Archive FUSION thought-of-the-day

Next Fusion Prayer event

2007-08-03T09:38:00.001+01:00

You can also buy your new devotional online here.

All good things...

2007-06-12T13:56:00.000+01:00

This is not so much an end as a transition.

It all began sixteen months and since then 370 [almost daily] Bible meditations have been posted on this blog. As a result I have grown in my faith, and I would like to think I have encouraged you in yours too.
Since I began writing these back in February 2006 it has developed into a quarterly publication called the Fusion Devotional. This continues the ‘tradition’ of this blog in encouraging people in their relationship with God, their devotion to Christ, and the fulfilment of the calling upon their lives [to pray for and engage with the communities in which they live]. What is more, this publication has also begun to develop many new writers from across Newport who have been contributing to it.
This is an exciting move forward to which I need to focus my attention (after all there are only so many hours in the day and I am not a full-time writer!). Therefore, for the time being, I will not be adding to this blog.

The Fusion Devotional, which is published every March, June, September and December, can be purchased on-line through the Bethel website for just £2.99. Alternatively, you will soon be able to buy copies from any good local Christian bookshop (local to the Newport area that is :o).

I just want to thank you for reading these meditations and the encouragement I have received from your comments. Please feel free to browse through the 370 entries whenever you like. I also hope that you will continue to be inspired by the Fusion Devotional.

-Andrew Carey

Quality.

2007-06-05T09:14:00.000+01:00

Why do we have a natural inclination to cut corners I wonder?
As a DIYer I try to find the easiest way to get a job done, but this is not always the correct/best way. My brother-in-law, however, learnt his DIY skills from friends in the trade and so he has a perfectionist edge to all his work.

“You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.” (2 Tim 4:3-5 MSG)

It is the last sentence that really stirred me: “Do a thorough job as God’s servant”.
When it comes to DIY my brother-in-law does a thorough job. In his last house he put in a shower in their downstairs toilet. In fact he completely redid the room. As a result when the estate agent came round he said that the bathroom was done to a much higher standard than any of the original features in the house! When doing the kitchen in his new house he even tiled behind the washing machine! Who would think to do that!!!! If that is not a thorough job I don’t know what is.

How do you keep your eyes on doing a thorough job in Christ? How do you keep the message alive in your life?
A thorough job puts as much effort into the things that are not seen as those that are; this is our witness. This is how people gauge the validity and attractiveness of the Gospel in which we trust; we may claim that it is life changing but is people don’t see a changed life in us then why should they accept it?

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Col 3:22-24 NLT)

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." (Matt 5:43-48 MSG)

-Andrew Carey

Talented?

2007-06-04T09:53:00.000+01:00

I wonder where you are as you read this?
Actually, I think this question has two interpretations: Where are you physically? Are you in work, an internet café, or at home? Or, where are you in your life? Are you at the end of your career or just starting it; are your goals in life clear or is the future like a fog?

Which ever way you read this question what underlines it is do you feel you make a difference [wherever you are]? Do you make an impact?
You may consider yourself too ordinary to make an ‘impact’ on anything and yet your Father in Heaven has given characteristics and talents tailor made to your life, no matter how ordinary you may consider it; your life was given to you to make an impact.

This is the theme of a parable that Jesus once told:

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’” (Matt 25: 14-28 NLT)

I’m no good with finances; balancing the books just doesn’t seem to come naturally to me. Therefore whenever I read this parable it used to fill me with dread… that was until I noticed something. All of the servants in this story were comfortable with money; they all appeared to be competent business men. The first two seemed to invest their money with the greatest of ease and increased the money they were given. Reading between the lines it would appear that they did not go out of their way to achieve this either, they simply maintained business as usual. They were rewarded for doing nothing other than their day job! The master was not interested in the silver he gave them, he was far more interested in the skills that they had been given (since they would all have learnt these skills from their master). It is not the case that the last servant was useless with money like me (because even I would have put it in a bank!), it was fear that gripped him not inadequacy for the task.

What we do with what we are given [by God] is important because it governs our reward. He may have given us skills, riches, characteristics etc all of which He expects us to use to impact the world around us; some of us are here to make money (although not to store up for ourselves), some of us are here to make beautiful art, others are here to care for one another, others are here to teach and guide others, others are here to explore parts of the globe where others would never venture. In all of this though it is always for the glory of God. As with the last servant it will always be fear rather than a lack of talent that robs us of our reward. So reject fear!

For example, 5 years ago I could not have written these blogs or even coordinated and developed unpublished writers from across Newport to produce the Fusion Devotional. I certainly would not have been able to organise a 24hr prayer event either. And yet I have done all of this because I used what God has given me and he has added to me at the right time for the next task.

What can you do? Whatever it is reject fear and do it.
Sure, that is easy for me to say, but it is essential.
Do you belong to a church in Newport? Would you like to write material for the Fusion Devotional? You may not have ever written anything, indeed you may be fearful of the idea of trying to write anything but you still have a burning desire in you to do so. Don’t miss out - contact me.

-Andrew Carey

This weekend!

2007-05-30T08:02:00.000+01:00

FUSION is approaching fast again :o)

It all starts at 8pm on Friday and people will be praying and and for Newport continuously for the next 24hrs! Awesome. If God cannot change us when we spend this much time with Him, what can!!!

The new FUSION DEVOTIONAL (titled: Out of the Ordinary) will be available for the first time at the event for the reduced price of £2.50. So pick up your copy :o)

Inadvertent evangelism.

2007-05-25T09:47:00.000+01:00

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity…” (Eph 5:15-16 NLT)

Should you ever find yourself passing my father in the street, and you happen to make eye contact with him, chances are he will smile and give you a cheerful, “Hello.” He can’t really help himself.
One weekend, not so long ago, he was strolling through town in an attempt to meet up with my mother. As he ambled along his eyes happen to meet those of a passing gentleman and my father smiled and offered his usual greeting. Naturally the man smiled back in response.
Now, another characteristic that my father has is a bad memory and so later on when he passed same man the stranger decided to return the greeting. This only proved to confuse my father. Having forgotten the earlier encounter with the same gentleman he was suddenly concerned that this man may actually know him, and my father had no idea who he was. This was very embarrassing.
Since my mum was proving quite troublesome to locate my father was engaged in a serious amount of wandering around and needless to say his path crossed the same gentleman once more. This time dad felt obliged to stop him so that he could admit to not remembering who the man was (since my dad assumed that this man’s earlier greeting suggested that he knew who my father was). So my dad stopped him and explained this to the stranger. As a result the stranger suddenly began thinking too, just in case they did know each other after all and he had forgotten too. They started listing off all the places where they may have met. One suggestion my father suggested was a Horsham Churches Together meeting, and the other guy said that he did not go to church…
In the end they realised that they did not know each other at all, however the stranger left thinking about a man that knew God and had experienced his saving grace. Who knows what effect this may have on him.

“So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get.” (Eph 5:15-16 MSG)

A friend in church once told me of an occasion when an insurance salesman paid him a visit. He was interested in taking out a policy and so it wasn’t intrusive. The salesman launched into his sales patter which my friend tried to interrupt saying that he understood bits of it already since someone he knew in church had recently taken out the same policy. The salesman carried on regardless eventually closing the deal with my friend.
After all the paper work had been signed the salesman asked my friend is he would mind him asking another question.
“Not at all.” My friend responded.
“It is just that earlier you said you went to church.” Said the salesman.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Could you tell me more about this? You see, my father died recently but before he passed away he started going to church and he seemed to have such peace as a result.”
My friend then went on to share the gospel with this salesman.

Sometimes an inadvertent action or word is all that is needed to share something of the gospel. There are times that we have to be prepared to share the gospel, like my friend, but there are other times we could have an unexpected impact on someone’s life. God uses us differently at different times; sometimes he may use us to ‘close a deal’ and at other times it may be as an inadvertent example of salvation. In fact sometimes God will net even let you in on what is happening, just in case we spoil it. All we can do is ensure that people see Christ in us, no matter what we are doing; buying, selling, studying, relaxing… everything.

-Andrew Carey

How do you smell?

2007-05-24T09:22:00.001+01:00

Are you the sort of person who wears perfume or aftershave?
Do people smell you coming in a good or bad way?
As Christians there is another aroma that should surrounds us; not easily detected but always responded to.

“In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.
“This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No— but at least we don't take God's Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap.” (2 Cor 2:14-17 MSG)

I work in an open plan office and so I have to walk through a room full of desks before I reach mine. Aside from the odd personal photograph they all look the same, but there is no mistaking it when I pass the desk of one particular woman; the fragrance cannot be ignored. I have no idea whether the smell emanates from her or the desk but, depending on my mood, it is either intensely pleasing or annoying.
This past week however she has not been in the office (on leave or something, I guess) but the aroma has remained; it is as though she was still there! [How much perfume does she use!!!!]

The NIV says that we are the “aroma of Christ” but is our aroma as powerful as the perfume the lady in my office wears? Have we watered it down, or only put it on once a week?
Our fragrance – well not ours, but Christ in us – should linger beautifully. Up until the end of last year I used to work with a lady… well, she was one of the two members of staff that I ‘managed’. Anyway, we used to discuss stuff now and again and although it did not directly relate to my faith this would come out naturally in conversation. Last night, after six months of not working with her, she phoned me up at home and asked if I could go with her down to the intensive care unit to pray for her brother! This is not something normal; she was not interested in me, she was interested only in what God could do!!! This only happens because the aroma of Christ had lingered in her life for the past six months, and now in desperate need of life, she breathed it in.

We are here to smell, but the fragrance we leave is up to us; we cannot afford to water down the aroma of Christ in our ordinary lives.

-Andrew Carey

Lost lunch.

2007-05-23T10:14:00.000+01:00

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"… (John 6:5-9 NIV)

This young lad was determined and prepared. He wanted to encounter Jesus; even at this young age he knew that there was more to life and hearing about Jesus he suspected that somehow this man held the answer. He gave up a day’s wage to find out.
Wanting nothing to hinder him, he woke up early and prepared himself a packed lunch; even if he got hungry he would still be able to follow Jesus, he would not let Jesus get away from him. The day went on and on, he had been slowly moving through the crowd closer and closer to Jesus. People had left and others had joined until 5000 people remained, more people that he had ever seen before in life, but then all of a sudden there he was – Jesus! The boy’s heart was beating, pounding away in his chest, and then he heard a question. His rumbling stomach became a distant whisper in comparison to the question uttered by Jesus which now resounded in his ears: “How shall we feed these people?”
Full of naivety he offered his lunch. He knew that this was only enough for him and perhaps one other, there was no way it would feed 5000, but he offered it nonetheless. In offering his lunch the boy was not expecting a miracle, in fact he was expecting to lose his lunch. All he wanted to do was please Jesus, even if it meant that he would go hungry; he was willing to give up the very resource that would keep him going because he heard Jesus ask for it.

… Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. (John 6:10-13 NIV)

This boy gave expecting to lose everything; he did not expect to eat his fill and then have leftovers! What about you, how do you give? Do you give expecting something in return? Do you put money into the offering each Sunday expecting God to bless you in someway as a result? What would you do if God promised to give you nothing in return for your offering? Would you still give it? Would you give it gladly? Would you give it generously?
Consider the cross in your response.

-Andrew Carey

Laodicia - a tale of two springs.

2007-05-22T09:31:00.000+01:00

Isn’t God good! [Of course He is – I know that!]
He always speaks to us in terms that we understand; things that are important for us to understand will never go over our heads. That is certainly the case in Revelations when he asked John to write down the following letter to the church in Laodicea:

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea…:
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!... I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” (Rev 3:14-16, 19-22 NLT)

Laodicea was famous for its springs, of which it had two; on one side of the city there was a cold spring that attracted many who found its waters refreshing, and on the other side there was a hot spring which was famous for its healing qualities. One wasn’t any better than the other; they both had a purpose.
The springs attracted people from near and far in need of healing or refreshing, and where crowds are money is sure to follow. Commerce flourished in the city and people made their fortune. This naturally impacted the church as Christian business men invested more in the church. Not that this is bad (it is imperative that we invest in God’s Kingdom, otherwise we are wasting our resources), but little by little they were becoming self-reliant, and as they relied less and less on God to equip them they became less effective.

It was these springs that God used to describe the problem that the church in Laodicea faced. God asked them to imagine how useless their springs would be if they were lukewarm rather than hot/healing or cold/refreshing. Who benefits from a lukewarm spring? No-one!
God was saying that they may have hot and cold springs but their spiritual spring was lukewarm. It was ineffective; the church was not refreshing or healing anyone, it was contributing nothing to the city or God’s Kingdom. God longed for his precious church in Laodicea to make an impact, but to do so they were going to have to invest [time] in God; listening and responding to Him.

We also need to be a people that make a difference in people’s lives; either refreshing or healing, making them smile or showing them compassion. If we are just room-temperature we are simple unnoticeable – our faith having no impact at all – and that is disastrous for all concerned (including us)!

Invest in God today, spend time listening to Him and become hot or cold, whatever is needed where you are.

-Andrew Carey

My poor front room.

2007-05-21T09:44:00.000+01:00

Our ‘front room’ (named such since it is at the front of our house) is a strange little room. It was once a dining room in which we never dined, but for a while now it has been a study; the place where we make our greeting cards, work on the computer and hide our DVD collection (not through embarrassment but convenience). For some reason, however, our front room descends in to a state of chaos with the greatest of ease. All we need to do is not keep an eye on it for a week and it becomes an insurmountable mess full of unopened post, bank statements, ironing and unfinished cards etc! When this occurs we start to avoid going in there because it’s depressing, but this only makes things worse!
However, when we can stand it no more we get in there and sort it out; everything is filed away, sorted through or thrown away. And then it is clear and we can use it again; it feels great. It is sad that a tidy room can bring us such joy but it does, because at last we can use it again for what it was intended for – to make beautiful cards for people’s birthdays and edit photos for weddings, portraits and even the Fusion Devotional.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Heb 12:2 NIV)

Our lives can be very similar at times. Without any effort at all they can become full of distractions rather than Christ; this is a disaster! We want Christ to reign in our lives but so many things push him to one side. Not that we choose for this to happen; I never want my front room to become messy and uninhabitable but when I do not pay attention to the stuff I am putting in there – stuff that doesn’t belong there – or spend no time in keeping it in order, it quickly becomes a burden. Our lives should be full of joy, but a joy-filled living is not absent of responsibility; it requires us to vigilant of want comes in and what resides in our heart. Keeping our eyes fixed upon Christ is not a joy-less effort, it is what gives us pleasure now and forever more! With our life fixed upon Christ our life does not get full of life-sapping distractions, instead it becomes full of joy, pleasure, freedom, productiveness, fun and adventure.

“Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” (Col 3:16-17 MSG)

Let’s not get cluttered.

-Andrew Carey

Coming soon.

2007-05-17T08:38:00.000+01:00

Sorry I haven't been blogging here this week, I have had a few problems getting the new Fusion Devotional sorted. It is all looking good now (as you can see), if you would like to secure yourself a copy at the pre-release price of £2.50 then contact me today. Fusion Devotional 3 is called 'Out of the Ordinary' and is themed around Rom 12:1-2 (MSG):

“So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.”

I will be back blogging next week :o)

-Andrew Carey

Faith is messy.

2007-05-11T08:23:00.000+01:00

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Heb 12:2 NIV)

Have you ever tried to written something? You know, like a story.
You write a first draft getting the shape of the story onto the page. You then add to it as you come up with the second draft. Then you spend time with it; reading and re-reading it. You think about think about what you were trying to achieve when you wrote it, and then you change things around; some parts are scrapped [sometimes because they are rubbish but most of the time because they just don’t fit in and a distraction to the narrative], others are rewritten and still others are restructured. At last a final draft, but what a lot of time and effort it has taken – perhaps more than when you wrote the first draft.
Writing is messy; you are always restructuring, deleting some parts and adding to others. Sometimes what you end with seems like it is a million miles away from what you began with, but the essence behind it remains; its purpose is the same.

Life is not too dissimilar to this. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Christ is the ‘author and perfecter’ of our faith. Every day he is writing more and more in our lives; some things he will removes and some things he turns around or adds to. An author like Christ will never leave anything half-written, incomplete or full of mistakes; he will keep working on you always. However, our lives are not like pages of a book, static and unresponsive to the authors hand; we respond to every touch of Christ, sometimes [when we are full of ourselves] we reject his corrections and at others we celebrate with delight new passages that he adds.

“The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21 NKJV)

How will you respond to the author today? Will you accept his perfecting?

-Andrew Carey

Heaven is a wonderful place…

2007-05-10T09:12:00.000+01:00

When I was in Sunday School I remember us singing a catchy little song that went something like this [feel free to sing along]:
Heaven is a wonderful place,
Full of glory & grace.
I’m gonna see my saviour’s face;
Heaven is a wonderful place!

