Well, the Oxygen Life Church camp has come and gone and how do we even begin to tell of all that took place?

We waited in expectation for this camp and took some risks, really. Firstly, we were going to  use the Cape St Francis Holiday resort for the first time as a venue for a church camp. Then we were going to have some people camping in tents in August. Lastly, we had little background knowledge of Julian Adams, the 'guest speaker'. On the first point, we were very impressed with the facilities at Cape St Francis and how those in charge of the resort received us. As for the campers....well, it poured with rain both nights! Fortunately, no tents were blown away or completely flooded and the campers kept smiling bravely the whole weekend. Then there was Julian and his friend Warren Lewin from Durban. What can we say? These guys came with the heart of God for us and unleashed the very essence of heaven among us.

Julian taught on 'Cultivating an atmosphere for the Supernatural'. The first night he massaged the message of God's goodness into the very fibre of our beings. On Saturday he taught on the Kingdom of God and on Sunday he spoke on the Culture of Honour and Not being offended with God. Powerful! In between this, there were prophetic words over different people that were very sweet, revealing the Father's heart for each one. And there was a corporate word for us all that will encourage, challenge, and change us in the years to come. Together with all this there was this strong sense of God's presence throughout the weekend. There is no doubt that we experienced something of the very glory of God!

I am so glad that it is okay to enjoy God! Christianity is not some dry, dead, religious order to which we all subscribe with long faces and serious tones of voices. Our salvation IS a very serious matter - one of life and death. But, thank the Lord, knowing Jesus as Lord and Saviour brings great joy into our lives. The Bible says in His presence there is fullness of joy. Where the kingdom of God is there is peace and joy. Our joy is knowing our reward and that reward is Jesus. Jesus Himself endured the cross looking for the joy of His reward - being united with the Father again forever and bringing many sons and daughters into His glory. That joy of Jesus is our very strength. Don't lose your joy. If you do, you lose your strength and your momentum in God.

After the camp( where there was lots of laughter and joy!), I found this cool scripture which I want to leave with you. In the book of Esther we see a decree had been passed to basically wipe out all Jews under the rule of the Medes and Persians. Esther, a Jewess, intervened to plead for her countrymen before the king. He then passed a law allowing the Jews to defend themselves, effectively saving them from total extinction. When the Jews scattered all over the various provinces heard this news, the Bible says it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honour for them (Esther 8:16). As the Jews rejoiced in the good news they had heard, there was great joy with lots of feasting and celebrating. Then the scripture says something amazing - it says that many people of other nationalities became Jews because they saw something in them they desired and because they began to fear the Jews. Isn't it time we had people joining our churches because they see people of great joy and people of great authority? The penalty of death over our lives has been removed in Christ. The very kingdom of God, the rule and reign of God has come to us. May people be drawn to our great KIng, Jesus Christ, the giver of life and the Author of all joy!

Thank you, Julian and Warren, for coming to Oxygen Life and helping break open something of God's glory, His kingdom and His joy over us. We love you guys!

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