These people came. They participated and won. They overcame their fears. 

They won because of their obedience.

Every year our TCKompas organizes the Conference for Youth Leaders. Although the place and space are still the same, it never gets boring! 

Right by the entrance one could suspect that probably some rescue operation would take place.

The program was very fruitful:

morning and evening main sessions

different music bands/formations

intensive workshops

and celebration as well :-) 

for more pictures click here

Why?

Because Jesus Christ left a message. And we somehow forgot about it. It's more comfortable to think that it was meant for someone else or that other actually don't want to hear about it. But if we really know Christ and his broken heart for lost people, it has to resound in us!

So on Friday, willy-nilly we went out to Zilina and its nearby cities to talk to and ask people what they think about God. Those who went out never came back. Instead of shy and quiet people a crowd of enthusiasts returned. Because it worked! Others were listening! 

We had opportunity to speak to more than a thousand people and share more than 300 x the good news, which is:

God created man, so he could have a relationship with him. He set up a scenario, but we wanted to dictate our own conditions, so we decided to leave. Bible calls this rebellion a sin  (the eternal separation from the relationship with God). Though we tried to make it up (and we still do through good works, different religions, etc.), there was no way back. "For the wages of sin is death..." 

This is when Jesus Christ came. He decided to pay this prize and died for sins - mine and yours. His cross  opened the way for us to have a relationship with God again. "...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." If you confess your sins, believe and accept His sacrifice, you wil be saved.

"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5: 11-12)

Do you have the Son?

How groceries and a painting can tell you that someone cares

a tough week and not exactly according to my expectations.

many fights in different battle fields and not always a winner. 

tiredness, self-pity, questionmarks. why is this happening to me? 

and then... my dad called. we set up a lunch date with my mom and him. but instead of going to a fancy restaurant, we ended up eating our food from white plastic boxes in his office /among the car parts which he sells/.

this happend for a reason. just few days before i talked to my mom about life, work, and poor condition of my fridge. so, my parents decided to spend their money differently. after this simple lunch, my mom took me to the grocery store and bought everything i needed....literally.

then i went to my friend‘s house. besides other stuff, monika gave me a present /i’ve never got present 2 months after my b-day!/ J she gave me a painting.

this painting:

isn’t it beautiful? she made it by herself /remembering that i love music/.

i was so overwhelmed by these very specific expressions of love.

you, an invisible God used visible men to show me that you care. i was weak, you sent them to strenghten my body and soul.

i still don’t have answers to all my whys. i’m back in the battle field, tired, and yet willing to carry on. thank you

The Goose Lifestyle

Sometimes people in Slovak  use to say to themselves: „I am such a goose.“, and they don’t mean anything positive by that. Usually it means that you consider yourself for someone who is stupid.

But actually geese are everything but stupid! Geese are very smart creatures working together on one goal. They are team workers. And when you think of Fusion, it’s the same. We could experience and learn something from the “goose lifestyle” at our very first Slovak Fusion training. 

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Geese always fly in the shape of a „V“, as it allows at least 71% greater flying range.

When a goose in the lead gets tired, another goose takes over the position. 

Geese in the back will honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Just like geese we too are heading towards one goal. Though there are some who are leading the group it doesn’t mean it’s only their work. It cannot be! Therefore it’s important and healthy if we share information, plan, and evaluate. And we did it – through 1)eqquping our geese, even gosslings in specific skills like conducting, worskhops coordination; 2) preparing for the summer camps; 3) spending time together as one big Fusion, as well as local Fusion choirs.

I experienced such a joy sitting and listening to others within our team while they were sharing things they value in others. Sometimes I may feel lonely in work I’m doing, thinking that nobody knows what it takes (those self-pity moments!) It was super encouraging to hear that others noticed and are thankful. My belonging to that gaggle had just strenghtened and I realized that I can tell them when I don’t manage anymore. I see Terka, Laura, Richard and others who would start honking even louder or Janka or Ester who could take over.

Geese are very affectionate toward each other . If a goose falls sick or is wounded , a couple of other geese may drop out of formation to help and protect him. They will try to stay with the disabled goose until he dies or is able to fly again. They will then either fly together or join another formation to catch up with their group.

