Another quote from 'Houses that change the world'
Religion is what man makes out of God; Christianity is what God makes out of man. Christianity therefore is no religion. It is a living relationship with a living God. The moment Christianity becomes religion, it dies.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Saturday, December 24, 2005
What it's all about.
All day I have been hearing people say, 'That's what Christmas is all about!' They are referring to - children laughing, family, the spirit of Santa Claus, things of the heart, a 'weepy' film, giving and receiving presents, food and drink etc etc. All good things in themselves but they've all missed the point!
I wish for all a really, truly happy Christmas in knowing and experiencing the immense love of God expressed in Jesus.
I wish for all a really, truly happy Christmas in knowing and experiencing the immense love of God expressed in Jesus.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
What is church?
I am busy reading the book 'Houses that change the World' by Wolfgang Simson. Just about every page has something worth quoting. Here is one about how we have distorted what the original New Testament Church was meant to be: 'The Bible absolutely does not teach us to say that a holy crowd gathering on a holy day at a holy hour in a holy sanctuary to participate in a holy ritual performed by holy men in holy clothes for a holy fee is a New Testament church.'
I'm sure there'll be more quotes to come!
I'm sure there'll be more quotes to come!
Friday, December 02, 2005
What's the difference?
I have a number of friends who recently have opted out of congregating in a place we usually call 'church'. Like so many of what are termed 'emerging church', they want to connect with God without all the religiosity and system of 'doing church'. A couple of days ago I heard of one such couple who had invited another similar couple to Sunday lunch and as they were talking it was suggested that they start a 'house church' and that one of them could be the leader. It seems to me that they haven't left church at all. They are simply doing the same thing in a house instead of a specific building we call a church. Meeting together is good and necessary - we are told by Paul not to stop meeting together. But to call that meeting 'church' even if it is in a house and to appoint someone as a leader doesn't seem to me to be any different from what they have left except it may be smaller in numbers. I feel the enemy is so clever at making us think that we are planting a new kind of church but so soon we fall back into the old system of doing things. When God says He is going to do a 'new thing', that means 'not like anything we have known before'.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Oyster Catchers
During our visit to Scotland, another lady and myself were surprised to find Oyster Catchers searching for food when it was late afternoon after the sun had gone down and the sky was dark. We commented on this to a local, who incidentally works as a Park Ranger, and she explained that Oyster Catchers and other wading birds, unlike other birds, do not feed according to the time of day and in daylight but need to eat when the tide is out. (Quite logical when you think about it!) They watch the movement of the tide and live their lives accordingly.
Earlier, one of the team had mentioned how she had only once managed to see the tide actually turn. At that moment the sea stood still before then beginning to recede. It would have been so easy to get tired of watching for the moment, become distracted and then miss the all-important moment after all the waiting. The Oyster Catchers reminded us that we need to be constantly watching the signs of the times to make sure we don't miss what is happening around us.
Earlier, one of the team had mentioned how she had only once managed to see the tide actually turn. At that moment the sea stood still before then beginning to recede. It would have been so easy to get tired of watching for the moment, become distracted and then miss the all-important moment after all the waiting. The Oyster Catchers reminded us that we need to be constantly watching the signs of the times to make sure we don't miss what is happening around us.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Scotland
Last weekend I travelled to Scotland with a prayer team from the World Prayer Centre. Our visit lasted 5 days in all and God really blessed us and used us for blessing to others. The worship was awesome!!! One afternoon the team were alone in the building having a time of prayer. We began worshipping and this lasted for about 5 - 10 minutes. Then almost as though we had been directed, we all stopped and there was absolute silence for about three quarters of an hour when God just surrounded us. We had begun all of us postrate on our faces before Him but when we finished we were all lying on our backs just resting in Him. What a soaking in His presence!!! He spoke to us in many ways - pictures, words of prophecy, social interaction, prophetic acts as well as worship. We left feeling that it was the first visit of many to that place. AMEN!!! SO BE IT!!!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
A 'must read' book
This evening I spoke to my sister on the phone. She has recently stopped attending church services. Partway through the conversation she said that she had been loaned a book that is really speaking to her and helping her to realise that she isn't mad and that she's not the only one who is going through this change of attitude regarding church. Of course she did know this but we still need reassurance, even though we know. She started quoting from the book and I felt I had heard it before. Then she told me the title - Houses that Changed the World by Wolfgang Simson. I realised that I had come across this on two blogs recently -Sarah (see my links)wrote this near the end of September and Diane (also in my links) commented on it in October. This one is definitely going on my Christmas wish list.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Hallowed evening
I've just returned from being with a group of friends praying for our young people. Tonight, known as Halloween, a group of about 30 young people aged between 13 and 18 went around the various districts of our town Truth and Treating. Unlike most who do Trick or Treat, our young people instead of knocking and asking for a treat, actually give a treat with a Bible verse stuck on the wrapping - hence Truth and Treat. This, by the way, was their own idea!
This is their way of coming against Satan in the opposite spirit. A group of us met at church to pray for them while they were out. Others have a similar idea when children knock on their doors - they give a treat with a verse of truth.
Last year some young people from a neighbouring town came and joined our young people. This year, instead of coming here, they have gone around their own town doing Truth and Treat. We are praying that this will become bigger each year so that our town will be known not for 'Trick or Treat' and where children dress up as witches but will be recognised for 'Truth and Treat' where our children and young people are clothed with His Spirit. Why not suggest this in your church and your town for next year? Let the body of Christ rise up and declare the truth of His word.
This is their way of coming against Satan in the opposite spirit. A group of us met at church to pray for them while they were out. Others have a similar idea when children knock on their doors - they give a treat with a verse of truth.
Last year some young people from a neighbouring town came and joined our young people. This year, instead of coming here, they have gone around their own town doing Truth and Treat. We are praying that this will become bigger each year so that our town will be known not for 'Trick or Treat' and where children dress up as witches but will be recognised for 'Truth and Treat' where our children and young people are clothed with His Spirit. Why not suggest this in your church and your town for next year? Let the body of Christ rise up and declare the truth of His word.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Why didn't you do something?
Yesterday in the news we heard of Prince Charles's concerns about the environment and the future of our planet and said that he wouldn't like to hear his grandchildren ask him 'If you knew about this, why didn't you do something?' That stuck with me.
I, like many, are concerned at this time about the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill that the government is determined to make law. Recent news is that the House of Lords has rejected it as it stands and have made a number of amendments but the Home Office have said that they will not accept these amendments. It's just that sensing the possible outcome if this bill were to be made law, I would hate the future generations to look at me and ask 'Why didn't you do something?' For further information see www.christianconcernforournation.co.uk.
If the bill does becomes law then our freedom to express that Jesus is the ONLY way to God will be curtailed and there will be persecution if we try to defend our christian beliefs in public or try to evangelise. Some might think that this is a way of the Church being re-defined and that through persecution the real Body of Christ will come out of this. I just feel that I need to pray that God will be in control of this situation according to His will for our nation. That this nation will find and live out her God-given destiny in the world.
I, like many, are concerned at this time about the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill that the government is determined to make law. Recent news is that the House of Lords has rejected it as it stands and have made a number of amendments but the Home Office have said that they will not accept these amendments. It's just that sensing the possible outcome if this bill were to be made law, I would hate the future generations to look at me and ask 'Why didn't you do something?' For further information see www.christianconcernforournation.co.uk.
If the bill does becomes law then our freedom to express that Jesus is the ONLY way to God will be curtailed and there will be persecution if we try to defend our christian beliefs in public or try to evangelise. Some might think that this is a way of the Church being re-defined and that through persecution the real Body of Christ will come out of this. I just feel that I need to pray that God will be in control of this situation according to His will for our nation. That this nation will find and live out her God-given destiny in the world.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
I discovered the following while reading a church magazine today. Thought I would share it.
Disturb us, O Lord, when
We are too pleased with ourselves;
When our dreams have come true,
Because we dreamed too little.
We arrived safely,
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, O Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess,
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, O Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask you to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push us into the future
In strength, courage, hope and love.
We ask in the name of our Captain,
Who is Jesus.
