Who will you be?

One of the privileges of pastoring and mentoring young people is that you get to help them take aim. Helping them understand who they are and who they can be. Taking the lid off the boxes in their mind and helping them see that so much is possible for them.

If they learn to aim straight. 

Aiming straight has a lot to do with our relationship with God. It is about allowing our will and how we live to be formed by His principles. It also has a lot to do with becoming comfortable with who God made you to be.

A personal hobby horse and something that makes me truly sad with just a hint of being outraged, is seeing young people giving up their potential and education and hanging around a "ministry". Truly, I think it`s great for a young person to take a little time out and go to Bible School or do a discipleship course of some kind. But that should all be preparation to help them on their journey, not to knock them off course. 

Often it is a mistake to think that by giving up a "normal" life for an extended time, you are steering your life in a more spiritual direction. Ok, so this is a lady who has done all that and moved nations several times and hasn`t done anything in a "normal" way who is talking here. But you`ve really got to know it`s right for you. Because I believe that what God truly wants is not a generation who have opted out of "the world", but instead a generation who are influencing the world. In every sphere and strata of society. In every nation of the world.

So if you`re weighing up your options this summer and you chance upon this blog. Fulfil your potential. Denying your potential is not something that is close to the heart of God.

Check out Mathew 25:14 the parable of the talents. Those talents are practical, not just spiritual gifts and when you develop them then you not only please the heart of God, you also find a rich personal fulfilment. 

The journey to greatness

Of course, for Christians, ambitions and goals are about something greater than ourselves. We don`t live to make ourselves great. We want to see the love and mercy of God become a reality in the lives of those around us. In practical ways. Ways that affect individual lives as well as whole societies.

Our ambition is to be and to become the person that God has made us to be. To excel in the giftings He has given us. To be the greatest expression of the person He has made us to be, so that the greatness of God himself is seen and expressed in our world. 

Every powerful Christian principle, like love, mercy, grace and humility, becomes a tool for God to release the greatness that He has already placed inside us. It is these principles that craft us and inspire us. 

They are not weak principles. They are strong. Requiring and developing inner strength. Developing us as people. People who seek to fulfil their personal potential. 

Many people get lost on the journey to fulfil their potential, becoming self orientated. Others don´t even get started because they think that it is more spiritual to deny themself. But that`s a misunderstanding of scripture. Denying your "flesh" is very different than denying the giftings and abilities that God has placed inside you.

What better way to please the heart of your Creator than to fulfil the potential that He has placed inside you? To place your hand in His hand and find your heart in His heart and to make that journey to greatness with Him. Living for Someone greater than yourself, becoming the greatest you can be with Him.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45&46

Ditching Labels

There are some things that really annoy me. Labels is one of them. Sometimes a label is descriptive and helpful. What I don´t like is when we use a label to define a situation and particularly a person.

Personally, God has really set me free from coming under labels that other people put on me. A label can not only be intimidating but also confining. When we label a person, we put them in a box. 

I guess it`s obvious that we inhibit a person with negative labels. But we can also restrict people by giving them labels that we might think are positive ones. You see, God has created us to grow and develop. We are destined to blossom. As Christians we never stand still, caged into being who we are. 

A person who has surrendered their life to Jesus is a person who is on a journey. A journey in which the riches that God deposited in you, even before you were born, are rediscovered and developed. I think that`s why I dislike labels so much. You see, only God can truly see who I am becoming. No one else has really got the full picture on me. And I`m still on my journey.

So if you love me, please don´t label me. Well, if you do, you`ll be missing out on a whole lot of other parts of me. Oh, and why stand still in your thinking when those of us who have chosen to ditch labels are dancing in the light?

Psalm 17.2a Let my vindication come from Your presence

 

Confessions of a backsliding blogger

Ok, so it`s been a while! Sorry. Bit of backsliding as far as blogging is concerned. Lots of going deeper with God during my cave time though.

Well, it`s been busy, as usual here. For a small, quiet town in a corner of Germany, we certainly get quite a bit of action. The summer months are full with individuals, groups and larger teams passing through the Jesus Haus and the town. 

