Back in the garden

I have been so wanting lately to get back out into the garden.  There is so much I want to do so I was really happy when this afternoon I was able to sort out some plants and bulbs.  For about 2 hours the sun actually shone.  I had received from friends for my birthday a couple of lovely pots with plants for the patio and so this afternoon I was finally able to put them out and also to pot some other bulbs and plants ready to be transplanted in the garden at a later date when they have become more established.  There were irises, lily of the valley, red hot pokers, anemones and a few others. Hopefully in another few months the garden will be transformed in a blaze of colour.  I was just about finished when ... surprise, surprise, it started to rain ... again!  Never mind, I was very pleased with what I had managed to get done in the short space of time.

I am always amazed how the spring bulbs keep on growing despite the bad weather.  These are some daffs and narcissus that I planted last autumn.  All through the winter time, the place looks so desolate and barren and yet, seemingly out of nowhere, there is life.  I need to be reminded often that in times of waiting when apparently nothing is happening and all seems dead and lost, there are great changes going on in the dark, deep places.  It seems that more often than not, the miracles happen away from the glare of publicity, in the secret places.  The waiting and the coping with the darkness and cold storms of winter are necessary for the new life to flourish.  The barren times of waiting can be very hard but thank you Lord that spring is just around the corner!

What plans?

It's been one of those weird days. Normally on a Thursday morning I meet up with my sister and we spend the morning together. Sometimes we go shopping and sometimes just sit and drink coffee and chat about anything and everything, putting the world to rights. A couple of days ago she phoned to say we would have to give it a miss this week as something else had cropped up. So now I had a morning I could do something else.

I had received a number of gift cards for my recent birthday so thought it would be a good idea to go into town and see what I could buy and spoil myself. Then I would come home and sort out a couple of big pots I had also received from friends for the patio. I would go into town first as I needed to be home this afternoon to receive a delivery from the local farmers.

I awoke early with my mind set for the day. I had my plan and was waiting for my son to leave for work and then I would get in motion. NOT, as it happens! My son came downstairs hardly able to speak, croaking that he really felt he should take the day off work as he felt really poorly. So I made him a hot honey and lemon drink and he went back to bed. I suppose I could have gone out and left him but thought it better if I hung around and made him his hot drinks. He slept all day but thankfully by teatime he was feeling much better and got up in time to eat. Apparently they are typical symptoms of so called 'man flu' - go to bed and have everyone feeling sorry for you, sleep most of the day and get up when the food is ready! (Only joking - he really did look rough this morning)

So this morning I pottered around hoping to get into the garden to sort out my new pots for the patio - but as it was wet and miserable all day, that didn't happen either. Never mind I had a very chilled out day which I enjoyed to the point that after a spot of lunch I began drifting off in my very comfortable recliner when suddenly the door bell went bringing me back to reality. It was the delivery from the local farmers - the only part of the planned day that actually happened.

What are my plans for tomorrow? I'll wait til tomorrow and see what happens.

Value and purpose

This morning the TV presenter was interviewing a well known celebrity about a documentary programme he was involved in about physics. What may not be well known is that the well known comedian is qualified in quantum physics. It seems a long way from what he is more readily recognised for. In the interview he said that preparing the programme made him feel that his life had purpose again.

I know what he means but began thinking how we evaluate people by the jobs they do. I guess that in an evening after a day's work, when we just want to relax and escape the drudgery of life for a while, we may prefer to listen to a comedian than a scientist (depending on what you like of course) But being able to relax and smile is important in life and those who dedicate their lives to helping us achieve this I feel are doing a very worthwhile job.

How often I have been introduced to someone firstly by their name and quickly followed by their profession or trade/job skill. I once heard that someone had commented on an undergraduate's choice of boyfriend as 'Could she not have done better for herself? He 's only a ... ... ' I know that some jobs are vitally important but how often we value people wrongly because of what they do at work. Teachers are very important but so also is the dinner lady or the person who helps in the playground. For children travelling to school, the lollipop man/woman is so important. And surgeons would be lost without the after care nurses, hospital cleaners and porters and admin staff. Over the bad weather we have come to realise our need for the refuse collectors when they have been unable to collect down some streets. And so I could go on ... ... How often, even in Christian circles, do we see those who have some social clout being welcomed and fussed over more than the sole parent struggling to cope with life.

On a personal level, my two sons are so different in that one is very academic while the other struggled to finish school. He went because he had to but was so relieved when he could leave. One will always be paid more than the other and so will always have financial standing and status in society. As a mother and knowing how both worked as hard as each other - in fact I would say that at school the one who struggled applied himself more than the other - but the so called rewards in life being so different, I can't help feeling that life just isn't fair and that we judge people wrongly and put more importance onto things that in God's whole scheme of things are not that important. I pray that I will see people through God's eyes and accept that whatever they do, they have an important contribution to make to those around them. Looking at what the high fliers of the financial world have done to the world's economy, I would lean towards valuing the cleaners and lowly workers more. But that's another blog - maybe.

Perspective

A perspective is basically what you see from where you're standing. In art it is drawing in 2 dimensions in such a way as to see depth and distance. Of course your persepective can change depending on where you are standing.

I remember when I first passed my driving test and got my full licence - too many years ago to think about! But my license said that it expires in January 2011 when I reach a certain age. At the time I remember thinking, 'Well why on earth will I want to be driving at that age anyway?' A few weeks ago I received a letter from the Driving License Centre reminding me that my license was due to expire and that if I wanted to renew it for another 3 years then I needed to fill in the necessary form and sent it back to their office for confirmation. It's strange how my perspective has changed! Of course I want to renew and extend my license.

As a young woman, I could not have imagined how I would feel as the years progressed and held certain opinions about many things, not just about driving. But life is a great teacher and I have learnt many lessons. I have changed my perspective, point of view, outlook on a number of issues. How often do we hear people say that they have changed their minds about certain issues or that they don't think or believe certain things any more or they now do things differently.

I may elaborate on some of my own changes of opinion in future blogs but for now suffice to say that I have learnt to be less dogmatic and more tolerant because I know that over the years I myself have changed.

New house, new start

I have been thinking lately that I should start blogging again. It is now over 3 years since I last posted something here. Since then we eventually moved house in May 2009. We have done quite a bit of work on the house since moving in and are now tackling the garden. So here goes - new year, new house, new start.

A new year comes with the natural looking back and looking forward. Some friends have been talking about their 'to do lists' for the year ahead. I guess that at my age I don't really want to have a long list and feel pressurised into completing it. I may not be as quick and agile as I once was but there are things I would like to do and places I would like to visit. These past 3 years have been a time of waiting and now in this new year I have a sense that things may start to move again so who knows what this year holds - only God. And I just want to journey with Him and go where He wants me to and connect with those whom He has prepared for me to share this part of my journey with. I wonder what surprises He has prepared for me. I have a feeling that it's going to look different from anything I've experienced before. So here's looking forward to 2011.

The end of a season

I have, after quite a bit of thought, come to a decision. I believe that there are seasons in our lives and every season comes to an end. I have decided not to blog any more. I think it was beginning to take up quite a bit of time that really I felt I should be giving to other things. It is so easy to browse and browse and browse and in the end, spend more time than I intended. So today I am writing this as my last entry. This for me is the end of blogging - at least for some time.

Christian politics

I have just been watching the evening news. A statue of Nelson Mandela has been erected in Parliament Square in London and the man himself was there to see the unveiling. Certainly he is a man of politics with a difference.

After spending almost 3 decades in prison because he believed that everyone should have the same rights regardless of the colour of their skin, we all know how he was released and subsequently became the leader of South Africa. When I think of all he must have endured in those years of imprisonment, his political life after release is all the more amazing.

Instead of reprisal and revenge, he introduced strategies of reconciliation.

He is a man of absolute integrity in everything he does.

He is forthright, not mincing his words, but does not choose words in order to deceive, score political points against rivals or give an incorrect impression.

He doesn't lie but speaks the truth, even if it isn't popular.

