freedom

February 17, 2010

Every man dies. Not every man really lives – William Wallace

– Braveheart

How true this quote is, from my favourite movie, Braveheart. I so loved his calling out “freeeeedom”. This, in my opinion is the cry of the soul of so many men and women across the globe. We crave true freedom. Freedom from past failures and mistakes. Freedom from misunderstanding, missed dreams and unmet expectations. True freedom brings me out from the cage of my past and into a glorious Holy Spirit freedom. Freedom in salvation and hope. Freedom to dream and to enjoy the spoils of being a loved a cherished son/daughter. Free to bring freedom to others in the cage. On Sunday one of our builders built a prison cell, whereby I preached about all the things Christ set us free from, then I preached out of the cell about all the things that Christ has set us into.  The ministry of Christ in Galatians 5 is to set you and I free from our past, bring us to the cross, wash us and bring us into a glorious future in the power of the Resurrection to live abundant lives.

Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.

empowering people to live abundant lives in 2010

January 12, 2010

What defines you and I …………….. after meeting people for the first time, I walk away wondering what I thought about them. They are most likely doing the same thing. Often I and the Church I serve have been defined by 1) what type of Church we lead, the classic 2) How many  people attend Lighthouse and 3) what is my or corporate vision…..? whilst these may be valuable questions, surely we are more than the number of folk attending our Churches, the type of celebration we provide and what “VISION” are we following…. I have never being asked…How is your walk with Jesus, or how many marriages have been saved from the ravages of divorce, how many suicides has Jesus prevented and ultimately how am I ,  we loving Him with all our hearts, strength, soul and mind? And loving our neighbours?  It seems that we define others more by the STUFF they are doing than by their RELATIONSHIP and INTIMACY with Jesus…. I sense that a return to basics is essential… Surely if my heart and mind, my soul and strength are 100% given to see Jesus glorified….all other “STUFF” will be added….  May you and I be defined by how we love Jesus and our neighbours and not by STUFF after all He is Jehovah Jireh not Jehovah STUFF.

that’s my King

December 21, 2009

Recently I have loved listening again to a great clip which reminds us of the majesty of our God…here are the words….. may the inspire you to love Jesus more….

The Bible says my King is a seven-way King:
He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King.
He’s the King of Israel – that’s a national King.
He’s the King of Righteousness.
He’s the King of the Ages.
He’s the King of Heaven.
He’s the King of Glory.
He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords.
That’s my King.

Well, I wonder do you know Him.

David said, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork.”
My King is a sovereign King – no means of measure can define His limitless love.
No farseeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply.
No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.
He’s enduringly strong.
He’s entirely sincere.
He’s eternally steadfast.
He’s immortally graceful.
He’s imperially powerful.
He’s impartially merciful.

Do you know Him?

He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He’s God’s Son.
He’s the sinner’s Saviour.
He’s the centrepiece of civilisation.
He stands in the solitude of himself.
He’s august and He’s unique.
He’s unparalleled, He’s unprecedented.
He is the loftiest idea in literature.
He’s the highest personality in philosophy.
He is the supreme problem in higher criticism.
He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
He is the core and the necessity for spiritual religion.
He’s the miracle of the age, He’s… yes He is.
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.
He’s the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Saviour.

I wonder if you know him today?

He supplies strength for the weak.
He’s available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathises and He saves.
He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleansed the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captive.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent.
And He beautifies the meek.

I wonder if you know Him? Well, my King—
He is the key, He’s the key to knowledge.
He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
He’s the doorway of deliverance.
He’s the pathway of peace.
He’s the roadway of righteousness.
He’s the highway of holiness.
He’s the gateway of glory.

Do you know Him?

Well, His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His life is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous and
His yoke is easy and
His burden is light.

I wish I could describe Him to you.
But He’s indes… Wooah, yeaaah! yeaahh,
He’s indescribable – yes He is ! He’s God.
He’s, He’s indescribable, yes, He’s indescribable.
He’s incomprehensible.
He’s invincible.
He’s irresistible.

Well, you can’t get Him out of your mind,
You get Him off of your hand,
You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him.

Well, the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him.
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn’t kill Him.
Death couldn’t handle Him and
the grave couldn’t hold Him. Yeah !
THAT’S MY KING !
THAT’S MY KING ! YEAH !

And Thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever
and ever and ever.
How long is that ?
And ever and ever.
And when you get through all the forevers, then
Amen !

GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY ! AMEN ! AMEN !

i love this story…

November 13, 2009

I am reminded of the story that Max Lucado tells in one of his books. Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. Patchy fog made for poor visibility. The captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities. Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, “Light, bearing on the starboard bow.” “Is it steady or moving astern?” the captain called out. The lookout replied, “Steady, Captain.” That meant the ship was on a collision course with the other vessel.

The captain called to the signalman, “Signal that ship: ’We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.’” Moments later a signal came back, “Advise you to change course twenty degrees.” The irritated the captain ordered, “Send: “I’m a captain, change course twenty degrees.’” Again a reply quickly came back, “I’m a seaman second-class. You better change course twenty degrees.”

By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, “Send: ’I’m a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.’” Back came the flashing light, “I’m a lighthouse. You change course!” (Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, p. 153.)

