The sermons from all the main sessions have been made available online for free, I have downloaded them and will upload them to Youtube (with a link from this blog) when I get a minute as they will likely disappear at some point in the future for their current location.
The Saturday evening meeting was awesome, Terry Virgo continued from 1 Kings 17 and Elijah. Call to trust God. Faith. Obedience. Elijah modelled a life very much like Abraham. God says, follow me and I will make you live better, part of a culture that believes what God is saying. Pharisee's were moral but didn't believe in Jesus. God is the thing that makes sense of your life. Model of Faith. Leaves the choices to God; matter of faith & obedience. Elijah obedience based on humility.
Elijah; Go hide yourself (first), Go show yourself (later). Part of Terry's preach which I found really encouraging. Don't despise the secret seasons, the training seasons. Elijah's Faith; first go the brook.. Seasons of foundation. Dealing with things. Be Patient. Don't faint. Sometimes we try to take the wheel back ourselves. Leave choices to God. "I've commanded the ravens to feed you there..". But we will get there. When Elijah got there something supernatural. Don't allow anxious thoughts to project into where grace has not arrived yet. Get to the place where revelation is. God doesn't speak to me ? Try the Bible first. i.e .."the machine doesn't work !... have you tried plugging it in ?.." Walk by faith don't worry about the exit strategy.
The sermon was followed by a call to respond, in faith and for more faith, when many went forward for prayer and ministry, myself included. The brother who prayed with me and laid hands was surprising as it turned out to be Peter, the father of Owain(see blog entry on Owain's Journey) and I hope were both blessed by this. It was definitely in my mind a God moment and no mere chance. I was so pleased to be able to just encourage him also, having been through some very difficult times with Owain's cancer treatments over the last year. The whole family was at the conference and I did meet Owain on the Monday morning tucking into his bacon for breakfast, I didn't really know what to say, but just felt I wanted to say God bless you guys. The Saturday evening worship was really great, I felt the Lord's manifest presence in the room, we were sitting toward the back this time and from a little way behind us a sister opened up with a Tongue which was followed by an interpretation from Julian Adams that really took my breath away in it's content. I know for sure I was not the only one with tears in my eyes as we stood in awe of a God who loves so much to hear our voices and to receive our responses to his great Love, it really was an amazing session.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Together at East of England 2009
Together at East of England Conference 2009.
Just back from this weekend conference bringing together churches from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambs in the East of England. The churches represented are mainly from the New Frontiers International (NFI) grouping of churches with some representation from other independent churches in the region. Having gone with the family (toddler of 3 years+ and 5 month old baby) we felt pretty tired at the end and I know for sure we were not the only ones, as is often the case on these types of weekend events, when so much gets packed into the programme.
I was very much looking forward to hearing Terry Virgo preach for the first time in the flesh having listened to many of his sermons online and read two of his books. He certainly did not disappoint with his series looking at Elijah and he was well preceded by a croaky Mike Betts who preached on a theme of God Moments.
Here are some blog entries and the key points from Terry Virgo’s sermons and the meetings themselves.
Friday 23rd Oct.
Arrived a little bit early and managed to get the key to the chalet which was a bonus. It always amazes me how much stuff you have to bring with children, and babies of course; bottles, sterilizer, milk, nappies etc. Booked in and collected the information for the Children’s clubs that were being run, we had one of ours booked into ‘Sparkers’ and ‘Tiddlywinks’. We then went for tea and avoided too much of the waiting that was to become a theme for the weekend.
A great feature of this weekend, like last years, was the radio station being run by guys from some of the churches represented, this gave the local population of Lowestoft coverage of the event and 24 hour Christian music and content. It was also a platform for interviews to take place that there would not have been space for in the meetings themselves and also from a practical point of view allowed those with children in bed and in the chalets coverage of the evening meeting.
There was as far as I understand 800-900 people booked in, down a little on the 1200 odd last year which perhaps is not that surprising given the recession and price increases. I did wonder whether going for an online booking system may have put some people off but there is no way of telling. It still felt like a large gathering and was certainly as vibrant as last years and was well organised in the main meetings. One of the features toward the beginning of the meetings was a five minute slot called ‘on the sofa’ with Maurice Nightingale (Aylsham Community Church) when he interviewed a number of overseas and UK church plants. This was a very worthwhile thing to do and as Mike Betts commented on in the final session it is far better to see and hear from these people in the flesh as opposed to a photo on a notice board with a piece of red cotton wool pointing to a map. Some of the interviews over the course of the weekend were with Kosciól Laski (Grace Church) Gdansk Poland, Antakya (Antioch) Turkey, Mosaic Christian Church Lethbridge Canada – this interview was shown as a live link to Canada. One of the UK church plants covered was the Thetford Church Plant which was of particular interest to me as Nigel Worth (and Glenda) was an elder of a church near Braintree called at that time Notley Baptist Fellowship that I used to attend many years ago. Nigel and Glenda are moving from Kings Community Church in Braintree (NFI) after 22 years living and raising their family in Braintree to Thetford to start up this Church Plant (More info here: http://www.thetfordchurchplant.com/welcome.html)
Saturday 24th October.
Up for breakfast, not the best nights sleep in the world but anyway. Had breakfast, got the Children booked into their groups before the main meeting. Sue Latham and all the team did a fantastic job all weekend with ‘Sparklers’, all very well organised and our little un’ seemed to really enjoy it. They came out with some really great crafts that they had made and I thought to myself this is better than he produces in Nursery at home.
Morning Meeting, main speaker Terry Virgo.
Recalled a recent visit to Zimbabwe and a meeting bringing many pastors together, building at foundation of a broken country (Mugabe etc..). Mentioned a Telegraph article talking about 1,000 new churches in the UK in the last seven years, against the background of previous Church decline.
Reading 1 Kings 17 v 1-up
Elijah a man just like us, a prophet of God, bible silent on his background, spoke with authority.
Bible prophets – not students of history, but people who got revelation from heaven, Gods’ mouthpiece. Tended not to speak to all the nations. Israel, a chosen nation, a special treasure, God’s affection for Israel. Jealousy in God, is borne out of Love, total love. Not to be associated with negative aspects (of Jealousy, i.e. not jealousy as many would understand it). For a season Israel seemed to understand that (e.g. under David).
BUT… in 58 years, 7 kings come and go, each getting worse, by the time Elijah arrived it was illegal to worship YAHWEH, prophets at this point hiding in caves. Israel starting to follow Baal. God Angry with them and they lost their way. Israel a picture of the human race. “Futile in their speculations…” (Romans 1 v 21 “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened”). Terry then quoted Dawkins who claims “we are just dancing to our DNA” along the same theme.
