Outreach with BK at the beach

I'd love to spend some time with God, in the most chilled out way ever. I've got myself into a little swing of buying BK at the drive through recently (since I got myself some roller kicks and a chassis) and taking it down to Bucklands Beach.

I'm not going to waste that time anymore. I'm going to use it as a way to do 'nothing much' with God - except there won't be any L&P (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X64DZr7MPwU).

At home group tonight, I got a better perspective on it though. I'm not going to do it so that I can be uber Christian or to even get closer to God that way. The point is, I already have a relationship, and a great one at that (it's not possible to have a bum relationship with Him), so it'll just be a time for growth... and allowing Him to enter for a least little bit more time of my week.

So while I'm eating my Outlaw, I'll be deliberating with the Rebel in a bid to expand my capabilities for growing the Kingdom through Him.

Man, the argument between faith, rest, works and character about reaching success as a Christian (and what that even means?) is my biggest struggle with God. I'm content with my answers to how He created the world? And what about evolution? And is there a heaven? How do I get there? But when it comes to faith... I'm so inspired by others that talk about it - and stories from the Bible - take this one for example:

The Faith of the Centurion

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."
The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Matthew 8:5 - 13

But still it concerns me so much that maybe I don't have the right faith. Merely saying I have or haven't got faith isn't enough for it to be true.

And how about works. What counts as works of our own doing. And when does it become Christ-centred?

This is what I hope to find out through lifes experience, others testimony to it, the Bible and through prayer. I'm just going to keep growing, and work towards the goal. And one day I'll finish strong.

Lord, thank you for our relationship. I thank You in advance for anything You make me capable of doing. Lord, help me to remember Your magnificence when I get praised or complemented for anything. Let my life point back to Your life that lives within me.

Amen

Hot times

Thank you Lord for the simple pleasures that Spring/Summer bring with it. Help me to marvel at natural beauty on wonderful days.
I want to fulfill Your purposes righteously and not take shortcuts Lord.
Speak to me through Your Word, and through nature.
Amen

Come Play in Sin City

com·pla·cen·cy  /kəmˈpleɪsənsi [kuhm-pley-suhn-see]
–noun, plural -cies.

1. a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.

(I find that pronunciation awkward, I'm more inclined to say it as: COM-play-sin-see similar to Come Play in Sin City, maybe due to my New Zealander accent).

Thank you Lord for getting me through 3 weeks!! Lord, I know this pursuit is so do-able with your lead, considering I was able to make a 5 month dash only a year and half ago now. The key ingredient is: your lead.

So far, of the 3 weeks, two and a half of those have been gruelling. My mind constantly drifts and forces me to come on here and write another post. However, in the last couple of days, besides a few shifty eye moments, I have found freedom living to be one that just comes naturally.

This is exceptional news.

My fear now, is complacency. Lord, keep me in check about the dangers that constantly lurk just on the other side of the path, and keep me well clear of it. I want to hold firm to your statutes so that You will provide me with the best life.

I get complacent about all sorts of things concerning You Lord. It's too easy to take Your power and Your love for granted on the day-to-day - and that's what quickly leads me to folly in sin city.
Lord, I thank You for Your forgiveness and the promises that You have made and kept with us. Continue to shape me and grow me Lord. I will aspire to learn Your Ways.
Amen

I'm going on a job hunt

Yesterday I had a couple of interviews. The first serious, career involved interviews of my life.



Needless to say I was nervous. It was like going on a lion hunt. I continually told myself that I wasn't scared, I told myself to be confident and sit straight and rehearse responses. And for the most part I was doing fine, even doing well at times.



But there were times when I got a tough question. And all of a sudden I got a big mind block. And I would feel like this block was getting between me and my lion - the teaching job.



As I've heard when we're met with challenge, we shouldn't run away from it - God didn't give us a heart of fear. And I've also heard that we can't go over it, and we can't under it so we have to go through it. There's no avoiding some tricky situations and we have to live through them. Even with my mental blocks, I completed the interviews with a slight smile on my face.



That's because I prayed before I went in.

It's also because I had several others praying for me as well.

I couldn't have done it without God's interlocking arms, pulling me through it.



I have confidence that God will help me reach an end goal, that satisfies His purpose for my life. And because of that I'm also pretty sure that I'll be able to handle the goal as well, and won't just run away from the scary lion.

Train

'I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...'
The Little Engine that could
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoVRV_xGEqc

This is what I have to say to myself sometimes. I think of that train, and tell myself I can do it.

Unfortunately, even if I'm innocently 'working' away on facebook there are things that make me lose my train of thought. Stupid little ads, that for a second (actually probably more than that) make me think, oh interesting, I wonder what that's about, I wonder if I look - just quickly.

But no, even though I nearly fell into the trap, I nearly buckled, I realise there is still a Long, long way to climb.

Lord, it's more than positive thinking and stamina that will get me this victory. Please be my strength!
Amen.

Points to the back door

Thank you Lord for another day gone by :)

Sometimes I feel like giving up on this project. Like it's too tough. Like I'm going to get something more out of it by being distracted from the righteous path that is the goal.
It's like Satan is pointing me to the back door, saying 'hey, you can always sneak out there, no one's guarding the BACK door. There's a whole world to explore out there. You're fooling yourself thinking God's big house can offer the best life'.

