Andi Swift

SUNDAY 9 APRIL 2017. THEME – SPIRIT LED GENEROSITY. SOLA OSINOIKI

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 16:15:00 +0000

SMALL GROUP NOTES FROM SUNDAY 9 APRIL 2017. THEME – SPIRIT LED GENEROSITY. SOLA OSINOIKI

Before introducing Sola, Simon drew attention to the Vision Fund with Gift Days coming up on 23 and 30 April, and a week of 24-7 prayer between those dates. Simon also challenged us to fill up the front rows in church and be closer to the preacher!

Sola introduced his theme as ‘listening to God’s whispers leads to Spirit led generosity’.

QUESTION: What might this mean to you?

Sola’s prayer is that we might no longer see generosity in black & white, but in technicolour. To change our perspective.

READ: Hebrews 13:2.

QUESTION: Is hospitality optional?

READ: Genesis 18:1-8. Abraham shows spirit led generosity to 3 strangers. He gave them a feast even though he was unprepared and unready. Though Abraham didn’t actually eat with them. It was about emptying himself on behalf of others. Those 3 strangers were angels.

Sola shared a story of needing money for flights to Nigeria. He felt prompted to write on facebook ‘praying for a flight, prices are crazy’. A lady responded with £1000 to cover the flight. Soon after, she herself received £600 – and said she wouldn’t be surprised if the rest came back to her. Another £100 came in. Then a week later, her tax bill was a full £1000 less than she expected.

Message is that God is good. We can give and trust in faith. We cannot outgive God.

READ: Genesis 19:1-4. Lot knew that just inviting wasn’t enough, he urged them to come. Because of that dinner, Lot got the information for him and his family to be safe.

Sola spoke of not giving something cheap, the minimum, but of giving a feast.

Sola shared another story of when he stood in response to a preachers call for people in financial need to stand up. Shortly afterwards a young man knocked on his door with a cheque for £1000!

READ: John 4:10 from The Message Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.”

QUESTION: How does the generosity of God, who gave His only son, challenge me to rethink my own generosity?

READ: Acts 16:14-5. Lydia persuaded them to come.

Sola shared a story of visiting Madrid, looking for a church one Sunday morning. Having arrived by taxi, as a stranger, he felt prompted to bring some prophetic words. Then he was invited to share fellowship and a meal at a home – he was then given money to cover the taxi, and return train fare. Only in the kingdom of God could it happen to end up in the home of a stranger, sharing fellowship, and helping out in the kitchen to prepare food.

QUESTION: Do you have any stories of giving or receiving generosity which you could share with the group?

READ: Luke 22:7-13. The ‘man’ that Jesus told them to follow, culturally shouldn’t have been carrying a jar at all! God provides the practical needs (a room), and God sees all things before they happen.

QUESTION: Are people led to find their practical needs met if they follow me? It depends on how much I am being led by listening to God’s whispers. I may not know the impact or consequence.

Sola shared a story of getting 100 dollars out of a cash machine. A woman behind him wasn’t able to get out any cash, and Sola felt prompted to give her whatever she asked for. It was 50 dollars. He doesn’t know the impact, but challenged us to just obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

If you want the Holy Spirit to help your own spirit of generosity, then ask for that help. To be the one in tune with the God’s whisper and therefore the one worth following.

QUESTION: Would you spend a few minutes in quietness seeking the help of the Holy Spirit in being generous?

Church: What's the Point?

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:57:00 +0000

An encouragement to share food.....There are Lonely People in Your Church

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:28:00 +0000

Over the past few years I have become increasingly aware of how many lonely, lost and isolated people are in our churches. And im not talking about the unsaved! All to often we look outside the church and get involved in community projects to express the love of the church that we completely miss the hurting and lonely people sitting around us on a Sunday. From the old lady who has been coming for years, the couple with kids who don\'t know anyone, to the single mum who struggles with her kids, these people need you to invite them around to your house after church, to call them in the week.
Even people who appear to be ok, they to, can feel isolated.

In the first few years, after moving down south, back in 2003, we had so many people around for dinner but what was strange was the number of times we were invited back. After 8 years we can still count on one hand the number of times! For whatever reason the practicalities of being in a family of believers has been lost.