It was interesting to be reminded about the time frame involved here in terms of Solomon’s reign and approx 58 years later, worship was illegal. Not a dissimilar period in years from the Coronation of our Queen (when she read from the Bible amongst other things as the head of the Church of England and our Monarch). What will this country be like in another 58 years? Elijah a Post Christian prophet. We live in such a time. We need to Plant churches, effect our culture. Devote our skills / gifts to the Lord. What is Britishness ? Fish and chips ? Almost not allowed to mention God as it might be deemed divisive.
Elijah – confronted people with reality. Reminded them of their heritage. Almost from another culture. Be people who come standing before the Lord. Ezekiel “fell on my face” (meeting God), Joshua “fell on my face”, John (Revelation) “fell at this feet”, Paul (Acts) falls to the ground, met with “Paul, Arise, Stand on your Feet”. Elijah, stood against the culture. Stand before God.
That’s a quick summary from some scribbling I managed. The meeting was terrific the worship was fresh and lively with a real intention to get straight into things. I did not make notes of other contributions from the floor but there were a number interspersed throughout and a memorable one tomorrow.
To be continued. (Part 2)
Thursday, 22 October 2009
East of England Conference
Together at East of England - Pakefield
Very much looking forward to the conference this weekend, having attended the first conference last year, it will be interesting to see what has happened in the last 12 months in terms of Church plants and outreach here and abroad.
There was hardly any blogging on the Conference last year, so I am going to try and do some on my return next week. I doubt I will get chance to blog live what with a 3 year old and 5 month old baby to manage. It will be great to hear Terry Virgo preach for the first time having heard many of his talks online and having read a couple of his books.
The worship was brilliant last year, well organised and with 1200 people going for it and responding to God, it was pretty inspiring. They are also doing the conference radio again, which worked well last year and was a pretty neat idea both for engaging the local population and also those in the chalets who were not in the conference centre (eg evening's looking after children). I wonder if the first meal will be gammon and chips again...and chips!
Baptism
I felt privileged last Sunday to be able to witness my wife’s baptism together with five other people also being ‘dunked’ at Orwell Church Ipswich. It is a joy to witness any Baptism but I wondered how many husbands have witnessed their wives Baptisms, as often people would be baptised earlier in life maybe in their early teens or younger in some cases. Not all cases of course, there are plenty of stories of childhood sweethearts who grew up in the same church and were baptised in the same church, or the older couple who both got saved and then go on to get baptised together. For me though it felt a privilege that I was able to witness Her Baptism even though my Wife could not witness mine all those years ago and also that our Son who is three and half was also there for Mummy’s Baptism too (probably even less children who have witnessed a Parents Baptism)
It was great to see both young and old being baptised and I am sure it is also a great encouragement to any local church when a believer takes that step of obedience and follows in the footsteps of our Lord. It is fantastic to see and hear of many other baptisms taking place of late such as Kings Gate Church, Bury St Edmunds “During the months of July and August we had the privilege of baptising 19 people – young and old - (including some Latvians youth who were with us for a week over the Summer) all of whom have, in recent weeks (at the New Day event in the Norwich showground) or recent months (through the on-going work of the local church), have responded to the good news of Jesus. And this is not something that is exclusively happening at Kingsgate church – but at least two other churches in the area have had similar experiences (The Christians Resource Centre and Christchurch Morton Hall). “ Norman Blows, lead elder Kings Gate.
Baptisms are great, they are that next step for many in their early Christian lives and for others are that step of obedience which never took place or which they feel needs to be done (even though they may have been Christians a number of years, perhaps been christened and/or confirmed). For all, it is a time of great joy as we share in the hope and knowledge that death and sin has been defeated and as we are reminded back to our own baptisms years ago. It is an opportunity for people to leave a lot of stuff in the water and Baptisms can also prove useful for those that really want to say from now on I want to walk closer with the Lord.
For many churches the practicalities of Baptisms may sometimes prove a challenge. At Orwell it consists of a very large round pool with steps and I sat wondering the mess this would make if it did leak – a very large volume of water on a second floor, not good, but thankfully no leaks! I know of New Wine Church in Sheringham that did some of their baptisms in the summer in the North Sea (what an outreach tool too) and others in a children’s paddling pool - remember to bend your legs!!).
Where there are such practicalities to consider then there is often the necessary delay in doing baptisms with often a number of people waiting to all get baptised at the same time. But delay in the absence of such practical restraints to my mind is not entirely helpful either for the local church and most importantly the individual. The Bible seems pretty clear to me that there need not be delay, we see in the New Testament many being baptised “that Day” e.g. the 3,000 believers we read of in Acts. It is a great shame that there are many churches that have the baptistery in the floor that has not be used for years or seem reluctant to open it up, perhaps requiring attendance of baptism classes or having to read this or that book first. Yes of course some explanation of what baptism represents is certainly something that should be done and can be done in various ways. It would be a shame however, if practices actually get in the way of someone with a real desire and enthusiasm to take this step only for them to be told to have a think about it and to jump through a few hoops first, often a source of great discouragement for all concerned and for some who may decide they no longer want to do it. Let’s no put stumbling blocks in the way of new Christians or any Believer for that matter who want to follow in the footsteps of our Lord. The message was a simple one 'Believe and be baptised'.
It was great to see both young and old being baptised and I am sure it is also a great encouragement to any local church when a believer takes that step of obedience and follows in the footsteps of our Lord. It is fantastic to see and hear of many other baptisms taking place of late such as Kings Gate Church, Bury St Edmunds “During the months of July and August we had the privilege of baptising 19 people – young and old - (including some Latvians youth who were with us for a week over the Summer) all of whom have, in recent weeks (at the New Day event in the Norwich showground) or recent months (through the on-going work of the local church), have responded to the good news of Jesus. And this is not something that is exclusively happening at Kingsgate church – but at least two other churches in the area have had similar experiences (The Christians Resource Centre and Christchurch Morton Hall). “ Norman Blows, lead elder Kings Gate.
Baptisms are great, they are that next step for many in their early Christian lives and for others are that step of obedience which never took place or which they feel needs to be done (even though they may have been Christians a number of years, perhaps been christened and/or confirmed). For all, it is a time of great joy as we share in the hope and knowledge that death and sin has been defeated and as we are reminded back to our own baptisms years ago. It is an opportunity for people to leave a lot of stuff in the water and Baptisms can also prove useful for those that really want to say from now on I want to walk closer with the Lord.
