*CROYDE 2009* Part 3

Have you noticed that certain songs can really capture a moment in your life? Over the Croyde weekend, a couple of songs really 'came alive' and captured beautifully what God was speaking to us about. One of them was a new Tim Hughes' song called 'Remember'. We have sung it a few times in Church and it centres on the Cross and taking time to remember what Jesus did for us. On Saturday evening Kat began to lead us in singing this song. One of the lines is "No-one's ever loved me quite You do / No-one's ever loved me quite like You / Jesus for Your glory / I will tell the story of the Cross". As the meeting progressed it seemed that God was speaking to us again about living out the story of the Cross to our non-Christian friends and family. This comes not just through words but by how we live our lives and with this in mind I preached from John 3 about being 'properly' born again.

Sometimes I grow concerned that we can have a form of conversion experience but this does not transfer into a daily, lived-out walk with God; people 'pray the prayer' then please themselves or live their Christian lives constantly questioning the reality of their new life in Christ! I don't see anyone in the New Testament being unsure about being born again. It is a truly dynamic, life-changing encounter and needs to be accompanied by FOUR constituent parts: i) repentance, ii) faith, iii) water baptism and iv) the filling of the Holy Spirit. As I work with and interact with this next generation of young people, I ask myself if they are really born again properly? Many young people can quote chapter and verse. They can 'go through the motions' and come up with the right answers but is there evidence of this new nature living inside them, changing their desires and choices?

What is of particular interest to me is the need for the daily baptism in Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) as He is the seal and guarantee of all the preceding steps (2 Cor 1:22) and the provision of power to live this born again life (Galatians 5:16-26). The birth of a baby is the most dangerous time in the whole gestation process and inept handling, incompetence or lack of experience can maim or damage the child for the rest of it's life. The same is true of spiritual birth. It is important that we do not present a trite, superficial Gospel as any 'converts', whilst transferring from the Kingdom of Darkness to the Kingdom of Light, will enter this new life severely disadvantaged. It makes it virtually impossible to live in this evil world and resist the devil and his temptations when the true power of Holy Spirit cannot flow freely through our lives as the previous three salvation steps have been incompetently managed or simply not completed. I challenged ENERGY to ask themselves the question, 'Am I Born Again?'. I ask you the same question today.

*CROYDE 2009* Part 2

I got up early on Saturday morning ready for our special 8am prayer meeting but could not work out why the whole place was silent until I re-checked my watch and realised it was 6.30am instead of 7.30am. D'OH!! Getting in the car, I drove down to Croyde beach and spent an hour praying and meeting with God. Those quiet moments before the start of a busy day are always very precious and none more so than when we are surrounded by God's Creation. I've been thinking recently how Jesus often got up early to pray and meet God (Mark 1:35) and it is something I want to continue to develop in my life too. On returning to St. George's House, everyone was up and ready to pray!

During the morning meeting we had a time of worship and we sang 'Saviour, He can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, mighty to save". This image really stuck in my mind. I was reminded of Matthew 17:20 "He [Jesus] replied, "Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."" We took some time to speak to those things in our lives which were like mountains: unsaved friends and families, personal struggles, temptations, disappointments, experiences etc. Sometimes we do need to wait before we proceed and there should be time for discussion, preparation and so on. That is wisdom! However, we must not over complicate what Jesus says! It can be as easy as identify - attack advance. We took time to speak against those mountains and it was clear that a growing heart for the Lost is, at last (!), emerging in the lives of some of the young people.

