how exciting!! (a nice long blog!)

well, i have officially stopped crying (nothing personal, i just felt it was time!) and am now very excited! the work that began last week is inspiring and real- real is the key phrase to describe the work God is doing. last week we took christian bands/ bands of christians to do gigs in a variety of bars in Glasgow, incl Firewater, Stereo and Elliott's. it was real. it wasn't intrusive evangelism; we weren't trying to get people to come into 'church' where things are unfamiliar and often not overtly friendly; we didn't preach or read scripture or proclaim the message of salvation from a pulpit. we played some gigs, shared our passion for music, and chatted to the punters.
and from that stemmed the opportunity to share our faith, and beliefs and love for God, who for many is as far from their minds as counting how many sheets of toilet paper are on a roll! traditional evangelism... thankfully not! but God used us to reach out to people and some of the conversations had were challenging, inspiring and beautiful. my dad had the opportunity to pray for a complete stranger in the middle of Glasgow city centre, on a thursday night, as bars were emptying and God was moving.

i have been challenged on my whole concept of 'mission work' and what it means. i think so often its easy to limit our ideas to working with children or in orphanages or building wells and houses in foreign countries. all extremely worthwhile work, which can considerably impact many, but not the only way. God has called us to 'go and make disciples of all nations'; to love Him and love others. let's think outside the box...

the nite i was challenged on my dreams and future, kenny borthwick set us an interesting notion. that instead of having churches and ministries where we focus on filling gaps, and finding people to do the job, often by squeezing them into a mold someone else has formed and left, we need to build churches and ministries based on people's gifts and dreams.

what are the things you are passionate about? what excites and motivates you? what are you gifted at doing?

for me it is music- singing, songwriting, learning.
also people, particularly those in their teens and 20's.
and communicating- writing, talking, listening, sharing.

so what is so weird about a missions trip that involves all of these things. of serving God here using these passions. is it because it sounds like too much fun? it doesnt sound dirty enough to be a proper mission trip? it involves everything i love doing... it just seems to be too... ideal. well why not. God has given us these passions and gifts and desires for a very good reason! because at the end of the day, it's all about Him! and all He has given and done for us. even when life seems unfair and unjust and dismal, and we question him, and doubt him and reject him, he still loves us. and has still given His life, so that we can have life! isn't that enough?

more than. yet how easy it is to complain and ignore him, and blame him when things are difficult and heartbreaking. He feels our pain, and knows our heartbreak, and has his own heart broken over and over as people turn away and reject him. but he still perseveres and will never give up on us. so the least i can do is live my life for him! and make use of what he has given me- really it would be rude not to!!

i have just been offered the opportunity to go to America this summer, and be involved in a missions trip that is based around music; people in their teens and 20's; building relationships, and doing outreach!!! it's all a bit new, but already i'm excited at the prospect! if u like, please pray I would be wise and listen to God's voice in this! it screams a huge YES, i just want to be 100% sure! i'm currently 98% there, but some more confirmation would be just peachy!

what's your dream?