Attributed to Sir Francis Drake, 1577
Disturb us, O Lord, when
We are too pleased with ourselves;
When our dreams have come true,
Because we dreamed too little.
We arrived safely,
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, O Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess,
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, O Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask you to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push us into the future
In strength, courage, hope and love.
We ask in the name of our Captain,
Who is Jesus.
Attributed to Sir Francis Drake, 1577
Monday, October 24, 2005
Mercy
I have been thinking a lot lately about God's mercy. He is so patient and merciful. As humans we are patient up to a point but when we tell someone the same thing over and over again, there comes a moment when we say, 'That's it. I'm not going to bother any more. What's the point, they don't listen anyway.' Yet God always seems to give us another chance, just in case this time we do listen.
Today we had friends for lunch and the conversation was about many who had left congregating with a set group of people in a set building but met God in other ways. We were commenting how many of them had tried to challenge the leadership on issues and practices within the church system and in the end felt that they had to leave so that they could explore other ways for themselves. It seemed that nothing would change the minds of those in 'authority' within the church set-up. The thing is that we realised as we were talking that just as one group of people left, another group seemed to take their place in challenging decisions made. Again the comment was that God is so merciful He never gives up on the chance that maybe this time they will listen to what He is saying to the churches.
This morning I read again something that I had read a few weeks ago:
Judgment + Love = Mercy, Patience and Forgiveness
We deserve His judgement but because He loves us what we do receive is mercy, patience and forgiveness. What a wonderful God!
Today we had friends for lunch and the conversation was about many who had left congregating with a set group of people in a set building but met God in other ways. We were commenting how many of them had tried to challenge the leadership on issues and practices within the church system and in the end felt that they had to leave so that they could explore other ways for themselves. It seemed that nothing would change the minds of those in 'authority' within the church set-up. The thing is that we realised as we were talking that just as one group of people left, another group seemed to take their place in challenging decisions made. Again the comment was that God is so merciful He never gives up on the chance that maybe this time they will listen to what He is saying to the churches.
This morning I read again something that I had read a few weeks ago:
Judgment + Love = Mercy, Patience and Forgiveness
We deserve His judgement but because He loves us what we do receive is mercy, patience and forgiveness. What a wonderful God!
Friday, October 14, 2005
His vision. Whose plans?
I was at a church meeting last evening and much of the conversation was about plans and objectives. Someone quoted the following from Rick Love:
Where there is no vision the people perish.
Where there is no plan, the vision perishes.
Where there are no resources, the plan perishes.
The first line is biblical - from the book of Proverbs (ch 29:18) but then the other two lines are added which are not in the Bible. To me it just seemed that we so often take God's vision and then apply OUR plans. We take the vision from Him, 'Thank you very much God for that lovely vision you gave us' and then do what we want with it.
Where there is no vision the people perish.
Where there is no plan, the vision perishes.
Where there are no resources, the plan perishes.
The first line is biblical - from the book of Proverbs (ch 29:18) but then the other two lines are added which are not in the Bible. To me it just seemed that we so often take God's vision and then apply OUR plans. We take the vision from Him, 'Thank you very much God for that lovely vision you gave us' and then do what we want with it.
Monday, October 10, 2005
He is in control
Recently our town football team has acquired footballers from South America. One of them speaks very little English. Someone who knows that I lived in Argentina for 10 years, phoned me a couple of weeks ago and asked me if I would be willing to help out. You know when you feel obliged to do something but at the same time have a sense of unease about it? - well that's how I felt. I agreed but then sort of hoped it would never happen. It wasn't the helping out that was a problem, it was more the sense of commitment that I wasn't happy with. I just sensed somehow that it wasn't something I should be taking on. So I said 'sorry' to God for agreeing to something I wasn't sure I should be doing and asked Him to please work things out for me. Today I received a phone call saying that my willingness to help was much appreciated but other arrangements for English lessons had been made with the local college. I know I shouldn't be, but I'm always amazed how God just seems to change situations.
New Caledonia, Longleat and the PC
On Saturday the four of us going to New Caledonia in April met up at the travel agent and after MUCH deliberation (3 hours, in fact)we eventually decided on the best dates, times and routes. As it is a flight-only journey it had to be paid for in total there and then and is non-refundable. There is no going back now. We all left feeling quite excited and looking forward to it. We will be meeting regularly to pray between now and April. Your prayers on our behalf will be most welcome.
Yesterday, Sunday was spent with friends looking around the huge Longleat estate. This trip was to see the things we missed the last time we were there - there is so much to see. The weather was really good for this time of year and it was good to catch up in person rather than by emails or blogs.
Since going on Broadband, I've been trying to get a wireless network set up so that I can use the PC while others in the house can play games online. We bought all the necessary equipment and as I couldn't figure out how to set it up, got a friend who does to come and do it for us. It seems that something was not set up correctly as we still cannot get the network up and running. I'm sure we'll get there in the end. Seems strange how a click or a digit in the wrong place can make all the difference and can be very frustrating. Couldn't help thinking this morning that God must feel a bit like that when He thought that His Church would do a job but it hasn't turned out the way He wanted!
Yesterday, Sunday was spent with friends looking around the huge Longleat estate. This trip was to see the things we missed the last time we were there - there is so much to see. The weather was really good for this time of year and it was good to catch up in person rather than by emails or blogs.
Since going on Broadband, I've been trying to get a wireless network set up so that I can use the PC while others in the house can play games online. We bought all the necessary equipment and as I couldn't figure out how to set it up, got a friend who does to come and do it for us. It seems that something was not set up correctly as we still cannot get the network up and running. I'm sure we'll get there in the end. Seems strange how a click or a digit in the wrong place can make all the difference and can be very frustrating. Couldn't help thinking this morning that God must feel a bit like that when He thought that His Church would do a job but it hasn't turned out the way He wanted!
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Confirmation, yet again!
My life at the moment is in a time of transition. I have felt God moving me on to do something completely different - to be involved with prayer teams travelling to different places to stand with and support people wherever God happens to send me. That means giving up the part time job I have at a charity shop, and as someone who is retired, the extra cash always comes in useful. You know with your mind that God is in control and has got everything planned but in your heart you can't help wondering just how this is going to work out in practice.
I am one of a group of four who are going to New Caledonia next April on just such a prayer mission and this Saturday we are meeting up at the travel agency to book and pay for our flight. I wasn't really concerned about the finances. I know God will provide and had already received prophetic words about this but what I still kept wondering was if I am really hearing God's voice telling me to do this or is this just something I quite fancy being part of. A couple of days ago I received a phone call from a couple who told me that God had told them to give me a (quite substantial) amount of money towards my flight - over 50% of the cost! After the initial shock I found myself saying to God 'You really DO want me to do this, don't You?' and I sensed God replying 'Yes, now just go and get on with it. How much more confirmation do you need?' I repented of keep asking for yet another form of confirmation and was grateful once again of His gracious patience with my doubting mind. Isn't He just awesome!
I am one of a group of four who are going to New Caledonia next April on just such a prayer mission and this Saturday we are meeting up at the travel agency to book and pay for our flight. I wasn't really concerned about the finances. I know God will provide and had already received prophetic words about this but what I still kept wondering was if I am really hearing God's voice telling me to do this or is this just something I quite fancy being part of. A couple of days ago I received a phone call from a couple who told me that God had told them to give me a (quite substantial) amount of money towards my flight - over 50% of the cost! After the initial shock I found myself saying to God 'You really DO want me to do this, don't You?' and I sensed God replying 'Yes, now just go and get on with it. How much more confirmation do you need?' I repented of keep asking for yet another form of confirmation and was grateful once again of His gracious patience with my doubting mind. Isn't He just awesome!
Sunday, September 25, 2005
World Prayer Centre
Was up at 4:30 this morning to go to Birmingham for the day to the World Prayer Centre training day. Just arrived back (10pm) a little tired. It was a day that made me feel at peace and confirmed that I was going in the right direction. Whereas before I felt an urge, a pulling in this direction, this seems to have shifted to another level. I now feel connected, as though I'm not now just on the fringe wondering what or where or when. But I feel more that I've arrived at the first stage of the journey and I am now part of it. Feels good!