In the afternoon, we all went down to Woolacombe for a rather special event: The Moses Man Hunt. All five of the ENERGY Team dressed up in some truly spectacular outfits and positioned themselves around the town much to the amusement of the Youth. Worryingly, most of the people who saw us quickly avoided eye contact and rushed by although a few did stop us and ask what was going on. As for the Man Hunt, it was a tight-run event with all the Teams really entering into the spirit of it (even when it did start to rain). A Steward's Enquiry was requested as Sue (the most difficult Moses to find as she had a coat on, was sat in a cafe in one of the side streets and could only be identified by her Staff) refused to sign a Team's card until all of them were present. This meant another Team pipped them to the post and won. All's fair in love and Moses Man Hunts though! Congratulations to the winners and congratulations to the Moses (Moseses/Mosi??) for all your hard work and putting up with the strange, bewildered looks from local people. Pictures to follow!

*CROYDE 2009* Part 1

What an amazing weekend! I got back home from our Youth Trip to Croyde last night and so much happened over the two days we were there that I've decided to do a special 4-Part Series this week here on the Blog. It will cover some of the key moments from the weekend as well as some of the funnier goings on. Today, we start at the er...beginning. During our Tuesday evening ENERGY meeting we had spent some time praying about our time away. As a Team we knew that God was making some big promises about the impact this time away would have on our lives and what He wanted to do. This was going to be a weekend of breakthrough and it would be one of the best things we've ever done. We also believed that it would be a wake up call for some of the young people as well as a turning point in their lives with Him. We were not disappointed.

As the young people were arriving after the long journey from Bristol, we settled into what was going to be our home for the weekend (St. George's House) and unpacked. Food was served and then we began to gather in the meeting room. Although tired and excited all at the same time, people were in good spirits. The first night's meeting can often be a slow start as people take time to adjust and focus on God. I shared briefly from Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." This was a word the Lord had brought to my attention that morning and I felt it would be a taster of what was to come during our time in Croyde.

From that moment, Holy Spirit presenced Himself with considerable force and power in that room. It is no exaggeration to say that it was one of the top three most powerful manifestations of Him in my life. There was a heaviness of His Presence and a spirit of repentance began to break out in the room. Some of the youth started to sort themselves out with God and put right areas of lukewarmness and sin. It was like a cleansing process had begun. Others were just relieved to feel the flow of Holy Spirit move in their lives again after dry, difficult times. It was a precious, holy moment and completely God-led.

After this, I knew we (the Team) needed to pray and prophecy over any of the young people who wanted this. A fresh authority and release of the prophetic gift began to flow and we spent an hour to an hour and a half simply ministering to these young people. The words were strong, challenging, encouraging and accompanied by signs of Holy Spirit enfolding each young person with His Presence. I rarely prophecy in the first person but such was the anointing on the proceedings that the words were forming so easily in my mind and the words flowed out of my mouth without such a minimal effort that I realised I had been speaking in the first person when I was prophesying.

The impact on the youth was profound; some were quietly weeping and taking in all he was doing. Others were praying for one another. Those who had been spoken to were writing down what had been said. A few were deeply challenged by the pure power dynamic of God in that meeting, something we are not used to seeing even in the excellent services we have at BCC!

By 11.20pm (!) things had slowed down and there was a quiet, gentle peace in the room. In all things we need to go when God says "Go!" and stop when He says "Stop!" It was time for some hot chocolate and some sleep.

Faith, Food and Fun

Tonight, our 4258th Youth Weekend Away kicks off down in Croyde. I have done a few of these residential events over the years and I can honestly say they are extremely valuable for a number of reasons. Here are three!
We Are Open To God
Taking a Group away for a weekend creates time and space for the Holy Spirit to speak to us, refresh us and generally do what He wants. No-one has to rush off. Everyone knows that first and foremost we are here to meet Jesus and there is always a clear prophetic edge to what happens. God speaks to us. God leads us. It is awesome. Every weekend takes on it's own character and personality. Sometimes the sessions are freeform/open whilst other times there is a clear word which needs to be preached, song to be sung or action to be carried out. What ALWAYS happens is we desire that Holy Spirit has His way.

