It’s been coming for a while now: My growing dissatisfaction with they way things are, and knowing that there must be more than this. So this week I finally made the commitment: I joined the Apple Mac Cult… Why?
I was very attracted to the seeming simplicity of it all. The sleek lines, all-under-one-roof design & build concept…
I need some change - I was (and still am) a bit daunted by the challenge to learn a whole new way of working (and so are some of my colleagues – not everyone’s going to be in favour of your decisions are they?!). It does take a bit of guts to make such a big change at my age, but I’m committed not to gut stuck in any ruts “just because I’ve always been in one”…
What I had has served me well for many years (HP Tablet, probably had one for past 9 years!) – but there are times in life when you simply need to upgrade in order to keep up. Me & my HP Tablet were one, and have travelled the world together for many years, but you cant get too attached to tools when you are pursuing a higher purpose…
I wanted something with a really good reputation for solid performance – I considered the MacAir – real light & funky (& expensive!), but then considered what I really need and that and I’m not into light & fluffy with little substance, even if it would get me some extra attention (I got loads of this via my cool Tablet, even this week still…) – I know its OK for some (Steve, Frans, etc), but not for me…I’m into the REAL THING… (Is this how we divide within the cults once we’ve joined????)…
Finally, I joined the cult largely because of the constant , genuine and intriguing enthusiasm of adherents. It really seemed to have changed their lives… could it really change mine too?
Know anyone who would benefit from doing the Alpha Course ? We have a great team running the course starting with an Alpha Launch cocktail party on Thursday 17th Agust at our cool no93 venue, then it runs there for 10 weeks (including a free meal each week!) – you can join anytime although the sooner the better … all details on our website here.
I’m inviting you on an August attitude adjustment journey… with Phlipn’ Attitudes from the book of Philippians.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5)
On each of the first four Sundays in August at all our London congregations we’ll look at a key Christ-like attitudes found in the book of Philippians. We’ll also have a daily dedicated Phlipn’ Attitudes blog with a daily devotional where we’ll work through the whole book of Philippians from beginning to end considering the subject of Christ-like attitudes. Check the Phlipn’ Attitudes blog out here, and why not set up a feed to get this daily devotional direct to your inbox or Facebook.
And for fun, here’s our video invite below… can you guess who came up with the title of this series…
PS – I’ll probably not post much except some personal stuff on my blog here for August – so go’n get some Phlipn’ Attitude somewhere else…
I’ve had a week of so many confirmations that this is a word in season. So many people needing to Battle to Build. Some quiting their dream, some going off track, others fighting for it. You must fight for it…
Paul reminds us that “You are Gods building” (1 Corinthians 3:9) – God has a plan for your life, and if you get that God-dream for your life, you have to learn to hold on to it and to fight for it. Recognise that you have an enemy, and that if faith in Christ is your foundation, then you are more than a conqueror. You CAN stand through the storms that come from within & without, with your life counting for Him. Read the full context of the above scripture here, then say “ouch!” followed by: “I need to battle to build.”
In this 3 Part series we’re going to see that there’s only one foundation on which to build: Christ. And using one of the great Old Testament builders as an example, we’re going to learn that to build is going to take amongst other things: REVELATION (of the plan, and the Planner), REMOVAL (you cant build on rubbish), RESTRAINT (empower your yes & no’s), and RELATIONSHIPS (there are some battles you are just not going to win on your own.) Nehemiah knew that its one thing to be moved to want something, but its a whole other thing to battle till you see the fulfilment, and he knew that uou have to fight for it.
In the end, when all the dust has settled on this life, there’s a great promise for those who have built right: If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. (1 Corinthians 3:14)
YOUR BATTLE TO BUILD… Sunday 5th, 12th, & 26th July @ Every Nation in Hammersmith & Slough
I’m in Washington DC for a few days at our Every Nation North America conference.
My daily reading the day I arrived was from Acts 13, and verse 14 caught my attention, where Paul arrives in Antioch, goes into the tabernacle on the Sabbath day AND SAT DOWN.
I dont often find myself in Christian meetings without any responsibilities, or a day without a long do do list. As a Christian / pastor / leader / preacher / visionary-type-who-has-more-ideas-than-resources I am seldom just walking into anywhere and just SITTING DOWN. But that’s what I’m doing here. I’ve got no specific responsibilities here, and besides a few key conversations I need to have and connections I need to make in preparation for some key events in the next 12 months, I am just SITTING DOWN and soaking it up. Its great (but I do itch just a little bit to…)
I have a fairly healthy habit of sitting down every morning with Jesus and His Word before all the other demands of the day begin to drive me, and without this my getting up would soon wear me out. I set my desire on those times. I pray that I’ll keep growing the habit of SITTING DOWN. We do need to become better at sitting down. Jesus said to Martha that this was the “one thing that is needed.”
It’s interesting that after Paul had SAT DOWN, that the next verse tells how the synagogue leaders soon asked Paul and his friends to SAY SOMETHING, and the result was tremendous revival. Often we want to SAY before we SIT. Sitting down first helps you to:
Listen, so you understand the real questions / context
Be “slow to speak” so that you only say that which really builds up and is helpfull
Receive from others who are speaking
humble yourself
Also, this reminds you that you don’t have to push your way to prominence – God will make a way for your ministry opportunity in his perfect timing. Just make sure you’re not sitting down when you should be standing or walking…
So join me…and SIT DOWN at the right time and place with Jesus…And when you do get to SAY something, it may be just a little buit more impacting… it could be your launching pad to the great things you’re dreaming of.
