Enjoying God


by Steve Klassen

People are increasingly stressed and exhausted.  We are concerned with good responsibilities, burdened with heavy issues, busy with activities, worried and tired of carrying all these on our own shoulders.  We often feel that the answers need to come from us; our minds, our behavior, our activities.  If we don't do something – nothing good is going to happen in us or around us.  The focus is on us.

Come to Me
Right in the midst of this struggle God is at work inviting people to enjoy him.  He is using all kinds of different ways to draw people, but the invitation is simple, disarming and very attractive;

"Are you tired?  Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."  (Matt 11:28-30 The Message)

As people listen to God we are seeing that God is not the one who is putting "anything heavy or ill-fitting" on us.  We may be experiencing heaviness or stress, but the more we listen to God, the more we realize that he is not the source of these things.  Burdens of life, expectations from others, difficult circumstances, a lack of trust within us, or other sources may leave us feeling overwhelmed but Jesus brings us a way to live freely and lightly.  His yoke is easy.  Walking with him results in freedom and peace.  But it also seems that many who are experiencing his rest are also finding new strength to work harder than ever with a new dimension of enjoying God as they go.

Back in the sixteenth century Teresa of Avila was carrying a burden and experienced an amazing encounter with God that set her free.  Here is her account in the form of a poem.

LAUGHTER CAME FROM EVERY BRICK
by Teresa of Avila

Just these two words He spoke
Changed my life,

"Enjoy Me."

What a burden I thought I was to carry-
A crucifix, as did He.

Love once said to me “I know a song,
Would you like to hear it?”

And laughter came from every brick in the street
and from every pore
in the sky.

After a night of prayer, He
Changed my life when
He sang

"Enjoy Me."

AWAKEN

We have developed a day retreat we are calling Awaken designed to help people discover how God is speaking to us. If you have a group of people you'd like to experience this with please let us know.

At Awaken you can expect...
Stories of how people are hearing God's voice in every aspect of their lives
Interactive teaching on how God is speaking today
Space throughout the day to listen for God's voice
Tools designed to help you listen and lead others
Food and refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere



TRAINING
Evy Klassen

On September 2, 2009 Steve and I began a 15 week training program for new MBMSI missionary candidates. Every Wednesday afternoon we have the privilege of leading a group of 25 adults in sessions focused on Embracing a Lifestyle of Listening to God and Multiplying that lifestyle. It has been a lot of fun teaching together from curriculum put together this past spring by the MARK Centre training task force. We have been facilitating sessions based on how we’ve noticed God speaking today through his Word, our hearts, circumstances around us, in community and in times of silence and solitude. This group is full of dynamic leaders who are heading out to the nations in the near future. It’s been enriching for us to hear the stories of God’s activity in their lives.

Contact the MARK Centre:
 MARK Centre Office: 604.556.7796
bookings@markcentre.org
 steve@markcentre.org
evy@markcentre.org
www.markcentre.org


MARK Centre Board Members

Ron & Marilyn Peters Cam Stuart
Jason Pohl Candice Green
Blair Grabinsky Nancy Boothe
Rick & Michele Berry Paul Wartman

MARK Centre Advisory Council Members

Mark Dumerton Dan Ratzlaff
Randy Friesen Levi Giesbrecht
Chris Douglas Brent Bishop
Steve Berg Jim Barkman


Donations

Donations toward the ongoing ministry of the MARK Centre are needed and greatly appreciated.
(Registered Charity # 89760 6018 RR0001)

In Canada,

Cheques can be made payable to MARK Centre and sent to:
31605 Old Yale Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 2B4

VISA and MasterCard are also gratefully accepted.

Or,
Visit our website at www.markcentre.org and use the Canada Helps link on the Get Involved page
Or log onto www.CanadaHelps.org and type Mark Centre Society in the charity search box.

In the US,

Cheques can be made

payable to MBMS International, and sent to:
4867 E. Townsend Avenue Fresno, CA 93727-5006
with a note attached designating it for the MARK Centre.