He was talking to me about how easy I find it to slip into Neutral with my faith. How often I can just go through the motions.

God is telling me to step it up a gear. Put my foot down and race.

I give full permission for anyone to call me out if they suspect neutrality in me.

2012 is going to be a significant year. 2012 is going to be a year of acceleration into the things of God.

This year, I intend to ‘run in such a way as to get the prize.’

Don’t sit in neutral. Don’t become complacent.

Run.

Run hard.

Run fast.

RUN!!!

I am Amazing.

I am God’s greatest creation.

He loves me to death.

I rock.

I was born to do greater works than Jesus.

I was born for Glory.

Nations are attracted to me because I’m so good looking.

And I have the mind of Christ, therefore I think like God.

He’s my inheritance, I’m His inheritance, and He actually likes me.

And I like me too.

And if you got to know me….you would like me.

Creation knows who I am.

The devil knows who I am.

God knows who I am.

The angels…they know who I am.

And today….I KNOW WHO I AM!

This has really encouraged me this evening, and I hope it does the same to you!

Love and Laughter,

Sean

p.s. here’s the whole talk if you’re interested : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Ec1RFyeVo

Jesus said the greatest commandment was to ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind.’ Now, keeping in mind this is a commandment, it brought this question to mind. How many people are trying to love God…because they’re ‘supposed’ to?

The following is from a book I’m reading at the moment: ‘Granted, loving God is definitely the “greatest” commandment. But it is still a commandment. It is the grand summation of the law. And we know that law does not save us.
Did you know there is something greater than the greatest commandment? Something bigger and better than loving God?
You are not saved by your love for God. You are saved by His love for you. You are not saved by your faith toward God. You are saved by His grace, which produces His faith in you…..Only in allowing the Father to pour His love into you, will you ever have love to give back to Him. Until you taste His goodness, love will always be a duty and never a ravenous enjoyment.’

This really made me think. I can often beat myself up if I don’t think I’m praying enough, or reading the Bible enough, but it is allowing God to love on me that produces everything else. It brings me back to one of my favourite scriptures.

‘But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you aswell.’ (Matt 6:33)

God isn’t a taskmaster, yes it is a wonderful thing to pray and read the Bible, but these things should never become legalistic, or, dare I say it, religious. I am thankful that God is gracious and patient.

Let us accept that we are accepted, and let the Father love us, so that we can love in response, and in that, we will want to do what God asks us, as Jesus said ‘If you love me, you will obey my commands.’ (John 14:15). Or, in other words, when we know that God loves us, and we can love Him back, we will WANT to obey Him. Not out of duty, but simply love.

Anyways, that’s what is on my mind. I hope this has been of some use!

Love and Laughter,

Sean

I’m calling this post ‘A Reflection’ , but I don’t know at this stage of writing how much I can do. It will probably be much more akin to a ramble.

First of all, words cannot express how much love the church poured out on us. Allowing us into their lives, their homes, and fitting their schedules around us. It was a very humbling experience.

We were greeted at the airport by Eskil and Stig, who took us back to Eskil and Anne’s place where we were welcomed with a barbecue and a chance to meet some people from the church.

Myself and my good friend and brother Sam were hosted by a wonderful family, consisting of Torgeir & Karin Nilsen, and their 3 wonderful children, Benjamin, Malin and Joel. It was a complete joy living with them. I was inspired by them, and it only fuelled my desire to one day become a father.

We were given the honour and responsibility of running the church service on the two Sunday’s we were there. I had the privilege of preaching on the first Sunday, and I was the least nervous I had ever been while speaking. Which is quality. Speaking with a translator was also a new experience! It was also excellent to see my fellow DNA’ers stepping out by leading, sharing testimonies, and leading worship. I really think each of us grew in our giftings through our stepping out in those areas.

We were able to go into a couple of the schools in the area, and both have fun with the kids and play games, but also to share a little about where we come from, and teach them a little English. It was a brilliant experience, and the kids all seemed to have a great time. From this, we were able to run a kids club in the church mid-week, which saw a good number of the school kids come along, to have waffles, play games, sing some actions songs, and have their faces painted!

Norway is such a beautiful country, and we were blessed to see some of it. We were able to canoe out to, and camp out on an island. It was gorgeous, and a great opportunity to bond further as a team, and with our new-found friends.

We were invited to join some people who do street evangelism in Askim, and we had a quality time. Some of the team had some brilliant conversations with people in the area, and I was able to publicly share my Testimony, which was great.

We were able to go into Oslo, and serve a church there called Sub-Scene, which also runs a cafe used by young people part of the ‘alternative/goth/emo’ culture. We actually had a really good time cleaning and tidying the place, and we had an incredible time in the evening, just chatting to the young folk, several of whom were intrigued by our accents.

More of our practical work included some of the group going to a house and begging a renovation project by ripping up carpet, wallpaper etc. and some of us going to an Iranian church, to serve them as they held a conference. This was great, and we were able to join in with them in worship, which was another new experience!

I think God really spoke to me about missions work, as before I had thought that mission was cool for other folk, but not really something that interested me. Now however, I can’t wait to go on another adventure, and have even researched prices for a future return to Norway.

It was very hard to leave Norway, and I’m sure I speak for the rest of the team when I say we are very much attached to it now. It was a time where God used us. He met and exceeded all of our expectations, and really moved in the church. We met many amazing people, who really moved us with their love and their generosity.

