January 2012

Upgrade your evangelism!! The airplane concert.

At our training day in March Fiona Castle will be leading a seminar on ‘Upgrading your evangelism’ including her story of God using her to reach out during a recent trans-Atlantic journey.
I was sent a great youtube clip this week of an unusuall impromptu concert in an airplane that was sitting on the tarmac waiting for maintenance. Apparently, the stewardesses had asked an onboard choir to perform and the passengers were happy. The result is beautiful! When you watch, it takes a while to actually spot the singers and a minute to realise how young they all are. I wish I had been there…

Upgrade your evangelism!! The airplane concert. Read More »

“For those who need to forget the God they do not believe in and meet the God who believes in them.”

We prayed this awesome prayer at a service I was at recently. The service was rather more formal than I’m used to or even prefer. In fact the prayer happened at a time when if thoughts were made public you’d have seen “What am I doing here?!” scrolling across my forehead! It’s a good job God can handle my cynicism because just at a moment like that, out jumped this amazing sentence. I love it because it encapsulates my passion for sharing the good news of Jesus and banishing the misconceptions that so easily abound about Him. And I love it because it’s so affirming. So often, we’re encouraged to consider what we believe about God but sometimes we lose the sense of affirmation that comes from knowing that He believes in us.

I also spoke to someone that same day who had just discovered how fantastic it is to know God. She was awesome too! She told me how one Sunday morning about six months ago she had driven to a boot sale only to find it had been cancelled. With time on her hands, she decided to drive the long way home. The route took her past the church she had been christened in many years before. She pulled into the car park and she said she just thought “I wonder.” She wanted to go in but didn’t want to enter alone. After various unlikely events (including getting her sister out of bed before twelve on a Sunday – her words not mine!) she went into the service. After decades believing that God was judgemental and had written her off, she discovered that with Jesus Christ there is forgiveness for the past, whatever you have done. That day she discovered that Jesus believed in her despite what she had done. She told me how she suddenly felt a massive weight lift off her shoulders. And boy could you see the joy in her eyes even as she told me her story.

So what’s difficult for you or your friends about the God they don’t believe in? Could it be that the things we have attributed to Him that make us withdraw from engaging with Him are not actually true? Do we need to forget those things and start investigating what He believes about us? Does it surprise us to realise that He really believes in us and He thinks we’re beautiful, amazing, and full of awesome potential?

Here are some starters to get us thinking about what He thinks about us.

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I knew you before you were even conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I am not distant but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

My thoughts towards you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

Jesus came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

“For those who need to forget the God they do not believe in and meet the God who believes in them.” Read More »

It’s too cold to go out…. so don’t…. play Badminton !

Family Badminton Event

Idea – We were surprised at this event as to just how many parents and children enjoyed badminton. We hired four courts at our local sports center and a coach to teach the children, as well as a separate room for creative crafts. We then split all the children into two groups, with the first playing badminton and receiving some coaching tips, while the other group made sports crafts, did activity sheets and enjoyed a drink and a snack.

After an agreed time the two groups exchanged. In the meantime, we had two courts for the adults to compete, as well as a steady flow of teas and coffees. Those adults who weren’t too interested in badminton, enjoyed chatting and drinking coffee and watching others. As at the play barn event, we also placed “Connect Live” information boards in the Sports center reception so people could take a leaflet. We ended up giving away leaflets even to those who were not part of our event (but could well be in the future)!

Time – Sunday 4-6pm

Organizing – The craft activities took a bit to organise but the leisure centre were very helpful with booking the badminton instructors.

Adapt to You? – hire a court and invite a family you know, or perhaps one you would like to get to know, for a game of badminton.

Would I do it again? – Yes, but in a different venue. The craft room was quite small and there were a lot more adults than I’d anticipated wanting to play badminton. In hindsight, I’d have booked a third court for them. All in all, the children had a wonderful time and all came out very hot and sweaty.

It’s too cold to go out…. so don’t…. play Badminton ! Read More »

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