Fear Not or Fear Knot!

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sh-fbWe are now on our 3rd day at Soul Survivor in Stafford.

We’ve packed, we’ve travelled, we’ve set-up camp, got ourselves registered and familiarised ourselves with the surroundings.

Many of the trepidations and worries have been allayed:
Will there be enough space for all our tents
Yes, just about.

Will the food be alright?

Definitely; we’ve even had second helpings of the wonderful chorizo & chick pea stew (recipe to follow).

Will I enjoy the worship?

It’s been great so far, with amazing times in God’s presence led by the likes of Rend Collective.

Will I miss home?

Not really, having too much fun, even if I have to queue for the shower.

Phew!

It’s great how God really does mean it when He reassures us with His ‘Fear Nots’.

So many times in the Bible we are encouraged to ‘Fear Not’!

God, being the good Dad that He is constantly has to reassure His often fearful children to ‘Fear Not’. He knows that if we don’t ‘fear not’ we will end up with a ‘fear knot’ in our bellies. A big bundle of fearful and trepidatious feelings all jumbled up inside of us, making us miserable.

In the book of proverbs it says that “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1.

We, as children of God, and as the ones who have been made righteous in His sight through faith in the finished work of Jesus ought to have a real boldness and live in and by faith and not fear.

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” Romans 5:17 & “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

What is getting your stomach into a ‘Fear Knot‘ that you need to hand over to God so that you can rest in His ‘Fear Not‘?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

May you have a blessed week-end and remember…..

‘FEAR NOT!

Chorizo & chick pea soup recipe (as promised – cooks for 18 people so reduce amounts as needed)

Ingredients:

Olive oil, 4 onions chopped, 4 carrots diced, mixed herbs, 4 tsps garlic powder, 800g of Chorizo, 1 tsp of cinnamon, 4 tsps of Paprika, 8 x 410g cans of chick peas, 900g of spinach, 600ml of water.

Method:

heat the olive oil in a saucepan, add the chopped onions and cook for 3-4 mins. Add the diced carrots, herbs, garlic, chorizo, cinnamon & paprika to the pan. Cook until the chorizo softens and releases its oil. Add the rinsed and drained chick peas and the 600ml of water. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Add the spinach and cook for another 3-5 minutes with the lid off to reduce the liquid down. Then serve with some nice crusty bread.

-Enjoy!

Be prepared!

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scout-logo-e1321878674385Be prepared is the motto of the scouting organisation. It’s also the advice that Tim Gough gave to our amazing Redefiners last night in preparation for our trip to Soul Survivor next week.

Yay! On Wednesday 27th July we head down to Stafford for a fantastic God-adventure!

Anyway, in order to help the young people going to Soul Survivor to ‘Be Prepared!’, Tim created a great guide to all the dos and don’t of camping at Soul Survivor, including a pack-list, camping tips, a daily timetable and other important pieces of information.

Getting ready for going on a camping trip got me thinking about the children of Israel in the desert following their exodus from Egypt. They had to camp as they crossed the desert. In the book of Exodus it states that “ In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.” Exodus 40:36-38
They had to ‘be prepared‘ to pack up their camp and move whenever God moved.  They had to be attentive to God’s presence and direction and follow Him wherever He lead them in the wilderness.

They had to be prepared at all times.

There was also a sense in which there was no permanence to their travels in the desert.  There was no settling down and putting down roots until they entered the promised land.  They were nomads, looking for a land that God had prepared for them.

In encouraging the church in Corinth to flee immoral living, the Apostle Paul writes “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11.  He had specifically mentioned some of the failings and sins of the children on Israel as they wandered in the desert. However in looking at the journey they took I see an image of our lives as believers, as we follow Jesus.

Like the Israelites, we flee from ‘Egypt’ (the world) and are saved from the power of death by the Lamb’s blood (Jesus’ death on the cross), we cross the Red Sea, symbolising baptism, and then we follow the cloudy pillar by day and the fiery pillar by night (God’s presence), until we cross the Jordan (representing death) and enter the promised land.

Like the Israelites, we are to ‘be prepared‘ to follow God’s direction and leading.

Like the Israelites we are to be aware that we are living in temporary accommodation and journeying to the home that God has prepared for us. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” Hebrews 11:13 & “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires,which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:10-12 both convey the idea of followers of Jesus being foreigners and strangers on planet earth, looking forward to the land that God has promised us.

c27872ccfd9ee42e8cb739a254d4deacIn the lifetime that God has given us on planet earth, are we building houses and putting down roots, or are we pitching a tent, being prepared to follow God’s direction, knowing this is not our home, but looking towards something greater that He has in store for us?

