Bloody Boundaries!

[Shocker expletive snippet with a perusal deeper into it.]

As many of my creative lightening moments arrive whilst taking a shower, this similar thought of "Bloody Boundaries" popped into my conciousness. The thought flashes zinged & zapped their forward motions in parallel with the ebb&flow of liquid H20. 

Beginning to ponder on boundaries, at least within the church culture; applying wisdom to relational connections. Maybe blood has something to do with boundaries after all?

{life is in the blood} Leviticus 17v14

Does life dictate my healthy boundary lines?

When I connect with a friend, is my first approach to give or take?

Do I operate out of a place of lack or full abundance to overflow?

If Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, then is He my boundary guide in wisdom?

My friends and I often have a quirky injoke of linguistics, where within the prose verbalized lay essences of wonder. A portion being the discussion of 'how do we flee from sin and keep our thoughtlife pure'? (because we are aware we are able to do this in Christ) If I struggle with being friends with men then how do I embrace my male friends in a way that does not avoid the issue, presses onward to healing? Loving them well in a place of boldness & freedom but staying in wisdom...

I think blood is the answer. By which I mean Jesus' blood- its symbolic and true place as an expression of deep love.

These accumulative words are a journeying of wondering. I wonder how to keep boundaries bloody. :) 

Intense Two Tents

The year of 2013 is still an untouchable one in the recalling for me, at least where the festival of Davids Tent is concerned. [you ever have those moments where to even breathe of them is akin to breaking the fresh morning mist?] But then again, there was this year..

Practically this year I co-lead or assisted in leading the Car Park team alongside an amazing Kingdom brother from Germany. I experienced the best team work i've ever seen in my life- we had an amazing team of Team Builders who worked so well together and who I am still blown away by in terms of how they through themselves into their roles. I can't recall any moaning, and any challenges individuals in the team were met with were responded to with such grace and humility. #sobeautiful

Physically I found it a challenge too, mainly because, as a woman, there are, shall we say, certain regular seasons that bring changes in the body which can cause discomfort, pain and lethargy. None of which I was keen on experiencing whilst sharing a tent at the bottom of a hill and having to cover a lot of ground each day across the fields. So knowing that exercise was a winning antidote to the cramps and pain, I threw myself into constant movement and walking a lot, perhaps to an excess.

But in the midst of all that, what a week!

It was a wonderful thing to be amongst nature all the time- to see the birds of the air, the trees, the insects- feeling the rain, the wind and the sun on my skin. It was so good to be connected to creation. And the fact that God had spoken beforehand on what to expect in our little field was also exciting. To see what He had pretold us happen before our eyes was a special thing indeed.

It wasn't all fluffy or smooth sailing, but actually there was a real depth and beauty in that place of messiness. Because of course, it's easy to love and be bold and not fear when in a safe and unchallenging environment. But in the different challenges and moments I encountered the very real peace of God, and His favour was very apparent to me. He is very good. 

The sounds wafting from the main tent of meeting

songs anointed sung, releasing

momentary glory glimpse.

I stand and listen

ears alert to hear the noise

and there it is-

the recognition.

Air turned upside down and over

atmosphere transformed again:

the thin place I reside in, 

tasting heaven here.

Our United Kingdom family,

hope has come for you. 

Sing A New Song

This started out as a thought, turned into a partially written Facebook status, and then phlomphed itself over to a blogpost due to the expansion of thoughts.

The Psalms burst forth with multiple verses of praise, and I've increasingly noticed there's multiple inclusions of 'sing to the LORD a new song'. 

Psalm 33v3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts

Psalm 40v3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD

Psalm 96v1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Psalm 98v1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

Psalm 144v9 I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you

Psalm 149v1 Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people

In the past i've been involved with varying circles of christians who have different ideas when it comes to 'new songs'

1. Stalwart Ye Oldes: Amongst this group any songs from the 1970's are considered new, which, let's be honest, is a fair comprehension when the normal musical praise vehicles are hymns from past centuries. I've seen that often amongst this particular group, there has been a great regard for tradition and historical hymn writers, a respect & honour for those gone before. 
2. The Organized & Prethoughts: This collective are keen to include new songs into church worship, both from other people and ones written by themselves. The method is very structured and well planned, with musical meetings, spider diagrams and strategic ideas into how to gradually incorporate the songs one-by-one into worship so as not to overwhelm members of the congregation. It's encouraging to see a keen inclusivity to the rest of the church.
3. Spontaneous & Haphazard: These assorted people have an enthusiastic, creative and often prophetic flare, bursting with new songs all the time. I've witnessed this type of christian sing for hours and hours with spontaneous, made up on the spot songs from the heart, which are generally authentic & fresh. Sometimes there may be a mixture of old songs within the worship, depending on the way it goes. The culture around this way of 'doing worship' is such that there is an expectation, nay assumption, of the spontaneous. To those whose worship culture has been nurtured in a different way, this may be met with a range of reactions. 

