Sure God has spoken. In fact God has spoken as clearly as I have ever heard Him yet here I am now still waiting, even frustrated to see His word fulfilled.
Ever felt and experienced this frustration. I have and I am.
Consider Abraham as a starter in this journey of promises,time delays and finally world changing results of such faith. Consider Davids call and most of scriptures heroes and I find God not just testing the word but more importantly the heart of the person the word was sent to. Ouch that can really, really hurt ones patience and confidence.
God has spoken so clearly about planting a church in Hamilton and yet since the time our team has wonderfully come together and taken shape I have experienced constant delays,distractions and spiritual attack.
Looking at a church planters list of 'most common mistakes made by church planters' , just this moment and guess what ; the first mistake is ' Taking spiritual warfare lightly'. No surprise I guess . Couldn't be more accurate ,so tonight at our church planters cell group we will be looking into ways we are living and actively using the weapons of our warfare.
Just reading Romans 4 and find these words related to Abrahams faith-' He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief- but being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
This from the father of faith makes so much sense when faced with the journey of faith. The bible has such a capacity to relate,and then convey such powerful gems of truth that I find myself immediately surrounded by a cloud of witnesses that cheer me on knowing that they have walked on this pathway before.
Keep cheering guys-now's a really good time.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Church and sex industry !
'You work for the church and they give you time off to come and visit us-no way'
This was the amazed response of a lady working at one of Palmerston Norths brothels .After several visits,home baking,flowers and a regular visit from a couple of the church ladies it blew them away that these ladies from the church were even allowed to visit such places.
The girls now wait for their visit and chat. Even the manager expressed how grateful she is for such acts of kindness. Kindness is such a powerful thing-it opens hearts , conversations and lives to hope, restoration and belief.
Congrats to the Palmy girls.
Please send me any other current stories in your life that are missional and that you are willing to have printed in this blog
Check out the next entry soon to come-healing a foot through through prayer in city street leads to conversion experience!
This was the amazed response of a lady working at one of Palmerston Norths brothels .After several visits,home baking,flowers and a regular visit from a couple of the church ladies it blew them away that these ladies from the church were even allowed to visit such places.
The girls now wait for their visit and chat. Even the manager expressed how grateful she is for such acts of kindness. Kindness is such a powerful thing-it opens hearts , conversations and lives to hope, restoration and belief.
Congrats to the Palmy girls.
Please send me any other current stories in your life that are missional and that you are willing to have printed in this blog
Check out the next entry soon to come-healing a foot through through prayer in city street leads to conversion experience!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Disproportionate favour
Always bothered me as a young boy if my brothers received more lollies than me .The favour shown to them left me feeling robbed as I had done equal work for the reward.
That's whats so annoying about favour unless we are the ones who are at the receiving end.
Gods favour is always unfair and unequal-He gives to whom He will : heals some,forgives others, gives grace when don't deserve it. That's our God.
Lately my friend Glenn France explained how that we should expect disproportionate favour from God as his children. He related this to the company he sells for and is now their biggest seller because he expects Gods disproportionate favour on His business because it is Gods nature to do so. He explained that in the years he has worked for his company only two large machines of a specific variety have ever been sold .He drove up a driveway un announced and in one day sold 7 of these and later had potential orders for another 2-3. That's disproportionate favour. Glenn believes we are meant to live under this favour in every sphere of our lives yet we struggle so often to believe we deserve it.
Glenn challenged us to believe for this sort of favour as we plant the church in Hamilton at end of 18 - that disproportionate favour be given to us to see see hundreds added, sinners saved, miracles occurring, breakthrough etc present far above anything we have worked for or had in the past . If we only get what we work for we simply reap what we sowed but disproportionate favour reaps well above what it should -100 fold plus.
Thanks Glenn you have inspired us here.
That's whats so annoying about favour unless we are the ones who are at the receiving end.
Gods favour is always unfair and unequal-He gives to whom He will : heals some,forgives others, gives grace when don't deserve it. That's our God.
