Stepping Into Traffic

Bernhard and I have just had the privilege of ministering in Manado Indonesia . We love the EN family and we’re so blessed to have been there for the third time. We love different cultures and the diversity of the spiritual family around the world. We love experiencing different food, different architecture, different ways of doing life etc .I’m always intrigued at the fact that what is acceptable behavior in one country is not in another. 

We had one of these experiences as we tried for ten minutes to cross a three lane road from the hotel we were staying in, to the shopping mall which was across the road! As hard as we tried, we could not find a gap between the constant flow of motor bikes, cars, trucks etc  We looked for some traffic lights or walkways but as we were about to give up, a local walked towards us and took Bernhard’s hand and as I hung on to Bernhard the three of us just stepped into the oncoming traffic ! Yes! It was that simple! 

I’v realized that when you know the cultural ways it can be so simple.Our new ‘friend’ simply stepped into the traffic, lane by lane, put up his hand, and the traffic stopped just for a brief second and we were able to walk forward, even while motorbikes and cars were racing just behind and in front of us . As I held on, I had to make an intentional decision to trust, even though my cultural mindset was screaming that what I was doing was illegal and I could get fined for doing it .As we got to the other side, a small group of onlookers clapped and cheered and ‘celebrated our victory’.

What a picture of God giving us cultural keys to understand and unlock understanding and revelation in each nation so that we can walk in victory . 

‘ I have given you authority to walk on scorpions and snakes and nothing by any means will harm you ‘  Luke 10:19 

God wants to give us strategy and context for the sake of purpose . 

As our ‘friend’ stepped into traffic, he only had to put up his hand and he had the authority over the traffic. We had tried in our own strength for sometime and we were getting hot 

(the temperature was over 40!) and tired and we were about to give up and go back to the hotel.

I am reminded that as God has called us to reach ‘every tribe, every tongue and every nation’,we cannot do it in our own strength or our own understanding.

‘it’s not by might or by power ... but by my spirit says the Lord ‘ Zachariah 4:6

‘But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate,submissive,full of mercy and good fruit ,impartial and sincere James 3:17

We need to ask Him for His help and then trust Him and step forward even if it doesn’t make natural sense. God wants to give us cross cultural keys so that we can walk through danger and experience victory. I believe we should have fun doing it as well . 

A few hours later we needed to cross back again, from the mall to the hotel. Immediately the same ‘friend’ came running to our aid. He ran through the traffic, grabbed our hands and this time we ran without any hesitation, laughing and enjoying the experience .We clapped along with the onlookers who were celebrating .

We used to sing a song ‘ trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus ...’ I now think of this Manado incident, not with fear, but with a smile on my face. I know that my Heavenly Father celebrates life’s victories with me , especially when I trust and obey quickly and lean into His ways 

#LiveStrong#Colleen’sView#CounterCultureTruths

Citizenship

I am officially a kiwi !

After living in New Zealand for eighteen years, I have intentionally chosen to take out New Zealand citizenship. Many of my friends wonder why it has taken me this long . For many years I felt that my South African and Swiss citizenship’s were all I needed, but while I was ministering in Australia it occurred to me that a New Zealand passport would make travel to Australia easier, and so I decided to go through the long process of becoming a NZ citizen . It was a wonderful inviting celebration and I feel proud to be a New Zealander.

I have since been thinking about the many blessings and inheritance I have received as I hold three citizenship’s. Not only do I have easy access travel all over the world, there are also certain blessings and experiences that are uniquely connected to each of these citizenship’s .I have insights, humour, understandings, thinking processes, world views, adventures etc that I get to enjoy and live because of these three citizenship’s

I’v also realised that when I’m in South Africa, I can’t stop thinking and processing my thoughts as a New Zealander, or when in New Zealand ,my South African and Swiss heritage is carried with me.

As a Christian, I get to live with a heavenly citizenship as well as my earthly inheritance . I have a dual heavenly and earthly citizenship, according to Ephesians .Paul declares, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in

Christ” (Ephesians 1:3) and vs 6 says “ we have been seated in heavenly places”

We are not just heavenly tourists ! We are citizens, and that truth should change the way we live.The truth we believe in must become a reality and experience. Truths must be explored as adventures rather than tucked away as principles.

I love visiting the many amazing places there are to experience in New Zealand,South Africa and Switzerland and enjoying the amazing adventures in each of these lands. In the same way ,I believe we should explore and enjoy heavens realm !

Most are satisfied with seeing our inheritance in the distance rather than exploring what it looks like up close and personal. We have to discover what our inheritance is and take our position in the heavenly place with Christ.