Friday, September 23, 2005
A busy weekend
Tomorrow I'm off early to Birmingham to the World Prayer Centre for a training day for all who want to be in a prayer team with a view to travel in Britain and abroad. I did join 150 others in Scotland in July to pray for the G8 summit. For some time I've been sensing that this is the direction God wants me to take so I'm looking forward to tomorrow with an open mind and see where it leads.
I have been asked to speak at church on Sunday and the Bible reading and theme I have been given are right on the lines of some things that I have been sensing God saying to me over the past few weeks. This will be an opportunity to share these thoughts with the rest of the church. And it is a reminder that when God gives us something, it's not just for our own benefit.
Afterwards we have Diane, Ben and Tabi for lunch and a relaxed afternoon. Let's hope the weather is fine so we can go for a long walk.
I have been asked to speak at church on Sunday and the Bible reading and theme I have been given are right on the lines of some things that I have been sensing God saying to me over the past few weeks. This will be an opportunity to share these thoughts with the rest of the church. And it is a reminder that when God gives us something, it's not just for our own benefit.
Afterwards we have Diane, Ben and Tabi for lunch and a relaxed afternoon. Let's hope the weather is fine so we can go for a long walk.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Quite a while
I realise it's quite a while since I last posted anything on my blog. I have enjoyed some time on holiday and have now upgraded my PC to Broadband so plan to get back blogging soon.
I have just had my first instant chat online with Christ Hogben who is at the moment in Bethlehem. (Check out his link on this blogspot) I feel like a child at Christmas with a new toy. Isn't this technology stuff amazing!
I have just had my first instant chat online with Christ Hogben who is at the moment in Bethlehem. (Check out his link on this blogspot) I feel like a child at Christmas with a new toy. Isn't this technology stuff amazing!
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
A very good day!
Today being a Bank Holiday meant that we were free to do as we pleased. The weather was glorious (now there's a change for an English Bank Holiday Monday!) so my son and I decided to have a day out at the Swannery, about an hour's drive from home. We got there in time to see the hundreds of free-flying swans gather to be fed. What an amazing sight. Then we walked among the various pens where injured or young cygnets were cared for. There were other water birds also. It was a day of special events. We saw sheep shearing and two falconry displays. We had taken a packed lunch and just took our time walking and enjoying the different activities that were going on.
I am aware that this post is quite different from my previous one. In fact I had been tempted to delete the previous post. It seems quite negative and I thought doesn't show me in a very good light. But on reflection I decided to leave it. It reminds me of how fickle I am at times and how my feelings are influenced by the events that take place. I am so pleased that God is not like that and I wish I could be more like Him. He never changes and as my days can be so different, He is the only constant that I can depend on. That's why I can trust Him. He is always the same. He always has time for me and cares about me. He is just sheer pure love.
I am aware that this post is quite different from my previous one. In fact I had been tempted to delete the previous post. It seems quite negative and I thought doesn't show me in a very good light. But on reflection I decided to leave it. It reminds me of how fickle I am at times and how my feelings are influenced by the events that take place. I am so pleased that God is not like that and I wish I could be more like Him. He never changes and as my days can be so different, He is the only constant that I can depend on. That's why I can trust Him. He is always the same. He always has time for me and cares about me. He is just sheer pure love.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Not a good day!
I was woken up at 5.20 this morning by the phone ringing. The ensueing conversation went something like: 'Hello', 'Mrs Andradez?' 'Yes', 'You ordered a guinea pig', 'No, I didn't'. 'Yes, you did', 'No I didn't' 'Yes you did from ....'s pet store.', 'It's 20 past five in the morning and I'm asleep!'. 'No you're not. You're talking to me on the phone.' At which point I thought 'O, no I'm not' and put the phone down. Of course I couldn't get back to sleep after that so got up at about 6:30 and read a bit. Of course then I fell asleep in the chair!.
Later I did a load of washing and as it was dry and the sun looked as though it was going to appear, I hung them outside to dry. About 10 minutes later, it started to rain! So out I went to bring them all in again.
In the morning post I received a letter from our electricity provider asking for a meter reading so they could work out my future monthly payments. I got the reading and phoned them only to be put on hold. I listened to music and was interrupted every 30 seconds or so by a voice thanking me for my patience and assuring me that it wouldn't be long before an advisor would be able to take my call. After over 10 minutes of the same music and the same voice I hung up.
I thought I would try their website instead and switched on the computer only to be informed that an error had occurred and it all came up in 'Safe Mode'. So I waited, logged off and tried again. Couldn't contact them with the information they required via the PC so decided to click on my blog and write this instead!
I'm thinking of going back to bed and starting again. (It is now just after midday)
I wonder, did Jesus ever have days like this? WWJD??? I'm sure He would just smile (or maybe sigh a bit) and then get on with the things that really matter. But at this moment I really don't feel like doing that!
Later I did a load of washing and as it was dry and the sun looked as though it was going to appear, I hung them outside to dry. About 10 minutes later, it started to rain! So out I went to bring them all in again.
In the morning post I received a letter from our electricity provider asking for a meter reading so they could work out my future monthly payments. I got the reading and phoned them only to be put on hold. I listened to music and was interrupted every 30 seconds or so by a voice thanking me for my patience and assuring me that it wouldn't be long before an advisor would be able to take my call. After over 10 minutes of the same music and the same voice I hung up.
I thought I would try their website instead and switched on the computer only to be informed that an error had occurred and it all came up in 'Safe Mode'. So I waited, logged off and tried again. Couldn't contact them with the information they required via the PC so decided to click on my blog and write this instead!
I'm thinking of going back to bed and starting again. (It is now just after midday)
I wonder, did Jesus ever have days like this? WWJD??? I'm sure He would just smile (or maybe sigh a bit) and then get on with the things that really matter. But at this moment I really don't feel like doing that!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Bread or no bread!
This morning I thought I was really organised. (I can be sometimes!) I was going to be out all day so I prepared the bread maker, planning to have some cheese and onion bread to accompany our evening meal. I set the timer and out I went. When I arrived back home at about 5:30 I was greeted with the lovely smell. I opened the bread maker and to my horror discoverd that the bread looked just the same as when I had put it in the machine in the morning except the liquid in the base was now solid! I couldn't understand what had gone wrong. This had never happened before. Then I discovered on the work bench the kneading blade that I should have fixed in the mixer in order to knead the dough! Hence I came back to a floury mess that had cooked underneath but hadn't been kneaded. Yuk!!! I'm sure there is a lesson in here somewhere - having all the parts in the right place; even the small parts are important; nobody is perfect, etc. (Not to mention getting old and ga-ga!) You learn from your mistakes is the one that came to my mind.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Hugs and compasses
Yesterday I had a very in-depth and interesting conversation with someone about 'church' and where I'm at. It was not at all criticising in a negative way but was constructive and helpful. In the end we both came to the same conclusion and likened our situation to that of being a parent. Our children know the things that please us and when they want to make us happy they try to do the things that they know will please us. But as parents we know that there are those precious, intimate moments when they snuggle up and just want to be with us, sometimes whispering secrets in our ears and other times just relaxing. Those moments say far more than the 'good deeds'. In other situations we can all try to please those in authority but we don't have the same relationship with them. It's those precious moments of just being together that make the parent/child relationship so special and the bonding deepens.
As a church we can be so focussed on doing things that we think please God when God really wants to give us a big hug. There is nothing wrong per se with doing things for God and wanting to please Him but that in itself does not give us this special relationship as His children. This is true not just in private moments when we are on our own but it is important in our corporate setting. We don't come together as a church just to do things for God but to meet together corporately to be in His presence and deepen our intimacy with Him. If as a church we do not have these times then our relationship with God is simply as a person in authority and not Father.
I also had another picture - completely different. Our journey together as church is a bit like going on a journey guided by a compass. We can be facing in the direction we need to go but if our compass is only 1 degree off course then we will end up in a completely different place. We need to keep our focus fixed on God and as soon as we shift our focus, even ever so slightly to what we are doing, even if that is in the same direction, then that slightly out-of-focus attitude will mean that we end up somewhere where we really don't want to be and never really intended to be. 'Jesus be the centre'.
