Amazed & Confused

Photos of people I love

I love when  technology serves a good purpose... I particularly love my iPhone.  Don't worry I have not given my smart phone a name and am about wax lyrical about my great affection for it.  Rather, I love that it gives me a chance to capture moments in my day when I am truly happy and with people I love and trust.  Like this coastal lunchtime walk with Lottie.  I've so missed her since she moved on from her role in 24-7 for an exciting new job.  It was amazing to walk and talk and share what's been going on with us.  Or like this photo Di took for me at Tim and Becky's Wedding last weekend.  I am blessed to have my Steve.

From the Sea-shore to Shepton Mallet

 

Steve took this photos as we got ourselves stranded on a rapidly depleting spit of sand at West Witterings beach on Sunday night.  Every time I venture to this beautiful part of our southern coastline I wonder why I'm not here every day. It never fails to put the world into perspective, blow away the stress from my muscles and mind with it's salty breeze and send me home ready to sleep like baby.  Pure bliss, and only 15 minutes from our door.  I'm mad; I should live there... well... if it didn't cost the earth.

Tonight Steve and I go on another road trip (this one will be much longer than 15 minutes) to the Royal Bath and West Show-ground for the Christian festival New Wine.  I'm speaking to 12-13 year olds about persistent prayer and saying a quick hello to all the 24-7ers and my lovely sister and soon to be brother in law who are working there.  Should be fun.  I've come up with a rather random but potentially amazing modern retelling of the persistent widow in Luke 18.  It's not perfect but it will definitely get some attention.  As I go through my third draft of my talk and put together my powerpoint the words of the Bible notes I read this morning stay with me; "...my word goes out from my mouth, it will not come back empty, but will accomplish what I desire to achieve..." Isaiah 55:11.  It gives me peace. I'll do my best tonight but really it's up to God to 'increase his word' in the hearts and minds of the people listening... xc

Life Changing Moments

I read an email from a 24-7 Prayer type in Australia this morning that moved me to tears.  They'd taken all they'd learned in prayer out of their church building and to a place where people we 'shopping for a spirituality'.  Their openness, attitude of blessing and courage really moved me.  The stories of how people responded are incredible.  Keep an eye on the 24-7 Prayer website in the coming few weeks for the low down.  It's such an honour to be a small part of this movement and to get to learn from people like them.  It definitely makes clearing my inbox an adventure!

Today an article I wrote for the international community went live. It's all about why I love to pour so much energy into 24-7 Prayer's international gatherings.  I'm starting to get excited about the many friends I'm going to see in Edinburgh at Magnify from Brazil, New Zealand, Tanzania, South Africa, Sweden and so many other places.  If you fancy reading my article click here.

One World, 24 Hours, 6 Billion Perspectives

I am in love with this concept... and yes I am feeling dramatic today (might be something to do with my renewed energy after a full night's sleep!)  Ridley Scot is championing an intriguing new project that will be shown at Sundance next year directed by... well anyone who wants to have a go.

Life in a Day is a film that will use the video diaries that thousands of YouTube users around the globe will make on one single day... This Saturday 24th July 2010 people will be roaming your streets recording what life is like in your corner of the world.  Anyone from a phone camera owner to an aspiring film maker can help document a single day on planet earth.  Exciting heh?

This Saturday I'm actually at a Wedding, I don't know what that means permission wise in terms of filming but as I'll be doing it on my iPhone rather than on my HD camera (it's playing hard to get with my import software) it's unlikely my footage will be used.  I may join in anyway and submit something because I just love the idea... I think it may be a moment in film history.  

If you fancy joining me and many others in this fun little project you kind find out more here.

Pete Greig Makes a Wee Video for 'Magnify'

I've just had the most amazing day with the 24-7 Prayer International Team. Jon Petersen's over from the states (ah there's something so reassuring about Jon... he reminds me of Aslan) and Etienne Piek was visiting from South Africa!  Etienne brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye with testimonies of what's happening in India (yes - I am a soft touch) and Jon wowed me with plans for training the leaders of 24-7 Boiler Rooms around the world.  At the end of much discussion, eating, drinking and prayer I grabbed Etienne and my mate Pete to make a few wee videos.  First up is the above film about why Pete's excited about 'Magnify', the international gathering that's consuming my work life at the moment.  Take a look.  Second, I made Etienne stand in front of a camera and recount the stories that made me get embarrassingly emotional.  You can see those next week on the 24-7 international site... I'll probably post them here too.  Now I find myself at a loss.  It's been all go and now my evening plans have been unexpectedly cancelled... Hmmm what now... book, film, walk?  xc

