This is the official blogspot of Mannafest - a monthly youth event in Belfast run by Youth for Christ (NI). Feel free to read our blogs and leave us a line!

Monday, October 15, 2007

October Manna



(From left to right: Laura Blakley, Jill Boyd, Gavin Robinson, Andi Oakes, Andy Frame, Dave Currie, Nicky Blair and Charlie Knox)

Rick Hill had just left as he flew down from the North Coast and had to fly back up again, as he was on a weekend. Big Charlie was taking it easy as he was speaking at Mannafest, and there were other apologies which I don't need to get into.

I was up from just after 5am. I had dreamt during the week that I had missed MANNA by sleeping in and by out trying on wedding outfits...anyway...I didn't miss MANNA and again it was great. Something happens when you get up early. You normally have an afternoon nap!

Andi Oakes came up from Lurgan with his guitar and shared his life and his heart with us. Andi explained how God wants to work on our character thru bringing along different experiences. Andi shared how God has been working in him for the past 18 months in particular. God will break us periodically. Being broken aint a nice thing to happen, but its essential. In answering the questions, 'Who is God?' Andi simply said "daddy". He continued that we always try to be intellectual about God, which very often ends in pride and arrogance.

Out conversation came back to the local church. Andi said that the church needs to be untidy with elastic walls, cos we all experience God in different ways. We compared the church to having similar elements to communism and facism - which was really interesting and provoking - something we want MANNA to be.

It continued on very much from last month where we talked about reshaping the local church. We don't want to move away from church and there is a real need for 3 things: community, developing leaders and one more which I can't remember (maybe Charlie will remind me!)

No comments: