I have always been a Christo, recently I heard a new term for it, ‘Cradle Christian’ (yes, I think it sounds faintly ridiculous too), but like anyone who has been in a relationship for a very long time will attest, my enthusiasm can be very much of the peak and trough variety. Sometimes I’m having a mountain-top moment, at other times an experience more akin with the Other Place.
Last week gave me the perfect opportunities to not only re-connect with God, but also to do a little bit of a re-launch for CCC too. I joined a few thousand on fire for the Lord types at my church, HTB’s annual holiday, Focus. Keen readers of this blog, will know that last year I was a novice in a field, with a tent I had never put up before and just some Taittinger for company. What a difference a year makes. This year I was in a caravan, already feeling the proverbial ‘overflow’ because hot running water and bedding that wasn’t on the ground were now the order of the day. The only element of adventure was sharing with seven other ladies, only three of whom I knew before. Because we were all sweet Christo types there was never a tussle for the only longish mirror and the curling irons and ensembles seemed to be happily shared by all; perhaps channelling the words of Luke:
“…Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none and anyone who has food should do the same” Luke 3:11
The restricted space in the caravan showed me how a communality of purpose could make even the most cramped environment a haven for all of us and a place where friendships would inevitably deepen.
So onto the suitcase: before Focus, I knew both CCC as a blog and as an event had been a little quiet. In fact, far too quiet. Where in the past there had been thought provoking discussions and even the occasional conversion, there was now just the odd post, and certainly no elegant evangelist soirees to invite a friend to either to be encouraged more in their faith or talk about having one at all. As in all the best miracles.com stories, resources for the CCC reboot were scarce. I hadn’t been paid yet, yet I was convicted to do The Wedding at Cana meets the Feeding of the 5000 as a food theme, despite the lack of abundant funds (for recipes see gastrotastic.com). Debit card in hand, and with my nephew on co-shopper duties, we missioned it to the 24 hours Sainsbury’s on Ladbroke Grove at around 10pm, not only miracles.com but lastminute.com too! As God would have it, a friendly manager extended the offer on Prosecco to me (it had technically finished) and we ran around, mad March hare styles picking up Smoked Salmon, Tuna, Sardines and Lumpfish Caviar (next year it will be Sevruga), and assorted ingredients to make a feast that Jesus himself would find delish. The end result was a crowd gathered outside our caravan for a soiree, and though there was a torrential downpour and we were forced to squeeze indoors, something God breathed was revitalised:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
So what to expect from Cool, Chic and in Christ, delicious canapés and cocktails aside? Well, articles, an interactive site (rebuild in process), small and large events and a space online where you can discuss all things Jesus related without fear of condemnation. I do not know where the journey will end, but I am definitely up for all the twists and turns, so please feel free to join me.
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