He is approachable.

I tried to think of other political figures both in the UK and in other countries and tried to imagine them with those characteristics. Quite difficult - even for those politicians who claim to be Christians. Some would say that in politics, you can't display your own faith publicly and you cannot always live according to Biblical standards. There are other faiths to consider. It would appear that Nelson Mandela managed to do a pretty good job! What if ... ... all 'Christian' countries had leaders who really lived the Jesus way, then we would really make a difference for good in the world.

Blair Wingo

I recently listened to a powerful video I found on Sarah Rooney's blog. Click on the link to her blog and then on the video of Blair Wingo - Poet Missionary. I found it very thought provoking.

The changing shape of church

I've been doing a bit of browsing on the internet this afternoon.

A recent post on Martin Scott's blog tells of a research that suggests there are 111 million Christians outside of local church. The question asked is, 'Are they all in rebellion - or is there a (God) movement taking place?' Martin Scott is a very respected prophetic voice and he suggests a number of books on the subject. You can read his post by clicking on my links and on his blog for the post 'Books - or an excuse to ramble'.

I have also read how the church in China is sending out thousands of missionaries in twos to Muslim countries. And a report by Chris Mitchell on

CBN news

tells of hundreds of thousands of Muslims accepting Christ. You can click on the link to watch a video of the report. Many come to know Jesus through the internet and others have had dreams about Jesus.

Another website I like is http://www.god.tv/ It was founded by Rory and Wendy Alec.

The shape of church is changing!

Time for a smile

I read these in the August edition of Inspire Magazine. they made me smile so I thought I'd share a few with you. Hope you enjoy them.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

A backward poet writes inverse.

In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.

With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.

The guy who fell on an upholstery machine was fully recovered.

You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

A plateau is a high form of flattery.

When she saw her first strands of grey hair, she thought she'd dye.

NOT Sold

This afternoon I received a phone call from our estate agent to say that the investor who was buying our flat has pulled out. So now we have to put it back on the market and hope it sells quickly or we may lose the house that we were hoping to buy. We put an offer in and it was accepted but if the owners think they have to wait longer they may decide to sell it to someone else. Again we trust that God will work all things out according to His purposes. There are moments when things get taken out of our control and we just have to trust Him. It's being in a place of 'not knowing' that can be difficult. We don't know if we'll be able to sell quickly. We don't know if the house we want will eventually be ours or if we will need to look for something else. It's as if life has been put on hold - a sort of suspended animation. Like I'm holding my breath and don't know when I can breath out.

Encouraged

I was truly blessed this morning by something I heard at church. A young Church of England vicar has recently been assigned to Yeovil with a remit to investigate new ways of being church in the 21st century. He came to share with us this morning something of his heart for our town. Town plans are to build many new homes in the next few years creating 3 new housing estates. Then David (the young vicar - Rev David Keen) posed the question about what we as the Body of Christ will be doing about the situation. Will we just stay where we are and suggest people travel into town to congregate with us or are we going to move out into the new estates?

I was greatly encouraged when he then went on to say that yesterday he and other church leaders from a number of churches in the town had met together and had agreed about working together on the issue. (Leaders of different denominatins actually agreeing to really work together in a non-denominational way? That's a good place to start!) They want to see people from across the churches working together in the new estates to find out particular needs and finding solutions to those needs. Not to build a church building, but to meet peoples' needs. It's not about them coming to a church building. It's about us being with them where they are in the community.

He also continued saying that all the leaders agreed that they shouldn't be planning too far ahead but seeking God's guidance in what HE wants to be done, when and how. We really need to pray that the enemy will not be allowed to thwart this vision or try to creep in with human plans and projects but it will indeed be Heaven to Earth directed. You can click on David's blog to find out more about him. I went home greatly encouraged.

An Inconvenient Truth

Yesterday I sat and watched the documentary film by Al Gore 'An Inconvenient Truth'. It is truly convincing the scientific data that he comes up with. I was already convinced of the reality of Global Warming and the effect of CO2 emissions but if I hadn't been then this film would have persuaded me. It is a 'must see' for anyone and everyone who cares at all about this planet. He doesn't just tell us the problem but also a solution that is possible for each one of us to live out in our everyday lives. We can each and all make a difference.

My niece has just given birth to a daughter and I don't want in the future for her to look at me and ask 'Why didn't you do something?' You can find out more by clicking on

An Inconvenient Truth

Sold

This afternoon we sold our flat, after being on the market for less than a week! When God moves He doesn't hang about! So now it's all systems go to find somewhere for us to live. They say that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences in one's life. But when God gets moving you don't have time to get stressed. I must admit that I haven't felt stressed. I reckon that if this is God's idea then why should I worry - He'll have it sorted.

An evening with Godfrey Birtill

I have just returned from a wonderful evening worshipping with Godfrey Birtill. Right at the start he said that our churches need to be delivered from 'lovely times of worship'. He referred to Paul and Silas in prison when they began to worship God and sing His praises. Then the earth trembled and the gates were opened. The jail keeper was so afraid he wanted to commit suicide. We know how the rest of the story tells us how he and his whole family came to accept Christ as Saviour. Godfrey with a smile commented, 'I don't think Paul and Silas went on their way that night saying, "Well that was a lovely time of worship!"'

So much of our worship is just singing 'nice songs' and wanting a kind of 'feel good' factor. It can so often be only about us and what we like and how we feel. For Paul and Silas, worship was about shaking the foundations of strongholds and opening the gates to let in God's power.

We spent the next 2 hours really worshipping. I reckon some foundations of enemy strongholds were shaken tonight.

For Sale

Today the estate agent came to write down particulars about the flat and to take photos. After he had finished, up went the board outside. The other board is for our neighbour who is also selling - but his has only one bedroom while ours has two. So now we are officially selling our home and only hope that it won't take too long before someone wants to buy it - and we can move to wherever God has prepared for us. Exciting but a bit scary. I guess it's all in His hands and in His timing.

Prayer for your town/city

Yesterday I read an article in the April-June edition of Prayer magazine about Rev. Jerry Bowers for the US. He spent the first part of 2007 in the UK. He has a heart for unity among churches and corporate prayer. He says:

We add prayer to the programme of the Church, but we really should be adding Church to the importance of prayer. Jesus Christ said, "My house shall be a House of Prayer".

Pastors, you are not called to your congregation but you are called to your city. Jesus Christ will hold you accountable for your city. For you to see change in your city, you must pray with other pastors.'

You can find out more about Prayer magazine by clicking on my list of links.

Busy

I haven't blogged for a while. I've been busy travelling to Birmingham for prayer days at the World Prayer Centre. We are also hoping to move house so I have been cleaning, sorting and decluttering to get the house in order. It's amazing just how much stuff we hoard! Last week we had a consultation with a financial advisor to discuss our financial state. We have now had 2 evaluations on our present property and hoping for another on Monday. Then we'll decide which Estate Agent will sell our apartment. We feel that all this is in God's timing so we are trusting Him for our new home.

Marc's blog

Marc van der Woude has a quote from Brother Andrew on his blog. It says:

If your vision doesn't scare you,

then both your vision and your God are too small.

He also mentions a book called 'Jesus has left the building'.

I just keep thinking about it!

More travels

Last Saturday I spent in Birmingham in the heart of England, gathered with about 2000 other Christians to pray for our nation. It was a very blessed day with great worship and lament for these islands. One quote that stayed with me, when talking about the gospel being more than meetings was '2000 years ago the Word became flesh and we've spent 2000 years trying to turn it back to words.' As Martin Luther said 'a heart curved in upon itself is sin.'

After the gathering was ended I continued north to stay overnight with a friend - Sally Ann. She had been asked to take a prayer team to Newcastle and as I was born and brought up in the area, she asked me to join her, along with Val, a scottish woman who is currently living in the Midlands. So Sunday morning we travelled further north.