Heaven is indeed something to look forward to, but it is not a way off yonder. By definition Heaven is where God resides; where He is, is where Heaven is. Heaven is where God’s authority reigns.
In Christ we have been set free from our slavery to sin and as a result God, through His Holy Spirit, dwells in us. This is almost impossible to comprehend [fully] and yet this is what is happening in your life; God is in you. If God dwells with and in and around you then Heaven is not way off; it is right here with us.

Interestingly this is not some new notion; it is what the people like Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Elijah et al would have considered a reality of existence. Heaven is not way off, it as much here as the mug of coffee in front of me.

If we are His, Heaven is around us – infusing our very existence. We see His face each morning as we meditate on His word. This closeness to Heaven is not our little secret; people need to see God’s glory and grace [in us]. If they are not seeing evidence of God’s glory and grace in us what are they seeing?

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col 4:6 NIV) Or as another translation puts it: “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” (NLT)

-Andrew Carey

Riches to rags!… Or, There and back again.

2007-05-09T08:17:00.000+01:00

People are always interested in ‘rags to riches’ stories; we are jealous of the luck involved in lottery winners and inspired by the hard work and determination of characters like Richard Branson. However, the heart of the Gospel is the complete opposite; it is a ‘riches to rags’ story.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:5-8 NIV)
“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” (1 Pet 2:24 NLT)

Have you ever read a more extreme story? The Glories of Heaven surrendered for the pain of Hell… all for us! This ‘riches to rags’ story is our rescue, our salvation.
But the Gospel is not about ‘wealth’ (money or anything else) it is about relinquishing [unhealthy] ownership; realising that we need our hands free to hold tightly onto God.

As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?"
Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, don't cheat, honour your father and mother."
He said, "Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!"
Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, "There's one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me."
The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go. (Mark 10:17-22 MSG)

The reason that we are drawn to ‘rags to riches’ stories rather than ‘riches to rags’ is because the latter tend to revolve around disasters or squandering or laziness. But our story, the Gospel, is different; this story of ‘riches to rags’ is not about any of these, it is a story of hope. The story does not end in ‘rags’, it conquers the disaster of sin and reclaims the riches [of Heaven]. This is how the earlier verses from Philippians 2 conclude:
“…Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:9-11 NIV)

Hallelujah!

-Andrew Carey

Sweating prayers.

2007-05-08T09:10:00.000+01:00

Do you remember those adverts for Cadbury’s Crème Egg – How do you eat yours?

Well, when it comes to praying, how do you pray your prayers?

Do you find your prayers flooding out as you wash the dishes, each one surrendered into God’s hands with every dish that you put on the draining board? Or do you pray silently when you are alone in the bathroom so that you can actually hear your own thoughts without being interrupted? Or do your pour out your prayers loudly to yourself as you stand in the middle of a field watching your dog dart back and forth between imaginary points of interest? Or do you only find it possible to pray as you write down poetry; on the page you find your voice to God? Or do you find yourself praying as you play an instrument; uttering a song that is for no-one other than your Heavenly Father?

Is there a right way or inappropriate way of praying?
Nope.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Eph 6:18 NIV)

Praying is not restricted to prayer meetings, or your quite time in the morning. There are good praying habits that we teach our children, such as closing their eyes and putting their hands together, which we too employ; these shut out all distractions, but they are not essential to praying. You can pray with your eyes open, you can pray while you drive, you can pray as you jog.
In the above verse we are encouraged to pray with “all kinds of prayers”. What does this mean? It means there are no rules that restrict you communicating with your Heavenly Father; it is so liberatingly open ended! As we meditate on this we begin to realise that prayer leaves us through every pore of our life; tears, words, hugs, music, clapping, even sweating!

Prayer is as invaluable or useless as you make it, but only you know the best line communication between you and God; how you can pour out your heart and listen to His guidance.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV)

-Andrew Carey

Can you keep a secret?

2007-05-04T09:27:00.000+01:00

I’m no good at keeping something secret. In fact, if you have a secret it’s best not to tell me; not that I will blab the secret to all and sundry, I won’t mention it to a soul, it’s just that people can read it on my face.
It is very annoying. For example, often I will see an opportunity to surprise my wife and all of a sudden she’ll ask me, “What are you up to?” Nothing; I not up to anything! I haven’t done a thing!!! All I have done is think about it and yet she can see these thoughts as though they were written all over my face! It’s unbelievable – and a little annoying.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

Are you any better than me at keeping a secret?
Well, here’s a massive one: This hope you have [in Christ], the gospel in you – no matter how little you know – is enough to transform Newport. To revive where you live.

How do you keep this secret?
Do you clam up when the discussion turns to issues that are influenced by your faith? Do you, in an incredibly British way, avoid conversations on politics or religion? When you see friends who are loosing hope because they have no-one to hope in, do you introduce them to the One who has given you hope? Do you keep Jesus’ influence in your life a secret by the way you conduct yourself at work or school? Do people look at you, knowing that you trust in Christ, and see nothing transformational?

How can you keep this secret?

“It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone.” (Rom 1:16 MSG) When you find yourself in conversations where you know that you need to introduce Christ, do you feel yourself becoming uncomfortable and your temperature rising? This isn’t embarrassment (although that is what the enemy would try to convince you it is, he’ll also say you don’t know enough and will only damage the gospel – but that is a massive stinking LIE!), it is the Holy Spirit [living in you] dying to fuel you with the words needed because he is most proud to proclaim the message of hope you have, which secures your eternal destiny and can heal those who hear it. All you need to do is open your mouth and listen! Listen to the Spirit’s voice [in your heart], listen to what the people you are talking to are saying [and respect them]. Once you do this the secret will be out and transformational!

-Andrew Carey

Great Reversal.

2007-05-03T08:48:00.000+01:00

On my mobile phone I discovered a game that I had not played since I was a kid: Reversee!
Have you ever played it?
It is simple. You have two coloured counters, generally black and white. The aim is to fill a checker board with counters of your colour. This is achieved by placing your own counters on the board when it is your go or by ‘reversing’ the colour of your opponent’s counters. This is done by hemming in a line of your opponent’s counters with two of yours; all of these can then be reversed.
It was a great game. Occasionally it would end up in a disagreement/argument/fight :o) but it was always fun.

Recollecting this as my mobile beat me once again, and I looked forward to the day when we had androids so that I could have a good brawl with them if they were insistent in beating me at this game, I remembered something awesome that Jesus said – about another great reversal:
"Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first." (Matt 20:16 MSG)

The great reversal is that we do not get what we deserve. The way in which we were living (wilfully rejecting God) only has one outcome, but Christ redeemed us; he reversed our destiny by taking the consequences of our sin upon himself and gave us a heaven bound hope! We don’t deserve access to God, but He loved us so much that He drew us into His family.

As I thought about this I realised that I will end up in Heaven [because of Christ] rubbing shoulders with the great men and women of faith; people who sacrificed everything, even their lives on occasion, for God – for a greater, more rewarding cause. What is more amazing is that I will have the same privileges as them! Would they complain? Would the martyrs complain being as they gave so much in comparison to me, only to be rewarded the same?
I don’t think so because our focus will be on Christ in all his radiantly holy beauty.

God's kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work. Later, about nine o'clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. They went.
He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o'clock. At five o'clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, 'Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?'
They said, “Because no one hired us.”
He told them to go to work in his vineyard.
When the day's work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, “Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.”
Those hired at five o'clock came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, “These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.”
He replied to the one speaking for the rest, “Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn't we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?” (Matt 20:1-15 MSG)

Even though this is the case, don’t sit back. Give yourself fully over to God. Don’t burn out, burn bright; joyfully serve God in the supermarket, school and office as much in church. Become energised in your service because of the Great Reversal.

-Andrew Carey

Prayer to be reckoned with – What? Mine?!.

2007-05-02T09:34:00.000+01:00

Here’s a good saying to remember:
Much prayer, much power; little prayer, little power; no prayer, no power!

Notice that it doesn’t say “much passionate spirit-filled faith-fuelled intercessory prayer, much power…”, even though this may be what you think it means; all it says is “much prayer…” Now, you may love praying or you may really struggle with it [because you are a new Christian and you have never really spent any time communicating with God before] but it doesn’t matter because the saying does not rely on the ‘quality’ of your prayers (if there is such a thing!), just on the fact that you do pray.

As I was thinking about this the following verses came to mind:
“Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.” (Jam 5:13-18 MSG)

There is something important to notice here; James does not say a ‘prayer of faith’ was to be reckoned with, instead he say that any prayer by anyone [redeemed by Christ and following him] is powerful. Another translation puts it like this: “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” (Jam 5:16 AMP)

It is not the perceived quality of your prayer that counts, or indeed your faith in receiving what you need, it is the earnestness of your prayer that counts; whether you really mean it. This is why strange things happen in prayer. I have heard stories of children praying cute little childish prayers for people they love not to be sick any more… and, all of a sudden, they are healed! How?! Because it was heartfelt; it may not have been eloquent or indeed a massive Spirit-filled moment but it was heartfelt.

Similarly there was a story in Acts where Peter had been arrested on account of the gospel…
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (Acts 12:5 NIV)
Naturally this hit them hard because they loved Peter and they knew he loved and served God and the church with all his energy. The least they could do was stay up all night praying (beside they couldn’t sleep worrying about what might happen). What I find interesting is how the night’s events conclude:
Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"
"You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel."
But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. (Acts 12:13-16 NIV)
Even though they had been praying they did not think that their prayers would be immediately answered. As they prayed they weren’t filled with faith enough to open the door to welcome Peter in; instead they left him [comedicly] on the door because nothing had stirred them to believe that God was going to do something miraculous because of their prayers. It was just an ‘ordinary’ prayer meeting, indeed they were tired confused and wound up, but God wove His extra-ordinary power into their prayers and performed [unbeknown to them] an amazing miracle in releasing Peter!

You may pray without realising that God is doing, or going to do, something miraculous because of it. You may feel weak in your praying but pray; how you feel will not make your prayers powerless, only not praying will do this. Pray with everything in your heart; let it out – you may need to dance, paint, write or even speak but just release your heartfelt prayers.

-Andrew Carey

We want to be together.

2007-05-01T10:38:00.000+01:00

I can no longer remember what it was advertising (answers on a postcard please) but I used to love this ad on TV which featured two wonderfully goofy people. The guy put his arm around his wife and said, “We want to be together.” It was his voice that used to make me laugh. Marvellous.

Anyway, you are undoubtedly as familiar as I am with the notion that we [our bodies, our lives, our hearts] are God’s temple, His dwelling place. When I think about this it obviously draws me into realising how important it is to live clean lives, so that our lives give God as much pleasure as we get from a warm welcome when we enter a home, a good comfy chair, cup of tea and pleasant company.

Now, all of this is true but we are not God’s dwelling on our own, it is only when we are together:
“You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.” (Eph 2:19-21 NLT)

It is only when we are together that we are a fit and pleasing dwelling for God. If you are curious what it means to be ‘together’ as God’s people simply grab a Bible and look for the phrase “…each other” and this will give you some idea as to how God can reside [pleasurably] in our togetherness – and how the world will see the greatness of our God!

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Col 3:13-14 NLT)

-Andrew Carey

Just do it [again]!

2007-04-30T08:57:00.000+01:00

In Luke 10 we read the about the occasion in which Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan in response to one of the questions posed by the religious scholars. While they were trying to trick him the scholar in question could have asked him anything but in the heat of the moment his question was how can we please God (i.e. out of all the commandments which ones would please God the most if we followed them). Surely, if nothing else, this reveals an underlying desire in this man to please God; it was a battle that raged within him. Is this so different from us?

In the end Jesus concluded his illustration of how we are to respond to our ‘neighbours’ by saying, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:37 NIV)

Once more I have found these words to be tremendously powerful. God is not interested in you agreeing with Him; He wants you to do something. When faced with the option of doing something [no matter how little] for God our ‘inferiority complex’ kicks in: ‘I’m not good enough to do that, I’m going to have to pray about it.’
We are good enough because [incredibly] we have been made righteous through Christ (which is the only way because none are good except God!). In the end Jesus will never be happy if we listen and accept the truth encapsulated in the story of the Good Samaritan, and even tell others about it, if we do not actually do it ourselves. Our faith is living, anything living does stuff, therefore we should do stuff [in faith].

Unless we do as Jesus did nothing will ever change [not in our lives or the lives of those around us].
I do not want nothing to happen because I didn’t do anything, especially after Jesus asked me to. If you have read Jesus words above then he has just asked you too.

-Andrew Carey

GFC

2007-04-27T09:04:00.000+01:00

There is always something catchy about three letters :o)
There’s the BBC of course, BFG in Roald Dahl books or KFC – not the fast food outlet but Kingdom Faith Church in Horsham :o)

Here’s another GFC: God, Family, Church.
This is God’s ranking of importance; God first, then family and then church. Any other order and our lives become imbalanced, if this happens we run the risk of burn out or growing ‘cold’. Paul used the GFC order in advising Timothy what to look for in potential church leaders, but it is equally applicable for all of us:
We must be “well-thought-of, committed to his wife [or husband], cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about, not be over fond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church? ... Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.” (1 Tim 3:2-7 MSG)

GFC may seem obvious and clear cut but the day to day running of our hectic lives make things a little less clear.
For example, if you put God first in your life, praying loads and studying His Word regularly, and spend every Sunday with the family, taking the kids here or there instead of church you are becoming imbalanced because God wants you rooted in a church; how can you be rooted to something you are not attached to?! In reality you have placed family over God by ignoring this! And when we put anything in front of God we grow ‘cold.
But even if you put God first never missing a Sunday meeting and are also at some church event almost every night of the week, chances are you are also ignoring God’s voice which is saying that you are abandoning the family He has entrusted to you. This is so much harder to spot because the imbalance is born out of a passion of following Christ, but slowly you become swept away by church rather than Christ and his gentle whispers of guidance become a distraction to serving in the church. Yes we should serve in the church but not at the expense of our families, but also our families should never be used as an excuse for laziness/apathy in the church; God always intended for the two to blend together beautifully – causing you great joy.

How the GFC structure looks in each of our lives will be entirely different; you life may look nothing like mine, and vice versa even though we may both be applying the GFC principle. Put God first in all things, faithfully care, nurture and love the family He has placed around you [this is your primary calling] and rejoice in serving the church in any way God has gifted you.
Paul’s GFC helps us to burn brightly [for Christ] rather than burning out.

-Andrew Carey

The Fog.

2007-04-26T08:00:00.000+01:00

I recollect one occasion in my mid-teens when I had a bunch of friends over one night to watch a video (I have no idea now what the film was… can’t have been that good!). When it finished we stopped the video resulting in us suddenly watching the tail end of a movie called The Fog since it was on TV. This was a horror film about zombies that attack in the fog (I presume this was to save on the cost of time consuming special effects :o) I laugh now but at the time it was quite chilling. Anyway, we were transfixed as these zombies began to lay siege to a building clawing at the doors and windows. All of a sudden a hand thudded against the window behind us, producing as chilling squeal as it was dragged across the pain towards the front door. Naturally we screamed with [film induced] fright!
In the end it was just my younger brother returning home from somewhere – phew!

“We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.” (1 Cor 13:12-13 MSG)

Fog is not pleasant when you are trying to get somewhere; it is disorientating and leaves you feeling vulnerable because you cannot see where it is you are going.
Ruth and I were once driving back [from somewhere ‘up north’ I think] with our pastor’s wife. It was in the early hours of the morning and we were exhausted. Coming back down the M50 we suddenly hit fog of the like I have never seen before. It was so thick that when a van recklessly overtook us [at 30mph], it had completely vanished, lights and all, just 10 feet ahead of us!

In life we encounter situations through which we have to navigate through a ‘fog’ of not understanding why it is happening [or why God is permitting it]. This is tough, disorientating and frustrating at times because we may never have answers for it; the ‘fog’ will remain until we are at home in Heaven. We don’t like this but we must accept it; in fact simply ‘accepting’ it is useless, we have to trust that God knows what is best and listen to his instructions.

-Andrew Carey

Encourage #4

2007-04-25T09:31:00.000+01:00

I once heard a child excitedly asking her mum, and probably not for the first time either, if it was her birthday had finally arrived saying, “Is it tomorrow yet?” She clearly couldn’t wait [or understand that ‘tomorrow’ will never be ‘today’].
Well, it’s not Tomorrow; today is Today.

“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” (Heb 3:13 NIV)

There is a real need for us to encourage each other, because as we encourage each other we can defend one another against ‘sin’s deceitfulness’. Now, when I say ‘encourage’ I mean positively speaking God’s word into each other lives. Telling someone they look nice doesn’t encourage us, it only makes us big headed or vain.

We can encourage each other by saying what impact they have had on us and what God has developed in us through them. Or we can encourage them by noticing what they are doing for God and reminding them of the impact it has [because we don’t always notice this ourselves]. You will always know when you have been encouraged because you feel full of life and you know that what you are doing is not in vain!

Encourage someone today. Your word is enough to breathe life into a ministry or a situation which you may never find yourself in, but perhaps you are there to breathe the encouragement of God into it.