As a church we can be so focussed on doing things that we think please God when God really wants to give us a big hug. There is nothing wrong per se with doing things for God and wanting to please Him but that in itself does not give us this special relationship as His children. This is true not just in private moments when we are on our own but it is important in our corporate setting. We don't come together as a church just to do things for God but to meet together corporately to be in His presence and deepen our intimacy with Him. If as a church we do not have these times then our relationship with God is simply as a person in authority and not Father.
I also had another picture - completely different. Our journey together as church is a bit like going on a journey guided by a compass. We can be facing in the direction we need to go but if our compass is only 1 degree off course then we will end up in a completely different place. We need to keep our focus fixed on God and as soon as we shift our focus, even ever so slightly to what we are doing, even if that is in the same direction, then that slightly out-of-focus attitude will mean that we end up somewhere where we really don't want to be and never really intended to be. 'Jesus be the centre'.
Gracious confirmation
Isn't God just so gracious yet encouraging the way He nudges us in the right direction. Last week I was at a couple of the Family Fun days held at the church I go to. I had promised to go, not to participate and help with the children or activities but to go into a small room to pray all the time the event was taking place. I had been approached by one of the event organisers to ask God if there was a particular message He wanted to convey to someone who was present. I did this and did receive some words from God which I felt was appropriate for someone although I had no idea who.
Near the end of the morning I relayed to the organiser what I felt and was asked to write it down so that it could be read out at the end and invitations given for prayer. And so in due time it was read out but no-one knew that it was me who had given these words. At the time there was no response when the invitation was given that if anyone felt that if any of the words given were for them (there were more than just mine) they could go forward and be prayed with and helped in whatever way was appropriate. I felt a little disappointed and thought that maybe I had been wrong.
This week I met an acquaintance who had been at that gathering and she said that those words had been for her but she was really waiting for someone else to go forward. I then told her that it was I who had given those words believing that God wanted a specific person to hear that message. She answered 'Well it was me!' So we were able then to talk about what God had said and the implications for her life.
I was grateful that God, although He knew all along that that lady knew it was for her and accepted the message as from Him, He was also gracious enough to encourage me by letting me know that I had heard correctly. This just spurrs me on to want to be used more and more by God in this precious prayer ministry of intercession.
Near the end of the morning I relayed to the organiser what I felt and was asked to write it down so that it could be read out at the end and invitations given for prayer. And so in due time it was read out but no-one knew that it was me who had given these words. At the time there was no response when the invitation was given that if anyone felt that if any of the words given were for them (there were more than just mine) they could go forward and be prayed with and helped in whatever way was appropriate. I felt a little disappointed and thought that maybe I had been wrong.
This week I met an acquaintance who had been at that gathering and she said that those words had been for her but she was really waiting for someone else to go forward. I then told her that it was I who had given those words believing that God wanted a specific person to hear that message. She answered 'Well it was me!' So we were able then to talk about what God had said and the implications for her life.
I was grateful that God, although He knew all along that that lady knew it was for her and accepted the message as from Him, He was also gracious enough to encourage me by letting me know that I had heard correctly. This just spurrs me on to want to be used more and more by God in this precious prayer ministry of intercession.
Friday, August 12, 2005
There's nothing wrong with your shoes.
I was waiting today to meet up with a friend to have a coffee and a chat. I have lately been feeling a bit out of place (see post on Exiles) and was really asking God for a word of encouragement. While I was waiting for my friend a young mother passed with a small child. She kept stopping and touching her shoes as though she was trying to adjust them when her mother said, 'Just leave your shoes alone. There is nothing wrong with your shoes. Just keep walking.' I felt God say the same to me, 'There's nothing wrong with what you have. Just keep going.' I was really encouraged. Isn't God so amazing. He speaks when we least expect it.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
The God Chasers cont'd
Got up early this morning to finish reading Tommy Tenney's book 'The God Chasers' He goes on (among other things) to comment how often even in the 'new' charismatic churches, we spend so much time seeking after the gifts of God and not seeking His face. We are content and comfortable with the 'toys' (Tenney's word) that Father allows us to have but we don't spend time just sitting on His lap and looking into His face and knowing that deep, special relationship of Father and child. We ask for the 'things' but then stop there. And God who is always generous with His children gives us His gifts in abundance but so longs for us just to get close to Him and tell Him we love Him and allow Him to pick us up and embrace us.
This book is the best read I have had in some time. I couldn't put it down until I had read the last page. I want to be counted among the God chasers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
This book is the best read I have had in some time. I couldn't put it down until I had read the last page. I want to be counted among the God chasers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
The God Chasers
I have just started to read Tommy Tenney's book 'The God Chasers'. Just wanted to share three quotes.
1. Talking about people who don't want to go to church and don't call themselves Christians: 'You can't tell me they're not hungry for God when they wear crystals around their necks, lay down hundreds of dollars a day to listen to gurus, and call psychics to the tune of billions of dollars per year. They're hungry to hear from something that's beyond themsleves, something they are not hearing in the Church of today. The bottom line is that people are sick of church because the Church has been somewhat less than what the Book advertised! People want to connect with a higher power!'
2. 'We're like bakeries that are open, but have no bread. We just like the chit-chat that goes on around the cold ovens and empty shelves.'
3. 'I believe that God will literally destroy the Church as we know it if He has to so He can reach the cities. He is not in love with our imperfect versions of His perfect Church. He is only out to claim the house that God built. If our foul-smelling, man-made monstrocity stands in the way of what He wants to do, then He will move our junk pile aside to reach the hungry. His heart is to reach the lost, and if He spared not His own Son to save the lost, then He won't spare us either. We must move in agreement with what God wants to do.'
(Italics are as in the book)
Although it is now 7 years since this book was first published, it is well worth reading if you have not already done so. All that he says resounds deep within my spirit.
1. Talking about people who don't want to go to church and don't call themselves Christians: 'You can't tell me they're not hungry for God when they wear crystals around their necks, lay down hundreds of dollars a day to listen to gurus, and call psychics to the tune of billions of dollars per year. They're hungry to hear from something that's beyond themsleves, something they are not hearing in the Church of today. The bottom line is that people are sick of church because the Church has been somewhat less than what the Book advertised! People want to connect with a higher power!'
2. 'We're like bakeries that are open, but have no bread. We just like the chit-chat that goes on around the cold ovens and empty shelves.'
3. 'I believe that God will literally destroy the Church as we know it if He has to so He can reach the cities. He is not in love with our imperfect versions of His perfect Church. He is only out to claim the house that God built. If our foul-smelling, man-made monstrocity stands in the way of what He wants to do, then He will move our junk pile aside to reach the hungry. His heart is to reach the lost, and if He spared not His own Son to save the lost, then He won't spare us either. We must move in agreement with what God wants to do.'
(Italics are as in the book)
Although it is now 7 years since this book was first published, it is well worth reading if you have not already done so. All that he says resounds deep within my spirit.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Exiles
One of the friends I met up with the other day reminded me of a tape I had of some teaching by Martin Scott that he gave at the Target Europe Event in Portsmouth in April this year. This morning I listened to it again. His teaching was based on Ezekiel 24:15-21. He spoke of Ezekiel being in a place of exile and mourning not for his own loss but of the loss of the nation and the future generations. God was going to destroy the sanctuary in which the Israelites took so much pride. WOW!!
I guess that's why so many of us feel the way we do. It's like being in exile, in a foreign place feeling a bit lost and not quite knowing what to do or where to go. It would be so easy to think 'Wouldn't it be good to have things back the way they used to be?' and even praying that our church would have a revival so it would grow again. But it is not a time for hankering after the old ways but of mourning that we have had to come to this point of exile so God can reclaim His church. It's like having a great big ache deep inside, like mourning for a loved one. We have to accept that the old ways have gone and that God is wanting to make all things new. Sorry if this all seems a bit pessimistic but I guess I'm feeling like I'm in exile, not quite fitting in where I'm at, in a place I don't quite understand but knowing I'm going to a better place but don't know yet just when or how or what it will be like.