It`s such a privilege seeing people go deeper with God while they are here. It`s not always or just in a "spiritual" context that they sense the presence of God. Sometimes it`s as people do practical work, like sanding down doors or splitting logs open. For others it`s just as they are walking around town, sensing the weight of God`s hand upon their personal destiny.

For me, the last few months have been a time of redefining. God has been affirming me in things I have known and walked in for a long time now as well as redefining my take on things, honing and refining and expanding my insight, gifts and vision.  It kind of felt like backsliding for a while, just because He took me through a process of questioning what we see as Christian culture and what really is Kingdom Culture. I`ve looked at the seasons of the Kingdom and the timings of the Kingdom. The Inheritance of the Kingdom and our destiny as citizens of His Kingdom. Just gazing into His heart.

Hmmmm. If that`s all double dutch to you, never mind. Just remember that God has written every day of your life. He believes in you and He has such a rich destiny for you. No one else can live out your destiny. It`s there, prepared for you to walk in. The question is, are you directing your destiny or are you allowing God to shape you for the destiny He has for you?

Psalm 139:16  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

The Door of Hope

The gateway of a new year unleashes different emotions in different people. For some it signifies hope; new possibilities, new chances. For others it`s depressing or frustrating, raising feelings of helplessness or of being trapped.

There is something about the unknown possibilites of a new year that can both excite and daunt people. And of course, looking back over the progress or pain of the previous year often has a lot to do with this.

Some people seize a new year and throw themselves into it, taking control and making new choices. Others continue with the attitude that life "happens" to them and live as someone who "manages" this or reacts to what is happening.

I don´t think it is totally explained by different character types. I think attitude and mindsets have a lot to do with it.

Uncovering disabling mindsets or releasing hope into our thinking can be sparked off by one simple question. "Who is reigning here?". 

It`s a simple enough question in any given situation, individual heart or group of people. Is life simply happening to us? Who or what is ruling? And why are we allowing that?

It raises the questions of responsibility and motivation, responses and proaction.

A new year is like a door of hope. The possibilities are endless. Who and what will you allow to reign in your life this year?

There`s a challenge.

1 Peter 3:15 In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord

At the foot of the cross

I`ve been to Poland! It was a joy and a privilege to spend last weekend with the ladies of Jelenia Gora and their friends. It`s always truly a delight to see people hungry for God and willing to respond to Him. And the people I met in Poland certainly are.

God spoke very deeply into many people`s lives. Both the women who attended and the men who were also serving at the conference! I loved working with Pastors Magda, Iza and Agniescka. Thank you everyone who was there, for being so open to God!

One area of our lives that we talked about was living in the reality of what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us. Not just knowing that He died and rose again. But believing it truly in our hearts. Believing it for our own lives. Remembering to continually turn to Him, that He has already broken the chains that bound us.

We talked about the journey of our destiny with Jesus. How He grows and develops us. How He inspires passion in us, releases us from shame and prepares us for what He has for us. God also challenged people about the need to forgive and extend mercy. Because an unmerciful heart can hold us back.

When we extend mercy to others, then we receive the full effects of God`s mercy to us in our lives. Deep, but wonderfully freeing!

James 2:13 For judgement is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement.

I`ll leave you with that challenging thought!

Healthy Church

I`m a great believer in the importance of Church life. It`s so vital for every believer to be united in a body of local believers. Because our faith is worked out in our daily lives. Both with God and with others.

Church isn`t something we attend. It`s us. Followers of Jesus Christ, learning, growing and living together. A healthy Church expresses the reality of the love of Christ. To members of the Church and to non-members and non-believers. 

A healthy Church carries a fragrance. A unique fragrance. You get a taste of this aroma when you experience a corporate Church meeting. If the Church is truly healthy, you`ll also be attracted to the fragrance of each individual.

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." 2 Corinthians 2.14-16

Why not take a moment to consider the fragrance your life is giving off? It`s also worth remembering that the fragrance of a Church is the product of each individual member. The leaders may define the Church culture, but it is the members who affirm or sabotage it.

The Destiny of Nations

Back to the bigger picture again. Destiny, the nations and you and me

The destiny of nations is in the hands of God. Many pray for transformation, reformation, revival in a nation. Prayer is important, uniting our hearts with the will of God. Things are changed. Learning to understand how He sees the nations and what His plans are is also important. 

