My prayer text.

Simply put. This is the text I am sharing that I am using to pray today. 

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV

Exploring Christianity- Home

Exploring Christianity 

I have the opportunity to explore the world of Christianity at the International Christian Resource Exhibition. It's a few days when most Christian churches, businesses and charities get together and exchange ideas. I am excited not only for the course but because it bought me home. 

I have moved to a whole other country and now what I have taught about home becomes reality. Home isn't where your house is. Home is where your heart is. My heart is full. It is full of many loved ones. Some I carry with me physically my storms. Others who live in my heart till I can come home to them. So I am home. I will see friends and family and have time to cuddle and kiss and listen and talk to them all. I am excited to do that. As a Christian though I did wonder about my idea of home. 

As a Christian when I walk around do people find home with me. Can they say that I have given them shared with them a peace of Gods love. Can I share a piece of the home that we are all desperate to be. Can I share with them the home that God has for us. Where the centre of the home is love and it gives peace and joy unspeakable. 

I hope that people have that experience. I hope that their home is with God whose love knows no bounds. 

Exploring Christianity and the big WHY

Exploring Christianity 

So annoyed. How can people talk about being regionally accurate to where the bible is set then concern themselves with cups. Then show me amazing graphics with white people! Oh my annoying. Seriously vexed! 

So I sat and tried not to judge. I had to make a decision in my head. What do I do? I like what they produced. I love the passion. I really like the resources. Do I bring the negativity? Do I just say what's up with that? I really didn't want to be negative but I was so annoyed. 

I waited. It finished. I watched. Then I couldn't contain it any longer. I approached the creator and ask the question. Why did you want so much authenticity in cups and buildings but the people are not authentic?! Then my surprise. 

They didn't even think about it. But when it was bought to their attention they changed it in season 4 and 5. I was so pleasantly surprised. Relieved and now happy. What had so upset me was quickly resolved with a question. Not an accusation. Not anger but simply a question. Why? 

The lesson for me. Ask why? Not in anger or frustration or irritation but because you want to hear the answer. Reserve judgement until you have the asked why?! Why, just might save you and them! Ask why that's my lesson for today. 

Exploring Christianity and the musical score

Exploring Christianity 

Imaginative preaching. Today I went to a seminar on imaginative preaching. Surprisingly good workshop. The standout moment was when she challenged us to differentiate our sermons. 

This is why it stand out moment for me. I love the whole concept of imaginative preaching as you can imagine. Today I imagined a sermon as a musical score and for the first time in a long time someone said it was ok if not everyone gets everything. In someways it's like being told that the pressure is off. Everyone should get the melody of your sermon. But the harmonies well unless you sing one of them you might not get it. Guess what that is ok. 

Putting nuggets that not everyone understands in a sermon is a good thing. I need to remember this. It's ok that not everyone gets it as long as everyone gets the melody! 

Think of it like music score. The melody everyone has to get but the harmonies are for differentiation. Sermons can be like this too.