'Approaching God' From Lisa's Perspective

 

My dear friends, Lisa Borden speaks wisdom, poetry and grace with almost every word that flows from her mouth... or at least that's how she seems to me.  (She'll probably laugh and deny it.)  I met Lisa, Byron and one or two of the Borden brood through the interweaving lace of relationships that is the 24-7 Prayer movement.  From our first time together I could sense something entirely peaceful about them.  It's good to be with them.  They make you feel like it's all gonna be ok.  Their life is less than ordinary spending more of it living outside of the US than in it, and acclimatising to the tribes of youth culture in Portugal as eagerly as to tribes of Masai in Kenya.  They're continental adventures in life make them deeply interesting people and their pursuit of God in each situation gives them perspectives that feel fresh to a little old middle class westerner.  It makes total sense therefor that Lisa has distilled some of this experience, poetry and learning into a beautiful and life giving book...

'Approaching God' has been released and I was fortunate enough to receive a pre-copy so I could submit a little 'yay-Lisa-yay-God' quote for the publishers.  It is an absolutely beautiful journey into the mind and heart of someone who honestly and sincerely lives and longs to know her creator.  Here's what I sent back after my first read...

"Lisa's warmth, compassion and wisdom is worth flying half way around the world to enjoy. Though continents separate us, this book was like a long and life giving conversation about the God we follow. Lisa's words are like a balm to the heart and an invitation to the soul to dive in and swim deeper in the mysteries of our Creator. The pages of this book left me yearning for more."

Please do get your copy and support my good friend in her first foray into print.

Happy Talk

I really need to carve out some time this week for prayer and study. My usual rhythm isn’t going to cut it. I’m speaking twice on behalf of 24-7 Prayer next week, first I’m in Shepton Mallet for New Wine and then at The Wave, a brilliant community week in Haslemere. I’m still at the stage where I take hours over praying, thinking and whittling down each talk I share, so I’m currently combing through my diary, making sure I’ve made allowances. Thankfully – through no forward planning on my part – this week is relatively free in the evenings. Study time booked, rough ideas of what I’ll prepare in my mind, all I need now is a companion… 

Anyone free on Tuesday or Thursday next week and fancy coming with me? My lovely partner in crime, Emma Nicholson, who usually accompanies my on speaking engagements, is jetting off to the USA so currently I’m flying solo. This is challenging for two reasons… 1. I don’t like going it alone; it’s much more fun and a lot less stressful when I’m with someone and 2. Er… I know I’m 28 but I still can’t drive. I love trains so it’s no big deal if I need to mission it but speaking on behalf of 24-7 highlights my lack of vehicular abilities and makes me think that I may need to ask for driving lessons for my Birthday next month. Oh well… 

If anyone fancies joining me, drop me a line. Love xc

Birthday BBQ with the Hardings

 

I just got sent this lovely little pic of my niece and I. It was snapped at this afternoon's Birthday BBQ for my brother in law Nick. I'm so fortunate to have married into such a generous, loving and amusing family. Happy Birthday Bro! xc 

The DeLoreans Live Recording... Oh My Gosh!

 

So for those of you who may not know I moonlight as the lead singer of a funky little functions band called The DeLoreans.  About four (!) years ago some good friends came to Steve and I asked we fancied having a bit of fun and making a bit of cash... who wouldn't answer yes and yes?  Rees/Steve, Nath, Jimmy, my Sven and I became the The DeLoreans and a fun little musical experiment has turned into quite a nice little side business that helps Steve and I afford to pursue our passions of music production and 24-7 Prayer respectively.  Over the years we've played at Weddings, corporate functions, Birthday parties, charity balls, supported bands like Delirious at Shepherd's Bush Empire and Bjorn Again at Wiston House.  It's been brilliant to have an outlet for the drama queen that lurks inside me.

