God of improv, EVOO and beer

Tonight my plans did not go as planned. I had crossed town by bike to join some Leading Ladies for some fellowship and mutual encouragement. I wasn't on top form last time so I hoped to arrive in better and more encouraging spirits. 

When I arrived it transpired that I had missed the memo: this happens a couple of times a year for me. I am still about a decade behind in terms of travel communications and smart phone updates. 

***YOU HAVE NOT REACHED YOUR DESTINATION***

I decided to hit the road and then work out where the wind would take me. First explore and if I got my bearings; a 40% chance for me on my current Glasgow trend, then arrive to the group some 20-30 minutes late.

Still on an unfamiliar road I spot a sweet little bar and felt the nudge of God to go in. Just as I was exploring maybe tonight was about me and Jesus.

***YOU HAVE REACHED THE DESTINATION INTENDED FOR YOU***

I locked my bike and went in. Soon ordered some olives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Balsamic and Sourdough bread slices and a Beer my Dad would have stomached- maybe enjoyed.

I perused the local magazine and found an ad for a chap offering 'intellectual' accompaniment; poetry, football, theology all featured as topics of interest. I thought this odd, then mused as the man who came in ahead of me fitted the bill. Key works in Christian language cropped up with him and the fella who joined him.

I pondered how I had been led by the wind, by unforeseen, inconvenient circumstances, yet I was here and available. I asked God what I could offer and thought about the theme of anointing that God is highlighting to me at this time.

'But I don't have any oil'

I had eaten my bread and soaked all the EVOO in the process, not that I had intended to. But that was easily remedied. Why do I seem to put such simple limitations on what God is asking of me? I requested more EVOO and approached the men.

I explained to them how I had got there tonight and that I am in a season of reflecting about what it means to be anointed to share the good news. I referred them to Isaiah 61 and the implications of this passage for those who witness the good news. I didn't know what their beliefs may be or whether their doctrine was undermined by my witness (I had just finished my beer). I left them the oil to receive or not as they desired. 

The anointing which I incited is not just a verbal transaction of cerebral understanding but a spiritual cross-pollenation. 

I had done all I felt necessary, it was up to them to choose. As I left I felt acutely aware that my life is and ever has been an example of redemption, God breaking through the disorder, disappointment and failure. I don't need to get it right, or succeed in my intentions all I need to do is keep my heart open to Him and His still small voice. 

The Lord desires to free people into the fullness of new life. 

Anointing is something Bob Ekblad writes about in his 2008 book 'A New Christian Manifesto'. This book is so much about what I am learning in this new chapter of my life. 

The Good News is so much more than the new covenant we enter into. It is not just a hope for eternity. There is more for people to receive than a mere atoning, future hope: there is the indwelling present hope; signs and wonders; an all surpassing peace that is imparted; inner healing; when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.

For many people, to know the truth that Jesus has loved them enough to die for them does not tangibly free them in their immediate debilitating circumstances. Many broken people are waiting for heaven when its already here but has not been offered to them. As a minister of the Good News I am fully convinced this is also part of my call.

What if being filled with the Spirit were available and intended for all believers and all people? What if you had earnestly sought the will of God your whole life and still felt there was something missing?

I am amazed how many people have lived for God, loved- deeply loved for God and don't yet know the joy of freedom in the Spirit that comes of Holy Spirit filling them. This does not have to be a one off.

These may not be the last days but Acts 2:17a reaffirms my conviction so I will conclude there.

In the last days, God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit on all people'. (NIV)

The offer of a rose

On my way last Friday I wondered what I would put in the slot of my new Glasgow rain proof satchel... As I left a pub that night I caught the eye of a man who seemed to be lacking hope and love. I told my friends how I had smiled at him but thought it inappropriate to go and chat more. As we parted the temptation to go back and tell him that God loves him was very was strong. 'but I have nothing to give him...' I said to God. 
Then, this guy in a group of people turned to me and said 'God loves you!' passing me a white rose. Without thinking I said 'no thanks'. 
God had given me something! 
Chaperoned by my new friends, 4 of us went back to go and tell him. We arrived and i began to tell him the story. 'I just want to tell you that God loves you...' He interupts me 'I know God loves me but he is not your God' ... I hadn't told him who my God was but he seemed to know and was very uncomfortable with us. 

As we left my Dutch friend guessed he was Finnish. 

So I will put the rose here to remember to pray. However his God loves him, ours is jealous! Please pray he finds freedom.

