As a pastor, I tend to talk a lot about God's will. “Search for God's will”, “Ask for God's will to be done”, “Obey God's will”. I think sometimes people find this difficult. They say “I've asked what God wants, why won't He work things out for me? Why am I still in a mess?”
It can be heart breaking to keep asking the God you believe in to take control and improve a situation when things only seem to be getting worse.
If you are in this situation, ask yourself one question – what am I seeking God's will for? It is your finances? Your relationship? Your employment? Which part of your life is it that needs God's guidance and help?
Let me tell you, if you are localising your prayers for God's will in to any single part of your life, those prayers may never be answered.
God's will for your life is a grand scheme, it does not segment easily. You cannot make you own plans for one part of your life and ask for God's plans for other parts.
I have a scary truth for you today, either God has COMPLETE control of your life, or your life revolves around an idol. An idol is anything in your life which you put before God.
What does your life revolve around? Is it what you want, what your children or your partner wants or needs? Is it what you can buy or how much status you have? Is it just your safety and comfort?
What is the deciding factor in all your decisions? If it is not God, you cannot expect Him to dive in and sort out the mess you are in, you haven't given Him control of your life to do so.
Trust Him. It may be painful moving idols out of their place in the centre of your life, but you have to tell them “God comes first now. Whatever it takes. Whatever the cost to me.” God's plans are higher than your plans, they are plans for your good and the good of others. And whatever the cost to you, it will never compare to the cost Christ paid for you at the cross.
Give Him the right to do ANYTHING in your life. God will sustain you through it and you will be glad that you did.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Half term's a-coming!
This week I have been asked to change my blog titles to be more content orientated in case someone wanted to 'look back' at a previous blog and couldn't easily find the one they wanted. Duly astonished that someone might even consider doing this, but I do bow to superior wisdom.
It is the last week before half term. We have waved goodbye to the toddler group for a fortnight and we have despatched the harvest gifts to their respective charities. At the college where I used to work my former colleagues will be packing their suitcases and counting down the days, and employees of all other descriptions the world over will be snorting “Half what?” derisively.
Yes, my brain still thinks in terms. It's not that I have half terms off any more (or Summer. Or Christmas. Not even Christmas day actually....) it's more the result of being surrounded by youth ministries. But it has got me to thinking – this half of the term is a bit of a milestone! Hooray!
We did Harvest. A large undertaking. We started all the youth work again. It's going well. We have prayed and mulled and sang a lot. We have planned and dreamed and envisioned a lot. We've worked hard, and this is only the beginning! It's been a great half term working together for God, and I can't wait to see the view from the end of the next one. After all everything will be jingle-belled and candlelit by then. And I don't mind working Christmas day really. In fact I can't wait!
It is the last week before half term. We have waved goodbye to the toddler group for a fortnight and we have despatched the harvest gifts to their respective charities. At the college where I used to work my former colleagues will be packing their suitcases and counting down the days, and employees of all other descriptions the world over will be snorting “Half what?” derisively.
Yes, my brain still thinks in terms. It's not that I have half terms off any more (or Summer. Or Christmas. Not even Christmas day actually....) it's more the result of being surrounded by youth ministries. But it has got me to thinking – this half of the term is a bit of a milestone! Hooray!
We did Harvest. A large undertaking. We started all the youth work again. It's going well. We have prayed and mulled and sang a lot. We have planned and dreamed and envisioned a lot. We've worked hard, and this is only the beginning! It's been a great half term working together for God, and I can't wait to see the view from the end of the next one. After all everything will be jingle-belled and candlelit by then. And I don't mind working Christmas day really. In fact I can't wait!
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Minister Blog 12
Once a month we have an evening “praise and worship” service on a Sunday evening. They vary quite a lot in style, length and content because they are led by somebody new every time.
Last Sunday we had a particularly enjoyable one, led by Janet (thanks Janet!) She brought an evening of contemplating God's goodness, and asked in advance for people to bring contributions.
Personally I was blessed by how much thought people had put into what they were bringing. Encouraging stories, wonderful hymns, a lovely poem, answers to prayer. It was a brilliant example of the church as the body of Christ – each one played their part and God brought it all together in unity.
