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Saturday, 14 January 2012

rejoice

There aren't many things I will spend a lot of money on. Maybe a good pair of leather boots or a flight to see a good friend, but I don't go out to eat much. I don't buy too many extravagant things.

But I have to say when I went to see Coldplay last month, those were expensive tickets.

And I don't regret it at all.

Being in the Manchester Arena with 20,000 people is something I love to do... the energy, the lights, the sounds... and the excitement of hearing your favorite music performed live. I loved it.

What impressed me the most was watching Chris Martin on stage. If you see him in interviews, he is typically British...not hugely dramatic, self-effacing on cue and witty in all the right places, and a bit understated--well, at least compared to the average American who uses their hands, has huge inflections and tends to speak a little too loudly.

But get Chris Martin on a stage and he is having a PARTY. He is dancing and moving the whole time. There is nothing understated about him in a concert. And what becomes apparent to everyone watching him is how much he loves it all. He is actually rejoicing and dancing and skipping. I found myself wanting to join him. I had great joy just in watching him.

Now, I have heard people accuse my worship leading style as "American." Part of that is they think that I'm leading worship from my personality. But truthfully, when I started leading worship, I could hardly smile on stage. I was not a happy person the first few years of my Christian life and found it hard to find joy in Jesus. I couldn't fake it. I couldn't put on a happy face when I led worship. But the longer I have walked with God, the more I have learned to ENJOY God's presence and really rejoice in Him. But it's not about an American style...it's a reflection on the real freedom I have found in knowing God.

So I understand Chris Martin... he is not bound by his culture at all. It's not about personality. But as soon as the music begins to play... he is loving it. He can't help but move and rejoice in what he is doing. He is childlike in it...able to really let the music carry him away.

How much more has God got to share with His people about rejoicing...whether we are Americans, Brazilians or British..it doesn't matter. God wants to show us what it means to have "fullness of joy" in His presence and have that same childlikeness.

I cannot help but laugh sometimes in worship, and it's certainly not about my culture, but it has everything to do with enjoying who God is in that moment and realizing this is what I'm created to do. So I just let myself get carried away like Chris Martin.

Our inheritance in Jesus is to be the most FREE and JOYFUL people in the world.

Thursday, 11 August 2011

WHERE IS THE HOPE?

Sometimes in Berlin I can get caught up in the great NEEDS all around. There is such a contrast here to where I live in York. York carries a sweet innocence that Berlin lost a long time ago. I was thinking about how dirty and broken this city is. And I realize that the innocense and the light is carried in the hearts of believers...it is displayed in each of us who carries Christ.

It is meant to be showcased through God's people! We are to be so different here. Sometimes we are overcome with evil rather than overcoming the evil with God's goodness. It's so easy after being in Berlin for a while to become as hard and as cynical and as negative as the people all around. It's in the faces of people walking by...and in the eyes of the person who didn't hold open the door or the waittress who slammed down the bill for your coffee. There is a desperation around us and people are hurt and angry.

But God wants us to be bringers of life in the midst of all this garbage! When I was in Spain recently, very often I would pass a little town on a hill...and you could see it for miles on the hill..with a gorgeous church on the top for all to see. And I couldn't help thinking of the scripture "a city set on a hill cannot be hidden." God has called us to be bold about the hope we have. "Always be ready to give a reason for the hope that you have..." People are dying here to hear some good news and we have and it should be something so obvious. We don't have to hide who we are! We can be matter-of-fact and straight with people about who we are and what we have! We have the greatest hope in the world.

I think that's why I lost my fear of man. I used to have to gather up my courage when I did evangelism in the city. I realized as I went out to witness on Tuesday evening that I don't have a hard time engaging people in converation. I can't help thinking...maybe this is the time God will break through in someone's life and "how will they hear if there is no preacher..?"

I'm praying for Berlin and for my friends here...that they would be strengthened with fresh hope today! How Jesus loves this city and His people here.

Rom 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

Rom 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Rom 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

Rom 8:27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Time with Jesus

I had one of the most extraordinary weekends two weeks ago.