I guess that's why so many of us feel the way we do. It's like being in exile, in a foreign place feeling a bit lost and not quite knowing what to do or where to go. It would be so easy to think 'Wouldn't it be good to have things back the way they used to be?' and even praying that our church would have a revival so it would grow again. But it is not a time for hankering after the old ways but of mourning that we have had to come to this point of exile so God can reclaim His church. It's like having a great big ache deep inside, like mourning for a loved one. We have to accept that the old ways have gone and that God is wanting to make all things new. Sorry if this all seems a bit pessimistic but I guess I'm feeling like I'm in exile, not quite fitting in where I'm at, in a place I don't quite understand but knowing I'm going to a better place but don't know yet just when or how or what it will be like.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Being church
These past few days I have been able to catch up with some people I don't see much of and I've been able to spend some real quality time with them talking about God and what He's doing in our lives. 'Where two or three are gathered together in my name... '
This morning I read these word that have lingered with me all day so I thought I'd share them with you: 'Thank God that church is something you are part of when you get revelation that Jesus is the Christ, not a group or organisation you join.' It went on: 'Determine that you will encourage and pray for relevant new forms of the body of Christ to emerge in every sphere and area of society ...'
The thing is that old habits die hard as they say and so I still go to church on a Sunday morning when I can but going to the building is no longer a priority. The church of God is built with flesh and blood not bricks and mortar. For how many centuries have we called the building where we meet God's House? Yet the Bible tells us that WE are the temple of the living God. We only limit our own relationship with Him when we try to confine Him into our human structures. Death could not hold Him how much less can a building?
I thank God that He is showing me new ways of being His church and knowing that meeting with friends for a coffee and chat is as important as worshipping with others in a building on a Sunday morning.
This morning I read these word that have lingered with me all day so I thought I'd share them with you: 'Thank God that church is something you are part of when you get revelation that Jesus is the Christ, not a group or organisation you join.' It went on: 'Determine that you will encourage and pray for relevant new forms of the body of Christ to emerge in every sphere and area of society ...'
The thing is that old habits die hard as they say and so I still go to church on a Sunday morning when I can but going to the building is no longer a priority. The church of God is built with flesh and blood not bricks and mortar. For how many centuries have we called the building where we meet God's House? Yet the Bible tells us that WE are the temple of the living God. We only limit our own relationship with Him when we try to confine Him into our human structures. Death could not hold Him how much less can a building?
I thank God that He is showing me new ways of being His church and knowing that meeting with friends for a coffee and chat is as important as worshipping with others in a building on a Sunday morning.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Reactions
This morning I was walking in the town when a man passed me. He was wearing a denim jacket and on the back was a picture of a panther snarling and just beginning to pounce. When you looked at it, it appeared to be looking directly at you. My immediate reaction was to snarl back! But I managed to compose myself enough not to actually do it. But I did realise how quickly we sometimes react to things, almost automatically without thinking and then manage to hide our true feelings and reactions and appear something quite different. It made me think of Jesus' words about overcoming evil with good and coming in the opposite spirit. We make excuses about 'only being human', 'it's only natural' and 'anyone would'etc. We know we shouldn't and probably think we don't but how easy it is!
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Holiday
Since my last post I have been on holiday visiting my elder son in Cheshire. It was SO good to see him. The thing is that he works 2 days a week in London and 3 days from home in Cheshire. When he is in London he uses the Aldgate station as the bank where he works is just nearby. He was on 'that train' just 24 hours previous to the bombings on 'that station' at 'that time'. My heart goes out to the families of all those affected by the events of 07/07/05 but also in a big 'Thank You God' that my son was spared. If it had been only one day earlier ... ...
So you can understand why I say that it was SO good to see him last week. The weather was glorious all week and with my younger son we all enjoyed a lovely week of being relaxed and enjoying just being together. One day we visited Chester and walked all around the old boundary wall of the city that dates back to Roman times - very interesting reading all the plaques at various points along the wall that explained different events throughout the history of Chester. We discovered a wine shop in some vault-like cellars that date back hundreds of years (the cellars not the wine or the shop) You have to go down steps to get into the shop. So we just had to buy some wine to enjoy later back home.
My younger son and I arrived back in Yeovil on Sunday afternoon ready to go back to work on Monday - well, having to rather than ready to. And now three days on the week's holiday is just a memory, but a nice one.
So you can understand why I say that it was SO good to see him last week. The weather was glorious all week and with my younger son we all enjoyed a lovely week of being relaxed and enjoying just being together. One day we visited Chester and walked all around the old boundary wall of the city that dates back to Roman times - very interesting reading all the plaques at various points along the wall that explained different events throughout the history of Chester. We discovered a wine shop in some vault-like cellars that date back hundreds of years (the cellars not the wine or the shop) You have to go down steps to get into the shop. So we just had to buy some wine to enjoy later back home.
My younger son and I arrived back in Yeovil on Sunday afternoon ready to go back to work on Monday - well, having to rather than ready to. And now three days on the week's holiday is just a memory, but a nice one.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
More on G8
I have been trying to put into words some of the things that we experienced and prayed about. There was no written agenda or set discussions or talks. We just gathered and prayed into whatever we felt God was saying. That sounds terribly chaotic but in fact it wasn't. It was very corporate and we moved as one body. At one end of the marquee where we met, there was a table set for 10 people - each of those who would be at the summit (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, UN, EU, Japan, Russia and USA). At some point over the three days we prayed for each of these men as God led us and their relationships with each other. After the news of the Olympic bid going to London we prayed for humility of spirit and the destiny that God has for Britain in these next few years.
The next day brought news of the bombings in London. We prayed for a while about that but then realized that God had brought us to Scotland for a specific purpose and we sensed that the enemy was trying to deflect us from our purpose. So we left the situation in God's hands knowing that there would be others praying for that and we returned to pray for the summit at Gleneagles. Interestingly we received phone calls from others in other groups around Scotland who were also called to pray for the summit and they had experienced exactly the same. And so God's leading was confirmed.
We prayed much for Africa against a spirit of slavery and prayed for the release of the captives and a victory over the occult. We declared that it was a time that Africa would walk out from the tomb of darkness and being held in chains to a freedom in His light and take their place as light in the world.
We sent many arrows of prayer targetted on individuals, nations and situations and believe that God will accomplish what He led us to prayer about. Rereading this, it doesn't seem much but it is difficult to capture into words the whole spirit of the event. All I know is that God led us throughout and much has been accomplished in the spiritual realm. One word to summarize the whole thing - AWESOME.
The next day brought news of the bombings in London. We prayed for a while about that but then realized that God had brought us to Scotland for a specific purpose and we sensed that the enemy was trying to deflect us from our purpose. So we left the situation in God's hands knowing that there would be others praying for that and we returned to pray for the summit at Gleneagles. Interestingly we received phone calls from others in other groups around Scotland who were also called to pray for the summit and they had experienced exactly the same. And so God's leading was confirmed.
We prayed much for Africa against a spirit of slavery and prayed for the release of the captives and a victory over the occult. We declared that it was a time that Africa would walk out from the tomb of darkness and being held in chains to a freedom in His light and take their place as light in the world.
We sent many arrows of prayer targetted on individuals, nations and situations and believe that God will accomplish what He led us to prayer about. Rereading this, it doesn't seem much but it is difficult to capture into words the whole spirit of the event. All I know is that God led us throughout and much has been accomplished in the spiritual realm. One word to summarize the whole thing - AWESOME.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
G8
I have just arrived back (About midnight last night) from Gartmore, a village in Scotland, near Stirling and Gleneagles. There were about 120 of us who spent the three days of the G8 summit in prayer, worship and intercession. We were in the flight path of the helicopters as they arrived bringing the heads of state to the summit in Gleneagles. As we were praying we could hear them flying overhead. So we prayed them in and blessed them as they left again yesterday.
My head is still full of all sorts of emotions and thoughts about what went on there. I think overall was the overwhelming sense that God was in that place as sovereign ruler over all earthly authorities and so we worshipped Him and declared and sang many times over the three days: 'We are standing on holy ground, And I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in His presence on holy ground.' There was a real corporateness in the worship. Sometimes in church we each retreat into our own space with God and it is very intimate and personal but these three days have been totally corporate. All personal, local and even national issues and agendas were set aside. We were there on global territory interceding for the planet and so we were all together in one place with one accord.
Over the next few days I hope to share a little more of what went on in the prayer summit as God directs. For now I would like to say a big 'thank you' to all who were supporting us in prayer and upholding our families against any tactics the enemy might have to try to sabotage what we were about. I believe that much was accomplished in the spiritual realm.
In the words of a Godfrey Birtill song: 'YOU'RE STILL GOD!!!!' ALLELUIA!!
My head is still full of all sorts of emotions and thoughts about what went on there. I think overall was the overwhelming sense that God was in that place as sovereign ruler over all earthly authorities and so we worshipped Him and declared and sang many times over the three days: 'We are standing on holy ground, And I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in His presence on holy ground.' There was a real corporateness in the worship. Sometimes in church we each retreat into our own space with God and it is very intimate and personal but these three days have been totally corporate. All personal, local and even national issues and agendas were set aside. We were there on global territory interceding for the planet and so we were all together in one place with one accord.
Over the next few days I hope to share a little more of what went on in the prayer summit as God directs. For now I would like to say a big 'thank you' to all who were supporting us in prayer and upholding our families against any tactics the enemy might have to try to sabotage what we were about. I believe that much was accomplished in the spiritual realm.
In the words of a Godfrey Birtill song: 'YOU'RE STILL GOD!!!!' ALLELUIA!!
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
We see in part and we prophesy in part
I want to say 'thanks' to Vance and Diane for their comments on my previous post about my dream. I was going to respond the other day but changed my mind . Now after more comments I feel it's time to update the situation.
I am aware that Heidi is always saying that we all see in part and we prophesy in part. I guess that's why I posted it on my blog in the first place hoping that others would help to complete the picture. The thing is that lately I have been in the place of questioning 'do I go to church or do I not go?' I have been seriously questioning just why I go - a lot of it is to catch up with friends. I get so much more it seems out of meeting up with friends out of church and spending time together praying and worshipping and yet I feel that God is not giving me permission at this moment in time to not go to church. I accept that for many this is exactly what God is saying - that they must opt out of congregating in a 'church' building. As I have commented in previous posts, my son has also felt this but for me it's not so clear. I am concerned that in not going to church but needing connections with other like-minded people, we end up doing the same thing all over again. I guess that's how church started in the first place - people meeting together to worship and encourage each other - but got twisted somewhere along the way.
So when Diane commented that she was concerned not so much for those outside of the church but for those inside the church system who don't seem to know there is anything wrong. When I read that, I felt a stirring in my spirit. It was as if God was saying that is exactly what He meant by the dream - that I could see what was wrong and as a 'scout' (See Gaz's blogspot) I could and should be doing something about it. So thanks guys for all of you contributing and sharing the part that God gave you so that I can make more sense of the whole picture. For me the dream means that for the moment I need to continue in church with those I know, helping those who realize there is a problem with the way they are journeying and trying to point this out to the others who are either unaware or don't seem to think it is a problem or care about it. I also get a sense that when God really shakes the church system, as He is doing and will do more in the near future, then He needs people in place to help others to hang on to so they don't fall. It's not meeting together per se that's wrong but what we allow it to become with organisation, human plans and hierarchy systems.
I am aware that Heidi is always saying that we all see in part and we prophesy in part. I guess that's why I posted it on my blog in the first place hoping that others would help to complete the picture. The thing is that lately I have been in the place of questioning 'do I go to church or do I not go?' I have been seriously questioning just why I go - a lot of it is to catch up with friends. I get so much more it seems out of meeting up with friends out of church and spending time together praying and worshipping and yet I feel that God is not giving me permission at this moment in time to not go to church. I accept that for many this is exactly what God is saying - that they must opt out of congregating in a 'church' building. As I have commented in previous posts, my son has also felt this but for me it's not so clear. I am concerned that in not going to church but needing connections with other like-minded people, we end up doing the same thing all over again. I guess that's how church started in the first place - people meeting together to worship and encourage each other - but got twisted somewhere along the way.
So when Diane commented that she was concerned not so much for those outside of the church but for those inside the church system who don't seem to know there is anything wrong. When I read that, I felt a stirring in my spirit. It was as if God was saying that is exactly what He meant by the dream - that I could see what was wrong and as a 'scout' (See Gaz's blogspot) I could and should be doing something about it. So thanks guys for all of you contributing and sharing the part that God gave you so that I can make more sense of the whole picture. For me the dream means that for the moment I need to continue in church with those I know, helping those who realize there is a problem with the way they are journeying and trying to point this out to the others who are either unaware or don't seem to think it is a problem or care about it. I also get a sense that when God really shakes the church system, as He is doing and will do more in the near future, then He needs people in place to help others to hang on to so they don't fall. It's not meeting together per se that's wrong but what we allow it to become with organisation, human plans and hierarchy systems.
Monday, June 27, 2005
A dream
I shared with a friend a dream I had recently and she suggested putting it on my blog so here it is.
I was looking at the traffic that was going in the opposite direction to me - although I'm not sure if I was driving a vehicle or walking or just standing watching the traffic. I noticed that all the cars that passed on the opposite side of the road all had a flat tyre/puncture. The first car had a lady driver who was aware that she had a puncture and the tyre wasn't completely flat but she knew that she had to get to a safe place to stop and have it seen to. Then there was a young man driving past when suddenly his tyre blew and he veered off the road although wasn't hurt. Then behind him came another male driver who obviously had a flat tyre and he was well aware of this but took a couldn't-care-less attitude and continued resulting in the tyre being ripped to shreds and eventually being left without a tyre at all. He seemed to think it was a huge joke. I remember thinking 'What is happening? Why has everyone got punctures?'
I can make a spiritual correlation of the three different drivers and their vehicles but asked God exactly what this was all about. Is this just something general or does it refer to specific people? Up to this point I have no definite explanation. Has anyone else had dreams that they can't explain what has triggered them or if they having some special meaning? I would welcome any comment or feedback.
I was looking at the traffic that was going in the opposite direction to me - although I'm not sure if I was driving a vehicle or walking or just standing watching the traffic. I noticed that all the cars that passed on the opposite side of the road all had a flat tyre/puncture. The first car had a lady driver who was aware that she had a puncture and the tyre wasn't completely flat but she knew that she had to get to a safe place to stop and have it seen to. Then there was a young man driving past when suddenly his tyre blew and he veered off the road although wasn't hurt. Then behind him came another male driver who obviously had a flat tyre and he was well aware of this but took a couldn't-care-less attitude and continued resulting in the tyre being ripped to shreds and eventually being left without a tyre at all. He seemed to think it was a huge joke. I remember thinking 'What is happening? Why has everyone got punctures?'
I can make a spiritual correlation of the three different drivers and their vehicles but asked God exactly what this was all about. Is this just something general or does it refer to specific people? Up to this point I have no definite explanation. Has anyone else had dreams that they can't explain what has triggered them or if they having some special meaning? I would welcome any comment or feedback.
A Lovely Day
I mentioned in a previous post (Thursday) that today my younger son and I were going to spend the day together. We had lovely weather and so were able to enjoy a day walking and talking. We visited a nature reserve and were able to spend some time in a bird hide just watching the various water birds. There was a duck with 13 ducklings. Just as she was passing in front of the hide she stopped and looked at her little ones as though she was counting them. She then turned and started calling out loudly when another two appeared scuttling quickly to catch up. Then there was the pair of swans with their 6 offspring. When we left the hide and went to go near the water's edge one of the adults came nearer with some very loud noises warning us not to go any nearer - or else!
We watched different species of dragonflies - beautiful bright blues and greens. We then wandered through the wooded area just listening to the birds calling and answering each other. It was so peaceful and very enjoyable.
We then drove to the nearby village, looked around a ruined castle and had refreshments in a small tea shop. It was such a relaxing day. I think we will probably do it again some time. Thank you God for a lovely day enjoying your creation and having the time for deepening relationships.
