Stepping up!

It is so easy to get distracted and knocked off course! I had a really good night with Outside Light last night. I had been feeling discouraged that gospel conversations weren't always resulting in the outcome I wanted. This is not my job, I have been tasked with proclaiming the truth not the results, not the way people react. It is a bit like working in a restaurant and being told to peel the potatoes and then getting upset that people aren't eating the carrots, its got nothing to do with me.

Jesus told us to GO into all the world and proclaim the gospel, that's it, he does the rest! Thanks to Phil H for reminding me of this.

I had a really clear gospel conversation last night and the boy asked me for the next bit to the story, "I really want to know the next bit, what do I have to do.." I pray that he went home that night and got on his knees and prayed.

Have lots of dates for outreach and equipping in the diary so just need the people now!

Alpha starts tonight
Amplify 3rd Oct - www.amplify-uk.com
11th Oct - 10.00am outreach at St Johns
12th Oct - 11.30 am equipping session and valuable teaching
1st Nov - Outreach, town wide at St Johns
16th Nov - Asif Mall, sharing your faith with Muslims @11.30am St Johns

Gave a tract out after shopping and the bloke was very perplexed that I should be giving him something for nothing, he couldn't quite work it out. I pray it builds a foundation with him, that other can build on.

Psalm 103, we are but grass in the field, here today, gone tomorrow so make the most of today!

God overflows with grace

It has been an interesting few days. Sunday was an Outside Light barbecue and it was great, only reservation was I had to preach at the evening service so my heart was in overdrive and I wasn't great company! It was great to meet some more of my brothers in arms family and get to know people better, we also got the chance to view the promotion video and it looks good.

I have been challenged to stop looking at God as someone who is ticking off lists or shaking his head everytime I get something wrong. God is totally for those that turn to him and surrender, He is our Father not our dictator. He loves us not because he needs something from us but because he overflows with his goodness, there is no bad in him. He is holy and that is awesome.

Last couple of nights have been out with Outside Light and Monday was a challenge, some of the team had taken some hits and we went out with the walking wounded. Other members had gone missing in action and we continue to pray that more soldiers would be enlisted.

On Monday there was a group of lads who had a few beers and were talking very derogatory about women and to be honest nothing worse than I have ever said in the past, however an anger rsoe in me at the offense that this caused Jesus. I think we often forget that treating people in this way hugely offends God, it hurts him, he cries over it. I get a sudden sense of this as they were talking and so I went over and said "You've just broken the law", they looked a bit worried as to what law they had broken, it then paved the way to talk about sin and the gospel. A debate started with a gentleness and respect that lasted most of the time I was there. My background has been in sales, however I want to encourage people that sharing your faith is not a sales game. We are called to speak the truth, to tell people the news, I prefer to think of myself as a news reader, telling people the facts. God does anywork of convicting, changing, shaping, moulding, death to life stuff. Just tell them the truth. I think half the battle comes when we try and water down the gospel because we think it wont appeal, we soften our language so it doesn't sound too bad, we talk of Jesus helping with life and giving us purpose, all the while the gospel looses its life giving power! It is true that being with Jesus is great, it is true that you have purpose. However the gospel in its simplest form should include - What is sin, What Jesus has done, what we must do and consequence of not, the cost of following Christ.

I also followed up on some old contacts on Monday from our church door knocking programme, there were some really positive results and a willingness to talk. Please pray that people will keep their promises and come along to hear God's word.

Tuesday I met up with a contact at Christ Church and he is really keen for the evangelism teams from the different churches to come along to St Johns outreach, get some training and support one another. Great news and looking forward to that development.

I also went to see some of the team at Emmaneul Mayford and they went to pick up the priority of Evangelism and develop this within their church, it is really exciting. They want to use some of the resource at St Johns and things are starting to roll....

Tuesday night, there were pockets of gospel sharing going on all over the place. It started as looking like a slow evening with only a few out. However before long, people were giving out tracts, talking about science and religion and generally getting God on the agenda. At the start of the evening one of the young people now joins us for prayer and then at the end of the evening two others joined for prayer. This is quite something and I pray these lives are saved by Christ.

Just got back from Winston and had some good conversations and opportunities. They still love the coins and as soon as you get them out it draws a crowd. Pray that they will understand the message and be drawn to Christ rather than the coins!