-Andrew Carey

Encourage #3

2007-04-24T08:18:00.000+01:00

In work we have an electronic calendar system, it’s ‘great’. If I’m honest I have never totally mastered the system and its many nuances. One thing I know that it does is constantly remind you of impending events. Worse still, it will keep on reminding you right up to the very event itself; its relentless!

Even though I do find these reminders annoying (because they will invariable pop up on screen unnoticed while I am working on something else!) they are helpful; it won’t let me forget. The Apostle Paul knew the need and benefit of being reminded – it keeps you sharp and focused. Here Paul reminds us to encourage one another:
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thes 5:11 NIV)

Have you encouraged someone today?
You may have done so already because it was in the natural flow of conversation, or you may have done so because you set out with this in mind. Whatever the case keep it up; the encouragement you give is often the encouragement that God wants to pass on to someone – so don’t hold back God’s encouragement.

In fact knowing that you are reading this is an encouragement to me. I know that there are quite a few people who regularly read these blogs and this encourages me – I am picturing you right now :o) If it wasn’t for you I am not sure that I would be doing this now, and if I wasn’t I wouldn’t be benefiting from it as I do. Writing my thoughts down like this helps me solidify God’s voice in my life and makes me grow in my faith. You encourage me!

-Andrew Carey

Encourage #2

2007-04-23T09:02:00.000+01:00

Sometime we find it hard to encourage ourselves; to stay motivated and focused on our goal [Christ]. Sometimes we don’t find ourselves surrounded by a chorus of encouragement from fellow believers (it’s not their fault; perhaps we have isolated ourselves a little or circumstance has done this). But we are not alone; we can still find encouragement through the Holy Spirit who is with us always!

After Saul [aka Paul] had met with Christ on the Damascus road, lost and regained his sight etc…
… the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. (Acts 9:31 NIV)

That excites me so much!
Sometimes when we are feeling down or discouraged we can really ‘wallow’ in it; it just seems hard to avoid sometimes. But how can we be discouraged when we have Christ with us [the hope of glory]?! It’s madness. Therefore we can be sure that discouragement Is not a place where God will leave us. This is why He left us His Holy Spirit. Not so that we can perform incredible miracles in Jesus’ name, or receive history changing prophetic words or anything else exciting like that – although we witness all of this through the Holy Spirit’s presence on our lives. He is in our lives primarily as our counsellor, comforter, and encourager! We are filled by the Holy Spirit so that he can encourage us and by this we will grow.

How do you know when you are responding to the encouragement of the Holy Spirit? When you take pleasure in serving God; not because it puts you head and shoulders above the rest of us Christians but because it is simply what is expected of you and it is great to do something/anything for God.

If Monday finds you down, know that the Holy Spirit is encouraging you right now. Do not shun him or ignore his whispers in your heart. His words are full of truth and he will draw your attention to the truth and the truth is you are God’s and his alone!
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (Jam 4:7-8 NIV)

-Andrew Carey

Encourage #1

2007-04-20T08:35:00.000+01:00

I wonder whether you think that you are gifted or not?

The other week we went to spend the weekend with the English contingent of my family. Mum had prepared a room for us [of course] and on the chair she left a pile of stuff for me to decide what to do with. Included in this pile were all of my school reports! I was bemused as to why they had been kept since they weren’t that great, despite this I was fascinated by how it contradicted my memory. I always remember not being very good at art; I was never able to really achieve or express what I wanted to – very frustrating. However, according to my reports, the Art teacher thought that I was naturally talented and was able to express my ideas sensitively. She wrote the same thing year after year and yet I never remember any of this, I just remember thinking how untalented I was.

This made me realise that often we are so critical (or self-depreciating) that we fail to recognise our strengths. I mean you may forget how good a cook you are even though people love coming over to yours for a meal. Or you don’t think you are very funny, being as you are crap with jokes, but friends enjoy spending time with you because there will always be laughter and smiles.

There is now a whole band of people in Newport who are now writing for the Fusion Devotional books and many of them have told me how they were never very good at English. Despite this they eloquently share what God has done in their lives (I only have to edit them slightly/dramatically just to get the word count to fit the page but they are all amazing). Despite this none of these people will think of themselves as ‘writers’… but they are! Every one of them are published authors. They are also much more than this:
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is… encouraging, let him encourage.” (Rom 12:6,8 NIV)

Each of them, in their writing, have demonstrated a gift of encouraging – it just flows out of them. Think about it; when you read the last Fusion Devotional were you encouraged? I was; they encouraged and inspired me. My faith grew because of the words that flowed out of their heart, words overflowing from their [Heavenly] Father’s heart.

Is ‘encouragement’ one of your giftings?
You may not think so. Maybe you’ve never said anything to anyone, but even your faithfulness has probably encouraged someone. I know this guy who loves to serve in the church; he’s not great at it, and he sometimes frustrates me, but he loves to serve and that encourages me to serve more out of love and not talent!

If you have been encouraged, then encourage.
Tell someone how they have inspired, helped or encouraged you; don’t assume they know, because they don’t. Or perhaps write to them [a postcard will do, or even an e-mail] and let them know.

-Andrew Carey

Just do it!

2007-04-19T09:02:00.000+01:00

In our Christian Fellowship in work we’ve been looking at the parables of Jesus. The other day we came to the story of the Good Samaritan… which of course you all know by heart :o)
Anyway, the thing that struck me was that it is clearly not enough to simply agree with Jesus, we have to do something about it – our faith is all about ‘doing’ not ‘agreeing’.

Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?"
He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?"
He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbour as well as you do yourself."
"Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live."
Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbour'?"…
The Jesus tells us the story about the Good Samaritan which you are undoubtedly familiar with, but if not click here.
"What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbour to the man attacked by robbers?"
"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same." (Luke 10:25-29,36-37 MSG)

Sometimes I really like the paraphrasing of The Message but on this occasion it lets me down. The Good Samaritan that Jesus described did not behave ‘kindly’ [what a wet term!] he behaved sacrificially. He took on the role of a paramedic, then a nurse and then he made sure that others had enough money to continue the care while he was away but then returned later; all this on his way to work [probably]! This is not being kind – this is above and beyond that!!!

Agreeing with Jesus, as this religious scholar did, does not breathe life into your faith; you can agree with everything Jesus says and still be dead.
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” (Jam 2:19 NIV)

On the weekend I read a very amusing interview with the actor William H Macy (he’s a funny man), but one thing he said struck me as being very sad. He said that he deeply respected Jesus. He felt that everything Jesus said was intensely wise and he just wished that people would listen to him more (himself included). Despite this he did not trust or know Jesus as his saviour/redeemer. How sad to know so much and experience so little. Sadder still is the fact that he is not alone; you may well find many of his compatriots are in church pews each week.

The words of Jesus that really struck me the other day were these: "Go and do the same."
If only faith were about knowledge, then we could study hard and pass the test before teaching other willing pupils. But that’s not what Jesus wants – he wants followers who are doers! Our purpose is not to impress the ‘enlightened’ (although we should encourage one another – regularly) but to show people [who are sometimes too injured to notice or respond] the love of God through the way we treat and care for them. I don’t know about you but I don’t schedule this sort of thing into my daily routine and so this would have to be a sacrifice, but it is this that we are called to do. No questions asked.

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (Jam 2:26 NIV)

-Andrew Carey

A New Hope.

2007-04-18T08:57:00.000+01:00

I love Star Wars.
I was transfixed by the movies when I was young (I have theories about this – but another time, another place :o) and I would spend hours playing with my action figures with friends… needless to say you’d always befriend the kid with the Millennium Falcon or an AT-AT Walker.

When I was young [and foolish] my favourite of the 3 movies was Return of the Jedi. As I matured into my teenage years the bleak powerless struggle of The Empire Strikes Back began to appeal to me more. Now, however, in my thirties I would say that there is nothing to compare to the first Star Wars movie, A New Hope.

This was bouncing around in my head over the weekend because as Christians we do not have a new hope but a living one:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Pet 1:3 NIV)

Now the idea of a ‘living hope’ is weird – think about it. Hope is essentially something lifeless; it does not yet exist because it is something that you hope for. When I was a boy I would hope for certain Christmas presents, but this hope never made them exist; hope only became something tangible once I had received the gift and opened it. Up until that moment my hope was a lifeless idea (although it did excite me and keep me up at night).

This, however, does not describe our ‘living hope’. Our hope is not lifeless; it is life-giving because it is thoroughly infused with power through Christ’s resurrection! This hope we have [in Christ] is something tangible, real, and alive.

You are alive today because you have a living hope. Let this living hope overflow in your conversation, humour, and actions.

-Andrew Carey

Mouth-wateringly fresh bread.

2007-04-17T09:29:00.000+01:00

Fresh bread is such a delight; just thinking about the taste and texture of it I am starting to salivate – I haven’t even thought about the pleasure of when it is still warm. Bread can do far more than just bring us pleasure though [I hope I am not totally alone in this regard… in fact if you have not experienced the pleasure of fresh bread head out to a bakers right now and get a fresh warm loaf – your life will change!] it can keep us alive. Well, that is only partially true; bread can only sustain us physically. Being alive physically does not make us totally alive – we are only truly alive when we have the breath of God within us.

Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth." (Matt 4:4 MSG)

Since the birth of my beautiful daughter my usual morning routine has been considerably disrupted; I still haven’t quite recovered yet. As a result I have found it hard to find those moments where I can get alone with God’s word, allowing it to feed me. There have been days that I have felt hungry for God; not a ‘hungry for more of God’ but ‘starving for His word.’ Snacks are good and pleasurable but nothing replaces a mealtime with God feasting upon His word. Just as within a family, sharing mealtimes nurtures relationships – the same is true with God and us.

My mother-in-law once saw a humorous [and true] pun on a church notice board:
“Not reading God’s Word every day makes one weak.”

Think about it :o)

-Andrew Carey

Who hammered the nails.

2007-04-13T08:34:00.000+01:00

Are you still eating the chocolaty remains of Easter?
I am and it feels great and bad in equal measures… too much of a good thing is certainly bad; well, in the case of chocolate it is :o)

It is mad to think that last Friday was Good Friday. It seems so long ago. But even if that is the case let us never distance ourselves from the reality of that day. The week before Good Friday the people were welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem as a coming King. A week later their songs of praise had turned into cries of execution!
"Then what do I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?"
They all shouted, "Nail him to a cross!"
He objected, "But for what crime?"
But they yelled all the louder, "Nail him to a cross!" (Matt 27:22-23 MSG)

On what day did their hearts turn?
Monday morning? Tuesday? Later on in the week after an unexpected bill arrived?
It was not time or Christ that turned their hearts, it was their own fickleness. What is more shocking than this is that even today it is still in our hearts to still betray Christ; on [Palm] Sunday they praised him but by [Good] Friday they wanted shot of him! Are we so different? Passionate on Sunday, but the closeness of God is distant when it comes to the rough and tumble of the play ground, the adrenalin of the skate park, the relentless pace of looking after a baby or the decisions made in the office.

I was reminded of this as I read a little poem the other day:
Let’s not be fickle followers
Who say they love the Lord
But live each day ignoring Him
And His life-giving Word.

We do not have to be part of the crowd; it is not our destiny. We can passionately honour God on Monday just as much as we do on Sunday, praising Him with our lives [every decision, action, joke or smile]. We can echo the crowd on Palm Sunday rather than the mob on Good Friday.

-Andrew Carey

Unnoticed moves of God.

2007-04-12T08:16:00.000+01:00

How would you define a ‘move of God’, moments in history where you can see God’s fingerprints in our lives?
Parting of the Red Sea.
Naaman being healed.
Feeding of the five thousand.
Raising of Lazarus from the dead.

Yeah, all of these are moves of God, but they are all miraculous moves of God; what about the ordinary moves of God? I can hear you thinking, ‘Surely there can’t be any ordinary moves of God; God is extra-ordinary!’ Yes He is extra-ordinary but sometimes he works out His [extra-ordinary] plans in our ordinary.

Check this out:
Boaz married Ruth. She became his wife. Boaz slept with her. By God's gracious gift she conceived and had a son. (Ruth 4:13 MSG)
Nothing miraculous there, and yet this is a move of God.
Here we read about God working out salvation in the ordinary. Ruth married Boaz and they decided to have a family. That’s it. Nothing earth shattering or history shaking; it sounds like the decisions that we make (or see being made) every day. But the ordinariness of this story was key to our salvation. Because Ruth and Boaz chose to have children David, the great King of Israel, was born and through David’s line Christ was born. And because Christ was born we can now be re-born as we receive the salvation that he offers us through the cross and the empty grave.
Ruth and Boaz had no concept of this; they just decided to live their lives, but in their lives was God.

You may struggle to notice the significance of your life in work, in your town or even your church. Nothing miraculous has happened in your life and so does this mean that God is not present or active? After all surely you would notice. Ruth and Boaz never noticed God at work in their lives on this occasion; it was just an ordinary everyday decision. Even in the ordinariness of your life God is at work, and who knows what story of salvation he will write in someone’s life because of ordinary decisions you make today.

Rejoice because God is the God of the ordinary as well as the miraculous, but even the ordinary is extra-ordinary in His presence.

-Andrew Carey

Jesus wins!

2007-04-11T12:11:00.000+01:00

“A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” (Rom 12:1 NIV)

What?!

Do you sometimes read stuff in the Old Testament, or worse still in Revelations, and thought, “What?! I’m supposed to be a Christian, I haven’t got a ‘vindaloo’ [rhyming slang: clue] what that is all about!!!”
After all isn’t the Holy Spirit supposed to reveal all things to us. Wasn’t that the promise?
Yes it was and he does! He makes it so simple for us that sometimes don’t take it in. I was reminded of this when I read this little story:

Walking through campus one day, a seminary professor came upon a custodian reading the Bible during lunch hour. The professor asked what he was reading.
“Revelation,” the custodian said.
“I’m sure you don’t understand what it means,” said the professor condescendingly.
“Actually, I do,” he replied. “It means Jesus wins.”

When phased by stuff we don’t grasp that is all we need to know: JESUS WINS!
Could it be any more reassuringly simple?!

-Andrew Carey

Oops.

2007-04-10T08:14:00.000+01:00

Er… I have misplaced my memory stick with today’s blog on it. I hope to find it for tomorrow

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline... Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.” (Col 13:12-13 MSG)

:o)

Have a good day.

-Andrew Carey

More than just a Good Friday.

2007-04-05T08:31:00.000+01:00

Easter is the most amazing event in our calendar. It thoroughly excites me.

Alarmingly I once recall hearing a group of children trying to figure out what Easter was all about and one girl chipped in with the suggestion that it was about nailing bunnies to crosses! An amusingly macabre image :o)

This weekend is not about commemorating a long forgotten event; it is the celebration of something key to our very own lives today. We celebrate salvation – our rescue. While the whole of the Christian world will be celebrating Easter together it is an incredibly personal time; we remember what Jesus has done just for us, individually. But this is more than just a celebration it is our healing – it’s a sacrifice that makes no sense but it is an immovable and eternal truth.

“But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.” (Is 53:5 MSG)

I get up early most mornings to play my baby daughter. This means that I get to witness some rather strange TV shows on Cbeebies. One of them is ‘Discover & Do’. This is the epitome of Easter. We have salvation to discover [afresh] but if that is all that happens you will have missed out on the greater joy – Doing. Get out there and share salvation. There is a million ways of doing this but only a few of them involve any verbal communication – show people a salvation life; one full of joy and service and love.

Have a great Easter: He has risen, he has risen indeed!

-Andrew Carey

Pleasantly watery.

2007-04-04T09:00:00.000+01:00

Through necessity I have become quite adept at plumbing. When I first bought my house it had what could only be described as a ropey central heating system; the boiler constantly boiled water and at least one radiator a month would ‘pin-hole’ sending a spray of water into whatever room it occupied. In no time at all I became very skilled in quickly isolating a radiator, bleeding it and patching up the hole. On top of this the header tank in the loft would occasionally split due insufficient structural support. I discovered this early one Saturday morning when I touched the stairs wall only to have a steady flow of water pass over my hand. It was more of a waterfall than a wall!!! I then had the pleasure of spending a beautiful summer day cramped in a small dark place trying to fix it. By the evening I’m sure that I had begun to look like Gollum.

In those days I used to have an ear finely tuned to any aquatic based sounds in the house, instantly responding to even the faintest of drips just to avoid any impending disaster. Sometimes, though, the sound of water is a delight. I recall orienteering when I was much younger. A friend and I had become completely lost but we figured out that if we could find what looked like a prominent stream we’d be able to get ourselves back. But the stream was not where we had expected it to be. But just as we were about to voice our dismay we realised that we could hear water even though we couldn’t see it. We searched the undergrowth, following the sound until we found the source of the noise, a stream buried in the undergrowth!

