Start Date + Oaks of Righteousness

^{Isaiah 61:1-3} 

¹ ...proclaim good news to the poor.
...bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,
^...
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.

Start Date + Psalm 114

I was recently visiting the Kings Lodge and for our morning devotion Psalm 114 was read. The man reading it joked that it would make a good cartoon and slightly inspired, I did.  This is the result:

³ The sea looked and fled,
   the Jordan turned back;
⁴ the mountains leaped like rams,
   the hills like lambs.

'You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside down, and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of good literature' - Mohandas Gandhi

Start Date + Catholic's Praying...

I found the following on the  Catholic News website and went a bit nuts with colouring in the bits that interest me... Its good to hear about so much unity in the run up to the games and I'm just praying that it remains like this, with no one seeking to use this platform for their own means. 

More than 200 Christians from across the denominations gathered together with members of charities and other NGOs  at Westminster Central Hall in London this past week to engage with matters of social justice in the lead up to the 2012 London Games.  The meeting was hosted by More Than Gold, the churches’ 2012 umbrella charity. The four  key areas addressed were homelessness, human trafficking and prostitution, Fairtrade and climate change. 

David Willson, CEO of More Than Gold, opened the day by sharing of his own experience over the past fourteen  years heading up the churches’ work alongside Olympic and Paralympic Games saying:  “The Olympics are an  opportunity wherever they occur for dynamic short-term celebration and long-term regeneration for millions of  people. However, for some the Games can mean further degradation and misery. It is our duty as Christ’s body  here on earth to do all we can to prevent this from happening, while serving and encouraging all that is good.”

The Rt Hon Stephen Timms, MP opened his address saying that the 2012 Games, hosted by the East End of London, are “the most exciting event worldwide that can change this run-down area economically”. He  acknowledged that “church attendance in London is on the rise”. He also saw that “More Than Gold are right to  recognise that the Olympics are a moment for national pride but also for service, and Christian service in the  Games is something to be supported and celebrated.” He went on to express his “strong support of social action  rooted in and inspired by faith” and sees More Than Gold’s work as being “not about activists with a background  in Christianity but about initiatives rooted in worship and love for Christ. It is about those with a passion to get  involved with individuals” he said.  “We need to renew our communities and our politics in the years ahead.”

He went on to make reference to Wesley, Wilberforce and Booth, men of both transformation and of service, and  left those gathered with a mandate:  “Transformation needs to be at the heart of the Christian contribution,  speaking up for those with no voice, and challenging government where necessary.  You need to keep us as  government focussed on legacy.”

Commissioner Betty Matear’s address recognised that, as a united Christian voice, we have “one shot, one  opportunity to make a mark on the global scene in this way. We’re at the centre of the action,” she said, “and  want to uphold the objectives and purposes of the Olympic movement. But what will we be remembered for  beyond 2012?  Every major sporting event plays a big effect. We need to re-orientate the moral compass where  necessary in our land.”  

More Than Gold’s work was to be seen she said “not as a narrow church agenda but a big stage with a long-term focus, commitment to excellence and to justice, involving people of all faiths and none. We must work for the good of others where there is exploitation, or damage, or where people are further impoverished.” She went on to say that we need to “think globally, act locally. We will reflect and discuss and build on what is already  happening.” She also saw that the Christian community across the UK “needs to recognise positive aspects but also speak up, speak out and speak for those whose voice is not being heard.”

Presentations were given on the four key areas with Alison Gelder of Housing Justice speaking on  homelessness and the many improvements that have been made over the past thirteen years with figures “down  from 2000 in 1997 to about 500 now”. She spoke of the “unsung success of the current government” while  challenging the Christian community not to be complacent. “Half of rough sleepers in the UK are in London,” she  said, “and to achieve the long-term target of zero rough sleeping by the end of 2012 means a change to society,  with the church taking the leading role.”

Ruth Dearnley of Stop The Traffik spoke graphically about the issues behind human trafficking and prostitution.  “This business,” she said, “is the fastest growing crime on the planet with a $32 billion profit, which is bigger than Microsoft.” As a united church, “we need to answer a challenge that has not been answered before” she said. 