We spent the next three days in meetings and prayer-walking. It has been said that Newcastle has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe and people travel from long distances for one-night stands. We learned of sex slaves who have been smuggled in from eastern Europe and saw a building that exhibits pornographic and obscene art. It is considered to be a city in renewal with many building projects but we discovered statues of gods along the riverbank. Paul's words were continually with us as we prayed - 'Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.' (Ephesians 6:12)

I know that meeting together as a Body to worship and encourage each other is important but when you see things like that, you realise that the majority of people are not going to come to church looking for God. We have to take the gospel to them. Yet so often we spend a much greater percentage of our time doing things connected with the activities of the organised gathering than seeking and praying for the lost. These prayer teams give me a glimpse of God's heart and a determination to not make an idol of the organised church set-up and all that goes with it. Going to church on Sunday is not the culmination of my Christian life. Prayer walking softens the ground for the seed of His word to take root and grow and I hope He gives me many more years of travelling and praying and walking the land for His Kingdom's sake.

France

I have just returned from a trip with a prayer team to Lille, France. We went only for a long weekend (travelled there Friday and returned Tuesday) but managed to pack quite a lot into our 3 days there. On the Saturday we went to a small church to pray for them as they were leafleting the area for a special musical evening this coming Saturday.

Prayer together before we went out.

What no-one knew was that in the area we were going to hand out leaflets, there was a street market that day. They are held only a couple of times a year. I guess God wanted to arrange a conversation with someone who doesn't live around there and so otherwise would not have

been in that street at that time.

Walking, praying and Liz conversing with passers-by.

Sunday morning, we returned to the small church. We were an international group as there were a number of South Koreans as well as the locals and ourselves. Some South Koreans are living in another area of Lille, training as missionaries and learning French. That weekend they were also visited by relatives who had travelled to see them. After the service we spent some time praying with individuals.

Laura and Mike pray with a local man.

On the Monday we visited an African community that had recently bought an old, broken down building and were repairing it to make a church for their community. We were able to spend some time with them, looking around and praying with them. Hopefully another team will be able to go out later to give practical help with the building and refurbishment.

What will hopefully be the new meeting place.

We went to a Creperie for our last meal together in Lille.

L-R: Me, Liz (who lives in Lille), Wes, Lesley, Laura, Mike, Margaret and Alan.

Turkish martyrs

I have been thinking a lot lately about the modern day Christian martyrs. We heard recently about three Christians who were tortured and brutally murdered in Smyrna in Turkey. It made me realise that my Christian commitment doesn't really cost me that much. I have never been persecuted or afraid for my own safety. Yet for so many around the world, this is the way they live all the time. You can read about the martyrs of the Smyrna church here

Living Christianity

Today I was reading the Inspire Magazine, and was very interested in an article about Mark Berry who is pioneering new kinds of Christian community, a sort of neo-monastic lifestyle. (You can read the article by clicking on the link to Inspire Magazine and then click on People.) There is a core group of seven but they are not about church planting or growing in community but just being church and sharing God with whomever they meet. They call it Safe Space. You can explore his blogspot on Mark Berry's Blog. Apart from his obvious passion for football, if you scroll down a bit you'll find some really thought-provoking meditations. There are also links to other pages of information about the community. For Mark and his friends, mission is not an activity reserved for certain times and places, but rather it's a way of living. And my spirit responds with a big 'Amen!'

Quote

I came across this quote today in a Sojourners newsletter. It's from Clare Short, Member of Parliament, who resigned from her former post as Secretary of State for International Development because of the UK's involvement in the Iraq war.

You can't take the evil of slavery out of the world and abolish it without making the world more just. You will never prevent people living in bonded labour or from getting caught up in sex trafficking while they are so desperate that they have no other choice but to sell themselves. As long as we in the West crave ever more excess, we conspire in their desperation, exploiting it and make ourselves sick in the process.

The Human Footprint

This afternoon I watched a TV programme I taped the other day. It's about the Human Footprint - in other words what we will eat, use, affect in our lifetime. It took an average person in the UK who supposedly lived 78.5 years. Apparently the average person in a lifetime would consume 15,951 pints of milk and each one of us would eat 4 cows, 21 sheep, 15 pigs, 1200 chickens, 13,345 eggs, 4283 loaves of bread, 2327 kilos of potatoes, 10,866 carrots and 5272 apples among other things. 95% of our fruit is imported and we throw away 8 and a half tons of packaging.

Starting from our earliest years we throw away 2 and a half billion nappies (diapers for our friends across the pond) as a nation every year and the plastic contained in them to make them leak free can take up to 500 years to decompose. We are responsible for more CO2 emissions before the age of 2 than someone in Tanzania in a life time.

The programme went on to give other statistics (that I won't bore you with) about what we spend on personal hygiene, clothes and household goods that we simply can't live without. Each person is responsible for 40 tons of waste to landfill sites and there are 60 million of us in the UK! We walk only 15,464 miles in a lifetime but drive 452,662 miles - the equivalent of the distance to the moon and back, using 135,950 litres of fossil fuel in our cars. That is apart from the 737 tons of carbon pumped into the atmosphere per lifetime through air travel.

At the end of the programme they said that memories and dreams are the most enduring part of us and left us with the question, 'What am I leaving behind?' A sobering thought indeed! Although much of what we do is necessary to our modern living and not everything is wrong or negative, the stark facts and figures did make me think about how much difference we can make in simple ways. As Christians we really have to take our stewardship of the planet seriously.

Friendship

I have just read a charming little story about a five-year-old girl called Tracey. She asked her Dad if she could play at her friend's house. She was told she could but had to come back home by a certain time. Off she went happy to be able to spend time with her friend. When the stated time came, there was no sign of Tracey. Time passed and eventually half an hour late Tracey arrived. Her Dad, a little annoyed asked her where she had been and what she had been doing to make her late. Her answer was, 'My friend's doll broke just when I was supposed to leave for home.' Her Dad replied, 'And I suppose you were helping her fix it?' 'Oh, no,' Tracey said, 'I was helping her cry.' Now that's friendship!

Healing obedience

I have just read a posting on Sarah's blog (see my links) She was visiting her mother-in-law, who is an 'Easter/Christmas' Christian and who had not had a whole night's sleep for 10 years. They had been watching television and during the commercial break her mother-in-law commented that she would love to sleep the whole night and that the tablets she was taking were not having the same effect as before. Sarah offered to pray for her and she agreed. The next day Sarah received an email from her mother-in-law to say she had slept right through the night for the first time in 10 years! Praise God and thanks to Sarah for being obedient and not worrying about what her mother-in-law would think of her.

It made me think - would I have been so obedient or would I have just prayed at home about it without telling her? God knows what He is doing and when He puts a thought into our minds all He wants us to do is to obey Him and do as He says. Sounds easy but how often we fail to do it. Seems that that is where being like children comes in when we just trust Him with child-like simplicity. I know this with my head but why, oh why do I not just do it? God needs more 'Sarahs'. It just makes me cry out to God in confession and seek forgiveness for the times I have failed to do as He has asked me and to ask for more of His Holy Spirit power to be more effective for Him.

Tribute to Lurdes

I've just read a blog on one of my links - Sarah Rooney. It is about a little African girl that was taken to Iris Ministries where one of the staff looked after her as though she were one of her own children but has since died. It is very moving. Just click on the link to Sarah's blog and then click on the picture under the post entitled Tribute to Lurdes.

Spain

Casa Maranatha

The week before Easter a prayer team of 11 people - 7 from Yeovil and 4 from Coventry - visited southern Spain. We had a wonderful time when God both used us to bless and help others and we ourselves were greatly blessed. This is the lovely house owned by an English couple where I stayed during our time in Spain.

The prayer team.

This was taken at a fort overlooking the town of Antequera. Lizzi and Jim Cook, the couple whose house I stayed at, are 3rd and 4th from the right. We stood here and sang worship songs and prayed for the town. A very friendly German offered to take this photo of us all.

El Torcal

This is a view of mount El Torcal near where we were staying. It is a result of earth movements millions of years ago that thrust this mountain of rock up above the surrounding countryside.

View? What view?