The sound of water is beautifully refreshing, and to put your hand in it is divine.
This is our role in every situation we find ourselves, to be a refreshing stream of life:
Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit. (John 7:37-39 NIV)

You may think that you don’t feel much like that but it is true (if it is not then Jesus is a liar and your faith is suddenly on wobbly ground… which it isn’t). God’s Holy Spirit flows through your life like streams of living water; refreshing, renewing, regenerating, reshaping. You are not dry ground, the life of salvation flows from you. Just as a stream cannot stop itself from flowing, the life that flows from you is not based on your skill in explaining the Gospel or your confidence with people – it is all reliant on the source of the stream; God alone! You are not dry ground you are an oasis in your family, school, office etc.

Every little thing you do reverberates in people’s minds (whether you know it or not) like the sound of a trickling stream. It causes them to draw near, to see its life and enquire about its source.

-Andrew Carey

While you were sleeping.

2007-04-03T08:29:00.000+01:00

‘While You Were Sleeping’ is one of the few romantic comedies that I love to watch again and again. I won’t try to sell it to you because it is such a personal thing; even if I did there’s every chance you may not enjoy it and then that’ll be an evening wasted.

Thinking about this reminded me of something that my Pastor happened to say while introducing communion on Sunday. As usual he began to read the following verse [as he normally does]:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matt 26:26-28 NIV)

But on this occasion he got not further than the first few words and then paused.
While they were eating, Jesus…
‘Jesus happens in our lives while things were happening,’ he said. ‘While they were shopping, Jesus… While they were studying, Jesus… While they were looking after the kids, Jesus… While they were working, Jesus… While they were spending time with friends, Jesus… While they were sharing a meal with the family, Jesus… While they were sat watching a movie, Jesus… While they were praying, Jesus… While they were sorting out their finances, Jesus… While they waited for the doctors to give them their test results, Jesus… While they were flying to Zambia, Jesus… While they were singing in Silver Liners, Jesus… While they were climbing trees, Jesus… While they were sleeping, Jesus.’
Jesus breaks in and celebrates salvation, sets up a monument in our life, while we are just going about our daily business. While you are doing what you normally do today you can encounter Jesus [magnificently and intimately] and better still, others can encounter him through you.

-Andrew Carey

Good evening.

2007-04-02T08:11:00.000+01:00

The other day I [re-]read this passage from Matthew:

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (Matt 14:22-27 NLT)

Walking on water – amazing!
The mad thing is to realise that, as Peter discovered, we too can walk on water when we walk hand in hand with Christ! But this is not what stood out to me on this occasion.

‘After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.’ (vs. 23)
This reminded me of the necessity of spending time with God, at any time. I’ve read quite a few passages where it tells us that Jesus got up early and went to pray before starting the day. We use this to motivate us in spending time with God first thing… but I forget that Jesus didn’t stop at this. He was hungry to spend time with his Heavenly Father at any time. Here we read that night fell while he was praying! He was finishing the day in God’s presence and you can see for yourself what an amazing effect this had.

Since the birth of my daughter my comfortable routine has been dramatically disrupted. I don’t have mornings to myself now let alone any other time (when I feel half conscious). But this just went to remind me to take any time to spend it with God; 10 mins at lunch, 5 mins in the bathroom before bed, 15 mins in the bath (before the baby joins you) on a Saturday morning, your break times, or the train into to work.

The only way we will take a tighter hold onto our saviour’s hand is to spend [any] time [we can] with Him. Let us become opportunistic in this regard. If we fail to put God first we’ll fail to be of any [real] use to anyone else who needs us.

- Andrew Carey

Revolution anyone?

2007-03-30T08:29:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

I’m excited. Really excited – which is always a good way to start the weekend :o)
You see four amazing people (well, three and me) are out there allowing God to influence them as they write stuff for the next Fusion devotional. Now that excites me! Man – I can’t begin to tell you how bubbly I feel.

I have been working away on part I am writing and in doing so I was reminded of this hymn by Isaac Watts:
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ my God:
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down:
did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an off’ring far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Massive! What a hymn of revolution!!!!!
Sing it to yourself [loud, real loud] – pray it over yourself – live it.

- Andrew Carey

My first flippin’ Bible.

2007-03-29T08:07:00.000+01:00

This isn’t actually what Hannah’s first Bible is called but it would’ve been great if it was.

It was my little H’s dedication last Sunday and so my family came up for the service. It was great to see everyone and spend the day surrounded by family [on both sides]. Helen – Hannah’s favourite aunt who’s name begins with the letter H :o) – gave her a Bible; it was a picture Bible with flaps to lift. Within minutes I was transfixed by it – so many Bible stories with things to discover under bushes or behind doors or windows or in trees, behind clouds etc. It was great! When Paul said that all Scripture was inspired I defiantly think he had this ‘translation’ in mind too! :o)

Anyway as I became increasingly engrossed by my daughters new Bible, discovering all sorts of things behind various hidden flaps, I began to appreciate what a good tool this was. The Bible is not simply a ‘page turner’, this is an accolade that should be reserved for novels by such ‘great’ authors as Jeffery Archer or Dan Brown ;o) If you keep turning pages you will never delve any deeper into the Bible; you will only begin to grow when you when you begin to dwell on God’s word.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Col 3:16 NIV)
Or in other words, “Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!” (MSG)

I remember that once being told that the Bible was unique among books since it seemed to read you as much as you read it. I guess that is why one translation is called the ‘Living Bible’.

Take some time today and dive in; don’t just paddle, submerge yourself in it! Allow God to speak into your life through the words you read. All of the stuff you read on this blog and in the devotional books we publish are not written by ‘enlightened theologians’; the words come from people no more or less strange than you. They are just people who have lifted a flap in their Bible and discovered something that God has left there for them.

It’s your [flippin’] Bible so read it, explore it, bath in it, dwell on it, enjoy it.

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (1 Tim 3:16-17 MSG)

- Andrew Carey

Satisfaction.

2007-03-28T08:45:00.000+01:00

In 1965 ‘The Rolling Stones’ famously sang about not having any satisfaction:

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no

When I'm drivin' in my car
And that man comes on the radio
He's tellin' me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
I can't get no, oh no no no
Hey hey hey, that's what I say

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no

This song may have grabbed the zeitgeist of the youth of ’65 but it does not reflect the truth that we should experience as Christians. With God in [the centre of] our lives we know what it is to be completely satisfied not just fleetingly satisfied.

“Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.” (Ps 90:14 NLT) Or in other words: “Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we'll skip and dance all the day long.” (MSG)

In the mornings I wake up before my Ruth and so should our baby daughter also be awake I am the one that goes in to see her. What I have noticed is this: As soon she sees me her face lights up and she smiles. Now, she has been asleep almost all night and would not have fed since the previous day but as soon as she sees me she will not cry for food, it is as though she is satisfied with my company. We’ll play together for about an hour before she will even think about ‘asking’ for a bottle. In this time I will have entertained her by making up songs such as:
These are you knees,
and these are your toes.
These are your hands
to touch both of those.

Our consumer society has taught well; we are never satisfied – there is always something new, something that we can’t do without. But this is not real satisfaction; it is too fleeting to be real, however we do have real satisfaction in Christ.

“I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (Phil 4:11-13 MSG)

Be satisfied today; enjoy the company of the One who makes you who you are and surprises you every morning with His unfailing love.

- Andrew Carey

Vita brevis!

2007-03-27T08:21:00.000+01:00

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Ps 90:12 NLT)

This is from Psalm 90 which many translations describe as ‘a prayer of Moses, man of God‘. Here we read that Moses, this man of God, did not live life with an ‘oh well, I have all eternity’ attitude to things; his attitude to life said, ‘I have such a brief time, so I want to make the most of it – to burn bright not burn out’.

Another translation of this verse goes like this:
“Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” (Ps 90:12 MSG)

This reminds me of a short film I saw recently which was themed on the last sermon preached by Kyle Lake, the late pastor of UBC. His last words implored us, like Moses, to ‘… live, and live well.’

Unlike Kyle Lake, Moses was not a young man when he prayed this. In his prime he was well educated and strong, but rather than place him in a position of influence God took him off to work a hard solitary existence for 40 years herding sheep. It was this more than his education that shaped him ready for God’s calling. Moses was in his eighties that God called him to shape the history of a nation and sculpt the foundation of our faith. You see this prayer was uttered by a man who could see that he was nearing the end of his days, but his focus was not on the legacy he was leaving, thinking ‘I did my best, what’s been done can’t be undone’. Instead he was consumed with this desire: ‘In what life I have left I want to live well!’

No matter how you find yourself today – in your prime or last days, fit and healthy or laid up on a sick bed, bottom of the pile or top of the tree – let Moses’ prayer be the desire of your heart; Lord, I want to live, and live well [for you]!

- Andrew Carey

Distracted?

2007-03-26T08:44:00.000+01:00

"Be Still [râphâh: abate, to mend, to heal, make whole], and know that I am God!” (Ps 46:10 NIV)

The society we live in today is anything but still. There is so much to do, and so little time to do it in, life has become a rush. Everything seems to be getting faster - faster food, faster cars, faster PC’s, faster methods of communication.
As well as working and studying, there’s so much socializing to do, so many new films that have to be seen, so many blogs that have to be posted, so many message boards that have to be checked, so many texts to send, so many friends to call, so much TV to be seen… We have learned to rush but not to wait.

There have been numerous titles for our twenty-first century generation: Generation Y, the Millennial Generation, and the Millennials; here’s another title I came up with the other day: The Distracted Generation.

Having grown up with technology so integrated into our lives, owning a PC, MAC, iPod or Mobile phone is no longer a luxury, but an absolute necessity. On one hand there is so much that can be achieved for His Kingdom if we wisely utilize these technologies, but it is all too easy to fall into the trap of allowing technology to become your master and consume your time. Our focus can effortlessly move from God to gizmo!

What is more this ‘distraction’ is not problem restricted to young people – you will find the ‘Distracted Generation’ in every age group, from school queue to pension queue.

God asks that we ‘be still and know that I am God’. But when there is so much to do, being still isn’t easy. But God doesn’t give us options here. He says ‘BE STILL’; now that’s a pretty straight forward order to understand.

He knows us better than we know ourselves; He created us in our mother’s womb, and He knows what is in our best interests and what we need daily. When God says ‘be still’ there is a good reason. Our thoughts are clearest, our minds disciplined and our ears opened when we are purposefully being still and spending much needed time with our Creator. During such times our vision is sharpened, our strength renewed (Is 40:31), our troubles offloaded, and spirits energized.

Times of ‘stillness’ with God are an absolutely crucial part of our twenty-first century lives. Human strength will never be adequate for facing all of life’s challenges and difficulties. The only way to successfully navigate through our busy daily lives is to first spend time with God; listening to His words of wisdom, accepting His direction, and being shaped by His love.

Begin today by putting aside valuable time to sit and ‘be still’ with Him. Allow this stillness before God to generate a fresh spiritual dynamic in your daily life.

- Jonathan Gould
King Church, Newport

What’s in a name?

2007-03-23T09:04:00.000Z

I think that most people will of heard of a Mr William Shakespeare. Well, in ‘Romeo & Juliet’ is a beautiful line: “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” (act 2 scene 2… in case you are curious :o).
I love how poetic this line is and how deep it is. It also made think about what a name is.

I remember before Hannah (my niece) was born Ruth and Andrew were trying to pick a middle name for her [her first name was sorted ages ago]. There’s a lot of responsibility in choosing a name for someone.

Name adjective–noun A word or a combination of words by which a person…is designated, called, or known.

Each person has a name, a word by which we are ‘known’. It's mad when you think about it; our name, in its simplest way, is our identity, it tells people who we are. However, while our name can’t define us it does give us an identity; our name in full [surname included] tells people our origin, such as who our parents are. I even recall reading about a study which said that children with particular names are more likely to be high earners in later life – how mad is that!

So without a name, who are we?
“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31) I looked up the meaning of the name Jesus and in the Hebrew it means ‘God Rescues’. From this I can understand why the angel gave Mary this name for her son! His name, the name he came to earth with [defined by our Heavenly Father] means that he is our Lord and saviour.
However there is far more to his name than that.
“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14)
When we pray whose name do pray with? Whose name gives us the authority to talk directly to the Father? Jesus! What a mighty name it is. What power that name brings; just saying it out loud stirs up boldness and victory. That’s what we have in his name – victory. Victory over death, illness, suffering and oppression.

“In his name the nations will put their hope." (Matt 12:21)

Thank You Jesus!

-Helen Tuckwell

Relax – He’s God! Pt3

2007-03-22T08:38:00.000Z

“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Ps 46:10 NIV)

God is God
It astounds me everyday how amazing God is. I’m so glad He’s in control – can you imagine what a mess it would be if it had to be left up to us to rule the universe? It doesn’t bear thinking about… but we will :o)

Can you imagine it being left up to us to ensure that the sun came up every morning? Sure it’d all work fine most days of the year but eventually there would be a pay dispute with management and the workers at the sun raising plant would be out on strike. Or worse still, an unnoticed human error would end up with the equinox falling on the wrong day and all of a sudden tidal patterns went all out of sync.
It makes you think doesn’t it. I mean all we’ve been asked to do is look after our planet [not even run it] and we haven’t been able to do that effectively. Thank God that He never left us in charge of running things!

Despite this, we often try to play God; we think we know best and ignore what God says, or we decide that we want things sorted out quickly and asking God to fix it all would only delay things. Worse still we neglect to ask His opinion on things. We roam around in charge of it all [so we think] and demote God to our ‘assistant’ instead of our master.

The trouble is we [think we] know what we want, and we take charge to make sure that we get it.

“Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.
You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that ‘he's a fiercely jealous lover.’ And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that ‘God goes against the wilful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.’" (Jam 4:1-6 MSG)

But God not only knows what we want, He knows what we need, when we need it, and how we need it. He knows everything – He is God after all. We need to remember this [in our daily lives] and submit to Him, every day.
Stop worrying – be still, know that He is God, and praise Him for it!

“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive.” (Phil 4:4-5 MSG)

- Lois Bennett (& Andrew Carey)

Relax – He’s God! Pt2

2007-03-21T08:23:00.000Z

“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Ps 46:10 NIV)

Yesterday we began unpacking this verse and today we will continue.

Know
There is a difference between ‘knowing’ something and ‘knowing’ something.
How can I explain this?
Not too long ago a friend of mine went on holiday to Toronto. She is a daring character and loved the idea of going up to the top of the CN tower. At the top they have what they call an ‘observation platform’ it is a thick plate of glass set into the floor so that if you stood on it you would feel as though you had stepped off the building and was now flying. I do not have a head for heights and so just writing about this is making me feel queasy but my friend has no such problems. She confidently walked up to the glass and put her foot out. She was surprised to find that she could not put it down on the glass; there was something inside her that thought her life would be in danger if she did. She knew that the glass was ridiculously thick and that she’d never fall through it but her body would not let her consciously walk out on it.
In the end she had to stand with her back to the glass, look up in the air and then begin walking backwards. Once she had taken five or so steps she looked down and it was the most amazing view she had ever seen. Try it out for yourself some time :o)

She ‘knew’ that the glass would hold her but her body [or subconscious] did not ‘know’ for sure that it would. Sometimes this sort of thing disables our relationship with God. We ‘know’ all about God, that He will never let us down, but we struggle to ‘know’ it and so we don’t step out in trust; staying in our safe little religious pigeon-hole.

No matter how we do it, we must remind ourselves just who God really is:
He’s our Father.
He loves us.
He created all and is in all.
He died for us.
He forgives us.
He blesses us unreservedly.
He is utterly amazing.
We need to know this, because when we do it will influence how we live. Knowing means believing; believing means trusting; trusting often means waiting.

“Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things we hope for, being the proof of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” (Heb 11:1 AMP)

- Lois Bennett (& Andrew Carey)

Relax – He’s God! Pt1

2007-03-20T08:58:00.000Z

“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Ps 46:10 NIV)

This is probably one of the most quoted verses in the Bible; think about it, how often have you quoted it or had someone say it to you? It seems to be a handy verse in almost any situation. But sometimes I wonder if we haven’t used it so much that it has lost some of its poignancy; it feels like it has become a faded water colour painting rather than retaining the punchy vibrancy of a fresh oil painting.
This reminded me of something I heard on the news just the other day where the NSPCC was being criticised for desensitising people by barraging them with deliberately shocking adverts. So much so that people have lost sight of the good work they actually do for children in danger!

We have heard the words of this verse so often that we have become desensitised to its power [and the release and victory it brings]. We may hear it regularly, but how often do we actually listen to it, never mind obey it?!
Saying that, what does it actually mean? If we break it down perhaps we will unlock something inside of us.