“There are no known statistics, no in depth research of how a global sports event affects the traffic” because this  issue is one that “is organised and systemised, and is both adaptable and moveable whenever something is shut  down.” She suggested addressing this social cancer by means of “every local community having the power to  change what is happening around them.  Communities are the answer, and if community groups are there, led and driven with faith in Christ then there is no more powerful cocktail to bring the kingdom of God.  The UN  wants us on board because they realise the key lies in the community and in community groups” she  passionately exclaimed. “We will only ever stop the traffic if we work in partnership to bring about change to the  community where people are being bought and sold. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR TRIBALISM OR TERRITORIALISM”

Paul Chandler of Traidcraft addressed issues of justice within the marketplace calling for “a better deal for the poor in the world”, demanding the provision of “better working conditions” which in turn “bring dignity, opportunity  and HOPE where it didn’t exist before.” He welcomed the decision by the London Organising Committee of the  Olympic Games (LOCOG) to commit to using Fairtrade items in food outlets during the 2012 Games where over 40 million meals will be served during the Games, but recognised that “the 2012 Games are an opportunity for  Fairtrade to be a key provider and for this important trademark of justice for market providers to become further  known.”

Mary Colwell of The Catholic Climate Covenant campaign, which links the effects of climate change to the needs of the vulnerable, also praised the efforts being made by LOCOG to host a games that are the greenest to date.

She encouraged church members present to “be leaders in energy efficiency, incorporate awe and wonder for  the world and creation into your worship, be witnesses to God’s mark on creation by having eco-friendly church grounds.” Alongside the forthcoming Olympians, “this is a time for us all to be heroes,” she said.
 

Start Date + Snow

Last week I returned to the sunny, if not cold climes of Dorsetshire. Lucie (super duper new friend from Harpenden) was going to Bournemouth to visit her sister and so I took the opportunity to road trip with her so I could spend 48 hours at home. 

 

Cars are not my forte and in this particularly appalling attempt I seem to have downgraded her from a Clio to some sort of retro Seat Ibiza/Suzuki Swift amalgamation.

 

I am becoming a bit of an expert at drawing cartoon animals though so, for the purposes of this blog, let's pretend that traveled by a camel named Clio.

 

Having left Harpenden in what can only be described as polar conditions, we braved the snow and ice of 5 counties in our journey. Every boundary line we crossed was a celebration of our capacity for survival; our expert negotiation of arctic weather, a status shared only with the other drivers on the road that day. Periodically we'd catch the eye of a fellow adventurer, and share a superior look that said 'Yes, we're the same, you and I; intrepid explorers, fearless in this apocalyptic climate.' 

As we crossed Hampshire I reassured Lucie that by the time we exited the New Forest the snow would have declined and Dorset would be defending England's reputation as a 'green and pleasant land'. 

Aside from last winter when I was out of the country (and therefore don't count it), I have only experienced significant snow in Dorset once and I was 3 years old.

However much it had tried to snow, it had never settled much beyond a sprinkling and I didn't think this winter would make an exception.

I was right.

County line in sight, the snow stopped right on queue and, with Clio wearing the snow of Hertforshire on her bonnet like a medal, we entered Dorset as Champions of the Weather. 

 After a lengthy defrost by the fire Lucie continued on her now more amenable journey to Bournemouth, and having printed out a route from Google maps, promptly went in completely the wrong direction.

After two weeks of being in an increasingly frozen area of the country I'd been looking forward to being in an area that I could trust to withstand the peer pressure of other counties to allow snow to settle. 
Finally I could be outside without fear of slipping over and for me this meant one important thing - I could go for a run. 
However, one thing Dorset's salty air couldn't withstand was the drop in temperature so this meant running in sub zero conditions. Raw stupidity coupled with an unrelenting devotion to my almost OCD running routine got me out the door.

 Far from throwing all caution to the wind, I decided to wrap up as best I could. Working bottom up I donned the thickest socks I could risk in my running shoes and, not owning long running trousers I coupled my 3/4s with leg warmers. Having left my black ones in Harpenden though, this meant wearing those usually reserved only for fancy dress. 

Next, I layered  a t-shirt with a fleece, gloves and a thermal head band. To top it all off, I donned a fluorescent vest so I'd be clearly visible in the fast fading light.  

I usually run early in the morning and with my all black outfit this vest doesn't usually look too bad. (And if it does, no one can recognise me in the darkness!)