Angels needed for Heaven’s Kitchen (Reverb @ StJohn’s Cafe)

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If anyone has watched the Gordon Ramsay programme ‘Hell’s Kitchen’, they will know, it’s hot in that kitchen and the pressure is on, on, on. I’m sure the chefs would love to be working in an environment where grace, love & support are extended to everyone involved in the cooking process, from head chef right through to the waiters and the washer-upper.

However, the television programme thrives on the tension, the anger, the upsets & the almost inevitable arguments.

In chapter 5 of the book of Galatians it puts “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy” in a list of actions of the flesh; the kind of actions and atmosphere we see in the aptly named “Hell’s Kitchen”.

In contrast to the acts of the flesh, the Apostle Paul highlights the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ as being: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Fruit is tasty to eat, it nourishes us, is full of energy and vitamins, and gives life and health to our bodies. I don’t think Paul chose the word ‘fruit’ by accident.  It was a well chosen word that conveyed how life-giving walking in love, joy, peace, patience etc. is.

God loves us and wants us to not only wait with expectant hope for heaven, but also for us to have a full, fruitful, productive life.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

He also wants us to live a life where we let others know about this amazing life we have in relationship with God. Jesus wants not only for us to have life and have it to the full, but also for others to get in on the act too.

He chose us to be the ones to tell others. “

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” John 28:18-20

You might say that, you’re not great at sharing your faith with others, but, linking in with the culinary theme of this blog, you could help support the work of LLYFC by volunteering at our Saturday Cafe.

How does this help others hear about Jesus?

Let me explain.

At our regular Reverb Saturday Cafe @ St John’s Methodist Church on the high street in Llandudno we have a lot of people walk through the doors. People that might not otherwise grace the porch of a church with their presence. Their time and experience at the cafe is an opportunity for us to demonstrate God’s love to them by serving them in a way that demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit (see above) at work in our lives.

Also, the Saturday Cafe produces much needed finance for the work of Llandudno Youth for Christ in its ministry of taking the Good News relevantly to every young person in Llandudno and beyond. So by helping out at the Reverb Saturday Cafe, you are helping us to share the good news of Jesus with many other people.

We do have a desperate need for more volunteers at the Cafe over the summer months especially. On Saturday 30th July, 13th of August & 27th August we need volunteers to specifically help in the kitchen, working either a 2 hr or 4 hr session. If you feel like you would like to get your teeth stuck into being a spectacular chef with us at Reverb Saturday Cafe, or indeed in another capacity, such as waiting on, serving drinks, etc. then please contact us and let us know.

We really appreciate your help and hopefully as Ainsley Harriot used to say on ‘Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook’, we’ll be able to say along with you “Let’s start cooking!”

The LLYFC Summer Program

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It’s been an immense term at Llandudno YFC, and we’re looking forward to carrying that momentum through into the summer! If you are – or know someone – aged 11-18, then take a look at this years summer program below.

Events marked with an * require a permission slip, which you can download at the bottom of this post.

 

God, Games and Goats

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 17.26.58Every Sunday evening throughout summer (7th, 14th, 21st & 28th August) from 6-8pm at Ty Llywelyn Community Centre, LL30 1LA.

We’ll be getting together for a couple of hours, playing some top quality and brand new games, and having a short reflection with some Q&A. Twill be a fun night which will be dead easy to bring friends to!

 

Refresh – A Boho Sports Mini Festival*

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 17.27.19Wednesday 17th August, 12-4pm at St. David’s College, LL30 1RP.

Ultimate Frisbee, 9 Square, Wide Game, Camp Fire, Story Telling and Acoustic Music. It will be amazing! Do download a permission slip from the bottom of this page.

 

The Lock In*

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 17.27.32Tuesday 23rd August, 11pm – Wednesday 24th August, 7am at ‘The Garage,’ behind Gloddaeth United Church, LL30 2SY.

An all-night stay awake party with games, movies, teaching and worship. Always great fun – just try to stay awake! Download a permission slip from the bottom of this page.

 

Spark

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 17.28.13Saturday 27th August at Ty Llywelyn Community Centre, LL30 1LA.

Once again gathering young Christians together from across North Wales, Spark exists to network, support and stand with Christians from across the region. More details coming soon!

 

Consent Forms:

Please bring / post / email them back to:

LLYFC,
Ty Llywelyn Community Centre
LL30 1LA

llandudnoyfc@gmail.com

Refresh:

Refresh Form 2016

The Lock In:

The Lock In Form 2016

 

 

“Let the little children come to me”

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Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

nspcc-headerOn the 8th July in 1884 the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was founded in London.