Why?

Is this a southern thing or a sign of the economic times where people are busier than ever? Or is it that we have lost the basic principles of expressing Love and fellowship to each other?
There are so many examples where Jesus got off his backside and sat down with people in their homes, sharing a meal.

From the Pharisee leader to Zaccaeus, Jesus expressed love and fellowship by the very simple act of sharing a meal.

I simply encourage you to invite someone new to your house on Sunday, someone outside of your clique.
If you are have been in church for over 20 years, stop for a minute – are you hanging around with the same people as 20 years ago – they will be from the same mould and you need to kick yourself into gear – you are probably not being inclusive….do you walk pass people without acknowledging them?

Sharing a meal, ivitting them to your house, says alot, it says im interested in you, it says you are worth somthing.

Lonely people don’t stick around for to long, listen to their hearts all they need is friendship and love. If we don’t address this fundamental need, Love in the church, all we are is a clanging bell. We may be great at sharing love outside the church but neglect the people that are inside the building.
Over the past few years, Just before Christmas my wife Vicki has arranged collections of food so we could make up hampers for people in need in church and people in the community. What was truly amazing was the responses back from people even in the church. “No one has ever thought of me.”, “I am not used to getting anything”

There are lonely people in your church! what ae you going to do about it?

Fresh Leadership

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 19:25:00 +0000

Check out this video for information on the Fresh leadership http://vimeo.com/44932060
for 15-21 year olds go to www.sharejesusinternational.com/fresh
I have the pleasure to speak at a seminar on Business which I am really excited about...,

Billabong Pro JBay2012

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:06:00 +0000

The Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay started 9th July Our friends at CS South Africa will be there serving in many capacities.

On top of this they will be providing coverage of the event, showcasing many behind the scenes happenings at the event, specifically from a Christian perspective and the ways they are able to serve the event organisers from set-up to media to chaplaincy.

They have launched a website at http://www.christiansurfers.co.za/jbay12/ which will feature daily updates, photos and videos over the coming days.

Make sure to check it out and share it with your groups! They have kicked off the content with a great testimony from Kelvin Zemke previously filmed for their 'When a Surfer Gets Saved' series. Kelvin is a wildcard entry to the event and is very involved with CS South Africa with his wife Stephanie managing the office there.

Short-Term Mission Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 13:47:00 +0000

Churches often find it a struggle to find opportunities to send their people on short term mission trips,

I have GREAT news!!

I am pleased to say i have a few you may be able to share with them!!!

Christian Surfers host many short-term mission opportunities. Most of these are managed nationally with restrictions on those who can join from outside the Christian Surfers organisation.

Click here for a list of all CS affiliates.

Christian Surfers International Short-Term Outreaches

Surfing Missions is an extension of CS El Salvador that organises and hosts mission trips to El Salvador. Under a surf and serve concept, this family operated agency offer several ministry opportunities and take care of your local transportation, lodging and meals. You'll stay in a private and safe beach villa, just steps from great surf. Visit Surfing Missions for more info.
After a successful first year, Joyo's Surf Camp in G-Land are keen to host chaplains again for the coming season. This year they cannot afford to host for free, but will offer a discount on accommodation. We are looking for people to stay for one month at a time for each month of the surf season and be a direct presence and witness in the surf camp. Contact Tim Hartnett for more info.
CS Florianopolis in Brazil run a Surf House, which they would love to have people visit. It's in a beautiful area with great surf and they are running a wonderful outreach ministry. Visit their website for more info and watch this video to see the exciting things they have going there.

The following are not dedicated CS opportunities but are surfer friendly opportunities

Walking on Water have a variety of mission opportunites throughout the year. Visit their website for more info.
Surfing the Nations. Honolulu, Hawaii. Year round discipling and missions courses. Visit their website for more info.
PI Indonesia. Special surfer mission trips are provided for islands off Bali with another established mission organization. Visit Shemah Tours for more info.

CSUK National Conference

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 10:00:00 +0000

CSUK NATIONAL CONFERENCE

ONLY ONE WEEK TO GO

With only one week to go till the CSUK National Conference it's time to get your booking in!

