watch this space....

We have been dreaming and scheming and have some pretty exciting things in the works!!! So watch this space!

(ok so I'll be nice and give you a quick heads up on some of the exciting things. Get you pens ready and mark these dates in your diary now!

18- 21 July - Get Smart Conference Christchurch
13-14 August - Winter Blast, Queenstown
3 September - Sex, Lies & Resonate
18-29 November - Red Frogs Schoolies Mission Trip, Gold Coast Australia

More info and other exciting stuff coming soon!!

Summer Blast - Yes it was!!

To sum it up Summer Blast could only be described as one word - EPIC!!

We had such an amazing time - big fun, big sky and even bigger God. A huge ups to the awesome people who helped make it happen, and to everyone who came.

Below are just a few pics from our night under the stars. When I get hold of them I will post some of the others:)

Trying our hand at Curling at the Indoor Rink in Naseby - was so cold I got an ice cream headache!!
Our illustrious leader Ray getting his curling on.

A bit of volleyball action in the campsite.

Our campsite when we slept under the stars - no pics of the stars but the incredible beauty won't be forgotten!!

Becca chilling on top of Dinosaur Rock

Bet you wish you made it now!!! Don't worry - we have Winter Blast coming up in August! See you there!

Shan

Here are our 3 main events for 2011 - its going to be an awesome year so mark them in your diary now and start planning!!

"Lets do this thing..............."

So today is the first day of my big adventure. Sounds exciting huh? It is - and its pretty scarey!
So whats the haps I hear you ask? Well.............

You may have seen from the previous post I have recently been in Tonga on a missions trip. It was an incredibly impacting time for me - and not just from what I saw and experienced, but in the way that God spoke to me so clearly and challenged me.

My heart has always been to live a life of reckless abandonment for God. A life that is glorifying to God and impacts those around me. Well to be honest that wasn't really happening. It was more like a life of coasting through on a treadmill - repeating the steps and going nowhere. I had gotten comfortable. There was nothing wrong with my life - in fact I liked it. I was doing my thing, loving God, family and church. BUT God has more than that for me. He knows the potential within me - and YOU. He wants the best for us.

My dream for as long as I can remember has to be a photographer - to take amazing images that inspire people, challenge their worldview and change the world. I wanted to reach a generation of young people and see them become the person that God created them and designed them to be. To preach the gospel and see lives, cities and nations changed. As a young (yes I consider myself young!) mum with 2 small children that was kind of put in the "one day" basket. The place where I'll return to when its the right time, when the kids are grown and I have the resources to fund that kind of ministry. So in the meantime I opened a photography studio and started doing weddings and portraits as a way to "keep the dream alive" until I figured out how to make it work.

Well I have not been designed as an administrative type person in anyway! So the day to day stuff of running business did not come naturally to me in any way shape or form and was more stressful in ways I cannot express. Dont get me wrong, I love taking photographs of people, letting them express the beauty and uniqueness in the way God created them and capturing special occasions - it was a privilege and a fantastic creative outlet. But it wasn't the best that God has designed me for.

When in Tonga God breathed life into those dreams that I had put aside, that I didn't know how to make happen or how it would work with the family and stuff. And He just said to me "Come on Shannon, lets do this thing................................."

Come on lets do this thing. Crap.

"This thing" was to close down my photography studio and to come and volunteer at my church full time doing the creative design stuff - graphics, web, photography etc and build the young adults ministry, Resonate - which is you guys! God was calling me, giving me permission to step into the things that He has for me, to live the BEST life designed by Him and just saying "its now. Don't put it off, lets just do this together. Lets make it happen and change your world."

So here I am. Recklessly abandoning the path I have known in favour of one where I can only see a few steps ahead. Its scarey because my safety net is gone. I can no longer tell people I am "a photographer and have my own studio". The worlds idea of success and identity can no longer matter because I am living a life on the edge for Jesus, standing in the place He has designed for me. And to be honest, theres nowhere else I would rather be.

Come on lets do this thing.................

Branded Take Over

Branded was an absolutely phenomenal weekend just held at Southlife Church, Dunedin. For those of you who have never been or heard of it, Branded is the Acts Churches NZ South Island youth conference.