 Accessorized with pink knitwear however I looked as if I'd covered myself in glue, run into the wardrobe department of Fame the musical, rolled around and worn what stuck.

Brilliant.

Before I could weigh the safety aspect of the horrific ensemble against the risk of being hit by a car, I set out. My usual route takes me on a gentle 5 mile loop out from the village, into the next town and back. Being built entirely on a hill however, this run means not only going down a gentle mile long hill, but back up it. On the steep side.

 I'm sure that when the original Norman settlers took up residence the hill provided a perfect vantage point to spy out possible invasions from the surrounding area and in fact, as I began my own ascent I congratulated them on their choice. 

Or I would have done had I been able to concentrate on anything other than putting one foot in front of the other.

 Puffing and panting my way to its summit, my legs started to burn and with every breath my warm lungs were invaded by air so cold I could feel them contract in despair. Little flecks of saliva involuntarily left my mouth with each exhalation but my willpower would not let me stop until I got to the top of the hill where I could reclaim at least some of my dignity (and take a short cut home).

 

Ordinarily I would sprint the final 200m, slow to a jog and then walk to cool down. However, realising a sudden thirst, my acceleration met with stupidity and I ran straight through the front door. Once inside the central heating hit me like a suffocating wall and in my half frozen, half sweaty delirium I headed straight for the drink of cold water I'd left out for myself. 

This is not a move I would recommend. 

 My body was not ready for yet another cold element to enter it and suddenly feeling hot, dizzy and sick I called pathetically for my Mum who told me to pace slowly in the hallway. Giddy and feeling very sorry for myself, I decided now would be a good time to remove some of my excessive layers. 

In the wrong order.

As I attempted to remove my leg warmers over my shoes I tripped over and crouched on the carpet of my parent's house wondering if I was too old to be sick on it and not invoke anger...

The next day Lucie and I had arranged to do the return trip and I was awoken early by something hitting my window. 

It was my Dad throwing snow balls. 

For the first time since I was 3 years old, snow has settled heavily in Dorset.

Start Date + Blog Blog Blog

With Art being such a valuable tool for communicating messages, I've been looking at what it exactly we can say through the Arts for our 2012 Outreaches.

Yes, I want to communicate the message of the cross and Jesus love but what specifically?

What was Jesus passionate about?

I heard an awesome message last night at our community meeting on Social Justice and God's heart for the oppressed. After Idolatry, that is putting things above God, Social Justice is the second most frequent topic in the Old Testament and mentioned over 300 times throughout the Bible. Its a topic SO close to God's heart and the Bible urges us frequently to 'Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.' Psalm 82:3

Justice and the rights of other was a topic Jesus frequently taught on, challenging the ideologies of the time and rebuking acts of religion that neglect the poor. Rather, he taught:

'Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.' James 1:27

So I have begun researching more specifically on topics that are raised by the Olympics coming to the UK.

I came across this article on the recent Commonwealth Games - 'Why we Mustn't forget Delhi 2010'. 

With  reports of over 100 workers dying during the construction of facilities and a surge young girls allegedly being lured to Delhi for work at the Games, only to be sold into prostitution, the world's media criticized India's handle of the event.

But this article warns us:

'It might be easy to feel complacent about all this, and to assume that the scandals that dogged the Games exist only in less developed countries.
But although it's not likely that young children will be involved in the construction of London 2012 facilities, child trafficking is very much alive and kicking in our capital. And a high proportion of the people building our state-of-the art velodrome, the stadium, swimming pools and running tracks are agency workers, many of them migrants, who are often at particular risk of abuse.
And don't forget the hundreds of thousands of workers around the world who will be involved in producing athletes' uniforms, sportswear and footwear, equipment and official Olympics promotional merchandise. All of these people, as poor, low- and semi-skilled workers, are also vulnerable to exploitation.' 

It is easy and often tempting to get overwhelmed by these issues. To sit back and feel like this is too big of an issue, and actually what can one person do? But we can do something. Legacy for the London games was at the heart of our government's successful Olympic bid. This legacy should extend to protecting the rights of all the people involved in bringing it to fruition. 

 Just one step is to tell Adidas, Nike and Speedo to raise the bar on workers rights.

