A box full of straw… or, A Christmas Invasion!

This is what I recall about winter drawing in and Christmas beginning – a box full of straw.
Not for any religious or festive significance, you understand, but because just prior to festive preparation Blue Peter put their tortoises down for their annual hibernation. All packed up in boxes of straw. Oh, how I envied those creatures… but isn’t it strange how these animals despite living for hundreds of years and having an impenetrably sturdy defensive casing, they are still threatened by a little chill, what is all that about?!

Any way, this is my way of saying that I won’t be blogging until the New Year now, when I will be on Paternity leave – bliss.

Now, whatever you do while we are apart remember one thing – live it with vigour and rejoicing: Christ is the reason for the season!
Christmas is not about gifts, or family, or harmony; it is an invasion. Salvation’s victory in a manger!
Sin didn’t stand a chance, and God didn’t even need to utilise the infinite resources of His heavenly army; they weren’t required for this one sided battle, so they used their might to sing!

There were sheepherders camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Saviour has just been born in David's town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him."
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Luke 2:8-18 MSG

Sing, sing, SING!

Joy to the World
A Saviour’s born.
Let Earth receive her King!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

- Andrew Carey

En-courage.

“When [Barnabus] came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.” Acts 11:23 NKJV

Barnabas was a brilliantly faithful servant and he is noted in so many of Paul’s letters and in Acts as being exceptional. He was a man who followed where the hand of God pointed and when it stood still, cupped – he would extend his own arm to help those beneath it; or give them what he held. But in this instance, it was written that as he found the Jews who were preaching around Israel in the early days of the Church, that he saw what they did, recognised it as God’s grace and then encouraged them to continue.

Now, encourage is a big word. And one that is often mis-interpreted. If someone needs encouragement, that doesn’t mean you go tell them what to do.

To truly encourage someone, you must talk to them, not at them. Encouragement is the art of building up someone’s spirit so they feel capable! The fact that the word ‘courage’ is found within it is no accident! You are passing on courage, or nourishing courage within them so they gain courage!

Often, we tell people to read their Bible everyday, or pray constantly, or to follow Christ – but how good are we at helping people find out that they have exactly what it takes to fulfil that lifestyle? How often do we tell someone their flaws, but not encourage them on what they can do?

How many people can you encourage today?

- Andrew Gordon

Overcome the overwhelming.

A few days ago I woke feeling extremely overwhelmed.
I faced a particularly difficult day ahead of me in my job and I felt nervous and daunted by what lay ahead. On the whole I love my job but there are just a few things that I find really tough and always get nervous beforehand. At times like this I can’t help thinking that I can’t do this or that I’ll end up saying or doing the wrong thing.

As all of this rushed through my thoughts I began to remember an old song we used to sing in church: ‘No one who’s hope is in you shall ever be put to shame, that’s why my eyes on you, O Lord’ (taken from Ps 25:3). So instead of trying to do things on my own I decided to surrender my day to God; I put my hope in Him, placing my confidence in God’s promise and surrendering my day to Him. I asked Him to use me how He wanted. Everything still lay before me, nothing had changed except I felt confident knowing that God was in control – complete control.

Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side."… A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"
Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Mark 4:35-39 MSG

The day didn’t pan out as I expected, or even as I would have necessarily wanted, but through it all I did not look stupid or embarrassed. God’s will was done that day because I allowed Him to take over.

When we place our confidence in God and what he can do through us… the prospects are unlimited. The same spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us (Rom 8:11) and that we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us (2 Thes 2:16-17). If you are facing daunting circumstances ahead and you are nervous at how you are going to look, surrender it all to God, put your hope in Him. Your situation might not turn out how you want but knowing God is in control will give you an amazing sense of peace.

- Claire Burton

Almost famous!

Max Clifford, the publicist, ‘helpfully’ offers ten simple steps which any of us can follow to become famous.
(Please note I do not actually recommend that you get to work on any of the following ten points – it’s just a bit of fun, but bear with me :o).