Lately my friend Glenn France explained how that we should expect disproportionate favour from God as his children. He related this to the company he sells for and is now their biggest seller because he expects Gods disproportionate favour on His business because it is Gods nature to do so. He explained that in the years he has worked for his company only two large machines of a specific variety have ever been sold .He drove up a driveway un announced and in one day sold 7 of these and later had potential orders for another 2-3. That's disproportionate favour. Glenn believes we are meant to live under this favour in every sphere of our lives yet we struggle so often to believe we deserve it.
Glenn challenged us to believe for this sort of favour as we plant the church in Hamilton at end of 18 - that disproportionate favour be given to us to see see hundreds added, sinners saved, miracles occurring, breakthrough etc present far above anything we have worked for or had in the past . If we only get what we work for we simply reap what we sowed but disproportionate favour reaps well above what it should -100 fold plus.
Thanks Glenn you have inspired us here.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Prayer must work
Our church planting team came back convinced after a week end in Hamilton that we must pray and believe for Maori and Island people to join our church plant.We are just too white as a group!
Got to prayer last week over this as a team and guess what !
Today I receive an email from a young island man, someone I had briefly met some years ago. He knew nothing about our desire to plant a church in Hamilton end 08 but wrote explaining he had been stirred by God for a long time to get involved in church planting and maybe one day lead a church.He explained his job is ending in 2008 and wondered if I knew of anything happening !!!!
Hello ! whatever happens from here I cant help but marvel at the power of prayer to move circumstance's .
Keep praying!
Church planting is more exciting than first anticipated
Got to prayer last week over this as a team and guess what !
Today I receive an email from a young island man, someone I had briefly met some years ago. He knew nothing about our desire to plant a church in Hamilton end 08 but wrote explaining he had been stirred by God for a long time to get involved in church planting and maybe one day lead a church.He explained his job is ending in 2008 and wondered if I knew of anything happening !!!!
Hello ! whatever happens from here I cant help but marvel at the power of prayer to move circumstance's .
Keep praying!
Church planting is more exciting than first anticipated
Church planting-signs and wonders.
God allows us to experience 'signs' that leave us in 'wonder' simply to let us know He is around the place and very interested in our lives.
Two weeks ago I went a day ahead of our church planting team to pray with some of the northern leaders around Hamilton and to see if God was saying anything to us. Great time and lots of revelation.
However what struck me was what happened the day before with a land agent who took me around looking for homes. I will call her 'Mary'.
When Mary found out I was in the region to plant a church she went silent and so we happily talked about buying homes and general life talk.On our way back to being dropped off Mary explained that she had a spiritual past,still had a faith but due to hurt,marriage issues and church disappointments she had not engaged with church or Christians for many years.
As I hopped out of the car I asked Mary if I could say a short prayer for her in the car.She bowed her head and I asked God to help her in selling homes and for Him to reveal Himself further to her. I did not expect to see Mary again outside of housing enquiries.
The next day this remarkable letter turns up from Mary-I quote from it......
'Just wanted to thank you for praying with me today.I don't think that it was by coincidence that out of all the agents in my branch it was me who got given your email enquiry.When I was baptised [she had not mentioned this] God told me that He had a great plan for me and that I was going to be used in positive and awesome ways by God to spread His word and I was going to be a person who was going to lead many people into His kingdom.I am pretty sure that you were sent by God to me to help me and I would love to be one of the first of your new congregation when you arrive.'
'You had such a comfortable feel and made me speak of a faith that I hadn't spoken about in a long time.The fears I had were not fears at all; more likely excuses though I don't know why'
'So anyway, that God dude works in mysterious ways but He is good,that's why He has the top job.Thank you for being in the kingdom and doing what you do.Your church has already started growing even though you have even yet to plant it'
This 'sign' has not only convinced me and the team of Gods call to Hamilton but left us wondering at what next He will surprise us with next.
Thanks Mary- you made our trip !
Amazing what a little prayer can do.
Two weeks ago I went a day ahead of our church planting team to pray with some of the northern leaders around Hamilton and to see if God was saying anything to us. Great time and lots of revelation.
However what struck me was what happened the day before with a land agent who took me around looking for homes. I will call her 'Mary'.
When Mary found out I was in the region to plant a church she went silent and so we happily talked about buying homes and general life talk.On our way back to being dropped off Mary explained that she had a spiritual past,still had a faith but due to hurt,marriage issues and church disappointments she had not engaged with church or Christians for many years.