But God crafts the transformation of the heart of a nation through men, women and children. Individually and corporately. Both through prayer and the reality of their lives.

I believe that reformation of a nation begins in the heart of individuals. I believe that it is extended through the transformation of families. Nations are fashioned as individual believers respond to God and collectively work towards the goals that God gives them for the nation. Church as it was intended to be.

It`s not about Church streams and fashions and denominations. It`s deeper than that. It`s not about riding the latest wave of spiritual "fashion". It`s about taking responsibility. 

For ourselves; our own hearts and lives. For the consequences of how and who we are on those around us. For our families, our businesses and our church life. It`s about relationship with God and real relationship with those around us.

Whether you live in your nation or abroad, God is waiting. Those around you are waiting. The land is waiting. Are you ready to accept your part in the bigger picture of the transformation of nations? Because you matter. We all matter. And together we cover the Earth.

"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God." Romans 8.19

Yielding

Every season has it`s beauty. Every season has a purpose. Every season is part of the cycle of eternity. 

The different seasons and times of our life make us who we are. Our attitudes as we go through those seasons affects our growth as Christians. 

We can fight a season. We can endure it. Alternatively, we can embrace it. With it`s joys and delights as well as it`s challenges and sorrows. Allowing God to grow and encourage us.

Whether we are living through a time of dark valleys or whether we are glorying on the mountain heights, God is busy crafting greatness in us. As we surrender to the work of His Spirit within us, our character is formed and shaped. 

God doesn`t put us through difficult times to punish us, but to give us an opportunity to grow and develop. Learning to trust our times to Him helps us look for the fruit of each season.

Wherever you are at in your life today, take a moment to thank Him that every day you live is part of His plan for your life. 

As for me, I trust in You, Oh Lord. I say "You are my God." My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31.14/15a

The pot and the kettle

This is England. No, they`re not playing cricket. It`s bowls. A traditional English passtime. It`s most popular amongst those more senior in years. They have a little more time to pass!

The game has a slow, relaxing pace. It is social and festive. Which brings me back to the blog below. Time out. Easier said than done.

I first got the idea for the blog below on a Saturday. A free Saturday as opposed to a busy Church Saturday. I told my husband about it. He laughed and quoted the old English saying "Isn`t that the pot calling the kettle black?". He meant, of course, that it was typical of me to be thinking of work when I was supposed to be relaxing. So I waited a couple of days to write it.

Now, after yet another full week and a day or so of being "grounded" for doing too much, the Sabbath subject continues. Even when there is free time, it isn`t always easy to know what to do with it. Especially when a couple or family are all trying to relax at the same time in the same space!

So lately I`ve thought a lot about the Jewish "Sabbath" context. 3 things stand out. Firstly, it is a regular, planned time. It has an element of tradition. The traditional aspects of the time bring the family together. Secondly, tradition can help expectation. So that everyone expects to play their part, eat their part and spend time together. Thirdly, it also leaves room for the individual to rest with God and rest from work.

So if a Sabbath is part of God`s plan for our health, we have to learn to plan it a bit too. To make a few healthy traditions. To prepare so that we can relax. Not always so easy, but amazingly rewarding. We`re on a learning curve with time off... and reaping the benefits! Try it sometime.

Exodus 20.8-10 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work; you nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.

Enduring urgent times

A stop sign can be totally frustrating. Especially when you are in a hurry. So much to do. Time is tight. They can often feel like they are holding us back. Focused on our destination, we just want to keep going. But a stop sign is a life saver. 

We live in urgent times, aware of the Bigger Picture. Aware of God`s greater plan; one that endures through time and generations. That`s humbling and exciting to be part of. Urgency can be a great motivator.

If we are heavily active in Church life, it can be especially easy to feel a healthy responsibility to be fruitful and busy. To keep going. There is just so much to do. It`s like being on a treadmill and never sensing a good time to get off. It doesn`t slow down. We learn to develop stamina. To endure.

