by emma | Nov 13, 2006 | Faith
Communities that give hope, give life.
That is on my mind right now. I am in Ireland. Today I went to my church here, Causeway Coast Vineyard. I think the more I am away and seeing other churches, the more I realise how much I love and am blessed by CCV.
Now I am throwing myself into Glasgow Westend Vineyard. A wonderful place. I’m excited about getting more involved, getting to know people better, getting to know God better through it and through people.
I’m convinced that church is at it’s best when it’s giving itself away.
(I’m pretty sure I’ve stolen that statement from someone else, but their name evades me currently!) When the church gives itself away. Cares for the hurting and dirty and dying. When we forgo our wants and desires and instead go after the lost. When we make caring for them a priority. Proclaiming freedom to the captives and healing to the hurting.
Those are communities that give hope. Hope that there is a better way. Hope that there will be a better day. Hope that what God promised, he will bring about. Hope that all is not lost, all is not in vain.
Yes, hope.
“Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously”
[Jesus, Matthew 10]
by emma | Nov 10, 2006 | Faith, Words
A cry.
A cry lies within us in the depth of a place which we cannot touch.
Waiting to escape the enclosed gates of our expression.
Something is happening inside of us, beyond what we can articulate.
So we respond. We respond to You; we respond to You Jesus.
In Your pure light I have come out of the shadows of darkness.
You alone are the one that can satisfy.
Seeping every vacant space inside of me: reality.
In You, in me in You. I try to imagine forever.
And at a certain point my brain stops, but that’s You–forever being, forever existing, forever knowing You.
Before there was anyone, anything, and You–and after everything there is no more: You.
My thoughts can’t even fully comprehend You,
so whatever praise my thoughts begin, my spirit has to complete.
And every time I take in a breath, I discover You.
That the same breath I’m breathing originated inside of You.
So I breathe You in. Because You take me in Jesus.
In Your pure light I have come out of the shadows of darkness.
You alone satisfy.
Seeping into every vacant space inside of me–try to imagine forever.
That’s You: forever being, forever existing, forever knowing You.
Before there was anyone, anything, You. After everything there was is no more: You.
And every time I take in a breath…
And every time I take in a breath, I discover You.
I breathe You in, because You take me in.
We breathe You in, because You take us in…
To be still and breathe that You are God.
Spoken Word, written by Amena Brown
by emma | Nov 10, 2006 | Everything Else
I am tired.
I was going to post now. But I have realised how tired I am. So now I’m not.
Tomorrow I shall return to Ireland for the first time in about 2 months. I’m curious as to how I will feel.
Goodnight.
by emma | Nov 7, 2006 | Everything Else
The report is done!
I’m listening to “Elusive” by Scott Matthews currently. I really love this song! I’m not sure why, just really nice acoustic song with great lyrics.
“She’s elusive and I’m awake,
You’re finally real, there’s nothing fake.
A mystery now to me and you,
Open my eyes and I’m next to you.
She said my destiny lies in the hands that set me free.”
I think I am beginning to understand mystery more (I know that is an oxymoron, but hopefully you know what I mean!). Why it is important and the likes.
“Like the sun at noonday, mysticism explains everything else by the blaze of its own victorious invisibility.”
GK Chesterton
by emma | Nov 6, 2006 | Uni
I am currently working hard trying to write a report for computer science, having designed and evaluated a new wiki. It’s hard going! Heading down to the uni library after tea to encourage myself to work more efficiently! On a little aside, the library is open to 2am… is anyone there at 2am at this time of the year??
I made it to church last night (yes, after the crazy, lack-of-sleep CU houseparty), and I’m so glad I did. Vineyard has quite a different feel about it in the evenings. I can’t quite put my finger on it. It reminded me of a quote from Mark Batterson’s new book,
That is what worship does. It changes the spiritual atmosphere. It charges the spiritual atmosphere.
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