We watched different species of dragonflies - beautiful bright blues and greens. We then wandered through the wooded area just listening to the birds calling and answering each other. It was so peaceful and very enjoyable.
We then drove to the nearby village, looked around a ruined castle and had refreshments in a small tea shop. It was such a relaxing day. I think we will probably do it again some time. Thank you God for a lovely day enjoying your creation and having the time for deepening relationships.
Friday, June 24, 2005
The thunderstorm
We were awakened at about 2:30 am by thunder. It wasn't a clap of thunder, it was a crashing sound so loud I thought something was being demolished. The lightening seemed to be none-stop and the rain was absolutely torrential. The storm continued into the morning. I couldn't help thinking about the old song 'Showers of blessings' and as I looked at the rain I thought 'No, I want a real downpour like we've never experienced before. I want to be drenched, absolutely soaked right through with the Holy Spirit and presence of God.'
My mind went to Boscastle and the flash floods of last year and the recent floods in Yorkshire. I did wonder where they would be reporting floods from this morning. I just prayed that as in the natural we are seeing the storms and floods, so in the spiritual the Body of Christ would experience the storms that shake us and wash us. This was not intentional but at this very moment I'm playing a Godfrey Birtill CD and the song he's singing is about flushing out:
You've lived the mercy
Now stand the responsibility
You've tasted the grace
Now eat me...
You've moved with anointing
Now walk with the character
You've followed the teaching
Now, follow me...
I've been waiting for you
Where have you been?
I've been calling for you
But you've been busy
I've been watching for you
To come and listen to me
Let me flush out this fatigue
Where are you going?
Can you hear me?
I'm flushing out, I'm flushing out, fatigue.
I'm flushing out, I'm flushing out disease.
I just want God to come in such power and an overwhelming whoosh of His Spirit to flush out His church and bring us back to what He wants us to be; that anything superficial and of human making will be washed out. That, of course like a big thunder storm, can sometimes be a bit scary. But oh, how I want that more than anything.
My mind went to Boscastle and the flash floods of last year and the recent floods in Yorkshire. I did wonder where they would be reporting floods from this morning. I just prayed that as in the natural we are seeing the storms and floods, so in the spiritual the Body of Christ would experience the storms that shake us and wash us. This was not intentional but at this very moment I'm playing a Godfrey Birtill CD and the song he's singing is about flushing out:
You've lived the mercy
Now stand the responsibility
You've tasted the grace
Now eat me...
You've moved with anointing
Now walk with the character
You've followed the teaching
Now, follow me...
I've been waiting for you
Where have you been?
I've been calling for you
But you've been busy
I've been watching for you
To come and listen to me
Let me flush out this fatigue
Where are you going?
Can you hear me?
I'm flushing out, I'm flushing out, fatigue.
I'm flushing out, I'm flushing out disease.
I just want God to come in such power and an overwhelming whoosh of His Spirit to flush out His church and bring us back to what He wants us to be; that anything superficial and of human making will be washed out. That, of course like a big thunder storm, can sometimes be a bit scary. But oh, how I want that more than anything.
I've been meaning to write something for days but somehow never got round to it, never seemed to have the time. That in itself is a rather strange expression. After all I've had the same time as everyone else - 24 hours in a day! I guess I need to recheck just what I'm filling my 24 hours with.
In a recent post I mentioned about my son who was thinking of going to a new church in our area. This week, after much time spent in deep thought and conversation with God, he announced that he wasn't going to go to any church at all. In fact he thought that he probably wouldn't go back to any church ever! He finds the worship a bit boring and the talks too long. He would just rather hang out with people chatting about God and stuff. Part of me responded a very definite 'YES!' but my concern is that it can be so easy for those who opt out of 'church' to eventually not have any deep and meaningful conversations with other like-minded christians. But I often recall a young man who spoke at the Target Europe conference in Portsmouth in April and he asked, pleaded with our generation to please not make the up and coming generation try to fit into the church system that we have come to reject. So I listened. After all I know a number of people who have opted out of church and they are spiritually very healthy.
The interesting thing though is that he was really concerned about just how he would use his tithe. 'That is God's so if I don't give it to a church, then who will I give it to?' Then we had another long discussion about various options for him to think about. It was well worth having a very late dinner that day. That conversation was so important.
This Sunday we have decided (weather permitting) to go out for the day and just enjoy God in the natural world and really talk to each other. I'm praying for a fine day - weather-wise too.
In a recent post I mentioned about my son who was thinking of going to a new church in our area. This week, after much time spent in deep thought and conversation with God, he announced that he wasn't going to go to any church at all. In fact he thought that he probably wouldn't go back to any church ever! He finds the worship a bit boring and the talks too long. He would just rather hang out with people chatting about God and stuff. Part of me responded a very definite 'YES!' but my concern is that it can be so easy for those who opt out of 'church' to eventually not have any deep and meaningful conversations with other like-minded christians. But I often recall a young man who spoke at the Target Europe conference in Portsmouth in April and he asked, pleaded with our generation to please not make the up and coming generation try to fit into the church system that we have come to reject. So I listened. After all I know a number of people who have opted out of church and they are spiritually very healthy.
The interesting thing though is that he was really concerned about just how he would use his tithe. 'That is God's so if I don't give it to a church, then who will I give it to?' Then we had another long discussion about various options for him to think about. It was well worth having a very late dinner that day. That conversation was so important.
This Sunday we have decided (weather permitting) to go out for the day and just enjoy God in the natural world and really talk to each other. I'm praying for a fine day - weather-wise too.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Why classical music?
I am awakened in a morning to the sounds of Radio 2. I lie for a couple of minutes to listen to 'Pause for Thought' This is always followed by some droning, quiet classical music. Don't get me wrong - I like classical music - but why do we connect subdued music with anything faintly religious? It seems again that we have confined anything relating to God in a particular box that suggests to most people something boring and from the past. I would love to hear such comments followed by Bono, Cliff Richard or Hillsong. This would at least make the thoughts seem relevant to today.
School and friends
A lot seems to have happened in this past week since I last posted something. I'm sure it would be very tedious for anyone reading if I tell you all the things that are going on. So I'll share two things stand out in my mind.
The first is when I went with a friend to meet her young 5 year old from school. On the way out I noticed that none of the children were carrying their bags. The parents had automatically taken their lunch boxes, books, jackets or whatever else they had and carried them for the children while they ran off to play. Thinking of what a lot of people have been considering lately about church and leadership (check especially my link to Sarah's blog) and discussions I had with friends yesterday, I think that sometimes we do that to our spiritual children. Instead of allowing them to take responsibility for things we say in effect 'Here I'll take that for you, don't worry'. It's not that we shouldn't be sharing their load but we do them no favours when we just take over what is really their responsibility and what God has asked them to carry. We should be there to support but not to do everything for them. When we do that we make sure they remain children and dependant on us - not God's will at all, rather fulfilling our sense of being needed.
The other thing that has had an impression on me is the time I had yesterday with friends at the South West Emerge gathering with Heidi and Gaz. It is some time since we met and it was really good to realize how much our friendships had deepened. A few of us communicate regularly by email or blogspots but again we were aware of the danger of just becoming another group of people meeting to plan and organise what we are doing for God - another 'holy huddle'. We did have some time of very deep thinking about where we are going with the whole SouthWest Emerge thing, not wanting to make it a movement with a leader while we just follow what she says we should do. That would be so easy but not right. May God keep us from just repeating the mistakes of history and falling into the same trap again and again. Saying 'NO' to the system we now call church leaves a space that needs to be filled. We need to ask God where He wants to take us, what He wants to put in that space so that we don't just start organising another form of the same thing that we have just said 'NO' to. That's where I'm at, along with a number of others - on an exciting adventure with God to somewhere I've never been before. He's so much bigger than the system we've tried to build around Him and I'm discovering more each day.
