Friday 20 May 2011

Gracious gift for all

Whats also been on my mind this week is God's free gift of grace. Matthew 20:1-15. The parable of the workers in the vineyard. This parable speaks of God’s generous and kind gift of grace to all who would receive it. It speaks of there being no difference between you and I and the criminal who hung next to Jesus on the cross – that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god but God’s grace is sufficient and Gods heart is for all.

His kind and generous gift of grace is for all!

Relish

“keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” Hebrews 13:5.

Relish what you have rather than resent what you’re missing.




I love this concept and think it’s so true of God’s kingdom and the way Jesus calls us to live.

In this book I recently finished reading, the aforementioned - Colin Creel - wrote of the concept of giving out, not from your cup, but from your saucer. We cant but give out from the overflow of our hearts because God gives us all we need and so much more. Its his loving kindness that compells us to live as jesus did. For he longs to give good gifts to his children (Matt 7:9-11) and he knows what we need before we even ask (Matt 6:32).

So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (col 2:6+7).

May we overflow with thankfulness for all that we have and all that he gives.

Identity in Christ

“Without knowledge of self and knowledge of God we are bound to find our identity solely in what others think of us, and that brings disaster. If others define you, you will forever be changing shape until you are just a blob of random traits and habits that were never yours to start with.” From Perspectives by Colin Creel.

Saturday 14 May 2011

comm - unity

It really feels like the community of people living here and working for 24-7 Ibiza are starting to come together. After 2 weeks of being here I really feel settled and it feels good to be back finding my rhythm and feet in this lifestyle.

One thing that I learnt last year from being here in Ibiza and working as a part of 24-7 Ibiza, was the importance of unity. Brian () shared from Pslam 133 which says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!... For there the Lord bestows his blessing…”. I want to continue to hold onto this.

I guess that any community or group of people needs such unity to thrive.

I think that knowing our value is important to a strong and healthy community. Each part of the body and each brick in the wall is important for the whole body and structure.

I think that knowing our identity in christ plays an important part in the formation of community as well.

From being a son or daughter of our father in heaven and from all that jesus has done for us comes our value and identity.

Jesus as the centre, cement, blood, and firm foundation.

Im loving being in Ibiza and am praying and hoping and seeing and enjoying great unity and community.

Thursday 5 May 2011

first night

The night before last was my first night out on the streets. It was great to meet up with old friends and familiar faces. I’m really feeling excited about what is going to happen this season. I love the anticipation of things to come that all are feeling at the moment.

I am loving this story that I read recently. A man named Joshua was commanded to lead the Israelites into “the promised land” after Moses had died. No big deal, the leader of all these people has just died and you are to take them forward over the river on the next leg of the journey into the promised yet unknown land.

His words were simple but powerful:

“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous…”

I love this and am holding on to the awesome truth that is said to us by our father in heaven. I know that there are many more, deeper and exciting things to come. I’m so grateful that we all have a loving father in heaven who is with us and will never leave us. I for one am going to take great strength and courage from that.

its hotting up again on the white isle!