Whanau

Words to express this past weekend. I know in my last post I touched on it a bit but I really want to get across how amazing this conference was! God really showed up and spoke through the leaders, worshipers, intercessors, and just anyone that was open to him. That's the key though, you have to be open to him and he will speak. It's like this, take your palm and hold it flat, the flatter you hold it the more you hang on. I know it doesn't make sense and it takes a lifetime to comprehend but it's so true! Think about it! One thing that I absolutely loved was that we sang the New Zealand National Anthem at the start of each worship session with this Maori woman Cindy Ruakere. She is epic! It felt as though we were going to battle. I myself feel as though New Zealand is full of warriors that need to rise up and proclaim what this land means to them! We sang part of the song in Maori which is the native tongue to New Zealand. It's so powerful. Anyways, below are the lyrics and some pictures I took while up in Tauranga.
Being up there really made me have ambition again with life. It was such a great "revival" if that's what you call it! Going back to a simpler life style is key. The simpler the better, it's real hard at times to live a simple life but once we do, imagine how easy it will be to praise the Lord, because of all our free time! For everyone back home, my eyes have been opened to see the true beauty of God. Western mindsets are the worst to see this properly. We need to not think logically but really just go with the flow and it will all work out. God's got us and there are no better hands to be in! Believe me, he's the one that protects, loves, endures the hard times with us, gives us opportunities to be strong. He does it all! Truly one thing that did happen this weekend was that I have fallen more in love with the one that loves me. He loves you too! When we are open and receptive to what he has for us it is soooo good! The shaking of the earth is an awakening to send out revival to the nations. Every nation will praise his name and will glorify him. Another thing that really hit me was that whatever we put between God and us is what he tears down, that we really hate but it has to come down. For me, I'll admit it was my truck when I was home, I just loved how I felt in it and it really made me feel good. Well I knew in the back of my mind that I should have sold it before I came out here in 2009 but a bigger part of me said, No, I'll keep it and all will be good. So when I got home to drive it, a week before I came back to NZ, It broke. Not only did it break but it was not worth fixing. So I sold it to a guy that could fix it himself. Anyways, once it was broke it wasn't hard for me to part from it. Not saying God purposely broke my truck, but the fact of the matter is that the truck was the one thing tying me to home and keeping me there. Everything else I own doesn't have much value to me because it's just "stuff" I have stuff here but wherever you go you get "stuff". Once I felt the freedom though of not being tied to home it was amazing and I really felt like I could fully be here and not have to think about what could happen or what's going to happen but to fully have my mind here. The freedom is amazing, he takes care of it all. I feel such a peace about where I'm at right now in my life and with the family and friends I have around me. Anyways here are the lyrics to the song. Look it up on youtube if you want to hear it sung. It's worth it! Trust me!

English version

God of Nations at Thy feet,

In the bonds of love we meet,

Hear our voices, we entreat,

God defend our free land.

Guard Pacific's triple star

From the shafts of strife and war,

Make her praises heard afar,

God defend New Zealand.

Men of every creed and race,

Gather here before Thy face,

Asking Thee to bless this place,

God defend our free land.

From dissension, envy, hate,

And corruption guard our state,

Make our country good and great,

God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,

But, should foes assail our coast,

Make us then a mighty host,

God defend our free land.

Lord of battles in Thy might,

Put our enemies to flight,

Let our cause be just and right,

God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,

May Thy blessings never cease,

Give us plenty, give us peace,

God defend our free land.

From dishonour and from shame,

Guard our country's spotless name,

Crown her with immortal fame,

God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be

Freedom's ramparts on the sea,

Make us faithful unto Thee,

God defend our free land.

Guide her in the nations' van,

Preaching love and truth to man,

Working out Thy glorious plan,

God defend New Zealand.

Māori version

E Ihowā Atua,

O ngā iwi mātou rā

Āta whakarangona;

Me aroha noa

Kia hua ko te pai;

Kia tau tō atawhai;

Manaakitia mai

Aotearoa

Ōna mano tāngata

Kiri whero, kiri mā,

Iwi Māori, Pākehā,

Rūpeke katoa,

Nei ka tono ko ngā hē

Māu e whakaahu kē,

Kia ora mārire

Aotearoa

Tōna mana kia tū!

Tōna kaha kia ū;

Tōna rongo hei pakū

Ki te ao katoa

Aua rawa ngā whawhai

Ngā tutū e tata mai;

Kia tupu nui ai

Aotearoa

Waiho tona takiwā

Ko te ao mārama;

Kia whiti tōna rā

Taiāwhio noa.

Ko te hae me te ngangau

Meinga kia kore kau;

Waiho i te rongo mau

Aotearoa

Tōna pai me toitū

Tika rawa, pono pū;

Tōna noho, tāna tū;

Iwi nō Ihowā.

Kaua mōna whakamā;

Kia hau te ingoa;

Kia tū hei tauira;

Aotearoa

A surfer at the beach in Mt. Maunganui.

Mt Maunganui, so beautiful with the sun! 

Leisure island, a great walk for inspiration!