Eddy Rescue

Haven't updated for a while. Labour day "Hoharata" mission to rescue Edson was successful. However Edson is still presently too traumatised from the experience and it can be confirmed that he has not spoken even one word since his capture. (fortunately we can be sure he gave the terrorists no inside information). A video of our mission is currently being constructed and adjusted. In cinemas November 20th - ish.

So, this week has been quite busy with school and all. By all I mean youthgroups, fairs, spring clean, church services, movie night, work, fundraising, and tonight a meeting for christian groups in schools in Christchurch. I'm not actually a leader of the group but I went because I wanted some ideas for getting involved in a highschool/primary school christian group next year one day a week.

Learned some good things I would like to put to practice sometime in the future.
Hopefully sooner than later

So that's my update. quite broad really.

First Day OBY06

I started the first day getting up early and watching the sunrise, during which I had to epiphanies.

First, Following God is like the sunrise. Sometimes people get up bright and early so they can see the sun as soon as it rises. But in doing so they miss the beauty of the rise. It’s the rising that people look on in awe, not the first sight of the sun. Sometimes people pay so much attention to salvation that they forget that there’s beauty in a life of following Him.

The second epiphany I got as I walked around the fields. I drew close to one cow. Instead of the cow running away frightened it drew closer to me. As soon as it took a step forward other cows saw the first and started running towards me until a large group congregated and formed a massive support group for the first cow. It made me think, we need to be like those cows; to form a group when one of us is threatened, to support each other. But that requires one of us to stand up in faith, to take a step forward. That means drawing closer to an enemy, or the unknown. Because when one of us takes a stand against something others see that in them and are inclined to do the same.

They were my thoughts, when I got home from camp today I had someone diss me because the "anti-Cashmere Christian Crew" at school was banned. I didn't even know there was a group. But I looked at his webpage and he is the most anti guy I know, he fully puts down anyone who doesn't (conform) believe the same views as him yet preaches about individualism. He targets "emos", christians and many other groups.
I posted a comment back on his page, I wonder if it was a little too harsh...

"Ryan, I've not even heard about the ACCC until now, I can imagine what it is. To be honest I don't care if you want to start a group. I've been reading your bebo page and to be honest, if you really believe that christianity is like you voice then you have never opened your eyes. You hate christians just because we have found purpose. Have you? I would like to see you live in a world without Chrisitians, without Christ, without God. No consitutions, no laws, no good. Sorry buddy but you'd be killing the glue that holds this world together. Have your group; sit around and talk about how you hate the world. It's rooted from the hate you have of yourself. From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. This is my opinion I'm entitled to. I agree you're entitled to yours too"

Too harsh?

The Tuesday before Wednesday which is tomorrow

Today at school I was told I had about a week to come up with a "last words" and a "likely fate" to put next to my name for the school year book. Fortunetly I've got a week because I can't think at all what to write. I want it to be something funny and memorable. Any suggestions?

I also got my hair cut today then spent the afternoon window shopping with two lovely ladies (aka, following them around acting interested in the clothing like a good boy)
The hair cut is short so now I can play soccer without getting my hair in my eyes.

I'll keep this post short and simple, so... the end.

Who I Am In Christ

I am a child of God

John 1:12; Romans 8:14, 15; Galatians 3:26

I am created in God’s image

Genesis 1:26

I am the light of the world

Matt 5:14

I am the salt of the earth

Matt 5:13

I am part of the true vine, and Christ’s life flows through me

John 15:1, 5

I am Christ’s friend

John 15:15

I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit

John 15:16

I am Christ’s personal witness sent out to tell everyone about Him

Acts 1:8

I am a temple – a dwelling place - for God, His Spirit and His life lives in me

1Cor 3:16, 6:19

I am joined forever with the Lord and am one spirit with Him

1Cor 6:17

I am a new person. My past has been forgiven and everything is new

2Cor 5:17

I am at peace with God, and He has given me the work of helping others find peace with Him

