e-trax

Take time out with God.

How is your lifestyle I wonder? Is there ever enough time in the day to do all you want to do? What do you do when you have so much on your plate that you can hardly even think straight?
 
Jesus gives us some insight here in the words he speaks to his disciples:
 
“Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest” Mark 6: 31

Jesus had not long heard the news of his cousin John the Baptist’s beheading at the hands of King Herod. The disciples were also bursting with excitement to share all their news and on top of that people all around were eating Jesus’ brains so that he and his disciples didn’t even have time to eat. At the height of chaos when Jesus was most in demand, he utters these words.
 
We too might be bogged down with the worries of the world, deadlines to hit with essays or revision. Promises we have made to people that now weigh on us as a burden, or simply dealing with friends and family on a day to day basis.
 
If you feel that you are indispensible at the moment and all will collapse if you leave it, then perhaps these words of Jesus are for you. Take some time out to listen to God. Go to your bedroom, a place where you will not be disturbed and if you set some time out to be with your creator, then he can give you both a perspective on your situation and energy to carry on.
 
“Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest.”
 
Next month etrax will be doing just that. Taking some time out to spend with God and to see what the future holds. Please pray for God to speak clearly to the etrax team - we would welcome your comments as to how it might be improved or re-imagined for the future.

In trax16 this month we look at recession in the UK. Dave, Mike and Anita tackle the economic gloom head on and ask how are young people responding to the financial squeeze, and how talking about it is one way to overcoming it.

We’re in Gloucester and Southwark talking to children about money and Woolworths (!) and we also talk to Tim Linehan from the Children’s Society for some good advice. Music this month comes from Joe Smith.

Is Fairtrade just a fad?

When I go into supermarkets shopping it seems that there are Fairtrade products everywhere. While this is obviously a good thing the cynic in me says that shops are only doing this because there is a demand for it. Once the fad wears off humans are set on a default button to buy the cheapest product regardless of who has been taken advantage of or where it might have come from!

What about Christians? Might we also part of this fad?
The bible tells us that God is not pleased when his people go after financial gain at the expense of the poor.

“Skimping the measure, boosting the price, cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals…. The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob I will never forget anything they have done.” Amos 8 v:5 & v7

Regardless of how the world acts in this, Israel is to act differently. God doesn’t want his people to go along with the flow here but take a stand and treat the poor with compassion and justice.
Is fair-trade just a fad? Well it certainly is in a season of popularity right now!  For God there is no fad, it has always been important. If we are followers of Jesus then we have a responsibility to say "no" to a  system that cheats the poor out of proper wage so that we can prosper.

If we choose to buy fairly traded products to make ourselves feel better then it will never last, but if our motivation is to please God, then Fairtrade will never be just a fad for us.

In trax16 this month we ask children from Chester, Worcester and Winchester who have taken part in our World To Rights tour, what their rights are and discover that with rights come responsibilities.  With children all around the world not able to claim the rights we can, what action can we take?  Mike, Dave and Anita go deeper and chat to Jodie Marshall, part of the WTR team how important child rights are to her work. Music this month comes from the very talented Josh Bunce.

The best present of 2009

Are you happy with your presents this Christmas? How many will you end up taking back or exchanging? May be a piece of clothing is too big or the wrong colour!

I have a twin brother and receiving presents at Christmas was often more stressful than exciting. The big question was, would I like his present more than mine and visa versa. Often friends and family would try to avoid this by buying us the same present but in a slightly different colour. But then he would always get the better colour! For this reason I would often be at my grumpiest and least grateful at present opening time on Christmas day..
 
One day John's Mum asked Jesus if he and his brother could sit at the places of honour in Jesus’ Kingdom.
The other disciples were of course indignant and a feeling of jealousy and ambition crept in to the group. How would Jesus answer?

Like my relatives he could have tried to strike a compromise to appease them all, but Jesus spoke to them directly. Only God had the authority to grant their wish, if they wanted to have a go at greater glory then they were to become the servants of all.

Friends if we seek to serve others, we cannot at the same time serve ourselves. Sure it might make us feel grumpy at first, but why not allow Jesus to turn those feelings of jealousy and ambition into an even greater desire to give and see others blessed.

 It will be the best present of 2009

Trax16 this month takes a look back at what 2008 brought us, and remember the great interviews and music we’ve heard on trax16 – so join Dave and Mike for a 2008 mash-up!

Also – it’s story-time with Bob Hartman, author of the Lion’s Storytelling Bible and all round good guy. Music comes from everyone from 2008

Right under your nose at Christmas

This Christmas I have been challenged to look at the Christmas story afresh by writing a short play for our Church carol service.  Every year we have a gigantic Christmas tree, which is beautifully decorated and usually stands next to a small model nativity scene.

In our play, a present and a shiny bauble from the tree climb off for a stretch on Christmas Eve night when all the family are asleep. They then proceed to have an argument about who is the greatest and most useful at Christmas. It takes the Star to come off the tree and point them to the nativity story for the answer, which is right under their noses.

