3/23/2013

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 

2/28/2013

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!!!

2/04/2013

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?



12/01/2012

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!


11/18/2012

What I've been up to these days....

Life is busy, but I like to be busy.

We've started with workshops at Fusion lately:




There are different kinds of workshops (music ones, drama, crafts, solo workshops, etc.)
I'm so excited to see how students are imrpoving and actually preparing for our Christmas concert  - at the main square in Bratislava!!!

So far, we had an opportunity to perform in public - last Sunday, when Mark has been preaching, he asked us to support his message with one of our songs. It has been great and we brought lot of joy to the whole congregation.





10/25/2012

The God I believe in :


a) calls, seeks and saves!


For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. - Luke 19:10


And the most exciting part is that He wants me to work with Him. Last week I joined my colleagues and the rest of the  Exit Tour team in Poprad. We visited three schools and approached cca 1000 students. They had lots of fun, listened to the great musicians (Faith Child from London, UK), amazing stories of our lecturers (about drugs & other addictions, healthy relationships, love, marriage, ...). I've got to translate Sindy Sunshine who openly shared her life story filled with porn/masturbation addiction and abuse. I'm so thankful for her boldness! Even though she is a completely different person now /because of Jesus/ it's still not easy to talk about it. It's precious to me how she made herself vulnerable in front of others. (check http://thepinkcross.org/)

In the end of that week students were invited to the concert where we shared gospel. It was so exciting to see people from local churches approaching students and sharing their own stories and leading others to Christ. What a joy when people responded to His calling!

Faith Child's performance


 Noro talking about drug addiction



Sindy and me

 with my new friends (amazing servants and volunteers)

b) blesses abundantly
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10

I'm thankful for many things and people but this time I would like to point out my colleagues. It's a privilege to work with TC Kompas and people. I've already learned a lot from them (in terms of leadership, serving attitude, humbleness, etc.) and I'm sure that there is more to come.


c) is my Father and Teacher
To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gav the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descentm nor of human decision or a husband's will, but BORN OF GOD. - John 1:12-13

He loves me no matter what (it's hard to believe, but I'm learning) and teaches me to trust Him no matter what (I'm learning that as well). These days He reminds me of constant abiding in Him, because apart of Him everyhing is meaningless - even good deeds I do as a missionary!
d) loves music /he is surrounded by it/
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and then thousand times ten thousand....in a loud voice they sang: Workty is the Lam, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise! - Revelation 5: 11-12

I'm looking forward to singing in that choir!!!

e) has a great sense of humour  /Well, he created me ;-)/ 

What's the God you believe in like and why? Let me know!