In recent years with new jobs and babies the line up of The DeLoreans has grown and interchanges so we decided recently that we needed to record all our material for deps to learn.  We lugged some recording to a couple of gigs, crossed our fingers and hoped for the best.  My lovely hubby has just finished mixing the live recordings and oh my gosh they're kinda good!?  I of course have my cringeworthy moments - it is live - I don't hit every note - but generally I would totally dance to us.  Phew!  Good to know.  We're redesigning our website over the next few months but until that's done and the tracks are live here's a little sample... 

03 Blue Suede Shoes _ Great Balls Of Fire

Jesus Loves Ibiza

Like my new Bible?  All summer long, this sunny, little, life giving book has been handed out and passed around the streets of San Antonio.  'Jesus Loves Ibiza' it shouts across the front cover of these custom printed New Testaments in the Message translation.  (I cannot believe that Navpress/Eugene Peterson let them do it!)  These nifty, easily give-away-able books of the Bible were the brain child of the 24-7 Ibiza team who've been living and loving the people of the white isle for some years now.  If you've never heard of them before then check out this brilliant little short about their work and vision.  They're best known for making friends, praying, offering to help people in need, driving their vomit van around making sure people get home safe and now a prayer space that gives away free Bibles right in the centre of the bars of San An.

If you want to support their work these Bibles are a brilliant way to do it.  For £5 a pop every copy you buy puts a free copy in the hands of someone in Ibiza.  I bought three!  There've been a couple of friends I've been meaning to give a New Testament to for a while anyway and I thought these were perfect.  There so tiny and colourful and cute!  If you want to find out more you can arrange the order yours here.

Beauty flows from permanent marker pen...

 

Every time an email pings into my inbox from South Africa, Malaysia, Chile or some other nation where people have been praying 24-7, I love to pour over the photos of their creative prayer space.  Some weird and wonderful ideas have been tried throughout the years and some stunning artistic outpourings have sat beautifully alongside the less sophisticated but equally heart felt efforts of people like myself.  The creativity of varied expression is united by one goal, conversing with God. Sometimes it takes my breath away...  I received one such stop-and-stare email in the last week with a selection of photos I loved.  Within the report that came with the images I read this beautiful testimony.  It's words like this that make me so grateful to be such a small part of all God is doing through 24-7 Prayer:

"When I first arrived and took over from Jill, I was blank, I didn’t know what to pray for, so I just took a few moments to walk around see what was set up." Writes Grant Ambrosio from Hillside, South Africa.  "I then thought that I’d just start praying in tongues and immediately felt the Holy Spirit move in me. After spending some time in prayer, just asking the Lord what He wanted from me tonight, I kept getting the sense that He wanted me to return to Him, remember what it is that He did for me on the cross. He wanted me to be reminded that He shed his blood for me so that I don’t need to shed mine. That He has done away with the huge gap between God and us all. That we now have no burdens too great, that He has died for our sins, for our infirmities, He has broken the hold of sin and disease in our lives. That there is nothing in our lives greater that the cross. If we remember what he has done for us, if we remember the cross daily, we can overcome everything...

I then remembered a drawing I once saw of Jesus. A drawing in black and white, of just his head with the crown of thorns upon it. I felt a huge urge to draw that now, and if anyone knows me, I’ve not an inkling of artistic talent in me at all. I can’t draw, paint or even write half neatly either. So I just picked up the biggest permanent marker I’ve ever seen and started on the wall at the back. I set to work and 5 minutes later was looking into the eyes of my lord and savior. I burst into tears, and sat there crying. My life’s problems drifted away and I understood, that nothing else matters except serving the Lord. Jesus I love you. You have saved me and set me free." 

 

The Padawan becomes a Jedi

 

When I left home for Chichester in 1999, embarking on my degree and the life I've pursued beyond education, I left at home my younger teenage sister Lisa and my ten year old brother Adam.  I distinctly remember, shortly before I made the epic move, that Adam realised that I was not going to be coming home every weekend.  I sat next to him in his room and he was really annoyed with me.  It was during this conversation that he uttered the immortal words, 'you're breaking up the family'.  I guess I hadn't really thought of it that way but in a sense I was.  I was the first and oldest to fly the coup though I was soon followed by Lisa who took off for university in London and some years later by Adam himself who has just completed three years of hard work in Birmingham.  As Steve and I made the trek up to the midlands last night for Adam's graduation it hit how much has changed in this decade of moving and study. Yep, all three siblings left home and somewhat dispersed our family, but it's far from broken because of it :)  No matter the work, church or personal commitments the Trundles unite (and eat) when there's a milestone to be celebrated.  I felt quite emotional as I saw my not so little brother go through this right of passage and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies.  The world is his oyster.  All he has to work out now is how to crack it open.  It goes without saying that I am ridiculously proud and despite being more than a little tired after a rather late night, the journey to Birmingham was more than worth it... xc

Someone to walk with...