I'm well aware there are hungry snakes outside that back door. So right now, I'm keen to breathe in waffles for breakfast, and lie on a feather pillow over night - that God offers as a service to me in His mansion.

The back door of my car has been broken for a while anyway. It had a faulty mechanism, meaning nothing could get in or out by it - even with a key. However, today my Dad and I set about fixing it and finished the job, so it's all back to normal - better than normal.

Knowing God, I'd say He'd do the same in His mansion. Everything has got to be working just the way it was built. The back door is a choice we can make. It hurts God to hear that some people escape through that door and quickly get entrapped by a multiple of other things. Yet God is just and allows that freedom of choice.

I for now, am choosing to stay inside as I already mentioned. That means that I will rest on God for comfort, for refuge, for guidance, for confidence, for inspiration, for everything.

You remember my car... the one I fixed. Well I learnt on Sunday that I need to put it in drive. So that when I rest on God I'm not pulling the handbrake up (becoming comfortable with my position, doing nothing to increase God's kingdom), I'm not putting it into reverse (looking at my past, neglecting to forgive myself and giving up on all hope for the future) or putting it in neutral (anxious about the future, need to control as much I can to ensure my security) but I'm putting in drive.

When I'm in drive - I'm ready to grow. When I'm in drive - I'm looking for success. When I'm in drive - I never look for 'good enough', I'm searching for excellence. When I'm in drive - I'm advancing on my goals, on God's goals of righteousness - on God's goals through the work of Jesus Christ's life in me. When I'm in drive - I'm yearning for the best life in Christ's righteousness.

So I fixed the boot. With oil I made it efficient. But I'm not going back there to play around with the door, I know what it does now. I'll sit in the drivers seat instead, and I'll put it into auto-pilot drive and endure, perserve with determination to live strong and finish strong the race that's ahead of me in Christ Jesus who saves.

[Check Phillipians Ch3 + 4]

King Richard III

I remember back at high school I joined up to a drama class. For one of our performances we had to learn a short exert from a play by Shakespeare. My group, of 3 girls and 2 guys, chose a scene from King Richard III where these ghosts come and speak in the both the King's and this fellow Richmond's dreams and shift their confidences.

I feel like it was an awful scene, by us, which was over dramatised - really the girls had far too much influence on the piece. This was maybe why the two of us guys would muck around in rehearsals, have pretend sword fights and hassle each other by calling the one Dick and the other Dickmond. It was a hoot.

After last night though, I found I don't like being called a dick. In a dream of my own my girlfriend, acknowledging a silly mistake I'd made - I said I had no vouchers for food before the others bought, but when it was my turn to buy, I found this massive voucher for McD's in my pocket - she straight out called me a dick in front of my best mate.
Now to clarify... she would NEVER call me that in real life (I don't think), and so the dream is a bit absurd. But I realised how deeply it affected me, and therefore I resolve that I should never call others that either. I say it so much, but really I am the dick sometimes and I don't like others pointing it out.

I'm now King RICHARD (not Dick) the III because I'm within the third week. And I'm absolutely confident I can win this battle. And starting this week I have a new goal as well. To contemplate the language I use with people. What names do I call them - and consider the implications if they were to turn it on me.

Lord surely you have sovereignty of the semi-conscious state of dreams. If I can so vividly remember this dream, it must have been planted there for good reason. I will learn from it. I will love others like Jesus. This week and further I will catch my tongue and make a difference in my language. Help me to stand firm to this. In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Perserverance

So I'd say that if I'm already making a post titled perserverance two weeks in, the same post may appear several times this year :).

Wow it feels good to say that. To think a year is possible. A year is the goal. And anything is possible on God's strength so why not. I'm going to achieve a year.

But my word, Lord You'll need to gift me with perserverance.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - Hebrews 12v1

OK right now, I'd be lucky to have one witness to this message, but this is live on the internet, and therefore I say to the world, that I will endeavour to run this race with all perserverance that God allows me.

Man, I stubbed my toe yesterday (metaphorically), I know what that's like because it happened (literally) to me only two weeks ago. It doesn't hurt to much, but it sets you back a bit. And I certainly wouldn't want to be stubbing my same toe every day for... even two days. That's sadism which is very similar to the masochism of stumbling metaphorically.

Man, that's awful, it's no wonder I want to move away from that life.

It makes me sick thinking about it.

Lord, once again, I ask for perserverance,

Amen

Pizza

I was fighting myself today. But thought of consequence, and the gifting of just a little self-control given freely was enough to come out victorious with my relationships all in tact.

Man, I've been told a few times that the very moment we give ourselves over God and live in his ways we witness heaven on Earth. The more we rely on God to live in righteousness and faith, the more God reveals Himself and the beauty of His Holy place...
We're so fortunate to have simple admission to His throne room through prayer.