We travelled up to the top of El Torcal in order to look out over the village below but when we got there the view was covered by dense cloud. We decided to still worship and pray over the village although we could not see it. We also prayed that God would lift the cloud so we could see the village from this high vantage point - and He did! Just for a few moments we were able to see the village.

The clear(er) view of the village of Villanueva de la Concepción

It seemed like a prophetic act of God. Occasionally God allows us a glimpse of the 'bigger picture' from another viewpoint that we don't always see. This encourages us to keep going, knowing there is something beyond the clouded vision that we have. The evangelical Christians in the village are very few in number and it seemed that God was confirming that our visit there was for them just like that short glimpse of a bigger and clearer picture.

The ministry of going away with prayer teams is something wonderful that God has asked me to be involved in and I count it a great privilege to do so. We had a brilliant time and I made many new friends. Can't wait to go back!

Mum

I received a phone call in the early hours of this morning to tell me that my mother had gone to be with the Lord. She was 98 years old and in a way it was a release as she had got to a stage of living in her own private world of the past and totally dependent.

It is a sad time for families but I also want to praise and thank God for a wonderful Christian mother who has been such an example to us. As a home mother, she didn't work out of the home - in those days women didn't - and so was not noteworthy or successful in the world's eyes. But in my eyes she was the wisest and cleverest person around. She always had time for you no matter what she was doing. She was never judgmental of others and was so humble, never seeking to be in the limelight, always seeking to help those who needed a hand. She was there to praise you when you had done well and to comfort you when things hadn't turned out as you'd hoped. She just always seemed to know and understand how you felt. Our home was an open house where all were welcome. She was a faithful Christian and as I think back over the time God allowed me to share with her, I thank God for the privilege.

'Well done, good and faithful servant.'

Revival or reformation

I was reminded today in an email I received of a prophecy given by Rick Joyner in 2003. Here are a couple of quotes:

One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

The most common characteristic of successful people, business, sports teams and even nations, is that they never look for outsiders to blame for their problems but use that energy to look inside themselves for solutions.

Dictionary definitions:

Revival - a revived use of an old play; a revived use of an old practice, custom etc

Reformation - the act of reforming or process of being reformed, especially a radical change for the better.

God is reshaping his church and yet it seems we go on resisting. We don't want change, we just want more of the same. In which other walk of life would anyone dream of carrying on doing things in the same way or having the same type of system or set-up when they are not producing the desired results and in fact seem to be having the opposite effect? It seems that instead of revival we should be praying for reformation, instead of more of the old we should be seeking something new and different. This does not mean just following the latest religious fad but being prepared to look up and see a bigger picture, to be prepared to accept that maybe there are some things that we have got a bit wrong, to not try to make God conform to how we are used to doing things when He wants to show us something different and not to limit God to our limited thinking or ways. Let's stop putting God in a box shaped like a church building when He is desperately wanting to get out and be free to work in power and might to seek the lost and free the captives. His ways are not always our ways. We need to be re-formed.

Church in the Supermarket

I went to the supermarket. On my way round I met the chaplain (who happens to be one of the leaders of the church I attend) When he asked me how I was doing, I had to be honest and say that actually I was feeling quite down in spirit.

I went on to explain that my elderly mother (who is 98 ) had a fall at the beginning of March and broke her hip. She was taken to hospital and underwent an operation. The operation itself was OK but then pneumonia set in and she developed other difficulties. She lives 370 miles away in the northeast and so every day we have been phoning my other sister who lives near her. A number of times she has been called by the hospital saying that Mum didn't have long. She has been in a coma now for a week and the doctors don't understand how she is still alive.

So, yes, I was feeling very down, a bit in limbo, just waiting for that phone call but at the same time not really being able to get on with things I have to do. There and then, in the supermarket, the chaplain prayed with me. I don't know what other shoppers thought but it blessed my socks off!

Makes you wonder just how many people go about their daily activities when they are really hurting inside. I thanked God for those who realise that that's where we need to be 'doing church'.

Interesting websites

Today I picked up a copy of the February edition of Inspire Magazine. You can check it out on Inspire Magazine. It has some really interesting articles.

In the February edition I read of a young girl called Akiane Kramarik who was born into a family of non-believers. At a very young age she had visions and dreams and felt the urge to paint. She is self-taught but has produced amazing pictures. She insists that these experiences are from God and wants only that her pictures and poems bless others and bring them to God. She also had the privilege of leading her parents to faith in God. You can read more about her on the official website at Akiane.

Happy browsing!

Passion or activity

Yesterday I was part of a group who were talking about passion. The concern was why more people aren't passionate about God, the gospel and reaching the lost. It got me thinking how sometimes we confuse passion with activity. I suspect that some of the group who are active within the church setup may feel that others who aren't as visible in activity are not as passionate.

To give up 'ordinary' work in order to give more time to church activity or outreach is very commendable but not necessarily more passionate than someone who is either not in a position to do this or doesn't feel that God is asking him/her to serve in this way.

God also gives passion for different aspects of His work, some more visible than others. Those who are passionate about prayer and intercession are not always seen and may appear to be inactive but they are the ones who break down the strongholds in the spiritual realm. No amount of busyness in projects will do this. Jesus Himself said that some people could only be helped through prayer and fasting. It is also important to have this passion in place before we begin to put our plans into action.

I know that leaders of my local church agree with me on this but it did make me wonder just how often church generally confuses passion with activity and busyness in church projects.

Encouraged

I have had a very encouraging weekend. One of our church leaders here in Yeovil has set up, with a friend, an organisation they have called 'Send and Serve' (I have added it to my links) It is basically a group of people who are willing to go where God sends them to pray - mainly in Europe from the most western point of Ireland to the most eastern point of Turkey. I have joined with them and am going with a team to Spain during Holy Week.

Those who have read previous blogs of mine may be aware that I have struggled in my situation knowing this is what God has asked me to do but felt a bit misunderstood and a little alone feeling unable to share fully what is on my heart. So this weekend has been so good for me to meet with and share with others who are of a like mind.

Another interesting fact is that four of the people who are going to be on the team going to Spain have links with Argentina, one lady actually being of Argentinian nationality. Having lived there for 10 years myself and being married to an Argentinian and both of my children having been born there, I felt that this was another divine link that only God could arrange. Isn't He amazing!!

So today, after spending a wonderful weekend in the company of new friends, I feel very much encouraged and realise that God is connecting a whole network of people who are feeling and sensing God in the same way as I am.

A mixed week

It's been a strange week. This time last week I was at the wedding of two good friends. It was held in the local Anglican church, although neither are Anglican but are charismatic evangelicals. The vicar however is very evangelical and very happy to perform the necessary religious ceremony. It was different from the usual wedding ceremonies in that they included a time for Christian friends to gather round the couple and pray for them and to share if God had given anyone a picture or prophetic words to speak over them. We then shared tea and cakes in the church hall.

Then on Sunday my elder son Martin arrived to spend a week with us. My elder brother is very ill still in hospital where he has been since the middle of December having had a series of strokes that have left him unable to walk, talk or swallow. Martin came to help sort out my brother's flat and be of support to myself and my younger sister who are seeing to all the arrangements. It was good to have him with us although the reason for coming was not so good. He is always like a breath of fresh air for me and lifts my spirit when I'm feeling a bit low. This morning he returned to his own home in Cheshire.

This morning I went with a friend to share in a prayer breakfast in a part of the Body that meets in a farm and has, I believe, an important strategic place in the plans of God for this region and subsequently our nation. We had a beautiful time of worship and God really blessed us and spoke to us as individuals and as a group, confirming and encouraging.

Quite a mixed week really but it's wonderful to know that God is in the difficult as well as the pleasurable, in the practical, very earthly needs as well as the spiritual, out-of-this-world experiences. He is wonderfully in everything.