For many churches the practicalities of Baptisms may sometimes prove a challenge. At Orwell it consists of a very large round pool with steps and I sat wondering the mess this would make if it did leak – a very large volume of water on a second floor, not good, but thankfully no leaks! I know of New Wine Church in Sheringham that did some of their baptisms in the summer in the North Sea (what an outreach tool too) and others in a children’s paddling pool - remember to bend your legs!!).
Where there are such practicalities to consider then there is often the necessary delay in doing baptisms with often a number of people waiting to all get baptised at the same time. But delay in the absence of such practical restraints to my mind is not entirely helpful either for the local church and most importantly the individual. The Bible seems pretty clear to me that there need not be delay, we see in the New Testament many being baptised “that Day” e.g. the 3,000 believers we read of in Acts. It is a great shame that there are many churches that have the baptistery in the floor that has not be used for years or seem reluctant to open it up, perhaps requiring attendance of baptism classes or having to read this or that book first. Yes of course some explanation of what baptism represents is certainly something that should be done and can be done in various ways. It would be a shame however, if practices actually get in the way of someone with a real desire and enthusiasm to take this step only for them to be told to have a think about it and to jump through a few hoops first, often a source of great discouragement for all concerned and for some who may decide they no longer want to do it. Let’s no put stumbling blocks in the way of new Christians or any Believer for that matter who want to follow in the footsteps of our Lord. The message was a simple one 'Believe and be baptised'.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Robbing the piggybank
" The number of people out of work in the UK has risen again, taking the jobless rate to 7.9%, official figures show. The number of people unemployed increased by 210,000 to 2.47 million in the three months to July, according to the Office for National Statistics.Claims for unemployment benefit in August grew by 24,400 from July to 1.61m, the highest since May 1997."
The news today brings home how the current economic climate is really beginning to effect large parts of the population in this country and from all different walks of life. I think most people now either know someone who have lost their job or know somebody who is searching for new employment.
People with families and responsibilities struggling to pay the bills and in the developed west we have all been guility to some degree of taking things for granted. We also operate within a society which is very materalistic and we are all tied-in to an environment that means most of us have to earn X amount, to support X amount of mortgage, or have to earn X amount to support mortagage applications. House prices are still high comparative to earnings and whilst many of us might like to explore an alternative lifestyle it is very much limited to having to find the money each month to put a roof over our heads.
This story here made me think http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8257198.stm
"It's so hard to go down from earning to having nothing. I didn't think I'd lose my job, it's all such a bad dream," he says, standing in his kitchen in a comfortable suburb of Haverhill in Suffolk. Peter is literally counting out the pennies on the kitchen counter. The coins are from his kids' piggy banks and cups of loose change around the house. The money, he says, will help feed the electricity meter or pay for his petrol. Six weeks earlier, he had been earning £19 an hour.
"This is what it's come down to, pinching it out of my daughter's tin to put it all together. It's ridiculous that the cash flow has just gone."
How many of us if we are honest borrow the odd pound coin from the children's piggy bank - I admit I have and thinking that any of us could be forced into doing that to survive is a pretty uncomfortable thought. It was pleasing though to hear in this story how a Christian Charity is helping people like this and I was quite impressed with what the the Trussell Trust are doing. Here is their website http://www.trusselltrust.org/content/home/home.htm
I know there are other similar Charities doing this type of work and good for all of them, there is much that can be done as Christians to show love and compassion on others, some of us struggle to find an outlet to do this even though we would like to. Perhaps contributing some food stuffs to such a cause is a small way of helping. I for one will be contacting the new one being set up in Colchester - maybe there is one near you?
The news today brings home how the current economic climate is really beginning to effect large parts of the population in this country and from all different walks of life. I think most people now either know someone who have lost their job or know somebody who is searching for new employment.
People with families and responsibilities struggling to pay the bills and in the developed west we have all been guility to some degree of taking things for granted. We also operate within a society which is very materalistic and we are all tied-in to an environment that means most of us have to earn X amount, to support X amount of mortgage, or have to earn X amount to support mortagage applications. House prices are still high comparative to earnings and whilst many of us might like to explore an alternative lifestyle it is very much limited to having to find the money each month to put a roof over our heads.
This story here made me think http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8257198.stm
"It's so hard to go down from earning to having nothing. I didn't think I'd lose my job, it's all such a bad dream," he says, standing in his kitchen in a comfortable suburb of Haverhill in Suffolk. Peter is literally counting out the pennies on the kitchen counter. The coins are from his kids' piggy banks and cups of loose change around the house. The money, he says, will help feed the electricity meter or pay for his petrol. Six weeks earlier, he had been earning £19 an hour.
"This is what it's come down to, pinching it out of my daughter's tin to put it all together. It's ridiculous that the cash flow has just gone."
How many of us if we are honest borrow the odd pound coin from the children's piggy bank - I admit I have and thinking that any of us could be forced into doing that to survive is a pretty uncomfortable thought. It was pleasing though to hear in this story how a Christian Charity is helping people like this and I was quite impressed with what the the Trussell Trust are doing. Here is their website http://www.trusselltrust.org/content/home/home.htm
I know there are other similar Charities doing this type of work and good for all of them, there is much that can be done as Christians to show love and compassion on others, some of us struggle to find an outlet to do this even though we would like to. Perhaps contributing some food stuffs to such a cause is a small way of helping. I for one will be contacting the new one being set up in Colchester - maybe there is one near you?
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
A fleshy enemy attack
Sometimes, or perhaps often, when we are doing something for the Lord or obeying His commands in some way, it is at these times when Saturn will often try and trip us up. We may feel we are going on well in our Christian lives and then the enemy tries to put obstacles in our path, doubts perhaps, he loves to remind us of our failings. I think and hope that as we mature as Christians we get to know the tricks he likes to play and perhaps we are that little bit quicker in confessing and seeking forgiveness for our sin.
I am often reminded of how Saturn tried and failed to tempt Jesus in the Wilderness and how Jesus always answered him with answers from Scripture. That for me is the main thing to remember when under attack – the Bible is the sword. The other interesting thing is that the temptation of Jesus happened after Jesus had been Baptised and was led by the Spirit for 40 days in the Wilderness. So it is not surprising given that example that often the timing of the enemy attack is after we have taken a step of faith or are about to. Maybe the week after we have had a real close encounter with God, perhaps on return from conference or after a really good Sunday morning of Praise and Worship.
We need to look out for those little areas in our lives where the Devil seeks to cause conflict and bring us down, it might be something like a temper tantrum on our drive to work when that truck pulls in front of you without indication, or the driver that waits for ages at a junction and then pulls out (usually when there is nothing behind you !) We all have pressure points and Saturn loves to pull the levers and press the buttons. The cumulative effect of lots of different small things like this can really drag us down, a cunning enemy the cause. The antidote to this is the Word, Prayer and the Holy Spirit giving us power to overcome and begin to win those battles that we all face.
