At The Foot of the Cross

Precious Saints!!!!!!

I have no idea how to describe in writing the events and occurrences of this past Adult Alpha weekend. I will try to convey something of what it was like. To those of you who were there (in whateva capacity) I humbly apologise in advance my lack of being able to convey the way that God manifested His presence, through His Holy Spirit at the Manyano Centre in Paarl this past weekend.

It was really mind blowing, gut wrenching, teeth rattling, tender loving, heart breaking, belly aching (from laughter), tension filled, exhausting, restoring, breaking down, building up, tear stained.... I could go on and on.... But it is really something to experience when God's grace meets evil and sin head on. No words will ever be enough.

We spent a weekend in the awesome shadow of the cross. The shadow that it cast over us was that of God's grace, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, faith, hope and love as we stood the whole weekend at the foot of the cross and gave over our baggage and helped others to give over theirs, and then left it there at the foot of the cross, for Jesus Christ our saviour to deal with. I just want you to know that there is no way that I can fully convey to you out there as to what an awesome God we serve.

God the Father (yeah our Daddy God) ministered to, and equipped us to minister, through His Son Jesus Christ our saviour and indwelt us with His Holy Spirit. We experienced the triune God first hand and lemme tell you from a former major 'head' person there is absolutely no ways you can wrap your mind around that one. You just trust and obey, do it and experience it.

Flashes of 'stuff' come across my mind. People being hurt by other people’s sin and their own. Murder, suicide, abuse, loss, unforgiveness and on and on a real pot pourri of sin. The young woman whose father had been murdered 'bout 10 years ago, the man whose brother had committed suicide and the last time he saw his brother alive he told him to 'buzz off', just to give some examples. People hanging on to their fears, guilt and unforgiveness, for 10,15, 25 years and then God comes to set them free. The humility, servant heart and love of those on the team. Madeline, the co leader of the prayer team falling down the stairs, being taken to hospital by ambulance for x-rays and then coming back with a neck brace and continuing the spiritual battle. Seeing God fill some of the men on the prayer team with the spirit of joy, to see grown men rolling around on the floor laughing like two year olds, stamping their feet and streaming tears of laughter, this causing everyone else to fall about laughing as well. Talk about a spiritual high. God just kinda 'popping' info into my head as I'm ministering and praying for people. God in the smallest of details just everywhere. Amazing conversations and fellowship. The feeling of absolute bone crunching tiredness after coming home and having given everything that you had for His Kingdom. Having such a feeling of love and gratitude to our Daddy God for the family He has given me.

Then the celebration service at Goodwood Meth on Sunday evening. The youngsters also had their Youth Alpha weekend and their band did a great rendition of Tell The World (it pumped!!! we jumped). Great message on salvation by Mike (just hit the sweet spot), testimonies from the youngsters and adults 'bout wot God did for them this weekend and more great praise and worship from the Adult Alpha band, the church was rocking with the Rock of our salvation Jesus Christ. As I was walking out to go home I was blessed to see the amazingly touching site of the youth ministering to each other. Like a real WOW (Walking on Water) moment.

So if I try and record everything that God did this weekend I think I would easily be able to write a book of substantial thickness maybe even a 'coupla volumes. But this is wot I've managed. For some of you this is already too much of an opus maximus (you know like one of the Roman emperors) and you will have to read it in serial (rice crispies, cornflakes, fruit loops et al) format.

Ain't it awesome to know we serve a living God? I just have to say that the greatest privilege, blessing and honour in the universe is to serve Him, nothing else compares. If you are just sitting on the light of the world which you have, just take a step of faith and do something for Him. If you wanna mock, jeer, not believe, be skeptical, God actually tells you, you can test everything that He says and does. For two thousand years now the Gospel of Jesus Christ has stood as the truth despite every effort to discredit it and break it down, there are thousands of men and women who, over this period, have tried to break down the Gospel and the majority of them who honestly examined the facts became Christians themselves. So while God's grace is still being extended to you, use your God given free will and examine the facts with an open mind (yes an open and free mind) and see what you come up with. Go on make the effort, it will be the best thing that you have ever done in your life.

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me
I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down

Music and lyrics by Kathryn Scott
© 2003 Vertical Worship Songs

LoCTY !!!!!

PS Please pass on to anyone you want
PSS Thank you for your prayers
PSP Peter B please pass on to your mailing list