Lift Him up

I have just finished reading a not-very-new book called 'God's Favourite House' by Tommy Tenney. It is well worth reading if you have not already done so and worth revisiting if you have. Among other things he talks about the importance of worship. He reminds us that in heaven there won't be any pastors, apostles, preachers, evangelists, Sunday School superintendants, deacons, elders, Church Board members etc. etc ... He says, 'The only "job description" in heaven is that of worshipper.'

Duncan Campbell who was involved in the New Hebrides revival of a century ago tells how thousands came to Christ without hearing a single sermon, without listening to a preacher and without stepping foot inside a church building. This was because there was a small group of brokenhearted pray-ers and persistent worshippers.

We seem to have a knack of trying to do things the wrong way round. Jesus says in John's gospel, 'If I be lifted up, I will draw all men near.' Often we are so concerned about our plans and projects and how we are going to draw people in to church. God is very gracious and does give a certain amount of 'success' to our well thought-out plans. But sometimes it does seem like an uphill struggle and results don't always seem to last very long before the surge of the moment begins to wane a bit. Jesus told us the secret! Our task is to lift Him up and He will do the drawing in. Also that way God gets all the glory which is the way it should be.

Phyllis

Yesterday I went to the funeral of a very elderly lady called Phyllis with whom I had worked in a charity shop. She was almost 94 when she died and had lived a very full life.

She had lived and worked in four continents, becoming fluent in Bengali. She was also a qualified music teacher and nurse. But she was always humble enough to get her hands dirty and do the most menial task or manual work. She returned to England to care for her father until he died in the 1970s. She decided to 'retire' when she was well in her 80s and so came to live in the southwest of England.

She still busied herself with her local church and became involved with the 'Stroke Club' and the Christian charity shop. In her early 90s, she learnt that she was gradually going blind. Not deterred, she decided to learn Braille!

What an amazing lady and what a privilege to have known her.

Prayer walking

In a weekly prayer letter I receive, we were urged to pray for creative and courageous intercessors. One example is a young man called Stephen Deeming who is currently walking the east coast of Africa praying for healing and forgiveness for Europe's colonial and imperial past. He has been in Egypt only a few days and is walking his way south. He shares each day on his blog. If you would like to 'journey' with him you can do so by clicking on Wandering Clay

Relationships

So many things have been going on in my head lately about 'church' and 'worship' partly because of this insatiable hunger I'm feeling. I just want to shout 'Come on God. I want more!'.

This morning I had a really good conversation with someone in my local church for whom I have great respect. We chatted for some time about our hopes for the Body of Christ in our town. We kept coming back to the conclusion that really it's all about relationships. Christ gave us the supreme example. He chose 12 people who were so different one from the other it is hard to believe that for 3 years they actually lived and travelled together. There was the quite, reflective type and the noisier one, the business man and the revolutionary, the academic and the dreamer, the impetuous one and the doubter. What a bunch!

How often does the Body of Christ today think that we cannot work together because of our differences when Jesus showed us that this surely should be exactly what we are showing to our community - that it doesn't matter what sort of character you have or how you prefer to express yourself, you are accepted! Why can't we just forget about trying to get people to be part of our particular group or to agree with the way we do things and just be a friend? Having a relationship with God is about having relationship with others because that is what He is about - Father, Friend and Counsellor.

So I guess that 'church' and 'worship' is really about relationship with others and with God.

God knows

So much seems to be happening that I haven't had much time for blogging. We had a good family Christmas at my sister's home and New Year at ours. Sadly our elder brother was not able to join us as he has been in hospital since the middle of December. He has had a series of strokes and water infections which has left him unable to walk, talk properly or swallow. We have had to make arrangements to take over all of his financial affairs, home situation etc and at the moment don't really know what the future holds. So I have a little trouble trying to focus on deep spiritual matters. It's almost like 'grab and go' food but I know that Father knows and understands and is in control and keeps us standing.

Last Sunday He blessed me with the time of worship we had at my local church (especially as in previous blogs you may have noticed that sometimes I struggle in this a bit!) and in the evening a small group had decided they would like to meet just to wait on God - no set programme, worship songs or talk/sermon - my kind of worship! There were only 17 of us but God came in power, words and pictures and we were blessed indeed! He knew exactly what I needed and in His outrageous grace, He gave it to me. Thank you God.

Octopus or Strawberry?

Continueing my thoughts about what it means to be 'church', it seems as though most churches are like an octopus. They reach out into the community, get hold of people and bring them back to be swallowed up in the centre. This seems OK except all they are doing in effect is feeding the centre. It seems to me that instead of being an octopus we should be more like a strawberry plant. The strawberry plant reproduces by putting out long trailers and producing another offspring which itself grows roots and begins to grow in another place. Eventually it becomes independant of the parent plant. Then it in turn produces its own offspring and so it continues. This is a truer picture of the New Testament Church - they went out and instead of bringing people back to the main centre, they established themselves wherever they were.

So why, if we consider ourselves to be 'church', do we insist on just feeding the main centre instead of producing offspring where we are? One friend wrote in his blog about outreach, making the point that we can only reach out to somewhere where we do not already inhabit. Surely as Christians we should be inhabiting the community and not just reaching out to it in order to feed our own congregation. It just seems to me at times that we are more concerned about increasing our own numbers and getting people to congregate with us than to help people to connect with God and have a real relationship with Him - even if they do not wish to join our particular group.

When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, He didn't suggest to him that if he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath He would get someone to pray with him. He went to where Zacchaeus was in his own surroundings, where he felt at ease and uninhibited. He met him where he was. I know some churches do this but it seems that the vast majority are only interested in activities or projects that will in some way benefit themselves and increase their numbers or standing in the eyes of others. No wonder so many really committed Christians are opting out of church as we understand it. As one friend explained to me - 'I am not prepared to be just a pew-filler any more.' Octopus or strawberry?

Loyalties

I have been thinking a lot lately about loyalties. Partly because of what God is doing in my life. I occasionally go away in prayer teams and when I get back I feel so desparate and hungry for more of God and get so frustrated when I visit my own local church. I often wonder if I'm on the same planet and feel so unable to share with them sensing that most of those in the church really don't have a clue as to where I am spiritually.

I feel that most look at me as a bit of an oddity - why go to other places to pray when so much is going on in my local church? Why not support them? It makes me sort of feel a bit disloyal until I start to question where exactly do my loyalties
lie?

It's a bit like party politics. I suppose most of us have a tendency to one party or the other at election time but still have some reservations about all of the policies of our preferred party. On the whole we agree with what they say but there are some things that we don't agree with. Our loyalties go beyond party politics to what is right or wrong, what is best for our country and not what is in keeping necessarily with the politics of a particular party.

I guess it's a bit like like with church. On the whole I can go along with what is going on but my loyalties really are not to a particular church (group of people who meet in a particular building)but they are beyond that to what is right for me according to God's will and purpose for my life. My loyalty to Him far exceeds any other sense of loyalty and if that means being misunderstood, then so be it!

I'm Back

I haven't posted anything for ages as I have been disconnected from the internet because of changing from one provider to another. All the customer service advisors in the call centres are very well trained in apologising but unfortunately that doesn't actually solve the problem! We can say 'sorry' but unless we actually do something about the problem, nothing really changes.

Hope to post more frequently now that I've caught up with a backlog of updating and writing.

Loughborough

We had a good day yesterday in Loughborough. We worshipped, prayed, cried and interceded for our nation. We heard of a report that said that Britain has more obesity, more drug addiction and more credit card debt than any other nation in Europe. This surely is a sign of a nation that has become selfish and greedy in every sense.

We were reminded of the passage in Mark 11:15-17 when Jesus cleansed the Temple. It was noted that this was not an action on the spurr of the moment - verse 11 says that He had been to the Temple the day before and noticed what was going on. Then He went back and in a premeditated act,cleansed it. He also stopped people from going through who were carrying stuff. How much do we bring into the Temple? How much irrelevant 'stuff' and excess baggage are we hauling along with us? God wants to cleanse His people so they can be a Temple of prayer for the nations of the world. The trouble is that when God blesses us, we just sit back and enjoy for ourselves and don't realise that what we have is for the benefit of all nations. So we prayed for forgiveness and interceded for our lost nation to return to God and fulfil its God-given destiny of going into the world and showing the love of Jesus.

