Note, if you want just the sermon skip to 15:45 on the timeline.

It was my great privilege to preach at Bath City Church today. The passage I was given was Ephesians 6:10-13, and you can view the video of it above if you so wish. The full notes are also available on my blog.

I trust that this finds you well and enjoying the beginning of summer. As I write this I’m sitting on a train whizzing past a very green countryside that’s as enthusiastic about the sun as I am. The seasons are a wonderful thing here, each bringing change and each building on the previous one - yet all together they are part of a purpose, created and designed for the good of the earth and for us.

And is it a new season for me? Well - cliché though it may be, it probably is. But perhaps there is something more. Maybe it is actually more than the end of a chapter that has passed; it could be the end of a volume. As you know, in April of this year I left YWAM Maui almost 5 years to the day when I first turned up, fresh-faced, long-haired and wide-eyed. Looking back it has been an ebb and flow, with different seasons through that time of change. Upon reflection I can count much joy, fulfilment and success as well as pain, frustration and confusion. And you know what? Looking back now, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I know that my God leads me, guides me, provides for me, heals me, encourages me, rejoices with me, comforts me, empathises with me and sustains me. In Him is my purpose, my provision and my provident guidance. He really does “go before me” and I can tell you that He is big enough to make “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28, my italics).” Truly getting my head around that is mind blowing, but then, ‘mind blowing’ is a characteristic of my God. And you know what? It’s nowhere near as mind blowing as the fact that He sent Himself to become like me, to suffer in my place and pay for my sins, giving me undeserved life for ever more. The most costly gift ever, for free. If we lose sight of that, friends, we’ve lost sight of Jesus and our only steady focal point from which we get our bearings.

China

On another note, on my trip to China last year I met a wonderful, inquisitive, sensitive, sinner named Peter. Peter is intelligent and had some very clear intellectual objections that were blocking his sight of the cross. I, with my friends from Maui, had the opportunity to chat with him and hang out talking about Jesus. He came with an open heart and had read the Bible, all of it, and so was ready to chat. And chat we did. I enjoyed my hours with him and left praying that seeds were sown.

Well, news through my Chinese friends in Maui tells me that Peter is now a Christian and serving Jesus! His story is not unique and it is indicative of what God is doing in China right now. So please pray for YWAM Maui and their partners that God would use this little band of spirit-led up-for-anything disciples for His glory and to his purpose.

After Maui: The Gospel Coalition & Time on the Mainland

After I left Maui I meandered back through the mainland of America stopping along the way to see some of my closest friends. If given a title, the trip could be known as ‘Silly Water and Great Teaching’. In Oregon my friend Annie pulled out all the stops as she planned a day of madness for me - letting me loose with her friend Trevor on a the Rogue River. So I climbed back into a kayak (which once was my domain but felt a little alien to me then) and shot down the river buzzing on adrenalin as I picked my way through the rapids. When a friend goes out of their way to plan for you a special day that they know you will love ... it’s really quiet special. I emerged wet, tired and grinning from ear to ear.

And then it was on to Chicago as I attended the Gospel Coalition Conference where I was privileged to listen to and learn from some great Bible teachers in a conference named, ‘Contending for the Gospel.’ I emerged with fresh fire in my bones knowing that I was heading back to England and into one profession where, bucking the current employment trends, I am guaranteed great job security! There were so many wonderful talks at the conference, and you can download most, if not all, of them for free on iTunes.

Finally I had the opportunity to hang out with Dan, Jamie and Elizabeth (friends from my SBFM days any beyond) in Michigan which, amongst other things that weekend, saw us testing out the new inner tube. We concluded that perhaps the speed of the boat should be taken down a notch in the future. For those of you familiar with the Dambusters film, Dan and I skipped across the lake with such devastation that would have had Barnes Wallis himself salivating with glee.

England

After Chicago it was back across the Atlantic for me. Arriving back in England I was hit with a different feeling, knowing that I was here to stay for a while. I had purposely come back to my homeland to carry on my calling that was developed in YWAM and get involved proclaiming Christ in this post-church/pre-church environment. As I’ve said, a Christian has much work to be getting on with, with so many great opportunities at hand. It is true, Great Britain is increasingly God-less now but God is still here, involved in and changing lives. So I’ve turned up to get stuck in. The great thing is I don’t need a visa or a work permit. It really is handy being born into the country that you’re called to be a missionary to!

So, I’m grinding into gear here. I’ve set up my own business, in web design, which is providing work for now. I’m getting involved again in my home church, and will be preaching this Sunday on the subject of: ‘The Church as and Army.” You can be praying for me, that I communicate God’s truth to my home fellowship on that morning.

I’m also continuing to blog, which keeps me reading and commentating, engaging and debating. It’s vital to keep our minds trained and alert and I find for me, the discipline of writing through my blog helps to bring focus and direction.

In my last newsletter I mentioned that I would be able to talk more about what’s coming up in terms of a wider ministry context. I have to say that there are still some areas that are being sorted out right now so please be in prayer for God’s direction and timing. I do hope to have more news very, very soon!

In Closing

This week I am in Wales with Wayne Grudem, listening, learning, engaging. It’s a huge privilege to sit under this great Bible teacher for a week and learn about the Bible. Look for my blog for some thoughts on what I’ve learned.

And as always, please keep me up-to-date with your news! I’d love to hear from you. Until that time, or another, it’s Onwards and Upwards as we contend for the Gospel, for Jesus’ glory.