A weak Evangelist

Since I have moved to Scotland I have disclosed to a few people here that I am hesitant over taking a stranger through the sinner's prayer. I have no memory of ever taking a friend through the sinner's prayer either.
As someone who teaches on this subject I have a mixed feeling about admitting this. I have concerned people who perhaps understand this as me being unsure about my belief in Jesus as my one and only saviour- I am not; or that I think anyone who leads people to faith in this way is somehow wrong or forced- I do not. I have also concerned myself that I am perhaps unable to fulfil my job as an Evangelist.
However, there are a several hurdles in my culture and personal worldview that mean that I want to be very careful when I invite someone to 'give their life to Jesus' -with me, and repeating my words.

Firstly, many of the opportunities I reflect on as moments to whip out the 'give your life to Jesus!' line have been when my closest friends have been low, they have come to me, full of emotion and brokenness. They have been strangers on the edge of their world, fearing for their life and a hope for the future. Sometimes hardly able to choose a loaf of bread let alone make the biggest decision of their life. They have been people who are already on a journey with God, already wrestling with their creator on personal and gigantic issues.

Secondly, I often have an intense desire to see people liberated from their brokenness, to a personal relationship with Jesus, so I rush toward them, with my visual aid or love gift, full of the 'love of God' and all I believe He has for them on this exact occasion, and they are overwhelmed, stunned or alienated. I have not met them where they are, in what they are facing in their lives.

So I have resolved that pulling out the sinner's prayer has its time and occasion and probably needed more than I often recognise, but I desire to take someone through this because I have first observed what the Lord is saying to this person, what this decision and step will mean for them and that they will know who can support them as they join the most far-reaching, weird and wonderful family of this earth.

For this reason I consider myself a weak Evangelist because I don't believe I am currently walking closely enough to the Holy Spirit to minister to people. Whilst evangelism is part of how I worship God, acquainting souls with their King is not something I honestly believe I can do. Perhaps this is impossible for any of us but if it is possible it will only come out of being completely aligned to God's heart, God's voice and the stillest, smallest voice. It will never be down to how much I want it, or how many times I rehearse my speech.

No rain in Glasgow

 

Today was our first venture onto the streets of Glasgow. It was forecast rain but did not rain. But as we made ourselves available in the eventuality of rain we invited people to interact in a different way with the community of faith. I felt it was important to offer a different message to the others being spoken and discussed by Christians and other groups out today. We wanted Glasgow to know that they are loved and either through a free hug of just the invitation for someone to be heard. The general response was of amusement, people were flattered, some were quite moved and grateful. Billy sculpted some balloons for passers-by. Instead of feeling frustrated he demonstrated continued optimism and enthusiasm to bless people. My new friend has shown me the fun in free hugs which is a gift and I look forward to seeing God share much more with the people of Scotland through him in the near future.

' Have you got enough umbrellas there?'

Preparing for an 'outreach' can present it's own opportunities for inviting people to think about life differently. My bizarre behaviour scrabbling amongst several hundred umbrellas for the choiciest choices of polyester, steel and plastic stirred curiosity in one of the staff in a popular high-street shop.
He asked me if I had enough umbrellas, I told him about what I was doing and why. He was such a warm fella, very helpful and I enjoyed his humour and amusement at my expense.
As I went through the till I amused the shop assistant too. He cropped up again and informed me of his own experience of Church. That he used to go to Church but in recent years he felt the new minister was not as down to earth and relatable as the previous one. He was so honest with me. I felt so privileged to hear his story, it has given me anticipation for the give-away tomorrow.

Always be ready...

As I began my second week here in Glasgow, I was invited to host a missionary travelling around Glasgow for the week. I though this would be a good thing to settle me in and get accustomed to living here.
Toward the end of the week my guest and I had a chance to talk through our very differing experiences. later that day, the window cleaner made an appearance at the window of the kitchen where I was washing up after breakfast. with the window locked ajar, I jovially announced 'I need to pay you don't I?'
Suddenly, this very direct, quick-round conversation began where we exchanged sentences; I told him why I had newly arrived and that I am an evangelist, he asked me what that is and in the time it takes to clean a window all I could offer in response was-
'it's good news!'
I was not prepared for someone who does not have any concept of what an evangelist might be. At a loss for words and in a small window of time (pun incidental), I failed to offer any news or anything good.

