As storm clouds gather...

"I was sure by now
That you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say 'Amen'
And it's still raining.

......

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strenght is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You?"

It's been a while since I last posted... I've been struggling, thats the truth. I bought this CD yesterday, and ever time I hear this song it blows me away. How many times I've prayed, asking God to take away the pain, to heal this broken heart, to restore this tattered soul... but it's still raining. How long, O Lord?

Genie lamps and such...

“The truth is there are a million steps, and we don’t even know what the steps are, and worse, at any given moment we may not be willing or even able to take them; and still worse, they are different for you and me and they are always changing.

I have come to believe the sooner we find this truth beautiful, the sooner we will fall in love with the God who keeps shaking things up, keeps changing the path, keeps rocking the boat to test our faith in Him, teaching us not to rely on easy answers, bullet points, magic mantras, or genies in lamps, but rather in His guidance, His existence, His mercy, and His love.”

First words of wisdom from Don Millar… man they cut deep. Maybe that’s why things are so tough right now… because I was searching for an easy answer, but God wanted me to start relying on Him...

Searching...

WHAT IF...

the deepest longings of your heart
were there for a reason?

small-minded, boxed-in formulas of modern
religion weren't the Truth?

the gospel of Jesus was not "safe" after all, but
full of intrigue, passion - and romance?

HOW WOULD YOUR LIFE BE CHANGED?

Bought this book today (Don Millar, Searching for God Knows What)... everytime i've been in the shop lately I am drawn instinctivley to this book, and I dont quite know why. I guess I kinda feel a bit like thats me at the minute, like I'm searching, but I dont really know what for. So I bought it. Wonder where it will take me...

weariness...

"So--who is like me? Who holds a candle to me?" says The Holy.

Look at the night skies: Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name --so magnificent! so powerful!-- and never overlooks a single one?

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "GOD has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"?

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? GOD doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.

[Isaiah 40:25-29, TM]

What is prayer?

I've been learning a lot about prayer... Lately my life has been a bit 'turbulent', I have been pretty up and down, and a lot has been happening both in me personally and in the people around me. There has been a lot of pain surrounding me - family members and friends both going through some tough times.

How do I pray for these guys? Intercession... feeling their pain... lets be honest, it hurts. We dont like to hurt - I dont like to hurt. But to pray for these guys, the guys I love, that I'm close to, that I spend my time with... praying effectively for them means hurting for them. Feeling their pain. It means I have to be vulnerable and open and allow God to work through me to move in their lives... I have to be willing to feel their pain.

And that's tough.

changing the world...

My buddy phil posted tonight on a subject that ive been thinking a lot about lately, and today especially, so rather than me post it all again, click here and go have a read... I'll post soon when my thoughts become a bit more coherent...

"Where's Gods army? we are all on our own missions, but we must fight together."

Awesome...

How beautiful was tonights sunset?

Stumbling in the dark...

heart...

"Do you know what its like getting up every day, knowing that the love of your life is waking up beside the wrong girl? But hoping that, even if its never with you, he finds happiness anyway?"

Falling in love sucks...

cafe-REd launch....

Welcome to cafe-REd...

...Stephen Simpson...


...Jeremy Gardiner...

...Watch this space!

cafe-red....

Tonight we had a wee meeting at work to discuss and pray for cafe-red... We set it all up as we hope to have it on Saturday nights, and man, it looked so class! Like, im get realy excited now. I think it will fill a gap in peoples weekends... we're aiming to cater for 20's + 30's age group, which doesnt really have that much to do at the weekend.

This weekend is launch night... Ally's wee bro Steven (Stephen?) is playing, along with Jeremy Gardiner. Not quite sure how many to expect as there is a big concert on the same night (Micheal W Smith and Delerious?), but we're hoping there will still be a good crowd along.

So if you happen to be in the area... pop in and relax for a while with some good music and a great coffee!!

A Devoted Generation...

I've got this phrase stuck in my head, a devoted generation, so I have been doing a bit of Bible study to see where devotion is mentioned in the Bible. I found this gem of a verse while reading in 1 Kings 8...

May he keep us centered and devoted to him, following the life path he has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors.
[1 Kings 8:58 TM]

What does a generation devoted to God look like? They follow after Him, walking where He has already walked, always watchful. In the words of a well-known cliche, they 'walk the talk'. They are not afraid of what the world around them may say, all that matters is fighting the good fight, running the race with perserverance - pressing on and pressing in to Gods blessings for them. All that matters is crossing the finishing line and hearing Him whisper those words in your ear, "Well done, my good and faithfull servant!"

But do you know what I picked up from this for the first time this evening? The opening phrase, "May he keep us centred..." We don't have to worry about keeping the faith, God does that for me. It is Jesus who keeps me centred and focused on Him...

It's Jesus who keeps me devoted to Himself. So may you - may I - continue to live a life devoted to the One who keeps our course steady.

Wrestling for the blessing...

Just back from the Wash Basin weekend there... so great to spend time with everyone. Jeff gave a few messages, and I've got some stuff stuck in my mind...

He spoke of 'wrestling for the blessing' of God, of not being satisfied with anything less. Is that me? God is raising up a generation and an army who are wrestling with Him and are not satisfied with a 'Sunday' Christianity. It is an army raised up for such a time as this, a devoted generation, with a fire in their bellies that cannot be extinguished. They are the generation who cry out "I will not let you go until you bless me!" They are hungry and restless and pursing God passionatley.

Is that me?