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room at the inn.” Luke 2 v7

Perhaps the Christmas tree and the nativity scene represent the two parts of Christmas we all experience, glitz and glamour and a quaint religious story for children to re-enact.

But the nativity scene is no fairy tale!  It’s a story of the Son of God starting his life on earth in an animal-feeding trough, both homeless and a refugee.

This Christmas as you sit around the Christmas tree, enjoying its decoration and presents, don’t forget the story of the nativity scene right under your nose.

Allow this homeless, refugee baby King to inspire you this Christmas to be useful and do great things for him.

Trax16 this month brings you some stories from some of the delegates from this year’s Youthwork the Conference, from jugglers, to smugglers – from a Sierra Leonean to a footballer’s cousin – and not forgetting the Bag Man. Music comes from children in Ghana
Get inspired to dream big for God this Advent time.

Young leaders on film.

Last month we visited CMS Mission partners Tim and Kate Lee who head up a project called Jigsaw to make a DVD about street children in the Philippines. as part of our World to Rights project for 2009
 
We knew that the experience for us would be a great blessing, but how would the children we were filming at Jigsaw benefit?
Below is an extract of a recent email from Tim Lee with an answer.

"The filming time has brought them all together as such a strong group; we have been trying for a while to get kids to gain confidence to speak out and lead more in their youth clubs and help dictate the direction and growth of Jigsaw and I believe the time this group spent with you all filming has moved them and changed them to be able to do this more.
God has been bringing them along and changing them so much and this has been a fantastic step in their development, healing and growth. It's wonderful and we look forward to seeing them as leaders of Jigsaw and their communities in the future".
 
I think these two words Healing and Growth nicely sum up our experience of working with the children in the Jigsaw project. Largely because these children belong to a community where they were loved and accepted and then encouraged to serve.
 
Perhaps the challenge for us in the UK is to find or create similar spaces for children and young people where they too can find God's healing and growth and so become the future leaders of our communities.

 Meet these young people for yourself as they share their stories this month on trax16. We also take time to chat to Les Isaac, a street pastor from London who breaks down another stereotype of young people on the streets here in the UK. Music comes from Jonathan Page.

Breaking through walls

Today we live in a world where nations mix like never before and distance is no longer a barrier. I want a new mobile phone deal so I talk to someone in India to sort it out. Students from every part of the world study in schools and Universities together, sharing books and having discussions on World affairs. The United Nations use the ablest people from many religions to negotiate and discuss the pressing problems of mankind.

How should I approach all this as a Christian? Embrace it and risk contamination or put up a protective wall to stay pure.

In the church calendar at this time of year we remember the life of Bishop Ninian of Galloway, a man who little is known about, except that he was not afraid to embrace the unknown.

Ninian was a Celt born in southern Scotland and educated in Rome. He returned to Britain but rather than work in the confines of the Roman empire he chose to share the gospel with people living to the north of Hadrian’s wall. He is considered the first missionary to Scotland.

As Christians it is very easy to only be surrounded by people from church or likeminded friends at school. In our neighbourhoods there may be many different religions and cultures yet we can remain at a distance with a protective wall around us for fear of contamination

Rather than putting up barriers lets follow bishops Ninian’s example and seize the opportunity to share God’s gospel message .

That His son stepped outside the walls of heaven and came to earth so that we may know God’s Love and salvation.

Break through the walls that surround you!

Gun and knife crime has been headline news on and off over the year, and trax16 investigates what can be done by Christians to make a change.

This month, we’ve been to a JEANS (Joint Effort Advocating New Society) conference to speak to a number of people about the problems of anti-social behaviour and how we need to change our attitudes towards young people on the streets.

We also meet Jacob Isaac from Bangalore in India who pioneers a number youth projects, and invites you to go to India and spend some time working with him.

Music comes from Da Fellowship

Lift up Jesus

What is the secret to making your faith attractive when there is so much around that is more enticing?  Good music?  A charismatic teacher?  New technology?
Jesus himself gives us the answer:

“And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”  (John 12: 32)

In 335AD Emperor Constantine’s Mother Helena travelled back to Jerusalem to rescue the holy and significant sites of Jesus’ death and resurrection from pagan altars. As she approached the tomb where Christ had been buried she came across a shrine to Venus, which had been erected above the spot where Jesus had laid.

Helena set to work in dismantling the alter and building on top a Christian church which we know today as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A few years ago I visited this holy place and was pleasantly surprised that the church is run by a number of Christian denominations. However this has not always been a sign of unity and for the last 800 years the main door key has been held by a Muslim family to avoid clashes of control between Christians. 

Whether people try to raise up a pagan alter or even a Christian church, it is only by lifting up Christ can we draw our friends to faith.

How are you lifting up Jesus in your life? Do you put other’s needs before your own?  Being willing to use the bathroom last in the morning rather than fighting to be first?  Doing good deeds like making a cup of tea for Mum when she is tired, or how about being prepared to say sorry first in an argument even though your friend might have started it?