Going into Winston CU now and then off for a talk this evening, God is great.

Ordained moments and meetings...

This week has been a mixed bag of highs and lows, fears and grace. We had our Outside Light meeting last week (www.outsidelight.blogspot.com) we are fast approaching setting up as a registered charity and exciting times ahead, our publicity video is nearing its completion, the team seems to be growing.

I guess it makes sense that this week was a bit of a low, there weren't many young people out on Monday and I was feeling really tired. My eyes were firmly fixed on me, I had not got centred on Christ and the truth is it affected me on Monday as I went out in my own ability. I am glad I failed, it taught me a valuable lesson. Keep your eyes fixed on the author and perfector of our faith, everything else pales next to Him. I am speaking at the service on Sunday and God has graciously been teaching me this week that my joy and his glory are wonderfully intertwined, they work together, God is totally for His glory and therefore he is totally for me! A key verse for me over the last few weeks has been Heb 11:6 -And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Wow!

So if we want to please Christ, we need to trust him, believe that he exists and that coming to him means he is going to give us something! That reward is...Him. Keep seeking him.

I have had some great opportunities this week, I was having a pray walk around the village and asked for a opportunity with someone. Next thing a chap was walking alongside me, I initroduced myself and told him what my job was and we began a conversation about the gospel. My route in was to talk about creation and then discuss the ten commandments and explaining what Christ has done for him. He took a small booklet and was really intrigued as to how I came to faith.

Wednesday I went into Winston churchill school for the 2nd time and it was great, I have some gospel tracts on silver coins and they love them. They were flocking over and it gave me a chance to discuss morals and some of the gospel with them, I also gave out some challenging small books on turning to Christ. Please pray for clear opportunities with people. I saw my old PE teacher who didn't recognise me at first, I told him my name then he exclaimed "George Osborn, but you've got no hair!" Thanks Mr Harrison!! Another opportunity though to explain what I was doing and it would be great to get alongside him.

The harvest is plentiful. I was walking back to church from lunch and smiled at an elderly gentleman and he asked where I lived, strange question but it gave me the go ahead to ask him a few. We discussed life and then religion and creation, I invited him to a course at the church but he doesn't come out at night. I gave him a book on Why Christianity please pray he reads it and is challenged.

I saw Peter Searle this week and he is such a humble man of God. He asked me for prayer as he has 5 people who may be interested in Alpha, he said if they cannot make it he may run the course in the old peoples home himself, go for it Peter. Amazingly encouraging for me, keep the main thing the main thing. Christ. Please pray for Peter, he has such a faith and commitment to Christ, he needs our support.

I am looking to follow up some of the contacts our church has made with the community over the years, next week and would value your prayers and support.

I met with Asif the new Across worker for Woking and he is a great guy with some real insight into the Muslim faith and some amazing information for showing the truth. If you want advice or help he is the man, he does a weekly TV show in Erdu on Sky television and is therefore known by some of the muslims. A target therefore who needs our prayers. I am hoping to get him down to give some training in the near future...

I am going to be starting up a monthly workshop at our church to equip and train, challenge and motivate the church to prioritise evangelism. So if you want to come along please give me a shout it is on the 12th Oct @ 11.30am...

Our next group outing into the village is happening on the 11th Oct

Bryn Howarth (http://members.aol.com/brynsongs/) is visiting us on the 4th of Oct and tickets still available if you want a great evening of entertainment let me know.

Opportunities everywhere...

Have been trying to set up wireless broadband this week, nightmare, speaking with the phone companies, vendors, manufacturers etc etc. However it struck me what a great opportunity to sharing the gospel, there I am answering loads of questions how about they answer a few too!!

I had a great chat with a Indian man, a spirit filled moment, I prayed with him at the end and I told him he needed to get a Bible, he was touched. Take the plunge and ask what they think life is all about and it is really interesting talking to people and hearing their views...

Keep me posted.

Telling others...

In a few weeks I am going to help out at a evangelism training day in South Wales. A few months ago I met with one of my hereos of the faith, Tony Anthony, I read his testimony some years back and it had a big impact on me getting more involved with the church and staying on course.

