Seasoned For:

What on earth is Church Planting? To many of us, it's obvious, where as to others, it's a little more cryptic. Basically, is how to start a Church in a new location. Tricky? Not really, well depends. Chris shares his story of how he and a crowd of folk decided that they wanted to bring more hope into a community in Manchester. Through the real life stories, his wisdom is wildly practical. Enjoy. 

The Kingdom revealed : New ways Mark 2: 18-21 TPT 18 One time, the disciples of John the Baptizer and the Pharisees were fasting. So they came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that John’s disciples and disciples of the Pharisees are fasting but your disciples are not?” 19 Jesus answered, “How can the sons of the bridal chamber fast when the bridegroom is next to them? As long as the bridegroom is with them they won’t, 20 but the days of fasting will come when the Bridegroom is taken from them. 21 “And who would mend worn-out clothing with new fabric? When the new cloth shrinks, it will rip, making the tear worse than before.

So now what? Yep, we are looking at a new world, a new normal and what are we to do? Phew! Good news, Adam Dyer gives us a peek into some amazing insights that are so liberating. This is one of those interviews that I really recommend you share with others. It's a cracker!

Ever wondered what Shalom looks like? It's a common word that is often misused, but when it's unpacked and understood its amazingly powerful. Steve shares his work in chaplaincy, the planning for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year and what it looks like to cultivate eco-systems that promote shalom between people. Priceless! 

So how does the Jewishness of Jesus shape our look on Christianity? More often than not, we read the Bible and see Jesus with the wrong lenses. As a Jew, Jesus did things that made a lot of sense to Jewish people. So in this episode, we start to discover what that really meant then and now. David is a Messianic Jew with such amazing insights. Enjoy.

The Kingdom revealed: Self reflection Luke 12:41-48 TPT 41 “Lord,” Peter asked, “does this apply only to the twelve of us, or is it for everyone else as well?” 42 The Lord replied, “A master will delegate authority in his house to a trustworthy and thoughtful manager who understands his master’s desires. And the household manager will serve others what they need at exactly the right time. 43–44 And whenever his master returns, he will find that his servant has served him well. I promise you, the master will reward him generously and he will be placed as an overseer of everything he owns. 45 “But what if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master delays his coming, and who knows when he will return?’ Because of the delay, the servant elevates himself and mistreats those in his master’s household. Instead of caring for the ones he was appointed to serve, he abuses the other servants, both men and women. He throws drunken parties for his friends and gives himself over to every pleasure. 46 Let me tell you what will happen to him. His master will suddenly return at a time that shocks him, and he will remove the abusive, selfish servant from his position of trust. The master will punish him and assign him a portion with the unbelievers. 47 “Every servant who knows what pleases his master yet does not make himself ready and refuses to put his master’s will to action will receive many punishing blows. 48 Every servant who does not know his master’s will and unwittingly does what is wrong will receive a less severe punishment. For those who have received a greater revelation from their master are required a greater obedience. And those who have been entrusted with great responsibility will be held more responsible to their master.”

So have you ever looked at where you lived thought..could do better!? It is such a common thing. But there is a light in the darkness. Whilst Lloyd is involved in healing his city (Stoke on Trent), it had to start with repairing in his soul. And my word! What a story!! This is fizzing and full of so much vital wisdom that I would richly recommend you share this with all your friends and family. Enjoy.

The Kingdom revealed / Cultivating fruit (part 3) Matthew 13:1-9 TPT 1 Later that day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeshore to teach the people. 2 Soon, there were so many people surrounding him that he had to teach sitting in a boat while the large crowd stood on the shore. 3 He taught them many things by using stories, parables to illustrate spiritual truths, saying: ”Consider this: There was a farmer who went out to sow seeds. 4 As he cast his seeds, some fell along the beaten path and the birds came and ate them. 5 Others fell onto gravel that had no topsoil. They quickly shot up, 6 but when the days grew hot, they were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. 7 Others fell among the thorns, so when they sprouted, the thorns choked them. 8 But other seeds fell on good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty, and some even one hundred times as much as he planted! 9 If you’re able to understand this, then you need to respond.”

So how do I blend my climate change and my faith? It's not as tricky as it sounds. We are placed on this planet to bless it - the people and the places we are in. A Rocha are pioneers in this space in showing us how we blend our faith into action. Andy shares some amazing insights and stories that really inspire us to action. Enjoy.

The Kingdom revealed / Cultivating fruit (part 2) Matthew 13:1-9 TPT 1 Later that day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeshore to teach the people. 2 Soon, there were so many people surrounding him that he had to teach sitting in a boat while the large crowd stood on the shore. 3 He taught them many things by using stories, parables to illustrate spiritual truths, saying: ”Consider this: There was a farmer who went out to sow seeds. 4 As he cast his seeds, some fell along the beaten path and the birds came and ate them. 5 Others fell onto gravel that had no topsoil. They quickly shot up, 6 but when the days grew hot, they were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. 7 Others fell among the thorns, so when they sprouted, the thorns choked them. 8 But other seeds fell on good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty, and some even one hundred times as much as he planted! 9 If you’re able to understand this, then you need to respond.”