But to maintain stamina we need to learn to trust the Bigger Picture to God. To realise that as important as each one of us is, God is able to keep His greater plan on track. Even if we take a little break. In fact, God feels so strongly about this that He included a Sabbath rest in the Ten Commandments. He has designed us to give ourselves fully to work and equally fully to rest. In the right proportions...and regularly. 

So next time you feel too guilty or too pressured to take a day off, open your Bible. Read Exodus 20. Devoting a day a week to rest, time with God and to refuel your tanks, ranks high on God`s list of priorities. You see, He truly does have The Bigger Picture in perspective. He knows you need to endure. He understands the urgency. And this is His solution. This is one of the huge secrets to enduring stamina and enduring urgency.

A stop sign might be frustrating, but it`s what keeps the traffic in order. It allows the traffic to keep flowing. And yes, they truly do save lives.

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God." Exodus 20.8

The Bigger Picture endures

Not only is God`s Bigger Picture of things much larger than our own. It also endures. Through times, seasons and generations. I love that about God. 

Sometimes we get so caught up in the "here and now" of life. We think in terms of our lifetime or even just a portion of our lifetime. But what God speaks and puts in motion is for a more enduring season. He thinks in terms of generations. He has an eternal perspective.

This shot is the road in which the Jesus-Haus stands. It was taken a couple of weeks ago on the day Germany celebrated the reunification of East and West Germany. At the end of the road you see the Moravian Church. In the foreground the flag of Saxony, the region we live in. This is Herrnhut 2007.

It is the same street where nazi banners hung over 60 years ago. They renamed it Adolf Hitler Strasse. Then the Russians torched two thirds of the town. The communist regime began. The street became August-Bebel-Strasse. Instead of Nazi propaganda, communist propaganda was posted in the street. Now, in this time of treasured freedom, a sign hangs on a building that was a hospital during the nazi and communist time. That same building was originally built as a warehouse for a tradesman called Abraham Dürninger. The profits of the trade helped finance the sending out of missionaries around the world.

The sign that hangs on this building says "Christliches Zentrum Herrnhut e.V. Jesus Haus".

The same building. The same street. Enduring times, seasons, regimes, wars and treasured freedom. It reminds me of God`s long term perspective. So many things change over time, but God`s word remains forever. It has an unchanging quality. Through all generations.

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40.8

Who colours your dreams?

Every generation of Christians inherits from those who have gone before. Truth. Understanding. Church culture. And so much more. Somethings we like to build on. Others we`d rather change. We also inherit a dream. Something greater that we carry within us. Are you aware of that?

People, situations & events all influence how we see that dream. How we dream that dream. How we bring our part of the dream into reality and how we pass it on to others. Being a Christian isn`t just about you. It`s about you and Jesus and your part in a much bigger picture.

You see, Christians were made to be part of a bigger dream. God`s dream. A dream for generations and the nations. The world takes dreams and makes them serve the individual. God gives dreams that serve Him and His plan for the nations.

No matter how personal your dream, no matter how big or small it is, let Jesus colour it. Because if you are following Jesus, your dream is part of something greater. Let Him take those desires and colour them for His purposes. You might have to revise your dream a little. You may have to take another look at the blueprint. But when He has finished with it you will understand. God uses each one of us to display His greatness, in the little and the big things of life. In the momentous and the seemingly insignificant.

It`s just a case of allowing Him. Of co-operating. So who`s colouring your dreams? Is it the world, or is it Him?

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3.20-21

Timeline

I`ve been thinking a lot about the generations lately. About being part of history and how we make history. Every day. In the little and the bigger things that we do.

There is always a bigger picture than the one we see daily. Others have gone before us. We have inherited from them. Some good things, some bad, usually a mixture of both. 

We are also leaving an inheritance behind us. But I don´t just want to think about leaving something behind when I am gone. I`m passionate about passing our inheritance on while we are still living too. I don´t mean all our worldly goods! I mean this wonderful life in Jesus. 

As Christians we make up the Church. The Church is continually developing. But the foundations remain the same. Jesus endures throughout time. The Church, His bride is also destined to endure. Just as I have inherited from those who have walked with God before me, so I want those who follow me to inherit. 

We are a living timeline. Just thinking about that inspires me. Our life is not our own. It is not just about me in the here and now. I am a part of history. And so are you.

"...to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3.21