So yes are weak and display weaknesses of the Flesh, we are new Spirits in old bodies and it is this struggle between our flesh and our spirit that forces us to be wholly dependent upon Him, so that He would get all the glory, for the victory He freely gives us in Christ* To remember and to continually remind ourselves that we are nothing without God, he sustains our very being and it is by his Grace that we are saved. He has already won the battle for us, we just need to claim that Victory in our lives and when enemy attack comes call ‘behind me Saturn’.
* quote from http://justpray.org/WhyItsHard.html
I am often reminded of how Saturn tried and failed to tempt Jesus in the Wilderness and how Jesus always answered him with answers from Scripture. That for me is the main thing to remember when under attack – the Bible is the sword. The other interesting thing is that the temptation of Jesus happened after Jesus had been Baptised and was led by the Spirit for 40 days in the Wilderness. So it is not surprising given that example that often the timing of the enemy attack is after we have taken a step of faith or are about to. Maybe the week after we have had a real close encounter with God, perhaps on return from conference or after a really good Sunday morning of Praise and Worship.
We need to look out for those little areas in our lives where the Devil seeks to cause conflict and bring us down, it might be something like a temper tantrum on our drive to work when that truck pulls in front of you without indication, or the driver that waits for ages at a junction and then pulls out (usually when there is nothing behind you !) We all have pressure points and Saturn loves to pull the levers and press the buttons. The cumulative effect of lots of different small things like this can really drag us down, a cunning enemy the cause. The antidote to this is the Word, Prayer and the Holy Spirit giving us power to overcome and begin to win those battles that we all face.
So yes are weak and display weaknesses of the Flesh, we are new Spirits in old bodies and it is this struggle between our flesh and our spirit that forces us to be wholly dependent upon Him, so that He would get all the glory, for the victory He freely gives us in Christ* To remember and to continually remind ourselves that we are nothing without God, he sustains our very being and it is by his Grace that we are saved. He has already won the battle for us, we just need to claim that Victory in our lives and when enemy attack comes call ‘behind me Saturn’.
* quote from http://justpray.org/WhyItsHard.html
Friday, 10 July 2009
Taken from new Phatfish New Album
http://www.phatfish.net/injesus/injesus.html
Clink on for sample - 5th track down..
I could build a mighty empire
Or be living on the streets
I could wear the finest jewellery
Or some coloured plastic beads
I could drive a rusty banger Or a big ol' SUV
I could entertain the down and out or dine with royalty
But if I have not love then I am just a clanging cymbal
And if I have not love then I am just a lot of noise
I must lay my pride aside, preferring others needs
O Lord help me to love
I could speak with words of beauty
But still have a heart of stone
I could fill my mind with wisdom
Try to deepen what I know
I could look as though I'm listening
Or could cry at my TV
But it really stands for nothing if it's only serving me
Jesus, You're my great example
For You have shown your love to me
And in response I now must follow
In loving others faithfully
I cant take all my possessions
To the place that I am heading
But love stays, love remains, love paves the way
Lou Fellingham
copyright Phat Music/Administrated by Song Solutions CopyCare
Monday, 8 June 2009
Not just belief, but experience
Having recently become a father for the second time I have come to know tiredness once again in a very real, pass the matchsticks, kind of way. As I am sure many Parents will recall the interrupted and sleepless nights, all goes with the territory of course, but nothing quite prepares you or compares to the birth of baby.
I was thinking the other day about how easy it can be as Christians to become tired and to get into a bit of a rut with our Christian experience. I have had times in my earlier Christian life where being a Christian was just about arriving on a Sunday morning and then going home. Don't get me wrong I was saved and had belief & faith but experience... did have much of that. It is all too easy "to believe" but for that to kind of end there. It is all too easy to turn up at Church for an hour or so on a Sunday morning, enjoy a prayer-hymn sandwich, be preached at for 45 mins and then go home. The danger being that the Christian life can become packaged up into a hour and 15 minutes, or as was described in a recent sermon I heard, we can end up putting all the God stuff in the attic room of our lives - all a bit dusty and forgotten about. The problem with such an experience and structure to local church life is that it can become too familiar and can suck the life out of what God really wants from us and for us.
I mentioned the word "experience" in the context of what we can experience in our Christian lives. For me having been a Christian from an early age, I do not want to settle for a Christian life that is merely about attending and little else, I need to feel engaged, to be able to give and not just receive. In the local church there has to be an environment where individuals can respond and feel they are able to make a contribution and whilst I accept that everyone has their own different tastes in terms of style and emphasis, for me the need for corporate worship and response is very important.
Familiarity breeds contempt is a commonly used phrase and although I don't in fact agree that it does in all cases I do think that the familiar can sometimes draw away some of the passion that we might have. Returning to the desire to experience God's power in my life, in recent years I have come to know this as meaning meeting with God every day and not just on a Sunday, that God is interested as a good Father would be in all the incidental and mundane things of life. In the simple decisions I make day-to-day, in the choices I make about the future. Also understanding more that the Christian life goes beyond initial belief but pervades the being, the soul and that I am more in tune with a God who wants to speak to me in different ways and of a Holy Spirit who is a person.
If I did not have this sense of a relationship with God, then my Christian life might be all based on belief and perhaps head knowledge without the spiritual understanding I have today. I often think how much better I would be at witnessing for God if I could somehow describe the "experience" and "relationship" I have with a God who wants the very best for us in our lives. So when a non-christian might ask what's it all about, sometimes I have to say I believe these things and choose this way of life because I have a relationship with God and that the only way you will know what I am talking about is if you too are in that same relationship. It is not just about belief, or attending church or reading your bible everyday, it is about walking with a God who is a Father and who has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to lead lives that can be fulfilled and have a value beyond the mere fraction of time we spend on earth in our early bodies.
So for me and perhaps for many, the Christian life might start as a "yes, I believe that" but it doesn't stop there or at least it shouldn't. It goes beyond that as the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and as we grow in our faith and understanding of the things of God. We also learn to listen to Him and get to know Him and learn more about His truths. When it comes to witness from a personal point of view I have come to understand that I am far better telling of what God has done for me and how He is talking to me each day, than to attempt some sort of essay on salvation, others are much more gifted as Evangelist than me. So recently I would say how God helped me decide on the name of Abigail for our new baby, namely it was on a list of two or three, but we liked the meaning and the biblical story. Then on the evening before we went into Hospital for induction of labour, from the reading in my "One Year Bible" (NIV) it was the passage in Samuel that described Abigail and her story (how she assisted David and how she ultimately would be become one of his wives). This was confirmation for me. I could witness to answered prayer in the safe delivery of Abigail and point to the fact that we knew nothing about the potential problems that can accompany a two vessel placenta, something which was not detected in scans and was hidden from us and the additional worry and concern we may have had. Also, the joy of a baby Girl and of a God who likes to surprise us, heard testimony recently of another birth of a Girl when everyone thought it was a Boy - a surprise and one that was felt the heart of God right in the centre of it all. For us, God has blessed us with one of each and I am thankful for a loving God and a loving Father who holds us all in his hands and sustains our life and our families.
