24th April 2013

We extended our 3-week series on Jesus to 4-weeks!
Part 4 - Jesus' Presence

We started our evening off by crowding into a small glass-walled room for warmth!
With old and new faces present, Jon began our evening on Jesus' Presence.
Jesus - a man we admire, look to and strive to be like.
Who is He?
How do we know He is present?

What are your earliest thoughts of, "Who is Jesus?"
Sunday School.
Easter.
Christmas.

Jon shared a story about how Jesus called him out of police work and into youth leadership.
The question to plagued his thoughts was,
"Do I dare give up everything for Him?"
In the utter silence,
in Jesus' presence,
Jon chose to follow Him.

We must choose to want Jesus.
To practice the presence of Jesus.

"The presence of Jesus isn't a reward that He gives to us, but something He desires."
Something we should desire!

The relationships in our day-to-day lives require
time,
intimacy,
effort.
And so does our relationship with Jesus.

When are moments we feel Jesus' presence?
How do we practice the presence of Jesus?

It can all start with a morning prayer,
"Lord, surprise me with you."

All in all... Jesus' presence is closer then we think!

"He can speak, so learn to listen.
He can turn up, so look for Him.
He can be really close, so learn to feel Him."

17 April 2013

Jon was back with us to finish our 3-week series on Jesus.
Part 3 - Jesus’ Promises

What promises have you made - kept & broken?
Do you make promises?
Is the word “promise” tainted now-a-days?

Jesus' Promise #1 - John 14:12
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

This is part of the Christian footprint.
Making an impact.
“We are meant to act & live in faith”

Jon interviewed one of our own, Iain.
Iain is running for Westminster Council.
He enforced the importance of Christians getting involved in politics.
Creating that “footprint.”
He feels strongly that God has called him to this.
Believing in Christ and doing great works.

Promise #2 - The Great Commission... Matthew 28:16-20 
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (v.20b)

Has there been a time where you knew that God was with you?
During fear.
While leading others.
Asking and needing guidance.
When safety was needed.

Jon shared about how he used to be a policeman. 
And life-threatening situations that he would find himself in.
Yet, there’s peace found in Jesus’ promise.
A constant presence.
Protection.
“I am with you always”

Promise #3 - John 14:2-3
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  
Heaven.
An amazing promise. 

“Part of faith is choosing to believe.”
Choosing to believe in Jesus.
Choosing to believe this “place” Jesus spoke of.
Choosing to believe this promise.
Jesus knows you and He knows me... 
and He is preparing a place.

Jesus’ promises hold truth.
Hold hope.
Hold integrity.
Hold faith.

“It’s not the details of the other side, but the assurity.” 
I am with you always. - Jesus

10th April 2013

Ed led a more “theological” night in our 3-week series on Jesus.
Part 2 - The Beatitudes

“What would make you happy?”
More time. A good job.
Dancing. Skiing.
Summer. Family.
Martial Arts films? (yes, this would make a couple people happy)

Matthew 5:1-12
A section from one of Jesus’ more known teachings.
More commonly known as, The Sermon on the Mount.

The Beatitudes introduces a new look on what would make you “happy.”
In many ways, taking what we would consider negative, and putting a positive spin on it.
Almost contradicting itself.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (v.3)

What does this mean?
How would you feel to be called ‘poor in sprit?’

Weak.
Voiceless.

Ed shared it as ‘a lack.’
When you enter into a relationship with God, you are
“Utterly known and utterly aware of not being perfect when in God’s presence.”
His glory is magnificent.
Indescribable.
Perfect.

What is your initial feeling when you come into God’s presence?
Humility.
Peace.
Understanding.
Meekness?
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (v.5)

There is beauty in our imperfection.
When we come into the presence of God.
Experience His greatness.
His love. 
His grace.
Our imperfections our made perfect in Him.

We move towards becoming the person we were made to be through our interactions with God.

The beauty in being “meek” and “poor in spirit” in God’s presence?
God’s love comes.

3rd April 2013

This week, we began our 3-week series on... drum roll please... Jesus.

Part 1 - The Resurrection

Emma led an intimate gathering in the Milk Bar of Grace,

or as some people have come to call it, 

The White Room.

Where are you at with the resurrection?

