you wings to fly.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
When in London...
After fourteen hours of flying, 4 hours of layovers, and hours of delays, I've arrived in the center of the city of London. It is incredible. Hands down way more busy then I expected and the people are way cool. Its taken less then a day for me to realize that there are Brits here, but there are just as many foreigners in London, if not more.
I experienced a few snags in getting here and arriving in the city, but only things that make my feeble mind worry. Such as a border patrol lady who was determined to keep me from entering the UK after she heard that Jesus told me to come, but the Lord is faithful. Aaand the crazy eyed border lady was defeated. I also met a French woman in a church prayer room who gave me her life story and her worries about life. A very sobering conversation where the Lord showed me how much favor He's placed on me with arriving here in London. Later in the evening, I ended up sleeping in St Andrews Catholic Church's garden, which again was a sobering experience. I enjoyed a brisk night sleeping under the few stars that I could see and praying to the Lord--out of fear for comfort, at one point, and out of thanksgiving and peace the next-- but the stars weren't nearly as cool as they were in Kenya. I woke up at 5am to this man vomiting in a bush beside me, which scared the hotmess out of me, but nothing serious happened. Plus, I can't help but laugh every time I've looked back and told people about this morning. This is my life... better yet, this is Jesus' life that He's graciously let me experience.
The Lord has rocked me since I left Atlanta at 5:55pm on September 10th. I've hit very high highs and the low of lows; all in about 24 hours. I miss y'all (and the fact that people understand the word "y'all"). The Lord has lead me to Ezekiel since leaving and He has greatness in store for London - for His people to turn back to His ever-burning love. He is jealous and eager to rekindle the fire in London. Please pray for the city, the people (those living, entering, & leaving her), and for myself.
Y'all should read Ezekiel. I'll be writing on what the Lord spoke.
Jesus prays about His disciples, about us: "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; you word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."
John 17:15-19
Jesus is power and in Him we are shown truth. Be His truth.
I experienced a few snags in getting here and arriving in the city, but only things that make my feeble mind worry. Such as a border patrol lady who was determined to keep me from entering the UK after she heard that Jesus told me to come, but the Lord is faithful. Aaand the crazy eyed border lady was defeated. I also met a French woman in a church prayer room who gave me her life story and her worries about life. A very sobering conversation where the Lord showed me how much favor He's placed on me with arriving here in London. Later in the evening, I ended up sleeping in St Andrews Catholic Church's garden, which again was a sobering experience. I enjoyed a brisk night sleeping under the few stars that I could see and praying to the Lord--out of fear for comfort, at one point, and out of thanksgiving and peace the next-- but the stars weren't nearly as cool as they were in Kenya. I woke up at 5am to this man vomiting in a bush beside me, which scared the hotmess out of me, but nothing serious happened. Plus, I can't help but laugh every time I've looked back and told people about this morning. This is my life... better yet, this is Jesus' life that He's graciously let me experience.
The Lord has rocked me since I left Atlanta at 5:55pm on September 10th. I've hit very high highs and the low of lows; all in about 24 hours. I miss y'all (and the fact that people understand the word "y'all"). The Lord has lead me to Ezekiel since leaving and He has greatness in store for London - for His people to turn back to His ever-burning love. He is jealous and eager to rekindle the fire in London. Please pray for the city, the people (those living, entering, & leaving her), and for myself.
Y'all should read Ezekiel. I'll be writing on what the Lord spoke.
Jesus prays about His disciples, about us: "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; you word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."
John 17:15-19
Jesus is power and in Him we are shown truth. Be His truth.
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