Camp…

Haha… Ha… Hmmm…

Huge! Camp 2011 blew my mind. No doubt if anyone reads this because it will inevitably end up on my facebook they will fall into one of two camps: 1. they were there and know exactly what I’m talking about or 2. they weren’t there and will just have to take my (and 400 other peoples’) word for it.

I can say that without a shadow of a doubt that I am not the same person that I was when I went there. God blew my mind.

Serving on production is always a funny one - it seems like you aren’t part of the service sometimes and then again it seems like you’re knit into the very moment at others. I was definitely expecting something but nothing like this.

I don’t want to say anything about myself but here is what you need to know:

1. Know yourself - you’re actually awesome and those people around you called friends are your friends, they are there for you
2. Know God - He loves you more than you can even imagine
3. Back yourself - sometimes you’ll say things that are of God but are awkward, just do it, just say it
4. Surrender - sometimes the things that you want the most are the things that you need to throw at the Cross the most
5. Rest - sometimes the things that frustrate you the most are there for a reason, push into God, they probably won’t disappear but you know what, you won’t care about them anymore
6. Catch the vision - there will be times when things won’t run to plan… That might be the best thing for you and the situation… Work according to the plan shown to you on the mountain

Run the race

Run to win

Fix your eyes on Jesus

HE IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS. THE ONLY THING

Quiet

A friend of mine reminded me of a piece of music by John Cage. Every time it is performed, it’s completely different. Why? Because it’s a visual score? Because it’s stochastic or chance music? Because the musicians are just that bad? Nah, it’s 4 minutes and 33 seconds worth of silence.

A lot of people think that it’s just a stunt or Cage trying to be too clever for his own good… But when was the last time you sat down for 4’33” and just listened?

When was the last time you walked down the street without an iPod blaring just to hear the sounds of life? When I was in Tokyo I made an effort to never walk on the street listening to my iPod - why? Because I wasn’t content to just see Japan. I wanted to be in Japan, I wanted every single impression I could gather.

Do we know how to listen anymore? We have a conversation with our friend and suddenly we remember we need to text another friend so out comes the phone. We’re in a meeting and all we are doing is emailing or thinking about the next meal, the next conversation or how we can get out of there as quickly as possible.

Not only our friends. What about God? When was the last time you actually sat and listened? No music. No thoughts. Just waited. Just stopped. Just listened.

Turn off your phone. Don’t check your emails. Log off facebook. Don’t tweet. Take out your headphones.

I think you might find there is a world out there waiting…

Yes it’s ironic that I’m writing this on tumblr where I’m pretty sure no one cares but just in case :)

That’s My King

My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews - that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the King of Israel - that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King. 

Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. 

He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King. 

He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King. 

Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. 

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you … but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, and He is irresistible. 

I’m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can’t contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. 

He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King! 

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever… And when you get through with all of the ever’s, then …Amen!

The Battle has Turned

David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. - 1 Sam 17:54

We are called to show the world what God has done in our lives and to take what we have gained from the battle and use it against the armies that oppress us. Christ set us free for freedom, not so that we would be ashamed of our victory (Gal 5:1).

It’s a funny balance that we need to strike between not looking to the past but still rejoicing in our triumphs. In heaven, Christ is seen as a lamb which looks like it has been slain (Rev 5:6). He showed Thomas that it was truly Him by showing him the scars on His hands and letting Thomas put his hand into the wound in His side (Jn 21:27).

How is the world going to know that Jesus is alive and loves us if we live lives that seem to say that we’ve always had it together? Don’t parade your past life in pride, but in humility, just admit that we are all sinners, that we have all fallen short of God’s glory and that if there are any amongst us caught in sin, under oppression or just having a guts full - we’re there for them!