As I hopped out of the car I asked Mary if I could say a short prayer for her in the car.She bowed her head and I asked God to help her in selling homes and for Him to reveal Himself further to her. I did not expect to see Mary again outside of housing enquiries.
The next day this remarkable letter turns up from Mary-I quote from it......
'Just wanted to thank you for praying with me today.I don't think that it was by coincidence that out of all the agents in my branch it was me who got given your email enquiry.When I was baptised [she had not mentioned this] God told me that He had a great plan for me and that I was going to be used in positive and awesome ways by God to spread His word and I was going to be a person who was going to lead many people into His kingdom.I am pretty sure that you were sent by God to me to help me and I would love to be one of the first of your new congregation when you arrive.'
'You had such a comfortable feel and made me speak of a faith that I hadn't spoken about in a long time.The fears I had were not fears at all; more likely excuses though I don't know why'
'So anyway, that God dude works in mysterious ways but He is good,that's why He has the top job.Thank you for being in the kingdom and doing what you do.Your church has already started growing even though you have even yet to plant it'
This 'sign' has not only convinced me and the team of Gods call to Hamilton but left us wondering at what next He will surprise us with next.
Thanks Mary- you made our trip !
Amazing what a little prayer can do.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
More CVT quotes
These last two sessions from CVt were given by Greg Burson. These are the final snippets from the five days of training together.
Moving in the Spirit:
- Person,Presence, Power-these three realities are what the Holy Spirit means for the apostle Paul.
- Learning to listen, assess and respond are keys to being Spirit led.
- Learning to be led as a spiritual community is the only way to effectively do the work of the kingdom.
Leading a meeting:
-Leading in a meeting context can involve a huge number of variables-communication , coordination and collaboration skills which build confidence and growth in both the leader and listener.
- Lead and inspire people. Don't try to manage and manipulate people.Inventories can be managed but people must be led.
- Don't give your leadership away.
- Make sure you know what your main idea is.
-Try to create a sensory atmosphere [what see, smell, hear, touch, taste]
- Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truely endless [Mother Theresa]
Great sessions.
Some of the CVT sessions will soon be available on podcast.
Moving in the Spirit:
- Person,Presence, Power-these three realities are what the Holy Spirit means for the apostle Paul.
- Learning to listen, assess and respond are keys to being Spirit led.
- Learning to be led as a spiritual community is the only way to effectively do the work of the kingdom.
Leading a meeting:
-Leading in a meeting context can involve a huge number of variables-communication , coordination and collaboration skills which build confidence and growth in both the leader and listener.
- Lead and inspire people. Don't try to manage and manipulate people.Inventories can be managed but people must be led.
- Don't give your leadership away.
- Make sure you know what your main idea is.
-Try to create a sensory atmosphere [what see, smell, hear, touch, taste]
- Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truely endless [Mother Theresa]
Great sessions.
Some of the CVT sessions will soon be available on podcast.
Carried by a song
Before I got to the room I was struck by the presence of God-literally struck . I could hear music being played in the lounge but couldn't hear the words yet my eyes started to tear up and I became aware that there was something 'happening' through the song being played.
Entered the room and was later told it was a song that has been recently released out of a church in Zimbabwe who are walking through incredibly painful and testing times. Something of true worship , that which is forged through times of suffering, that which is costly and precious which had been extracted by the Spirit of God overwhelmed me.
It was simple scripture from Rev 1:4-8 declaring that Jesus is 'Alpha and Omega' and goes on to declare that 'He ' is worthy to be praised .
Simple but effective when the Holy Spirit extracts such presence and conviction out of such .
For the last 4 months I have sung this song / scripture hundreds of times and found myself carried by its certainty and overwhelming conviction that Alpha and Omega [gk-Gods total and complete ability] is indeed able to completely keep,carry and provide.
Perhaps I get to experience a little of the certainty and overflow that the believers in Zimbabwe carry in the midst of their suffering- treasure extracted out of dark places I guess.
Paul in 2 Cor 4: 12 through his trials writes to the Corinthians and puts his sufferings into a bigger context by saying: ' Death [testings etc] works in us, but life works in you.