Another of course is to pray specifically. The above link has amazing resources and information about issues and those vulnerable to exploitation. Why no read them and PRAY for those involved.

'He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?' Micah 6:8

It is my heart to use art to communicate these issues but, until my team grows there is only so much one artist can do!
SO! I'm in the process of putting together resource ideas for churches and youth groups that use creative methods to explore these issues. From yarn storming to creating murals they are ideas for ways that ANYONE can use art in the place they are now - School, University, their knitting circle, a parent and baby group.

Want to know more about what I'm currently researching?

Check out my 'work' blog ----> HERE

Start Date + Festivals

So... I LOVE festivals! 

Last summer I was lucky enough to go to a number of beautiful music festivals, including my most favorite - The Secret Garden Party (www.secretgardenparty.com). Its a magical event and SO much more than just good music. 

The passion of the festival organisers is interaction and participation through interactive events, dances and arts. In their own words

'It is a festival of the arts…where everyone is the artist. It is your party - your creative participation allows the festival to rejuvenate & regenerate. Our number one rule is that the festival must facilitate your participation''

Yum.

Me and Jon (lying down) outside one of SGP's sculptures

What has this got to do with my work?

Well! Festivals are a fantastic opportunity to use as a platform for arts and using this in turn to communicate a message - the best message! Right now I'm praying about going to a few of the UK's big festivals as an artist or with a team and a stand to use as a platform for sharing some of God's love. 
Watch this space... we'll see what comes about...

Another hugely interactive installation at last summers Secret Garden Party

Making History at the 2010 Olympics! / News / News & Stories / ywam.org / Home - YWAM

Making History at the 2010 Olympics! / News / News & Stories / ywam.org / Home - YWAM

The tourism office of Vancouver, Canada is predicting that 350 000 people will visit the city in February and March 2010 for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. YWAM Vancouver is hoping that 1000 of them will be YWAMers, participating in the largest winter Olympic outreach in YWAM history!
For people with a message, the Olympic games are a unique opportunity to connect with large groups of people from all over the world. YWAM Vancouver is a part of “More Than Gold” - a network of churches and organizations who are aiming to affect the purposes of God during the event that will take over their city this winter.
YWAM’s 2010 Project coordinator, Jacqui Bishop, is excited to continue making YWAM history through this outreach. She says, “From the stories I've heard, each Olympic outreach has had its very own signature. Our hope is that this outreach will be marked by bathing our city in prayer, as well as reaching out in kindness and love in the name of the Kingdom of God.” YWAM Vancouver director, Mike Davies, agrees : Vancouver is the largest city to ever host the winter games, more churches and ministries have come together that ever before in our city under the banner of More Than Gold. Vancouver is a city that has a global influence and…we believe that this is the time to see the beginnings of transformation in our city.”
Jacqui is also excited about the creative opportunities presented by this Olympic outreach. Justice issues are emerging as a relevant focus for a sports event that has, in the past, caused the displacement of the poorest members of its host cities. Jacqui says, “…the Vancouver Olympic Committee has committed to "leave a legacy" for the poorest of the poor in our city. We can be a part of this through practical service alongside existing outreach centers as well as helping to create community spaces in the poorest areas of the city.” Mike adds, “If, at the end of the outreach, we hear comments such as, ‘I did not realise the Church cared so much,’ then I will believe that our time was well spent.”
Project 2010 is organizing events for children whose schools will be closed during the games and working with local churches which are opening their doors to create community centres with free internet access, cafes and friendly faces. The creative arts will be well represented with free concerts and street performances.
Prayer is another important objective, according to Jacqui. “Our goal is to have Prayer Stations all over the city asking people one simple question "Can I pray for you?” she explains. “Our highest hope is building the kingdom of God in Vancouver - we want to see people healed, realizing the love of God, hearing His voice and spreading the Word! Everyone who is serves with us during this Olympics will be part of sowing seeds of the Kingdom of God in our city.
To find out more about the “2010 Project” Vancouver Olympic Outreach visit www.ywamvancouver.com

Start Date + Responsibility

These are images from a blog I follow- hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com - but they communicate my attitude to responsibility sometimes: 

Taking on tasks and succeeding - feeling self congratulatory, taking on too much, being overwhelmed and falling into a downward spiral before final system failure after which I hibernate in a hole and decide to never take on another job. 