It wasn't a thunderous occasion, there were only a few of us present, but God has been reminding me that when one or two are gathered in His name He is there. I am very conscious that a lot of people are working hard for God in our church at the minute, and as they persist they hope for the things they have been promised, progress, growth, salvation.
In Romans 5 we read perseverance builds character and character, hope. They have hope because they persevere. So we mustn't forget to encourage and thank our fellow workers in the church – it may give them the extra boost they need to carry on persevering as they press on towards the goal.
Thank you all of you, who are working so hard, even though your progress may not be visible to you yet – God is working, beneath the surface. Keep going, you prove your faith, as you withstand the waiting.
Last Sunday we had a particularly enjoyable one, led by Janet (thanks Janet!) She brought an evening of contemplating God's goodness, and asked in advance for people to bring contributions.
Personally I was blessed by how much thought people had put into what they were bringing. Encouraging stories, wonderful hymns, a lovely poem, answers to prayer. It was a brilliant example of the church as the body of Christ – each one played their part and God brought it all together in unity.
It wasn't a thunderous occasion, there were only a few of us present, but God has been reminding me that when one or two are gathered in His name He is there. I am very conscious that a lot of people are working hard for God in our church at the minute, and as they persist they hope for the things they have been promised, progress, growth, salvation.
In Romans 5 we read perseverance builds character and character, hope. They have hope because they persevere. So we mustn't forget to encourage and thank our fellow workers in the church – it may give them the extra boost they need to carry on persevering as they press on towards the goal.
Thank you all of you, who are working so hard, even though your progress may not be visible to you yet – God is working, beneath the surface. Keep going, you prove your faith, as you withstand the waiting.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Minister Blog 11
Anyone for a cat update?
This week Spartacus has been let out, allowed to roam free. The problem, we discovered at 8.30pm on Tuesday night, in the dark, is that while he is able to leap onto a bin and get over our fence, into the wide world, he is so small that there is no way for him to get BACK over the fence, should he choose to.
A bit of a night time rescue mission ensued and we now have made a little passage way through the bottom of the fence! But it got me thinking about committing yourself to something, and not being able to go back to what you knew before.
I think this can be a good thing and a bad thing. Sometimes there are sins we leap into that are difficult to get out of , it's difficult to get back to who we were before they happened. But with Jesus there is always a way back. If we really want Jesus to help us out of sin, we must be prepared for it to be costly. You couldn't pull an arrow out of your side without it hurting, but once you'd done it, you could start to heal. It is the same with sin, you do what it takes to get rid of it, for the long-term, then things will start looking up.
Then there are good things we do in life that you don't come back the same from. Taking a 'leap of faith' (or a leap of fence...) can sometimes mean putting ourselves forward for a challenge that we really need to trust in God for. But if God has asked us to do it (perhaps through our prayer or our bible reading), then we can trust him to sustain us.
I'm not talking about silly risks, I'm talking about weighed up, prayed through, talked over, God-risks. Because in fact the safest place to be is 'risking' your own desires, because you're smack bang in the middle of God's will, doing what HE wants. Then you will start to find your desires becoming aligned with Christ's. And yes, you may find you've changed and grown, and you can't go back to how you used to be, but you'll also find it was a risk worth taking.
This week Spartacus has been let out, allowed to roam free. The problem, we discovered at 8.30pm on Tuesday night, in the dark, is that while he is able to leap onto a bin and get over our fence, into the wide world, he is so small that there is no way for him to get BACK over the fence, should he choose to.
A bit of a night time rescue mission ensued and we now have made a little passage way through the bottom of the fence! But it got me thinking about committing yourself to something, and not being able to go back to what you knew before.
I think this can be a good thing and a bad thing. Sometimes there are sins we leap into that are difficult to get out of , it's difficult to get back to who we were before they happened. But with Jesus there is always a way back. If we really want Jesus to help us out of sin, we must be prepared for it to be costly. You couldn't pull an arrow out of your side without it hurting, but once you'd done it, you could start to heal. It is the same with sin, you do what it takes to get rid of it, for the long-term, then things will start looking up.
