tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14902155777256928572024-03-13T18:24:28.892+01:00Work, Rest and PlayBruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.comBlogger172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-60067186306484403202011-03-28T15:43:00.002+02:002011-03-28T16:52:52.900+02:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkF40LXxhUg/TZCQ0lAk2tI/AAAAAAAAAPk/b_MjXGU6R4c/s1600/chems.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 224px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkF40LXxhUg/TZCQ0lAk2tI/AAAAAAAAAPk/b_MjXGU6R4c/s320/chems.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589126370528910034" /></a><br /><br />I am the proud new owner of The Chemical Brother's latest album 'Further'. It's a stunning album, full of melodic magical beats that build and grow and fizz in your ears. <br /><br />Favourite track has got to be 'Snow, with the line 'your love keeps lifting me...higher and higher'. I really think it's a cracker and would love to incorporate this track into some worship sets in ChurchBruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-35545486764179041782010-10-22T16:38:00.002+02:002010-10-22T17:38:48.707+02:00Final Day in the CentreSo this is it. Today is the final day the Centre is open for summer 2010! I doubt anyone will actually pop down as nearly everyone has left to go home. The weather is beautiful at the moment too, so maybe some people are still trying desperately to tan. <br /><br />We had a leaving meal last night at the Heasley's and Brian cooked us all a 'Fry', or a Full English as it's more commonly known. It was immense! I've forgotten how good a huge breakfast can be in the evening. There was even some black pudding on the plate, which us menfolk devoured. It was strange to wash it all down with some Beer, but i was able to go there, and i felt very comfortable.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-375872474716001562010-10-19T17:17:00.004+02:002010-10-19T18:02:04.905+02:00Brownies!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8uMhYjl9LyA/TL2-b2vD-KI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/qWsDB--rXVY/s1600/DSC02859.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8uMhYjl9LyA/TL2-b2vD-KI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/qWsDB--rXVY/s320/DSC02859.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529785303239489698" /></a><br />I made some scrummy brownies last week and they came out amazingly well. They were triple choc brownies, with dark, milk and white chocolate. They tasted awesome! <br /><br />Here's a picture. Think i'll be making them again. <br /><br />I actually made them for a leaving meal that i did for Poppy Wiliams. It's really sad that Poppy has left. She hails from Ohio in the States but currently resides in Las Vegas (the other sin city). She was such an inspirational woman whilst she was here, and she has such a heart for God and for prayer too. You know when you learn loads from someone without them really teaching or saying much? She's that type of person - really open to God and humble too. <br /><br />The exciting thing is that i have a feeling that she'll be back on these shores to work with 24-7 Ibiza again. I wonder if a generous portion of triple chocolate brownies might help her come back here quicker?Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-17089027125565667472010-10-17T00:32:00.001+02:002010-10-17T00:32:00.201+02:00The Final Poster i need.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8uMhYjl9LyA/TLhy1CJM9KI/AAAAAAAAAPI/3Koe8p6bius/s1600/space_cartel_opening08-1.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8uMhYjl9LyA/TLhy1CJM9KI/AAAAAAAAAPI/3Koe8p6bius/s320/space_cartel_opening08-1.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528294798031385762" /></a><br /><br />So i´ve been collecting the posters for the Space Opening and Closing parties that i´ve attended since living here and i miss only one. Yes, it´s very sad, but it just needs to be done. The one i am missing is the opening poster for 2008, and the line-up was immense. You can't quite see the line up in the poster above, but David Guetta, Fatboy Slim, Steve Lawler, Groove Armada....the DJs were great!<br /><br />I wonder if i´ll get my hands on it?Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-25072368165664152402010-10-15T19:31:00.003+02:002010-10-15T19:31:00.043+02:00Space Closing<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8uMhYjl9LyA/TLYx4RgrmBI/AAAAAAAAAPA/4xMOU-swpzg/s1600/spaceclosing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8uMhYjl9LyA/TLYx4RgrmBI/AAAAAAAAAPA/4xMOU-swpzg/s320/spaceclosing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527660435486775314" /></a><br />Yes, i went to Space Closing. <br />Yes, it was immense.<br />Yes, i danced from 9pm till about 5am! <br />And...Yes, my back was wrecked!