YWAM Update: Dreaming

I would like to hail you from the fresh North Cantabrian town of Oxford, home to two wonderful chefs. I would like you to know that I have been stunned, and taken, by the events of the last few weeks. I have put up some photos, all of which have happened in our base of YWAM. A few weeks ago, two new schools arrived, both the backpackers, and the Justice school. We have students from America, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, Holland, Sweden, Austria, England, and Finland. They arrived, just in time, to become preparation for the YWAM National Gathering, where we hosted people from the oakridge base in North North Island, Mangere, Tauranga (Marine Reach, and Impact World Tour) and Matamata.

I will comment on the 4 photos to the right. (top to bottom)
Hopping in a van with some students from Backpackers (Sam, Nate, Karissa and Seth) to goto the city
With food in our hands, hoping to bless someone in Sumner
A homeless man(!) actually, we had a dress up night which is called "Love Feast" - part of Angels and Mortals week, where we bless someone with random secret acts of grace.
Dressed up as Luigi, with Rebecca dressed up as Danny Zuko (gnarly!)

There are so many stories, too many to recount here, where God showed up, imparted direction and vision, and gave me a thirst for more of Him. It feels strange to not share about it everywhere. But what I would really like to share today is what he's done in my heart in the last day.

After I came back from Israel, I was invited by Colleen Robb to speak about my experience, at a church service in November, well, this weekend it happened! Though I haven't met any of them before (Colleen and her team were there for it) I felt right at home and welcomed everyone to fellowship. It's really sparked me unexpectedly, as I was sharing, in teaching more of my experience, that I get blessed by more revelation.

Unexpectedly, it took me back to Israel. I'm so glad that my life is not in my hands, because the whole message of Dreaming had completely left my memory. To be reminded of it, was, to say the least, a breath of fresh air, and relief. Actually, it's the most stressful thing to think about, if you look at it from the perspective of someone who finds it difficult to sleep. You cannot tell someone to dream - when I came back from Israel I had the predicament of trying to describe this, to people, when what I'm trying to impart, is dreams. Not only is this the most important thing to me in existance now, but it's also the only thing that matters.

This is the hardest thing for me to communicate, inspiring people to dream that I'm just not going to try!

That makes me think of Father. (God, that is) I go up and I just recline, like a baby, feeding from my Mother's breast, and I am filled! with ecstacy. Because I have all that I need. You just changed my paradigm (I'm thinking of my friend David!) You just won - invincible. You just ruined me. I'm bought, I'm totally there.

I will be leaving to goto Tauranga, as lead by the Spirit, not knowing what is going to happen, but glorying in God in the knowledge that I'm going, and that He knows what is going to happen. Fun-filled, enjoyable, surprising, exciting life - that is my Father. I will be leaving on the 18th of November, to stay for a week- He makes all my steps to walk in peace, when I know what He has done I am left speechless, and full of His love.

Solitude and Community

I am actually borrowing this title from another. But that's what community is about, right? Let me, tell you, the concept of Christian Community is so freeing! I will be sharing a story of this, as well as Just let people know, I FIND READING THE BIBLE more enjoyable than going and playing Video Games. Anyone that is struggling, believe it! There really is greater pleasure in God than in anything that you can get from this world! Also, Jesus, you've done it, you've overcome, you've done it! I am free!

An encouragement to forgive

Thursday, 16th June 2011

From Philippians 4:1-7

"Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Praying with a burden from God's heart

Praying for a country without a burden is like showing up to work without a brief case. It doesn't work. If you offend some people then that's alright, the world is at stake here. We can't expect to genuinely pray without offending some people. to pray with a burden means that you are emotionally involved with that country. However I want to take it from a different angle.