Sunny Day

I awoke this morning at about 5:30am, and could not go to sleep. I was hungry, for food and for God. It was weird, I had never experienced anything like it. So I got up, got dressed and read a little in my Bible. I read 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 -- "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing." I thought it was interesting that we are to be the aroma... not only the salt of the Earth (taste), light of the world (sight) but also the aroma of God (smell)... interesting.

I went downstairs to eat breakfast, and Dave was cooking some pourage. So, he made me some with coffee and a bagel. I havn't had a breakfast that early, and that good in a long time. Anyway, he told me about his quiet time, he read Genesis 14... Which I am hoping to read today sometime. Interesting stuff!

After breakfast, Janie asked to me to go on a prayer walk in Colchester. She said for me to let God open my senses and have him tell me something in stuff that I see, hear, smell, etc. Coincidence? I think not!

During my walk, I saw a lot of doors. You are probably thinking, "Duh, there are a lot of doors everywhere." Well, I think that God was telling me that Colchester is a door to greater things. I saw doors with ivy growing on them, some that were black and decaying (spiritual life of Colchester, some people are thriving and some are not).

Also while walking, I passed a group of guys around my age. Didn't really think anything of it, until I passed them another 2 times! Weird huh? So, there I think God wants me to focus on guys my age, maybe... this will take some more prayer.

Anyway... until next time!

What a place!

Oh gosh! What can I say? I absolutely love this place! After being here for about 36 hours, I am in love!

Yesterday, when I arrived, I was greeted with a very assertive immigrations officer. After being grilled with questions, he finished with giving me a "cold-pass" (I think that's what he said) to London, he was very skeptical as to why I was here. Which means that if I am not gone by my departure date, then "they" will come after me. Gary Seithel, who picked me up from the airport, said that it was probably because I have a beard... makes sense.

Anyway, Gary and I drove to Brentwood where he lives and hung out his house for an hour or so. Then David Beales picked me up and we drove to Colchester. It an absolutely wonderful, awesome, stunning, great town.

Later yesterday, after being up for more then 24 hours, Chrissy and I met Jan, a friend of ours, on Croach St. We then walked to visit a church that Jan is thinking of renting out for her art gallery. It is going to be part of her ministry here. Most of the churches here have been turned into secular venues.

Anyways, then Chrissy and I hit up the Starbucks... got some coffee, had a talk, then went back. Later that night, I went to an 18+ group. They were watching a video from Ellel Ministries. It was really good. The people in the group, all of them, John and Rosanna, Christian, Jake, and Liam were very nice and welcoming. I did not have a hard time putting my five cents in at all.

Today, I did absolutely nothing. David and I talked for a bit, I went to town to exchange some money, and took some pictures. I also watched Brassed Off and Amazing Grace. Both very good movies (and British!).

Well, I am off to bed, it is almost 11:00pm... having a great time though!

An Awesome Woman of God!

What a day!

Today, my Mom went in for a "pre-op" for her lumpectomy. Little did she know that she would find out that the cancer had spread a little during the weeks in between the two appointments. This means that she no longer go to have to have a lumpectomy, she is going to have a mastectomy.

You would think that after hearing this news, one would be mad at God or at the World... no, my Mom, although worried, is looking and waiting upon the Lord. What an awesome witness to those who do believe and even more so to those who are not believers of our Lord. She is such and Awesome Woman of God!

Tomorrow, or today rather, I am heading to England. My parents are seeing me off at the airport and then proceeding to Northside Hospital to hear about the next steps. So, here I am, wanting so badly to stay here and be there for my Mom. But she wants me to do what God wants, which is to go lay the foundation of His ministry in England. Another awesome example of how she is looking towards God in this storm.

Please pray for her as she continues down this road. Pray that she is healed by God, quickly and efficiently! Pray that the Dr.'s will have a steady hand during surgery. My family and I appreciate the prayers and the thoughts! Please contact me at J.Christerson@gmail.com

Take Peace!!!