Last week God spoke very deeply to me about intercession for our nation and I had begun to feel a very deep ache for its lost ways. So yesterday was a continuation of what He had already been doing in my life. Next Saturday (21st) I'll be in Birmingham with another few thousand people, again to intercede for our nation. We need to get our own house (Temple) in order so that we can then go and fulfil God's purposes in the world. May God have mercy on our nation.

Keeping busy

I realise that I haven't written anything for ages. I have been so taken up with other things and haven't had much time.

For 11 days I was house-sitting for friends while they were away. I managed to call in home most days but just to catch up with mail. Then at the same time my brother had a stroke and was in hospital. He was transferred for convalescence to another hospital 20 miles away. So I felt that much of my time was taken up with travelling here, there and everywhere.

I did manage to get to a prayer day on September 30th. It was held at a farm/church. The farm used to have cows but God changed that and now the farmer has no cows but makes a living with other produce. Instead the barns are now converted into a chapel and a storage place for equipment to be taken/sent abroad for those in need. Centuries ago that same farm was a monastery and it seems that this is the time when God is opening up again the old wells in the South West of England. We had a good day together waiting on God and interceding for our nation.

Yesterday I spent in Birmingham (central England) at the World Prayer Centre with others who wish to be part of prayer teams going out to other places/nations to stand with those there in prayer, intercession and encouragement.

Next Saturday I'll be in Loughborough (also in central England) for a day of prayer and fasting for our nation and the following Saturday back in Birmingham for Trumpet Call, a day of national prayer for our nation.

In November I'm returning to France with a prayer team for a week. Oh the joys of retirement! I'm loving it!

I'm one of the lucky ones!

Today I have been to our local hospital to have laser treatment on both my eyes. My appointment was at 12:30 pm and by 1:10 pm I was at the main entrance waiting for my friend to pick me up to take me home. The reason for the treatment was the build of pressure behind the eyes. The laser treatment itself took barely a couple of minutes. How amazing that a beam of light used in a particular way can, in a one-off treatment, resolve the problem of pressure once and for all.

I have no after effects, apart from 'sticky' eyes from the drops put in beforehand so that I didn't feel anything. I feel so privileged to be living in a day of such medical expertise and in a country where it is readily available. In the west we have so much that we take for granted and feel that because we have worked then we have in some way earned it. I am just so grateful. I have so much. May God remind me of just how fortunate I am the next time I moan!

Major Breakthrough

To others it may not seem much but for me it was a major breakthrough. Let me explain. My sister and I take responsibility for our older brother who is becoming less able to care for himself. He always insists that he's OK and manages everything, no problem, when we know that is not true.

On Thursday when I took him shopping I had a chat with him about various issues, trying to persuade him to accept help - without much success. Friday I spent quite some time moaning at God telling him just how frustrated we were becoming not knowing just how to get through to him. Must say that just offloading my frustration helped me a lot.

Yesterday my brother came to our home for dinner. In the afternoon my son had asked me to trim his hair (I'm not a hairdresser but cut it very short all over with hair trimmers!) So I asked my brother if he wanted his hair trimmed while I had the trimmers in my hands. He agreed. Then I suggested giving him the full 'beauty treatment' and cutting his finger and toe nails. To my amazement he didn't exactly say yes but as he didn't say no I went ahead and did it. It was so obvious that he cannot bend in order to see to his feet so I suggested putting in place a regular visit from a chiropodist and he thought it a good idea! I thought that while I was on a roll I would suggest a visit from an occupational therapist to see what other aids he needed and could get to help him continue living an independent life in his own flat. Again to my great amazement he agreed.

As I say, this might not seem a big thing to many who read this but for me it was a major breakthrough. God reached his heart and mind and changed his way of thinking in a way that we were unable to do. I just wanted to share this with whoever might read it to say that with God nothing is impossible and He really does listen to our moans as well as our praise.

Free or Fair?

Jim Wallis in his book 'God's Politics' refers to world poverty and quotes the Top-Ten Facts as highlighted by Christian Aid. They are:

1. International trade is worth $10 million a minute.

2. Poor countries account for only 0.4% of world trade. Since 1980 their share has halved.

3. The UN estimates that unfair trade rules deny poor countries $700 billion every year. Less than 0.01% of this could save the sight of 30 million people.

4. Income per person in the poorest countries in Africa has fallen by a quarter in the last 20 years.

5. The 3 richest people in the world control more wealth than all 600 million in the world's poorest countries.

6. Nearly half the world's population (2.8 billion people) lives on less than US$2 per day (and 1.2 billion on less than US$1 per day).

7. The prices of many poor countries' key exports are at a 150-year low.

8. Global trade is regulated through policies and priorities set by international institutions, including rules made at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and conditions attached to loans provided by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. These bodies are controlled by governments.

9. At the last full meeting of the WTO, the European Union had 500 negotiators and Haiti had none.

10. After the last round of trade negotiations rich countries estimated that they would gain by $141.8 billion per year and Africa would be $2.6 billion per year worse off.

Jim Wallis goes on to say that this is beyond politics. World poverty is a moral and spiritual issue. On several occasions the prophets of the Old Testament talk against the rich exploiting the poor - Isaiah 5:8, Micah 7:3, Jeremiah 5:28 to quote just a few. When Jesus talked about the reason for His coming to earth, His first words were 'the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor'. If we follow Him then we cannot detach ourselves from this problem claiming that we should not mix religion and politics. If we can successfully separate the two then maybe our 'religion' is not of Jesus.

Being fair

I have just been reading about Nicodemus when he couldn't understand what Jesus meant when He told him he must be born again. Jesus talks of the wind, not being able to catch or control it and likens that with being born again. The comment in the booklet I was reading says, 'In other words "You didn't have anything to do with your first birth, so you've nothing to do with your second one. God prepared your heart by sending the right people, the right circumstances, and the right word at just the right time to show you your need of Him."'

It goes on to say that the things of God cannot be explained, only revealed. 'Anything less would be unfair, for then the sharp folks would get it and the slow ones wouldn't.' So simple yet so profound. So obvious yet so misunderstood. God is just so amazingly fair and loving to everybody, regardless of our abilities. And what a relief to know that I don't have to struggle to understand things beyond my capabilities, just ask for revelation. How often we think our spiritual maturity depends on our level of understanding instead of our willingness to allow God to reveal Himself to us in the way that He wants.

Prayer team in France

I have recently returned from spending a week in the north of France with a prayer team from the World Prayer centre.


The front of the opera house in Lille where 400 Huguenots were martyred.


Sue with the resident kitten. Ahhh!!!


This vegetable garden is actually a roundabout along the road from where we were staying!


A day out in Lille


A well earned coffee break after cleaning out a room before the spiritual cleaning


Sunset over the corn fields of Wattignies

Wales

For some months now I have been receiving email updates of what God is doing in Wales. They are in a time of revival and God is doing amazing things - miracles, healings, angelic visitations, prophecies, appearance of gold dust on hands and much more. I have added their website to my links so you can check it out for yourself (Emerge Wales). You can also sign up to receive regular newsletters. The wild fire of the Welsh Revival is on its way to England and from here to Europe! God is moving and I for one want to move with Him. Make sure you don't miss it!!!

Same but different

Sometimes you read something that you have read a thousand times before but suddenly it comes at you in a different way. Two such experiences happened to me recently.

Just the other day I was reading in Revelation about the church of Laodicea and the verse that struck me was v 20: 'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.' I have always thought of that verse in reference to those who are not converted. But in the context it is clear that these words are for churchgoers!

