Community

What is THE BIG LUNCH?

Basically, it’s a party in your street, in everyone’s street. On 19th July we’re asking the people of Britain to stop what they’re doing and sit down to lunch together. Why? Well for lots of reasons really but mainly just cos we think it’ll be fun.

It’s a Very AYL idea and it would be great if every Activator in the UK could be involved. Log on to www.thebiglunch.com and see the amazing website full of ideas and great reasons to be involved.

Most of us are shy, many of us lead single lives and even when we are together often go our own way. We all know about the problems in our society and don’t need to be preached at about them. But inside almost everyone there is a notion that despite our differences, the ties that bind us are important.
The shared enjoyment of eating together, laughter, play, music and conversation bring us together and for all the fact that we are so fabulously different in our outlook and experience on many things, we know a simple truth – together we are strong. Wouldn’t it be great if for just one day we remind ourselves about all that is good about us and bring about a moment that ignites a spark?

It may be tricky, it may feel slightly uncomfortable to start with. It takes a bit of courage to stop being a stranger. But think of the prize – to be able to walk down the street and into the wider neighbourhood and realise how many good people there are: people who, acting together, can create a real sense of community – a word that in Latin means; “together, in gift”.

So… if you’re up for it, try growing something, making something or generally getting stuck in for the Big Lunch. No one is going to tell you how to do it as your ideas will be perfect for you. If you want any prompting we’ve gathered together lots of ideas that might set you on the road for a day that at worst might be fun and at best could start to change your life in unexpected ways!

It’s your party. All we’re doing is giving you an excuse but if you need more than that, then there is a remarkable reason to hold your Big Lunch.

The Passion is a term used for the physical, spiritual and mental emotions in the hours before and during the events of Jesus’ trial and execution.
Passus in Latin meaning ‘to suffer’.

Jesus is the example of the perfect passion we seek to develop. He was not enthusiastic about going to the cross. He did not walk towards it with strong positive emotions. The Bible tells us that in the Garden of Gethsemane His soul was grieved. But Jesus made a choice to do God’s will.

Passion for us is a decision that we must make. It is our decision to do what pleases Christ even though our emotions may scream their objections. If we are deeply passionate about something, we are centred in God.

‘Remember God is with us’. David said, ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me’ (Psalms 23:4 NIV). God not only promises his power; he promises his presence. We will never go through a dark day alone. Jesus knew he wasn’t alone as he walked out his Passion.

Jesus wants us to be passionate about Him, to know Him and for us to give Him our time and love. When we are deeply passionate about Christ, we will not be able to hide it. Passion will drive us to obey at all times, even when we don’t feel like it.

Another word for heart is passion. We can feel deeply passionate about certain inborn interests God has given us. These can reveal the nature of our hearts; which if we listen for inner promptings, can point to the ministry God intends for us to have. Our emotional heartbeat is a key to understanding our purpose for service.

In those interests we are passionate about; let us take up the challenge of dreaming God’s dreams for our lives and consider how they might be used for His glory.

‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’
(Ephesians 3:20,21 NIV).

On the first Easter Jesus died and rose from the dead and Christians have remembered and celebrated those events ever since.

The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity and today up to two billion people find hope, peace and purpose following Christ.

We can remember Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice by doing the following:-

Read the Bible accounts.
Start by reading the last three chapters of the Gospel of Luke, chapters 22-24. It takes about 15 minutes. Continue deeper by reading similar accounts in Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16 and John 18-20.

Visit a Church on Easter Sunday.
Look out for a church near you – www.findachurch.co.uk

Pray.
Life can often be busy that our prayer time can be crowded out. Easter is the perfect opportunity to go somewhere quiet to draw closer to God. We can start with the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ from the beginning of chapter 11 of Luke’s Gospel for example.

We can forgive people who have wronged us.
Jesus’ amazing example was when he prayed for those people who were crucifying him. He warned his followers that if they didn’t forgive others, God would not forgive them.

Receive God’s forgiveness.
When Jesus died, he paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world-including ours. So we don’t need to carry them any more. Let us ask God to forgive us and invite Jesus into our lives.

Trust God for his Grace.
G R A C E God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense,which means that God blesses in ways we don’t deserve – simply because of what Jesus did.

Tell others the Good News.
Jesus told his followers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
Let us spread the Good News – every day more people are making the decision to ask the risen Christ to make a difference in their lives.

Gangs and violence will be discussed at an event in North London organised by Christian associations.

‘Bite the Bullet’ Conference will take place at Westbury Avenue Baptist Church on Saturday 4 July. Speakers include Professor John Pitts and former gang members who have seen their lives transformed by God.

Workshops will be provided to help parents detect if their children are involved in knife or gun related crimes, and to help parents and church leaders support young people who are caught up in such crimes.

For more details please contact Westbury Avenue Baptist Church -www.westburyavenuebaptistchurch.org

One of Activate Your Life’s new team members was featured in a recent article in The Daily Mirror. Alison Tinsley who has written her first book ‘Confessions of an Unfaithful Heart’ was contacted by the national newspaper after they heard her on local radio. Read the piece via the link below.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/most-popular/2009/03/02/the-true-cost-of-an-affair-115875-21166591/