We Have Fun
These weekends always create 'memorable moments' which last a lifetime. I think there were times when Jesus and His disciples just laughed and laughed and laughed. Come on, 12 blokes together for three years with no fun or laughter whatsoever?? I don't think so. To be honest, I can be way too serious and intense sometimes. Those of you who have known me for a long time may well agree! As I've grown older, I am learning to be a bit more playful without feeling silly, immature or like I'm somehow compromising what God has called me to be. Fun is important and I think that joy and happiness can be a Holy Spirit inspired thing. It does not have to be crude, fleshly or stimulated by impure sources.

Take this weekend, for example, 5 of us will be dressing up as Moses and hiding around Woolacombe for a Man Hunt on Saturday afternoon. (Yes, pictures will be posted online in due course). There will be a slippers competition (most interesting pair wins!). Fun and Games will also be happening on Saturday night after the meeting with a special 'Exodus Fancy Dress Party' (come as anyone or anything in the Book of Exodus).

As well as these planned times, I always find special moments of intimacy and laughter with the youth and the Team throughout the course of the weekend. Food plays an important part in any teenager's life and a weekend away is no exception. We have always been blessed with wonderful cooks in years gone by, who have done a wonderful job in the catering department. This year we have a professional chef (Jamie - no not Oliver - much better!) doing the job. There is often much laughter and fun as we gather to share news, stories and so on over a meal. All these times are very precious and help create a stronger sense of unity between us as a Group and most importantly, give the young people a sense of belonging to the Church.

We Live A Life Of Love Being away together as a whole Group means the young people and the Team have to learn how to love and serve one another even when tired or irritated by other people. They have to think about other people. They will contribute to the community through washing up, drying up and other forms of simple service. There is inevitably conflict and challenge at times. However, I believe this is a healthy expression of Christian fellowship because it gives us all an opportunity to develop Christ-like character by responding in a Godly way, receiving loving correction/discipline where necessary and learning from mistakes for the future.

Please pray for us this weekend. 21 Young People are going plus 7 Leaders (James, Sue, Alison, Matt, Vicki, Kat and Chef Jamie). Some rather strangely dressed Moses-type characters may put in an appearance as well.... Thanks.

The Beard Brigade

Psalm 133 says, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."

Last night we had a Family Time. For the uninitiated, this is a Church business meeting for all the members of BCC. A member is someone who has completed our 'Power for Living Course'; a 6 week introduction to who we are and what we believe. During this time, people begin to know whether God is joining them to the Church or not and this 'witness' is shared amongst the Leadership.

As I sat in the meeting last night, I could feel the unity amongst us. Psalm 133 was coming to life before my eyes. This Church is united. As John correctly asserted, in the 16 years of his leadership this Church has never divided or split. The significance of that statement should not be lost. During my visit to Lee Abbey last week, I had many opportunities to talk and quietly listen to people's stories. Many described very demanding, difficult and challenging Church situations led by uninspired leaders with divided people. In another conversation back here in Bristol, someone was telling me about a Church they knew which had seen a 'Leadership Coup'; masterminded by a couple who were pushing others out so they could push themselves in. Colin Urquhart shared a public message about the collapse of a huge Church in Europe after a carefully co-ordinated attack on the Senior Leader by two thirds of his own team. Another Senior Pastor of a large and 'successful' Church in Scotland faced a similar split after disgruntled ex-leaders went and tried to take many of the Church with them.

The stories go on and on.

In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes (p.132), "The Bible calls the Church "the body of Christ." I can't imagine saying to Jesus, "I love You, but I dislike Your wife." Or "I accept You but I reject Your body." But we do this whenever we dismiss or demean or complain about the Church. Instead God commands us to love the Church as much as Jesus does....Sadly, many Christians use the Church but don't love it."

Stop and consider what we have here in B.C.C. Take a look around at what God has given you and your children (who represent the future generations) through this united body of believers. There is a rich, deep, powerful grace over your life. God uses B.C.C. to help you go and grow in your faith. He placed you here and positioned you exactly where He wants you (1 Corinthians 12:18 The Message). Nobody chooses a Church, the Church chooses them!