Jonathan

Thursday 16th April saw me leave my home in Maui with most of my possessions in suitcases as I headed east, with the final destination of England and a new job. It was with much sadness that I said my ‘good byes’ as so many of my closest friends live and work on Maui. But that sadness gives me pause to reflect on how honoured I am to have such good friends in my life who have stuck through the rough times, shared in the good times and spoke wisdom and truth into my life. It is with great joy that I leave so many wonderful relationships and I can look forward to the day when we can be together again.

I flew to Oregon to meet my friend Annie, which provided such sweet time. To my surprise I was scheduled to meet one of her friends who was to take my kayaking! It’s been some time since I’ve been faced with rapids to navigate but after making sure my skills were there (albeit I little rusty) my confidence was boosted and we had a great day. I grew up hearing about the whitewater in the northwest and to finally experience it was awesome!

This last weekend was spent in Seattle where I caught up with another old friend for lunch and enjoyed attending Mars Hill Church for the first time. Since hearing Mark preach in London last summer, and after listening to many podcasts, it was a treat to visit the church and see what God is doing there first hand. I’ve never seen so many young, urban people in a church before. The funny thing is, Driscoll pretty much preaches the Bible and isn’t afraid to preach the tough bits. The gospel does bare fruit across all generations and cultures, and I hope that the courage Mars Hill shows in faithfully preaching God’s Word will become infectious and spread elsewhere.

And now I head to Chicago where I will be attending the National Gospel Coalition conference. I’m pretty stoked to get the chance to be there. Check my blog for updates and reports and what takes place.

Finally, keep an eye out for my newsletter. If you’re yet to sign up, why not do so now? Until then, as ever, it’s onwards and upwards.

One of my last projects at YWAM Maui was working with the Communications Department to create a brand new website.

With the graphic skills of Maria, and Brian as content king, we're proud to announce the brand new YWAM Maui website! It's been in the works for a few months and now that it's done we can breathe deeply and sit back knowing that it's a job well done.

So come and take a look, and find out some more about YWAM Maui and our vision.

Well, winter is leaving. The days are getting warmer and the sun is beginning to shine. And as the weather improves I'm planning my last few weeks in Maui.

As thing wind down I'm looking to finish up some projects, writing curriculum amongst other things. I also need to throw myself into the design work for the new YWAM Maui website. All in all I shall be kept busy up until I get on a plane in, oh, less than four weeks from now.

If you haven't yet signed up for my newsletter, why don't you? It's quick and easy and I'll be sending out monthly updates. Look out for my next update coming at the beginning of April.

Also, stop by my blog to see some of the thing buzzing around my mind. I aim to stimulate thoughtful consideration about important topics; maybe something will catch your eye?

My blog has moved! It used to be hosted on blogspot but now it has moved and makes it home right here on smokeygecko.com.

I use my blog to write on subjects that are related to my work and studies. Right now I'm posting a series called 'Mere Christianity' which involves content taken from my recent week of teaching with the DTS. I'm also working on writing on some of Influences - people who have enriched my life with their teachings and examples.

So come, take a look :)

We had a great week in the DTS last week. The topic for the week's lecture was 'Mere Christianity'. Taken from C.S. Lewis' classic apologetic of the Christian faith, the title sums up the content of the lectures. We looked at some of the core doctrines of our faith and how important it is that we get the big things right! For example, if we get Jesus wrong, we get everything else wrong. Lewis, in Mere Christianity calls us to examine the claims of Jesus. Of Jesus, he says, "Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse." in short, what we think about Jesus changes everything.

We also took the time to examine the nature and character of God. Yes, He is really big and the more we know of His greatness the more we can adopt the correct perspective for our own lives. Too often we end with a picture of us that is too big, and a picture of God that is too small. When we worship God for who He is we acknowledge Him in all of His majestic splendour. When humbly worshipping our Lord He should increase, and we should decrease.

Other key doctrines were addressed too. We looked at the Trinity (so important right now, as it seems under attack from both within and outside of the church). We looked at sin, the abhorrently disgusting nature of it, and how Jesus defeated it. We then wrapped up the week looking at trials and temptation. This topic asks the questions, 'In light of Jesus' sacrifice for me, how should I now live my life? What can I expect to face in this lifetime as a Christian?'

Overall I was very pleased with the week. It was a lot of study and preparation, and teaching for 15 hours was tiring. But at the same time it was refreshing and uplifting. Studying theology is an act of worship and draws us closer to the Lord, calling our lives into line with Him. This is why we shouldn't outsource our theological studies to experts all the time. We are responsible for studying Christ and His teachings to become more like Him. It's like saying that there are professional musicians writing and performing etc. and that's their gifting, so I don't need to sing to Jesus. No! We study and learn (and sing!) as a humble act of obedience, in awe that God has revealed Himself to us!

Well, that's all for now. There's a full newsletter on the way so stay tuned. Also, remember to stop by my blog for deeper articles on all that I'm teaching on and learning about. Blessings friends, and as ever, Onwards and Upwards!

This week I'm teaching in the DTS on the topic of 'Mere Christianity'. This means roughly 14 hours of lecture and many, many hours of preparation! Amongst other topics we're looking at are:

• the Nature and Character of God
• who is Jesus and what has he done?
• what is sin and how has it affected us?
• what are some of the trials a Christian can be expected to face?

I've decided to write a short series on some of my influences over on my blog. Over the next few weeks I'll be writing about such people as Francis Schaeffer, Mark Driscoll, G.K Chesterton and others, to name but a few.

Yeah, I found Twitter a while ago but sort of brushed it off. Thanks in part to all the stories about Twitter users telling us about the Hudson Crash I thought I'd take another look. Anyway, now you can follow me on Twitter.