Pressing On

                                            For all those reading this from the comfort of your island retreat here in the UK I wonder if you were aware of what God was doing in Europe over the Christmas and new year period - as he moved amongst thousands of young people, challenging them to more active engagement in His global purposes? Did you feel the afterglow coming across the channel towards us? The movement's called Mission-Net. Firstly, on behalf of the worldwide body of Christ (as if I speak on behalf of them ;-)) however, a huge thank you for all the staff and team that worked so hard to put together the recent Mission Net European conference and, of course, Evi Rodemann for steering it all. If anyone is interested in reading about what went on, how people wer...

I have been fascinated recently at the increase in attention given to what I have always taken/assumed to be the fundamental purpose of the ministry of the Church ... discipleship. In a recent article I read of five changes that the author believes the Church need to make. From Reaching to Making From Teaching to Modeling (from Leading to being Led) From Attending to Participating From Connecting to Transforming From Attracting to Deploying An article that is worth reflecting on to see what changes could be made to any current practice. At the same time I was somewhat amused by the initial comment ... "God is doing a new thing with Christians around the world and it’s finally coming to the United States. Of course, it’s not really a new thing, its actually an old thing. It’s called “making disciples.” A very godly man said to me recently "God is always doing the same thing differently!" So how is good doing this today?   I have been pondering th...

More thoughts from my guest blogger, Malcolm Gr a y - Thailand.   “Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks?” (Judges 5:16).  Israel have settled in the promised land of Canaan. There is an uprising under Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army with their 900 iron chariots. Israel are too disunited and afraid to face the enemy. Owing to a lack of willing male warriors, God chooses a courageous woman, Deborah, to lead the Israelite army into battle, consequently shaming the men. Predictably, God pulls through, and an amazing battle is won in the shadow of Armageddon (Mount Megiddo). God sends rain, the plain of Megiddo turns to a sticky mess, rendering the chariots useless, and Sisera flees on foot to a friend’s tent. Jael is the welcoming hostess, allowing the exhausted commander to sleep – just long enough for her to drive a tent peg through his temple, rendering ...