I was reading Nic's respond in an interview by Christa Farris from CCM Magazine and I was greatly encouraged by what he said concerning the Body of Christ.

quote:

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"I want to encourage people to open their minds up a little bit and remember that the body of Christ is versatile. We can all mix and match, but the reality is that we're not mixed and matched. I hope we can somehow build some bridges along with other people......I know everyone wishes that their churches were multi-racial and things like that, but I think that's part of our new thing with trying to lift the body up. We want to play all styles because we want people to come that like all styles of music. That would be the thing I'd really love to talk about."

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Just today in church (Sunday 06/02/05) my pastor was preaching from the passage of Scripture Psalm 133. The topic of the sermon was UNITY. I'm very passionate about unity in the Body of Christ. I feel that to be united we need to be versatile and really open up our hearts to the different peoples and ways of life around us 'cause if we aren't versatile then we'll only be livin' in our little world and we won't be able to accept anything else that isn't like us. How then will we be united? I must admit that being versatile isn't something that comes naturally to me but I'm workin' at it - believe me!
I know that Nic's comment was brought out of a musical perspective but I believe that it applies to all areas in the Body of Christ. I really truely wish to see the Body of Christ worldwide come together to build each other up.
My pastor was saying that the church is actually a miracle. My church has more Chinese people but we also do have some Indian families, Indonesians and recently even Vietnamese. It's a great mix. But even if there were only Chinese, there would be many kinds of Chinese people out there but we still manage to co-exist together. It's a miracle! It's God's creative miracle!
My desire is very much like what Nic said in this recent interview. I'd really love to be a bridge builder - reaching out within the greater Body of Christ and then to the unbelieving world.
I'm beginning to see God place a desire in my heart to be multiracial myself. I'm a Chinese and Indian mix. I love being "ChinDian". I love the different races and cultures. It's beautiful! I'm also beginning to open myself up to many other areas that I wouldn't have gone to in the past...be it music, foods, cultures...whatever! I find that the more I begin to allow God to change me in this, the more I'm able to reach out to the people around me.
The one reason why I love this site is because I get to meet different people and in that see that the one binding force between us is Jesus! Fantastic!
I pray that Salvador will be able to be a bridge builder through their music! AMEN!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gabrielle,

Hey Gabrielle
The universal body of christ is an awsome thing. As all of us being part of the body we all play a major role. Even if it may be being a little cell because what if your a brain cell and your importance is life or death. Well when I went to middle school there were people from all over the world there and to think people from Korea, China, India, Sweden, Vietnam, Mexico, Salvador, Guatemala,Israel, SouthAfrica, many were believers and foloweres of Christ. Its a blessisng for it says share the gospel to every creature and we have the freedom to do that. Thank God for our life of being able to worship God with all of our heart soul and might.
Ale

Hey there Ale,
Thanks for sharing your heart on this matter. Yeah the Universal Body of Christ is an awesome thing. I think it's great to be able to call those in the Body of Christ my brother and sister. When I was in England last year, I read the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and part of the book touched on the issue of being part of the family of God.
That chapter really helped me realise my part in the family of God and it stirred something in me to wanna protect my brothers and sisters, to build them up and encourage them. I stirred up in me a desire to love and serve them no matter what. I'm excited over how God's changing me! It's cool.
While I was travelling last year, I noticed that as long as we were in a church, it didn't matter if I knew anyone or if anyone knew me - I just felt at home. Personally I felt as if I was part of that church for ages already. I thank God for that in me. It's just great to know that Jesus Christ binds us all together.
I pray that we will not bring any cause of separation in the Body for which Jesus so willingly died for!

God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever! YEAH!

HEllo Gabrielle
You went to England, Wow! I would like to travel someday. Thats cool that you feel at home everywhere you go cause surely It's hard for me but I'm glad that I go to A church that is so united and growing faster than my finger nail. I live in California and the thing I don't like is that it's very liberal but us being the body it is our responsibility as being one to save souls for Christ. Me being a musician it is easy to talk to people and I thank God that he has given me the gift of being abel to talk to people with ease and to play music. So when I talk to people I can ask them "What type of music do you listen to?" or "Have you heard of such group?" and if they like the music I show them I would tell them "Did you know that their Christian? and did you know they talk about Jesus? Did you know he died for you?" Music is a huge door for poeple to step through. I hope you can agree with me. Keep living for Christ.
Ale

Hey there Ale!
Yeah I love to travel and I really thank God for giving me the opportunity to travel to England and the US last year. Before that I've also been to Bangkok, Thailand - which was cool. I've always loved to travel. Before it was just a liking of mine, but now I'm seeing it as something that God's wired into me to fulfill His purposes! I'm seeing it come to past a little and more will unravel as the days go by! In the last year (2004) that I've travelled within the UK and US, I learnt that God's made me very adaptable especially after visiting many different churches.
I just love coming into a church and just being part of it, running with its vision and just bringing my talents and gifts to the table and saying, "Here I am Lord, use me to bless Your Body here." Besides being a blessing to the Body of Christ, I also desire to bring Jesus to the unbelieving world!
Its great that you're using your talents to reach out to the unbelieving world. I was so excited to read how you use your gifting in music to spark conversations with people. That's great!
Yeah, being in a united and growing church is very important. You need the spiritual food and support as you grow in the Lord and walk this journey called "Life". Great stuff!
I hope to be able to go back to the US again in the near future. I loved my visit there! I would love to visit different churches and just be part of them, serve the church and bless God's people. I love doing that. Big ways and small - anything at all!
Yeah, great stuff!
Blessing!

God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever! YEAH!

Hi
Thaks for sharing with me it is such a blessing to hear about you and what you do; especialy because you're so on fire for the lord. I give him thanks that I camn conversate with different people especialy on-line. Take care. Take care and God bless.