Ever. 

 

Thankfully this is not one of those times.

Start Date + Olympics

SO I was reading this (---->Minsitries seek excellence during the Olympic Outreach) article today on the Vancouver Olympic outreaches from early 2010. Since they're the most recent Olympic host I wanted to look up on whats been done before, what stood out and what we can do again, or do differently. This is obviously going to be a long process but so far unity of the Church and love ministry seem to be key themes.

I'm sure we all heard about the negative aspects of the Vancouver games - the Canadian winter proving milder than expected and therefore not as suitable for some of the games - overflowing ice cleaning machines, cancelled event tickets and the death of luger Nodar Kumaritashvili in a training run. 

But what about the postives?

Where was the church and what were Christians doing?

Tens of thousands of volunteers from across world-wide body of Christ were there under the coordination of More Than Gold (MTG), a non-denominational Christian faith community, networking and motivating them into service.

"It's about radical hospitality," says Karen Reed, Executive Director of More Than Gold (MTG) "Whether we are serving free coffee to people waiting in line-ups, or offering directions and free maps to guests looking for Olympic events, we want everyone to feel generously served." 

 Like the Vancouver Olympics and many Olympics before, we once again are under MTG, linking together as many Christian organisations and individuals as possible for unity and action in the upcoming games.

But I've been thinking a lot recently about what this looks like practically, specifically in my area of Arts.

There are so many opportunities and ideas to link into - but what are God's ideas?

I spent last week in Newcastle, one of the 7 Olympic cities, and where we will plant a team ready to receive outreach teams throughout 2012. Along with the rest of the Forever team, we hosted 140 staff and trainees from Discipleship Training Schools (DTS's) from all around the UK as well as from Sweden and Italy and the School of Evangelism (SOE) from Norway. With Westgate Baptist Church as our base for teaching, worship, meals and accomodation for the girls (boys were at St Lukes) we spent the week together in lectures on Evangelism followed by practical outreach in the City center, University and in conjunction with local churches.

The Forever team being prayed for by leaders of the Newcastle church networks and the DTS'

It was such an encouraging week with testimonies of good conversations, healings and salvation as well as God deepening a passion to GO - to seek and serve the lost and see people saved!

This includes me. 

I'm in the process now of praying about where God wants ME to go. He has provided an amazing network of relationships in Newcastle, including a gallery space for exhibitions as well as host churches and mission opportunities to join. This is all so encouraging but does God want me there or to simply oversee teams that will go there as a result of the work we have done?

The Oval is brilliant, I'm at home here and learning a lot- both such answers to prayer but what is the next step.

Please pray that God will make this clear to me.

Also that he will grow my team. There are many options and ideas but I need help in this. Interest was expressed by people I met last week but only God knows who will join me and who will be best to do this work. May HIS will be done.

Start Date + Post Cards

This is a sneak peak of my 'pray for me' Post cards. Message me or leave a comment if you want one sent to you!

Start Date + Silliness

1) Go to google Maps
2) Go Get Directions
3) Japan as start location and USA as End location
4) Read direction number 27

Start Date + A trip to the boys toilet

Apart from my first weekend of moving to The Oval I have spent each weekend either away or had someone visiting me here. This has been fantastic but draining as it has prevented me from truly settling, finding a weekend routine or a church. So this past weekend I deliberately made no plans.


For the first time since moving here I was able to simply relax and let being here wash over me.


What I didn't expect was that this would be a challenging and for a time, a negative experience. 


I'd found myself questioning a lot recently -namely God's plan for individuals. 
Yes God loves the world and yes salvation is for the world and with me being in the world, I am included in that. 
Fantastic. 
What is also fantastic is that this is predetermined, God predestined us to be conformed to his will and that, being all powerful and all knowing, he is in control of this entire process, no credit to us.
But this was also the problem. 
If God doesn't need our help then why am I doing what I'm doing? 
I don't consider myself as an individual important in this plan, and in a way I know that that's because I'm not. God is big enough to work without the help of Catherine Evans and thank goodness for that!
But with the honeymoon period over and feeling fairly out of my depth, this is not always a comfort. Maybe I would be more effective somewhere else? 
Maybe this isn't the job for me and I heard God wrong?
Maybe it doesn't even matter where I am?