I’m very thankful for the time we spent there, and I’m also very thankful for the team I had the privilege of sharing my time with. We were THE team, and we fit together perfectly.

I’ve left Norway with new passions, increased knowledge of who I am in God, and growth in my giftings and as a person.

Anyways, if you’ve made it this far, well done . There is much more to tell of our adventure, so please ask me about it

Be Blessed,
Love & Laughter,

Sean Carnochan

I’ve been asking for a bunch of stuff recently, and looking back, what I asked for, I’ve received. This isn’t in material things, although God does provide, which is quality.

Here’s some of the things I’ve asked for:

Opportunities to grow in speaking = Chances to speak to the youth, give seminars at Clan, attend preachers workshops.

Tears = Recently been broken about how I view myself, which involved a good 15 or so minutes of tears.

Dreams = Ever since I asked for this recently, I’ve been getting crazy vivid dreams….lots……

See Angels = Need to talk this through, but fairly sure I’ve seen a couple this past week!

Freedom = I don’t know how this is totally taking shape, but through people’s comments and observations, this is happening.

Matthew 21:22 says ‘If you believe, you will receive anything you ask for in prayer.’

What are we asking for?

God will provide our material needs, but how much are we saying ‘I just want You’ ?

Give it a go, I’m sure you’ll be amazed by the results!

We looked for light but we found only darkness. We searched for bright skies but walked in gloom. We fumbled like the blind along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes.

We were destined to fall. Even in the brightest days, we stumbled as if it were dark. Among the living we were like the dead.

We looked for justice, but it never came. We looked for rescue but it was far from us.

So He, Himself stepped in to save us, with His long arm and justice to sustain Him. He put on righteousness as armor, salvation His helmet. He clothed Himself with the robe of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of divine passion.

He slipped out of his royal garments, left eternity to enter time, divinity to wrap Himself in humanity. The sea of glass, the ocean of separation, He left peace, and for the first time felt pain.

Because the very hands that held the stars were now sentenced to wear my scars. It was love that purchased this traitors heart.

It’s what the prophets spoke about when they envisioned light living in men once again. For this reason, I AM LEGEND, predestined for greatness, built for the final hour. I was born for this, with weapons in hand, armor in place, I now march to the beat of a different drum.

I will break through battle lines that have been drawn by discouragement and despair. Where more is left to be said, time has met its end. It’s now or never. Collision with me, myself and I.

You see, my mission today is clear, to wake the dead. So let freedom’s song rage. Do not abandon. You’re not alone! Last day warriors arise from yesterday’s ash and raise your fist with us! We are the army that is charging upon the land. Defeat is no longer and option. It is victory!

We stand!
We rise!
We give!
Our lives!

This might be a less organised post than usual, because there is a LOT to talk about!

This term has brought some amazing new things, it has brought FREEDOM! It has brought tears, it has brought new revelation of who I really am and my worth. It has given me clarity on my calling and what I feel God calling me into (Which is very exciting!)

I’ve just finished 3 weeks in a row of 2-Day Blocks, which were all very good!

The first in England, with some quality stuff in our Biblical Overview sessions, and some good topics such as Servanthood Evangelism, Church Planting, and Unity among others. This was the last time we’ll see our English (and French!) friends for a wee while.

The second, in Scotland was very insightful with such topics as Church Kingdom evangelism, Embracing New Believers, and Gospel & The Poor.

The Third, also in Scotland was full of quality topics such as God at War, Personal Warfare, Law & Grace and Models of Church, so much to take in!

There is so much that has been happening with me this term, most importantly in how I view myself, and standing in the truth that I’m not just the ‘funny guy’ but that I have real depth, and am so much more than my humour. Also, learning to receive encouragement, that seems to surround me. Once I have this down, things will get real exciting!

Things are about to get really busy. Next week I head back to Edinburgh for my Easter Holidays! (Which will also include another 2-day block in Scotland!)
Then I’m off to Minehead to serve on the 8-11′s team at Spring Harvest!
In May, myself along with some of my brothers and sisters on DNA will be going to NOOORRRWWWAAAAYYYYYY!!!! We don’t know what we’ll be doing yet, but that’s gonna be amazing!

Then the summer brings CLAN (Youth! Get in! ^_^) and Imagine, which will both be brilliant aswell.

Then it will be our final DNA Residential up here in Inverness……That’s still a while away though

Then…..I don’t know yet…..that’s the mystery and the adventure….I do hope you’ll join me on it

Love and Laughter,

Sean Carnochan

I’m here at the half-way stage of my DNA year. At Dalesdown for the February (Mostly March) Residential. Thus far, we’ve been looking at the issue of the Will (How we let our yes be yes, and our no, no.)

I won’t go into detail, because that’s not for here, not now. But things were identified, things were dealt with, and a new sense of peace has come. There’s still a long way to go yet, but this was only the first day.

Let’s see what else happens…..

The Winter season brought a lot of snow, which incidentally meant I had to evacuate Inverness lest I be stuck over the Christmas holidays.

Christmas was nice and quiet, just the way I like it.

Straight into the second term with a London block, which was brilliant, as they tend to be. Lot’s of things to chew over and analyze, which is good.

Back in Inverness, things are going swimmingly. Keeping busy, and looking forward to all the amazing thing God has in store for me.

The next few weeks involve a Spiritual Fair, Preaching School, Worksheets (Kingdom of God, Disciplines and Prayer) and a book to read and review. Let’s do this!

Anyways, short and sweet yes, but hopefully I’ll do a fuller update soon.

Love & Laughter.