So a Christian life, with all it's ups and down's, without the sense of a God as a Father and companion next to me every day is not worth thinking about. There have been so many instances in recent times that God is talking directly to me and I have to say it is a thrill when you become aware of it. It's like sometimes "who me ? you talking to me ?" That experience, that knowledge is difficult to sometimes describe but you just know. This for me is what experiencing and enjoying the Christian life is all about.
I was thinking the other day about how easy it can be as Christians to become tired and to get into a bit of a rut with our Christian experience. I have had times in my earlier Christian life where being a Christian was just about arriving on a Sunday morning and then going home. Don't get me wrong I was saved and had belief & faith but experience... did have much of that. It is all too easy "to believe" but for that to kind of end there. It is all too easy to turn up at Church for an hour or so on a Sunday morning, enjoy a prayer-hymn sandwich, be preached at for 45 mins and then go home. The danger being that the Christian life can become packaged up into a hour and 15 minutes, or as was described in a recent sermon I heard, we can end up putting all the God stuff in the attic room of our lives - all a bit dusty and forgotten about. The problem with such an experience and structure to local church life is that it can become too familiar and can suck the life out of what God really wants from us and for us.
I mentioned the word "experience" in the context of what we can experience in our Christian lives. For me having been a Christian from an early age, I do not want to settle for a Christian life that is merely about attending and little else, I need to feel engaged, to be able to give and not just receive. In the local church there has to be an environment where individuals can respond and feel they are able to make a contribution and whilst I accept that everyone has their own different tastes in terms of style and emphasis, for me the need for corporate worship and response is very important.
Familiarity breeds contempt is a commonly used phrase and although I don't in fact agree that it does in all cases I do think that the familiar can sometimes draw away some of the passion that we might have. Returning to the desire to experience God's power in my life, in recent years I have come to know this as meaning meeting with God every day and not just on a Sunday, that God is interested as a good Father would be in all the incidental and mundane things of life. In the simple decisions I make day-to-day, in the choices I make about the future. Also understanding more that the Christian life goes beyond initial belief but pervades the being, the soul and that I am more in tune with a God who wants to speak to me in different ways and of a Holy Spirit who is a person.
If I did not have this sense of a relationship with God, then my Christian life might be all based on belief and perhaps head knowledge without the spiritual understanding I have today. I often think how much better I would be at witnessing for God if I could somehow describe the "experience" and "relationship" I have with a God who wants the very best for us in our lives. So when a non-christian might ask what's it all about, sometimes I have to say I believe these things and choose this way of life because I have a relationship with God and that the only way you will know what I am talking about is if you too are in that same relationship. It is not just about belief, or attending church or reading your bible everyday, it is about walking with a God who is a Father and who has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to lead lives that can be fulfilled and have a value beyond the mere fraction of time we spend on earth in our early bodies.
So for me and perhaps for many, the Christian life might start as a "yes, I believe that" but it doesn't stop there or at least it shouldn't. It goes beyond that as the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and as we grow in our faith and understanding of the things of God. We also learn to listen to Him and get to know Him and learn more about His truths. When it comes to witness from a personal point of view I have come to understand that I am far better telling of what God has done for me and how He is talking to me each day, than to attempt some sort of essay on salvation, others are much more gifted as Evangelist than me. So recently I would say how God helped me decide on the name of Abigail for our new baby, namely it was on a list of two or three, but we liked the meaning and the biblical story. Then on the evening before we went into Hospital for induction of labour, from the reading in my "One Year Bible" (NIV) it was the passage in Samuel that described Abigail and her story (how she assisted David and how she ultimately would be become one of his wives). This was confirmation for me. I could witness to answered prayer in the safe delivery of Abigail and point to the fact that we knew nothing about the potential problems that can accompany a two vessel placenta, something which was not detected in scans and was hidden from us and the additional worry and concern we may have had. Also, the joy of a baby Girl and of a God who likes to surprise us, heard testimony recently of another birth of a Girl when everyone thought it was a Boy - a surprise and one that was felt the heart of God right in the centre of it all. For us, God has blessed us with one of each and I am thankful for a loving God and a loving Father who holds us all in his hands and sustains our life and our families.
So a Christian life, with all it's ups and down's, without the sense of a God as a Father and companion next to me every day is not worth thinking about. There have been so many instances in recent times that God is talking directly to me and I have to say it is a thrill when you become aware of it. It's like sometimes "who me ? you talking to me ?" That experience, that knowledge is difficult to sometimes describe but you just know. This for me is what experiencing and enjoying the Christian life is all about.
Lack of Blogging !
Apologies for a distinct lack of blogging for all those in cyberspace that have been following, but the arrival of baby No.2 in May has sort of limited free time...
Will get back to blogging more frequently soon!
Will get back to blogging more frequently soon!
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
The Holy Spirit
I came across this sermon from Terry Virgo (New Frontiers) on the subject of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is a good clean recording, recorded at Bridgeway Community Church, Sydney, Australia, 17th November 2008. I have heard similar sermons from Terry on the same subject in the past but this one, also on his own blog, really seems to have finely tuned the arguments and I have found it very helpful having struggled for many years with the subject myself.