This all came about because of one man; Thomas Agnew a business man from Liverpool visited New York on a trip in 1881 and whilst he was there, he visited the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (founded in 1874, and the world’s first child protection agency). He was so taken with the work they were doing, that he returned to the UK inspired to provide similar help for children in Liverpool. So in 1883 he set up the Liverpool Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (LSPCC).

Soon, other towns and cities followed, and in 1884 the London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (London SPCC) was founded by Lord Shaftesbury, Reverend Edward Rudolf and Reverend Benjamin Waugh.

Five years later Parliament passed the first ever UK law to protect children from abuse and neglect in 1889. This was a great triumph for the organisation and the culmination of their many years of tireless effort in changing the way society in Victorian times saw and treated children. By 1889, the London SPCC was renamed the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children due to having many branches now that covered Great Britain and Ireland.

It’s work did not go unnoticed and Queen Victoria became its first Royal Patron in 1895 when she granted the organisation its Royal Charter.

It has continued to champion the rights and welfare of children in the UK, often with hard hitting advertising campaigns.

We see that from the above quote from the gospel of Matthew that children are important to God. Another time where we see Jesus’ heart for children is when the disciples are asking about who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus calls a little child to him and explains to the disciples that “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:3-5. He goes on to sternly warn that “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6.

Another charity that cares for the needs of children is ‘Compassion‘, which has as its motto, “Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.” Just like with the NSPCC, Compassion was founded by the work of one man.  Rev. Everett Swanson made a ministry trip in the 1952 to South Korea to comfort the American troops, whilst he was there he grew increasingly troubled by the sight of hundreds of war orphans living on the streets, abandoned by society. Out of his desire to save the lives of these children ‘Compassion’ was born.

Its amazing what God can do with one man or woman who responds to God’s heart and call to seek and save the least, the last and the lost.

Do you feel that God is calling you to help with the work that we do at LLYFC?

If you like the Rev. Everett Swanson or Thomas Agnew want to help make a difference in the lives of the young people in North Wales, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

God bless.

“Goleuni Y Bywyd” – The Light of Life

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PCW logoThe quote that is used as the title for this Blog post is taken from the logo of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, which itself refers back to the start of the Apostle John’s gospel.

Each year they hold their ‘General Assembly’, the largest gathering of members of the Presbyterian Church of Wales.  It meets over three days in July, normally at Aberystwyth, however this year they are holding their meetings at Eglwys Unedig Seilo in Llandudno.  The General Assembly includes daily worship, lectures and business sessions, during which the representatives discuss and vote on key matters affecting the church.

On the first evening of the ‘General Assembly’, Llandudno Youth for Christ has been given the privilege and responsibility for organising and arranging the worship and Bible readings for the night, with many of the young people that attend our different events taking part in this.

We have a fantastic speaker for the night; Andy Hughes the national director of Urban Saints Wales will be bringing us some great wisdom from the Bible.

Saint-y-Gymuned-logo-colour-300x220It is so great for us to be able to give back to a church that has given so much support to the work we do. A church that has faithfully supported us with great volunteers, in prayer and with much needed finance.

Thank you to everyone in the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

It is so great to see a church that is faithfully continuing to follow the mandate that God has put on it. On their website the PCW state that “The purpose of the Presbyterian Church of Wales is to worship God and spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.“

The church was formed out of the Welsh Methodist Revival that revitalised Christianity in Wales during the 18th century. The men that God used in this awakening were people such as Daniel Rowland, Howell Harris and the great hymn writer William Williams Pantycelyn.

Looking over the history of the church, it is great to see how they have always sought to share the good news of Jesus Christ in a relevant way. Reaching out to Wales and beyond with God’s love.

In 1837 they opened up a school in Bala, which in 1839 became a ministerial college.

Today Coleg y Bala is now the ‘Children and Youth Centre of the Presbyterian Church of Wales’

In 1840 the Foreign Missionary Society was established in Liverpool to send missionaries to India, and in 1978 the PCW joined the CWM (Council for World Missions). Also in 1978 Pamela Turner became the first woman to be ordained as a minister within the PCW.

So 152 years after their first General Assembly in 1864, which met in Swansea; we are delighted to be able to share such an important evening in Llandudno.