This year is lining up to be a really exciting year, with Matt Timms from CS Newquay, confirmed as our guest speaker and the European premiere of the latest Walking on Water film, 'Promised Land' being screened on the Saturday night.

The CSUK National Conference is a great way to meet CS members from all over the UK, catch up with what God is doing through CS around the UK and beyond. It's also a great chance to see how you can get involved in the work of CSUK this year.

For those of you who have not attended a National Conference before, it’s a surf camp combined with a conference. It will be an informal weekend, which we hope will inspire you to continue to outreach to your local surf communities.

If you are still thinking of coming, please book your place ASAP so we can cater for everyone. You can book online at www.christiansurfers.co.uk/register

With only one week to go till the CSUK National Conference it's time to get your booking in!

This year is lining up to be a really exciting year, with Matt Timms from CS Newquay, confirmed as our guest speaker and the European premiere of the latest Walking on Water film, 'Promised Land' being screened on the Saturday night.

The CSUK National Conference is a great way to meet CS members from all over the UK, catch up with what God is doing through CS around the UK and beyond. It's also a great chance to see how you can get involved in the work of CSUK this year.

For those of you who have not attended a National Conference before, it’s a surf camp combined with a conference. It will be an informal weekend, which we hope will inspire you to continue to outreach to your local surf communities.

If you are still thinking of coming, please book your place ASAP so we can cater for everyone. You can book online at www.christiansurfers.co.uk/register

More than Gold

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:50:00 +0000

More than Gold – Creative & Performing Arts

SJI is the lead agency for the Creative and Performing Arts activities that will be part of More than Gold, the UK Church’s response for the London 2012 Olympics.

The 2012 Olympics gives the UK church an unprecedented opportunity to engage with contemporary culture. More than Gold aims to harness the creativity of the Church, to connect with people around the 2012 Games.
The Creative and Performing Arts team will give local churches and national Christian arts groups an opportunity to serve in the context of mission initiatives including Community festivals and Hospitality Centres.

How can performers and artists get involved?

More Than Gold is producing a list of performers and artists for local churches to book. Those who would like to be included should contact joydacosta@morethangold.org.uk
We are also working on a booking process for international performers. Artists who want to know when this process is ready should contact joydacosta@morethangold.org.uk

How your church can use performers or artists

The ways you can use creative arts to engage with your community include:

1. Buy tickets for the following events

Saltmine Theatre Company will tour with In Their Shoes – a collaboration with a Muslim Theatre Company. The theme is it’s possible to get along with others in spite of our differences. And focuses on a pair of sports trainers the Muslim (Stripe) and Christian (Spot) that neighbours are fighting over. Ideal for primary schools and all age community events. Details at Saltmine Theatre Company
Lantern Arts Centre will tour with their version of Dangerous Jouney. In celebration of 2012 Games, the team has revised the classic Bunyan play based on one man’s race. With music by Paul Field, this production is relevant for all ages. Details at Lantern Arts Centre
Riding Lights tour nationally between March and June 2012 with Monsieur de Coubertin’s Magnificent Opymlic© Feat! It goes back to the roots of the modern Games, bringing together the company’s church-linked audience with a new audience of people passionate about sport. Do download full details on a PDF click here. Those interesting in hosting should contact mailto:jessica.lawson@rltc.org?subject=Riding%20Lights%20-%20Monsieur%20de%20Coubertin%E2%80%99s%20Magnificent%20Opymlic%C2%A9%20Feat!
Act 4 have Star Citizen 2012, a record breaking interactive games show for primary schools, community groups and churches. It connects with the 2012 Games by encouraging children to reach for their potential. Details at Act 4

2. Book artists for local events
Click here for the a list of musicians, comedians and theatre groups you could book for your local events in the UK
3. Book international artists
Up to 1,000 performers may be coming from overseas to serve churches free of charge. Priority will be given to churches in host cities and towns including those with official Live Sites.
Churches interested in hosting international guests should contact joydacosta@morethangold.org.uk

Pentecost Festival - 18-27th May

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:54:00 +0000

http://www.pentecostfestival.co.uk/programme-now-available/

Pentecost Festival is a Christian led festival based in London. It is co-coordinated by registered charity, Share Jesus International(SJI) in partnership with Christian Aid and various churches and Christian organisations across the UK. Pentecost Festival is the largest Christian led festival in London and will be running from the 18^th-27^th May 2012 across central London venues. It attracts thousands of people and showcases what the Church in the UK is all about.