I guess in the same way the 'death' being experienced in many believers lives in Zimbabwe has indeed been ' life' to me. So grateful to the saints .
Entered the room and was later told it was a song that has been recently released out of a church in Zimbabwe who are walking through incredibly painful and testing times. Something of true worship , that which is forged through times of suffering, that which is costly and precious which had been extracted by the Spirit of God overwhelmed me.
It was simple scripture from Rev 1:4-8 declaring that Jesus is 'Alpha and Omega' and goes on to declare that 'He ' is worthy to be praised .
Simple but effective when the Holy Spirit extracts such presence and conviction out of such .
For the last 4 months I have sung this song / scripture hundreds of times and found myself carried by its certainty and overwhelming conviction that Alpha and Omega [gk-Gods total and complete ability] is indeed able to completely keep,carry and provide.
Perhaps I get to experience a little of the certainty and overflow that the believers in Zimbabwe carry in the midst of their suffering- treasure extracted out of dark places I guess.
Paul in 2 Cor 4: 12 through his trials writes to the Corinthians and puts his sufferings into a bigger context by saying: ' Death [testings etc] works in us, but life works in you.
I guess in the same way the 'death' being experienced in many believers lives in Zimbabwe has indeed been ' life' to me. So grateful to the saints .
Thursday, May 8, 2008
More CVT quotes.
Here's more great teaching from our CVT [church vocational training week] so here's my second edition of 'snippets 'form that time.
Margie Malcolm: Building our inner world.
-I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in the inner man-Eph 3:16-19.
-Intimacy with God is found in the presence of God
-Intimacy is the freshly restored joy of the church.
-Transformation,protection and victory all come out of being in His presence.
-To use the Word effectively in prayer it is my conviction that it needs to be spoken aloud and with conviction.
-The life of the prayer is greatly expanded as they allow the word to dwell in their hearts.
Graeme Brock; Exegesis.
-The bible is a stream wherein the elephant may swim and the lamb may wade.
-The bible is the authoritative word of God,it is a supernatural book given through selected authors by the process of inspiration [ Gk-theopneusos-God breathed].
-God desires to meet us in His word.
-The smaller the passage being studied the greater the need for context.
-Words often change radically in time and so have little or no connection to the regional meaning of the word.
More CVT quotes next week.
Have a great one.
Margie Malcolm: Building our inner world.
-I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in the inner man-Eph 3:16-19.
-Intimacy with God is found in the presence of God
-Intimacy is the freshly restored joy of the church.
-Transformation,protection and victory all come out of being in His presence.
-To use the Word effectively in prayer it is my conviction that it needs to be spoken aloud and with conviction.
-The life of the prayer is greatly expanded as they allow the word to dwell in their hearts.
Graeme Brock; Exegesis.
-The bible is a stream wherein the elephant may swim and the lamb may wade.
-The bible is the authoritative word of God,it is a supernatural book given through selected authors by the process of inspiration [ Gk-theopneusos-God breathed].
-God desires to meet us in His word.
-The smaller the passage being studied the greater the need for context.
-Words often change radically in time and so have little or no connection to the regional meaning of the word.
More CVT quotes next week.
Have a great one.
Church planting offering
Great news-linknz took up our first national church planting offering to go toward encouraging the new pioneer works we start across this nation. So far nine churches have given $50,000 with others still to ring in so we are on track to seeing significant investment into the new church plants over this coming year.
Thanks to all the great teams that have sold this vision -let the days ahead see the fruit of such generosity out worked in many pioneering works.
Check out the church planting video in the 'church planting 'section of this site.
Thanks to all the great teams that have sold this vision -let the days ahead see the fruit of such generosity out worked in many pioneering works.
Check out the church planting video in the 'church planting 'section of this site.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
African woman
Mel Jeffs is a legend [ according to all who know her] and shes taking some of that legendary courage and passion to work with children in Burundi Africa for 12 months.Mel is a big part of the Northcity Church in Christchurch,part of our Linknz CVT course and has had a call to Africa since young -shes already served in Tanzania.
Keep an eye on this lady who walks the talk,loves the lost and gives 110% to see that her God is made great where ever she is planted.