<br /><br />Poppy, Neil and i had a right result as we got in for free, which i never thought would be possible at such an event. My friend James is the manager of both Josh Wink and Riva Star, and they were both playing that night, so we were on one of the DJ´s lists. My fav act of the night was M.A.N.D.Y, and they rocked the Terraza, playing lots of techy, deep house. I loved their set, and even better when i bumped into some worker friends of mine. It was great to catch the outside flight arena too, seeing Steve Lawler play to about 4000 people. <br /><br />It was a great way to celebrate the awesome summer that we´ve had, and i loved finishing the summer on such a high.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-30695750640842726292010-10-14T18:51:00.002+02:002010-10-14T18:51:00.572+02:00Lifehouse 'Everything'<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lSwCOs-uXzU?fs=1&hl=es_ES"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lSwCOs-uXzU?fs=1&hl=es_ES" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br /><br />Lighthouse's 'Everything' is a such a powerful drama that i showed a couple of weeks ago when i preached. My talk was about how God has rescued us from darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His son Jesus. <br /><br />The drama (thanks Claire Ison for the inspiration) tells the story of Creation, when God made humankind and taught his creation to live right and dance in step with him. But it's not long before she is tempted and led astray, and walks away from God. She gets tangled up in image, starts to drink and soon gets into deep trouble, within which she cannot break free.<br /><br />The whole time that she is seperated from her Father the Creator, he is watching, waiting and desperate for her to return to Him. But she is trapped, and unable to break loose. Suddenly, whilst on the edge of despair, she tries to break away but the bad stuff in her life but they take hold of her and keep her captive. After some time, God jumps in and fights on her behalf, over-powering the demons in her life. They fall away, and before you know it, she is free and safe and He dresses her in pure white. <br /><br />It's such an amazing clip, and one which took my breathe away as i thought just what God has done for me. It made me cry to think that God fights for me and has done so much for me through Jesus dying on the cross for me. God has set us free in Jesus Christ. <br /><br />Wow!!!Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-50865842631333236582010-10-13T18:38:00.000+02:002010-10-13T18:38:00.348+02:00Dave the RaveI went to a funeral yesterday to remember and celebrate a guy called Dave the Rave. I got to know him through the English speaking Church here in Ibiza. He had cancer for the last 2 years, and although he put up a strong fight against it, it eventually took him.<br /><br /> I hung out with him quite a bit over the winter, as he lived by himself for quite a few months and was a mad football fan. He had Sky Sports and it was always on when i popped round, and it helped that he was a HUGH Man Utd fan. I watched many a game with him in his house. He was such a gentle man, always smiling and always ready to crack a really bad joke.<br /><br />He had a very colourful life, and once hearing a few stories of the things he used to do, right from a DJ on cruise ships to being a strip-o-gram, you can tell why he got his name 'Dave the Rave'. <br /><br />The funeral was sad, but also full of laughs, and he would have wanted that. His coffin was drapped with a Man Utd flag, and Bob the Vicar included a few of his corney jokes, which he is famous for. It was sad, but also awesome in knowing that he is with God now, and well and safe. I'll always remember him.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-47292481483027299272010-10-12T19:17:00.004+02:002010-10-12T19:30:14.574+02:00Best Summer yet!Yes, it's been forever since i last blogged. I have so many reasons for that, but now i have plenty of time to get back to doing some blogging and there is alot to catch up on.<br /><br />We finished our last night out on the streets last Thursday night, which was sad. All of the main clubs have closed, with only Pacha open at the weekends, and many of the bars and clubs in San Antonio now shut for the winter. There are a few places still open, but the place is slowly becoming a bit of a ghost town. It's always odd seeing the West-end like this, as only one month ago it was still incredibly busy.<br /><br />The Centre is still open, and i'm here now, and we've had one person in the whole time. Many of the workers have gone, but the few that still remain are going this week or they live here all year round. <br /><br />We had our end of season meal at Villa Mercedes on Saturday. It was such a treat as we celebrated yet another amazing summer gone. The food was fab, and we had a few drinks too. That night we danced in Soul City - Yes! Soul City, as they had their closing party too. I still don't like the bumb and grind of R'n'B, but we gave it stacks for about an hour, with inspiration on how to do the grind all around us. Thankfully, we didn't copy any of them! <br /><br />I promise i'll be on it with blogging, and continue to let you know what's going on.