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.

6th March, 2013

Finding Your “Space” with God

What are you most passionate about?
Where does your passion and God collide?
This is what our guest speakers, Caroline and Lucy, shared about this past Wednesday.

Where does their passion meet God?
The clubbing scene!
Caroline shared how the outcry for “something more” is huge in these scenes. Especially in Ibiza, where they do mission trips.

Lucy shared her journey of becoming a Christian while she was at Uni.
And the transition between being “the drunk girl” to being sober when going out clubbing.
Lucy didn’t give up her desire to be out dancing with her friends. It was just her outlook that changed.
“There is nothing like praising God while dancing in a club.”

These ladies are using their passion to not only meet God, but introduce people to God.
Whether it’s on the dance floor in Tiger Tiger, helping a person who is ill/drunk, or simply having a one-on-one chat with a stranger, these ladies (along with others) are creating a space for people in the clubbing scene to encounter God.

So, where do you feel most at home? Where do you feel most alive?
On stage. A one-on-one conversation. Dancing in the club. In a bar. A cafe.  
Where does your passion meet God?

If it’s the club scene, come and be apart of it!
Be a Club Angel. Go to Ibiza with Caroline.

April 18th is the training day for Club Angels.
And they are still looking for people to serve in Ibiza in May for a week or two.

If this is your “space,” contact me at kaila.johnson@clv.org.uk and I will connect you with Caroline and Lucy!

Loving God & Loving People.