Away for a year,teaching children[many from orphanages], helping with the poor and needy and helping to be a part of the redemptive solution to this nation that has seen such tradgedy from the genocide that they and Rwanda experienced.
All she asks for is your prayer that she stay well,be protected and touch Gods heart for such a beautiful people. Oh by the way money helps -infact lots of it. So if you feel stirred send a email to Mel at melefrog@hotmail.com
Mel leaves in August so we are cheering her on all the way as she prepares for such a
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
CVT - soo good
Just finished 5 fantastic days of cvt [church vocational training] where 60 students and 20 leaders turned up to foster the dream- the dream that God believes His church and has eternal plans for her. Those willing to plant churches,go into nations or work vocationally within the context of church vocation were amped to take up the challenge and consider the possibilities of being used for such a dream.
Highlights and quotes from the week:
Prayer and such like! [Linda Burson ]
- Prayer is thinking in dialogue.
-Allow the word to 'Read Me'
-The word got into John's nerve endings,reflexes and imagination
God [Nigel Dixon -not !]
-Aristotle says that philosophy begins with wonder.
-Beyond the desert of criticism we want to be called again.
-An existent being acting with omnipotence and omniscience would make freedom impossible [in response to why God just doesn't step in and sort out our world]
-The church exists today as resident aliens,an adventurous colony in a society of unbelief.
Vision and Faith [Geoff Malcolm]
-Vision is seeing things from Gods perspective-Faith is trusting Him to carry it out.
-Keep record of what God says.
-You cannot 'technique' or 'purchase ' the promise into fulfillment-it requires trust and patience.
-Its through the promise we inherit-not via the shortcut.
Time to go but will share more gems in the next few days from CVT.
Catch you then.
Would love to receive any comments from CVT students to put onto this site as to how you found the week.
Highlights and quotes from the week:
Prayer and such like! [Linda Burson ]
- Prayer is thinking in dialogue.
-Allow the word to 'Read Me'
-The word got into John's nerve endings,reflexes and imagination
God [Nigel Dixon -not !]
-Aristotle says that philosophy begins with wonder.
-Beyond the desert of criticism we want to be called again.
-An existent being acting with omnipotence and omniscience would make freedom impossible [in response to why God just doesn't step in and sort out our world]
-The church exists today as resident aliens,an adventurous colony in a society of unbelief.
Vision and Faith [Geoff Malcolm]
-Vision is seeing things from Gods perspective-Faith is trusting Him to carry it out.
-Keep record of what God says.
-You cannot 'technique' or 'purchase ' the promise into fulfillment-it requires trust and patience.
-Its through the promise we inherit-not via the shortcut.
Time to go but will share more gems in the next few days from CVT.
Catch you then.
Would love to receive any comments from CVT students to put onto this site as to how you found the week.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Paris in spring
The ultimate man has finally emerged wearing cape and T shirt to prove it.
Having just spent 10 days in England with friends linked to the Salt and Light Churches and ministering in many situations [ what great people and churches ] Dale and I boarded a plane to spend four days in Paris to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.
What a beautiful city, what a romantic vibe, what an expensive experience !!!
Paris in Spring-cool days, beautiful walks, mind blowing architecture, pickpockets galore , cafes and shops to kill for.
One site that captivated me: The Musee D'eOrsay. Could have spent all day in this art gallery with its hundreds of paintings done by artists like Monet, Van Gogh and Renoir that had previously only been seen by me in books and magazines. Such extraordinary beauty with some paintings over 4 meters in length that reached from the ceiling to the floor with their enormous size and detail drawing you into their full wonder.
Other paintings could have been done by a tantrum throwing 3 year old but overall a brilliant stop and worth every moment of the time spent there.
Our favorite cafe just 30 meters from our little hotel unit found us in conversation with english speaking locals who loved the All Blacks and told us where to shop while evading the local pick pocket's.
Finished off with a weekend with our good friends Dave and Rhi Day [lead church in Bristol] in Barcelona , Spain, which again was so much fun. Lots of interesting people , sites and food . Sat in the local sports cafe with a room full of Welsh supporters cheering on their team to their six nations victory. Could have been at Cardiff Arms park with all the noise .
So that's where we have been .Totally wonderful.