1. Appear on a reality series.
2. Enter a talent contest.
3. Be abysmal on a talent show.
4. Gain fame by association.
5. Date a celebrity.
6. Flaunt your body.
7. Date a Royal Family member.
8. Make a home sex video.
9. Be a success on MySpace.
10. Be in the right place at the right time.

Actually that is a bit of a crap and unachievable list, but as Christians we have a similar 10 step list to making Christ famous in our lives – now seriously, let’s get to work!

1. Appear real to those around you and make your faith real. (Matt 5:13-16)
2. Use your talents wisely. (Matt 25:14-30)
3. Run the risk of failure unless God shows up. (Jam 5:17, 1 Kings 18:16-46)
4. Be proud to associate with Christ. (Matt 10:32-33)
5. Associate with no-bodies. (Rom 12:14-19)
6. Rely on the body of Christ for your salvation. (Rom 8:9-11)
7. Realise that you are part of the Royal family. (Eph 1:3-6)
8. Make no record of wrongs! (Col 3:13)
9. Make Space for God daily, make this successful. (Matt 11:28-30)
10. Be in the right place at the right time and ready to do what God says. (Col 4:2-6)

Have a great day!

- Andrew Carey

In pursuit of Life.

Jesus said to his followers, "First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life." Matt 8:22 MSG

It seems hard to imagine that Christ would have to remind us to make our business life. You would have thought that this would be our natural inclination. But often we can’t see the nose on our face (… is that even a saying?! I’m not sure, but it’ll do).
Now this does not mean that we can neatly divide life into the ‘sacred’ and ‘secular’, therefore aiming to make our lives more ‘sacred’, as if one brings ‘life’ and the other ‘death’. Life is not about compartments, it is about companionship.

“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God.” 2 Pet 1:3 MSG

We can fill in a tax return or write a dissertation [‘as unto the Lord’] and it is pleasing to God, becoming ‘sacred’ because we are in His company. Similarly we can be in church out of routine, with no intention/expectation to meet or encounter God, and so this religious event suddenly becomes a ‘secular’ activity since [for us] it would be devoid of the divine.

We are called to follow Christ, to live obediently to his commands. This will not always lead us to Bible college, but it does lead us into God’s presence with every step of life we take. Involving God more, keeping company with Him, our lives become increasingly sacred (not boring or dead but full of life and pleasure) – what greater joy is there?!

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.” Ps 112:1-2 NLT

- Andrew Carey

ALIVE!

Some people feel that a trip to Church means death. This is about the only time people come into Church – to see death. I overheard a conversation earlier about some person saying something along these lines. She used our term ‘being close to God’ as a negative thing, as if that when you’re close to God, you’re more than likely dead. As in heaven.

But we have a responsibility to ensure that this is not the case. We are not the life-givers – we are the life livers! And this has a profound effect on those around us! We cannot create life, re-create life or even represent life in an effective way. But while we do not have the ability to make things come alive, or make life-like robots or art – we do have the wonderful capability to live! All of us! It doesn’t matter how old or young you are: you are alive.

We have to find life in everything, by understanding that everything natural around us lives and breathes, that our atmosphere at Church is not gloomy or overcast, or that we become so bogged down with mortality or that Jesus died…no! Let’s concentrate on celebrating life!

And our God is the God of life. Being close to Him means being alive, because we can neither help but hear His heart beat! He’s the living God of the living Word – Everlasting! Eternal! Exceptional!


"...regarding your speculation on whether the dead are raised or not, don't you read your Bibles? The grammar is clear: God says, 'I am—not was—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.' The living God defines himself not as the God of dead men, but of the living." Hearing this exchange the crowd was much impressed. Matt 22: 29-33 MSG

The most important thing I said in my ‘live’ devotionals, was that very word. Simply: Live.

- Andrew Gordon

In-visibility.