God has chosen us to point others to the cross of Jesus. If we are too busy demanding our own needs and squabbling amongst each other then who else is going to do it?

Let’s lift Jesus up in our lives today!

In this month’s trax16 – we bring you a taste of Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival from Cheltenham Racecourse.  Variety and diversity describe this event well, and it attracts people from every walk of life from comedian Jo Enright to musician Martyn Joseph.

Olympians in Training

As a 12 year old boy I lined up for the 100 metres hurdles at the Olympic games. “On your marks,” What a privilege I thought as the crowd went silent and I focused on the gravel beneath my fingers,”Get set,” I was competing in the Olympics, my heart was beating like a drum and I could hardly swallow,” bang!” the starter pistol went and I was off... Competing in no ordinary Olympics! OK so it wasn’t the actual Olympic games, but the Much Wenlock Olympics in Shropshire. These Olympics actually pre date the first modern Olympics revived in Athens in 1896. I was so full of pride as I crossed the line to claim a silver medal and I felt first hand the pride and privilege of competing in an Olympics.

Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians makes mention of the privilege of competing in an even greater race, He says:

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:25.

I was and still am so proud of my silver medal. However in God’s race only Gold will do, but how can I prepare in such a way as to get Gold?

Well the answer is simple, enlist Jesus as your coach. Only he knows the right way to prepare. When you get up in the morning are you spending time in his presence, allowing his spirit to fill and equip you for the day? How do you relate to people around you? What about those in school or in your neighbourhood who no one else likes? Do you show them the love and favour God has shown you? And what about Jesus’ training manual, the Bible? How are you allowing its words to enter into your life and change you?

If you haven’t started your training yet it’s not too late. As we approach the Beijing games allow the fervour of the Olympic spirit to remind you to step out in training more and more with Jesus. Only he can train you to receive a reward that will last forever.

Don't forget to download trax16 and find out about what it means to be "living the mission." See how a group of young people from Rochester Cathedral, two Christian breakdancers from Tajiskistan, a bunch of young people from different countries around the world and a young musician from Birmingham are all living the mission in their own unique ways.

We also have breaking news of Soul Survivor and Greenbelt on trax16 later this summer.  All this and more on this month’s podcast! Music this month from Ben Pearson.

Andymonium at Wimbledon

As Wimbledon goes into its second week the usual "Henmania" is of course absent but can Andy Murray, Britain’s new young hope, take off from where Tim left off. One fan certainly thinks so: “Andymonium has yet to break out. As has Murray Mania. But give it time” Ian Wylie, Manchester Evening News, June 08

Two thousand years ago there was perhaps a similar scenario with "Baptisteria" in the Jordanian desert. People would flock from miles just to listen to a hermit called John the Baptist, but John knew even his fame would be superseded. “He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3: 30

A fellow countryman and cousin would come to take his place and like "Murray Mania" his fame would increase with every round he won against the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes. And as often happens to british players at Wimbledon, Jesus suffered a cruel defeat just when people were full of hope that he would win. This was no mere five-set battle but a criminal’s death on a cross. Surely his popularity would now die too.

Just as Henmania has faded away, one day Murray mania will too. But two thousand years on and Jesus mania is still gripping people from every colour and creed — he has nearly two billion fans world-wide. 
As one fan of Jesus said:
“Knowing about God is fascinating enough but knowing him personally is life changing.”

There is nothing wrong with getting behind Andy Murray this year at Wimbledon and creating a bit of Andymonium, but when the dust settles your life will be no different. However if you you dare to follow Jesus and offer him your support then your life will change forever.

In trax16 this month we're looking at how this personal relationship can affect our community. We'll be talking to Mark Berry working in Telford, and Chris and Anna Hembury based in Hull - both connected to their community in a big way.  We'll also be hearing music from The Lightning Strikes.

Creating Space to move with God

Is there a need to create a space in our lives? Space for family? Or friends? Space for God? What fills up the space in our bedroom? In our school bag? In our lives? Why create space at all? Why not just carry on in our own space?

Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation dares to push the boundaries amid a relentless current of hatred, fear, revenge and pain. Musalaha is Arabic for forgiveness and reconciliation. It is their conviction that by uniting in Messiah (Jesus) both Palestinian and Jewish believers can show to the world the true meaning of Musalaha. But how do they do it?

“Enlarge the place of your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes” Isaiah 54:2

They take God’s words to Israel very seriously by creating space. Musalaha have found this space in their own back yard. Through journeying together on a desert encounter Palestinians and Israelis have rediscovered the true meaning of fellowship in Christ.
Is there a space in our lives where we can go on a journey of discovery? Is there a space in our church communities where we can express ourselves and our love for God? If not, can we get together with others to create one?

Allow God to enlarge space in your life for others and experience the joy of really moving with God.

This month, trax16 finds out the benefits and struggles of open, honest and accountable relationships.  We speak to Helena from York and also James from Battersea who both lead cell groups in their youth work. We’ll also give you a run-down of Christian Summer Festivals taking place through the holidays. Music this month from Tehillah Commission from Tunbridge Wells.