Disappointed with myself I turned to another room and informed my American guest that my nation as a people is one that increasingly has little or no concept of what an evangelist is. Whether it is the case for this chap or not, I know that there is an increasing lack of knowledge of or exposure to the Gospel of Jesus. My concern to portray the faith well should not mean I do not offer it at all but on this occasion, the man went away with no news, good or bad, -nothing.

With this in mind I am keen to prepare. When people come to me perplexed as to what my modus operandi is, I will be ready for them.

Neighbourships

Last month my neighbour moved out. Just weeks before me. It was bittersweet because the 6 years we spent with a wall one-brick-thick between us often gave unpleasant insight into their life with their partner. Without going into detail, my neighbour used alcohol to medicate an overwhelming existence of grief and anger. Two separate nights prompted me to phone the police in the first year of being thrown alongside this couple; by life or by God perhaps. We didn't get off to a good start and I regularly considered the safety and welfare of these broken people; breaking each other in a perpetual torment of a relationship that seemed completely undesirable to me.

6 weeks ago he was sat on the bonnet of his car, stretched out like upon a sun-lounger of some European holiday resort, can in hand, pondering life.

'Go on then! Try your story on me!'

It had to be at the end of a long car journey that he wanted to hear what I had to say about God. We spent a fair while on the street, him on his car, me on the pavement, awkwardly conversing about his past, family and woes. Parting to our respective homes I was relieved to have survived a back breaking hug as he confessed his love for me and I admitted I loved him too. Time has allowed the wounds of 5 years earlier. In a way, love is a word to describe our relationship but I was relieved to part ways and end the conversation in peace.

Two further sessions of heart to hearts and apologetics followed as he invited himself into my living-room for more.

**please God how do I get out of this tangle?- You are going to have to hold the fort because I have no way of saving myself from escalation prompted by controversial conversation.**

The night ended with Paul, my God-send of a housemate having returned and joined us for an hour or so discouraging our friend from falling asleep on the sofa, head in Paul's lap- bevied. What a night!

Probably the most intimate conversation of the whole of our neighbour-ship and just days before we all leave. God only knows when these once in a lifetime chances occur.

...


To my great sadness, once again, my comfort and own business-minding is disrupted as our Neighbours in my new domicile, I am told, are prone to verbal conflict late at night... so I pray.

God's presence along the way

After half a year of anticipation, two months of sorting and several weeks of goodbyes I have finally moved to Glasgow. For several years the Light Project Network has sought to branch out and extend the work of the Light Project further by developing the training we offer in new locations. In September, together with Whiteinch Church of Scotland we launch Light Project Glasgow. It’s early August, less than 24 hours after I arrive in this new city, and I am reminded of my steps into Christianity.

Some years ago I took a summer job with a leafletting company in Dundee. I was preparing to move abroad and my sister invited me to live with her in Scotland; it was the summer I decided to follow Jesus. Moving back to Scotland for the first time in 9 years I remember the streets I walked, the communities I passed through and I remember a growing sense of belonging as God began to minister to years of living without Him. He was giving me a growing awareness of the importance of the decision I made. The towns I leafletted around Dundee experienced poverty I had never known, deprivation I had never seen. I also believe I was beginning to recognise what the wider importance of this gospel, as in what it could mean for them.

 

Being brought back to those memories made me quite emotional as I felt the Lord with me, impressing the importance of the message we, as people of the way, live and carry.

My role here, as I understand it so far, is to release and encourage people who have a heart to share their faith in their communities; in the way God is leading them. The people of Glasgow have their own way of worshipping God. Who am I to transpose my interpretation onto anyone here? I am looking forward to getting to know the people of God in Glasgow and asking ‘why not?’ with them as they dream of acquainting others to the deepest need of us all: a relationship with the living God.

I have several ideas about what form Light Project Glasgow might take. Part of my role will be to demonstrate Jesus to an area in Whiteinch. I will be completely dependent on the doors God opens for me; the people I meet along the way. There is no established community group I can join or obvious way to meet people so I believe the best way to advance will be to try to be myself as much as possible and offer friendship to people as I pray in the area. I won’t be lying about why I am there as I believe openness is the best course for being met with a positive or real response. I don’t need to impress people for Jesus nor do I need to apologise for him. In addition to this I am also very interested to learn more about how the Lord is discipling the recovery community here; an area of mission and evangelism close to my heart.

In essence I anticipate that Light Project Glasgow will be raw, transparent and honest. The harsh truth of our lives on earth cannot be avoided and I believe that to set out to respond to the needs, pain and brokenness people suffer with integrity is the only place we can begin.