Aarrrrggghhhhh! No this is not a reflection of my week ... But of the fact that I had already written this blog out once when I inadvertently pressed the wrong button and discarded it instead of saving it ... Still I have now learnt what buttons to press in case it should happen again.
Now .. What did I say last time?
I had intended to write something each week so that I could break my record of blogposts in one year .... Which I think currently stands at 24! ... But here we are in week 3 and I am only on post 2 for 2011 ... It was not a resolution so I don't feel bad in any way!!
The last few weeks have been manic to say the least, not because of workload but because an operation that my dear wife has to have on her shoulder has been brought forward by a month to next week. So the arrangements I had had in place to be available for the extra driving, shopping, work and household chores that will fall upon me as she is convalescing are now needing to be changed, and four weeks work needs to be crammed into three days ... Next Thursday here we come. Thankfully we are surrounded by very helpful people who will no doubt support us very well and offer to fill gaps ... But anyway, the best laid plans of mice and men and all that!!
Recently I was reading in Isaiah 55 of the people of Israel who are "endowed with splendour" - the splendour of the Lord, what an awesome privilege ... in Isaiah 56 we read of those who are true servants, and what that looks like, but we also read of those who presume to be servants, Is 56:10-12 ... Lord, let us not be like this but rather help us to do what pleases you in our service, love, and worship. This morning on the Tozer twitter feed (check out the link https://twitter.com/tozeraw/status/28612603127275520) we read "the most unhappy Christians in the church today are the ones who are walking in disobedience" which challenged me to reflect on those times when I feel a little down or unhappy ... It is interesting to ask the Holy Spirit for insight ... Sometimes He doesn't want to pat us on the back and say "there, there!" sometimes he wants to show us what we are doing wrong!
Talking of obedience and service - this last week we have welcomed 26 folks to Bulstrode who are all in the process of stepping out in faith to work in missions ... 13 of those are going out with Frontiers, but it was great to host them and pray together last week ... The WEC workers are here for the next 10 weeks ... All with their own stories of leading and the challenges that obedience brings ... Homes, family left behind ... But also the excitement of looking forward to all that the Lord is leading them into both here in the UK and overseas!
Have also had meetings to plan the programme for GO2011 with other missions ... Great to work together and see what is coming out of that ... Some details to finalise but check out the website for more details and get the message out http://www.go2011.org.uk/ .... Send the link to any that you think might be interested - better still organise a coach load from your youth group or church!!
Working on internship programme to start next September ... So if you think of anyone who wants to give a year for missions and who will also receive training and equipping then point them in my direction.
On the book front, I have recently been swamped by the introduction of the Kindle reader and the plethora of free books available .... Now beginning to include Agatha Christie I note! However, I am reading John Stott's "The Cross of Christ" - a welcome dip into the centrality of our message as believers ... Saved by grace not effort or because we deserve to be ... But by faith in the works of Christ for us.
So, it only remains for me to say "aaaarrrrgggghhh" again, this time because now I have finished this I know I have the monthly accounts to work through!!! Longest two hours of the month - but the tax man loves me for it I am sure!!!
Have a great week!
- Press on!
Now .. What did I say last time?
I had intended to write something each week so that I could break my record of blogposts in one year .... Which I think currently stands at 24! ... But here we are in week 3 and I am only on post 2 for 2011 ... It was not a resolution so I don't feel bad in any way!!
The last few weeks have been manic to say the least, not because of workload but because an operation that my dear wife has to have on her shoulder has been brought forward by a month to next week. So the arrangements I had had in place to be available for the extra driving, shopping, work and household chores that will fall upon me as she is convalescing are now needing to be changed, and four weeks work needs to be crammed into three days ... Next Thursday here we come. Thankfully we are surrounded by very helpful people who will no doubt support us very well and offer to fill gaps ... But anyway, the best laid plans of mice and men and all that!!
Recently I was reading in Isaiah 55 of the people of Israel who are "endowed with splendour" - the splendour of the Lord, what an awesome privilege ... in Isaiah 56 we read of those who are true servants, and what that looks like, but we also read of those who presume to be servants, Is 56:10-12 ... Lord, let us not be like this but rather help us to do what pleases you in our service, love, and worship. This morning on the Tozer twitter feed (check out the link https://twitter.com/tozeraw/status/28612603127275520) we read "the most unhappy Christians in the church today are the ones who are walking in disobedience" which challenged me to reflect on those times when I feel a little down or unhappy ... It is interesting to ask the Holy Spirit for insight ... Sometimes He doesn't want to pat us on the back and say "there, there!" sometimes he wants to show us what we are doing wrong!
Talking of obedience and service - this last week we have welcomed 26 folks to Bulstrode who are all in the process of stepping out in faith to work in missions ... 13 of those are going out with Frontiers, but it was great to host them and pray together last week ... The WEC workers are here for the next 10 weeks ... All with their own stories of leading and the challenges that obedience brings ... Homes, family left behind ... But also the excitement of looking forward to all that the Lord is leading them into both here in the UK and overseas!
Have also had meetings to plan the programme for GO2011 with other missions ... Great to work together and see what is coming out of that ... Some details to finalise but check out the website for more details and get the message out http://www.go2011.org.uk/ .... Send the link to any that you think might be interested - better still organise a coach load from your youth group or church!!
Working on internship programme to start next September ... So if you think of anyone who wants to give a year for missions and who will also receive training and equipping then point them in my direction.
On the book front, I have recently been swamped by the introduction of the Kindle reader and the plethora of free books available .... Now beginning to include Agatha Christie I note! However, I am reading John Stott's "The Cross of Christ" - a welcome dip into the centrality of our message as believers ... Saved by grace not effort or because we deserve to be ... But by faith in the works of Christ for us.
So, it only remains for me to say "aaaarrrrgggghhh" again, this time because now I have finished this I know I have the monthly accounts to work through!!! Longest two hours of the month - but the tax man loves me for it I am sure!!!
Have a great week!
- Press on!
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