http://nf1.2xstreamhosting.com/~newfrontiers/tvirgo/Baptism_of_the_Holy_Spirit.mp3
http://nf1.2xstreamhosting.com/~newfrontiers/tvirgo/Baptism_of_the_Holy_Spirit.mp3
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Be my Everything
God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping
God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting
God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing
Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything
Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything
Words by Tim Hughes
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping
God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting
God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing
Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything
Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything
Words by Tim Hughes
Monday, 16 March 2009
Owains Update - Great News
http://owainsjourney.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
For those that have been following Owain's Journey it is great news to hear that the Cancer seems to have been defeated. This has become a story in which many have come together in prayer for Owain and his family. At times we have felt the pain and suffering they have been going through but also witness to their strong faith in the Lord and the support of other Christians. We have a faithful Lord who loves us and shows mercy to us every day, who listens to us and loves to hear our prayers and praise. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
For those that have been following Owain's Journey it is great news to hear that the Cancer seems to have been defeated. This has become a story in which many have come together in prayer for Owain and his family. At times we have felt the pain and suffering they have been going through but also witness to their strong faith in the Lord and the support of other Christians. We have a faithful Lord who loves us and shows mercy to us every day, who listens to us and loves to hear our prayers and praise. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Hearing God
I have made mention of it recently in blog posts about how God speaks to us and of course the other important factor when somebody is speaking to us is hearing and listening! I think for many Christians it is easy to be so tied up in knots with everyday life that we are not really hearing God or what he has to say to us. We may pray every day even and still sometimes we might think we are not getting the answers. Perhaps we are getting the answers but not actually hearing them. I think earlier in my Christian life I had long periods like this, perhaps you can say the same. I also think that when we are asking things of God that we do so with Faith, I think this plays an important part, remember the woman who wanted healing in the New Testament who touched his cloak, she knew if she could just touch the hem of Jesus garment she would be healed.
"..And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well." 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my garments?" 31And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'" 32And he looked around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34And he said to her, "Daughter,your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." Mark 5 vs 24-34
There are many many illustrations throughout the Bible where Faith led to results, such as the blind man receiving his sight " 42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Luke 18 42-43
And again in Matthew Chapter 9 we get the following "27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." 28When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." 30And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, "See that no one knows about it." 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district."
I have also come to recognise in recent years how God can speak to me in a more direct way and that if I wait on him and rely on him more I have much more success in the every day things. There are so many instances recently where I know God has spoken to me through people or situations even the more mundane things where perhaps sometimes we don't think to involve God. I am learning that a mighty God is interested in these things, the incidental things. Yesterday I needed to collect a large picture from the picture framers in town, always a nightmare to park- I thought what are the chances of finding a space. I then recalled a conversation with another Christian who mentioned that often he will pray to find a parking space and often he will find one. Anyway I did a quick prayer along the lines of "I know this might be a strange thing to ask but it would be really great if there was a parking space outside the shop and I ask in Faith that if you desire it, it will be there". The parking space was there just outside the shop at the end of a row of cars. On seeing this space I admit I had a little moment where my heart smiled, if that doesn't sound too corny!
I am also seeking God's direction in another area of my life and am just resting on him for the answers and direction I am to take. I know that sometimes I may have missed what God is trying to tell me and I think sometimes he needs to speak to me in more direct ways. In this particular area my prayer is that I have clarity on what path I need to take. On the way to work this morning whilst praying about this, I passed a white van with my initials on it M G and the words "Restore. Maintenance". Now before you think I have really lost my trolley, this actually made some a lot of sense to me.
Going back to Mark Chapter 5, what encourages me about this story is that is relates how the Lord acted on an individual need even when "..a great crowd followed him and thronged him.." and how even the disciples doubted when they said "..you see the crowd pressing against you, and yet you say, Who touched me?". Amongst all the noise and din of life, the Lord can just cut through. As a Christian we are amongst a great crowd around the Lord with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, yet the relationship is one-to-one with God. When I recall to other people the times when God has spoken to me of late I know that they might think "yeah, okay..whatever.." a bit like the disciples - a doubt like "how can you tell?" or people might think it's just coincidence, but I know (like the woman who touched the hem of the cloak) and the Lord is definately ready to give an answer.
"..And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well." 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my garments?" 31And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'" 32And he looked around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34And he said to her, "Daughter,your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." Mark 5 vs 24-34
There are many many illustrations throughout the Bible where Faith led to results, such as the blind man receiving his sight " 42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Luke 18 42-43
And again in Matthew Chapter 9 we get the following "27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." 28When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." 30And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, "See that no one knows about it." 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district."
I have also come to recognise in recent years how God can speak to me in a more direct way and that if I wait on him and rely on him more I have much more success in the every day things. There are so many instances recently where I know God has spoken to me through people or situations even the more mundane things where perhaps sometimes we don't think to involve God. I am learning that a mighty God is interested in these things, the incidental things. Yesterday I needed to collect a large picture from the picture framers in town, always a nightmare to park- I thought what are the chances of finding a space. I then recalled a conversation with another Christian who mentioned that often he will pray to find a parking space and often he will find one. Anyway I did a quick prayer along the lines of "I know this might be a strange thing to ask but it would be really great if there was a parking space outside the shop and I ask in Faith that if you desire it, it will be there". The parking space was there just outside the shop at the end of a row of cars. On seeing this space I admit I had a little moment where my heart smiled, if that doesn't sound too corny!
I am also seeking God's direction in another area of my life and am just resting on him for the answers and direction I am to take. I know that sometimes I may have missed what God is trying to tell me and I think sometimes he needs to speak to me in more direct ways. In this particular area my prayer is that I have clarity on what path I need to take. On the way to work this morning whilst praying about this, I passed a white van with my initials on it M G and the words "Restore. Maintenance". Now before you think I have really lost my trolley, this actually made some a lot of sense to me.
Going back to Mark Chapter 5, what encourages me about this story is that is relates how the Lord acted on an individual need even when "..a great crowd followed him and thronged him.." and how even the disciples doubted when they said "..you see the crowd pressing against you, and yet you say, Who touched me?". Amongst all the noise and din of life, the Lord can just cut through. As a Christian we are amongst a great crowd around the Lord with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, yet the relationship is one-to-one with God. When I recall to other people the times when God has spoken to me of late I know that they might think "yeah, okay..whatever.." a bit like the disciples - a doubt like "how can you tell?" or people might think it's just coincidence, but I know (like the woman who touched the hem of the cloak) and the Lord is definately ready to give an answer.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Making God's name Known.
Below is a text of a poster which I am going to put on a few noticeboards in my area, there is so much other junk on these spaces that I have decided that we need to improve the offering. There are many such community noticeboards dotted around. Do you have one, do you walk past one every day, is there a well placed telegraph pole next to that phone box. If you want a copy let me know and I can email them to you in word or PDF format (currently A4 size). Even better would be to join the facebook group and let's start to have a debate on the merits of such an endeavour and other ways in which we can Make God's Name Known. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=41621960805&ref=ts
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Who’s Face can you see in this glass?
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Who’s Face can you see in this glass?
You will not find the answers to life at the bottom of a beer glass. You will not find the answers chasing material possessions. You will not find the answers in all the obvious things that are put in front of you every day.
19”Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (The Bible) Matthew Ch 6 V19-21
Think about these deeper things, find a Church, ask questions, find out more.
19”Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (The Bible) Matthew Ch 6 V19-21
Think about these deeper things, find a Church, ask questions, find out more.