We will be meeting at Gloddaeth United Church, Chapel Street, Llandudno, LL30 2SY, at 6pm. There will be worship, Bible readings, and an inspirational message from Andy Hughes, in English and in Welsh. We hope you will be able to come and show your support for LLYFC and all of the young people that will be involved in the event and also for the work of the Presbyterian Church of Wales as it continues to share the Good News of Jesus in an engaging and relevant manner.

light_saltAs the Apostle Paul says “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.“1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Let’s keep sharing the good news to those around us, and we hope to see you at Gloddaeth United Church  on Sunday 10th July at 6pm.

Say it with ‘Roses’

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Thank_You!In the 1980s ‘Cadbury’s’ ran an advertising campaign to promote their chocolate selection boxes ‘Roses’, with a song thanking different people for different ways that they helped someone out, such as feeding a neighbour’s pet bird whilst they were away on holiday.

At Llandudno Youth for Christ, we too want to say a big ‘THANK YOU’ to all of our amazing volunteers.  For everyone who gives their time, energy and money to help make all that we do in and through LLYFC possible.

Without YOU we wouldn’t be able to reach out to so many young people with the hope and life that Jesus brings. We wouldn’t be able to share the good news with so many young people in a relevant and engaging way.

So once again THANK YOU!

Today we saw just how much we rely upon some amazing people from so many different churches and from so many different life stages and backgrounds.

We held one of our annual RE:Conference days, and as I’m sure the teachers and pupils involved in the day will positively attest, our wonderful volunteers did an amazing job or facilitating discussion and creating a safe and friendly atmosphere for all involved to wrestle with the important questions of life and existence. There was even a constant supply of tea, coffee & biscuits. Yum!

The conference was title ‘Is God dead in the 21st Century?‘

Through the usage of short videos, discussions, games, quizzes, creative exercise and short talks we looked at what people thought about ‘God’.

We asked questions such as ‘Is God real?’, ‘Is God dead?’, ‘Do we need God?’

It was great to see so many young people having open and honest talks about such an important issue, and from the feedback we received they all really enjoyed the day and it certainly gave them a lot to think about.

As I said above, we would not have been able to hold this without so many willing volunteers.

Echoing the words of St Paul, we at LLYFC would like to say “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3  Seeing followers of Jesus from so many places working together with the aim of being salt and light was fantastic. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133.

This unity and peace really impacted the young people; especially when there has been so much division and hate reported upon in the media of late.

So ‘THANK YOU’ for letting your “light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

Resilience (bounce back like a rubber duck)

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The dictionary gives the following definitions for the word ‘resilience’:

  1. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.
  2. the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

Last night at our Redefine Bible Study night, we held a resilience training night hosted by the organisation ‘Pogim‘. The young people really enjoyed it and felt like the night had given them great tools to be able to weather the storms of life and bounce back from opposition, hardship & suffering. A lot of the exercises involved little yellow rubber ducks.

These were used because of how resilient a rubber duck is. It might seem small an insignificant, but if you crush a rubber duck it will eventually reform and become whole again. If you push it under the water it will bob back up to the surface, where it will sit calmly on top of the water, riding whatever waves come its way.

I also love the image of the ducks, because they are small and yellow like little ducklings; ducklings that will follow their parent, trusting them to lead them to safety.

They are a great image of resilience and trust.

Speaking of resilience, I love how the apostle Paul speaks about the resilience that his relationship with Jesus gave him; “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.

David in the psalms echoes this sentiment “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24.

The key to both Paul’s and David’s resilience was God’s presence in their lives. This was not to say that they walked through life with no problems, troubles or suffering.  If you read through the lives of both men, you will see that they weathered many storms of difficulty, oppression and hardship. Paul even weathered physical storms that threatened to take His life. However, despite these numerous troubles, they never gave up or gave in.  They pressed on, faithfully serving and following the God who had saved and called them into His service.

They trusted that God was bigger than the tough stuff they were going through.

They trusted that their great God and Saviour would fulfil the promises He had given them, for the knew Him to be faithful.

Listen to Paul as he wrote to Christians in Philippi, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:7-14.

Both men were resilient because they had resolved to follow God whatever the cost.  They were resilient because they were reliant on God’s strength and not their own. They were resilient because they kept on getting up whenever they fell or were knocked down.

Let’s be like Paul, David and so many other followers of God.

Let’s keep on getting up, pressing forwards a
nd faithfully following.

Let’s be like the rubber duck, able to float above any water of adversity because we are holding onto Jesus’ hand.

Let it GROW!

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On May 25th in 1977 ‘Star Wars’ was shown for the first time.  This film which was the creation of a film school graduate and Californian stationary shop owner’s son; George Lucas. The film became, at the time, the highest grossing film; and the film franchise itself became a pop-culture phenomenon that has grown into a creative empire that changed film-making as a whole.