One of the things that came through strongly was a new focus towards young adults, 18-30 year olds, recognising that often we find they enter into this stage of life only to become old and boring. Hope no one is offended by that!!!

But really its true and its one of the frustrating things I have seen happen continuously over the past 7 years I have done Resonate. People are all excited and passionate about making a difference for God and living a life of significance but only until they graduate. Once that happens its time for them to "grow up, get a haircut and get a real job." Their new focus finding a spouse, getting a good job, and having babies. Don't get me wrong, these are all good things (and I have them too), but suddenly they are too old for being involved in youth or jumping up and down a little. I don't know about you but I think that sucks!!! I so don't want to live a boring life where I do what society says I should be doing at this stage of my life.

In fact I want to be living a passionate life, be significant for God in reaching a generation and be able to look back at the end of my life and have no regrets, no "what if " moments.

We often look at youth and talk about how alcohol, drugs and sex are such a distraction for them, pulling them away from their Purpose in God, but in realilty the white picket fence can be just as distracting for us young adults.

My challenge to you is to don't become so focused about the things this world says are important that you forget about the call and purpose God has placed within you.

Something to consider

Well so it's been a little while since I have posted - sorry for being so slack!!

Life for the average Reson8r has been pretty busy, and I have been no exception. Between work, study, family and church it's difficult at times to take a few moments for myself let alone jump on the computer and write about how busy we are!! But it has got me thinking.

How often do we actually take the times to appreciate the little things? Sounds cliched I know but in all honesty I find that sometimes I get so busy doing the work for God that I forget to actually spend time with God. Which is crazy because when you love someone and are in relationship with them then you should actually want to spend time with them.

Imagine being best friends with somebody but you don't actually talk to them, hang out them or even answer the phone each time they call you.

In fact you ignore them completely - except maybe when your world falls apart and then you need a shoulder to cry on. But you still consider yourselves to be best friends and believe you have an amazing, understanding, loving relationship because you just happen to do things on behalf of that person.

Lets be honest , real relationships don't actally work that way. But yet how often are we like that with God?

We spend so much time doing stuff in His name, and for the church, but in essence we are so far removed from God it's not funny. We don't hang out with Him, we don't talk to Him unless we want something and we certainly don't listen when He has something to say. Would we even recognise His voice at the other end of the line if he called?

There is a saying my old youth leader used to have - "If the devil can't make you bad he'll make you busy." Often we allow our busyness get in the way of whats really important - RELATIONSHIP.

I don't know about you but when it comes my turn to go hang with Jesus in eternity I want to know that I am going to be hanging with my best friend, not a random accquaintance. I don't want to get so hung up on serving Him that I forget to know Him.

What about you? Do your priorities lie in the doing of Jesus or your relationship with Him?

Revival Pics

OK guys so as promised here are a few shots from when we had Roy and Melanie Fields here the other week. It was a phenomenal time of worship and God really switched something in the Spirit. It was like taking a 60 watt light bulb and then shoving 2000 volts of electricity through it to see what would happen - things will never be the same again!!!!

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE

Singers Band in Worship
Worship led by Roy Fields. You can't really see but Church

was PACKED out.

Pastor Ian (with Dayle in background) deep in worship

SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE

Love this shot!!!! Resonator Lulu and members of the ministry team during the evening service.

Southern River pastor Danny Steel (centre) responding to a call for healing while Melanie Fields (right) prays.

Melanie Fields praying for people during an altar call.

Associate pastor Grant hanging with his kids after the evening service. (It was 11.5pm and they just got their second wind!!)

Revival Weekend

Wow what an amazing weekend we just had with the amazing Roy andMelanie Fields. If you ever doubted Revival was in the air then those doubts should be well and truely gone now!!!

For those of you who aren't aware, Roy and Melanie led the worship at the Lakeland Outpouring and are a phenomenal couple who carry an incredible passion to see God move in miraculous ways transforming lives and seeing Revival break out across the globe. These are just a couple of pics from the weekend and we will have testimonies and stuff coming soone:)

Shan

Let us feed u!!!!!

Hey Guys,

Yep its here again! The Resonate $2 Student feed. If you haven't worked it out by now it gonna be a regular occurance - like real regular, like every 2 weeks, fornightly or bi-monthly (however you want to look at it!)