The first is when I went with a friend to meet her young 5 year old from school. On the way out I noticed that none of the children were carrying their bags. The parents had automatically taken their lunch boxes, books, jackets or whatever else they had and carried them for the children while they ran off to play. Thinking of what a lot of people have been considering lately about church and leadership (check especially my link to Sarah's blog) and discussions I had with friends yesterday, I think that sometimes we do that to our spiritual children. Instead of allowing them to take responsibility for things we say in effect 'Here I'll take that for you, don't worry'. It's not that we shouldn't be sharing their load but we do them no favours when we just take over what is really their responsibility and what God has asked them to carry. We should be there to support but not to do everything for them. When we do that we make sure they remain children and dependant on us - not God's will at all, rather fulfilling our sense of being needed.
The other thing that has had an impression on me is the time I had yesterday with friends at the South West Emerge gathering with Heidi and Gaz. It is some time since we met and it was really good to realize how much our friendships had deepened. A few of us communicate regularly by email or blogspots but again we were aware of the danger of just becoming another group of people meeting to plan and organise what we are doing for God - another 'holy huddle'. We did have some time of very deep thinking about where we are going with the whole SouthWest Emerge thing, not wanting to make it a movement with a leader while we just follow what she says we should do. That would be so easy but not right. May God keep us from just repeating the mistakes of history and falling into the same trap again and again. Saying 'NO' to the system we now call church leaves a space that needs to be filled. We need to ask God where He wants to take us, what He wants to put in that space so that we don't just start organising another form of the same thing that we have just said 'NO' to. That's where I'm at, along with a number of others - on an exciting adventure with God to somewhere I've never been before. He's so much bigger than the system we've tried to build around Him and I'm discovering more each day.
Monday, June 06, 2005
What is church?
It seems that God is challenging many of us into questioning just what church really is. What do we think of when we talk about church?
One of my sons recently went to a church that had just started to have meetings on our estate. He went along to a small group meeting midweek along with others, in order to chat about what the church stands for, believes etc. It is good that no-one is expected to join the church without knowing exactly where it stands on important issues of faith.
All very biblical in what they said about their beliefs in God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What he had reservations about, and I agree with him, is that they state,'we cannot see in scripture justification for not being committed to one local church,' and later in the introductory leaflet it says, 'God has a plan for our lives and we believe it is worked out through a local church. ... ... there is no alternative to being committed to one local church. Through her we are trained, supported, taught and released to serve in ministries. ... ... Being committed to the Church means you must decide which local Church is for you, how you can serve those in that church and use your talents, gifts and resources to see that church reach its full potential.'
I understand that they are urging people to not flit from one congregation to another but it does seem that the emphasis in on serving the church - i.e. a certain group of people and their activities - and not serving God in whatever way He is asking us to do so. So many seem to think that the only way to do God's will and carry the gospel message and make a difference in our communities is through church activities and groups. We must never forget that God was before churches came into being and He is so much bigger than any church or organisation or system of doing things.
I have lately read some very interesting blogspots about people who have been taking the gospel to the lost around the world through Jesus freaks and on bicycles without any church organisation being involved. They are simply followers of Jesus with a heart for the lost. Please don't let's keep God safely in a box that we open from time to time to look at Him. He's so much bigger than that. In fact He actually made the box in the first place!
One of my sons recently went to a church that had just started to have meetings on our estate. He went along to a small group meeting midweek along with others, in order to chat about what the church stands for, believes etc. It is good that no-one is expected to join the church without knowing exactly where it stands on important issues of faith.
All very biblical in what they said about their beliefs in God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What he had reservations about, and I agree with him, is that they state,'we cannot see in scripture justification for not being committed to one local church,' and later in the introductory leaflet it says, 'God has a plan for our lives and we believe it is worked out through a local church. ... ... there is no alternative to being committed to one local church. Through her we are trained, supported, taught and released to serve in ministries. ... ... Being committed to the Church means you must decide which local Church is for you, how you can serve those in that church and use your talents, gifts and resources to see that church reach its full potential.'
I understand that they are urging people to not flit from one congregation to another but it does seem that the emphasis in on serving the church - i.e. a certain group of people and their activities - and not serving God in whatever way He is asking us to do so. So many seem to think that the only way to do God's will and carry the gospel message and make a difference in our communities is through church activities and groups. We must never forget that God was before churches came into being and He is so much bigger than any church or organisation or system of doing things.
I have lately read some very interesting blogspots about people who have been taking the gospel to the lost around the world through Jesus freaks and on bicycles without any church organisation being involved. They are simply followers of Jesus with a heart for the lost. Please don't let's keep God safely in a box that we open from time to time to look at Him. He's so much bigger than that. In fact He actually made the box in the first place!
Saturday, May 28, 2005
God's timing
Isn't God's timing just amazing!
Over the past few days I have been considering various options of going to events in different parts of the world. For various reasons - confusion in communication, lack of planning time, distance and difficulty in getting to the place - I decided not to go to any. I had been feeling very negative and confused as to what God was really saying and wanting me to do. You know the feeling - one minute you're so sure and the next it all goes pear- shaped and nothing seems to come right. I really felt that I should go to the conference on prayer and worship in Stirling in Scotland in July ahead of the G8 summit. Yesterday I had decided that I would probably go but this morning thought 'What's the point? Would it matter to anybody whether I went or not? Who cares anyway? What difference would it make if I were there or not?' and so on. (This I might add is not my usual way of thinking) In the end I just said 'God, if you want me to go then you'll have to tell me clearly.' and then got on with other things.
Then I discovered Vance's blog through Heidi's - he commented on her last post. He is another connection I have made through South West Emerge. So I thought I would look him up. His post said that to walk in the Spirit we need to use physical legs and that there are places we need to go and declarations we need to make. When I read that I felt as though God had just zapped me. So guess where I'll be in July.
The thing about God's timing is that Vance wrote that 2 days ago but I only read it this morning after saying to God that I needed Him to speak clearly to me. I have now added Vance's blogspot to my links. Thanks Vance but more 'Thank you God for the incredible ways You have of communicating what I need to hear just when I need it. You are amazing!!!'
Over the past few days I have been considering various options of going to events in different parts of the world. For various reasons - confusion in communication, lack of planning time, distance and difficulty in getting to the place - I decided not to go to any. I had been feeling very negative and confused as to what God was really saying and wanting me to do. You know the feeling - one minute you're so sure and the next it all goes pear- shaped and nothing seems to come right. I really felt that I should go to the conference on prayer and worship in Stirling in Scotland in July ahead of the G8 summit. Yesterday I had decided that I would probably go but this morning thought 'What's the point? Would it matter to anybody whether I went or not? Who cares anyway? What difference would it make if I were there or not?' and so on. (This I might add is not my usual way of thinking) In the end I just said 'God, if you want me to go then you'll have to tell me clearly.' and then got on with other things.
Then I discovered Vance's blog through Heidi's - he commented on her last post. He is another connection I have made through South West Emerge. So I thought I would look him up. His post said that to walk in the Spirit we need to use physical legs and that there are places we need to go and declarations we need to make. When I read that I felt as though God had just zapped me. So guess where I'll be in July.
The thing about God's timing is that Vance wrote that 2 days ago but I only read it this morning after saying to God that I needed Him to speak clearly to me. I have now added Vance's blogspot to my links. Thanks Vance but more 'Thank you God for the incredible ways You have of communicating what I need to hear just when I need it. You are amazing!!!'
Monday, May 23, 2005
Holiday
I have just returned from enjoying a week's holiday near Torquay. Although I try not to take too many clothes I feel as though I've been doing nothing but wash clothes since arriving back. After only a week there seems to be so much to catch up with - shopping, washing, reading mail and emails and responding etc. The other thing that struck me is how easy it is to be less disciplined with God when on holiday. Somehow there doesn't seem to be the same time set aside for reading His word or spending time with Him. I have had a real sense today of a need to catch up on some real quality time with Him. It reminds me of a little girl I knew many years ago - the daughter of missionaries. Their home was next to the hall where they used to meet and when they went on holiday she turned around and looked at the house and said 'Bye God'. It's not that I haven't been reading the Bible or praying and I have had opportunities to appreciate God in other ways - in the beauty of His creation and time to relax. But somehow time was always occupied with doing other things or going somewhere. I did enjoy my week but it's nice to be back home and while the washer has been working overtime I've been able to enjoy listening to Godfrey Birtill on CD and worship with him.
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