The other reference was when I was reading 'Intelligent Church', a new book by Steve Chalke. In it he comments about Jesus washing the disciples' feet: 'I often wonder why it is that of the two commands Jesus gave the disciples that day (the day before he was crucified) - to wash each other's feet and to remember him when they ate bread and drank wine - only one has been adopted as a church tradition. Why is it we celebrate Communion, but we don't have foot-washing services?' Maybe it is easier to share a symbolic meal than to wash feet! Steve Chalke suggests that maybe we should adopt the towel as a symbol of Christianity (I rather like that idea!)- 'your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who ... made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant ...' (Philippians 2:5,7)

I'm sure many will have always thought of these verses this way but for me they came alive in a different way this week. Thank God that He never stops teaching us.

Update

I have just had a couple of weeks travel/holiday. I spent 3 days (5th - 7th June)in the north east visiting family and friends. Friday the 9th I spent with more family who visited Yeovil. Then on Tuesday 13th, Diego and I set off for a very enjoyable week's holiday in Malta. On returning we then went to spend a few days with my other son Martin in Cheshire.

I left the house keys with a friend who had arranged to re-do my kitchen. So the nice thing is that after two weeks I have come back home to a nice new kitchen without having to live through all the mess!

Polzeath

Saturday I spent in Polzeath, a coastal village in Cornwall where in the summer loads of young people gather to go surfing. The very small, elderly congregation of the Methodist church, situated right opposite the beach have a great desire to reach out to these young people and feel that God is telling them to open their church as a drop-in centre, a safe place to go. So a group of about 15 people travelled in to Polzeath from various places to stand with the local people in prayer for this vision.

During the day in the summer season, everyobody's enjoying the beach and water sports but when night falls the beach becomes a place for taking drugs. The police then move in and move them on which doesn't really solve the problem - it just moves it to somewhere else. This small group of Christians have such a heart for the lost. And so we prayed together that God would provide the people and funding to help. The sad thing is that other Christians in the village (of other denominations) are opposing the plans and are urging them to sell the property so it can be developed.

Two scriptures came to my mind. 'Where there is no vision, the people perish.' The other I was reminded of is about Sarah who in her old age gave birth to the plans of God to bring in a new generation. AMEN. SO BE IT.

Mississippi Squirrel Revival

I've just read a very funny post on Marc van de Woude's blogspot. Check it out. Click on my link to Marc's Messages and look at the post for May 21 entitled Mississippi Squirrel Revival and then click on 'this report'. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. By the way put your sound up so you can hear it as well as read it.

Got the point?

Today is my elder son's birthday. My sister-in-law who lives in Argentina tried to send him a greeting my email but it kept being returned to her. So finally she emailed me to ask if she had the correct address. I realised that she had left out the dot between his first name and surname. She tried again with the dot and this time it was sent without any problem. Just goes to show what a difference a little dot makes. You musn't underestimate the value and power of little things.
Point taken!

Trumpet Call

Went to Trumpet Call yesterday in Birmingham. It was good to meet up with friends from all over the country and to hear testimonies of what has been happening particularly in Manchester with city links and the Message Trust. It is always difficult to encapsulate in a few words what was said and done but here are a couple of quotes.

Referring to Gideon and how God chose him to fight the Mideonites who every year stole the harvest of the Israelites, 'I want my expectations to be shaped not on the past but on the future.' (Paul Miller)

Speaking about the verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14 - if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves ... ... 'The problem is not the quality and quantity of darkness but the quality and quantity of light.' (Lloyd Cooke)

Stand up and speak out!

This morning I spent in the Local Council Chambers listening to an application that had been presented for a sex shop to be opened in our town. In previous weeks, many Christians had written letters to councillors and signed petitions against such a shop. People have prayer-walked the street and stood outside the proposed premises praying that God would intervene. This morning was the public discussion for this application.

A good number of people opposed to the proposal gathered in the chambers and several of them had made arrangements to speak to the councillors on our behalf. Then it was the turn of the proposed 'business' to put their arguments in favour. In the discussion it was mentioned on a few occasions that it was NOT legal to reject the application on moral or religious grounds and so those of us who objected were a bit discouraged. Many of us sat in silence listening and praying.

The councillors then went to discuss the matter with their legal advisors. After about two hours they returned with the verdict. They had decided against the proposal. So now I'm in celebratery mood. It just shows that when we stand up and speak out we CAN make a difference. Of course it's not over yet. The sex shop proposers will possibly appeal against the result so we need to go on praying and seeking to lift Jesus high in our town.

Mega Shift

I'm reading a book called Mega Shift by James Rutz. It is also subtitled 'The best news since year one...' There are some amazing stories about healings, miracles and resurrections. It also talks of how these things happen in an Open church rather than the traditional gatherings. The difference is that one is organised by humans and the other by God. So why do we go on propping up the one that is going nowhere? Frank Battleman, explaining about the decline and fall of the Azusa Mission (which was the start of the modern Pentecostal movement) says 'Every meeting was now programmed from start to finish. Disaster was bound to follow, and it did so.'

Paul says to the Corinthians: 'Then what is the right course, brothers? Whenever you meet, every one of you has something to contribute: a song, a piece of teaching, some special information God has given him, a message in an unknown language, or an explanation of what it means.' (ch14:26)
'If someone sitting in the meeting receives a message or idea from the Lord, the one who is speaking should stop. For this way, you can all have an opportunity to give a message, one after the other, so that everyone will learn something and everyone will be stimulated and encouraged.' (14:30,31)

People are leaving the traditional church not because they have lost their faith but because they want to preserve it!

A subtle difference

I've just spent a couple of days in Totnes with friends on a prayer ministry time. Overnight I stayed with a lovely friend who commented how words change their meanings. She mentioned the word 'prodigal' - how we come to think of it as meaning someone who has strayed from the Father or someone who has wasted his/her inheritance. In fact originally, she said, it held the meaning of being generous. I was a little surprised so looked it up in my dictionary when I got home. Sure enough, one of the meanings said 'lavish'. When you think about it, there seems to be a short way to go from being lavishly generous to being recklessly wasteful. It just reaffirms how Satan will take the good things and twist and abuse them until we cross over the invisible line and the good somehow becomes wrong. He is so clever at this subtle difference that we so often don't even notice it.

When this line is overstepped generosity becomes wastefulness; healthy goals become obsessions; leadership becomes abuse of power; freedom becomes licence etc. Let me know of any more you can think of.

A few more photos

I am preparing to go to Totnes for a couple of days with another prayer team tomorrow. But just wanted to post a few more photos from New Caledonia before I go. (I think I'm finally getting the hang of it!)

New Caledonia

Arrived back from New Caledonia on Saturday after a 40 hour journey with very little sleep. We had a good time and God blessed us. We found the people to be warm and generous in spirit and they really welcomed us into their hearts. We all came away feeling we have a load more friends. Thought I would share a few photos with you. Please note the dates in the bottom right hand corners are incorrect. We were there from 3rd - 14th April not in January. I'm afraid I forgot to correct the date since the last time I used the camera. Ooops!

Sorry I'm having a little trouble uploading the photos. I'll have another go tomorrow.

Busy and preparing

It's been a while since I wrote anything. This is because my brother has been moving house and he depends on my sister and me to do most things for him. So I have been kept quite busy for the last couple of weeks. He is now settled in his new home in a sheltered housing complex.

So now I'm looking forward and preparing for my travels. Next Saturday (1st April) I'm off with another three friends on a prayer ministry trip to New Caledonia. If you're not sure where that is look at an atlas, locate Australia and it's an island a little north and east. It's about as far as you can go (from England, that is) before you start coming back! We will be away for 2 weeks arriving back on Easter Saturday. We have been meeting regularly for months now to worship and pray about our visit but don't have any clear plan or strategy. We sense that God is not telling us much for our own spiritual protection. What the enemy doesn't know he can't do much to hinder. So we are going prepared to be surprised by God and open to whatever He says. Exciting stuff!

Another glimpse into Swanwick

Looking through my notes from the conference in Swanwick I was reminded of a saying of the Dakota Indians: 'When you discover you are riding a dead horse, it is advisable to get off the horse.' Yet we western Christians tend instead to - use a stronger whip, change riders, form a committee to study the dead horse, go on an overseas trip to see how others ride dead horses etc. etc. The speaker gave a longer list but I was a bit slow at writing and so stopped so I didn't miss any, and now can't remember them all! But we get the picture - why do we insist on 'flogging a dead horse'?