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The LORD looks down on all mankind
From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-
he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
Psalm 33 v 13-15
I have just recently read this Psalm and was really struck by these verses, their poetic structure and how they portray the greatness of God.
from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-
he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
Psalm 33 v 13-15
I have just recently read this Psalm and was really struck by these verses, their poetic structure and how they portray the greatness of God.
Friday, 13 February 2009
Christians in the workplace
You may have seen this story recently and it is a pretty sad reflection on how this country has lost its Christian emphasis. I have to agree with John Setnamu, that we should stand up for what we believe in.
Christianity in workplace defended
© Press Association 2008
The Archbishop of York has said intolerance towards Christians in the workplace was an "affront" and urged believers to stand up for their faith.
Writing in the Daily Mail, John Sentamu referred to two recent cases he said pointed to "a seeming intolerance and illiberality" in the public sector towards faith in God.
On Thursday, Jennie Cain, a school receptionist, said she was facing the sack after asking a church for prayer support when her daughter was told off for talking about God and heaven during a lesson.
Christianity in workplace defended
© Press Association 2008
The Archbishop of York has said intolerance towards Christians in the workplace was an "affront" and urged believers to stand up for their faith.
Writing in the Daily Mail, John Sentamu referred to two recent cases he said pointed to "a seeming intolerance and illiberality" in the public sector towards faith in God.
On Thursday, Jennie Cain, a school receptionist, said she was facing the sack after asking a church for prayer support when her daughter was told off for talking about God and heaven during a lesson.
Last week nurse Caroline Petrie was allowed back to work after she was suspended for two months for offering to pray for a patient.
But Archbishop Sentamu said it was "not only unacceptable but an affront" for public servants to use their authority to deny the legitimacy of the Christian faith when the religion had given them those powers under the constitution.
He said: "Those employed as public servants and charged with running our local services, be they schools, hospitals or councils, receive their public authority only under a system of governance which is constitutionally established from the 'Queen in Parliament under God'."
Asking someone to leave their faith at the door of their workplace was "akin to asking them to remove their skin colour before coming into the office", he said.
He added: "For those who despair at the treatment meted out to these Christian women, the message is clear: wake up, Christian England!"
Monday, 9 February 2009
The Ark, the law and the new Convenant
Hello to everyone! I can't believe it is February already and apologies for a lack of blogging of late - time seems to fly by these days. I was asked prior to Christmas if there was anything I would like as a present and I said a one-year bible (NIV). I have always said to myself that I wanted to read the "good book" in it's entirety and have often been at conferences or in bookshops and seen these one-year bibles but never bought one. Anyway, so far I have managed to keep up to date although have had a couple of times where I have missed and had to catch up the next day, similarly I have read ahead when in the mood. I appreciate that this method is not every one's cup of tea but it is certainly enabling me to "feed on the Word" and I have to say is also probably going to encourage me to re-reading certain books in chapter order at a later date. It is good because it enables you to dip into some of the bible narrative in areas of the bible that perhaps you had not read or forgotten about. I have to say parts of Genesis and Exodus are very interesting and when read alongside New Testament chapters have a new and added dimension.
I have found it very interesting to re-visit the stories of Abraham, of Moses and Jacob. The genealogy of the tribes and the establishment of the early Jewish community and Israel. For many years growing up I have to say for some reason the Old Testament to me was a bit boring and full of unpronounceable names and numbers. Perhaps that was due to immaturity on my part but also I think as you get older it is important to go back and look at this stuff because I think you probably see and read things in a different light when you are a bit older perhaps.
For me reading the accounts of Moses and the Exodus and the Egyptian problem, the plagues, the parting of the red sea were a real eye opener. More recently, reading about the building of the Ark and the tremendously detailed instruction given by the Lord as to how it should be built and the ornate nature of it and all associated with, on who could enter and how they should be dressed. I could not help rejoicing in the amazing gift of Grace and the new covenant which Jesus brought about - all this stuff in the Old Testament, the complex and detailed nature of the law and of the how God's people of that time had to live. I am not being flippant in thinking - Glad that has all been done away with !! At the same time wondering whether I could have lived like that, would certainly be very difficult from a modern western mind, but perhaps if you were brought up with them then I guess you grew up to know the law. However, honouring and obeying the law; that is something they continued to struggle with throughout the Old Testament history.
It is clear the law was there to be broken, we are just not good enough or clever enough as humans to live such a life. This is where God's grace in Christ Jesus really hits me between the eyes. It doesn't matter about the law. We have no hope of keeping it. God's grace is the free gift of being totally accepted despite our mistakes, weaknesses and sin. It is not about keeping laws that we only then fall down in not keeping or about being legalistic in our approaches. It is not even about how often I can read my bible or whether I read it everyday (although this is clearly a good thing to do ) and then fail to do so. It is not about having a gospel message that preaches become a Christian and life will be great and a bed of roses or about lessening the burdens only to then heap a whole load of burdens and rules on the back of new Christians (who then immediately fail, back slide and are often lost...) It has nothing to do with me but everything to do with God's love for me and his recognition that we were lost without the Lord Jesus and his sacrifice. " Grace will set you free " and I would encourage you to embrace that and what it means, especially in a world when it is easy to be discouraged and down-hearted.
I have found it very interesting to re-visit the stories of Abraham, of Moses and Jacob. The genealogy of the tribes and the establishment of the early Jewish community and Israel. For many years growing up I have to say for some reason the Old Testament to me was a bit boring and full of unpronounceable names and numbers. Perhaps that was due to immaturity on my part but also I think as you get older it is important to go back and look at this stuff because I think you probably see and read things in a different light when you are a bit older perhaps.
For me reading the accounts of Moses and the Exodus and the Egyptian problem, the plagues, the parting of the red sea were a real eye opener. More recently, reading about the building of the Ark and the tremendously detailed instruction given by the Lord as to how it should be built and the ornate nature of it and all associated with, on who could enter and how they should be dressed. I could not help rejoicing in the amazing gift of Grace and the new covenant which Jesus brought about - all this stuff in the Old Testament, the complex and detailed nature of the law and of the how God's people of that time had to live. I am not being flippant in thinking - Glad that has all been done away with !! At the same time wondering whether I could have lived like that, would certainly be very difficult from a modern western mind, but perhaps if you were brought up with them then I guess you grew up to know the law. However, honouring and obeying the law; that is something they continued to struggle with throughout the Old Testament history.