Lighthouses don’t move for battleships. One who has all the authority of heaven and earth need not compromise for the likes of us! Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

fearless love

November 9, 2009

One of my favourite songs by  David Wilcox”

Fearless love, fearless love
Fearless love makes you cross the border

At your church they asked for volunteers
To make a presence in the park
That’s where the wicked planned to demonstrate
And carry signs to set a spark
Someone behind you heaved a stone
That struck the thin man behind his ear
So now there’s blood upon his sign
Which read “There’s nothing here to fear”

“The wrath of god,” somebody yelled
“Will punish all of those like him”
But if you travel back 2000 years
I swear you’d hear this all again

Back then they’d say
“These soldiers walk on sacred ground
This land’s our history and our home
They have no right to be around
They are the evil force of Rome”

So just how strong this change of heart must be
That one that Jesus once described
Kindness to your enemy
Carry his pack an extra mile

Chorus:
When fearless love, fearless love
Fearless love makes you cross the border

Your mind snaps back to where you stand
Your church is here to fight a cause
And at your feet a fallen man
Whose head is cradled in his arms

Though his blood contains his death
And though the lines are drawn in hate
You drop your sign of Bible verse
And help the wounded stand up straight

Chorus Oh yes the high religious still will scorn
Just like that did all that time back
They’ll say you helped the other side

They saw you haul that soldier’s pack
But now how could you carry that man’s sign
In your heart the choice was clear
You didn’t join the other side
The battle lines just disappeared

thoughts as a leader

November 7, 2009

As a leader I find it is so important to stay fresh and active. Here are some musings :

-    Leaders, by virtue of being servants, are constantly giving
-    We give at work, in ministry, to our family and friends.
-    The problem with always giving, is that soon you runout…run dry
-    Jesus constantly gave. He gave of himself to his parents, to his disciples, he gave in miracles, in teaching, in admonishing, in caring and love.
-    Jesus is in the business of giving..” For God so loved the world, that He GAVE>>>
-    Yet Jesus knew the first principle of leadership, there must be a ponit were you stop giving, and received…

Mark 6:31: Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (NIV)
-    As leaders we are  in it for the long run. Amidst the ever increasing demands of work, family and friends and church, we must learn the art of staying refreshed.
-    How did Jesus stay refreshed?

1.   He learned that true refreshing is found in God’s Presence:

Psalm 16:11: You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand

Acts 3:19: Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

2.    He learned that at times it is more important to say NO!

John 11: Lazarus death

Mark 3:7: And Jesus retired with His disciples to the lake, and a great throng from Galilee followed Him. Also from Judea

John 11:54: For that reason Jesus no longer appeared publicly among the Jews, but left there and retired to the district that borders on the wilderness (the desert), to a village called Ephraim, and there He stayed with the disciples.

3.    He knew how to have fun
-    He enjoyed the disciples
-    He played with the little children
4.    He knew how to live balance of fun/work/ministry

– Paul Zanardo

what a legacy

October 23, 2009

The sudden death of someone close is never easy. Death is hard at best of times. When it is someone else, like on TV it will affect us but only at a certain level. But when that person is someone close, the story is very different. The death last week of a man who was to many a general and a hero of the Christian faith was not easy. He was a man devoted to Jesus and his family. He served faithfully for 50 years as a missionary and pastor. He was one of the most loving and gracious men I have ever known. He was my precious dada. Yet I was reflecting on the simplicity of his life. His life was uncomplicated, unhurried and unworried. Every day brought new opportunities, new possibilities new open doors to share Jesus with someone. What a legacy. What legacy shall you and I leave behind when the trumpet calls us home? Mario’s last words whilst here with us were “I AM GOING HOME” now that is a Christian legacy.

the Holy Spirit

September 14, 2009

I was reflecting on the Trinity and I had a rhema-word from God… Have you ever noticed that out of the 3 members of the Trinity, only one is called HOLY. Not the Father and not even the Son. Only the Spirit is called Holy.  We revere the Father and the Son, but do we really treat the Holy Spirit as Holy as His name sake indicates. Too often we prostitute the anointing and treat the things of the Spirit with such contempt, that we are offensive to Him.

Let us start looking and treating Him as HOLY.

seasons

September 9, 2009

I have always been fascinated by seasons… Some like hot seasons some like the cold winter months.. others like the cool of spring or the colours of autumn. The beauty is that God made them all. I realise that the same is true in  life. There are many various and varied seasons. Some great yet others very challenging. We call the latter the winter of the soul. Recently folk around me have lost a dear one. Death is never easy. These are winter seasons…. Yet around the corner there is always another season, a better one, one filled with rainbows and promises. God is the same in all seasons. I love this fact. I love that He is faithful and just. There with us. Immanuel. What a God. What a king.

practicing the presence

August 30, 2009

Loved last nights 40 days of learning to cultivate the presence of God with Bil Ghali. Presence within, around, on top and above…. Now that is how I love to live…on the edge… We do live a very safe and comfortable life… Maybe we need to take some faith steps, go to a place where the Holy Spirit leads into a greater intimacy with Jesus. How sad it is for me that so many Christians do not know thus live out of their identity in Christ Jesus in the fullness of his power and resurrection… We live almost as orphans. This is not God’s heart and desire for us.
Keep pressing within, around and above in His amazing presence. There is fullness of joy in his Presence.

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