Celebration Update December 08
Celebration meeting for those in the Llanelli area, 7.30pm Monday December 8th
International Centre, Glanmor Road, SA15 2LU. Tel: 01554-778035. All welcome.
'Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep' (Genesis 1:2).
We are often uncomfortable with lack of form, and with darkness, and yet it was in that place that the Holy Spirit was hovering, awaiting God's word so he could act. Our Lord is as comfortable in the darkness as the light. In fact it is often in the darkness that he does his most amazing work. A baby is formed in the darkness of the womb. A seed begins to find its life and shape in the hidden place of the soil. Every new day is birthed in the womb of the dawn. The most amazing miracle of all time, the Resurrection, took place in utter silence and darkness. When the stone was rolled from the tomb, the miracle was revealed, but it was already accomplished.
The Most Holy Place, was and still is, in heaven, a place where there is no natural light. God is beyond light and sound. He invites us to come to him where he is, leaving our own light and our noisy ideas outside. He beckons us into the place of rest, the place of faith, the place where we let go of what we see and hear, and trust him alone.
'So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal' (2 Corinthians 4;18).
This is the place of worship. We enter it with confidence because of the blood of Jesus.
From this place we can prepare for Celebration for the Nations, because from this place God speaks, and 'calls things that are not as though they were' (Romans 4:17). In the great mystery that is fellowship with the Holy Spirit (we call it prayer), we join him in that creative process.
A brief look at the history of Revivals will show that they too were born in darkness; the darkness of intercession and repentance, and even the darkness of the hopelessness of society without God. Lets not cease to groan with the Holy Spirit in the darkness. It is the songs that are sung in the depths of the night that are sweetest to him.
Celebration is part of an obedience to the Holy Spirit, who is still hovering over the chaos of our world, awaiting God's word to pour himself out on all flesh.
For the Celebration some things have already been called into being. Much still remains to be done. However, let all our work be out of that place of rest. What is yet formless and empty will be filled and formed in His way and time. After all it is the Lord himself who is rebuilding David's fallen tent.
Dates
17th -24th July Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli, Wales. A week to worship the Lord. Worship leaders from Korea, the UK, and elsewhere.
25th - 26th July Celebration in London
28th July - 5th August Training and Evangelistic Placements in UK and Europe.
There will also be opportunities for some to join World Horizons Global Journeys to various parts of the world or to go to a Welsh-based International Conference, Ablaze.
The Selwyn Samuel Centre
As we mentioned in the newsflash in our last update, we have now booked the Selwyn Samuel Centre for the Celebration. It is the largest hall in Llanelli, holding a maximum of around 1000-1200 people. It is a central location, yet still within walking distance of the beach and the Festival Fields where the 2007 Celebration was held.
A challenge now is how we are going to accommodate everyone! We will soon start to look into all sorts of possibilities.
London
As you see from above, we believe that we need to take the Celebration to London again this year. Pray for Pastor Hoon Jong and his team as they seek to advertise and organise this part. Last year it was wonderful to link with Korean and other communities in London, as well as see many people touched by the Lord as we took our worship onto the streets of the capital.
Worshipper Warriors
Pray for the right people to come. They may feel the weakest of the weak, as Gideon did, but the Lord sees them as mighty warriors. King David was a great worshipper, and also a a mighty warrior. His strength in battle came from his intimacy in worship. There is a world to win back, and false borders to be torn down! Our direction and anointing can only be found in the secret place of worship.
Help us make the Celebration known. Ask the Lord who you should be encouraging to be a part of this!
Encouragements
Praise God for Na Young, based in London, who is using her skills to help us design literature. Pray for her. Thanks Na Young!
Despite freezing temperatures worship evangelism is still going on in Seoul, London and Llanelli!
In Llanelli we have had good meetings with representatives of some of the local church leaders. We believe that we are now understanding more of how we can work together and Celebration can be a blessing to the local churches and community. Thanks for your prayer.
Some people have given very sacrificially to help make Celebration 09 happen. We have money to pay immediate expenses. Praise God! Join us in faith for all that we need. God is good! If you would like to donate, please look at the webiste for further details. (celebrationforthenations.org)
Wishing you Christmas joy!
May we share the wonder of carrying the life of Jesus in the secret place of our hearts (just as Mary did in her womb), and seeing him birthed in our conversations, in our family gatherings, in the little acts of love and kindness that he prompts everyday. It is more blessed to give than to receive, and most blessed of all to give the greatest gift of Jesus into a situation!
In celebration of His love,
Gail