King David wrote in the Psalms that he was “glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 122:1) Here’s a glimpse of what that may sound like today, as non-church-goer Chris Moyles, well known UK broadcaster/ author/DJ gets onto the topic of “church” on his popular Radio One talk show… imagine what would happen if we were that excited about our churches…
My eldest daughter Amy has just got back from our first ever London church youth mission – as part of our LoveUkraine compassion ministry to some of Europe’s poorest high in the Carpathian mountains. They delivered food parcels, did activities with the kids, cleaned up around the base, visited an orphanage, and generally had a great adventure in the safe hands of our awesome team of London mission & youth leaders. (Thanks Carol, Donna, Ovo, Jon & Bernice!)
For the trip Amy needed to take a back-pack, and I mentioned that “I had a two special backpacks in the loft you could try.” Now generally, dad’s stuff in the loft is simply not cool enough to be of any use to a teenager, but this time there was a cautious “OK lets have a look at them” and I quickly got them down: A red one and a pink one.
I told Amy that that these were very special, dating back to when Ali & I arrived in London in 1993 with “our two backpacks and a vision” – Surprisingly Amy quickly decided that the red one (mine, just in case you thought mine was the pink one!) was acceptable, and spent a few days packing it up for her first mission trip - how proud was I!
Amy & Rebekka ready for action...how cool is that red backpack!
I’m so proud of Amy, and so amazed at this incredible journey that started so small with “two backpacks and a vision” all those years ago – Lord help me never to forget not to despise the days of small beginnings – and to be careful what I throw away out of the attic… you never know when it might come in useful (actually, that’s not the point of this story at all is it!?)
Over the past few months I’ve been investing in building relationships with a group of local church leaders in our area from a wide variety of denominations and streams. Its been great to be reminded that we are not alone, and that there are many others passionately sharing Jesus and seeking to live for Him and advance His Kingdom.
Today we had an “Easter Witness” in central Hammersmith (where our west congregation meets), with many different churches coming together for a “silent witness march” down “Kings Street” (!) in Hammersmith – led by mounted police – and then into the “Kings Mall” (!) for a short public Easter service. There’s definitely something special about “going public” for Jesus… here’s a pic:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”- 1 Corinthians 1:18
My Easter message this Sunday is titled “The Cross changes Everything” -including the way we relate to God, to each other, the way we live, and our hope in this life and for eternity. This is radical, reminding us that our Christianity MUST centre around a true “CrossCulture” which dies with Christ, and lives with Him. There is no other way to be His disciples than to “take up your cross and follow Him.”
This past Sunday we completed our “Letter to London” preaching series – which took us 5 months (!)preaching through the rich truth from whole Letter to the Ephesians.
We ended the series with a couple of sessions on “STANDING STRONGER” from chapter 6 verse 10 onwards…”Finally, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wicked schemes of the devil.”
Here are a few thoughts I’m becoming very convinced about:
Why do we/you need to stand strong?Because you’re in a spiritual war zone. The devil is your enemy. The Darwinian debate doesnt just get rid of God, but gets rid of the devil too, and thats deception, because he’s after you to kill, steal & destroy.
Whats at stake? All that you believe in and stand for. All the “spiritual blessings in heavenly places”. Your salvation. destiny. health. peace. prosperity. calling. Your testimony. Your relationships. Marriage. Whatever you stand for is at stake.
How can you stand? God has provided you with His armour, and putting in on and using it guarantees you to be standing at the end when all the dust has settled. Some of it is for your defence, and the sword of the Spirit is for kingdom ADVANCE in and through your life. So put on truth, righteousness, readiness. TAKE UP the shield of faith, salvation, and the Word of God as a sword. get rid of all passivity, and become alert and watchful to your enemy’s strategies and schemes, and know Gods great promise that “having done all, you will stand”!
For one action scene of last weeks message, check out my “sword fight” bit on this clip – The sound quality is poor, and the finale where I “destroy the enemy” with a spectacular lunge is unfortunately missing… but hey, read the Bible and you’ll know how the Great Story ends!
Our London Expand Goals 2009 move into high gear this Sunday as we launch our third congregation in Slough as well as our new Hammersmith evening “6 PM” service (all details here).
We declare that “You shall expand to the left and the right… make desolate cities inhabited…inherit nations…” (From Isaiah 54:2-3)
What do you have in your own life right now over which you need to make a faith-filled “you shall expand” declaration? Don’t let the spirit of the time cause you to shrink back into a cave of self-preservation & survival. Move in the opposite spirit and hear His voice calling you out today… EXPAND!
Posted by weckleben 
Posted by weckleben 
On each of the first four Sundays in August at all our London congregations we’ll look at a key Christ-like attitudes found in the book of Philippians. We’ll also have a daily dedicated Phlipn’ Attitudes blog with a daily devotional where we’ll work through the whole book of Philippians from beginning to end considering the subject of Christ-like attitudes. Check the 
Posted by weckleben 
Paul reminds us that 
This past Sunday we completed our “Letter to London” preaching series – which took us 5 months (!)preaching through the rich truth from whole Letter to the Ephesians. 
We declare that 
How to be excited about church in the UK!
June 15, 2009King David wrote in the Psalms that he was “glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 122:1) Here’s a glimpse of what that may sound like today, as non-church-goer Chris Moyles, well known UK broadcaster/ author/DJ gets onto the topic of “church” on his popular Radio One talk show… imagine what would happen if we were that excited about our churches…