It's all too easy to take a solid, secure, strong Church for granted. Don't! We can forget the cost, sacrifice and persecution of those to whom God has given the care of the Church. Don't! We can overlook the fact that makes BCC such a success in the eyes of God: unity. Take some today today to thank God for this unity and for those people (especially John Maskell) who have been faithful to being the godly Shepherds required in these last days. As 1 Timothy 5:17 says, "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching."

Born Again?

I hope you're enjoying the sunshine, it looks like summer has arrived early! This morning John, Richard, Neil and I met for our weekly breakfast get-together. These times are always important and God tends to lead and guide our conversations despite there being no formal 'agenda' for these meetings. This morning we began to talk about the need for people (especially young people) to be born again "properly". This can be so challenging for children and teens brought up in a religious environment but have little or no real revelation and life-changing salvation encounter of their own.

In recent weeks I have been thinking a lot about this and have been dipping into a very helpful book by David Pawson called "The Normal Christian Birth." As I reflect on some of his views, my own experience of working with young people for many years and seeing them increase their knowledge of God but never really come through into their own rich, deep, life-changing revelation of Jesus as well as the biblical examples of the sheer drama of the born-again experience, it has caused me to go back to God, asking for His wisdom and counsel on this matter.

We can set up different strategies and initiatives within the Church aimed at helping everyone advance in their faith but unless God break through into someone's life, bringing them to repentance, faith and baptism in both water and the Holy Spirit then we have a major problem! I am not suggesting they will never sin or make a mistake. I am not suggesting that everything is perfect and 'hunky dory'. However, the nature of the Christian conversion is transformative. If we do not receive this new nature, owned and developed by the Holy Spirit then, at best, we will have a religious veneer to our lives, becoming hypocritical and spiritually impotent and at worst we will simply satiate our sinful desires in the world walking away from Christ and possibly jeopardising our salvation and eternal position in heaven.

Take some time to look at your own life today. Has your life been transformed by the power of Christ living and dwelling in you? There should be evidence of repentance, faith, water baptism and the regular, daily infilling of the Holy Spirit. If there isn't then there are two possibilities: firstly you are not saved or secondly you are saved but you are not living in the fullness of all God intended for your life.

Either one requires you to do something about it.

God's Green Light

Welcome back to the Blog! I had a great time away at Lee Abbey. As well as eating a bit too well, I spent some time praying, reading, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine. Yes, you read that correctly - the weather was really good. I stopped off in Woolacombe on Friday (checking out possible sites for our Moses Man Hunt this Saturday) then drove round to Saunton for a final walk on the beach before heading home. I love the seaside.

Now I'm back here in Bristol and reflecting on some of the things God spoke to me about whilst I was away. The really key word came from Psalm 40:1, "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry." I wonder how many of us try and get ahead of God, instigating projects and plans He neither owns nor cares about? Many things can drive us forward in this manner. It often is born out of frustration not revelation. In a recent conversation with John we commented that he is not past it and I've not missed it! It is all too easy to let these driving, fleshly forces push us into initiating or interfering with matters we don't need to worry about.

We must be secure enough to know that God will make His plans and purposes clear and we simply need to walk in them. In the meantime we must get on with the business of living. Since arriving back from Lee Abbey, I've led worship at the Saturday prayer meeting, led worship on Sunday, had a Youth Team meeting on Sunday night. This week I'm running a Music Team meeting, Energy Session, I will be returning to my counselling work as school reopens after the Easter Holidays, there is a Family Time on Wednesday evening and then seven leaders and over 20 young people will be away in Croyde for a whole weekend of meeting with Jesus, fun, games and, of course, a Moses Man Hunt!

Psalm 40:1 is not about inactivity or spiritual laziness. It is about living life, getting on with what we need to do, quietly and in the full knowledge that when God wants to move us forward HE is the one who gives us the green light.