And so the mental conversation went.  


Until this morning. 


I was in the office and felt the call of nature. Upon finding the ladies toilet was occupied, and lacking the time to hang around, I decided to use the gents. Men being men, there was a book on the window ledge and I thought I'd check out the message for the day. Below is the page on to which it fell. 

My Utmost for his Highest - October 25th -  Oswald Chambers

 'Never protest by saying "If only I were somewhere else!" All of God's people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them... We are not workers for God by choice. John 15:16 "I chose you..." Keep these words as a wonderful reminder in your theology... Never choose to be a worker, but once God has placed His call upon you, woe be to you if you "turn aside... to the right or the left..." Deuteronomy 28:14. He will do with you what He never did before His call came to you, and He will do with you what He is not doing with other people. Let Him have His way.'

God's pretty awesome really.

Start Date + The Fumble Factor

This weekend I had a wedding to go to and in true Catherine-style I was looking forward to getting dressed-up. Of course, looking good for the event is one thing but I decided to go one step further and look good while traveling too.

So on went my smart coat, my 'Too-Expensive-Now-I-Don't-Work-In-A-Shoe-Shop' boots and my celebrity-sized sun-glasses, ready for an Autumnal outing.
But what about my luggage?
Having been back-packing for most of my traveling days, and the weekend requiring slightly more than my usual hand-luggage bag I decided that I needed to find a suitable suitcase because that's what grown-ups do and I, am a grown-up.
Or at least giving it a trial run and so borrow a suitcase from my room-mates French boyfriend.
Merci.

But not just any suitcase. No, this was a retro blue roll-along suitcase with tan leather trimming and 'Axel' embossed on the side. In gold.

In it I could fit everything I needed and plenty of things I totally didn't.

A traveling girls dream, stylishly coordinated and ready to go with me on my little adventure through London town. Win.

 Being the over-organisation-icon that I am, I had timed myself to perfection, leaving a 10-minute 'fumble factor' to account for any unforeseen eventualities. In the past these have ranged from spilling tea over my outfit or getting a ladder in my tights to someone phoning and not taking the 'I'm literally just on my way out' hint. Little did I know this day had things in store that even the fumble factor couldn't buffer against.

Firstly, I decided to add an 'essential' last-minute item to my baggage (glitter spray) and upon doing so I jammed the case open, unable to fit the latch back together.
However, after my tried and tested problem solving method of mumbling expletives and some gentle persuasion with a heavy book, I was ready to go.

Only 2 minutes lost. 8 minutes of fumble factor intact.

 Out I strode, the sun was shining, my hair was shining, the gold embossed name of Axel was also, shining. I was not a missionary but an independent woman about town - or at least on my way to town. Beyonce would be proud.

 Axel though seemed to have other plans. Despite my obvious preference to move forward, it decided to move side to side and considering it didn't have multi-directional wheels, this was quite the failed ambition.
Since when does a small wheelie case, employed to ease my needs dictate my journey time?!

 I felt like I was pulling a small apathetic child with me, feet dragging behind. So, as means of encouragement, I found myself audibly talking to my luggage.
In French.
'Axel, viens'
'Vite!'
Apparently hearing my plea, Axel quickens its pace, WHACKing into my ankles.
This Stop.Sideways-roll.Start-forward-roll-.Stop -wheel-jam episode was slowing me down and glancing at my watch, my fumble factor being eaten in to by another 4 minutes.
Only 4 more to go.

I was getting considerably annoyed at this objectionable device and found myself picking it up to speed my journey only to put it down again thinking that, much like a child, it would never learn if I don't give it a chance.
 I'm not quite sure where this logic came from.
Maybe it was because my frustration was mounting and I wanted the situation to resolve itself.
Maybe I wanted to deffer responsibility from myself onto the suitcase.
What ever the thought process was, it was wrong.
 

Yet worse was to come. Despite my religious coating of perfume I began to detect a scent that was distinctly not Calvin-Klein made. It was in fact, distinctly animal-made.
Looking round I see Axel glide into a pile of poo

Poo.

The expletive leaves my mouth and I find myself wanting to discipline a suitcase (because it should have known better).