So the ultimate man cant stop smiling after what has been a great trip with the love of his life .
Will wear the T shirt as long as possible and bore our friends crazy with travel pics and exaggerated stories.
Thanks
Fraser
Having just spent 10 days in England with friends linked to the Salt and Light Churches and ministering in many situations [ what great people and churches ] Dale and I boarded a plane to spend four days in Paris to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.
What a beautiful city, what a romantic vibe, what an expensive experience !!!
Paris in Spring-cool days, beautiful walks, mind blowing architecture, pickpockets galore , cafes and shops to kill for.
One site that captivated me: The Musee D'eOrsay. Could have spent all day in this art gallery with its hundreds of paintings done by artists like Monet, Van Gogh and Renoir that had previously only been seen by me in books and magazines. Such extraordinary beauty with some paintings over 4 meters in length that reached from the ceiling to the floor with their enormous size and detail drawing you into their full wonder.
Other paintings could have been done by a tantrum throwing 3 year old but overall a brilliant stop and worth every moment of the time spent there.
Our favorite cafe just 30 meters from our little hotel unit found us in conversation with english speaking locals who loved the All Blacks and told us where to shop while evading the local pick pocket's.
Finished off with a weekend with our good friends Dave and Rhi Day [lead church in Bristol] in Barcelona , Spain, which again was so much fun. Lots of interesting people , sites and food . Sat in the local sports cafe with a room full of Welsh supporters cheering on their team to their six nations victory. Could have been at Cardiff Arms park with all the noise .
So that's where we have been .Totally wonderful.
So the ultimate man cant stop smiling after what has been a great trip with the love of his life .
Will wear the T shirt as long as possible and bore our friends crazy with travel pics and exaggerated stories.
Thanks
Fraser
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
At that time
'In that day men/women began to call upon the name of the Lord ' Gen 4:26
Adam and Eve seamingly failed to fill the earth with a Godly offspring [the perfect family] as was intended.Their plan to raise great sons ended up with Cain missing his weekly anger management classes and killing Abel for taking first prize at the show and tell morning talk.
Cains life spiralls,he leaves Adam and Eve , deserts God and His presence and builds cities which have since that day become great places to hide away in. Sin increases, and although success is mixed with Cains journey ,ultimately [by Gen 6 ] the whole place is full of wickedness.
Adam and Eve must have wondered what all this was about-what God and His word was about and what purpose there was to live for. Adams next edition of 'raising brilliant families' would not be heading to the printer in the near future.
Finally after a long and difficult season a new son called Seth[ new appointment] is born to them and he in turn has a son called Enosh and then it declares 'AT THAT TIME MEN BEGAN TO CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD'
This thought has inspired me over these weeks and out of it a real seed of hunger to call upon the Lord has been emerging.
Ultimately we are Spirit people and deep at the centre of that relationship is a profound longing to know the living God. This longing builds into a cry that overlooks the surrounding impossibilities and will not stop calling out until it sees the fruit of Gods promises fulfilled.
I have daily been repeating this verse and in so doing have found the 'name of the Lord' and His promises arising a fresh within me.
Like Seth and Enosh the future of all that God has promised can only be seized by those willing to rise up to challenge and change the future for good.
Let the 'call' be heard over Aotearoa in 2008.
Adam and Eve seamingly failed to fill the earth with a Godly offspring [the perfect family] as was intended.Their plan to raise great sons ended up with Cain missing his weekly anger management classes and killing Abel for taking first prize at the show and tell morning talk.
Cains life spiralls,he leaves Adam and Eve , deserts God and His presence and builds cities which have since that day become great places to hide away in. Sin increases, and although success is mixed with Cains journey ,ultimately [by Gen 6 ] the whole place is full of wickedness.
Adam and Eve must have wondered what all this was about-what God and His word was about and what purpose there was to live for. Adams next edition of 'raising brilliant families' would not be heading to the printer in the near future.
Finally after a long and difficult season a new son called Seth[ new appointment] is born to them and he in turn has a son called Enosh and then it declares 'AT THAT TIME MEN BEGAN TO CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD'
This thought has inspired me over these weeks and out of it a real seed of hunger to call upon the Lord has been emerging.