How can I be my best self? What a question! But in actual fact, that is all we can be - ourselves. But let's be honest, lets be brave, let's start to re-evaluate how we are living and what steps we need to do to thrive and make a bigger impact in this world. Tarn's experiences and insights are fizzing with so much wisdom. Was sooo good. Enjoy.

The Kingdom revealed: Cultivating fruit (part 1) Matthew 13:1-9 TPT 1 Later that day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeshore to teach the people. 2 Soon, there were so many people surrounding him that he had to teach sitting in a boat while the large crowd stood on the shore. 3 He taught them many things by using stories, parables to illustrate spiritual truths, saying: ”Consider this: There was a farmer who went out to sow seeds. 4 As he cast his seeds, some fell along the beaten path and the birds came and ate them. 5 Others fell onto gravel that had no topsoil. They quickly shot up, 6 but when the days grew hot, they were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. 7 Others fell among the thorns, so when they sprouted, the thorns choked them. 8 But other seeds fell on good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty, and some even one hundred times as much as he planted! 9 If you’re able to understand this, then you need to respond.”

So what is Spiritual Intelligence? We all know about emotional intelligence and social intelligence is.. well a lot of us do. But spiritual intelligence, that is a even more profoundly helpful set of lenses. It enables us to see the world with an eternal point of view. But lets not get carried away, have a listen to this really practical conversation with Mark, as he shares what it really is and how we can live with these lenses more. Enjoy.

The Kingdom revealed: Be Ready  (part 2) Luke 12:35-40 TPT 35 “Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice. 36 Be like servants anticipating their master’s return from a wedding celebration. They are ready at a moment’s notice to unlock and open the door for him. 37 What great joy is ahead for those who stay awake and wait for their Master’s return! He himself will become their servant and wait on them. 38 He may appear at midnight or even later, but what great joy for the awakened ones whenever he comes! 39 Of course, if they knew ahead of time the hour of their master’s appearing, they would be alert, just as they would be ready if they knew ahead of time that a thief was coming to break into their house. 40 So keep being alert and ready at all times. For I promise you that the Son of Man will surprise you and appear when you don’t expect him.” Being present is the 1st step in being Spirit led. The 2nd is *sharing your vulnerability. *

How on earth do we build faith? It's the million dollar question that gets so many different answers. The reality is, it's not as hard as you think. But I am not about to tell you, you'll have to listen to the episode to find out for yourself. Prof John Swinton was brilliant. Enjoy.

The Kingdom revealed : Personal responsibility  Luke 13:6-9 TPT 6 Then Jesus told them this parable: “There was a man who planted a fig tree in his orchard. But every time he came to gather fruit from his tree he found none, for it was barren. 7 So he said to his gardener, ‘For the last three years I’ve come to gather figs from my tree but it remains fruitless. What a waste! Go ahead and cut it down!’ 8 “But the gardener protested, ‘Sir, we should leave it one more year. Let me fertilize and cultivate it, then let’s see if it will produce fruit. 9 If it doesn’t bear figs by next year, we’ll cut it down.’ ”

How do we build Hope? It's not surprising that Jon works for an organization called Hope into Action, but what's truly valuable is what he does there. Jon doesn't just do things, he empowers others to find hope and purpose in life. He shares his experiences and insights on how to help others become the best version of themselves in the way Christ intended. This is incredibly important work and worth learning from. Enjoy.

The Kingdom revealed: Be Ready  Luke 12:35-40 TPT 35 “Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice. 36 Be like servants anticipating their master’s return from a wedding celebration. They are ready at a moment’s notice to unlock and open the door for him. 37 What great joy is ahead for those who stay awake and wait for their Master’s return! He himself will become their servant and wait on them. 38 He may appear at midnight or even later, but what great joy for the awakened ones whenever he comes! 39 Of course, if they knew ahead of time the hour of their master’s appearing, they would be alert, just as they would be ready if they knew ahead of time that a thief was coming to break into their house. 40 So keep being alert and ready at all times. For I promise you that the Son of Man will surprise you and appear when you don’t expect him.”

*SPECIAL EPISODE* ASBURY REVIVAL If you haven't heard about the Asbury Revival, don't worry, it has been under the radar for some. But if you have.. well, you know how incredibly exciting it has been. Josh Green from 24/7-Prayer reports back on his flying visit - and it is a must hear. Do share this far and wide. Enjoy.

What does it look like to be ready? Ever heard the phrase, 'Jesus is coming back soon, better look ready?' Yep. Ridiculous! But there is a certain anxiety that we can get when we are told to get ready.. when we are not. Worry not, Harvey shares some really wonderful insights in what being ready really looks like. It's not what you think.. It's actually very accessible. Enjoy.