 I pictured it as a child, making the conscious yet misguided choice to trail its path through the offending pile and, being enthusiastic about the situation, wanting me to share in this experience.

Predictably though, I failed to share this excitement and yet it was of course at this very moment that Axel re-commenced his ability to hit into my ankles and dress my boots in a halo of processed animal food.

My remaining 4 minutes of fumble factor was decreasing by the second and far from looking the picture of independent woman I was getting hot and increasingly delirious in my dialogue with Axel.
'Why Axel? Why didn't you look where you were going?'
'Why would you do this to me?' '
'My life would be better without you!' (That's right, not 'this journey would have been easier' without you but 'my LIFE would have been better without you. Good grief.)

Already rushed and hassled, I arrive at the train station to find a woman totally failing to buy a ticket for herself and her child. As a frequent traveler I realise that the lightening speed at which I can retrieve tickets is comparatively super human. I also have to remind myself that this is probably not a frequent event for this family and looking at the excitement on the child's face this is more likely, a Saturday treat.

So I stand there and I find myself wishing that Axel were as appreciative and well behaved as this child. As it happens, it sits at my feet blissfully unaware of the annoyance it has caused me.

My previously impenetrable fumble factor has been destroyed.
It was going to be no match for a wheelie case from France.

Start Date + Films

This is a trailer for a film that opens in UK cinemas tonight - I heard about it on Monday night at the Artisan London network prayer meeting. The producer and some of the production team are part of this network and it was really awesome to come together to pray about the work that they have done and pray for the films success. They did of course emphasise that this is for God's glory and not for their own - they are such a humble team just eager to use their gifts as acts of worship to God. 

Sweet!

Quotation time

LB - "The thing with Catherine Evans is that sometimes she puts words into sentences that just shouldn't be said together. But its ok because she's Catherine Evans."

Start date +Spinning

Sometimes in the office we do important work. Other times we don't.

'The music that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at the center of the jaunt.' Bono

Start Date + 37 days - Music...

God has really been speaking to me through secular music at the moment: Both challenging what I listen to and also the division I put between the spiritual and secular. So often I'll listen to Christian artists and leave myself more open to God yet in doing this I'm confining God to a box. I rarely put my thoughts into words outside of my journal but these are some ideas on a song I've been playing a lot recently. I've tried to get it as coherent as possible but I'm not entirely there yet...

Dashboard Confessional - Get me Right

I made my slow way home
Limping on broken bones
Out of the thickest pine
Across the county lines
On to your wooden stairs
I know you can repair
I know you've seen the light
I know you'll get me right

Right
Right
Right

I own a sinners heart
I know the rain falls hard
I know the currency
I know the things you'll need
I hope he hears my prayers
I see you cut your hair
I know the saving type
I know you'll get me right

Right
Right
Right

But, Jesus I've fallen
I don't mind the rain if
I meet my maker
I'll meet my maker clean

But, Jesus the truth is
I've struggled so hard to believe
I'll meet my maker
I'll need my maker

To cure of my doubting blood
And drain me of the sins I love
And take from me my disbelief
I know it should come easily
But it remains inside of me
It battles and devours me
It cuddles up the side of me
And whispers it convinces me I'm

Right

This song is a pretty challenging vocalisation of the mental, and sometimes physical struggle between sin and grace. The lyricist, Chris Carrabba is not overtly Christian but clearly has an understanding of grace and faith.

He puts into words better than I could, an honest confession of the hopelessness at attempting to achieve salvation alone. 

In his opening verse I'd suggest that Carrabba is referring to the cross of Jesus in his lyrics:

"your wooden stairs". 

He knows that only Jesus can repair him, and as the stairway to heaven His cross bridges the chasm between us and God.

“You shall see greater things than that, I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1:51 (referring to Jacob's Ladder in Genesis 28:12-17, that as the Son of Man, Jesus is the ladder between heaven and earth, an opening of communication and communion with God)

Carrabba also knows that this relationship doesn't come cheap. His lyrics recognise 'the currency', the price paid for this, as the life and blood of Christ and that these are the only things that will allow him "To meet his Maker clean"  

The passion of his words and the drive of the music has echos of Paul's struggle in his letter to the Romans:

 Romans 7 'I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²²For in my inner being I delight in God's law; ²³but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. ²⁴What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! 