Be still
When I was younger my dad used to take us all out for long walks in the woods near us [no matter what the weather was like]. I don’t know why mum allowed this because more often than not we’d return muddy and covered in cuts and scrapes… it was great.
On one occasion I recall us finding a fantastic rope swing which [when jumped upon bravely] swung us out over a deep gully – for a moment it felt like you were flying! When it came to my turn my sister, overcome with helpful enthusiasm [wanting to see her brother go higher than anyone else], gave me a hearty push. Unfortunately I had not grabbed hold of the swing and so dived into the gully with great momentum. Thankfully my fall was broken by a thorny bush, the downside of this was a rather stomach turning injury. When I had climbed out and thanked my sister appropriately for her assistance in my [mis]adventure I realised that I had a 2 inch long thorn sticking in the wrist. When I say ‘sticking in’ I mean it was deep in my wrist, how it had not hit a vein I will never know. I went to pull it out but I couldn’t because every time I touched it I could feel in move inside my wrist! I just couldn’t pull it out and this began to panic me.
Dad then turned up to help. He tried to assess the situation but I wouldn’t let him anywhere near it (by then it was really hurting).
“You have to be still.” He said.
“I can’t! It really hurts!” I wasn’t going to cry but I wanted to – the thorn was really freaking me out now!
“Stand still!” Dad grabbed my arm in such a manner that I could move it and with no trouble at all plucked the thorn from my wrist. Even though it hurt loads while I was fussing I don’t actually recall it hurting when Dad removed it. I can’t remember whether we told mum about all of this.

Often when we pray about something that’s troubling us we want a quick response from God. We want to get out of the situation quickly, so much so that if we think that God is being slow or ‘unhelpful’ we will try to wriggle our way out even when it hurts more to do so. What is more we openly reject the notion that perhaps we are in a situation so that God might teach us something; we become impatient and frantic, constantly worrying, even doubting that God can hear us at all.
However, in this Psalm we are told to be still. Still. Quiet. Calm. At peace. God is in control.

- Lois Bennett (& Andrew Carey)

Week in week out.

2007-03-19T12:22:00.000Z

What a fabulous week I have had; no work, just time spent with my little family – this has involved a grand amount of cuddling my baby girl :o) It has been a week of smiles and tensions; smiles provided in copious amounts by Hannah (aw, bless) and tension from the antics of Jack Baur in the TV show ‘24’ (we are watching season 5 on DVD).

While my week off has been relaxing it has also given me such a lot of time with my daughter. She may be able to speak, or even control her flailing arms :o) but I have learnt so much from spending this time with her, I feel as though I know her better. I have got to know her characteristics, likes and dislikes, and little habits better. I know how to make her laugh. I have discovered that when we are playing in the garden she prefers me pretending that she is a spade more than a lawn mower (although both make her laugh).

I have learnt all of this from just being near her.

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” (Jam 4:8 NLT)

By the end of the week I had begin to appreciate the necessity of spending time with God, getting to know Him more than knowing about Him. I have started this week with as much of a burning desire to spend time with God as I do with my daughter.

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "…get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer…” (Ps 91:14 MSG)

-Andrew Carey

Are you listening to this? Really listening?

2007-03-09T09:12:00.000Z

Here, in ‘the west’, we are part of a vast consumer empire. Our culture is based on ‘want’ which does not readily value to concept of sacrifice; we avoid saving and use credit, we always want to add and never subtract, we want things now not then. We are taught never to give anything up. Perhaps it is this attitude which has capped Revival in our culture? Who knows.

“Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out.” (Rom 12:2 MSG)

Last night I was watching Grand Designs… I was watching it last night because we only have S4C at home and they love trying to hide good shows at mysterious times in their schedule!
I love this show; it enthrals me, humours me, inspires me… and all from the comfort of my sofa.

Anyway, back to ‘last nights’ show.
There was this couple. Deep down they have always loved castles and dreamed of living in one… of course it was all a dream because no-one lives in a castle. But it was still engrained in the psyche; even their wedding cake was in the shape of a castle, it even had knights jousting rather than a bride and groom!
They carried on their daily lives working hard, raising a family etc until something disrupted all of that; a castle came on the market! Not a ‘move in and enjoy the views’ castle but a ‘don’t breathe because these walls might fall down’ castle. Without any further thought they sacrificed everything for their dream; they sold their home and put their lives on hold so they could invest the time required!
Now, despite being at risk of collapse, the castle they now owned was not just a listed building it was also an ancient monument and so the red-tape and regulations that had to go through before they could even begin restoring was unbelievable. It was enough to destroy anyone’s dream, but they had sacrificed everything; they had weighed up the cost and it was all or nothing.

One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.
"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.' …Are you listening to this? Really listening?" (Luke 14:25-30, 34 MSG)

The question is this: What are we willing to sacrifice to receive a blessing? The blessing of knowing and following Christ.
We want God’s blessing but not the bill. I don’t mean that He charges us, but our discipleship has to be wholehearted – and that is costly. There is a line in a David Crowder song I was listening to this morning that goes “… by letting go I get a better grip.” This is movingly true.
Here Jesus warns us that unless sacrifice is an integral part of our faith we are on shaky ground. This may feel counter-cultural but this is what Revival is built upon.
“So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'… your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:31-33 NIV)

I will be on ‘Paternity Leave’ for the next week, enjoying time with my gorgeous little daughter and so I will probably not be updating this blog for a week or so. In my absence, enjoy yourselves :o) lap up God’s blessings and delight yourself in His company. And if you fancy a sneak preview of something that is going to impact the next Fusion prayer event click here :o)

-Andrew Carey

Less is more.

2007-03-08T12:41:00.000Z

They do say that sometimes ‘less is more’.
I am often told this when being served pudding or quiche (both of which I love beyond all measure). I am suspicious of this saying especially when used to justify the size of the portion presented to me. However, it is certainly true when it comes to the shortest verse in the whole Bible: Jesus wept. (John 11:35 NIV) This may be short but it is full.

Preceding this verse we read:
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.
Jesus wept. (John 11:33-35 NIV)

Jesus appeared on the scene knowing that Lazarus was going to be raised from the dead; he was full of faith. Despite this he was moved by grief. There is so much conflict contained within these two words; how could Jesus be full of faith and grief?! Surely if he was so confident of Lazarus’ return to life he should be brimming with anticipation and not grief. It is such a confusing verse but it also reassures us.

Sometimes I struggle to reconcile my feelings of desperation and trust; I trust in God but still feel a sense desperation as I wait for Him to answer my prayers. You would think that trust is the antidote, the remedy for these ‘negative’ feelings but it appears not to be the case. In Christ we are made whole but this does not mean we are conflict free; it simply means that the conflict will not divide, destroy or conquer us. Here we see Jesus consumed by both grief for the dead and faith to raise the dead. Did it hinder the miracle? Not one bit!

Let this shortest verse constantly remind you that it is OK to feel the way you do and still believe in God for a miracle. It is Christ who holds us together.

-Andrew Carey

Called.

2007-03-07T09:20:00.000Z

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” (Eph 4:1 NLT)

When I read this it made me stop in my tracks and think; is my life worthy of my calling?
Sometimes… or perhaps more often than we’d like to think, we get so caught up in ‘life’ that we forget that we are ‘called’; more than that, we forget we’re “called by God.”

In some daily reading notes the other day I read about this ‘famous’ baseball player (although not famous to me!). He grew up in a rough neighbourhood but knew, from the first time that he held a baseball bat, that he was called to this sport. This remained with him. In fact when various gangs fried to recruit him he rejected their lifestyle because he knew his calling and he remained focused on it. Then, once he made it into a major league team, he stuck with them for his entire career even though he was offered more lucrative deals; it was the team and his calling that occupied him more than money.

How many attitudes, actions, activities etc occupy space in your life which are not worthy of your calling?
We each have our own answer, but no matter what the list may look like it does not mean we are ruined:
Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.” (Is 6:5-8 NLT)

No matter what our age, failures, circumstances or anything else, our most productive days in God’s calling are yet to come. Failure to believe this will verify your doubts to be true… but true only because you have let it be true. We are called of God until our last breath. Even when bound to a chair by ill-health we are still called to live worthy of our calling. Would you not want your epitaph to read, ‘Even his last breath was worthy of his calling’? I do.

“In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.” (Eph 4:1-3 MSG)

-Andrew Carey

Fusion Devotional

2007-03-06T11:01:00.000Z

Don’t forget that if you have not acquired your copy of the new Fusion Devotional you can order one TODAY – still just £3! Waste no time – it is too precious. The first Devotional is also available just in case you missed out or want to get another one for a friend.

The Fusion Devotional 2 takes you on a journey in which you can live the Lord’s Prayer rather than just recite it.

Encounters with Jesus #7

2007-03-05T08:45:00.000Z

Our encounters with Jesus [in Matthew 9] come to a close today.
Well… when I say ‘close’ I mean, of course, ‘begins’!

Jesus travelled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matt 9:35-38 NLT)

There are no encounters with Jesus that are simply dead-end encounters; they will always lead somewhere… after all he is the Good Shepherd and what shepherd worth his salt doesn’t lead.

Here Jesus doesn’t encounter just one person [full of faith] but a whole crowd.
Now, on first reading, you may not think that the crowd are demonstrating faith in the same way as the characters who have encounter Jesus so far in this chapter. In some ways you are right, but they are still full of faith. They are lost, confused and helpless but they stand in front of Jesus because of faith. Perhaps not faith in Jesus being the Messiah or anything like that, but faith that there is something ‘out there’ that makes sense of this life, that cares if they live or die. Deep down this is the ‘faith’ that fills everyone we meet every day; no-one, no matter what their conscious beliefs, are looking for something that says ‘you are noticed’ when you pass away. Most people place all their hope on a grave stone, something ‘immovable’ that says they are beloved of someone. Something that says they were here, that someone noticed. But those who noticed will someday fade too.

As Christians we have someone who noticed us, someone who will never fade; we have an empty tomb rather than a gravestone that assures us of this.

“It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first instalment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.” (Eph 1:11-14 MSG)

When Jesus saw the crowd full of [a desperate] faith, looking for something to hope in, something that won’t fade, disappoint or disappear, he looked to his disciples and said, “…pray to the Lord… ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
This is a delightfully dangerous prayer that he gave them [and us] because the answer to this prayer is always praying the prayer; it is a call to us first and foremost. Whether we are timid or bold, extraverted or introverted, eloquent or tongue-tied, out of [eternal] compassion we are called to ‘clock in’ for work, to play our part [whatever it may be]. Once we respond to this prayer God adds to us.

Our encounter with Jesus [always] calls us to share; to give something to those who are hungry for hope. Will you clock in for ‘work’ today?

-Andrew Carey

Encounters with Jesus #6

2007-03-02T09:20:00.000Z

Right after that, as the blind men were leaving, a man who had been struck speechless by an evil spirit was brought to Jesus. As soon as Jesus threw the evil tormenting spirit out, the man talked away just as if he'd been talking all his life. The people were up on their feet applauding: "There's never been anything like this in Israel!"
The Pharisees were left sputtering, "Hocus-pocus. It's nothing but hocus-pocus. He's probably made a pact with the Devil." (Matt 9:32-34 MSG)

When you step out and reveal who God is [and how much He loves] in what you say and do, it will not always be understood or appreciated by everyone.

Here the relentless pace of this chapter in Matthew continues as we read about Jesus performing another miracle. On this occasion the people cannot help but applaud God declaring that not only had they never seen anything like this before but God had never been revealed [as being so close] like this in the whole of the country! Despite this obvious and amazing revelation of who God is through actions, others [who should have be trained enough to know better] get it all wrong and assume Jesus to be in a “…pact with the Devil.” It is almost too unbelievable to be true.

Once again the dynamic of Matthew’s writing does not give us much of a clue as to the Pharisees motivation for criticising Jesus in this manner. Had they genuinely misinterpret Jesus as being demonic? Or did they feel that Jesus was encroaching on their God-given role? Were they concerned about their occupation or the spiritual wellbeing of the people?
We could spend all day double-guessing their motivation, but while we can clearly see how damaging [to themselves and others] their words were, we must be careful not to dismiss this danger in our lives. We may think that since we are not ‘anti-Jesus’ we would not fall foul to the same mistake. How many times has God answered your prayers in a way you had not expected [or been ready for]? While you can now see God’s hand at work in it you can also remember at the time praying against God’s answer, assuming it to be ‘an attack of the enemy’ because it was so different from what you expected. You viewed it as the enemy trying to tempt you away from waiting for the ‘right’ answer [the one you want]. Sometimes we have been guilty of attributing God’s response to our prayers to actions of the Devil because it is not what we want to hear.

But, if it is not us who misunderstands God it can be others too. When you are on a ‘spiritual roll’, having a mountain top experience, your motives and experience may be questioned, and not always by those hostile to your cause but those who would want to join you but may be struggling themselves (perhaps even for the above reason). Even though everything you do God honouring and you speak only of salvation, you may well as many people who question your motives as those who will encourage you. Don’t let this dent your stride or limit your faith-filled enthusiasm: “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.” (John 15:20 NLT)

You may be slap-bang in the middle of the will of God, seeing God do amazing things all around you, and someone will criticise you saying that you are doing it all out of a selfish ambition. They may even say you are evil. How should you react?
What did Jesus do after being so brutally criticised? He just carried on and “…travelled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom.” (Matt 9:35 MSG) This [destructive, reputation ruining] criticism didn’t even cause Jesus to stumble! Stay close to God so that you can discern the difference between godly advice and destructive criticism.

Through out this series we have seen faith overcome experience, expectations, emotions, misguided duty, low self-esteem, and even being ‘ignored’ by God. And now we are taught how faith can overcome opposition, but this isn’t spectacular attention drawing finale; we are just told that Jesus carried on. Faith was in charge, not emotions, self-image or anything else. When we start to live by faith [only in God], God become unstoppable in our life. We begin to live as we have always wanted to live!

“That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.” (2 Cor 5:6-8 MSG)

-Andrew Carey

Encounters with Jesus #5

2007-03-01T08:53:00.000Z

Have you ever been ‘blanked’ by someone? You know, completely ignored?
[Someone say something! Don’t ignore me! hehehe]
Not only is it hurtful and insulting, but it generate a certain amount of paranoia – you start to analyse your every action, trying to establish a possible reason! Your head begins to spin; why would someone ignore you!!!

Now here’s a horrifying thought: Imagine Jesus blanking you!

After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”
They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”
“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”
Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! (Matt 9:27-29 NLT)

The faith of these two men can encourage us today; they can almost represent us. Like them we cannot see Jesus either. We may hear evidence of his nearness just as these guys did, they could hear the cries of grief turning into joy and tears into giggles as children began to play. However, despite this they could not see him; they had no evidence for themselves that Jesus was there to influence their life.

Does this echo something deep inside you?
We hear about testimonies of people being healed etc, real life miracles, but it is not happening to us. We may be in a meeting where people all around us are ‘feeling the presence of God’ but you sense nothing. What do you do? Maintain a religious face so that no-one sees how much it hurts you inside not experiencing what everyone else has?
Questions creep in: Did people really encounter Jesus? Why would Jesus ignore me, what have I done?
Our ability to reason a response to these questions is often fogged by emotion, doubt and guilt. Our only hope is to throw faith on them because it is faith they are attacking.

Our blind friends in Matt 9 did not just sit by as Jesus ignored their loud cries. They got up, carried on shouting and followed the crowd even though they had no reason to believe that Jesus was at the head of the crowd or that he had any desire to heal them (after if he did want to heal them why didn’t he when they first called out to him?!).

Faith becomes unstoppable when we decide to pursue Jesus even when all we feel is emptiness.
Why did Jesus ignore the cries of these blind men? Was he testing their faith? Was he increasing it? Was it something else? We are never going to know because this is their story – between them and God – but it does serve to encourage us. It is hard to understand or appreciate the way in which God responds to us at times, especially when it seems like He is ignoring us, but God never tries to destroy our faith; everything God does is to strengthen and develop it.

Keep yelling, even when there is no response.
Keep following, even in the darkness.
Burn with faith, so that when the question comes you can respond with certainty.

“Do you believe I can make you see?”

-Andrew Carey

Encounters with Jesus #4

2007-02-28T08:51:00.000Z

As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died…”
… So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. (Matt 9:18-22 NLT)

Here we see faith as a last resort. But faith is faith no matter when it occurs or what provokes it, and faith is always transformational.

We do not know the timeframe between Jesus’ two visits to the area but this much is clear, on the first occasion the residents were very self-confident and self-reliant (while we don’t like to, I’m sure we can readily see ourselves in them… even now). However, the whole area seems to have changed; we don’t know how or when but the spiritual climate had become desperate for God – a mini Revival was breaking out, if you like. In fact it had started before Jesus arrived but he was the spark to finally ignite it.

So much was happening that Matthew seems in such a rush to tell about it all that he manages to omit so much detail. Luke’s account of this encounter paints a much more vivid picture of this woman for us; she was a woman at the end of her rope on every level.

When we encounter her chances are she had woken up that morning with suicidal thoughts, just as she did every morning for the past 12 years. Not that she would have gone through with them for fear of God but such thoughts plagued her constantly since her life had been consumed by her illness. This is not an overly dramatic description – her life had been consumed! Her bleeding instantly made her ‘unclean’ according to Jewish law and this was how people now viewed her, but worse than this she began to view herself in this manner too. Day by day it consumed her self-confidence; she was loosing more than blood each day, her sense of worth was draining from her too.

