Fusion Camp // Summer 2013 [Before]

Coming soon, to a Christian holiday centre near you…

The mammoth spree of summer kids work continues this week with Fusion Camp. If you have a good memory, you’ll remember me blogging about this last year. Fusion is the youth group at my church for 7-11 year olds. I was a leader there whilst at school and went back to help on camp last summer. This year, I e-mailed Tony, the head honcho, asking if they needed an extra pair of hands to help out again. His reply: “Well, actually… we need a speaker…”

Free @ TKC // Summer 2013 [After]

He is risen indeed!

And… breathe. Just like that, Free @ TKC Summer 2013 is over. It’s astonishing how much you can fit into five days – the songs, the games, the Bible teaching, the neck injuries (I’ll tell you more about that later). There’s an immense amount to be grateful for and a lot to continue praying about.

Free @ TKC // Summer 2013 [Before]

That “@ sign” makes deciding on a hashtag for the week rather awkward.

Blogging about the different Christian summer activities I’m involved with is one of my favourite things. It’s a helpful way to focus my thoughts before and after  – remembering the scale and importance of the task ahead and reflecting on the blessings and trials once it has passed. It’s also a means of keeping others informed and encouraged about the Lord’s work.

Wedding Observations #2 // Who Gives This Woman?

For purpose of this post, ignore Steve Martin’s face. But do watch “Father of the Bride”

At most of the weddings I’ve attended, I haven’t actually been a proper guest. Normally, I’m part of the band for the service, playing bass (because every wedding benefits from some low octave action). This involves sitting at the front of the church, which gives me a priveleged view of the bride and groom’s faces as they stand at the front. You catch some quiet touching and amusing moments.

The thing that usually catches my eye, however, is the father of the bride. You’ve got to feel for this guy. By the time he’s walked his daughter down the aisle, he’s shelled out a tonne of cash, put up with unbearable future in-laws, possibly endured a very awkward stag-do and had to come to terms with the fact that this kid in a cravat is soon going to be doing the bizzo with his little girl. Poor bloke, right?

Wedding Observations #1 // Who’s Invited?

“So they settled for champagne tubas instead of flutes…”

It’s that time of year. A brief, breathless few weeks of British warmth and sunshine into which everyone tries to cram their special day before the summer fizzles out. Especially in Christian circles, there are a lot of these things. Your Facebook feed is flooded with photos of ceremonies and receptions and people excitedly liking the “Life Events” and changed surnames.

Yes, it’s Wedding Season.

A Moment on the Lips // Why’s It So Hard To Say “Jesus”?

“Oh… erm… err… the Gospel you say?”

THEM: “What exactly do you do at that church holiday club then Rhys?”

Oh wow. You don’t know what you’ve just let yourself in for. You’ve just unleashed Rhys “Billy Graham” Laverty. Time to get my evangelizzle on. Prepare to get spiritually knocked for six, my friend. The Kingdom of Heaven is coming your way”

ME: “Oh well… er… we do play games, sing songs and teach the kids about Je… er, the Bible”

Wait, why did I stumble there? Why didn’t I say “teach them about Jesus”?

Then I realise: saying Jesus’ name is hard!

Royal Baby // A Real Game of Thrones

A voice in the desert crying “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”

Global media went into meltdown yesterday. The royal waters broke. The supreme cervix dilated. Twitter was awash with witty banter. Americans thronged the gates of the palace. The Daily Mail was bizarrely positive about a woman giving birth to a child funded entirely by the taxpayer.

The fanfare around the birth of our future king was remarkable – and I couldn’t help but think of the birth of the King of Kings.

Acts 1:4-8 // Exceeding Expectations

“…to the ends of the earth”

I’ve just started a journey through the book of Acts.  My final year of university is approaching and I want to milk it dry for the glory of Jesus. Acts is the perfect book to read when you’re thinking about mission.

It only took the first few verses of Acts 1 for me to find some big challenges:

Judges // 4 Lessons

After finishing a journey through Joshua, I decided to carry onto into the following book, Judges. It had been a while since I’d last looked at Judges. Samson’s in there, right? Isn’t it all just a bit crazy and full of gruesome passages that atheists use to make God out to be vicious and evil?

Despite such initial thoughts, it’s been an unbelievably helpful and challenging book. The Lord has blessed my reading of it, teaching me some real lessons. This post is an attempt to tie those lessons together under some specific and (hopefully) helpful headings.

UCCF // A Student “Thank You”

After a mental twelve weeks, the first term of my second year of university is over. There’s a lot to reflect on over the Christmas break – five fantastic house mates, a wonderful church, new friends, hearty amounts of FIFA and some actual work. One big thing that has been on my mind at the end of this term, however, is my increasing appreciation for the work of UCCF.

I am part of the Evangelical Christian Union down in Exeter, one of many Christian Unions across the country supported by UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship).  Their role is to support students in sharing the good news of Jesus with students. I’ve always been fully aware of its role in CU life, but this term I’ve been particularly struck by the difference it has made in my personal walk with Christ and in the life of our CU as a whole.