Blog Off

Welcome to the Blog. I hope you had an eggscellent Easter weekend (geddit??). Sorry. We had a really wonderful Easter Family Service on Sunday. Despite there being loads of the Church away, we had lots of visitors come along instead and it was so good to see the Bourne Chapel full of new faces. A HUGE well done to all those who were involved in the meeting, a lot of work went into it and in the midst of all the fun, games and kids' songs, the message of Easter could be heard loud and clear.

Have you been doing The Purpose Driven Life? I read something which really stuck with me. "How is it possible to do everything to the glory of God? By doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus and by carrying on a continual conversation with Him while you do it" (p.67). This carrying on a continual conversation with Him is something I want to develop more. Yesterday, some of us went down to Symonds Yat on the River Wye for a walk. It resulted in us walking all the way to Monmouth and back (a round trip of about 12 miles!) with buggies and kids thrown in for good measure! As we walked we had some time to enjoy the sunshine, the countryside, each other's company and more.

I find it easy to have a dedicated time (usually on my own) when I can do this but to keep that continual contact during the day is another thing. As we walked and talked and enjoyed the day yesterday I aimed to include God in what I was doing, thinking, feeling and so on. Finding His presence was both a challenge and an adventure. At times I broke through, at other times I just forgot! I know God has made me for His enjoyment and in many ways wants to encounter me more than I want to encounter Him. With this truth in mind, I'm going to press on in my pursuit of Him - and leave the buggy pushing to other, more skilled operators!

I am going away now for a few days and will not be blogging until next Monday (20 April). I'll let you know how I get on when I return. See you then!

Happy Easter 2009!

First of all, let me wish you all an awesome, Jesus-Centred, Cross-Focused Easter. Enjoy the food, family and fun but we know what it's really all about. Don't forget out special Easter Family Service this Sunday 12 April from 10.30am. An ideal way to celebrate the true meaning of Easter so bring your family and friends along. There will be special Easter refreshments served after the meeting so don't miss it!

Just a few other notices and prayer requests: please pray for the Easter Service and pray that God would use it to speak powerfully to young and old alike. Remember there is NO prayer meeting this Saturday morning (11 April) and NO meeting on Wednesday 15 April. The Youth Weekend Away to Croyde is rapidly approaching (24-26 April) so please pray for that. More information: http://www.bristolcommunitychurch.org/croyde.asp The Team are working hard on a variety of things related to this weekend away. Pray Jesus meets us in a powerful way and really changes the lives of these young people so they can be salt and light in this world.

Well, that's about it from me. For those of you who are joining in our 40-Day 'Purpose Driven Life' adventure (we are the "Fellowship of the Book" lol), keep going and I pray God uses it to speak to you in a fresh new way. I'll be back on Tuesday (14 April) for a quick blog entry before blogging off for the rest of the week. Have a great Easter and I'll see some of you soon!

The Forgiveness Factor

We had a really special time at the early morning prayer meeting today. When my alarm goes off at 5.30am I really have to resist the temptation to go deeper into the duvet anointing but once I'm up and out of the door I know I'm in for a good time even if my yawning is loud enough to wake the neighbours! These early morning prayer meetings are costly and because they require a measure of sacrifice, God always moves in a powerful, prophetic way. Today, after John had helped stir our spirits a little, the seven of us who were there began to pray into a number of issues. This was no shopping list, instead it was a truly inspired stream of Spirit-led issues and thoughts. One key issue came up again which has really stuck with me: forgiveness.

This weekend is all about Easter: Christ's death and resurrection. I'm still in awe of His words as he hung on the Cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). The theme of forgiveness runs through the Bible like blood through the veins. Jesus taught on it and made it clear it should be a daily part of our discipleship (Matthew 6:9-14, 18:21-35). The New Testament also positions it right under our noses as those who seek to live a daily, authentic Christian life (Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32). Easter is a reminder of our need to forgive, just as Christ forgave us.