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-45797090394128656562010-07-21T19:25:00.001+02:002010-07-21T19:43:10.633+02:00Worship really begins when we leave our building!My thinking about worship has been totally changed over the years thanks to the work of 24-7 Ibiza. Brian Heasley has taught many times that the work we do out on the streets isn't just to be a witness, but that it's our worship to God. <br /><br />I know that a significant part of our worship (and one that we won't ever stop doing) is glorifying and honouring God by singing songs to him; each night before we begin our work we sing and glorify God and thank Him for who He is and what He's done. Yet worship is so much more than that – it has to be. It feels like our worship only truly begins when we leave our building. <br /><br />The worship that takes place out on the streets of Ibiza late at night and in the early hours of the morning has got to be my favourite type of worship, and dare I say - the type I believe God is really after. It's the type of worship that is messy and dirty. Sometimes, this worship leaves you covered in someone's sick, sweat, even blood. Our worship goes even deeper when we include some of these things: we help the lost get home; we pick up people who are too drunk to walk; we listen to someone pour out their problems and concerns; we give groups of friends a free lift home when taxis won't take them, and the list could go on. <br /><br />In summing up my thoughts, this is what took place a few Sundays ago. We had our usual meeting that takes place on Sunday nights in which we sung a few songs that honoured God and lifted up his name. As soon as we left the building, we found a guy who was drunk and a bit cut up and needed some help getting home, so we popped him into our van and drove him to his hotel and then Brian and myself helped him get to his hotel room. We said our goodbyes and thought how great is was that we got to help him in his time of need. <br /><br />As we got back into the van and left to go home, what we did really began to sunk in: that was our spiritual act of worship right there - worship that our Father is after. It really felt that our 'service' really only began once we left the building.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-4853919616871070472010-06-26T13:22:00.000+02:002010-06-26T13:22:00.235+02:00Clothed v Nakedness.“Cloth us Lord with your power!” This is my prayer at the moment. <br /><br />Have you ever had the guts to walk around in public absolutely stark naked? You'll be pleased to know that I haven't – not yet anyway, at least not since I was a little boy. I felt God give me a picture in which I was walking around naked whilst doing our our work at night. Now I know that's an awful thought, yet bear with me. However strange a picture that might be - it wouldn't actually be that weird to see here on the streets of San An; indeed, one is exposed to nakedness on a daily - or in our case nightly - basis. <br /><br />I felt God was revealing – excuse the pun – something to me. Quite often I just get on and do the work at night without relying on God's power. I know I can do this work, and do it well, yet most of the time I feel comfortable. Am I willing to feel uncomfortable for God? Will I take some risks and dare to look silly? Will I keep safe this summer or get more dangerous? Am I willing to look like a fool?<br /><br />Yes to all of those questions - but i need God's Spirit to give me the ability to move in power. I'm hungry for it.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-62305327129952905542010-06-25T17:57:00.000+02:002010-06-25T17:58:04.750+02:00Stepping out in FaithSo last night (Monday 21st), I came across a guy on a crutch who had a cast on his foot. It was quite a big cast. I told him, in faith, that God could easily heal his problem, and his friend promised me that if God did heal him, he would 'dedicate' his life to God and become a priest. Suddenly the stakes were raised...I got them to sit down, his friends had front row seats, eager to see God do something, and I prayed. <br /><br />I told him to get up and walk around....but if I'm being honest, I harboured doubt, unbelief and I lacked faith. He said it felt slightly better when he got up, and after offering some more prayer, he said that he had torn ligaments – as if God couldn't really heal that. I had to suppress my rage at the thought that God isn't able nor bigger than torn ligaments, but I said nothing. It wasn't his fault. <br /><br />Every time I come across someone with a break, I will endeavour to pray and ask God to reveal his power. I know God is good and His kingdom can break in. <br /><br />Come Lord.