Previous highlights of Pentecost Festival have included; a BBC1 live Pentecost service broadcast at All Saints church Peckham viewed by over a million, a live music stage in Leicester Square for three consecutive years and 16,000 people attending an evening of worship in the O2 arena hosted by Jesus House church, Holy Trinity Brompton Church and Hilsong Church.

In short Pentecost Festival is…..

…arts, music and drama, it’s comedy, sport and film, it’s debates and discussions. Its a celebration of the diverse communities in London and an opportunity for people to discover more about Jesus. It offers something for everyone and everyone is invited regardless of age, faith or cultural background so come along, bring your friends, your congregation and your family and get involved!

What is Pentecost?
Pentecost is an important event in the Christian calendar that signifies the birth of the Christian church and the coming together of people from various cultural backgrounds to be united by one language and faith. Pentecost Festival celebrates Pentecost by:

Highlighting Pentecost and celebrating the Church’s birthday
Representing the multiculturalism and diversity of the Christian faith
Taking the Church out of it’s buildings and onto the streets and public places of London
Demonstrating God’s priority for justice and compassion

Promised Land

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:33:00 +0000

PROMISED LAND TO BE PREMIERED AT CSUK NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Latest news on the CSUK National Conference, being held 15 - 17 June near Woolacombe, is that we are going to be showing the European Premiere of Promised Land, the latest film from Walking on Water.

The film is shot in Israel and features Tom Curran, Al Merrick and Pat O'Connell. We are also hoping to have Todd Morehead at the premiere, who also features in the film, to present it and take any questions about the film and surfing in Israel.

You can check out the film trailer at http://promisedlandthemovie.com/

Remember to book before your place at the CSUK National Conference before 16 May to take advantage of the early bird discount!

You can book online at http://www.christiansurfers.co.uk/register/

Overcoming Cynicism

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:26:00 +0000

Most of us at some stage in life have said we don’t want to grow old and cynical.

When we were younger most of us probably observed older people and commented how cynical or bitter they are towards life. We vowed we would never end up like them.

Some of us probably have parents that have become like this, it may express itself as constant negativity with simple comments like – “you can’t have a slate floor, everything you drop will break” or they may constantly make judgements on the church you attend “The people that go there are so pretentious and fake”

For me, i used to be rather negative about the Church and Christians and if I was to put a label on it I would say I beame rather cynical, i am glad this has changed recently! Others may become cynical about Faith itself, they may have been a Christian all their lives but now face an illness and been prayed for and healing hasn’t come and so they question their faith and ultimately whether God exists at all.

Even as Christians we can find ourselves saying "Why bother?" or "There's no use trying” This is just the way it is." You see, when hope fades, cynicism is often waiting in the wings and it is something we all need to deal with before it takes over our lives and we lose our passion, joy and sense of wonder. One person put it like this "Cynicism is cancer of the spirit. The bad cells of sarcasm attack the good cells of hope and, if undiagnosed, will eventually destroy them."

So what has this got to do with you? Well as an individually I want to encourage you to keep running the race for which God has called us to with hope. This hope is anchored and rooted in Faith and rests in God and God's promises, even if we don’t see the visible signs today.

You have to remind yourself that we are all human and work in progress, 'At all times,' Jesus declared, 'we should pray' and not 'lose heart,'

God will complete the work that has been started in you. In Him we have everything we need. We need to replace the cynicism in our lives with hope, faith and love.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So if you find yourself been cynical – read the word.

Priorities in Life

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:48:00 +0000

Have you ever had someone explain to you how life can be represented as a 24 hour clock?

Basically you add up all the hours you spend doing essential things like sleeping, eating, going to school and even grooming and from that you start to understand how little time we all have.

Even by the age of 25 you will have lived 213,600 hours but taking out school, sleeping and eating you will only of had 6.2 years ‘spare time’!!!