To date 7 films have been made with a total production cost of $438.2 million dollars and a worldwide box office gross takings of $6,394,819,524. Films, TV series, books, comics, magazines, video games, toys, clothing etc. have been made about and around this universe of heroes and villains that came out of the imagination of one aspiring film-maker.

It is amazing how much it has grown from that small beginning.

Also, on the 25th May 1595 Filippo Romolo Neri died. An Italian priest known as the Apostle of Rome, founded the organisation known as the ‘Congregation of the Oratory’.

From a young age he discovered a passion to spend time alone with God in prayer and during one of these times he had a powerful encounter with God that inspired him to work at the hospital of the incurables and speak to others about God; everyone from beggars to bankers. This life spent serving God in prayer and by helping others impacted so many lives in Rome and indeed Italy that the above organisation was started. Quite radical in its time, there are now 70 ‘Oratories‘ around the world based upon the precepts he established.

It’s amazing how much the little that He gave to God has grown.

Jesus spoke about this: “God’s kingdom is like a pine nut that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it g
rows into a huge pine tree, and eagles build nests in it“. Matt 13:31-32.

When we give God our little, He can make it grown into something extraordinary that will bless, comfort, protect & shelter others.

A great visual example God has put in nature are Sequoia Trees. They are the largest tree on the planet, but they grow from very small seeds.

The feeding of the 5,000 is another example of how when we give our little to God he grows it into something incredible and life changing.

At LLYFC we feel the same way about all of support we receive. We trust that the little that everyone gives in time, people, resources, money, prayer etc. is received by God and becomes something far greater and more impactful than we could ever imagine.

We also feel the same way about every young person that comes to the events and meetings we hold. We pray that as they discover God and enter into a relationship with Him, their lives are grown, transformed and changed into something truly incredible and remarkable.

God can do that in your life, He can take the little seed you give Him and grow it into a mighty tree like the Sequoia. (Col2:7)

What are you holding in your hand that God can grow.

Perhaps it’s time to give it to Him and let it grow!

Pitch Your Tent

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In just over 2 months time, LLYFC will be taking a group of young people down to the Staffordshire Showgrounds in Stafford for Soul Survivor; an annual Christian Summer Camp for Young People.

It’s a great time, and lots of fun.

Every single one of the young people we’ve taken down to Soul Survivor have come away from the week more enthused about God, and wanting to return the following year.

This despite the weather being so inclement last year that we started rewording the chorus of Michael W Smith’s ‘Let it Rain‘, singing instead ‘stop the rain, stop the rain, please send it away down to Devon.’

Sleeping in tents that at times leaked!

But we pitched our tents in that field in the middle of England because we wanted to meet with God and with other believers.  We wanted fellowship with our Creator and each other more than the minor discomfort brought about by the foibles of camping.

We were willing to put behind us the permanence and familiarity of our homes and all that we were used to, in order to meet with God.

Not that we cannot or could not meet with God right where we are, but that it showed an attitude of heart that says ‘I’ll do whatever it takes to meet with Jesus’.

Like the Israelites in the desert we pitch our tents where God’s presence is;  following the cloudy pillar by day and the fiery pillar by night.

“36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out – until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.” Exodus 40:36-38

Thinking about it though, in the same way that we pitched our tents in Soul Survivor, and the Israelites did in the desert, the apostle John at the start of his Gospel says: “14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

The word translated ‘made his dwelling’ in the original Greek is σκηνόω (skēnoō), which means ‘to pitch tent, to tabernacle, to dwell‘.

Jesus came and pitched his tent (his body), on earth because He wanted to be with us. He (our Creator) was looking for fellowship with His creation. It brings to mind the Bible passage: “Come near to God and he will come near to you” James 4:8 (1).

There’s a desire in God’s heart to be with His people, and equally, His people want to be with Him.

So roll on Soul Survivor 2016!

But in the meantime, and indeed at all times let’s pitch our tents where God is leading us.

Could You Sponsor A Tent?

On a practical note. As I mentioned earlier, some of our tents were decidedly leaky, and in-between Soul Survivor 2015 and now, our largest tent has been broken, so we are looking at purchasing some new tents for this coming summer. Ideally a handful, up to 6, smaller 3 man tents would be perfect for Soul Survivor. We want these to be decent quality, so that they will last for many wet and wonderful years to come!

If anyone out there reading this post would love to sponsor a tent or more for our next trip to Soul Survivor, that would be amazing. Please do contact us and let us know.

Thank you.