Since I've only been in York one year and am in my 40's, I don't have many opportunities to make friends my own age. Most people in my age group are married, busy or have their own circle of friends. It's hard to find someone who needs a new friend. My YWAM team here in York is also quite young and it's just different having fellowship with people who are closer to my age.

So two weeks ago I couldn't find anyone to hang out with on a Saturday. I'm quite an extrovert and though I can spend time on my own, it's not my preference. On Friday night I was a bit discouraged when God reminded me about this prophetic worship day in Halifax called "The Lion's Roar." So I prepared for the day in anticipation. I didn't feel like I was going alone at all. I could feel Jesus was right there wtih me in the car as I drove listening to a podcast, and when I arrived, it was powerful worship.

Although the day was meant to go until 4, I left at 2 feeling like I was ready for some shopping and exploring in the city. I walked around downtown Halifax with Jesus and enjoyed the day. Normally I wouldn't enjoy going on my own but I really felt Jesus so close. There is a sense sometimes when you're on your own that you wish you had someone to share your experience with...and I had that sense of fullness and joy the whole day. Really, the sense was of being in love and having an intimate day with your beloved. I'll take that over any day full of lots of people!!

Tuesday, 14 June 2011

Outward "wrapping"

I love Germans because they are so forthright and honest. Very often they have no idea that they shouldn't be. They just say it like it is and they just blurt it out. If you ask them a direct question, expect an honest answer without "wrapping."

I heard the word "wrapping" from a German friend of mine a few years back. He used to describe all the "wrapping" as the extra bits you say before you say what you really want to say...

For example:

Would you like to stay for coffee?

Direct answer: No, I've gotta run.

Indirect and "wrapped answer": "Oh that would be lovely but I'm afraid I've got to run just now..."

Sometimes my German friend would ask me, "Did I put enough wrapping?"

Now, British people have a lot of wrapping. "You don't suppose that...? " "Would it be all right if...?" "If it's not too much trouble, would you mind..?"

I have to say I don't have this kind of 'wrapping' at all and truth be told, I am more German in my communication.

And although this may seem rude to people...the truth is that I usually mean what I say. And more importantly, I'm inclusive.

I may not always be tactful...but I think there is something more important than tact, or politeness or "wrapping."

Being aware of others and the needs around you is more important than the outward packaging. Greeting someone and sticking around to hear how they are doing...talking to someone who is not necessarily in your "friendship" circle but who may be a stranger or someone who feels like they are on the outside...or being inclusive about your time with people...these are the true test of whether someone is really loving and polite on the inside.

Anyone can use the right packaging...but when it comes to including a stranger, or taking time to be generous with someone you don't know well...that takes character and the love of God. I think those things are the test of who we are inwardly and go beyond culture.

Anyway, these are some thoughts that I've had the past few days.

Sunday, 05 June 2011

my thoughts these days

I guess I'm always processing life in England but in another way it's all way too familiar.

I'm not sure how long I'll be here! I never planned on England and this is all unchartered territory!I even felt guilty when I first moved here because it was too easy. As a missionary, I'm used to things being a lot more painful and difficult. This felt like a bit of a vacation... the spiritual atmosphere is so light here in York and the people so open and friendly...a far cry from Berlin.

One thing I've noticed is that I dont take very many pictures of new places in the country. I have this sense of "I know this place" and "I'm coming back here."
You only do that when you're home, which is a frightening thought in many ways because I'm far from home. Why is this place so easy?

Truthfully, if I begin to think about it too much I realize that none of the relationships I have in York are much older than a year. My existence here really begain in April 2010 and before that there was no Lisa Cuellar. What I find astounding is how quickly I've managed to weasel my way into YWAM England and life in York, although the though has crossed my mind.. easy in, easy out...

The only thing I'm really missing right now is warmer weather. I could use a good hot summer...sigh. Will it happen? My friends in Berlin and I are trying to sort out a vacation in Mallorca if we can do it affordably ;)

Beyond that...I'm feeling very good these days. God is here with me. I've had the best weekend with Jesus I've had in ages. And He's speaking to me. And that is the one place I always feel welcome...in His presence.