The average life expectancy of a man in the UK is 77.7 years, and if you represent that life as a 24 hour clock spare time only accounts for 4 hours!

So the question is what are you going to do with your 4 hours?

You know it’s never too late to start doing something new.

At the age of 93 Theodore Francis Green retired from the U.S. Senate. At that time, he was the oldest senator in the history of the institution.

At the age of 93 P.G. Wodehouse worked on his 97th novel, got knighted, and then died.

Strom Thurmond, the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, won re-election after promising not to run again at age 99.

At the age of 85 Caleb in the Bible said – Give me my mountain!

It’s also never too late to start again if trials have hit you,. Simon Cowell was bankrupted at 35! And look at him now.

What will you do with your 4 hours??

There's a Party....but you're not invited

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:54:00 +0000

Do you ever feel that the world is tuning, there's parties everywhere but you are never invited?

Its one of the things we have struggled with most since moving from Yorkshire to Berkshire almost 8 years ago.

But its somthing we have learned to live with. As i was thinking about this earlier today i thought of David in the Bible, when Samuel came to look for the next King.

In 1 Samuel 16 we read how Samuel came to Bethlehem under the guise of offering a sacrafice. This would have been a tremedous event which everyone in Bethlehem would be aware of and be excited about.

Its like a party that is happending and all your friends are invited and excited about.

At this particular 'Party' Jesse invites all his sons except David.

David would be fully aware of the party as he sat in the field looking after the sheep.

Unknown to David, Samuel is searching him out as he is presented to each of Jesse's sons. Finally Jesse says to Samuel “There is still the youngest,” . “He is tending the sheep.”

Jesse probably thought...We didnt invite David he's the little Kid, insignificant, he's part of the Family but we didnt invite him to the party, we thought he would prefer looking after the sheep.

You see, even when you arent invited to the Party...God wants you there. Your name is on the VIP list.

There is a Party and You ARE invited.

Fact or Truth

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Sometimes we can be so caught up in the facts of life, that we forget the Truth of the Word.

We can look at the natural things around us and forget to speak faith in to the situation. You know we can bring heaven on earth by speaking out the Word, the Truth. In Habakkuk 3, the prophet Habakkuk speaks about there being no fruit on the vines and no figs on the fig trees, these are facts, but he goes on to say that he still rejoices because he knows the Truth. The truth is that God can lift you up; he can take you up to the high places. The Truth is God watches over you, and miracles start to happen when we start speaking the Truth into situations.

In Joshua chapter 10 verses 13 we see that God can even stop the sun in it tracks, he can take a huge army and whittle down to 300 men and still win the battle.

What are you facing right now, that in the natural looks like you are defeated? Speak the Word of Truth.

By that I mean read the bible and start speaking out passages that you read. Romans 8 is a great place to start, No weapon formed against me will prosper, I can do all things through Christ that gives me strength. Stop looking at Facts and speak the Truth.

Habakkuk 3
New International Version (NIV)
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.

Building and Growing

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:58:00 +0000

I am called to be the best me I can be, and you are called to be the best you that you can be but sometimes we try and do things that simply aren’t what we need or are supposed to do. We are co-labourers with God, and there are two separate dimensions we need to consider when we do ‘stuff’. The things that God is responsible for and the things we are responsible for. We are responsible for planting, building and producing programs, God is responsible for growing your church, the presence of God and moving people in their hearts. Whether you are a small group leader, lead a church or you are involved in mission – the best advice I can give you is to not worry about numbers, who has attended and who hasn’t. That’s God’s responsibility, for you – have you planted the word? Have you produced a program and done the best you can with your tasks? If you have, now it’s up to God!

Let’s not try and grow what we should build or try and build what we should grow. We easily get burnt out or discouraged if we start to worry or immerse ourselves in the things that God is responsible for. Take this as an analogy:

We Build Friendships….

Love is Grown….

1 Corinthians 3 (New International Version)

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Let\'s Go!

noreply@blogger.com (ajswift) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:20:00 +0000

Let\'s Go!

Far better it is to dare mighty things to win glorious triumphs, even though chequered with failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory or defeat.