She had been a woman of means, whether this was through business acumen or inheritance we don’t know, but what we do know is that it had all gone; consumed on doctors bills and failed treatments. Ultimately her bleeding had consumed her wealth, her resources. It also consumed her relationships. When we encounter her she is alone in the midst of the crowd. The chapter opened with a cripple surrounded by friends desperate to see him walk again. This woman had no-one. We don’t know how old she is or whether this all began in her youth, perhaps it resulted in her being overlooked for marriage and now she was too old to be a bride. This illness had consumed her future, her dreams. She was left with nothing, not even hope.

Such devastation can sometimes destroy us, but it can also be the unlikely ‘compost’ in which faith can grow and flourish. Her faith, born out of desperation had created determination. She had been ill on Jesus’ last visit and so the only real fact she had was that Jesus was not able to heal in her neighbourhood. Despite this a faith to the contrary now burned within her. As she approached Jesus she encouraged her faith, speaking faith over her faith, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

She may not have viewed her faith as great, indeed she may have been in awe at the demonstrations of faith we have already read about in this chapter, but her’s was by far the most spectacular; it had triumphed over her bleeding before Jesus had even healed her! Her faith burned with such… well, faith that as soon as she had touched Jesus he said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." (Luke 8:46 NIV). Jesus had not prayed over her as he had done in previous encounters; her faith had drawn a healing out of Jesus. Jesus was excited by her faith that all he could do was encourage her.

No matter what your situation is today, it will not destroy you. Allow it to fuel your faith, let your faith burn so vibrantly that it consumes your situation. At that moment you will hear Jesus’ words echoing over your life: “…be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.”

-Andrew Carey

Encounters with Jesus #3

2007-02-27T07:38:00.000Z

This is turning out to be one incredible sequence of events, and no sooner had the previous encounter concluded than the next comes rushing in! While this next encounter involves a healing miracle the focus here is not on the miracle but on the faith of a father and how it invaded his life on the most emotionally draining of days – the funeral of his daughter.

As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.”
So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him...
When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! (Matt 9:18-19, 23-25 NLT)

I know it’s hard but take your eyes off the spectacular healing, amazing as it is, but let’s look at the girl’s father.

You see, this father’s act of faith took place before we actually meet him here.
Days before his daughter, his treasure, had become ill. Even though he was busy, as usual, in the synagogue his thoughts were of his daughter laid up in home. He seemed to know that something was up. He couldn’t explain how but he did, not that he wanted to accept this for a moment but it plagued his mind as he tried to listen to the positive words of friends who insisted that it would pass. He was used to having his ‘little treasure’ rush at him showering him with hugs as he entered the house, but now her smile was fading and no arms were flung around his neck. Instead his beloved daughter lay there listless and pale. His wife sat there with her, she had been there all day and an unspoken concern was deep in her eyes; a mother knows more clearly than any when something is serious.

Each day in the synagogue anguish and frustration filled him. People asked him to prayer to the God of Israel on their behalf but right now he could not have felt any further from God. Had he displeased God? Could this have anything to do with the last time that local boy, Jesus, came by claiming to be the Messiah? When you feel helpless like this crazy thoughts, thoughts you would normally never remember, take on a gravity as you desperately try to make sense of everything. But sometimes things just don’t make sense, and it is too much to bear.

Then, that morning, he woke up to a sense of absence. Everyone was there but there was a deep sense of emptiness that threatened to break his heart, or at least it would if he had any energy left to feel such emotion. He went over to his ‘little treasure' but she did not stir. His kiss was received by her lifeless cheek. How could such peace occupy a lifeless face? He cried. Tears rolling silently down his cheeks. He wasn’t sure why because he didn’t feel anything, he couldn’t feel anything; all he felt was utter exhaustion, but the tears continued to flow. Why had God abandoned his family? This was too big a question and the weight of not knowing crushed him. Then the wailing began. His family had woken up now and their grief was now filling the air.

What do you do when have lost such a treasure?
He was a leader of the synagogue, a religious man, he know the rituals, the customs that take place at these times. He knew what to do; he knew his responsibility. Somehow these responsibilities offered him release, a detachment from the pain; it held back the tears. As the mourners gathered, sharing in the grief of the family he heard a name that pierced his heart just as deep as his daughter’s cold cheek: Jesus. Had he heard correctly? Was this man back? In the light of his loss all his reasoned objections to the validity of the claims made by the carpenter’s son dried up like his tears; what if he was the…

Deep inside a battle overwhelmed his heart. No-one else saw this, all they could see was a man honouring the tragic loss of a daughter – he was an inspiration to them as he performed his duty. Inside, though, something new was beginning to burn – an unreasoned hope in the claims of Jesus. Silently he slipped away, he abandoned his family; if this did not work out then his family would be even more deeply wounded than they are now. They needed him by their side but right now he needed a Messiah, he needed Jesus to be who he claimed to be, and despite past reservations he knew he was.

He couldn’t say how long he had walked for. As much as loss had consumed him before now hope engulfed him. All his life he had passionately trusted Yahweh, the God of his fathers, and he now found himself approaching Jesus filled with the same trust that he had always placed in Yahweh; he was consumed by faith. The crowd was easy enough to find, a crowd always is, but whether he had to barge his way through or whether they simply parted for him, seeing his tears, he couldn’t say; it was all a blur. Then there he was, Jesus, but to him he did not seem to be the same man he rejected last time. The father’s eyes, burning full of tears, met those of Jesus; eyes which burned with compassion and authority – eternal, unstoppable. These were eyes that death would listen to, but the last thing he expected to see in Jesus’ eyes was recognition; not a recognition of old acquaintances but a recognition and understanding of what he was going through. Words were not needed but they rushed out any way.
“My daughter has just died,” the father said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.”

The faith of this man is overwhelming!
In a day of pain and grief, he filled the emptiness of feeling abandoned by God with trust in Jesus. This was not just a ‘reassuring faith’ it was an ‘active faith’. He knew what was expected on him by his grieving family but he had his eyes fixed on Christ.
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:1-3 NLT)
But we cannot afford to view this as extraordinary faith – this needs to be reality our daily faith!
Be encouraged – this is possible. Before that day the town lacked faith to such a degree it hindered Jesus’ ministry. Out of this came the incredible faith that we have read about today. Your faith is not fixed – it can grow dramatically and instantly, just fix your eyes on Jesus!

-Andrew Carey

Encounters with Jesus #2b

2007-02-26T07:29:00.000Z

Matthew’s encounter with Jesus is too important for us to leave just yet; we have something more to learn from him.

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”
When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” (Matt 9:10-12 NLT)

Matthew’s response to Jesus had an immediate impact. Despite nothing having happened in his life since deciding to follow Jesus (nothing miraculous I mean like a healing or something), everything had changed. Something had been fixed in his ‘sorted’ life. What is more he knew there were many others in his ‘little black book’ of contacts who needed to experience the same release.
He didn’t wait around either. Matthew knew people who needed to know Jesus, and he knew where Jesus was. This was the first co-ordinated evangelistic drive the area had seen but Matthew did not target to influential, those who people were likely to listen to and respect; instead his guest list sent shockwaves through the town since he had invited the ‘who’s who’ of the Galilean underworld!

Undoubtedly this banquet did not have the congenial atmosphere of an Alpha supper. I’m sure you’ve seen Mafia get togethers in movies and so you can imagine the tension there must have been around Matthew’s table. And then in walks Jesus, a carpenter’s son who now captivated them; once they were in charge but now things were about to change – about to be fixed.

Why should Jesus mix with people who could harm his reputation? Because they needed help.

Matthew knew exactly what these people needed, it wasn’t a miraculous healing, it wasn’t a helping hand, it was an encounter with Jesus. He knew that these people who thought they were in charge needed to meet with the man who was in charge. The power that they each jealously protected entrapped them rather than liberating them but now they had encountered the Liberator. They were free of themselves and the sin and rebellion and selfishness that consumed their lives.

Similarly this provides us with an important but overlooked principal; give people what they need.

What would Jesus do? He never gave a hungry man a coat, or the lonely money, and he never preached at the jobless. Instead Jesus demonstrated the Gospel by meeting people’s needs; he healed the sick, fed the hungry, valued the dispossessed and visited the lonely. It is in these moments when we hear the voice of the Gospel ringing out with deafening clarity, not when we angrily berate the confused at the top of our voice.

"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, sick and in prison, and you never visited.'
"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'
"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.'” (Matt 25:41-45 MSG)

Something massive was happening in town that much is clear. Where Jesus had once been ignored he was now being pursued passionately, desperately and wholeheartedly. On his last visit he said that a prophet has no honour in his home town, something we too can fall foul of in our response to Christ’s call; our true response to Christ is shown in our response to others.

-Andrew Carey

Encounters with Jesus #2a

2007-02-23T08:01:00.000Z

If that first encounter with Jesus wasn’t enough for you, something even more incredible is about to happen:
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”
When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” (Matt 9:9-12 NLT)

Has this shaken you up a little?
It should do – I have been struggling to take it in, but it is essential.

What was Matthew doing?! He had either not heard that Jesus had arrived in town or, for the time being, had thought earning a living was more important meeting this ‘saviour’ who was a carpenter’s son (or perhaps he had seen the sudden influx of people into town as opportunity to make some money – tax collectors were not honourable civil servants they are today). Whatever the reason when Jesus turned up he found Matthew working.

Salvation is never something cute or ‘heart warming’ (although it is always worth singing about), it is a point of conflict; death attacked by life, grace slaughtering sin, our way or God’s way – “Follow me and be my disciple.”

That morning Matthew wasn’t sick requiring the Healer’s touch, he wasn’t poor needing provisions from the Miracle worker. He was OK just like us, and yet [just like us] he was in more need than anyone else that day because he was not pursuing Jesus. Jesus could see how much trouble Matthew [like us] was in, he had no-one to take him to Jesus, and so Christ pursued him. And now, in this town full of repentance and faith, in the middle of a busy working day Matthew found Jesus stood before him; his ears rang with Jesus’ words as his eyes stared straight into those of Christ. Matthew’s life was about to come together.

We live as though we own life, but we don’t; God gives us breathe, and He takes it away. We have a saying that expresses the idea that we live on ‘borrowed time’ and this is true, from the moment we cry our first breathe as a child our time is not our own – it does not belong to us. When Jesus calls each of us to follow him it is not an imposition, even though it may remove our income or position of honour. Often we make ourselves believe that we live by faith trusting in God as our Provider even though we will not do anything to jeopardise our earning potential even though. But to deny Christ is to deny Christ.

Matthew was no pushover. He was a tax collector, he had the influence and sense of threat that perhaps the Mafia have in our day (think Don Corleone from ‘The Godfather’). He was used to making people crack with just a look; they would sell their children to meet his [threatening] demands. But here, in this [salvation] conflict with Jesus, eye to eye, all he could see was truth and life. He cracked, he sold himself to Christ – at last, for the first time in his life, he was free to live!

Not every response we make to Christ’s call requires us to abandon our jobs or families, sometimes Jesus instructed people to return home and bear witness in their daily lives. Others he told to start an honest life, to raise a family, to live honourably, but they all realised that they had to live for Christ – he created them and he gave them life [to live freely for him]: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Col 3:23-24 NIV)

How do we respond?
I know that I am still locked in that look with Christ, but a response is required.

-Andrew Carey

Encounters with Jesus #1

2007-02-22T07:35:00.000Z

The other week I was reading Matt 9 and I was really taken back by this astonishing list of people who demonstrated their faith in Jesus. Indeed it often seemed that Jesus [the man of faith] was even impressed by them at times!
All of this has left me reeling so much so that I’d like us to spend some time in the company of these guys over the next 7 blogs.

But it all begins here: Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples crossed the sea to Jesus' hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic… "Get up. Take your bed and go home." (Matt 9:1-2, 5 MSG)

This is all that Matthew chooses to record about this incident which ‘impressed’ Jesus so much. It is a frustratingly thin on detail.
Jesus had visited his home town once before which is recorded in Mark 6. Back then we where told that Jesus was “amazed at their lack of faith.” Back then he was unable to do any miracles because of this but this time was different; it seems that miracles would occur whether he intended them to happen or not (which we will see later)! We may never know what had happened in the intervening time but one thing we do know – it was dramatic! Jesus was once dismayed by the lack of belief in his home town but now he was impressed, and almost as soon as he steps foot on the shore!

Doesn’t this give you hope?
If you are like me you will have had times in your life when you lacked faith and Jesus walked on by. You could have experienced the miraculous but instead nothing changed. You’ve beaten yourself up over it but now Jesus is coming back; he hasn’t abandoned you, but will you greet him with faith?

These guys were desperate for Christ.
Perhaps they had been in the crowd last time Jesus visited. History told them that miracles didn’t happen in this town, but this did not stop them. They rushed at Jesus with a faith that flew in the face of history. They put down their lack of faith and picked up their paraplegic friend; their past failure now caused their hearts to burn with faith. Despite having no assurance that Jesus was going to see them let alone heal the guy, they put legs on their faith and ran to the shore with a different attitude from before – if Jesus was here a miracle was going to happen! This was not based on evidence or history, it was based on a desperate and repentant faith. This impressed Jesus deeply.

Today, rather than reliving past failures you and I can take up our faith and run to Jesus – even we can impress Christ!

-Andrew Carey

Humorously sad.

2007-02-21T11:29:00.000Z

My Pastor was preaching last Sunday morning about the need to remain spiritually healthy, to avoid ‘poisoning’ our [spiritual] diet. One thing he mentioned was avoiding the tendency to isolate yourself from God and others (i.e. ‘backsliding’). On discussing this he briefly touched on a classic verse from Hebrews 10, but until now I had never noticed how tragically funny the verse is (by this I mean that it is technically humorous but too painfully true to laugh at): “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,” (Heb 10:25a NIV)

What made me laugh and cry?
It was the idea that people can be in the habit of getting out of the habit of spending time with God and his people! How [deeply] tragic.
What is worse is that I know that I can list people I have known who fall into this category, and the list is painfully long. The inference Paul is making here is that it is not that these people struggle to settle into habits full-stop and so are likely to ‘drift off’. He is suggesting that they are incredibly habitual people; it is just that their habit is getting out of the habit. In reality this is spiritual self-harm.

Thankfully, Paul does not leave this verse entrenched in tragic irony, too painful to cope with, he finishes it with something amazing: “…but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:25b NIV) We are each to take responsibility for encouraging each other. We are to defend each other as if our life depends upon it.
Did you encourage anyone last week?
If not, look for ways to do so; others may be relying upon it as much as you are!
If you have, look for more ways to be encouraging – be inventive and generous in your encouragement, and let it be full of grace. Let this be our habit, especially as we see signs of Christ returning and calling us home.

-Andrew Carey

Stop the presses!

2007-02-20T08:28:00.000Z

The next Fusion prayer event is just 10 days away, so [if you belong to Bethel Community Church] make sure you put your name up on the timetable - feel free to do more than one slot, or even the whole night like before! When you make a sacrifice God pours out His glory!
On top of this the new Fusion Devotional (a 28 day devotional themed around The Lord's Prayer) will also be available in the next few days! If you wish to secure yourself a copy at the ‘prayer event price’ of £3.00 then contact me.

Come alive.

2007-02-19T09:03:00.000Z

We take life for granted.
We have the alarming tendency to live recklessly because we make the bold assumption that there is always tomorrow. Our recklessness may take many forms, a rushed discussion, thinking that watching ‘that’ TV show won’t harm us, or driving around too fast because we leave home too late; whatever form it takes it reveals that we do not treasure what we have. Living life to the full does not meaning emptying it of value; run fast, laugh loud, hold hands, turn up early, give gifts, relax fully, knit creatively, study productively, rejoice everyday.

We can also fall into the tendency of taking our spiritual life for granted; we live as though our salvation is a contract rather than a relationship. Complacency is a killer, this is the message we get when we read what is said about the church in Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7).

Remember you are alive!
I read these words last week and it reminded me just how exciting our life is (even the mundane day-to-day parts): “…because I am alive… you're about to come alive.” This is what happened the moment Christ entered your life – you became alive! We are no longer waiting, we have life in us – overflowing and abundant!
“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10 MSG)

A famous philosopher once said, ‘I think therefore I am.’ When Christ rescues us [from our miserably terminal sin drenched mundane life] he brings us to life, and all of a sudden we see: ‘I live therefore I know who I am’ – I am in Christ and he is in me!

"I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you.” (John 14:18-20 MSG)

Let’s never take this for granted but enjoy falling in love with our redeemer every morning – when we breath let’s realise that we are alive, and if we are alive [truly alive] we are in Christ, and if we are in him we have something to sing about, a hope to share.

-Andrew Carey

Have you got a light, mate?

2007-02-16T08:12:00.000Z

It is raining this morning, wet and dark – or at least when I caught the bus into work it was.
As I stood there waiting patiently for the X15 I noticed something – light shines further and more intensely when the weather is miserable! When the clouds shield us from the sun, rain has soaked every surface, and car headlights shine even brighter it seems – bouncing of every wet surface which have now become ultra reflective!