Its time to start thinking and living in a Kingdom way .

#LiveStrong #Colleen’sView#burn2018

It’s amazing that we get to be a son or daughter of God

One of the greatest life changing revelations or ‘wow’ moments in my journey as a Bible believer, was when the scales dropped off my eyes and for the first time I understood, that I am a ‘son of God’ or a ‘child of God’.

Experiencing freedom was exhilarating.  This spiritual truth is rich and life changing when understood and applied.    For a long period of time I had lived like a slave. 

What does this mean? In life I wanted to please people and people’s opinions were important to me as I strived for their approval and validation.  This resulted in me working as  a ‘slave’ to impress people who in a sense took on the role of a master in my life.  

"Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ”  Galatians 4:7

Slaves and sons are on the opposite sides of the spectrum.  A slave is purchased and money is exchanged by the master. The slave then has to work for the masters selfish needs and desires.Slaves never inherit anything from their  masters. 

On the other hand, a son of God is purchased by the blood of Jesus and enters into a relationship with Him and becomes an heir of God.  God becomes our Father or our Daddy.

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Adoption by whom we cry, “Abba Father”.’  Romans 8:15 (NJJV)

It is from that revelation that we as believers should be living from.  That is my starting point every day.  I AM a ‘son of God’ and I AM loved  by my Father.  

I want to encourage you to stop being a slave. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone.  God loves you as a son or a daughter.  

I hope you also get to experience and enjoy the freedom of being God's child. 

   #MakeNew#LiveStrong#LiveFree

Leadership X

#LiveStrong   #Burn2018   #EnvisageNow

In the bible story about Cleopas and another disciple, we read that they were on their way to a village called Emmaus, when a stranger approached them and asked why they were so downcast.  This was after the crucifixion of Jesus.   They had no idea that it was Jesus who was ‘explaining the Scriptures concerning Himself’ to them.  

As they approached the village, they urged ‘the stranger’ to stay the evening as it was late.  The ‘stranger’ sat at the table, took bread, gave thanks and broke it and began to give to them.  What happened next is something I pray for every day.  It says, ’then, their eyes were opened and they recognised Him. After this He disappeared from their sight.’  

We read in Luke 24:32, “That they asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road, and opened the Scriptures to us?”

As leaders, three powerful challenges jump out to me when reading this story.

1.  Are your eyes open to what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life, your church, and your city?  As leaders our spiritual eyes need to be open to discern and provide leadership to the people we are responsible for. Sometimes Jesus and the Holy Spirit is in our midst and we don’t even know it.  Lets wake up to what the Holy Spirit is doing! 

2. As leaders, does your heart ‘burn’ when you read and study the Scriptures?  Maybe you hear someone minister the truths of God’s word, it does something and there is a stirring in you?  This was the response of the disciples when they said ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road, and opened the Scriptures to us?  Let us model passion and excitement for His word.

3.  As Biblical leaders, the Bible says that we are ambassadors of Christ.  We are to represent Jesus here on earth.  We are called to imitate Him in every possible way.  Jesus spoke to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and their hearts burned when He expounded the scriptures.  As preachers of the Gospel ,as we expound the Scriptures to our congregations, life groups, counselling and doing life with people, do THEIR hearts burn because of the words we speak?  Is our heart and mind so full of the anointing and passion of God that when we speak the words we speak bring life shifts to those who hear.? 

The challenge is what do people say after they have been in your company and hear you speak!

As I continue my exciting and life changing journey with Christ as a disciple and as a leader, I want to be able to say on a daily basis ‘My heart burns every time I read and study the scriptures and it compels me to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every tribe, culture and nation’.

Have You Made God Your Head Coach yet?

Happily Ever After 

It was fantastic been able to be at the Aussie Open tennis this week. I was reminded of how Bernhard and I met in 1978 ! I arrived in Port Elizabeth South Africa to study teaching, after spending a year on the mission field on the campuses in South America . I had chosen to study at the PE campus primarily due to some sporting opportunities and on arrival was asked by the tennis coach if I would partner Bernhard Wewege ! When I watched him play I was slightly in awe, along with other numerous female fans !!

Since then, tennis has always been a shared joy and interest.I am blessed to have partnered with Bernhard in life’s ‘matches’. Some have been short games and others lengthy . Some have been easy victories and others tough matches in tough circumstances ,but through it all ,we have remained team and God has been our coach .

As we end another ‘game’ I look forward to the shared adventure ahead and thankful that my life’s partner has always put God first . I know having God as our coach means we have many more victories ahead. We’re Living Life !

Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”