What does it mean to you?

What do you struggle to understand about it?

These questions brought about lots of discussion, questions, and new understandings - 

Discerning this man who sacrificed it all.

The resurrection being the centre of our faith.

The struggle to understand why the severe pain and suffering had to take place.

Christ's character strongly revealed.

And finding strength, even who we are, in Christ.

John 20:1-9

With eyes closed, these words were spoken.

Imagining that moment when Mary Magdalene, 

who was coming to mourn the death of the Master she loved, 

came across his empty grave!

And in his place, folded linens.

Now imagine being Jesus.

Waking after death.

Unwrapping yourself from the linens.

Maybe even folding the linens.

And walking away from death.

Restorative.

What do you value about the themes of the resurrection?

"Experiencing forgiveness."

"Immediate connection with God."

"Restoration and hope."

From the beginning of his life, 

to the end of his life on Earth,

Jesus put forth a lifestyle for us.

Love. Hope. Humility. Grace. Strength. Boldness.

Think of His characteristics during His ministry,

and during His suffering.

Consistent.

So, what do we do with all of this?

What do we do with the hope we have been given through the resurrection?

"Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on [the disciples] and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.'" - John 20:21-23

27th March 2013

Easter Supper

Last Wednesday we had our first Easter Supper!

Great food.

Great people.

A great celebration.

Jon shared about Easter and Jesus' sacrifice.

Then we shared communion together.

It was a time of reflection.

And for some, 

it was a time to fully grasp Jesus' love for us all!

All in all, 

the night was full of laughter, 

fun (of course),

 and a reminder of why we celebrate Easter.

20th March 2013

Do Good

Last night, we were joined by Singer-Songwriter, Andy Flannagan.

He is not only a Grammy award-winner, but a man truly seeking the heart of God.

With justice as a priority, Andy's music floods your soul with passion,

grace, 

an injustice for the voiceless,

and a desire to know the power of God.

Andy's story of being called to leave his position as a doctor to serve God is almost as profound as the stories you hear from "long ago!"

God called.

Andy followed.

A man seeking the heart of God.

What are you passionate about?

What are you good at?

Andy's encouragement was to bring these two together...

and use them to do good!

Do not keep them separate.

Just imagine what that would look like.

Imagine the impact!

Bring justice to injustice, grace to the broken, love to the forsaken.

Do good, because there is plenty enough "bad" out there...

Just listen to the news!

Do not be held back by fear,

but be encouraged by the incredible gifts that God has instilled in all of us!

I will leave you with Andy's striking lyrics:

"Would you stop looking for clues? This is no mystery.

Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God."

Click here to listen to the song!

14 March 2013

Hospitality & The Generosity of God

Ed began our night with... a joke.
Since some of us are doing 40 Acts for Lent, Wednesday was the day to tell a joke.
You can rest assured that laughter did follow Ed's joke!

Ed introduced us to Abraham.
A man who sought to share love and hospitality.
At one point in his life, three “strangers” approached him. 
He welcomed them into his home, fed them and cared for them.
These “strangers” were inevitably angels,
who then blessed Abraham.

Hospitality.
How does that look for you tomorrow?
How does that look with your family?
How does that look at work?

For some, this meant being intentional - organizing your time to be with people.
Others, it meant being a giving person rather then just taking.
What unfolded from these simple questions was as an aspect of “home.”
In many ways, being “vulnerable” so that another may feel accepted.
Appreciated.
Loved.

Emma shared about Job.
A man who lost everything.
His livelihood, wealth and children.
Yet, he could still look to nature and witness God’s generosity in it. 

Generosity.
How or when have you encounter those moments of God’s generosity?
“In the simplest of acts...” - Anonymous
“When you just know, ‘Everything will be okay.’” - Anonymous

We are asked to be hospitable (Matthew 25:34-36).
To love. To care. To respect. To be generous.
As someone shared, “To treat everyone like you would want to be treated.”

So, we come back to the first question.
How does that look for you tomorrow?
God is not necessarily looking for greatness,
He is looking for goodness.
To use our current abilities and bless others.

And, to continue spreading the humor... a joke that was shared on Wednesday.
How does Moses brew his tea?
He-brews it...
Bu dum.