So get involved!! Tell your class mates, your workmates, your neighbour, your nana, WHOEVER!! Bring them along and enjoy our scrumptious, yummy (and may I add healthy - who would a thought it was possible to taste good and not make you rot?)

Just make sure you let us know you are coming - we would hate for you to miss out!!

Mmm, coffee...

Hope you enjoyed your coffee today... if you've found yourself here, you might be wondering who we are. If you need the short and skinny... we're a group of committed 18-20something Christians from Invercargill Christian Centre who are just wanting to serve our local student and young worker community. Here's some of the stuff we've got coming up:

This is going to be a great chance to connect and kit out your flat. Also we've got the $2 feed coming up tomorrow night:We've got a rocking Friday Service to follow. If you are currently looking for a new church home while you are down here in the south, check us out!

Finally for all the gamers in the house, we're running an XBox Lan on Saturday Night @ Hawthorndale Christian Centre. It's from 5-10, and it's at 32 Freeview Avenue. Click here for more info (video).

Anyways, if you are new... welcome to the Ends of the Earth!

Resonate Jam Nite

More than Preserves!!!!!!

Are you musically-minded? Secretly a closet stand-up comedian? Can you bend it like Beckham and crank out groovy moves on the dance floor?
Then we want you!!!!!

This Saturday nite (13 October) Resonate are holding a Jam Nite at the Invercargill Christian Centre starting at 8pm. Incase you haven't quite clicked, it has absolutely nothing to do with preserves, strawberry or otherwise, but is all in the name of hilarity, fun and entertainment.

So if you are keen for your three minutes of fame, or hankering for a good laugh (of course its with you, not at you!) then you should check us out!
There is guaranteed good times or your money back (ahemm its free!). Cafe will also be happening, so bring along your mates for a fun & laxed nite out.

Performer registrations are from 7.30pm on the night or if you want to register super early and avoid the queues then contact Shan or Ray on 214 1344 or leave a message here and we will be in touch!

Response to Christianity as a Counterculture.

Hey guys,

Here's just a couple of comments from a couple of other Christian blogs in response to the Christianity as a Counterculture post. I thought they made some valid points so reproduced here.

written by alban-acim

Exactly, nothing could be more alien to this world than the teaching of Jesus Christ. Who wants to forgive and love his enemy? I think, for example, the majority of people still favors death penalty and wants their offenders being killed only to continue the conflict and its resulting misery.

What an insanity.

reply

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Also, here was another eloquent post.

written by TitusOneOne

You're right, sirgawayne. According to Jesus, we are the salt and light in this dying world. He has called us to be different from this world and different from those who don't believe.

When people who are not believers look at us they should see Christ in us! Sure they may see us physically and see the personalities that God gave us, but beyond these they should see Jesus in us.

But is the average Christian today really that different from the culture they live in? I ask this because I see people who say they're Christians whose lives just don't match up. In fact, statistics tell us that divorce rates among Christians are just as high as non-Christians and pre-marital sex among Christians is growing higher every year. You are right, we have a wonderful opportunity to stand apart, to be the living counterculture, but are we letting that opportunity pass us by?

We need to make the choice to pickup our cross and follow Jesus. Come on believers! We've all made mistakes and messed up big, myself included. But 1 John 1:9 says we have a God that will forgive us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins to Him. So if there's anything between you and God, repent of it. Ask for forgiveness. And then make the choice to be that salt and light, that counterculture to a dying world.

We are the body of Christ. Let's live that way!

Joe

http://titusoneone.com

Promoting and encouraging Biblical faith in God's people.

If you'd like to continue the discussion you can either leave a comment after the Counterculture post, or in the blogs4god discussion thread. I think these Christian bloggers have identified some extremely relevant examples and it would be a shame to let the discussion stop there.

Ray

Christianity as a counterculture?

Hey guys,
So just doing something different... here's a copy of the notes I used for a talk I did at church recently.

It may be useful for life groups, school groups, youth groups, or just to have a bit of a yarn with anyone you want... If nothing else, maybe it may make you think about what you believe.

Will podcast the mp3 when it becomes available, and hopefully you'll get a better idea of where I was going.



Counterculture

2 minutes – Brainstorm - What is Normal Teenage culture?

What defines us as a culture?

What influences us?