We are familiar (and no doubt quite secure) with the verse where Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12 NIV). This makes us feel safe because it takes the responsibility off us, but later on Jesus says something else, “You are the light of the world.” (Matt 5:14 NIV). This is a little more unnerving.
When the sky is clear people can see the radiance of God clearly, it is as though we all bask in the light of Christ. But then there are overcast days, like today, when the clouds are full of rain and they relentlessly soak us, we become the only light that shines [Christ in us]. On murky days God has commissioned and resourced us to shine, to shine with the light of Christ[-like living], and we will find our light reflecting off wet surfaces into the most unexpected corners.

“You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:14-16 MSG)

Let your life, no matter how little and overlooked you may feel, be like sunshine on a rainy day to those around you; those you know and even those you don’t.

- Andrew Carey

Amazed?

2007-02-15T10:02:00.000Z

When did we stop being amazed?
This is a question that has hung over me since reading Matt 9 in the prayer meeting this week. In this chapter we read of some amazing healings and callings, all of which occurred because people’s faith transcended from being just words into actions. In the middle of all this we read:
“When the crowds saw it, they were struck with fear and awe; and they recognized God and praised and thanked Him, Who had given such power and authority to men.” (Matt 9: 8 AMP)

In The Message it says that the people were ‘amazed’.

Amazed!

When was the last time you were amazed by God? I mean so amazed you were filled with ‘fear and awe’.

‘Amazed’ has the word ‘maze’ at the centre of it. A maze is a confusing and tangled network of paths that leave your head spinning, but ultimately they lead to the centre – the goal. When we are amazed at God a similar thing happens; our thoughts do not know which way to turn, every direction makes no more sense than the last one, and the suddenly there we are, in the centre, in God’s presence and it all becomes clear – but it still feels like too much to take in.
Being amazed is exciting, thrilling and terrifying; it means that something we can’t explain – and may never truly be able to explain – has just occurred.

I remember being truly amazed with God on a few occasions; things I had seen that shook me up positively.
In a prayer meeting at the beginning of the year our Pastor reminded us of all the healings that God had done among us the year before – it averaged at 2 or so a month. This was amazing! But then he reminded us that nothing had happened since November, it was as though we had got caught up with all the preparations for Christmas that our expectations had faded – for a moment we had forgotten our amazement and we hadn’t grieved about its absence!

Lord, you do not need to amaze me – you are amazing! Help me recognise you – in holy fear and awe – and in obedience follow you. Help me work my faith out in actions more than words that you would be recognised in Newport. Amaze us – amaze our rationally cynical minds, amaze our hardened hearts. Amen.

“The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way.” (Matt 9:8 MSG)

- Andrew Carey

No trespassing.

2007-02-14T21:10:00.000Z

Growing up I used to live not far from an amazing forest. It claimed to have once been home to a dragon, but more than this I think it was a young boy’s natural sense of adventure and fertile imagination which made it so exciting. You could easily spend all day in the wood finding new places, or discovering rope swings left by others; it was an unending wonderland.
But there were places you couldn’t go; not all of the forest was open to the public. You could be running through the trees one second and the next you were confronted by an unending rusty wire fence barring your progress, covered with signs reading “private - no trespassing!” I’m sure that you are familiar with such signs.

I only recollected this because yesterday as I was thinking about the Lord’s Prayer and I mad this strange connection: “…Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…” (Matt 6:12-13)

It was appearance of this word ‘trespass’ that fascinated me.

Here we are asking forgiveness for our wrong doing as well as being prepared to give other for their wrong doing. But instead of saying ‘wrong doings’ it uses the word ‘trespass’. The wording suggests that there are areas of life, or deeds and thoughts into which we should not wander – we don’t belong there. When we fail God or hurt others we are trespassing into territory that is not our home.

We do not belong to sin – we belong to Christ!
When we stray from the path set before us, when we fail to walk the way Jesus would, we are trespassing, walking in territory where we do not belong.
“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Rom 8:9 NIV)
“And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” (Rom 1:6 NIV)
“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Rom 14:8 NIV)

Remaining on the path, in our territory, is not limiting [to those in Christ] it is liberating!Our natural sense of adventure and love of live will keep us close to Jesus.

- Andrew Carey

The [hi]story of Good News.

2007-02-13T07:40:00.000Z

In Our Daily Bread the other day Dave Branon shared this story:

A knock came at the door of the home of a man who had a young family. When the father answered the door, he was greeted by someone he had never met—a friendly man from a nearby church who had stopped by to say hello.
His pleasant demeanour and kind words impressed the dad, and the two agreed to meet again. When they did, the visitor introduced the man to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both he and his wife trusted Jesus as Saviour.
That changed everything. The couple began attending church, and all six of their children became believers in Christ. Eventually the dad became a Sunday school teacher and a deacon.
One of this couple’s daughters grew up to attend the same Christian college I attended. That student’s name was Sue, and from the first time I saw this cute girl from Grand Rapids, I was smitten. The man who had answered the door eventually became my father-in-law. That door-to-door ambassador changed not just one man, but an entire family—and the results continue to reverberate.

Paul encouraged us, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Col. 4:6 NIV).

Whose life, whose future, will you impact?

Attractive.

2007-02-12T08:16:00.000Z

From my desk in work I can look out of a wonderfully large window. The down side of this is that I don’t have a view! All I can see is four floors of windows on the opposite side of the courtyard – not terribly inspiring. However, if I look up I see something intriguing, something that has a dangerous edge to its appearance – a lightning conductor. It looks like a huge hypodermic needle strapped to the corner of the building and reaching up to the sky.

This architectural appendage has only one purpose; it is not to be beautiful, or threatening, or to publicise – it is there only to attract lightning. That is its sole function. Indeed it has been designed to be as attractive to lightning as possible so that should a storm occur where a bolt of lightning is looking for somewhere to land, it will choose this small metal needle rather than the building to which it is attached.

As Christian’s, I guess that we are not too dissimilar from this lightning rod; our purpose is to deliberately attract Christ, and to become attractive to the Holy Spirit.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Jam 4:8 NAS

Our desire, our sole purpose should be to live attractively to Christ! It should motivate our every action and decision.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:12-14 NIV

But it doesn’t stop there either!
The lightning conductor does not simply absorb the power of the lightning (otherwise it would be destroyed – the power would be too much for it to bear), it channels it down into the earth. Likewise, we too should not aim to selfishly absorb everything we receive from God; we need to reveal it, show it, share it. People can only understand God through us until they experience His presence for themselves. Therefore allow God to flow through you, compelling others into His saving arms.

- Andrew Carey

Reflections on snow.

2007-02-09T08:09:00.000Z

I doubt it failed to come to your attention that yesterday it snowed. There is something about snow which I find so compelling and exciting; perhaps it is because within minutes everything that was once looked so familiar will appear new, or perhaps it is the prospect of disruption to a normal day. But any way, as I was in work I kept catching sight of the now falling outside the window and this made me think… not about snow, but God’s grace.

Surprisingly pure snow is transparent, not white at all. As it falls towards the earth it filters the air picking up all of its miniscule impurities. The irony is the imperfections in it that makes snow white. I wonder if this is why the air smells so good after it has snowed?
God’s grace is like this, as his forgiveness falls through our life it picks up all the impurities (some we see, some we can’t) and it leaves us pure, redeemed, cleansed, clothed in white.

“But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own.” (1 John 3:2-3 MSG)
“He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” (Rev 3:5 NIV)

Each snowflake is unique. We all know this but when you think about this fact as you watch all of the snow falling doesn’t it just thrill you?
When God pours out His grace into our lives it is not from some stockpiled store, it is tailor-made for you! The grace He pours out into your life is unlike the grace He gives anyone else; His grace meets our needs perfectly – He knows what we need.

“For your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matt 6:8 NIV)
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19 NIV)

It doesn’t matter what the landscape is, whether it is industrial or mudded field or woodland, once snow has fallen all the rough edges and imperfections are gone; all you can see is a smooth free flowing white landscape. Even the most treacherous landscapes become innocent and beautiful.
No matter what state our lives are in God’s grace perfects us, He doesn’t disguise things He transforms them.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21 NIV) “And when God is personally present… [there is] nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.” (2 Cor 3:17-18 MSG)
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children…” (Eph 5:1 NIV)

Snow protects. Even though it may be cold it insulates the earth under it protecting the tender plant life it has covered. Like a mother tenderly protecting her young, the snow covers all these young shoots so that in the spring we see such a beautiful display of flowers.
God’s grace also protects us; it allows us to grow even when the harshness of the storm around us threatens to damage us. Under God’s grace we flourish.

“But because Jesus lives forever… he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Heb 7:24-25 NIV)
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree… planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green…” (Ps 92:12-14 NIV)

I love looking out over a snow covered landscape. When everything is wrapped up in its chilly duvet it is all united; the snow means that you can no longer distinguish the difference between road and field, hedge or ditch – it all becomes one.
Because of God’s grace all those in Christ can become one despite our vast differences – unified in forgiveness, bonded in grace.

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you… Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” (Col 3:13,15 NIV)

But snow melts, our God’s grace and mercy towards us never does!

I love snow days!

- Andrew Carey

Come awake.

2007-02-08T07:59:00.000Z

WARNING: potential morbidity warning – 5 (moderate)

One thing that I have heard many people say is important aspect to maintaining romance in your relationship and that is to have an ‘our song’; one that you share, that means something to you both, that every time you hear it thoughts of them flood your heart.

Up until recently Ruth and I have not had an ‘our song’ (indeed she may still claim not to have one – who knows!). We discovered ‘our song’ one day when we were driving to Bath to see friends. It was an exciting moment, and I always think of that moment every time I hear the song – the look between us, the laughter, the sun pouring into the car allowing the beauty of the scenery around us to reflect in Ruth’s eyes as we shared that moment, a moment which could no longer be held in the confines of time. It was beautiful.

The CD we were listening to was David Crowder Band’s A Collision and our song, ‘Come Awake’, is about death. Well, no not really; it’s about more than death – it’s about life! This song poignantly reminds us of the moment Christ spoke life into us (spiritually this is the moment we accepted Jesus as Lord and saviour, physically as we are called into eternity one day). It is a song established firmly in hope, rejoicing in the power of our saviour over every circumstance. It is the Gospel; it is what binds us together in faith and hope; it is what brings us to life and allows us to shine God’s presence! This is our song.

The song itself concludes like this:

…You are not the only one
Who feels like the only one
Night soon will be lifted friend
Just be quiet and wait for the voice that will say

Come awake
From sleep, arise
You were dead
You’ve come alive
Wake up wake up
Open your eyes
Climb from your grave
Into the light
Bring us back to life

Rise, rise, rise, rise….
Shine, shine, Oh shine
We will shine
We will rise
We will shine, shine, shine

Should anyone attend our funeral – some time in the far flung future – this song will be playing. If we have our way [and I hope we do] their will be lights, pyrotechnics, and dancers. Christ will be there, salvation will be present, hope will set people free! Now, that will be a funeral to sing about! Great is our God and we will shine for Him here and now.

-Andrew Carey

Devotion and passion.

2007-02-07T08:04:00.000Z

The other day I read a devotional which appeared in Our Daily Bread. It spoke to me so much I thought I would include it here.

Why does spiritual passion fade so easily? When we first experience God’s love, we spend hours thinking about Him, studying His Word, and telling others how much He means to us. Then it happens. Our busy schedules slowly dampen our passion. Our longing for Jesus and our study of His character become an occasional glance. Surely the object of our affection hasn’t changed!

The church at Ephesus wrestled with maintaining its spiritual passion (Rev 2:1-7 MSG). Jesus, through John, wanted to help them restore and maintain their love and zeal for Him. Although He commended this church for their work, Jesus saw that they had abandoned their first love—Him.

The Ephesians had lost their spiritual passion for Jesus. It had become a cold and mechanical orthodoxy. I wonder if they had allowed the stealthy culprit of religion and busyness to enter their hearts. Whatever it was, something had stolen the affection they had once reserved for the Lord.
Have you allowed something to steal your passion? If so, it can be restored and maintained when you consistently remember His amazing love demonstrated at Calvary. Repent of your sinful, unloving attitudes, and out of love for Jesus repeat your "first works".

Devotion to Jesus is the key to spiritual passion.

Ablaze in beauty!

2007-02-06T06:21:00.000Z

The next Fusion prayer event is less than a month away now. Every time it draws I get a little bit excited because I know that we are simply (very simply) creating space in Newport in which people can encounter God; where He can heal, inspire, encourage, instruct and delight. If this were all that would be thrilling enough, but I know that when this happens in people’s lives it overflows, and when it overflows things change.

The prayer event in March will be themed around the Lord’s Prayer, encouraging you to consider it not simply as a recital but a revolution. This is a prayer that spills over into our lives changes everything it touches, renewing them! People will encounter God again and new things will happen in Newport.

“Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.” (Matt 6:9-13 MSG)

PS For all of you too excited to wait here is a glimpse of the new Fusion poster which borrows it’s design from the cover of the new Fusion Devotional which will be available at the event – now you’re excited, right?!

Sun gets in my eyes.

2007-02-05T13:38:00.000Z

My wife doesn’t believe me when I tell her the sun can catch me ‘funny’ sometimes and it makes me sneeze. I can’t explain it really but it does; I somehow catch sight of the sun out of the corner of my eye and [for some unknown reason] it makes me sneeze. In fact it happened again just now as I walked towards Tesco. Something [physically] happens to me when I look at the sun!

While this is a bit annoying [especially when combined with hic-ups – unrelated, but also afflicting me right now] but I want to be changed when I catch sign of the Son – Jesus Christ!

“So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.” (Col 3:1-2 MSG)

I want people to be able to see and hear that I have been with/looking at Jesus.
When I start sneezing because of the sun Ruth tells me to stop [not that I can], but when people see Jesus in me (my faith visible in my face) they will stop me just to see him more. I would love for people to recognise more than just me in me; I want them to find Jesus (and therefore salvation).

Is this too much to dream?
No, it is just a matter of where we choose to look. I want to keep my eyes on Him.

- Andrew Carey

Stillness in the storm.

2007-02-02T09:24:00.000Z

In house group last night we were looking at Psalm 46. It is the Psalm that features the following verse:
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." (Ps 46:10 NIV)

As we discussed this I began to notice that the author of this Psalm was not preaching at us from some lofty height of spiritual isolation; it is clear from the preceding nine verses that he is in the thick of it. Who knows what the situation that he faced was – it could have been that his city was under siege or that he felt under siege, or that he could be facing a battle in which his life was in the balance – but whatever I was it is clear that he did not feel at ease and he felt alone; fear separating him from the closeness of God’s presence.

Does this sound familiar to you?
Does this sound like your days?

I can associate with this and it was refreshing to realise that the words of this Psalm do not judge me, they encourage me. Here, even though he is surrounded by chaos and his mind kept awake with the concerns of reality, he declares the sovereignty of God over his life; he reminds himself that it is God that can melt the things that cause our hearts to melt [in fear]. As he does this God takes him [securely] by the hand saying, “Be still and know that I am God…”

Today we can do the same, and in the stillness of God’s peace we encounter His [releasing and strengthening] majesty again.

- Andrew Carey

Amazing grace.

2007-02-01T09:29:00.000Z

Life rushes around us at a hectic pace; there is so little time for us to consider what is happening let alone react well to it. And then you read something. It stops you in your tracks because it has dripped you and pulled everything into perspective. Suddenly you are conscious of your breathing, all that rushing is now in your peripheral vision and all you can see is God’s mercy, standing there before you.

This was my experience when I read Isaiah 53:1-10 in The Message. Let it sink in deep, rejoicing will flow.

“Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?

The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.

He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, Even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true.

Still, it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.”

- Andrew Carey

Standing.

2007-01-31T09:03:00.000Z

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor 15:58 NIV)

Pastor Andrew touched on this verse while preaching on Sunday and it has really stuck with me.
‘Let nothing move you.’ This is not Paul calling us to be unemotional, he is saying, ‘let nothing distract or sidetrack you.’ So much can, there is so much in our lives that can distract and exhaust and this causes us to sway. For me, I have been so tired over the last month that I am so not on the ball; it feels as though I am stumbling along with God rather than walking with him at the minute.
Paul then goes on to describe the effectiveness of our calling. I looked through several translations of this verse and each one has encouraged and strengthened me in a different way! I really can’t say more than this.

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (NLT)

“With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” (MSG)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labour in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].” (AMP)

-Andrew Carey

Lost in ignorance.

2007-01-30T11:09:00.000Z

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Is 6:8 NIV)

My sister-in-law, Helen, and AG are heading out to Zambia soon on a short term mission following in the footsteps of Dr Livingstone to share the gospel with people who have never heard it before (if you wish to sponsor them they’d be glad to hear from you, or you can buy a copy of the Fusion Devotional since all proceeds will be going to support them). The story of why they are going is different for both of them. For Helen it has been a long journey of obedience to God and an openness to God’s leading. For AG this has come about because he was praying about the mission and God challenged him to be part of the answer to his prayers (be careful what you pray for :o).