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-39199728379350515032010-06-24T20:19:00.000+02:002010-06-24T20:20:36.686+02:00God is doing some awesome work!God really is on the move.<br /><br />Just not sure how to actually articulate what I feel is happening here in San Antonio. Just last week a girl on our team got chatting to a holiday maker who was extremely burdened and after sharing her testimony, this guy wanted to know Jesus himself, so she led him in a prayer and he said he felt 'light.' How awesome is that? <br /><br />This all happened whilst we were praying that those out on the streets would get the chance to pray for someone for freedom and to help them break free from their problems. There seemed such a strong connection to what we were praying and what was happening out on the streets. <br /><br />I really love it when these prayers seem to hit the bullseye so clearly and quickly.<br /><br />When I came back into the Prayer room and heard the exciting news that someone had decided to accept what Jesus had done, I was totally overjoyed. I think Dan (from the American team) summed up what I was feeling the next day by saying just how much God used all of us in what happened and it wasn't just one person, and I hope that isn't taking anything away from the girl who stepped out in faith and obedience – as that was a key step. But feeling like you've played a part in that happening is so exciting!Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-6446394739818509902010-06-01T13:36:00.002+02:002010-06-01T14:29:38.800+02:00What's New?Sorry I have not been blogging so much. With not having internet at home, and also not really being supposed to use it whilst at work (which is pretty much the usual wherever one works), it's a little harder to get on-line. But I am at at café down the road where I live and getting a chance to blog and share what is going on before I have to be somewhere.<br /><br />Space Opening<br /><br />Yes, I did go! You just have to attend THE party of the summer at pretty much THE best club on the Island. Neil (my house mate) and I went together and danced for about 11 hours! We did have a few breaks though, especially now I am getting on a bit. This year, Space decided to host the Opening party over 2 days; previously, it has always been on the first Sunday in June, but this year it was over 2 days. We went on Saturday, and we saw some awesome Djs. I loved Andy Cato (one half of Groove Armada), and Fatboy Slim was also really good. I was hoping he'd play some more of his own music, but alas, he played mainly the big choons that are getting smashed on the Island. I was hoping too that Space would have the outside arena, as Fatboy suits the larger, outside space - but sadly it was on the Sunday they had that – gutted! But it was still a great night. The sunset terrace was amazing, which is outside. Such huge basslines and meaty beats. Jonathan Ulysses was amazing in one of the smaller rooms too. Met some good people whilst chilling out, and also bumped into a few workers I know. <br /><br />All in all a great start to the clubbing season. I'm not here in Ibiza to go clubbing, but I really think it's an important part of what we do, and getting to 'play' - and by that I mean dance and celebrate at some of these significant places - is a huge treat and chance to lift up God in prayer when out. Awesome!Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-6918210468078508022010-05-09T20:31:00.003+02:002010-05-18T18:41:18.550+02:00Medieval FairWent to the Medieval Fair last Sunday and had a really good time. It was held in Ibiza town and there were loads of food stalls everywhere, with stuff you could taste every 5 steps!!!! I've got to say, when a fair has food, it's the best kind of fair. I love days like that. The sun was out, and we slowly made our way up to the Cathedrale, stopping here and there to taste, sample and buy some interesting foods from past and present. <br /><br />Had some Octopus, which is a Spanish specialty, and that tasted great. I had a Cafe Caleta, which is coffee boiled with conac and herbs which is lovely. Then had a sweet waffle and finished with a kebab! Was so so good.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-41461621874294192732010-05-08T14:45:00.003+02:002010-05-08T16:02:54.374+02:00Banksy Artwork<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8uMhYjl9LyA/S-Vo1TSpxdI/AAAAAAAAAOw/kI7TdCeh7Ks/s1600/DSC02446.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8uMhYjl9LyA/S-Vo1TSpxdI/AAAAAAAAAOw/kI7TdCeh7Ks/s320/DSC02446.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468892587432199634" /></a><br /><br />This is what Angelic and the Prayer team did in our Chapel....it's awesome!Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-26806260446829155772010-05-04T14:32:00.000+02:002010-05-04T18:37:12.160+02:00Pacha: Dancing and Eating!!! Love them both.Had such a great end to our Prayer team. Since they were such great people and really gave themselves to praying and helping us get ready on many levels, we treated them to an amazing night.<br /><br />I booked us a table at The Pacha Restaurant and we rocked up for 10:30pm (that's how we roll) and sat down and enjoyed some amazing food. We ended up getting filmed for a Spanish tv channel and so the management gave us the wine for free - result! (I told a little white lie and said 'i usually eat in Pacha' - sorry God - couldn't help it - got caught up in the moment). I shared Beef Carpaccio with Mike to start off, then went for the Scallops for my main and finished it all off by sharing 4 different desserts. Best dessert was the Pistachio one. WOW!!!! <br /><br />The genius bit about eating at The Pacha Restaurant is if you spend a certain amount you get entry into the club for free. In the summer, tickets to Pacha cost anywhere up to €75 for the best nights, so it pays to have a meal first. We might even do this again with some of the other teams. <br /><br />By the time we finsihed our meal and had a coffee it was nearly 1am. We stopped off at the car for a quick red bull to give us some wings and then headed to the Club for a boogie for a few hours. It took us a few choons to get our groove on and shake off the food we'd just demolished, but soon we were all tearing up the dancefloor. Best bit was hearing a choon with the lyrics 'I'm gonna give you devotion' which we all loved.<br /><br />I think the Prayer team were all SUCH legends. They fully deserved such a treat like this, and it was an honour and a pleasure to be a part of such a great week. Guys, please come again!!!!Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-69140209664153242072010-05-02T14:31:00.000+02:002010-05-04T17:43:42.750+02:00New HousemateSo my housemate arrived to my flat before i did, as my flight was delayed by that 'ash cloud'. I was hoping to straighten out and give the place a spruce up, but luckily Brian and Tracy gave it the once over and made sure his room was ready. The ash cloud meant i was 6 days late, but it wasn't all bad as i was able to get more time in Northern Ireland with my lovely lady Christine! <br /><br />It's great to have Neil here, and i'm already enjoying sharing a house and having some good company. He's an outdoor legend, so i'm hoping he'll take us all rock climbing or kayaking. He's the kind of guy to trek across the Alps on his own for 2.5 weeks....legend! <br /><br />It's his turn to cook tonight, so i'll let you know how that goes....this could be make or break!Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-66905434099997767002010-04-30T14:16:00.002+02:002010-05-04T17:35:09.540+02:00Prayer Team 2010OH MY LIFE!!!!!<br /><br />We've had the Prayer team out here with us until Saturday, and they were AMAZING! 5 of them are currently undertaking TRANSIT, a year-out with 24-7 Prayer, doing training and living in community and learning about the Bible and Christianity. The other person (Casey) has been to Ibiza on a prayer team 3 times before, so it's great to have her back again. <br /><br />On Tuesday night we spent 6 hours in prayer and worship, having signed up to 24-7 'Prayer for Europe'. During the evening, we spent time worshipping God and lifting up Jesus and then we gathered together to pray for the nations of Europe that were on the list that week; Ukraine and Iceland respectively. I invited several people from the Anglican church and around 8 or so people turned up which was ace! They joined us for an hour in prayer for our Island of Ibiza and we were all very encouraged. This prayer for Ibiza will take place once a fortnight and I am well excited at the thought that every fortnight we'll be gathering in our Centre to pray for Ibiza.<br /><br />On Wednesday we spent some time with Roy and Catherine Dixon on their land, praying over their vision to dedicate their land to God for His work. They bought the land many years ago with the hope to build on it, but the guy who sold it stitched them up and the planning permission they thought they had was a complete lie. We all went up to the land – which is beautiful – and prayed with them and asked God to bless them and the land and dedicate it to the Lord.<br /><br />On Thursday we walked along the coast at Cala Comte (gorgeous beach) up to the watch tower there. We then clambered across the rocks and sat at the very tip and looked towards San Antonio. From there we prayed for San An. It was a special moment, and we read Isaiah 62 once again. This chapter of scripture has just been such a key part of this week, giving us an idea of God's heart for his world.