And don't we all struggle with this? Grace is so MASSIVE, it is overwhelming and we just don't deserve it. But the truth is Grace is a gift given for free, it is up to us to receive it.

 

Over the summer I was a small group leader at a Christian camp and we were studying Romans 8;reflecting on how we relate to Paul's struggle with sin and grace. For a number of the girls in the group they found God's grace too big to handle and almost too big to accept, condemning themselves despite God granting them freedom. After the session I sought advice from my Pastor on how to handle their questions and his answer surprised me. He said that it didn't matter if they 'felt' saved, or if they 'felt' good enough for grace. The fact is none of us are good enough, 'All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23). But that doesn't stop it also being a fact that we ARE saved. Grace DOES cover us and saying that it doesn't says that Jesus death isn't enough for us. 

Would we really ask Jesus to do more than die for our sins?

Dashboard Confessional - Get Me Right Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com

Start Date + Intercession

Part of life here on the base is Monday morning Intercession. All the staff and students come together for one hour of specific prayer for a country, ministry or topic. This morning's session was led by the School of Documentary Film Making and began with a section from a film they had made to raise awareness of infanticide among indigenous tribes in Brazil. 

Enjoy might not be the right word, but I am passionate about intercession.

Ezekiel 22:30 talks of God's desire for reconciliation in the earth and how '[He] looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before [Him] in the gap on behalf of the land' 

Sometimes, particularly first thing on a Monday morning, I might not feel passion for praying for people or a country I don't know but i need to remind myself that GOD is passionate about his people. He knows those he created and desires to move amongst the, bringing justice and mercy. 

Below is the film shown this morning. Some of its content is quite harrowing and I challenge myself to not be apathetic or hard-hearted to it. This morning I joked that I wish I prayed like an African, loud and with real emotion, the Lord clearly hear because tears promptly came to my eyes, confronting my British reserve and self-protection.

Reassuringly though I know that when God will breaks my heart for what breaks His, His power also heals it.

'Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, until the LORD looks down from heaven and sees' – Lamentations 3:48-50

QUEBRANDO O SILÊNCIO from André on Vimeo.

Start Date + Music

These are some Christian guys who form a Glasgow-based band. Sigur Ros or Explosions In the Sky-esque music treated as worship. Pretty awesome music that I like a lot!

Start date + 20 days

This song was part of the worship used over the weekend of the 50th Celebrations, such awesome words of truth that I really benefited from hearing and singing.

Start Date + 19 days - Celebrations

 YWAM - where we are, where we will GO from YWAM Kona on Vimeo.

This year sees YWAM celebrate it's Golden Jubilee. To mark this occasion, 40 of the YWAM bases accors the world have gathered past and present workers as well as friends and supporters to join for '50th' event - giving glory to GOD for the work so far and hearing the vision for the future.

This past weekend, the base I live at in Harpenden hosted the events for Western Europe and up to 800 people came for the 3 day event.

Inside the main tent

It has been a hectic past week with the whole community joining in preparations - putting up marques and tents; giving up living space for sleepers and orchestrating meals for the masses. As hosts we each had work duties during the event and although this meant missing the majority of the conference in terms of teaching, it was fantastic to serve everyone who attended in a way that meant they could enjoy their time with us.

The making of 1200 sandwiches 

For us as 'Forever' this was a great opportunity to join together on our first team task; being responsible for food. The logistics of catering for such huge amounts of people was daunting but it was great to feel stretched and to come together, supporting one another and going the extra mile to ensure that one the surface, every meal time ran smoothly.

View of the Oval

A lot of prayer went into this event and God really answered us. Despite a weather forecast of rain for the entire weekend, we enjoyed persistent sunshine and warmth until every tent was down and every marque packed away. AMEN!

We also experienced some difficulties with the catering when our entire order was delayed by 4 hours and we somehow produced lunch for 700 without needing to run to the shops once! This was not in our own strength and no individual can take credit. Rather God empowered us to complete this work and gave our guests the grace and patience not to realise the problems!


Please continue to pray for:
- Rest now that the 50th is over - may we all recover!
- God to continue to challenge me and change me


Praise God for:
- Friends! I am SO at home here and loving the community I have joined.
- The success of the 50th celebrations - particularly the practical points I mentioned above!