For Helen and AG they know without a shadow of a doubt that God is sending them [on this occasion] to Africa. It may only be for a short mission but I was impressed by something that Helen shared with the church on Sunday. Over this period of time in which God has been building her up, she has begun to realise that life is a mission. What is more she has assured God that she is available for Him whether it is to go to Africa or Abercarn, it makes no difference; she is willing.

I am excited when I listen to their obedience, but as I listen I know that God is not calling me to Africa (although some of you may be reading this and realise that God is calling you). You may feel the same as me, but this does not mean that we aren’t called. Just because God’s mission plan for our lives does not lead to exotic locations doesn’t mean that we don’t have a mission.

[Jesus said,] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NIV)

As you may notice ‘the ends of the earth’ is the last on this list. To the disciples listening to Jesus saying these words they knew what he meant; they were being called to shine the gospel in the neighbourhood where they live, in the their county, their nation and beyond. Our mission may start [and end] at home but this does not make it any less significant to the advancement of God’s Kingdom and the salvation of souls. Sometimes we don’t even need to step out of the front door to share the good news of the Gospel; our families need to see us living a God honouring life. Just because we are not called to distant lands does not give us an opt out, we cannot ignore the calling upon our lives right here right now.

-Andrew Carey

Home is where the heart is.

2007-01-29T10:05:00.001Z

I was really encouraged [and challenged] by someone who wasn’t in church this Sunday.

Mack Norman is a gentleman of advancing years faithfully attends our church every Sunday he can. He is a great person to shake hands with because you always get a beaming smile… even after his house had burnt down! He doesn’t just show up each week he diligently takes the collection. This Sunday, however, he found himself in hospital after a fall. This could have been bad but the one thing on his mind was if he wasn’t in church who would take the collection. He was desperate to serve! Once at the hospital he insisted that his family phone our pastor to let him know.

When I heard this I was reminded of these words from Psalm 84:
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God…
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” (Ps 84:1-2,10 NIV)

- Andrew Carey

Fixated.

2007-01-27T09:38:00.000Z

What occupies you?
As you make your way through life what tends to grab your attention?

This thought has been drifting through my mind recently and caused me to reflect on this verse:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Col 3:1-2 NIV)

There is a saying that going something like ‘being so heavenly minded not to be of any use.’ Something like that anyway, but it’s not true.
If we keep eyes fixed on stuff around us we become self centred. It may not always seem that way but we probably are; we just can’t help it. Our thoughts tend to be on us – how things impact us. Sure we can be charitable and the like but ultimately there is an element of self in it. My sister famously (will in my family anyway) admitted that the reason that she regularly gave blood was so that she felt good about herself; she would take pride in her ‘selfless’ act. I love the weirdness of my family – I love them to bits and feel so at home among them :o)

But with eyes on Christ we can become self denying. How? Because when we focus on him we become more like him, radiating his beauty in our lives and actions. If we are truly heavenly minded will can be of use to those around us, especially those who need us. Society has been changed by nobodies who were heavenly minded – free education, free health care, the abolition of slavery, the list goes on… all because people had their gaze on Christ first and foremost.

How do you become a nobody in your generation?
Watch Christ and copy him!

- Andrew Carey

Hold my hand.

2007-01-26T10:23:00.000Z

At my Christian Fellowship in work we were looking [briefly] at the life of Joseph. As we did so something really stood out to me.

When Joseph finally met his brothers in Egypt, fulfilling a dream he had many years ago [which for the first ten years or so looked as though it was responsible for screwing up his life], he said something amazing: “But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it.” (Gen 45:5 MSG)

Now I used to think this was an amazing statement because it demonstrated a huge degree of forgiveness. However, this is only partially true. More than this it demonstrates an outstanding trust in God even when there was no clear evidence that God was looking out for him.

Joseph’s life was a roller-coaster ride of successes and failures; one step forward two steps back. Joseph would make sound decisions and people would stab him in the back. His life would not be what a God protected life should look like, and yet this is how Joseph views it. What is more shocking to us is that God does not seem to actively involve himself in Joseph’s life (even when things get really bad… and I mean really bad). God gives this young lad a dream and then seems to stand back giving him the space to live, learn and trust. The next time God breezes into Joseph’s life is many many years later when he is in prison and he receives a dream about his fellow cell mates. Even then it is years before Joseph hears from God again. [Is it just me or does this make you feel uncomfortable because it sounds like our lives.]

I have always thought how scary a ‘life of faith’ would be – relying on God to provide enough cash each day to cover the bills. But in reality living life is no less scary. We want God to hold our hand but, like the loving parent He is, God wants us to walk on our own two feet. He is the conflict: We want God to direct our every decision, giving us success at every turn, but God wants us to honour Him in our every decision; to learn from failures, to rejoice in successes and trust Him at all times.

I know that I want God to hold me by the hand, guiding my every step. This is good but God wants the best for me, He wants me to walk, to move my own feet, to decide on where to place them – to grow and develop.

Joseph is not the only example of this, there is [amazingly] the Apostle Paul and even Esther. Famously Esther was told the following by her uncle: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Est 4:14 NIV) This is true for us… well perhaps not the royal position thing (unless Prince William or Harry are reading this). At no time in the book of Esther does God directly intervene [it is unique in this respect] and as you begin to realise this you begin to notice how much of a maturing tale it is.

This does not mean that God simply leaves us to it, He bestows us with wisdom and an ability to make [sound] decisions. Esther is a book about learning to take responsibility for decisions in the light of trusting and honouring God, ‘stepping up to the plate’ confident that He is with you.

Life does not have to be neat or perfect to be godly. A godly life is one in which we take responsibility for our decisions and seek to honour and serve God above all else. So don’t fret when things go belly up, this does not mean that you have departed from God, or that He has abandoned you. It is simply an opportunity for you to learn and grow, and in doing so making your Heavenly Father more proud. There will of course be times when God joyfully takes you by the hand, but if this happens all the time you would only be a child playing in the park rather than a son maturing into someone of responsibility.

- Andrew Carey

To the max.

2007-01-25T10:41:00.000Z

There weren’t many of us on the bus to work this morning; the cheerful bus driver with a quiet voice, a young woman in a super-girl tee shirt reading Chris Moyles' new book, a bloke who I recognise from the office, he has glasses and the grey complexion of someone who smokes too much, and a young lad who was sat behind me. It was quite peaceful really. The traffic was hardly moving and so the slow movement of the bus was quite relaxing and the morning sun was streaming in, dappled by the tree branches which were still bare from winter. Everything seemed so beautiful; I couldn’t soak up enough of it.

As I enjoyed this moment I reminded myself of something that Jesus once said: “I came that [you] may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10 AMP)

Some may think that a full life is where you get to satisfy all your longings, others may think it is when they are in the office or making money, but it is in fact more than this – much more. A full and satisfying life is when we know ourselves (our role and purpose) and who can redeem us (Christ). When we discover these things our lives begin to overflow, out of a thankful heart we begin to serve [God and others]. Our compassionate actions allow others to discover who they are and who can redeem them. When our life joyfully (and sacrificially) touches the lives of others we find ourselves living life to an unimaginable max. Why? Because God is with us, leading us and strengthening us and rejoicing with us. What can be better?

-Andrew Carey

Impossibly possible.

2007-01-24T11:20:00.000Z

Are you a revolutionary?
Are you someone who presence, attitude and conversation changes things?
Or do you look at your life and are overwhelmed by your smallness?

I tend to fall into the latter. After all what influence do I have. I am not as articulate or talented as I would like, and when I find myself in a moment if influence I never know what to say. Isn’t it therefore unreasonable for God to expect more of me than I can possibly deliver?
In fact when I read The Sermon on the Mount where Christ calls us to be social revolutionaries [no matter what century or suburb we find ourselves] I assume that he is referring to someone other than me, and so I overlook some of Jesus’ more daring comments. I then find myself beginning to ignore more and more of what Christ is looking for in my life – if I can ignore one thing he says it becomes easy to pick and choose what I like, this is a paralysing dangerous attitude to maintain as a Christian.

I am no-one of significance – I can do nothing, surely.
This is true but God can do everything using our nothing – this is even more true!

Do you remember father Abraham?
(He had many sons, many sons had father Abraham; I am one of them and so are you, so lets all praise the Lord!)

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations… Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Rom 4:18-21 NIV)

He was old, very old and Abraham and his wife had never had children. God then shows up in his life and promises the impossible. God promises that Abraham will become a father to many generations and that his descendants would become a great nation who would out number the sand on the sea shore. What a crazy promise to make to an old guy whose sexual libido may have faded! But God was serious. He made a demand on Abraham’s life which Abraham could not possibly deliver… unless God was with him.

The same is true in our lives.
We are called to be revolutionaries, but in ourselves we are not revolutionary. Therefore God’s call on our lives can only be fulfilled when we submit to Him, give Him the run of our lives. When this happens a revolution takes place; you will save money to give it away, you will smile more at people you pass, you will praise God for where you live, you will be generous in your forgiveness and eager to say who gives you have the strength to forgive. This kind of revolution is unstoppable and there is no authority on Earth that can threaten its resolve, not because are strong and determined but because our lives are established and secure on the impossibly possible promises of God.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21 NIV)

- Andrew Carey

Yorkshire puddings?!

2007-01-23T11:25:00.000Z

On Sunday we went over to Ruth’s parents for lunch. Her mum cooked a beautiful meal although one of the components did not go as well as intended. Earlier that morning when she looked in the freezer Ruth’s mum realised [o her horror] that her trusty supply of Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire puddings had been exhausted. Resourceful as ever she quickly made up a batter mix and set about making her own. In the end though it was universally recognised that they were not to Aunt Bessie’s standard; it was probably because the oil was not hot enough. Whatever the reason it was hard to identify them as Yorkshire puddings when they were on your plate.

We all thanked her for her efforts (and ate them any way) offering our own advice on what could have gone wrong with them. In the end it was her mother who offered the consoling words, “You did your best.” When you think about it though these words aren’t consoling at all; in fact they are quite depressing. The implication is that if your best is a sludgy pile of batter on the plate then your best is useless. What you really want to hear is someone saying, “You can do better.” Now that saying is more inspirational [and therefore consoling]. Of course you may not be impressed with your current efforts but someone out there can see something better in you.

This made me think of something that I remember God saying to Joshua:
After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said…
“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous... Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:1, 6-7, 9 NLT)

God is saying to Joshua I see something in you that is greater than what you currently see.

There is no doubt that Joshua was a bold man full of valour. But God said these words not to highlight his failures or achievements but to suggest that God was going to achieve greater things through Joshua even though there are daunting things ahead. In fact when God is commanding Joshua to be strong and courageous He is not saying that Joshua is going to have to rely on his own strength to achieve success, instead God is saying, “Let your trust in me be the fuel of your courage and strength.”

Are there things that you have faced on a daily basis which you have not succeeded at?
Well, there is not need to be defeated – you have not done your best; you can do better because God is with you. Since this is true you can be strong and courageous! Go on – do something better, God is with you!

-Andrew Carey

Unconfirmed laughing.

2007-01-22T13:06:00.000Z

I am back in action.
Our baby daughter has arrived. She is only 3 weeks old but I would swear blind that I have not slept in months! [which is mostly why this blog has been inactive until now – blame Hannah :o) hehehe]

Last week I was sat up cradling my crying baby in the wee small hours of the morning (the ‘joys’ of parenting), dreaming of uninterrupted sleep and knowing that she had no appreciation of the sacrifice that I was making for her. As these thoughts drifted through my sleep deprived mind, I began to have a greater understanding of a significant verse of scripture:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8 NIV)
Or to read it another way:
“Christ arrives right on time... He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway.” (MSG)

These first few weeks of parenting are strange because this beautiful baby demands/requires so much from us but offers nothing in return. We have to sacrifice sleep, time, energy, pleasures, money, be responsive to her cries and clean up the horrible mess we find in her nappies just to ensure that she grows and remains healthy. In return we get nothing; not a smile, ‘thank you’ or anything. The return is in the future, our sacrifice is an investment [of love].

Realising this has really highlighted the sacrifice that God made for me. I was once as unresponsive as my daughter Hannah despite the huge sacrifice God made for us.

Having said this, I swear that Hannah laughed at me the other day, but she has not done it since. This was not a smile which could be the result of wind – I have seen a lot of these. You see, I sat down with her on my lap and she pulled one of her spectacular ‘surprised’ faces, these always make me laugh. As I giggled she looked back at me and began to laugh! I’m not kidding – this was not a smile, but a laugh. I thought I imagined it at first and so I laughed again, and so did she. In fact the more I laughed the more she laughed. In no time at all I was crying because she was making me laugh so hard! It was great.

This was the fist sign of recognition that I have received from her. It was beautiful, but if this was all I ever got I would not know for certain that she was not developing in a healthy manner. Similarly, to begin with God is looking for that smile, that moment of recognition. No wonder all of Heaven rejoices at the redemption of a soul! But if all we did was smile it would not be a healthy sign (in fact in no time at all we’d look retarded!).

Just as I [try to] enjoy every little moment with Hannah – even when she is not smiling – I am looking forward to the first time she picks something up, the first time she eats solid foods, the first time she walks, her first words, her first drawing, her first day in school, the first time she makes friends, the first time she adds up faster than me, the first time rides her bike, her first driving lessons, the first time she brings a boyfriend home, the first time she brings a pay cheque home, the first time I look at my little girl in her wedding dress as I escort her down the isle… all these things I look forward to. Likewise, God looks forward to every little development in our faith, in our life. This year I want to ensure that I develop my faith and trust in God. I want to make God smile as I live life with my hand in His, joyfully and securely treading the path He has set before me.

- Andrew Carey

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

2006-12-16T23:07:00.000Z

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.

2006-12-15T22:35:00.000Z

“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.

2006-12-15T06:32:00.000Z

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!

2006-12-13T07:37:00.000Z

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.

2006-12-12T07:29:00.000Z

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!

2006-12-11T07:51:00.000Z

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.

2006-12-09T08:46:00.000Z

“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.

2006-12-08T07:56:00.000Z

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.

2006-12-07T08:28:00.000Z

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!

2006-12-06T07:33:00.000Z

“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!

2006-12-05T07:13:00.000Z

"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.

2006-12-02T22:17:00.000Z

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.

2006-12-01T22:12:00.000Z

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.

2006-12-01T09:12:00.000Z

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.

Everywhere.

2006-11-30T08:29:00.000Z

This song is one of the first that Lawrence has written and played for us at Youth. It carries such a grand weight of God’s presence with it and has paved the way for amazing times of worship.

It’s all about finding God no matter where you are, a song of hope that lifts the spirit, the acknowledgement that God is present absolutely everywhere. He is not a far away, distant God that must be called down to listen to us. He’s so close, He’s the air we breathe, the life we live, the gravity that holds us…and so much more. Heaven is completely surrounding us. Always.

Come summer, spring or fall
When mountains seem so tall
I feel You right beside of me
Yeah, You’re everywhere.

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

Walk By Faith.

2006-11-29T08:42:00.000Z

This is perhaps the most difficult song to explain, without falling into old cliché’s or saying something that has not been said a million times before, but here goes:

Walking by faith is more than just having faith. To be ‘faithful’, we have to take it to its earthly meanings as well – as in devotion and loyalty, obedience to a friend or lover, and all such connotations. Nor is faith something that is static, or unchanging. Faith is not something you can sit on, or keep locked away. Faith is something that you carry around with you, wear on your sleeve and never leave home without. So we know what faith is, and that it travels with us, but even all of this does not sum up the title or themes within this song.

I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Because these broken roads
Prepares Your will for me

We are called to walk by faith. Not for faith, of faith or anything else – but walk BY faith. Our faith is what carries us, supports us, keeps us moving, directs where we’re going and informs every decision we make.

And enjoying it too.

Well, hallelujah, hallelu,
hallelujah, hallelu…

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

A Beautiful Collision.

2006-11-28T08:47:00.000Z

During the summer, I spent a lot of time at home and alone with my guitar. I wanted to learn some new worship songs to aid my home time with God and practice my talents. This was the sound of my summer, the plea for Fusion to happen. This whole event was based upon the themes of this song, and the album it comes from. It is a discourse of an emptied vessel, waiting to be filled. It is a broken and scared voice, finding the beauty that is meeting with God.

Interestingly, the album also has a subtitle, “3+4=7” – which I only just found out what it meant. David Crowder, the artist, explains that the number 7 has always been believed to be the divine number. It is perfection. 3 is attributed to God (as in 3 days, the trinity, the multiple of 3 is 12 which was the tribes and disciples…etc…) and the number 4 is us; our humanity. When these two meet – 3+4, we get perfection. 7.

“When our depravity meets His divinity, it is a beautiful collision.” - David Crowder

PS If you would like a copy of the devotional they are £3.50 each. E-mail Andrew for more details.