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-87520255753735581472010-04-13T17:41:00.000+02:002010-04-13T17:41:00.147+02:00A Clubbing Adventure from 2008In the summer of 2008, one story stands out in particular. At the start of the summer I got to know a singer called Kym Mazelle a little. She was over in Ibiza promoting her new Gospel band and got in touch with 24-7 Ibiza. She used to come to Ibiza in the 80's and 90's, doing lots of live PA's and did a lot of wild partying, so her name pulled crowds easily.<br /><br />I found out that she was singing at an event called 'Ibiza Full Moon Party', a party that was going to take place under the moon. Me and 2 friends were up for going along to support her and dance and pray. When we got there, we were gutted to find that her gig wasn't due to go ahead for whatever reason things didn't seem to be organised and instead of it being an outside gig, everyone was inside dancing to the DJs. <br /><br />Kym was quite disheartened, and didn't want to sing without her band, and was quite worried about going back into the club. She preferred to be outside and for the people to come to her. But Michael persuaded her to go ahead and sing, and to not worry that her band wasn't with her; there was a DJ, some beats, and lots of people dancing, so why not take this opportunity to sing out and witness about her faith in God? She was very cautious and needed a lot of encouragement. Michael just seemed to have all the right words and encouraged her greatly. You need to know that although Kym's background is in gospel music, she got very deep into the whole Ibiza party scene – the darker side of it all - and got pretty sucked into it. After hitting rock bottom, she turned back to God who ignited her passion for people and for Ibiza but now her reasons for coming back to the Island had changed. Hence why she didn't want to go back 'into the clubs'. But she was persuaded, and so we said a quick prayer and in we went.<br /><br />It turned out to be one of those nights that you never forget. Once in the club, which was really packed, we made our way over to the raised platform upon which the DJ was playing. Many people were dancing on this platform too, and so access to the DJ was very easy. The promoter didn't seem to know what was going on and seemed very incompetent, so Michael just took control and sorted out a microphone for Kym and plugged it into the DJs mixer. The DJ seemed not to notice, and so we carried on. <br /><br />Kym then just sang out about her love for God and about his great love for us, and we were there alongside her dancing and praying. She sang over the music, and people were just mesmerised by her loud, big, soulful voice. It contained power, and she seemed to sing of her relationship with God that just made sense. At the end of it many people just came up to her and asked her about what she did and who she was. It felt such a great witness to God. It felt that on a night that creation and the Moon was worshipped, we actually got to worship the one who created it all. <br /><br />I danced and praised God, and had the biggest grin on my face. Who says God cannot be worshipped in the most unlikely of places? God just cannot be contained in temples built by human hands and his presence is everywhere, even in a packed, sweaty club full of people dancing to the beats. <br /><br />Awesome!Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-18336095075445048862010-04-11T17:33:00.001+02:002010-04-11T17:33:00.785+02:00Adventures in ClublandI love clubbing, and as you can imagine, living and working in Ibiza means lots of opportunities to see the best DJs play the best clubs. The choice is endless, whether it's Sunday afternoon clubbing out on the terrace or some uplifting trance at Amnesia. We often have some cool stories of our clubbing adventures and i've recently sent one to my friend Jon Oliver who I worked with in Bournemouth when he was the Club Chaplain. We went to a club called 'Slinky' on Friday nights and got to know clubbers and as we chilled out struck up some conversations with people. <br /><br />Jon has recently written a book called 'Night Vision' and also <a href="http://night-vision-blog.blogspot.com/">blogs </a>about clubbing too. He ran some highly successful '<a href="http://www.clubchaplain.com/churchforthenight/">Church for the Night</a>' events in Bournemouth too - that still go on - opening an Anglican Church in the heart of the town during some very unusual hours of the night - roughly 11pm till 6am. This meant many clubbers stumbled in after their night out and suddenly had a desire to talk about their life, write down a prayer or just sit in silence. This event still goes on and is run by Michael French and his team. Michael spent a summer with us in 2008 and he's top guy.