From Wikipedia:

In sociology, counterculture is a term used to describe a cultural group whose values and norms are at odds with those of the social mainstream, the cultural equivalent of political opposition.

Today, counterculture is used to describe moving in a theological or material direction that is not the accepted norm in society; this is most easily seen in its manifestation in the media. However, it can be strange to see the co-option of counterculture movements as they quickly become the spearhead of commercial pop campaigns; once taboo ideas (men wearing a woman's color - pink, for example) can become popular trends.

Examples of counterculture:
Hippies
Rock n' Roll
Punk
Alternative
Emo!
and many others...

In all these movements, the counterculture became so popular it directly affected mainstream culture.

We sometimes think of Christians as the “square” mainstream people. If you think about it, this is NOT THE CASE.

Christianity directly opposes many of today’s cultural values and beliefs.
Examples of this?

Jesus was not a mainstream leader. He spent his entire ministry shaking the current mainstream beliefs of the Pharisees and society.
e.g. performed miracles on the Sabbath. Called the spiritual leaders of the time a pit of vipers and so on…

AS Christians, we are NOT mainstream.
What does this mean to you?
We live to different standards. What is acceptable in the world may not be acceptable in our eyes. In many ways we, shouldn’t fit in…

We need to add some new phrases to our vocabulary.
Why?
I don’t agree with this because…
I believe that…

We need to start standing up for what we believe in…

We shouldn’t be afraid to be different. God has already marked us so. We do not need to conform. In fact, in order to be going for God, we have a completely different mindset:

2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come!– What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun.

This means we are called to be in the world, acting as Christ, not of the world.

We have an opportunity to stand apart.
We have an opportunity to create a positive counterculture which opposes the things in mainstream culture which may be morally or spiritually wrong.

Challenge: Think about how as a Christian, you are different to mainstream culture. What ways are you able to be an example of Christianity as a counterculture?

...
Hope this is useful to someone. If so, great! Let me know...

Ray

Community and Connection in the Church

Over the last wee while we've been looking at the whole idea of community and connection, particularly how we can use community to be relevant to a lost and dying world.

To me, community is all about connection between people, the links that bind people together. Sometimes we get so busy doing church, that we forget to do life together, and it's clear in the New Testament in particular, that doing life together was an integral and inextricable part of what being part of a church meant.

We have to be relevant to the communities in which we are a part of and who we serve. If not, then we are just a historical institution, far outdated, and a far cry from the early church (See the end of Acts 2 for more information).

The local church is the hope of the world.
If it's not going to be us that's relevant, then who?

Anyways, here's the latest podcast episode - I really hope you get something out of it. Oh, and BTW, some of these guys have not really spoken in a public environment like podcasting can be before, so full respect. As for me, I'm still learning how to do this well, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Lonely - Ray's Rant...

Drawing from http://el-a-stupid-boy.blogspot.com/

I've been thinking about a couple a things, kinda to do with community...

Like, you know how we see quite a few people come in, particularly about our age, sit by themselves, listen to the worship (which is usually awesome), take in the message (ditto), and then quietly slip out as soon as the final song starts never to be seen again...

There's something wrong with that picture... and it's bugged me for ages... and i think I've finally nailed it...

People aren't supposed to sit alone.

People aren't supposed to be alone.

Sure, alone time is good, but it's not meant to be a permanent fixture...

How do i know this? Simple - God didn't want to be alone.

He created us in his image so that he had someone to hang with. In simple terms, he wanted friendship, fellowship, and that "togetherness" that comes with being with other people.

Do you remember the song "Piano Man" by Billy Joel? There's this one line which has always resonated with me:

Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness;
But it's better than drinking alone.

Interesting ay? Most kids at school fall into bad crowds because they're accepted there. And it's better to be bad together, than good alone.

So, snap back to our picture of the person sitting alone in OUR church, listening to OUR awesome music, being impacted by OUR awesome preachers, teachers, and just crazy awesome random people. The awesome church that we have, could be THEIRS too.

Y'know I think our church is pretty awesome. I think that our church could really find a place for the broken, the alone, and the lonely (in fact, Jesus in the gospels made it pretty clear that was part of his mission...). So, I'm praying for a time where there'll be no one sitting by themselves. You know who is going to sit by those people? ME.

And now, hopefully, you.

Peace out.