Friday, October 10, 2014

Walking with God

MIC meeting today 

As a very young child continuously asked
himself "who am I ?"
Lost father when young
2004 collapsed 
Turning point
Career downturn
And wife very ill with cancer

Daily sought God
Point of no return
Devoid of own resources
Surrender to God



Need to spend time with God

When we feel in control,
During happy moments 
tend to be complacent

During trials and temptations recognize our need of God
Study his word


Cross of suffering (Jesus on the cross)
Vs cross of victory (Empty cross)
Both are the same cross


You are never alone 



Sunday, October 5, 2014

Proud Humility

Sketchnotes 
Embellished
Using Marvy Marker
For inktober 

Title
Reference
Speaker
Date
Venue
Dolled up for inktober

Jeremy's early Christian walk
What did the Corinthian believers boast about ?


Take home message 3 questions
Turning to God only as a last resort?

Why put your trust in these?
Life is transient 


Self pride says I can do it myself

True humility invites power of Christ in your life 

Saturday, September 20, 2014

When life is impossible



We take heed to lesson from The Word.

I Samuel 13:19-
               14:23

Faced with impossible odds (in human terms)
3000 Israelites with only two weapons 
Versus Philistines
3000 chariots
6000 charioteers
Soldiers as numerous as the sand on the sea shore...

Options
I FLIGHT
II FREEZE
III FORCE your own way
IV Act in FAITH
V FOLLOW


I FLIGHT
Some flight is appropriate
Sometimes you need to stay and fight
Sometimes it is both.





II FREEZE
Sometimes it is a judicious wait.





III FORCE your own way
Force God to listen to you?
Treat God like a cosmic vending machine?


Versus "I desire obedience not sacrifice"



IV Act in FAITH

Two soldiers and one sword from the bottom of a hill took on 20 soldiers on top
Militarily does not make sense
But when you add God into the equation it does!


V FOLLOW
The teenage armour bearer was willing to follow Jonathan all the way
Do you have a mentor you can trust to lead you?


I don't know what life is throwing at you right now.
I don't know which of these 5 steps is appropriate response in your situation.
But God knows.
Pray and ask him for directions.

I FLIGHT
II FREEZE
III FORCE your own way
IV Act in FAITH
V FOLLOW

This could help you face an impossible situation.
This could help you achieve victory despite impossible odds.



Friday, September 12, 2014

Surrender

Is it the chicken or the egg?

Surrender
The only way to live 

Not a SHOULD do but a MUST do


Paradox
Meekness does not equate with weakness

Surrender to God and experience blessings: peace and rest


Why should we surrender?
God wants to direct our lives
God models sacrifice John 3:16


LET GO ( let God)
Mary was a perfect example 


Surrender
 A daily affair
Be in the presence of the Lird
In the word
Have the mind of Christ
Eg in raising children





Monday, September 1, 2014

When life is unbearable

Rev Dr Kow identified elements of the past few weeks when so many things had been happening in his life: busy busy busy.
He could relate to those who find "when life is unbearable"
What should yiu do?
Turn to The Word.
Bible text: 2 Cor 4:7-18

Th apostle Paul had been in the same place

Paul responded in seven ways, and so should we.

1. Refuse to lose heart.
2. Release burden to Jesus.

3.  Refocus on Jesus


4. Rejoice in The Lord

5. Receive help from others

6. Rely on God's power


7. Reach out to others 

Sermon illustration
Mabel
Very old
Very I'll
Very disfigured
Very happy.
"What do you do all day long?"
"I think about Jesus"
"how good he has been to me"
Singing
  1. "Jesus is all the world to me,
    My life, my joy, my all;
    He is my strength from day to day,
    Without Him I would fall.
    When I am sad, to Him I go,
    No other one can cheer me so;
    When I am sad, He makes me glad,
    He’s my Friend."

Take home message
When life becomes unbearable you should 
1. Refuse to lose heart.
2. Release burden to Jesus.
3.  Refocus on Jesus
4. Rejoice in The Lord
5. Receive help from others
6. Rely on God's power
7. Reach out to others 

If all seven steps are overwhelming, take  at least one of these steps.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Great adventure of witness

Tell your Story










Prayer
Care
Share
Dare
Hang in there


Tell your two minute story
Earn the right to tell God's story

God so loved the world that 
he left you here.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Coping with Setbacks

White gloved hands doing magic....


MIC Andrew the speaker

MIC Andrew the musician with his ukulele

Setting up

Scribing gig: three greats and a wish;
1 GREAT: scribing with white gloves: a first for me: neat: will repeat.
2: GREAT: started spreading of my new Graphic Recording careen
3: GREAT: icons starting to look sexy
WISH: to be salt and light in the market place even through graphic recording

Note my colour pastels on the chair.
Markers and speaker note on the second chair.

Harvesting: listening for nuggets



Coping with setbacks
Andrew
8 August 2014

Text Psalm 77


took my Neulands Number One Green for a test drive: liked it!

Response to Grief/ trauma / transition

Incident.  
Followed by confusion 
   Think there is no God
     angry
       Don't feel like praying
Followed by resolution




Joseph in Egypt many ups and downs
You meant evil against me
But God meant it for good

We at MIC are the walking wounded
run towards God
read rely on the Word
resolve 


Difficulty in negotiating with difficult client/ boss

Difficulty understanding why good men suffer

Time on earth is like the red tip of a long long rope.

Best seen in the light of eternity.

God often saves us 




Speaker enjoying the chart

The whole chart


Cam Scammer squaring & magic white