“How can you love something that is invisible?”
“Do you love music?”
“Yes”
“Then it’s not that hard at all, is it?”
“No, that’s different! I can hear it, interact with it, see the effect it has on people, share it…oh…I see what you mean.”

Early in the morning is about the best time I have during the day to think. I spend a lot of my day reacting in my head to past events, or questions that come about fresh that moment. This was a dialogue God had with me before I had even got out of bed.

But I like it when questions are asked that challenge me. That I get wrong. Because then I get to have the right answer revealed to me, or pulled from me by enquiring more.

Music makes us feel different emotions and allows us to experience past events or put us in a new place. It can break us down or build us up, it can inspire and torment, ask and answer questions…It’s a lot like God in many ways. God is so much more than music, but gave it to us as a tool for worship, (as worship is not only music) and expression for us to emote and feel in new ways. It’s a means of understanding God, but it in itself cannot compare to God.

“For we walk by faith, and not by sight.” 2 Cor 5:9

“Do you love your family and friends?”
“Yes”
“Even though you can’t see them right now?”
“OK, I getcha…”

- Andrew Gordon

Heatbeat.

My husband and I are expecting our first baby. We went for my first scan where we discovered that our baby was only 6 weeks old but already a heart beat could be detected! We were amazed. A tiny baby, measuring only a few millimetres (a fraction of the size of a fully developed heart), possessed a minute organ that was already beating, giving life to our child.


“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made!” Ps 139:13-14 MSG

Letting this all sink in I began to wonder why we associate the heart as a symbol of love. What has an organ that pumps blood around the body, giving us life, have to do with ‘love’? Why do we give heart shaped cards and chocolates to those we love? Or say “I am heart broken” when we suffer loss or are hurt by those we love?

Then it hit me; the awesomeness of it all. If our heart stops beating life ends; yet, in contrast, as the heart starts to beat, life is given… even to the baby in a womb – my baby. Who determines that first heartbeat? Who causes it? Who gives us life? There can be only one answer that makes any sense of it all; our creator God! It is because He loves us, because we are His children that He does this. Our heart beats today because God loved us so much that He gave us life. Without God’s love we wouldn’t have been created, and without our heart we wouldn’t exist. That is a good enough reason for me why the heart is a symbol of love, because it is through God’s love that our heart beats with life.

With Christmas approaching we remember the birth of Jesus, how God created him in his mother’s womb; starting His son’s heart beating because of His love for us.

While Christmas is a joyous time, surrounded by those we love and are reminded of God’s amazing love for us, for some it can be a time of sadness; missing loved ones or having no-one to love. The pain and emptiness of the loss of love can cause them to wish their heart to stop beating, because hope is a distant dawn.

Yet there is hope and we bear the message. In displaying love to others you will allow them to experience God’s love, giving them hope and life. The challenge is how do you take that love to others this Christmas so that their hearts may beat with the fullness of life that God wants to pour out?

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

- Claire Burton

Merton's Prayer.

This morning I read a prayer by a monk called Thomas Merton (1915-1968) and it made a lot of sense and expressed something deep inside. I hope you find it helpful too.



"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my struggles alone."

- Andrew Carey

Give Him a reason!

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Cor 4:20 NIV

How often do we actually live like children of God?
I mean really – live as though God is with us in resplendent glory?

“When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus… the power of our Lord Jesus is present.” 1 Cor 5:4 NIV

Yesterday I struggled into work still suffering from the effects of a cold that had prevented me making it to work the day before or even attending a key church meeting :o( Soon after arriving in work I was sent an email with an update on what had happened the night before at the meeting. However, what happened in the last line of the email was amazingly mad – It said, “I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will lift your cold from you and clear your nose!”

What a mad thing to write [and mean it]!
But what stunned me was that as soon as I had read it, my nose began to run furiously as it cleared and I no longer felt drained or listless (as you do with a cold). What is going on there!!!!!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom 15:13 NIV

Is it that God simply looks for excuses to heal us?
Do you have a cold right now?
Well no longer – I too pray that the power of the Holy Spirit is going to lift the cold from you [because he can and because it will fill you with the exuberant joy of the Lord!].