We ride a dead horse because we do things earth to heaven instead of heaven to earth. Much of the conference was about Abraham and his two sons. God had given him a promise to become the father of a great nation but when nothing happened he felt, in all sincerity, that maybe he should do something about it (earth to heaven). The result was Ishmael, born of a slave woman. Many years later Isaac was born of Sarah, Abraham's wife. He was the son born of the promise of God (heaven to earth).

We want results at any price! And preferably not to have to wait for them. In the end Abraham had to get rid of Ishmael and his mother. We need to choose - earth to heaven or heaven to earth; our way or God's way!

Prayer Alert

I have just added a link to Prayer Alert. This is a well researched and informed weekly newsletter with subjects for prayer particularly for Britain and Northern Ireland but also with items about Europe and the wider world. Why not check it out? You can also subscribe to receive these weekly updates directly by email.

Still waiting?

Heard someone say the other day, 'We are the people we have been waiting for!'. Made me think.

Swanwick

Just come back last evening from a 3 day prayer conference at Swanwick. It was good to meet again with friends and share together. In the first session Ian Cole (who heads up the World Prayer Centre in Birmingham) said: 'We have a sort-of programme but we'll just see what God wants!' And that's exactly how it went. We worshipped and prayed as God led us and the teaching was awesome! No milk, pure meat! I think it will take me some time to process all the things I heard. Might share some of it as I unwrap it in the days ahead. My mind keeps thinking and going over what we experienced. But need to catch up now on the practical 'home' stuff like washing, ironing, shopping etc etc.

God's organizer

I had commented that it was unusual that I had nothing in my diary for the month of March and yesterday it became clear just why that was. My older brother has come to a point that he needs a little more care so he is about to move into sheltered accommodation. I was a bit concerned about when this would happen because next week I will be away for a few days and then in April I'm off to New Caledonia for two weeks with a prayer team. You guessed it! Yesterday I received a letter saying that he was being offered a flat in the exact scheme that he had hoped for. The flat isn't actually being officially vacated until Sunday and the elderly lady who lived there was well into her nineties and nothing had been done to the flat in the way of decorating for a number of years. So contrary to the usual policy, the scheme manager has requested that the flat be decorated throughout. This will save my sister and I a lot of extra work. This of course means that I will be able to go away next week and enjoy the 3 day prayer conference without wondering about the situation. It also means that we will be able to have him settled in his new flat before I go off to New Caledonia. The time slot is just perfect. I couldn't have planned it better myself. It really does pay to let God sort out the dates and appointments in my organizer. He does it so much better than I could.

Doing what He wants

I am reading a very good book by David Orton called 'Snakes in the Temple'. In it he explores how Satan has got into the church through hidden idolatry. He talks about the fact that we are all familiar with the idea of doing bad things outside the will of God but that the idea of actually doing good things can also be outside the will of God. He quotes Matthew 7:22-23 'Many will say to Me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; Depart from Me.' Here Jesus is actually saying that even if we are operating in the supernatural we can still be outside of God's will for us. How many of us can even say that we prophesy, cast out demons and perform ANY miracles let alone MANY and yet Jesus says to these people that He doesn't know them. We can do all manner of wonderful things but if God hasn't asked us to do them then we are outside of His will. 'To obey is better than sacrifice' (1 Samuel 15:22) Again Jesus says in the previous verse in the book of Matthew 'Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord", will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father...' It made me think really hard about what I am doing and why. I want to make sure that whatever I do is because the Father has asked me to.

The Arts

I met up with a friend this morning to have a coffee. He was telling me about his wife who is working towards a degree in the arts and how God is using this to help her communicate with others about the things that are important to her. She has studied the various aspects of art - painting, collage, sculpture etc and at the moment is into photography. She has found that the various projects that she has had to do have helped her to communicate to others, in class and in exhibitions, about her life, God, her spiritual journey, poverty, injustice and the desperate plight of humanity in its search for meaning and purpose to life.

I began to think of a number of my friends who are involved in various aspects of the arts - painting, drama, writing, film-making etc. and realised again with a certain reassurance that we are all equal in God's sight and that He uses all sorts of ways to communicate to people. Sometimes the visual aspect of art in its various forms reaches people that no preaching, books or verbal interaction can reach. It reminded me of the news report, given by Michael Buerk over twenty years ago, of the plight in Ethiopa that was a catalyst in Bob Geldorf's involvement in Live Aid and the subsequent efforts of many people for the plight of those living in poverty. One image, captured on film can speak volumes.

Isn't God so amazing! Whatever we're into, He wants to use it to bring His message of hope and freedom to a lost world. I'm so pleased that the Body of Christ is beginning to accept the need for the arts in worship and that it's not just about singing and listening to sermons! We need to pray and support more those whom God is calling in this way to reach those who would never go inside a church or listen to what we have to say. God loves the lost and wants to reach them with His love. I pray that God will raise up a new generation of those to whom He has given these giftings, that their lives and unique expression through the artistic media will speak for Him and point many to the Way.

City-Changing Prayer

I have just finished a book called 'City-changing Prayer' by Frank and Debra Green. It's about a prayer network in Manchester that has had a great impact on the community. This morning in church I was asked to give an 'interview' about prayer and what it means to me. I took the opportunity to mention this book (well worth reading) and also promote the Trumpet Call IV to be held in the Birmingham NEC Arena on May 13th where the ideas from this book will be launched nationally. I do urge all who are able to attend to do so. It is a truly inspiring story. Read more about it on www.worldprayer.org.uk and www.citylinks.org.uk

A game of football

Today has been lovely and sunny considering it is January and supposed to be the middle of winter! This morning I was walking through the recreation ground near our home when I saw a group of 7-8 year olds playing football. There were a number of parents watching. I don't know what was more entertaining - watching the children playing football or watching the parents cum frustrated footballers offering their own particular offspring the wealth of their experience. Even a younger sister got really excited when her brother had the ball and was approaching the goal area only to give sighs of disappointment when it didn't result in a goal. It seemed like there were about 2 dozen coaches/trainers/referees on the sidelines, each with their own 'pearl of wisdom' and a desperation to share it.

I walked on feeling cheered to see a number of parents on a Saturday morning sharing a time of healthy pursuit with their children. It makes a change from the usual headlines about the younger generation.

Church unity

This week we are thinking of church unity and different churches are holding prayer meetings each day. This morning I went along to the Methodist church for what I thought was going to be a prayer meeting for church unity. We had a half hour service beginning with a hymn, then a Bible reading and comment from the minister and ended with another hymn. We said the Lord's Prayer and the Grace. I had planned on going to the Church of England on another occasion during this week but discovered from an Anglican friend that it will be a normal weekday communion service. So I'm having second thoughts.

At the service this morning, those there were my 40 year old Anglican friend, myself and the other 15-20 people were all very mature Methodists (even older than me!) It just seems that for some people Christian Unity means that we are happy to have people from other denominations in our services and we are happy during this week to attend a service in another denominational building. After this week then everyone will go back to their respective boxes until next year. One elderly lady put it so aptly at the end when she came up to me and said 'Welcome to our church'. I felt like responding: 'Your church?' but didn't. After we got outside my friend and I had quite a discussion about 'church' and 'unity'. She said that people in her church don't understand when she says that she is only there until God tells her to go somewhere else.

I just thanked God that over the past years He has changed my own attitude to denominational christianity and continue to pray that He will reclaim His church. And if that means closing all the church buildings in the process then so be it!

'Father shake your people out of their sleep!'

God can use you

I read the following in a Christian magazine the other day:

The next time you feel that God can't use you, just remember ...

Noah was drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Moses had a stutter
Gideon was afraid
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
The disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
Zacchaeus was too small
Peter denied Christ
Timothy had an ulcer
Lazarus was dead

No more excuses please!