Tony has agreed to endorse my ministry and provide support for me, he wants to mentor me over the coming months. There is lots that I can learn from him, he has written the book "Taming the Tiger" and he travels the world to share his testimony but more importantly the gospel. He is a humble man with a big heart. Please pray this relationship bears much fruit for the Kingdom. He has some great teaching on evangelism and a passion to see people turn to Christ.

Go and make disciples of all nations...

I don't know about you but when I read the passage where Jesus commands us to go into all the nations I get images of Christians donning their rucksacks, packing up home and venturing off to the four corners. I do not think this is what Jesus had in mind, what is a nation - A nation is a human cultural and social community (according to Wikipedia!!). If this is the case then we have nations surrounding us here in sunny Woking in the bucket load...

Last night was Outside Light in Old Woking. My day leading up to this had been somewhat strange and as I settle into my new role one of the challenges I am facing is being able to switch off, knowing when work stops and rest starts, trying to find those quiet moments to re-charge. In all honesty I felt really tired, arriving at Old Woking was encouraging, not in ways you might expect. Everyone was feeling awful, tired, family issues, work obstacles, illness and so on. We had prayed the night before for a big night, we were expecting more from God we just hoped it would be someone else doing it! As we have learnt before, these are usually the best nights, when we are at our weakest God is at his strongest.

We decided to visit the young lad's family, the lad that is in prison. We approached the house and were once again welcomed in. We had been speaking with the prison about arranging an official visit, this option was only open to official ministers. Tonight we wanted to talk to the family about visiting and see how the young lad was.

We spent the next hour in a God ordained, Holy Spirit filled, Jesus centred meeting of people. This gypsy/traveller family were so open and welcoming and it was fascinating to hear about their backgrounds, their stories, their lives. The Mum has a strong background of knowing Jesus personally herself although this was some 20 years ago, when she spoke of it there was a tenderness and from my part you could see Jesus in her albeit tucked away. She had been a committed Christian, however another family had treated them appaulingly, death threats, accusations and all the hallmarks of Satan's handiwork. Unfortunately this had created unforgiveness and eventually this kept her away from the church, if your reading this please pray with all your might and wrestle with the Lord for him to bring his daughter back. The young lads sister was there and she kept saying "this is really nice, I am really enjoying talking to yous, keep praying for us". We prayed for them at the end and it was a touching moment, my heart was so touched for this family by God when I was praying and all through the night. The sister went off and brought back a leather bookmark that she wanted to give us, it was a real token of how touched she had been. This was a present bound for her brother but she wanted to give it to us. They have talked about coming to church, keep praying.

Before we go out each evening we pray and talk through the plan. Two of the young girls who we usually meet, arrived at the church and wanted to join us. We asked them to wait in the lounge as we didn't want them to know the initmate details of those we were praying for, however halfway through they entered the room and sat there praying with us. We prayed for them. The room was full of the Holy Spirit and it was a special moment. One of the girls said to me afterwards, "did you pray for me because you love me". My answer is not important, God is touching their hearts.

Nancy and Helen had some special moments with some of the young people on the rec, some persecution too. There is a sense of deepening relationships and a bonding between us on the team as we go out to serve, I felt so much unity in our struggles and supporting each other. Helen and Nancy had some one on one time with some of the girls and the difference in their mood when they came back was tangible.

I hope as you read this you don't feel that we are parading good deeds before men, announcing our news with trumpets. We really want to encourage people, more than anything, that God is moving and he is using us ordinary, sin filled, jars of clay to do his work and it is amazing and inspiring. We want you to share in that, come and join us. Take that plunge...

Faith jumps, fear looks!

I am now officially 3 days in to my new job and although I appreciate these are early days, I think I have found the best job in the world! There are going to be some huge challenges along the way, I can see them coming, however I cannot wait! Nothing to do with me simply that God has put a spark in my heart and a desire for this work that is unquenchable at the moment.

Monday saw my first staff meeting, relaxed, peaceful and not in the least bit competitive, something that is far removed from the business world. I then had some admin bits to do and later a meeting with John Durrant of Holy Trinity to talk about Amplify (www.amplify-uk.com) and Outside Light (www.outsidelight.blogspot.com). The evening was a big event in OL calender, a end of term barbecue, let me quote some of the write up from that evening because God is awesome and He moved...