2Cor 5:18, 19

I am a saint, a holy person

Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:2

I am a citizen of heaven with all of God’s family

Ephesians 2:19

I am righteous and Holy

Ephesians 4:24

I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life

Colossians 3:4

I am chosen of God, Holy and dearly loved

Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4

I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people belonging to God

1 Peter 2:9, 10

I am only a visitor to this world in which I temporarily live

1 Peter 2:11

I am an enemy of the devil

1 Peter 5:8

I am born again in Christ and the evil one, the devil, cannot touch me

1 John 5:18

I am assured that all things work together for good

Romans 8:28

I am free from any condemning charges against me

Romans 8:33-34

I cannot be separated from the love of God

Romans 8:35

The sinful person I used to be died with Christ, and sin no longer rules my life

Romans 6:1-6

I am free from the condemnation my sins deserve

Romans 8:1

I have received God’s Spirit into my life. I can recognise the blessings he has given me

1 Corinthians 2:12

I have been given the mind of Christ. He gives His wisdom to make right choices

1Corinthians 2:16

I have been brought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God

1 Corinthians 6:19, 20

I have been made acceptable to Christ

2 Corinthians 5:21

I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live is Christ’s life

Galatians 2:20

I have been bought out of slavery to sin and forgiven. I have received His generous grace

Ephesians 1:7, 8

I have been made spiritually alive just as Christ is alive

Ephesians 2:5

I have direct access to God through the Spirit

Ephesians 2:18

I may approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence

Ephesians 3:12

I have been rescued from the dark power of Satan’s rule and have been bought into the kingdom of Christ

Colossians 1:13

Christ Himself lives in me

Colossians 1:27

I am firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built up in Him

Colossians 2:7

I am spiritually clean. My old sinful self has been removed

Colossians 2:11

I have been given a spirit of power, love and self-control

2 Timothy 1:7

I have been saved and set apart (sanctified) according to God’s plan

2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5

Because I am set apart (sanctified) and one with Christ He is not ashamed to call me His brother or sister

Hebrews 2:11

I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be carried out until completion

Philippians 1:6

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13

I am a minister of reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:17-20

I am God’s co-worker

2 Corinthians 6:11

Xtend

This week I have been extended by a camp called Xtend. I really love camps and I felt like I was really streched and challenged at this camp. One of the things about this camp was springs. We had to build our faith on springs rather than bricks. Walls are broken and destroyed when one or two is shattered. Springs are streched, extended and challenged in order to grow and create bigger and better things. You take one spring from a trampoline and the trampoline still works fine. Each spring is seen as a truth that we as Christians know.

I'll write some truths at the end of this post.

Each night was so different for me and streched me in different ways.

What was so different about this camp was also that I made an effort to get to know almost everyone on camp and by the end I felt I had developed friendships I hope to extend further into my future.
I'm not the kind of person who goes out and does, I wait for people to come to me. And that is said in almost everything I do. I don't offer to do a job, I wait to be asked. I don't ask for phone numbers, I wait to be asked. I don't request hugs, I wait to be asked.
Even today, I heard a girl asking people if they had 70c or something that she could have, and I said I do, but I was far enough away that she couldn't hear me. It made me realise my thoughts, I wasn't going to tell her I could give it to her, if she wanted it badly enough she would keep asking until she asked me personally and i would be more than happy to give it to her.
I realised I think like that in everything.

Hugging came up a lot at camp, as it is a controversial christian issue. Is it OK to hug someone of the opposite sex front on? Because could it not give the wrong implications?
I personally struggle with hugging because one of my love languages is physical touch yet because of my approach to life I don't offer hugs, I only get them when others want them from me. I figure if someone wants me to hug them they will ask, I'm always gonna want a hug so ofcourse I will say yes, but if they don't want a hug then I don't want to have to hug them.

I thought at camp I should give people hugs just because I wanted them. I wanted to do something for myself and hugs are extremely important to me. I feel I never get enough.

So I went around asking people for hugs today, and I did it whilst asking if they wanted a sidehug or a fronthug, or no hug, so that if they did feel awkward about me hugging them front on...or at all, then there would be no awkward feelings in the hug.

It made me think that maybe I should come out of my "shell" in life and do things more for me. Not that living for other's feelings is a bad thing but I just think that if I neglect my own feelings too much then eventually my little "Love-pool" will dry up and I'll have no love to give to others.

So that was just one thing about camp at Xtend this year
I'll do truths on a new post.