I believe that the Holy Spirit is reminding us about the need to forgive. John really caught hold of this in the meeting on Sunday and it came up again in our prayer time this morning. The approach of Easter reminds us of this vital issue. Clearly, the Holy Spirit wants us to hear this message again and again until we do something about it (James 1:22). Let me speak personally for a minute. God is speaking to me about forgiving people. It's so easy to allow the spiritual poison of unforgiveness to creep in when we are hurt by people, especially those whom we love, trust and invest in. If I look back over the years of ministry, there have been many who have walked away from me, the Church and Jesus, treated me badly, spread lies and gossip about me or those whom I love, sought to destroy the lives and work of BCC or others simply to vindicate their own negative confession and so on. What makes it worse is that these people call themselves Christians. David knew what it was to experience this (Psalm 55:12-14). So did Paul (2 Timothy 1:15). So did Jesus (Matthew 26:56).

Thankfully God does not leave me (or you) in that faithless place. The words of Jesus are ringing in my ears as I write this, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15 emphasis added). My response is to look again at the Cross and to hear those merciful words of Jesus whispered into my spirit by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. My response is to speak words of forgiveness and move on, keeping a short account with God and all people. This is the true path of an authentic Christian life. Have a great day: you won't if you carry unforgiveness in your heart.

Brighten Up Your Day

Have you listened to Neil's preach from last Sunday yet (click on the link below)? It was excellent. Neil has his own unique style which compliments those who also preach and teach the Word of God here in B.C.C. He often sees things in the Word that others don't and his down-to-earth delivery and style make him very easy to listen to. He is also very good at taking established concepts and ideas and re-packaging them so they can be understood in a different way. Preaching is not easy and like football, everyone seems to be an armchair expert with their own assessment, view, opinion and advice to make it better. However, we all know that if push came to shove, their performance on the pitch would be far worse than those already down there getting on with the job!

There is a practical dimension to preaching (also known as 'homiletics'). You can 'learn' how to communicate more effectively. Issues of structure, style, application, content, literary devices, humour, personal experiences and so on can all help good preachers become great preachers. However, that's not the end of the story.

Preaching is primarily a spiritual activity When we preach the word of God we are preaching to your spirit as well as the spiritual principalities surrounding us at the time. Due to it's spiritual nature, preachers need the spiritual, supernatural equipping of grace for this gift to function properly. Have you noticed how some people can preach a message that shouldn't work in the natural but because of this anointing (i.e. the supernatural equipping of God's grace) it connects deeply and powerfully: the Holy Spirit inhabits the words.

I love watching people grow in grace. Neil's preaching and teaching gift has grown in this way and each time he shares there is a transmission of Holy Spirit life from Neil's own spirit to any other receptive people picking up the signal. I doubt that any new people coming to the Church would ever think that Neil's tally of Sunday morning messages has not even reached double figures yet. This is evidence of God's grace, not Neil's gifting. All Neil has to do is keep being obedient to God and stepping out in faith to receive that supernatural equipping. All we have to do is listen with open hearts and a good attitude and everyone's a winner!

http://www.bristolcommunitychurch.org/podcasts.asp

Lee Flabby

Well, it's all booked. Next week I'm going to Lee Abbey, a Christian Holiday / Retreat Centre down in Devon. My plan is to take a few days out during the Easter season to seek God, pray and have a change of scenery. I went to Lee Abbey many years ago and they send me their annual programme each January. I had my usual look at it this time around but nothing really grabbed me so I just left it. Last week I was out for a walk, listening to a message on my ipod and praying a bit. God spoke to me very clearly and said, "Get away and meet with me." I don't normally hear God that strongly, usually it is a thought or a feeling, an idea or piece of Scripture I'd not been considering. However, this was a sharp thought that pierced my cognitive process and carried with it a real urgency. I knew I needed to do something about it.