“This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.
He never did one thing wrong, not once said anything amiss.They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.” 1 Pet 2:21-25 MSG

- Andrew Carey

Not deserted!

"No longer will they call you Deserted... for the LORD will take delight in you." (Is 62:4 NIV)



Through the prophet Isaiah this is what God spoke over the people of Israel, but it is just as true in our lives. We have the habit of becoming dejected and low [for a great many reasons] and we call ourselves 'deserted'. Not in so many words of course; instead we find ourselves praying out of formula/habit because we are too tired to wander if God hears us at all, or we find ourselves in work looking at those around us and for some reason feeling 'lost at sea', surrounded by mountainous waves and billowing skies.



But we are not deserted, we are the delight of the Lord!



It may seem hard to appreciate at times but this does not mean that it is not true. Even though prayers may be a long time in being answered, even though it may seem as our prayers create no response in the heavenlies... we are called to pray; to keep on breathing our prayers. We make the difference, wherever we are. As the delight of the Lord we are influential, and as people of influence we are called to be determined.

"I've posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out, reminding God to remember.They are to give him no peace until he does what he said, until he makes Jerusalem famous as the City of Praise." (Is 62:6-7 MSG)

- Andrew Carey

Jesus Paid It All.

Lawrence has had a particularly turbulent year. From the heights of his band and youth group growing in integrity, faith and recognition each week, becoming a dad, to dealing with his wife’s eye problems and his dad battling with Alzheimer’s. Lawrence has been stuck in the middle of all of this.

But still, he wears not only a brave face, but one of the bravest faces. And he can only wear that because of the extreme trust and faith he has in God.

He recounted the story to me, of the day that his dad was admitted, a friend gave him a loan of a CD. It was the Passion 2006 Conference CD, containing a song called “Jesus Paid It All”. He listened avidly, and to this day, through it all, still says aloud “Praise God, thank you Jesus” as the song builds toward its climax.

Jesus really has overcome the world.

Praise the one who paid my debt,
And raised this life up from the dead.

This is a call to prayer, thanksgiving, offering, sacrifice, praise and worship that Fusion is all about.

- Andrew Gordon

PS If you have not yet bought your copy of the devotional you can do so for £3.50 through our website.

This Man.

When we were first asked to do a live acoustic set as part of Fusion, with reflective worship songs; this was one of the first immediate songs that came to our minds.

Would you take the place of this man?
Would you take the nails from His hands?

Why? Because worship is a sacrifice. It should be hard sometimes. It should challenge you, shake you and cause you to really think about what you are saying to God. He’s not looking for vain repetition or lovely songs – He wants our hearts that go with it. When you understand that God wants our heart of praise to be focused, deep and meaningful, then praise and worship becomes a whole new experience.

A heart of praise is necessary to salvation.
But songs of salvation are not.

Music is not the only way to worship – far from – and even though the soundtrack to your life may be Christian music, the soundtrack we seek, the thing we strive to listen to more than cool songs should be God’s whispers. Constantly asking us questions and trying our hearts.

PS If you have not yet bought your copy of the devotional you can do so for £3.50 through our website.

Give.

Give is a medley, which is a series of songs all in the same ‘key’ and normally have a similar theme running throughout them.

The collective rhythms and words of this song reflect the desperation for love that we desire. The willingness to take all that God has to give – no matter how painful or beautiful it may be – and also the declaration that we will turn our attention and fix our gaze upon Jesus.

“The most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more extravagant with you. He will give you something you can give away, which grows full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.” 2 Cor 9:10-11

We hope that this song is as poignant to you as it is to us. And we sing it, and offer it to you, so that you can give your life to God daily, and pray for Him to give you all that He has prepared for you.


PS If you have not yet bought your copy of the devotional you can do so for £3.50 through our website.