This is powerful! Sometimes the vision/specter of the goal can disable us to notice that some of us got hurt or wounded along the way. All of us had to ask the question: "Do we honor our team as much as the reason why we’re doing it?" I appreciate people who opened up and shared those things, those hurting moments. They actually created space for others to see their failure and possibility to ask for forgiveness.

The training was short but intensive. I’ve got back to my daily routine, and yet something has changed. Though I was one of the „trainers“  I could learn that it’s ok admitting my limits; it’s ok to change roles in the team and we need to fight for healthy and authentic relationships.

Fusion gaggle

Banska Bystrica team

Bratislava team

Fusion Slovakia team 

When 2 Fusions become 1 :-)

Our Fusions had a great opportunity to perform together at the Baptist Youth Conference (February 22-24). It has been a great experience where our 2 Fusion choirs got to know each other better, could show others what Fusion is about and even challenge the youth around Slovakia to get involved in an outreach ministry!

I am so thankful for one girl who already came after this performance to Fusion Bratislava's rehearsal this very Tuesday and is thinking about inviting her non-Christian friend/s as well! 

Our Fusion promo-table :-)

HERE you can find what video from the concert!!!

What do you leave behind yourself and why?

Eva Cassidy is an American vocalist known for her interpretations of jazz, blues, etc. I like the way she sings, because her gentle voice expresses everything - all the words and emotions.  

The other day I wanted to find out if she's preparing a new tour  when I discovered that she's been dead for more than 15 years! She died of melanoma in 1996 as 33 years old.  

Eva managed to release 2 albums but she became famous only after her death. Her version of Over the rainbow brought her fame. Her songs appeared in many movies.

While I was reading her story I kept asking myself: "What's the life about?" and/or "How well I'm playing my role in it?"

I don't think that Eva knew she would become famous after her death. But she was passionate about what she has been doing. Also I think that if she was only mediocre she wouldn't have been recognized after her death. Somehow she left a mark and her music talks to people even today.

Do you believe that your life can make a difference? Maybe you don't know how big impact you'll have, but for sure you can have it! Even leaving "nothing" behind tells something about you.

Why?
Why do I do what I do? Why am I even trying to do it diligently? These kinds of questions involve the motivation and meaning. Do we believe that we are finite or infinite?

I believe that I'm immortal. I believe that when I gave my life to Jesus, I'll spend my eternity with Him. The Bible says that He went to prepare a place for me.

Life is just like a puzzle. Each of us got one or more pieces which need to be put in the right place at the right time.  I may not see the big picture right now, but I do believe that God does everything for the final outcome - all pieces put together. 

It's about being responsible in things I do and ...

... it's about trust. I trust Him especially in moments when "everything sucks", when things seem to be failing, when I am tired of not seeing the result. Then it's a faith that drives me.


"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

What drives you?
What do you leave behind yourself?
Why?

Worship #2

WORSHIP #1

What comes to your mind when you hear the word worhsip?

Do you worship when you are in the mountains? 

Do you worship on your way to work?

Do you worship?

Worship is so NATURAL!

When I'm in a relationship it's so easy to praise that person I'm in love with. It comes naturally. It's the same with God  - I worship Him for who He is (Psalm 136) or what He has done for me (Psalm 40:2-4)

Worship is a SACRIFICE!

Sacrifice means to give up something for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim. It's writte: "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15)

Worship is actually the only thing we can give Him back. Everything we have comes from Him and we can't take nothing of it to eternity. But when I worship, I intentionally surrender to Him. I   freely decide to acknolwedge His greatness. And this freedom is a privilege He created us with.

Worship is DESIRED (required)!

"the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise." (Isaiah 43:21)

"But the hour is coming and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father IS SEEKING such people to worship him." (John 4:23)

I'm his glory! The more I live with Him, the more I reflect Him (of course)!

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see you good deeds adn GLORIFY your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Worhsip is a WEAPON!

In the Old Testament we read that when Israelites went to the battle, they always had a "squad of worshipers" with them. Just read 2 Chronicles  20. Why?

We live in a flesh and yet we are not waging war according to the flesh. When we worship, something is happening. Bible tells us that He is enthroned on the praises of his people. Let's use a little bit of logic :-) When God is present, there cannot be the evil one at the same time. He is Holy. 

I praise because He deserves it. He is worthy! I praise because I need it!