A Holy Seed

by emma | Apr 26, 2007 | Faith

Following the Urban Expressions meeting on Monday night, the group of 4 of us who went to the open evening ended up on top of a hill in Anniesland overlooking Glasgow, praying and worshiping. That’s where Hope City comes in. Glasgow is a place of brokenness, a place known as Stab City. No longer. Her new name is Hope City.

The image comes from Isaiah 6, where Isaiah has a vision of God, the Holy One, and is overwhelmed with his brokeness. In essence it is Isaiah’s calling, but what to? He is to deliver a message to the people – that God will harden their hearts, and the people wont understand it. Isaiah, understandably, asks how long this will last for… something I think all 4 of us have asked, either for Glasgow or for other places on our hearts (Ahoghill, Dundonald, Govan, Kigali to name a few). God’s response? Not a very encouraging one it would seem…

Then I said, “For how long, O Lord?”
And he answered:
“Until the cities lie ruined
and without inhabitant,
until the houses are left deserted
and the fields ruined and ravaged,
until the LORD has sent everyone far away
and the land is utterly forsaken.
And though a tenth remains in the land,
it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”

[Isaiah 6:11-13]

This vision will come to pass…

Hope City

by emma | Apr 24, 2007 | Faith

Oh so much to share…. but not now. Too little time. Here’s a few hints:

An open evening.

“Suburban heresy: seperating social justice and evangelism.”

A hill. In the middle of the night. For 3 hours.

“Jesus lives – here’s a toaster!”

A New Glasgow.

Hope City instead of Stab City.

Isaiah 6.

A Holy seed.

Rwanda.

Meditations on Chronicles

by emma | Apr 22, 2007 | Faith

I’ve been reading through Chronicles over the last few weeks. Thought I’d share some thoughts on it…

There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count!
[2 Chron 5:6]

I love the fact that they lost count of what they sacrificed. There’s this atmosphere that permeates through Chronicles of everything being God’s to start with, of not offering sacrifices that cost us nothing, etc. I can almost picture the scene… a guy turns to the man beside him, “How many sheep is that now?” “Oh, I’ve no idea!” What would it be like to be so in awe of God that our natural response is to sacrifice, and to keep sacrificing… without counting how much we’re doing. Maybe it’s breaking the idea of, “If I sacrifice so many goats, I’ll earn my way into heaven” or something. Lose count… thats the challenge for me. Reminds me of Jesus’ words, don’t let your right hand know what your left hand’s doing.

At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.
[2 Chron 5:13-14]

God’s presence is overwhelming. When God comes, we should be consumed. Our first response is to fall face down. Then that should move us into action. Our hearts responding to his revelation. What a joy. What a privilege.

He stood on the platform, and then he knelt in front of the entire community of Israel and lifted his hands toward heaven.
[2 Chron 6:13]

Can you grasp what that’s actually saying? The king of the nation most feared is on his knees in front of everyone. Talk about setting an example. I want to live a life that is servant-hearted and open and upfront in all I do. I want to set an example in my life, my love, in my faith, and in my purity.

I’m so bored of little gods
While standing on the edge of
something large
While standing here, so close to You
We could be consumed

[How Great – David Crowder Band]