Not for the first time I felt dazed when arriving at the rec. We have faith that there is some sort of plan before we arrive but you just don't know what you're going to arrive into. For a bit of fun, try and picture us as an army, God's army going into battle; weapons of the Spirit ready, barbecues armed, hot chocolate machine on, sword of God's word ready to fire. We didn't quite arrive in helicopters, however I think that what we do on a Monday parallels quite nicely with the approach an army might take to a theatre of war situation. What struck me last night (other than a beautifully cooked burger), was that on arrival it was hard to know where to begin. Picture groups all over the field; where do you 'attack' first? I radioed for back-up, my commanding officer sent me off in a couple of directions, (not both at the same time, thankfully).

He is a great commander as he knows exactly what is happening all the time, what to do, where the biggest need is. I saw my colleague Captain Hazelden off in the car park conducting an information raid. I found an area where the young lads were coming to me, telling me stuff about their lives, talking about starting college etc. One lad was scared of being in a minority, he doesn't like big groups - which was kind of ironic given the feeling the residents have about him and his friends. He fired a shot of reincarnation at me when I asked him what he thought life was all about, we kept getting interrupted by sniper attacks and I couldn't get a decent shot off. My commanding officer assured me he had some inside information and this man would soon be back in our cross-hairs. It wasn't long before operation Outside Light had thrown in a couple of smoke bombs, the smell of the barbecue hit the car park and drew the crowd over to the field.

Brigadier Durrant was flying back and forth to barracks bringing in supplies. Field Marshalls Hill and Pepper were cooking up a storm on the barbecue. But the distraction and genuine acts of love and kindness had lowered the barriers for me to come in with some heavy artillery, I hit about 20 of the young people with gospel tracts. One group were determined to fight back and I took a couple of hits, persecution and ridicule mixed in with some swearing. I radioed in to my commanding officer, He sent the weapon of mass construction, (the Holy Spirit), closely followed by this group asking me some great questions. The Holy Spirit enabled me to share the gospel with the four of them, the big guns came out and they were really struck by this black book with the words "holy Bible" written on it. It penetrated and we were soon into some deep debate, I was struggling to hold all of them, then Major H Morrow swooped in to cover the rear and was engaged in battle with two of them, which allowed me time to focus on the other two.

We had a great conversation, one of the lads allowed me to link up with our Commanding Officer and to pray for him, I challenged him to do his own praying at home later that night. I loved it; no, I love Jesus; I love Him. Before I go into battle I hate the thought, I dread the conversations, I am not sure how I am going to start them; but if any of us didn't feel fear and anticipation then it would be all about us. Thankfully it is all about Christ - without him none of us would be here and we would certainly not be talking to these people in power without Him!

We are part of an army, lets not give up fighting the good fight. Operation Outside Light needs more soldiers; full training given, the best weaponry in the universe provided, survival not guaranteed, rewards are immeasurable...let me lay a challenge, if God said he would give you £10,000 every time you went out or shared the gospel would you do it? I am ashamed to say I know I would do more, yet we are serving something of infinitely more value than money and with infinitely greater reward...Outside Light needs you, God wants you!

I let you look around the Outside Light blog for the rest and what happened on Tuesday night!

The rest of the week has involved meeting up with some contacts, hooking up with one of young people from the church who said something profound about the journey I had been up until this week - "Sometimes you need to go off and be on top of the mountain and survey the valley, the valley being what you are going to and the mountain top being some time you spend with God getting prepared then off you go into your mission" - He didn't know that last week God had called me up a my own mountain, I had sat on top of a huge hill and spent some amazing time in prayer with God. He was now confirming the mission.

I have had some great conversations on the door in the parish, it is just great talking to people about eternal things rather than earthly things. I had a good conversation with a Muslim outside Winston Churchill who believed his goodness would allow him to go to heaven. We discussed whether we had both broken the Ten commandments and the reality that none of us are good, it opened up some real thought and he took a book I offered...

I met with the area Evangelism co-ordinator too and she has given me some great ideas, I hope I her too.

I am trying out a new motto that I read in a book recently, faith jumps, fear looks! I like it, not always easy but when God catches you it takes your breath away...

Ephesians 3:14...

Keep looking to Christ