Pressing On

Where has the week gone? It is already Sunday afternoon and the week 5 is about to begin! So, once again time to take stock, reflect and see what the last week held. Bit of a busy week, so grabbing some time between helping the youngest with her homework ... The daily life of Celts! ... And preparing for tea! (anyone know where I can get my hands on a copy of Jamie Oliver's 30 minute meals? Even if they do take and hour and a half!) On a personal note, my wife had her operation on the shoulder, which I understand is an incredibly painful procedure ... The Doctor said it would be, and my wife confirms it!! This has meant that since Thursday I have also been chief cook, sandwich maker and everything else that we normally do together for the family. The kids have rallied round and filled in the inevitable gaps that I leave between what 'Mum' usually does, and what 'Dad' remembers to do! Also had a great time queuing for a KS2 Disco with my youngest daughter ... The fev...

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...

At the start of the year I seek the Lord for some verses of encouragement, and as I looked back over the last three years I noted that the Lord has led me to Isaiah. This year I am currently reading through the book of Isaiah as part of my normal reading - so it comes as no surprise to realise that this is again where I have been led to look afresh and receive for this year. I encourage you to read the whole of chapters 49 and 50 ... Relating to 'The servant of the Lord', which has obvious Christological meaning, but is also addressing the attitudes that all the 'servants of the Lord' should display ... Ie. You and me and all His people! I pick up the chapter in Isaiah 49:4 the prophet writes "But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God." " We all have phases when we feel like this ... And ask questions which I am sure are commo...

Note I am not saying 'Business as Mission' ... but reflecting to what extent current management has influenced mission planning and whether or not this is a good thing. ie Management by objective etc etc. Personally I have found both John Kotter and Jim Collins helpful in thinking about managing the process of transformation - but always with the nagging certainty that neither God nor Kingdom building can be managed and that He is always at work doing the unexpected, that what is important to Him is often not quantifiable at all, and all we are ever doing is playing catch-up with Him! I think it was R T Kendall who wrote "The purpose of every generation is to find out what God is doing and align itself with that." There is much to reflect on but it 'pains' me when I read or hear leaders who have stated "I define the vision of the Church clearly, in other words say where the bus is going, then people can decide whether or not they want to be on the bus!...

Have just finished reading an interesting book called 'Just Courage' ... by Gary A Haugen, President and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM). The back cover has a cry that must be that of many people ... "There must be more to the Christian life than this..." and of course there is. I do have some fundamental questions that were left unanswered in the book ... mainly along the lines of whether justice is an end in itself. It must be truly wonderful to be involved in a group that sees the emancipation of people from horrendous abuse situations and slavery - but if it is only for this life is that what Jesus is about when it comes to transformation? I would of appreciated reading more of how these expressions of Christian work impact the world in real and practical ways and how they work together with others to see people entering into the true freedom that is only found in Christ ... I am sure there are some great stories out there. What was great were the testi...

I am now sat down in front of the TV watching a repeat run of Top Gear pondering how much I really want a cup of tea ... but not being bothered to get up and make it! Not what I usually do on a Friday afternoon but after a week of Leader's meetings, Trustees meetings and WEC UK Conference it is all I can muster the energy to do at this point! So what are my initial reflections ... beyond 'Wow it's tiring leading a conference!' Praise - Great, Teaching - Great, Equipping - Great, Debate - Robust and fruitful, Prayer - Moving, Business - Strategic, Fellowship - Encouraging, Weather - Cold, Biscuits - Too many! If I had to choose three things that struck me most powerfully over the week they would be ' Worship - Movement - Progress ' Worship - because there is something very moving about worshipping together with a group of people who have committed their lives to serving the Living God. Regardless of ministry, culture, age or Church background - the underlying pa...

Some verses in the Bible that are difficult to understand ... requiring a lot of prayerful thought and searching out - even then the answers may not be entirely satisfying. There could be a whole host of reasons for that, but as we keep searching the Lord has a wonderful way of giving answers. Some verses, and this is today's thought, are quite easily understood, plain in meaning - but perhaps hard to comprehend/accept. Take Isaiah 13:11 where God speaks through the Prophet saying "I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless." For many, this may be difficult to reconcile together with a God of Love, Mercy and Grace. How could someone who 'Loves perfectly' do such a thing? The challenge is to maintain a balance in the whole character of God - which is threefold - He is a God of Truth, a God of Holiness and a God of Love - all in perfection, without over...