Until next time (maybe in England? or at JFK airport)!!!

Jon

Am I really worthy?

I am reading this incredible book about recognizing our freedom in Christ, and how we have authority over everything evil on this Earth. In the section titled, "Authority Conferred," the author cites the scripture Ephesians 3:8-9...

"To me though I am the very least of all the saints, this Grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and bring light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things."

I thought this was interesting and profound and true! As I prepare to make my first trip to England, this is great encouragement. Paul was letting the people of Ephesus know that he thought of himself as "the very least of all the saints." I can't tell you how many times I have felt unprepared, not worthy enough, not strong enough to be called to missions.

I hear a voice tell me, "Who are you to go tell people about Christ? You don't even know Him yourself! You are the very least of Christians!" But here we have a Saint, Paul, who knew Christ telling himself and other people that he is the least of the Saints... but he has received the Grace of God, therefore he can preach to the unbelievers about Christ and his "unsearchable riches..."

Kind of Long... but read!

You know those things that we all think about. You know, those, "That will never happen to me," things. Well, this is one of those things. I have had friends who have had this happen, I give them pity, and we go on. But, now, it is a reality to me.

Today, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer (in the midst of National Breast Cancer month). As far as I know, the Dr.'s caught it early enough so that the surgery next week (10/26/2007) will be an "outpatient" surgery. So please pray that is all she needs!

I am not sure if it's that it hasn't sunk in yet, or if God is totally working in my life and calming my spirit. My family is really doing ok. Ok meaning that we aren't freaking out, we are looking towards God in this storm. When I first heard the news this morning, while I was at work, I was so nervous. I couldn't grasp that it was happening to us, especially to my mom. But, after a while I was thinking to myself that it could be A LOT worse. God is going to bless us and teach us all through this experience.

I got an e-mail from my sister-in-law this morning after we got the news. She wrote:

I found this scripture this morning and thought it was so fitting for what we, as a family are dealing with at this hour. I had sent it to Mim before even learning any news and so now, I thought it would be good to share with all of you. I hope this gives you all the strength we are searching for right now and that we can all rejoice in God's glory and know that He will heal Mom/Mim. Most importantly, we are not alone and should not give any thought or recognition to the enemy. God restores everything!! I love you all! -Wendy My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they [are] life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 4:20-27

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

This is something we should all ponder on. Why should we be immersed in sadness in a time that God is right here with us. We get so bogged down in the present. Asking questions like, "Where are you God, I am in pain, I am in darkness, where are you?" In Exodus, Moses goes through the same thing that we all go through...

Exodus 33:19-23

Moses said, "Please show me your glory!" And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

The part I want to emphasize on is in bold. The place that God is talking about is a cave, somewhere dark, unknown to man, but it is near to God. God says that He will put us there, cover us until He has gone. Then He will allow us to see his back, the end.

This shows us that even in the dark and painful parts of life, God is there, but He doesn't want us to see what He is doing. If we did see what He was planning or doing in our lives, we wouldn't be able to exist. If we saw His face, we would die. Jesus saw God's face while praying in the Garden. He started to sweat blood because of God's pure Glory, and Jesus was God.

Some more scripture to think of are some of my favourite verses, Isaiah 43:1-3

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush ^[a] and Seba in your stead.

Take peace!

For His Glory!

Jon

Emergining v. Emergent

This video, hopefully it posts, it by Mark Driscoll. He is the founder and pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. Many of you know Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz, Through Painted Deserts, To Own a Dragon, etc. Well, Donald Miller is a co-founder of Mars Hill Church.

Anyways, Mark Driscoll is trying to clear up what an emerging church is vs an emergent. Watch it, very insightful!

Emerging Church?

In the last week or so, I have come across a movement that a lot of people don't really agree. It's the Emerging church movement. I am still learning and wrestling with the idea, so I don't really have much to say. Watch this video by Brian McLaren.... and tell me what you think!

Click Here!