Regardless of what grouping we gravitate towards, in light of the Word encouraging us to sing new songs to God, I believe it's important that we make space to be authentic in praise, not just using other peoples songs (though of course it can be helpful in different situations) but also bringing fresh declarations of praise & thankfulness for what God has specifically done in our lives. It is also important that we help cultivate a culture in our influencial spheres of creativity, as opposed to the consumeristic nature of 'give give give!' which has pervaded many areas of the established church. It is no surprise then to see some church worship services being more akin to entertainment & musical professionalism than a fostering of the empowerment culture. Surely we need to be encouraging others to take responsibility for how they bring their hearts to God, rather than wait for a worship team to tell them what to do. #passionateloversofJesus #restorehearts #wakeupChurch

For those who know me well, you'll know my preference when it comes to the mix of organization and spontaneity, but for sure we can learn from each of these groups. I've actually realized though, that whether it be ancient hymns, super organized or wild & spontaneous, it all comes down to the heart.

A heart softened to the LORD is able to come before Him with an attitude of worship and praise in any circumstance, willing to put aside musical or denominational preferences and praise God simply because He is worthy. 

Mission Trip Holidays

#missiontrips 

The thinly disguised holidays, labelled as 'mission trips', are a sad sign of the hunger and poverty of spirit in those who have been weighed down and battered by the consumeristic culture, where those who live on little and off the grid are considered homeless hippies, dirty beggars or simply untrustworthy, so we feel the constant pressure to escape these labels.

Nothing wrong with going somewhere abroad, but let's not pretend. Let's call out what it is really; us needing a break from the unpleasant & meaningless firstworld pressures. Getting connected with the earth and nature again. Engaging socially with others without the use of all our technological wizardry. 

And mission is a lifestyle, we can do it anywhere, not just exotic locations that require jabs. 

creative writing #1

There was a subtle suggestion of dread as her birthday leaned close. For the 364 days that had gone past, still no affection had been showered upon her; neither hug sprinkled, nor love daubed. The blaring anniversary of her birth only served as a reminder of the bygone years, lying barren in memory. For what use was a one time gathering of gentil acquaintances when thrice hundred more days offered no repetition? The cakeday marker for this girl was not a sign of a life full, but a mockery of her loss. 

Come to Davids Tent 2014!

In 2012 I went to this small festival called Davids Tent, expecting it to be pretty much like any other christian festival: a bit of worship with maybe a few Holy Spirit tingles and some interesting testimonies from some of the christian celebrity peeps who were there.

Oh my goodness, was I in for a kick up the bum!

It literally was like going into hyperspace. I stepped into that small, unassuming looking white tent and everything i thought i knew about what worship is, and can look like, was blown to smithereens. Nobody cared what the person next to them was doing, literally all inhibitions were gone (in the best sense), and people were dancing like nutters, jumping around singing at the top of the voice, whilst others were lying out on the floor, reading their bibles. So much freedom. There was this sense of not having to do anything, but just be real with God. Some wanted to rest in His presence, others sang, and I really wanted to dance.

*

I was beautifully caught up into that fearless atmosphere, and praised as I was always burning to, dancing like a nutter, and enjoying it (bear in mind i did not dance before that, not even on my own). My game was raised in terms of what I realized Jesus is owed, not just in that moment but in the rest of my life. I also made a bunch of friends there, and have witnessed their lives change in amazing ways e.g. increased boldness on the streets, favour in their jobs, healed from sickness, seeing more people taste the goodness of God etc. I've even seen a friend of mine since Davids Tent 2012 preach on a plane. Like, to the whole plane. Yeah. Legit.

Of course, God can meet us anywhere, but there also is something so beautiful about coming together as family to just praise Jesus and not be rushing off to do anything else for a few days. (Pray and ask God whether you should come).

This is not just another festival, or another worship meeting- this actually is a chance to come together with others from around the UK & beyond and praise the LORD because He is worthy. And it's pretty much inevitable that you'll get blessed and have your life changed forever. But ultimately we're gathering because we love Jesus and He's so worthy.


*Click on the banner to get to the Davids Tent website for more information and tickets

Eternal Life: Really?

I was driving back home the other day when, in amongst the post-work thoughts and processing, I came to pondeer* on the subject of eternal life.

Eternal life.

Life that never ends.

This is a classic phrase used within the christian community and is even mentioned in the bible, and is of a positive connotation. However, i recalled on that day, those moments where I have spoken to people about the concept of eternal life and they are completely put off by it, as if I have just suggested they drink sewage.

"But eternal life is great!" you cry. Yes, yes it really is. When we know that God is good and Jesus came to bring life in abundance, the news that we get to be in eternity with Him is literally awesome.

Unfortunately though, the idea of life for some is not a positive one. You hear of people using the word 'life' in such phrases as 'back to life, back to reality' or 'you need to get on with life' in a negative way, where drudgery is expected and boredom assumed. An eternal comprehension of life, where the life experienced is one of foul shots, abuse and robotic duties is undoubtedly not a fun one.

If that is what life is, trust me, i don't want an eternity of it either.

Praise God that when Jesus talks about life, He mentions:

• ecstatic joy 
• peace
• freedom
• wholeness (from the word shalom)
• real, selfless love
• kindness

If heavenly eternity when I give my life over to Christ is like that, I want in.






*I wanted to spell it this way. I like how it sounds.