The Tabernacle

Here I am in London, where it is clear that the multi-cultural factor is very advanced, there is such a dynamic mix of people here and many people we have met are actually second generational. ie they were born here in London. Phil who we are staying with is Chinese by ethnicity yet he was born and bought up in Liverpool, his wife was born in Vietnam yet grew up here. The nations are here.

I have just glanced at the Melbourne newspaper on-line and I noticed this article about Muslims getting a dedicated prayer space in a University. Helen & I have spend the last seven weeks traveling Germany and the UK, speaking about the importance of ‘Making Space both physical and time’ in our lives. Setting apart a physical space so that we can enhance our connection with God, how we excited we were to hear of the steps being taken to open such a space for God in Munich and here in Melbourne is a battle by some Muslims to also be given such a space.

Space is important, what we do with it is important. When space is given over and dedicated to a specific purpose, especially in the supernatural, it matters and it is important. Lets not as Chrsitians be last in this.

I have just spent 6 hrs with a friend who is discovering huge depth and intimacy with God through Ancient Coptic lines and traditions. There is such beautiful depth and love and knowledge of Jesus to be found here, in the Catholic lines too. We need to mine for the Gold and not let our arrogance rob us of this depth and tradition. It’s all about Jesus! It’s all about Jesus! It’s all about Jesus!

Here is the link

“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, And to enquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4

The one thing.

In 2004, in the midst of some of the darkest days of my life, I found myself by the hand of God, living for 6 weeks in a Tabernacle in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was during this time, that I received a word that would define my life.

I was introduced for the first time in my life to the idea of ministering to the Lord. I was a missionary kid, so I knew all about ministering FOR the Lord, but to consider that we could minister TO the Lord, was to become a reality that would forever change my life & its course.

This has become the one thing I desire. My pursuit, to find out what it means to minister to the Lord & do it.

Part of ministering to the Lord is to behold His beauty. The word behold here means not only to gaze at, but also to prophesy. What we declare, effects what what we see.

The one thing I have desired is to know the way into His presence, into the inner courts especially without external assistence (ie music). This personal pursuit has determined everything about my life & it is this personal, individual God history that can never be shared or given away.

Others may taste of the fruit of our personal God history, but they can not share in it. This is an intensely personal thing, yet it is out of this that our lives are shaped & defined. To minister to Him, to love Him personally, not only corporately. And it is to this that we are all invited.

Ministering to Him, loving Him was the first & greatest commandment said Jesus. What an incredible, humbling thing to consider that we can minister to Him, the King of Kings!

As we do this, God is redefined & so are we! We become a transformed people from ministering to Him.

This is the one thing. Longing, yearning, wanting somehow to minister to Him.

Right now I am sitting in a house just near Luton on the outskirts of London.

It is a miracle of God’s provision as we were going to stay in Cambridge over Easter, but the people we were to stay with had not finished renovations on their house and the situation with them, while incredibly generous was not looking like it was going to supply us with any rest. After 5 weeks on the road we really need this Easter break.

We had a couple of appointments with YWAM leaders over here (an hour and a bit away) and Ina told us that a house was available as the owner was in Melbourne, Australia (if you don’t mind) visiting family.

So once again we are experiencing Gods amazing rent free provision of a double story house this time in England.

God you are amazing and I Love living my life for you, and while it is stretching I love living in a space where we look to you to see your hand instead of filling in the gaps ourselves, thank you God that you are good and real and that you love to intervene and show your love and care.

On Tuesday we drive to Scotland, then York, then home after a few days in London.

Greetings from London!

After 3 1/2 weeks in Germany, we’ve just arrived in the UK. Today we shared with the Chinese Church of London. We had a great time. Many made decisions to pursue the adventure of walking with Jesus.

As we were driven home, our host who works as a financial manager here in London was sharing of his experience over these last months since the global economic crisis hit. A very interesting discussion!

But with the conversation in full swing as we drove by Buckingham Palace & the glamour of Kensington, I grew increasingly uncomfortable. My mind, focus & spirit drawn more & more from an awareness of the presence of God to an awareness of the world & systems of men. My spirit began to cry out.

In this time of change, we don’t need any new heroes or new structures! We simply need a bigger revelation of the majesty, power, and compassion of Christ Jesus.

We can magnify the stuff of men. We can magnify ourselves. In fact we can magnify anything we want to. But where will that lead us?

Or we can magnify Jesus! And then we are in the realm of God & this is where the real action, the real adventure, the real life begins!

God is setting the scene for the miraculous in the western world on a scale we have not seen in some time. It is an invitation to a bigger revelation of Jesus Christ!