It is clear the law was there to be broken, we are just not good enough or clever enough as humans to live such a life. This is where God's grace in Christ Jesus really hits me between the eyes. It doesn't matter about the law. We have no hope of keeping it. God's grace is the free gift of being totally accepted despite our mistakes, weaknesses and sin. It is not about keeping laws that we only then fall down in not keeping or about being legalistic in our approaches. It is not even about how often I can read my bible or whether I read it everyday (although this is clearly a good thing to do ) and then fail to do so. It is not about having a gospel message that preaches become a Christian and life will be great and a bed of roses or about lessening the burdens only to then heap a whole load of burdens and rules on the back of new Christians (who then immediately fail, back slide and are often lost...) It has nothing to do with me but everything to do with God's love for me and his recognition that we were lost without the Lord Jesus and his sacrifice. " Grace will set you free " and I would encourage you to embrace that and what it means, especially in a world when it is easy to be discouraged and down-hearted.
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Owain Update
http://owainsjourney.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
Mentioned a couple of times already on the blog, Owain and his family still battling on with Hospital visits and treatments. Just want to remember them in prayer again and hope 2009 will see full recovery for Owain and much needed rest & relief for the family. They have been a real encouragement to so many people with their faith and I believe God can always bring good from a situation that on the surface is a challenging one.
Mentioned a couple of times already on the blog, Owain and his family still battling on with Hospital visits and treatments. Just want to remember them in prayer again and hope 2009 will see full recovery for Owain and much needed rest & relief for the family. They have been a real encouragement to so many people with their faith and I believe God can always bring good from a situation that on the surface is a challenging one.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Send a Cow
Firstly, happy new year to every one... You will notice some Charities listed on the blog (right hand side) and it is important to support these Christian Charities at a time when the economy is putting all budgets under pressure. I made reference in an earlier blog posting (http://my-life-as-a-christian.blogspot.com/search/label/Christian%20Charities%20struggles) to how it can be difficult for Christian Charities doing work in this country because of over regulation and complying with discrimination laws.
Similarly, Christian Charities doing valuable work overseas are also in need of our support however small and in whatever form this might take. One of the interesting ones is the work of Send A Cow http://www.sendacow.org.uk/aboutus. I was recently contacted by Nicola from Edelman PR who represent them from a PR point of view in this country and are involved in raising the profile of Send A Cow.
Here are some additional facts about SAC, provided with permission from Jason at Edelman:
General Info
Send a Cow is a Christian charity that enables poor farmers in Africa to become self-reliant by providing them with livestock, training and advice (this includes teaching them how to build keyhole gardens, agricultural techniques to boost crops, mulching and fertility trenches). They work with some of the most vulnerable groups in Africa, including children orphaned by war, families affected by AIDS and disabled people.
Send a Cow was initially set up in 1988 by a group of Christian farmers in the UK who sent cows over to poor farmers in Africa. These Christian roots are important to the organisation.
Values
These are the characteristics of SAC:
1. Forward thinking / down to earth
2. Contemporary while still having traditional core values
3. Quirky/positive
4. Transparent/high integrity
SAC was established by farmers and so are specialists within their sector. They offer an integrated solution to providing agricultural development support to African communities (training, education, veterinary support) and so don’t just focus on sending cows.
I don't know about you but I spent some time thinking this Christmas that many of the presents you receive, whilst acknowledging it is nice to give and receive, are really not needed and often superfluous. For me, with a small toddler and another God willing on the way, I will be happy to see them get the presents to open and the joy and excitement they bring. I thought for me, would it not be better to ask people to make a donation to a favourite Christian Charity.
Indeed, one point I would make is for Charities themselves to make this sort of transaction easier - donations as Christmas/Birthday Presents. [one idea might be to be able to send a letter/ card to the person in question saying "X has made a Christmas/Birthday donation on your behalf...this has enabled (....something to happen/1 cow/10 water sanitation packs.. etc to be sent to ... e.g Africa/India...). You get the idea, it doesn't have to put a monetary value on it to save any embarrassment. I am pretty sure this is happening in some Charities already, but when you think about that box of biscuits you'll never eat or that jumper you'll never wear (although very grateful !) think of the money this could raise for charities and people who desperately need our help.
Anyway, that's it for now. If you have any Charities you want including on the links on this blog just reply to this posting and can sort it out. In the meantime, keep up the good work Send a Cow and thanks to Nicola & Jason at Edelman PR (http://www.edelman.co.uk/)
Similarly, Christian Charities doing valuable work overseas are also in need of our support however small and in whatever form this might take. One of the interesting ones is the work of Send A Cow http://www.sendacow.org.uk/aboutus. I was recently contacted by Nicola from Edelman PR who represent them from a PR point of view in this country and are involved in raising the profile of Send A Cow.
Here are some additional facts about SAC, provided with permission from Jason at Edelman:
General Info
Send a Cow is a Christian charity that enables poor farmers in Africa to become self-reliant by providing them with livestock, training and advice (this includes teaching them how to build keyhole gardens, agricultural techniques to boost crops, mulching and fertility trenches). They work with some of the most vulnerable groups in Africa, including children orphaned by war, families affected by AIDS and disabled people.
Send a Cow was initially set up in 1988 by a group of Christian farmers in the UK who sent cows over to poor farmers in Africa. These Christian roots are important to the organisation.
Values
These are the characteristics of SAC:
1. Forward thinking / down to earth
2. Contemporary while still having traditional core values
3. Quirky/positive
4. Transparent/high integrity
SAC was established by farmers and so are specialists within their sector. They offer an integrated solution to providing agricultural development support to African communities (training, education, veterinary support) and so don’t just focus on sending cows.
I don't know about you but I spent some time thinking this Christmas that many of the presents you receive, whilst acknowledging it is nice to give and receive, are really not needed and often superfluous. For me, with a small toddler and another God willing on the way, I will be happy to see them get the presents to open and the joy and excitement they bring. I thought for me, would it not be better to ask people to make a donation to a favourite Christian Charity.
Indeed, one point I would make is for Charities themselves to make this sort of transaction easier - donations as Christmas/Birthday Presents. [one idea might be to be able to send a letter/ card to the person in question saying "X has made a Christmas/Birthday donation on your behalf...this has enabled (....something to happen/1 cow/10 water sanitation packs.. etc to be sent to ... e.g Africa/India...). You get the idea, it doesn't have to put a monetary value on it to save any embarrassment. I am pretty sure this is happening in some Charities already, but when you think about that box of biscuits you'll never eat or that jumper you'll never wear (although very grateful !) think of the money this could raise for charities and people who desperately need our help.
Anyway, that's it for now. If you have any Charities you want including on the links on this blog just reply to this posting and can sort it out. In the meantime, keep up the good work Send a Cow and thanks to Nicola & Jason at Edelman PR (http://www.edelman.co.uk/)
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