The Kingdom of God is near

Prayer Requests
. That my time in the community art group will be fruitful as I build relationships with those who really need the love of Jesus
. As we prepare to plan outreach we could move forward and strengthen relationships with each other.
. That Andreas will grow in passion and confidence in Evangelism as he learns new ways to do it.
(see last paragraph)

This week as you might have guessed has been on the 'Kingdom of God' it has not been an easy subject by any means. One of the biggest focuses of this lecture has surrounded the topic of Gods healing power. Most of us will have no problems confessing Gods healing power but when it comes to God healing us or even healing people through us things get a little less simple.

At least that is how I feel.

But one of the most amazing things that we have been taught this week is that it has been Gods pleasure to give us the Kingdom, also we know that all authority on heaven and earth has been given to Jesus therefore that same power in Jesus is in us. Furthermore I can do things through Christ who gives me strength and even Jesus said you will do greater things than I.

I think God might be trying to tell us something.

I personally have not yet seen God heal anybody through me yet, and I think that is where it gets difficult for us. Was it me?, Is it them? But one of the most beautiful things I will hold on to is this.

Even if I never see God heal someone through me my faith will not faulter, I will not lower my faith level for the things God has promised and for the things God desires.

We watched a documentary called the 'Finger of God' after something like that it is impossible for me to believe anything less than what is described. I have attached a small part of the documentary, a taster.  

FINGER OF GOD (click this link)

Other cool stuff that God has been doing this week is using us to bless the community. We did some more treasure hunts. For those who don't know a treasure hunt is when we ask God if he would like us to bless anyone in the community, so we ask for location, name, appearence, prayer need and then we go off and find them. Once again God has shown how faithful he is, in short I found my treasure and we got to pray for his shoulder to get better (I believe God has). But what was really amazing was to see how God worked his timing of us being in certain places at certain times, not just to find our treasures but how at the same time we met other people, even some we new from the community in Skien and got to spread the gospel and pray for others.

Another story the DTS have to do something called Evangelism and Discipleship and I am one of 4 SOE students who gets to disciple and take out a DTS student on Evangelism, it's quite cool really, a great way to grow in Leadership. I have an amazing guy called Andreas he is Norwegian and really passionate for Jesus and it as much a chance to learn off him as he off me.

Anyway that is enough for now

Blessings in Abundance

Jonathan

Extra Extra read all about it Outreach location revealed.

Well the day has finally arrived I know my outreach location.
and the winner is (drum roll please)
 

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

I will be going with two others, both Norwegian and both men of God who are passionate and on fire for him.
As I understand it we will be working a lot with the Churches there and re-pionnering a YWAM base.

We ask for your prayers.

Prayer Requests
. that myself Vegard and Bjarte will be drawn together in unity, friendship and trust
.we will have vision for Vienna and courage and boldness to see them come alive
. health
. organisation as we plan even now

Also please do not hesitate as you pray to send any pictures, words of encouragment or scriptures as this can bring much confirmation and encouragment.
Well that's all I shall write another post at the end of this week bringing you up to date on other news.

Blessings in Abundance

Jon

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom

Prayer Requests 
. Pray for the SOE leaders and staff members as they seek Gods face inot where each student should go on outreach, pray they get clarity and peace.

Another week of lectures has gone by and this week it was on the 'Fear of the Lord' and on 'Growth'.

Hard to know what to say as so much has happened in a space of 5 days of teaching. But here is what God has been really speaking to me about.

The Fear of the Lord is to not just hate but to despise sin, God has really been teaching me that I cannot take sin lightly or passively, it must be dealt with violently beause if not sin will violently destroy us. A lot of what God was doing with me and the others was giving us the opportunity to repent and rebuke sin in our life and what we found was that God was restoring us to a Holy boldness and courage, free from fear.

Now Myself and others are able to preach the gospel more fearlessly and not because we have to because we are told to but because we want to and this has released so much joy as we find new creative ways to bless Skien residents.

Testimony

Every week we do something called 'people games' the aim behind this is to bless, encouraged the community in Skien. This past week we decded create hand made blessing cards and hand them out with free chocolate (not a bad coversation starter). Some stories include a person giving their life to Christ, many got prayed for but I didn't get any conversations but God really encouraged us two ways.
1. The effort myself and others put into the written blessings and the cards opened up many coversations
2. Success isn't conversations it is in obedience to God

During the 'Growth' lectures I learnt a lot about taking responsibility for thought life, for using my giftings wisely and developing them and time managment. This week was a very practical week but I see God is pouring maturity and intentionality into all of us.

In other exciting news I find out my outreach location on Monday.

YWAM 50th Aniversary

Prayer Requests
. We know our outreach Locations. Newcaslte in England, Vienna in Austria and Stockholm in Sweden. Please pray that God would reveal where he would like me to be and what he would like me to do there.
. I am getting involved in an Art Group in Skien so I can get to know the public, some are from Afganistan, pray that I could communicate and relate especially since English may not be that good.

This past week I have been in Sweeden at the YWAM Base Restenas. A wonderful place in the countryside. It has such a loving atmosphere. This week was all about getting YWAM's DNA and all the YWAM bases came to Restenas from the Northern part of Europe, over 700 people were there.

We spent a week of worshiping God, growing in community by networking, encouraging other Ywamers and listening to lectures given by Loren and Darlene the founders of YWAM.

What did I get from that week.
. a growing passion for Europe and to see it changed
. a greater revelation of Gods incredible provision
. a love for Fika (a Swedish break with coffee and cake)
. and volleyball

This week we have lectures on the Fear of the Lord, with a passionate American called Connie Taylor. Should be challenging.

Until the end of next week, spread the word, pray lots and blessings in abundance from Skien.

P.S Skien is pronounced (Shen)

Im off to Sweden

Well I am off to Sweeden to the land of Abba and all things blue and yellow.Sadly Abba won't be there.
I will be going with the whole of YWAM in the Northern Europe sector for 5 days of celebrating 50 years of YWAM. It will be a week of food, cheap sweets/candy and gaining a greater vision for the future of YWAM celebrating Gods faithfulness in the past. I reckon 700+ people will be there.

You will also be happy to hear I am making good use of time learning Norwegian phrases such as:
 

there's a sweaty moose in the forest
the cheese is in the toilet

You know the important kind of phrases that get you through life.

Prayer Requests 

. The week will be filled with Gods Glory and that we would be drawn near to him in true intimacy

. Have lots of fun

My address

Below is the address of the prison (i mean base) where I am living it would be nice to keep in contact with you, hear how things are with you etc.

I don't fancy completely secluding myself off.

Kongensgate 1

3717 Skien

Norway

Many blessings

Jonathan

Sorry it took a while but I am here

So I write to you know from Norway Skien, very exciting.

It is a very beautiful country really beautiful. At the moment it is sunny and warm but I hear as winter closes in it can get down to -10 degrees celcius. mmmm  nice.

Anyway I am sorry it has taken so long for an entry, internet issues.

Interesting facts

I live in a prison and all rooms are cells.

It turns out also starting the week of the 20-09-2010 it is the 50th  Aniversary of YWAM so I go to Sweeden for 5 days to celebrate an be invisioned with the whole of YWAM in Northern Europe.

Prayer Requests

. I continue to stay open to God, not to lose passion or grow weary but to fight.

. I recieve new revelations of God (intimacy)

. I find ways to be a blessing in Skien Community with art and design (part of course)

My first week of lectures are over and we were learning about bible study methods, very insightful and I feel very encouraged to read my bible in a way that brings new depth and insight in a fun and easy way. Praise God.

 I think that is about it for now. I will post a picture of Skien next post.

Blessings