Full of Eastern Promise
Well we're home from our trip to Malaysia, greatly enriched and encouraged by the experience. I've been on a gruelling corporate schedule these last few months so it was an especial pleasure to change gears and head off to warmer climbs even if i did have to bring my work with me. Such is life.
This was our third overseas conference so far this year. First stop Atlanta with Steve McVey for our annual 'Radical' Conference and then to Finland with Dave & Pat Bilbrough to lead a retreat for our group in Turku; this year's theme being 'Finding Grace In the Wilderness' and then to Kuala Lumpur, a country I haven't visited for 25 years or so.
As I reflect on our travels with Father thus far this year, I'm struck by how different each of them was but yet how the same thread ran through them all, namely, the need for us to redefine our vision of God. It seems to me that the root of the problem lies at least in part with our view of Scripture. Increasingly I'm finding myself labouring the point that the Bible is not the 'word of God' Jesus is the Word of God. The bible are the words of God written to men, whilst self-evidently Jesus is the Word of God living in men. I feel increasingly that the need is to draw the distinction in our minds between studying the word and abiding in the Word. The former is of no value (or limited value) unless without the latter. The former gives us Bible Knowledge (BQ) whilst the latter helps us to develop our mind-of Christ-ness (see diagram below).
The seeings that I have, such as they are come from abiding not studying that gave me a renewed vision of God as the only God He can be: the God of love. The God of agape. The other-lover-the-selfless-self-giving one. The more I sense that this is the key, the real spark that ignites the raging inferno of faith.
Our hosts were Peter & Seefen Sze. They planted their church, TNCC just seven months ago with thirty people. Already the church has grown to over 200 and if any evidence were required as to the depth of the commitment to be a part of this new community some 200 of them attended the camp. It was a remarkable turn out but it is no more than what I expect to be a remarkable precursor for what the Lord wants to do through Peter and Seefen.
These days I spend most of my time teaching what I call the business end of the grace message so it was a bit of a shock to me to be reminded just how radical these foundational 'child-level' truths are when you hear them again. Malaysia was both tailor-made and heaven sent for us. Tailor made because it was a lovely fusion of Marketplace Ministry, Corporate work and of course the Camp. Heaven sent, because it was so redemptive. Seeing the church in her innocence in her first flush of youth left me broody. I'd thought that I'd fallen out of love with church but seeing it done properly renewed my first love but we return home, full of Eastern Promise.
I've a attached a short video will give you something of flavour of the TNCC family camp held in Kampar Malaysia 2nd-4th July 2010. www.youtube.com/watch
It was a wonderful weekend and a great privilege to be able to share the message of God's unconditional love and acceptance to such an appreciative group. If you ever find yourself in Kuala Lumpur be sure and look up Peter & Seefen Sze and say a big 'Hi' from Paul & Hayley. tncchurch.org/
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