Two Months Abroad

hey everyone, this past weekend marked our two month anniversary in New Zealand! it has been really amazing how quickly God has integrated us into our new community through our new church home, Otaki Good News Centre. it feels like we've been here much longer than two months when i think about how long it has taken in the past to really feel at home in a new city. God is doing some pretty amazing things here in Otaki! We've met several people who have amazing testimonies of God's grace and redemption and i hope to be able to share them with you in the future. a couple of weeks ago pastor mike asked me to lead the music ministry! i feel really honoured and humbled for this opportunity. we went to a Worship Clinic in Wellington this Saturday with Wayne and Libby Huirua! it was a great time of worship, encouragement and teaching!

One of the things Wayne talked about was not grieving the Holy Spirit or not living in such a way that makes you an unsafe place for the Holy Spirit to dwell. When Jesus was baptised the Bible tells us the the heavens opened (were actually torn open) and the Holy Spirit ascended (flooded into the earth) and landed on Jesus's shoulder in the form of a dove. Until Jesus, there hadn't been a safe place (person) for the Holy Spirit to dwell with. Before Jesus died he told his disciples that he was sending the Holy Spirit back to dwell with them, and after he died and rose again the Holy Spirit ascended on the disciples in the form of tongues of fire.

Are we living a life that makes us a safe place for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell? Are we living a life that invites the Holy Spirit in or pushes him away by the ungodly spirits we entertain by what we watch, think, say and do?

Good stuff!