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-19838117275767136972010-04-10T16:19:00.003+02:002010-04-10T16:23:52.678+02:00Visit to the UKI'm heading back to England tonight to see my family and to celebrate my 31st birthday with my twin sister Nicole. Christine will join me up in Lincoln too and will meet my family and help to celebrate. I'm of course really excited to get home and see friends and family and have a break before the start of another busy and full-on summer. Time for a rest and to put my feet up. <br /><br />Looking forward to going over to visit Christine in Belfast as well. We're hoping to do some fun things together (mostly eat tray-bakes) before I catch a flight back out here on the 20th April. <br /><br />It'll then be a matter of days before Neil comes to work and live here - and he'll be moving into my apartment. The flat's pretty much ready for him to move into. I wish him all the best as he, alongside Claire and Christine, all prepare to move out here for nearly 6 months to work and help 24-7 Ibiza.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-8870255849269453952010-04-09T13:55:00.000+02:002010-04-10T16:18:57.895+02:00Prayer for EuropeHave you seen the move to pray for Europe by 24-7 Prayer? It looks like that the focus is back on this awesome continent with fresh vigour and us guys in Spain want to get involved. <br /><br />We've got our Prayer team here in the last week of April and we're hoping to kick off the summer with some focused prayer. It'll be great having a team of up-for-it volunteers helping and aiding us in praying. <br /><br />We'll be praying for San Antonio - for all the people that we know who live and work in this great place; for God to visit people and reveal himself; for God's power to be shown; for strength and courage for all of us living and working out here. We'll also be praying for the nation of Spain too. <br /><br />We've signed up for a slot on Tuesday 27th. Sign up <a href="http://www.24-7prayer.com/signup/europe">here</a> If you've got the heart and the time to help us pray, then do get involved and contact one of us.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-70319043363147163042010-04-05T16:18:00.000+02:002010-04-05T20:21:51.995+02:00Living BeautifullyI love this phrase so much. <br /><br />I think it was Mother Teresa who used this phrase - and i for one think she did live such a beautiful life. She cared for the broken, the dying, the hurting, the forgotten, those with disease that meant they were ignored, the rejected. She did this for no fame, no money - nor did she want position or title. Now that's beautiful.<br /><br />Jesus Christ also lived beautifully too. In fact, he did the ultimate, he gave up his life for humankind - the most beautiful and precious act a person can do for someone. He dies in our place, so that we might know God the Father. He took upon himself all our sin and shame and guilt so that we might go free. WOW!<br /><br />So what does it mean to live beautifully? <br /><br />A beautiful life is one that is poured out for others in service to them - not wanting to get something out of it. <br />It's a life that looks to the inner beauty of a person's heart and not the outward beauty that is so often praised in our society today.<br />A beautiful life is generous with resources for those that are overlooked and uncared for. <br /><br />How can i live beautifully this summer here in Ibiza? That's a question that is on my mind right now. I desire Christ to cloth me with his beauty this summer - that's a good place to start. To be clothed with his kindness, his compassion, his justice, his forgiveness. I really don't think i can do it otherwise, or find it from anywhere else.Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-35565607199708801222010-04-04T21:32:00.003+02:002010-04-05T01:07:03.519+02:00Sunshine and BeachesHad one of those moments today when i was driving down to Ses Salines (the salt flats) to go for a walk along the beach and whilst i was driving down there with the choons pumping out the car, i was like....'WOW, i'm living in THE most amazing place and serving THE most amazing God.' I was taking in the lovely scenery and the gorgeous sun (which has been shining for the last week!).<br /><br />Do you ever have those moments? I love them. Long may they continue.<br /><br />The trickle of tourists is beginning too, with many bars and places now open and soon there'll be masses of people. I'm actually looking forward to the Island getting busier and life returning. I just hope that amid all the work and people i get to walk along a beach and remember what life is all about...Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1490215577725692857.post-8265072878648984932010-04-03T22:15:00.002+02:002010-04-03T22:17:00.506+02:00When I Survey the Wondorous CrossLove so amazing, so divine, <br />Demands my soul, my life, my all.<br /><br />WOW!Bruce Gardiner-Crehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512875596271527089noreply@blogger.com0