I was surfing the blogasphere earlier this week and came across this brilliant article by my good friend Phil Togwell.  Toggers is one of the most gifted mentors I have ever seen in action and as his friend I have benefitted from his unique mixture of insight, questioning, honesty and kindness.  For the last few years Phil has had a intern shadowing him in his life and role in 24-7 Prayer.  It's a scheme that we call 'Wild Goose' (don't ask - the random name would take too long to explain) and in his blog post he gives one of the most thoughtful and  inviting explanations as to why it's good to take a year of your life to seeking God and walking with someone else involved in prayer, mission and justice through 24-7.  For a year or so now I have quite fancied having a goose/intern of my own.  Now that my partner in crime Charlotte has moved onto working elsewhere I am greatly missing the sense of camaraderie and 'we're in this together' that comes from sharing your daily life and work with someone.  I wonder if there's anyone out there who fancies a year pursuing God and looking at life alongside me?

Hello world...

Each week someone from the 24-7 clan gives a round up of the week's news and stories.  This week was my turn with a special introduction from the 24-7 UK Network.  Check it out... xc 

The 24-7 tribes are gathering... I can't wait!

If you’ve known me for some time, you’ll know that some pretty significant life moments have happened at gatherings of the 24-7 Prayer tribes.  At IAM5 in 2005, the fifth Birthday celebration of the movement, I started dating this funny, kind and interesting young man called Stephen Harding.   At the International Leader’s Gathering, (2006 in London) I hung out with our international family as Miss Carla Trundle for the last time (can’t believe I organised a Wedding and a conference at the same time).  Then in 2008 I had one of the doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo (said in a spooky sing-song voice) moments when I asked God whether he wanted me involved in 24-7 Prayer for the long haul and someone turned around the next day with one of the clearest answers to a question God has given me… it was like they’d read my journal… obviously they hadn’t… and the answer was ‘yes’ (I’m still here).

I anticipate with relish every international gathering because I always arrive expectant.  What will I be challenged with?  How will we be encouraged?  What is God going to say to us?  I guess it’s not just me… others have met their future spouses, been called to move countries and to change the direction of their life in big ways and small.  As we have met, worshipped, prayed, discussed, ate, drank and made merry, new friendships have been formed and dreams birthed.

Right now a lot of my working week is taken up by preparing for our next get together.  ‘Magnify’ is the next 24-7 Prayer International Gathering and it’s happening from 16^th – 18^th September in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Practically what that looks like is lots of phone calls, emails and brain-storming sessions to arrange speakers, worship bands, décor, tours of the city, ceilidh’s, 24-3 Prayer Rooms and more.  But with each administrative task a great big welcome is being formed, a moment is being shaped when people from the UK, US, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Switzerland, South Africa, Brazil, India, New Zealand and many more nations will make their way by plane, train and automobile to be with each other and God.  It makes every long working day and unexpected challenge incredibly worth it. 

I don’t want anyone to miss it.

Do you want to come?

All the info for Magnify can be found by clicking on the banner above.  If you’ve not been to a 24-7 gathering before you are very welcome.  There’s always a mixture of new faces with the usual suspects and it’s a great place to be if you’re interested in kick starting the prayer life of your church, new forms of Christian community/Boiler Rooms or how we can tackle injustice throughout the earth.  Is there someone you think would benefit from being there?  Why not join me and blog, tweet, post on FaceBook or YouTube and spread the word.  I’d love the invitation to go as far and wide as possible so I’ve made this little page on the 24-7 site to give everyone access to banners, thumbnails and flyers. Download and go wild.   

Prayer has taken us to some incredible places and I can’t wait to see where else there is to go...  See you in Edinburgh. 