Having done a bit of research via the internet, I remembered Lee Abbey and gave them a call. They were extremely helpful and very accommodating. They even had a spare double room which they would let me have at a single person's rates! My plan is to go down, pray, read a bit, walk and talk with the Lord and see what comes up. I've been working for the Church for many years now and I've been running the Youth Minitry for over a decade. I want to make sure that all I am doing has God's seal of approval and I'm not the proverbial 'stopper in the bottle' getting in the way of something that needs to happen without me. Tim Hughes' song 'There must be more than this' has been going around in my head recently and I was talking to John (Maskell) yesterday about feeling that there is so much more to come. I have a holy boredom!

I think this can be a place that God allows us to get to where we have a holy desire for something fresh and new. Our response is to simply get away and meet with Him and this is what I aim to do at Lee Abbey. I want to open myself up to God in a fresh way and let Him speak to me about anything He wants me to do or stop doing. All I do in the Church and in my life right now is up for grabs by God and I'm expectant, excited and just a little bit scared as you never quite know where He is going to go next...

My stay at Lee Abbey is also full board, so watch out for a slightly more rotund James when I return!

p.s. don't forget that today some of us will be starting our study of The Purpose Driven Life, a 40 day devotional book written by Rick Warren from Saddleback Church in California. You'd be more than welcome to join in and I will post some periodical blog entries as my study progresses.

Tree Hugger

I really love our Home Group. I've been attending it since Ian and Alison took over in January 2008 and we're entering a fresh, new season together after taking time to form and establish ourselves. Since the start of this year, everyone has been allocated an evening which they have to lead. John (Maskell) has always said he is leading a Church of leaders and when people have to get out of their comfort zones and lead a session, the results are pretty spectacular. Home Group has been no exception. People have led things in different ways and included testimonies, discussion times and more. This week was a focused prayer time. Each person briefly shared any prayer points and after a time of worship, people began to prayer and speak words of life over people. Although tired (Wednesdays are always an early start for me), there was a gentle sense of God's presence and some of what was shared was excellent.

Many years ago (when I was attending the Church in my Student days), I remember being at a Church Worship Team Meeting. We were sat in Richard and Kim's front room when they lived in Stoke Gifford. I remember it vividly! Richard spoke very prophetically over my life using Psalm 1. Verse 3 stood out to me, "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." This image has stayed with me ever since and on Wednesday evening someone prayed this verse over my life once again. They did not know the prophetic significance of that verse over my life. No-one had told them. I certainly hadn't. God never forgets and when we forget His word and plan for our lives, He is gracious enough to give us a reminder.

Remember what God has said over your life. Get out some of those tried and tested prophetic statements and convictions you have received over the years (note the caveat) which have been confirmed by others who know and love you and the Lord. Write them down again in a regularly viewed place. Ask others to pray them over you life as well. Keep these words over your life at the centre of your life. God knows them but have you forgotten them?

The Purpose Driven Life

Hey Everyone. Just a quick entry for you today. Do you remember 'The Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren? It is a daily devotional study which lasts for a month or so written by Mega Church Pastor Rick Warren. It is an excellent book and we went through it as a whole Church 5 years ago, using the daily readings as talking points and discussion starters in formal or informal settings. Confession time: I've forgotten most of it! As a result a few of us will be going through it again starting on Monday 6 April. This gives you a few days to blow the dust off your copy or order a new one (they're very cheap on Amazon at the moment). We also had an excellent time with the youth on Tuesday night, thanks to those of you who prayed for us and asked how it went. I will write a fuller blog entry about it when the talk/notes are up on the Sex Factor website.

P.S. Have a listen to Clive Urquhart's message entitled "Never Shaken" (8 March 2009) either from itunes or their website - we get a brief but very encouraging mention! http://www.kingdomfaith.com/WatchAndListen/