Repent or perish?

What a full, blessed, overwhelming week this was :).

For those of you that is not exactly sure what I'm involved in, I thought it would be good to explain a little bit of the ministry.  Creation Fest is a week-long FREE Christian music festivals, packed with awesome bands, speakers, sport, activities and a massive skate park!  You can check out the website on Creation Fest.  I am currently helping where I can, but for most parts I help with the PR and marketing of the event.  Given the nature of the work, having access to a desktop or laptop is kind of crucial to be able to work productively.  However, I didn't have either.  There was no spare that I could use.  So for time being I accessed google and gmail off my iPod - but couldn't access any of Microsoft Office.  Me, and the rest of the Creation Fest team, prayed the whole week for a laptop to be "freed" somewhere for my usage.  On Friday, I received a phone call from my very dear friend.  The Lord had put it on her and her husband's (also a close friend) heart to give their tithes for this month to me for a laptop or how I see fit or a need!  Praise the Lord for answering our prayers and for my two friend's obedience to Him.  I was once again just amazed how He knows our every need, how He answers prayers, my prayers as well as how He is taking care of me ;)

I am currently serving with 2 girls (Sarah and Kristine) and a guy (Cameron) from California.  On Wednesday last week they invited me for a road trip this past weekend - which off course I said yes!  So on Friday afternoon I went with them to Bideford, a small coastal town in Devon, where I then also attended my first open mic night that night - it was fun and the two performances we saw were good.  So early Saturday morning we set off to Oxford where we joined our fifth travelling companion, Jordan.  Together the 5 of us explored Oxford.  Went on a 2 hour walking tour in Oxford, drank coffee at the oldest coffee shop in England and went into New College (1 of the 38 colleges in Oxford).  It is also the college where a lot of the Harry Potter movies where filmed.  Oxford is more beautiful than what I remember it to be from 13 years ago - rich in beautiful architecture, literature and college traditions.  Here are some pics of Oxford:

Christ Church College with Kristine, Sarah and Jordan

New College



A little bit of South Africa in Oxford - Cape of Good Hope Cafe

From there we travelled west, to Cardiff (Wales), where we spent two nights, (1 day). Sunday morning we joined the Calvary Chapel Cardiff church service and for the rest of the time the locals took us around sightseeing.  After a good Nando's lunch :), we walked past the Millennium Rugby Stadium (only of interest to me and the locals), and Cardiff Castle - both based in the city centre.  From there, we went to an even more beautiful castle - Caerphilly Castle and spent the evening walking Cardiff Bay and visiting Steve and Amber.  I really enjoyed the time in Cardiff.  The church and the people really made me think of South Africa.  Warm-hearted, hospitable and passionate!  And wow, what a good conversation starter Rugby was. Here are some pics of Cardiff:

Cardiff Millennium Rugby Stadium

Caerphilly Castle



Cardiff Castle

Since I got to the UK, I am reading through the Gospel of John.  It is really reminding me of and taking me back to the basics.  In the UK, a lot of people don't know God and have never heard of Jesus.  Then on Sunday, Pastor Steve's teaching was from the Gospel of Luke chapter 13 - which was so fitting with my current reading through John and the necessity of repentance for our salvation.  We all have the decision -either we repent or we will perish.  We are all sinners (Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God) and deserve the penalty of sin - death (Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord).  Repentance is not only confessing, but it is a change in mind that cause a change in direction.  Repentance is the only way to get right with God and to go to heaven .  Being a good person, is not enough.  Jesus is the ONLY way (John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me").  The Lord promised us that if we confess our sins (repent), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  Repentance is a privilege because of the high price that Jesus paid for it - He died on the cross for our sins.  Repenting is not only something we have to do, but also what we get to do.  Have you made the decision?  Have you repented and turned away from sins?  Or will you perish?

If you have repented, there will be a change in your life.  God promised then that if we are in Christ (repented and accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour) we will be new creations - old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Cor 5:17).  Does your life reflect it?

Thank you for everyone that is staying in touch.  I enjoy every BBM, What's app message, sms and most of all, thank you for everyone's prayers!  Please continue to pray for the Lord's instructions, guidance and teaching in my life.

Blessings,

xxx