So I'm willing to accept this theory for two reasons.
The first one is most obvious, and it is based on the contrast to the opposite.
Take Hell's pizza for example. The creative idea and extended metaphor of the franchise is the labelling of pizza with the '7 deadly sins' and more. Hmm, I'd say they're right, the 'gnashing of teeth' in eternal Hell is most likely full of this evil and more. But yet these things happen right here on Earth - the lies, the lust, the hatred, the stealing, the murder, the jealousy - they're like a part of daily living on this physical world. These things take no effort, they are mindless, self-centred but controlled by Satan no less.
But, there is another Way. God, by sending us His Spirit has empowered our spirit to live a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control - Galations 5v22.
My argument is that if the deadly sins bring Hell on Earth, so too can the gifts of the Spirit bring Heaven to Earth. Living in this way frees others from inhibitions, frees us from guilt, rids us of fear, gives us new worth, hope and peace, and frees us from pain. Doesn't sound like a week on Earth, but eternity in Heaven. Bring it on!!

The second reason is what God's Way has done in my life. My passions have completely flipped, and I have definite day-to-day purpose. By choosing to love and forgive even when others don't return the favour, I have a sense of belonging and peace that God is with me.

It's like having a slice of heavenly pizza...
and so that's how I know.

Lord, thank you for letting me take a bite today. Thank You that Your Ways overcome all tensions and You offer them freely to those who are willing.
Amen

Freedom

Thank you Lord for giving us true freedom. I don't feel trapped by pain or pleasure.
I'm on edge but I know I'm free. Help me to have faith that You can keep me safe forever.

Lord, thank you for showing me that freedom is far more than having a new car, and being able to drive whenever I like. It's interesting to see what I do with that freedom however. As the saying goes: What matters is not what we believe, but the choices we make.
With that in mind, I find it funny that I was really excited that I would be getting a whole lot done this morning because I had the freedom to do that with my car - belief. But the reality is, I slept in, had breakfast, did some research on the computer, had a long shower and still have not left.

So what do I do with the freedom that You offer me Lord. I'm I also refusing to fully use that either. I mean, surely I could do a lot worse with a car now - I could use the freedom to go to more parties, or just to go for a speed joy ride. But at the same time, I'm not using it for it's positive potential either. I've decided to keep to my old way - for now anyway. But I'll never grow up like that, that's how life will become stagnant.

Lord, I don't want my spiritual life to become stagnant either. So show me how I can make the most of the positive potential that Your freedom offers.
Amen.

Better Things

These are some really cool things:
frisbees,
melons (not only cool but also refreshing),
jandals,
paddle pop thickshakes,
ice sledding,
helicopters.

Lately I've developed a new obsession for which I'm becoming quite concerned about Lord. But just putting it out there - I find everything that I do wrong at the moment is due to tiredness.
On that note, I firstly pray Lord Jesus to praise you for an exciting/remarkable world which we live in. From the wondrous changing colours on a drakes head, to the explosive shapes of colossal stars many many light years away. You care about the big picture down to it's intricities, and that is amazing.

Lord, give me good rest and take away evil of which You have defeated for me and continue to do.

And Lord, I love the sights of this universe so much yet refer back to the jewels of mans creation which doesn't compare, yet is favoured. Lord, let me be content with what You give me and what life has to offer me. I do not want to be envious of others possessions - of their watches, their shoes, their sweaters, their jeans, or their motorbikes. Lord, help me to focus on better things so that I can continue to live out Your greater purpose and be an effective servant of Yours, a great friend to others, and a wonderful partner to my Bunches.

Thank You Lord, You've saved me for yet another day. Help me to stay strung, and keep in your shelter from the hail :)
Amen

Live in Relationship

Lord, thank you for blessing me with amazing friends. Just like me they need your help and guidance and I hope that, like I am trying to do now, they continue to look to You in times of need.
I know that I can understand Your character through my relationships with others, so protect my best relationships and show me how to show love that honours You in these.

I praise you now because I know when I am weak You are so strong. I actually don't care at all that I lost poison pole this week because human strength is nothing but feeble.

Help me to succeed and to glorify You in response.
Amen.

A week gone by

Praise God for another awesome week!!

Lord at the end of an era for Kids Camping, I pray that I can continue helping to build your kingdom in other areas in my life.

The simplisity of camps is amazing though, and I'm so grateful for a full cycle of believers coming to you for the first time in faith could happen right before my very eyes.

Your love is astounding and never ending. Never let me get complacent about your love!!
Amen.

Making it secondary

Growing up is all about responsibility/making wise decisions while prioritising our time.

I'm really bad at prioritising and that's most likely why I get easily distracted by small things.

I thank the Lord, who is undeniably patient, for spending time on me. Somehow I've been growing up. Along with my height the blessings in my life continue to grow - and obviously with more at stake comes more responsibility. Something like that.

I had a afternoon nap today.

I have soooo much more that I should have been doing instead.

But you know what, I think God's going to keep me in line, for his great purpose for my life anyway.
They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.
- Isaiah 49v10.

Another day, I've found another way.

It's small steps/ multiple growing points that make a faith real. I'm not waiting for a big explosion. This is 2 days of the rest of my life. I have so much to look forward to.
Praise God.
Amen.