Ultimately we are Spirit people and deep at the centre of that relationship is a profound longing to know the living God. This longing builds into a cry that overlooks the surrounding impossibilities and will not stop calling out until it sees the fruit of Gods promises fulfilled.
I have daily been repeating this verse and in so doing have found the 'name of the Lord' and His promises arising a fresh within me.
Like Seth and Enosh the future of all that God has promised can only be seized by those willing to rise up to challenge and change the future for good.
Let the 'call' be heard over Aotearoa in 2008.
Bulls in the tent
So why do people go camping ? Apparently its a great family activity that bonds families-a revelation that hasnt yet dawned on me.
We have just finished 7 days at Anaru Bay north of Gisborne at a Doc camp in a borrowed tent.
Our arival welcomed 24 hours of consistant heavy rain that by three in the morning had filled up the base of the tent leaving us bailing water,digging trenches and trying to recall what aspect of this experience was meant to be fun.
We emerged in the morning in our wet and humble state to find a Hilton like house /caravan parked ten meters from us. They turned on their hot showers, popped the chardenay corks and spent their time watching their poor neighbours [ us-looked like squatter camp] trying to turn the flood away.The final humiliation was to see their little genetically modified rat,apparently a dog,walk over to the corner of our tent and drop his very big bundle and then trot back over to the mini Hilton so as not to get wet.
I can really see now why some people actually kill and eat dogs ! The spade in my hand would have happily turned into a dog beating, grave digging tool had Mr and Mrs Hilton not been looking.
So please remind me again, which part of this builds great memories.Or perhaps thats just the point.You will never,ever forget the times spent on your tenting holidays as you remain deeply traumatised for many years and will need to talk to others about it many , many times.
A friend of ours told how when they came back from a walk they found their tent was gone and moving aroung the field they were camped in. They were informed that the farmers bull had got into their tent,got trapped and was now running aroung inside the tent and around the field. Sure hope the kids werent inside it!!!
Other insights to survive camping:
-Place a trumpet on your picnic table while camping as it is certain to keep the campsites on either side vacant.
-The guitar being used by the noisy teenager at the next camp site makes excellent kindling.
So my advice is buy one of those mini Hiltons and terrorise all those poor people in tents.
So thats it from me.If you have also been traumatised from a camping holiday do write back to this site and perhaps over time we can start a internet chat room as we coach each other back into healing.
The sad thing about all this-we will be back next year to repeat it all again !
We have just finished 7 days at Anaru Bay north of Gisborne at a Doc camp in a borrowed tent.
Our arival welcomed 24 hours of consistant heavy rain that by three in the morning had filled up the base of the tent leaving us bailing water,digging trenches and trying to recall what aspect of this experience was meant to be fun.
We emerged in the morning in our wet and humble state to find a Hilton like house /caravan parked ten meters from us. They turned on their hot showers, popped the chardenay corks and spent their time watching their poor neighbours [ us-looked like squatter camp] trying to turn the flood away.The final humiliation was to see their little genetically modified rat,apparently a dog,walk over to the corner of our tent and drop his very big bundle and then trot back over to the mini Hilton so as not to get wet.
I can really see now why some people actually kill and eat dogs ! The spade in my hand would have happily turned into a dog beating, grave digging tool had Mr and Mrs Hilton not been looking.
So please remind me again, which part of this builds great memories.Or perhaps thats just the point.You will never,ever forget the times spent on your tenting holidays as you remain deeply traumatised for many years and will need to talk to others about it many , many times.
A friend of ours told how when they came back from a walk they found their tent was gone and moving aroung the field they were camped in. They were informed that the farmers bull had got into their tent,got trapped and was now running aroung inside the tent and around the field. Sure hope the kids werent inside it!!!
Other insights to survive camping:
-Place a trumpet on your picnic table while camping as it is certain to keep the campsites on either side vacant.
-The guitar being used by the noisy teenager at the next camp site makes excellent kindling.
So my advice is buy one of those mini Hiltons and terrorise all those poor people in tents.
So thats it from me.If you have also been traumatised from a camping holiday do write back to this site and perhaps over time we can start a internet chat room as we coach each other back into healing.
The sad thing about all this-we will be back next year to repeat it all again !
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