The one that was hard to summarize

I am trying to sum up tonight in a concise, witty title, but I am having difficulties. Maybe it's because it's been another 'first' experience here in Paris. Maybe it's because although it may not seem much, tonight's experiences brought me through a whole gamut of emotions and thoughts. Maybe it's because I can't think in English any more. Or in French. Or in Malay (I just discovered when trying to speak to Ee Laine in BM!)

Hillsong London in Paris

I am so excited that Hillsong London is "setting up church" in Paris. Not only do I think that they are a great church, but more importantly, I think this church has the experience and the resources to make a huge impact on Paris. Of course, at this point I'd have some people jumping in and saying: "Oh noooo.. it's GOD. Oh noooo.. it's not us". But the point is ( ha ha... picked that up from Kelly), that God gives us wisdom. God gives us these experiences. And to be faithful stewards I think we need to learn how to use what He's given us. That said, I wonder what God is training me for. Man, what with going through church splits, and seeing a new church in the process of being birthed, and just the amazing, amazing experiences I have had so far and the people I've met.

I was talking with Jaco today. He's the guy I contacted or who contacted me about Hillsongs Paris. And he said something that struck a note in me... as both being very true and very timely. He said that he's learned to never think lightly of the relationships he has in his life. There are people who come into your life for like 5 minutes, but BAM, they make a huge impact on your life and it's changed forever!

And that's so true! I've been meeting so many awesome people! People who live their lives full of courage and full of purpose, extravagantly and bravely living their lives for Jesus, to fulfill His will! And that's no easy task. People in the US, at Carleton, my peers who allow me to see them struggle, to struggle with them and to learn together how to glorify Him in our lives. People at Rejoice, people who serve the student body at Carleton who lay down their lives continually to serve others and to be examples that we can model ourselves after. People I've met during this term (I can't believe it's only been ONE TERM!) who for the brief time I've spent with them have not only shown me God's love in tangible ways - taking me in to their homes for meals, ^providing transport, getting me connected with the body of Christ... People back home in Penang, who I've come to appreciate more and more because when you're always in the same place you don't appreciate how much effort and how much courage it takes to do the things you do.

But that statement really made me think for a while how important it is the testimony that we live. How sometimes we think about doing things "when no one is watching". But we should be thinking instead "how can I live so that if someone IS watching, he would be encouraged and spurred on in His walk". I'm guilty of letting down my guard when I think no one is watching. I'm guilty of living flippantly at times. But just with that simple statement, in no way intended as a life-changing sermon, I realized once again that our lives speak volumes of Who lives within us.

And as Pam had been singing incessantly before she left (although with the wrong lyrics at first):
Just live your life with God inside
You won't regret one moment of it
Just give all that you can for God

I have no regrets.

Hillsong London in Paris... for real, this time

Okay, that was a big soapboax to climb on! But for real this time, I went to a hotel near the Champs-Elysees for a Hillsong meeting with Christine Caine, a pastor from Sydney. It was an awesome time! I had expected some worship I guess, but there was none. Surprisingly, I didn't feel as disappointed as I would normally have felt. I think God really is showing me this term that music is not the only way that we get in touch with Him. That He is teaching me to draw near to Him through His Word, through fellowship with other believers... I have begun to realize how much I LOVE TALKING ABOUT GOD! Tonight, after the meeting I had a cuppa hot chocolate with Priyanka and her mom who is in town for a couple more days. And just talking with her and her mom about what God had been doing, about who He is and His church... it made my spirit soar, and it made me feel sooo good and so fulfilled. Just the knowledge that we serve and live for a God who is ALIVE and who LIVES IN US and who knows us better than we know ourselves and who pours out so much FAVOR and KINDNESS on our lives is more than I could ask for! Mind blowing.

But okay. So she spoke from Joshua 1:8. Those of you who know, that had been a 'key verse' for me for a long time... still is. It was on my wall all of last year at Carleton. And it's so true!

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

What a verse to live by!

And the best part? It was an 8 step progressive in heaven! (er.. 8 times the party, for those who don't get it :) ) because that was the number of decisions made for Christ! It was INCREDIBLE! I can't wait to see Paris won for Christ!

And man, does it need to be. Just over hot choc we were talking about someone who really really needs God, and I began to realize that everywhere around us, people are crying out for God. Christine Caine said that there's a longing in each of our hearts, a longing for eternity that can only be filled by God. And how true it is! In Ecclesiastes it says that God has set eternity in our hearts! He's made us to LONG for it! And people are trying to fulfill that need through so many things... of course, you have the drugs, alcohol and sex. But it's more than that... and I'm praying that God would teach me to be sensitive to that and to take time to share His love with the people I meet.

Well, that's it for now. Thank you for taking the time to read. Do respond if you have some thoughts... click on "comment". As simple as that :) Or just drop me a note on my tagboard to say hi! :)

ERICA ARRIVES TOMORROW!!!!