Pressing On

Sometimes when we get to the end of the week we can look back and wonder what has been accomplished. Especially when the previous week seemed to fly by in a blur! Busyness can be deathly to a good spiritual life - if rushing from one thing to another becomes the focus of our energies, and we never feel as though we are accomplishing anything. Paul Yonghi Cho wrote "God is omnipresent (everywhere at the same time) but He is never in a hurry." Which I do believe to be true, however, this does not mean that moving quickly from place to place necessarily equates to being a rush ... We can know real peace and be confident of His presence at all times - nurturing that attitude is the key. So as I looked back on the last week I thought to myself, in the midst of the busyness and travelling what have been the highlights and where have I seen God at work ... On Sunday we went to St Marks Church in Versailles ... And enjoyed a weekend with Friends in Paris. It was wonderful to see what...

With the intent of writing something each week at the back of my mind I realize, with a very small sense of disappointment, that it is some time since I wrote anything ... Not that there has been nothing to write about ... Very much the opposite in fact!! Over the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to spend 10 days in Germany at a meeting of International Leaders from around the WEC world to plan and discuss future strategy and direction of the work of WEC worldwide. It is always a privilege to meet together with others from our international fellowship - and whilst we might not see each other very often our life together in Christ, which expresses itself in shared aims and objectives, is a rich blessing to be enjoyed! No sooner had we returned from this then we were straight into the UK Conference here at Bulstrode for all UK workers and ministries. Again, whilst there is much diversity it is always an encouragement to regroup twice a year, refocus, share, pray and encourage ea...

WEC's vision is to see 1200 new workers join us, to see Churches established amongst 33 of the least reached people groups, in 180 new locations around the world ... All over the next 8 years!!! - What kind of people do we need to join us in fulfilling this vision? CT Studd the founder of WEC wrote of the following qualities of people who should think of joining the work of WEC International some 75 years ago ... People gripped by a vision (Rev 5:9) - not people interested in a theory. People apprehended by Christ - not people employed by a mission. People hungry for a fight - not people gorged with educational schemes People who will obey to the uttermost - not people who wish to "do what they can"! This has not changed, and whilst it might sound fanatical, these words really only describe the level of passion and commitment that Jesus expects from all His disciples, whether or not they become missionaries ... The need for people like this is still real and the challenge...

Just come back from a week in Devon, sunning myself, reading and generally refreshing myself for the next few weeks - which are fully booked to say the least! But, having read the last blog post, I am also working hard to remain in the 'place of rest' ... And even fall asleep with Jesus in the boat as it were. (Read it for these comments to make any sense at all!) So, this week a few thoughts on good books I have read, and some software I have been playing around with for some weeks - and which have proved to be extremely helpful for me in this role ... I know they won't suit everyone and there are a few things that you need to be aware of; My job involves a lot of travel ... Locally, nationally and Internationally. I need constant access to files, docs and email ... I am not a naturally organised person .... I could never get on with a Filofax, because you needed to be organised enough to remember to take it with you ... And I was never that organised. So some very helpful...

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at the WEC Holland Conference ... A bit of a road trip with my son, which was very good, but also the opportunity to meet with other folks whose commitment to know and serve their Lord has led them through many and various journeys is always an encouragement. The caramel waffles that are so popular is also a great reason to visit this country!!! In preparation for this conference I was pondering the words of Luke 8 ... Where it is written.... Luke 8:22-25 (NIV) One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he aske...

The theme of worship is an interesting one ... It impacts on structure, tradition, culture, personality, expectations, style, attitude ... But if collective worship is done well, it is such an enriching environment in which to grow as a believer ... Experientially not just theoretically ... Note I use the word environment and not experience! What strengthens? Whenever we meet together as believers, be it small groups, large groups we should come away feeling A/ encouraged B/ strengthened C/ developed in our gifting D/ equipped for life/ministry Personally and corporately - Do you feel that when you leave a Church meeting each time? Too many leave Church feeling discouraged, bored, annoyed, unchanged etc etc Worship is both a noun and a verb ... Each individual believer has the responsibility to express him/herself outwardly in worship, through whatever means are open to that individual in every area of life. One expression of that is the corporate worship service of a...

In John's gospel we read "Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." What do we see the Father doing? And do we join in or carry on as usual? Is it something different He is doing 'today' or is it something He has been doing for some time ... a trend as it were? It is a mixture of both no doubt, but to have the capacity to have a discerning heart is a wonderful gift, and one that needs to be nurtured ... As I sat at home one morning last week, looking out across the fields (I am blessed to live in a very beautiful place) the mist was filling the valley between the hill and the trees ... Eventually the sun rose and broke through, bringing it's warming light, which then had two effects - it dispelled the mist and brought clarity to the vision before me - in other words in place of the hazy vision of greenness I could...