The Simple Things

Someone I consider pretty smart has asked if there was a recording of my talk last Sunday on Trinity and Community.  My reaction to his question gave me pause for thought... I was afraid.  It's silly but I feel a self imposed pressure to be able to say something smart or original when it comes to talking about God, but time and again it's the simple things he inspires or challenges me with... grace, love, the gospel... wow I think that pretty much sums up every talk I've given in the last two years and they've been about topics ranging from judgement to truth with a lot about prayer in between.  

I love studying... learning from people with a lot more time and dedication than I, who can take complex discussions and ideas and phrase them in a way I can get my head around; in ways that I can actually see in the Bible.  I've enjoyed the challenge I've felt from God to go deeper into study and to really search for the crux of the matter for these people at this moment every time I prepare a new talk.  The sense of relief and pleasure when I feel like I've hit on it... it's like the message is so much more than my communication, it's something God is already doing, already saying and I'm just putting some words around it.  

So why do I feel afraid?  Why the pressure?  

It's an honour to get to speak about even the most commonly known and simple things about our mysterious, majestic, unknowable God.  It's life giving to describe the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and to contemplate what the world can become when his people follow his lead.  Maybe it's pride?  Like Paul said... if my words are simple but impact people I can take no credit; only point to God as working through them.  Hmmm... if it's my lot, to only speak simply, for the rest of my life.  To be unimpressive and at times probably quite obvious, then I am still in.  Even the simplest things about the Father, Son and Spirit are engrossing when my mind is switched on and my heart is ready to be moved... cx 

Me, talk about football? Oh dear...

So during the World Cup Revs (my church) has been focusing on a teaching series about the character of God.  As one of the team who gets the chance to speak as part of most series I was very much looking forward to it until I received my talk brief.  The title of my Sunday was 4-4-2.  I kid you not.  Each characteristic of God's we're covering was cleverly related to a football metaphor.  Interesting you may think but I am the woman who thought the England manager was called Frances Accapella... What on earth does 4-4-2 mean!? This was going to be humbling. 

I'm rubbish at bluffing, I can do it but it would be disingenuous so I decided from early on in my prep that I was gonna have to be up front about my gross lack of knowledge re the beautiful game and just focus on the very interesting topic behind the metaphor...  What can the Trinity teach us about being part of the Church community?  I love to think about the absolutely mind blowing nature of God.  This was a pleasure of a talk to prepare.  Sunday I got up and gave my thoughts and conclusions to my Revs family.  If you're at all interested you can listen to the talk here.  If it sparks any thoughts or ideas about the Trinity for you I'd love to hear them :)

24-7 Prayer Zone at local school or How I got sun burn in England!

 

I have just had the most amazing week at Bishop Luffa secondary school here in Chichester.  As part of their arts festival the Religious Education department invited a team from our church to set up a lunchtime creative prayer zone for students.  It was amazing to get such an invitation and great to return to the school Lottie, Smiles, Melon and I set up a prayer space in a few years ago.  After much short-notice preparation and frantic trips to pic up materials (I'm not lying when I write in 24-7's Prayer Room resources that giving yourself plenty of time to organise is a good idea), we arrived last Monday morning to set up the Guildford Boiler Room's loaned caravan and many outdoor prayer zones.

The prayer activities we set up included places to express yourself with paint, meditations to listen to, a place to write any question you want to ask God, somewhere to tie a pink piece of material onto a large net whilst offering up a prayer for someone you know, a cross with holes in where people could write their petitions and put them inside (see below), videos, card making and much, much more.  There's something about utilising art, media and activities in prayer that opens up new possibilities and languages of expression...

For most students I think this was a fun place to whittle away a lunchtime, for some it seemed to be somewhere they could be honest and talk to God about the things on their mind.  It was such an honour to be involved in it and we received such a warm welcome from the staff at the school.  It was interesting how this time differed from the last prayer space we organised in one of the school's class rooms.  The outdoor venue meant that the more interactive zones were well used but the contemplative ones were sometimes over looked or disrupted by noise.  Having said that there were many students who came two and sometimes three lunchtimes in a row so they must have enjoyed it.  I did somehow manage to get really sun burned on the last day.  I hadn't quite realised how strong the sun was and I so rarely burn... I was foolish... now I look kinda ridiculous with some rather impressive white strap marks.   Oh well it was a small price to pay to be part of something so fun :)