Then there are good things we do in life that you don't come back the same from. Taking a 'leap of faith' (or a leap of fence...) can sometimes mean putting ourselves forward for a challenge that we really need to trust in God for. But if God has asked us to do it (perhaps through our prayer or our bible reading), then we can trust him to sustain us.
I'm not talking about silly risks, I'm talking about weighed up, prayed through, talked over, God-risks. Because in fact the safest place to be is 'risking' your own desires, because you're smack bang in the middle of God's will, doing what HE wants. Then you will start to find your desires becoming aligned with Christ's. And yes, you may find you've changed and grown, and you can't go back to how you used to be, but you'll also find it was a risk worth taking.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Minister Blog 10
This week I had to handwrite my blog first, while Chris was using the computer to research fridge/freezers. It has been the kind of morning when you have to park in strange places, blow dry your hair in the church office, when loo roll holders come off in your hand, the cat makes a mess, and the freezer blows up. Not to mention the fact that currently, if we flick on almost any of the switches in the kitchen, it short-circuits all of our downstairs electrics. Funny really, yesterday was a great day!
But that's life isn't it? Especially when you are a pastor. The bible tells us that Satan is the enemy of all God's good works. It may seem weird but as Christians we do believe in evil spiritual forces, just as we believe in good. Now I'm not necessarily blaming the devil for breaking off the loo roll holder, but I do think he wants to cause disruption in our lives when we are doing God's work. Big or little, we need to be prepared for his attacks.
I have heard amazing testimonies (sadly confidential!) this week of what God is doing in people's lives. I have seen hearts changed so radically in the last few days, that I almost haven't believed it possible. What the devil doesn't seem to understand is that it is not me changing lives, it is God. We're just here to help out. Attacking us is a desperate stab in the dark, because the devil cannot defeat our God. So, as Paul says in Philippians:
"Rejoice!...The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
But that's life isn't it? Especially when you are a pastor. The bible tells us that Satan is the enemy of all God's good works. It may seem weird but as Christians we do believe in evil spiritual forces, just as we believe in good. Now I'm not necessarily blaming the devil for breaking off the loo roll holder, but I do think he wants to cause disruption in our lives when we are doing God's work. Big or little, we need to be prepared for his attacks.
I have heard amazing testimonies (sadly confidential!) this week of what God is doing in people's lives. I have seen hearts changed so radically in the last few days, that I almost haven't believed it possible. What the devil doesn't seem to understand is that it is not me changing lives, it is God. We're just here to help out. Attacking us is a desperate stab in the dark, because the devil cannot defeat our God. So, as Paul says in Philippians:
"Rejoice!...The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Minister Blog 9
Here is a youthwork update: There are kids. Lots of lovely kids. Everywhere!
Last Friday we had 3 clubs in one day. The after-school Friday club for 4-9s, the monthly Tweens club for 9-13s and the weekly youth club for 13-17s. It was brilliant! The school kids had a quiz and did craft, the tweens went swimming (for swimming read 'jumping in') and the youth club drank coffee and played games they were probably too old for. Fun!
It's particularly an honour for us in Friday club and in Tweens that we have the opportunity to teach the kids about Jesus, a tradition which is upheld throughout their life at Bures Primary School too. I have been there a couple of times now, getting to know the ropes.
Anyway, thumbs up to all our youth leaders who had given their all by closing time on Friday (10.50pm for some of us!) particularly those who doubled up on more than one club.
We also had some delightful young visitors with us on Sunday for our morning service, and we have had a few more parents, carers and 'little-uns' come along to Footprints toddler group these last two weeks too. God bless all these gorgeous kids! We are very blessed to work with them all.
Last Friday we had 3 clubs in one day. The after-school Friday club for 4-9s, the monthly Tweens club for 9-13s and the weekly youth club for 13-17s. It was brilliant! The school kids had a quiz and did craft, the tweens went swimming (for swimming read 'jumping in') and the youth club drank coffee and played games they were probably too old for. Fun!
It's particularly an honour for us in Friday club and in Tweens that we have the opportunity to teach the kids about Jesus, a tradition which is upheld throughout their life at Bures Primary School too. I have been there a couple of times now, getting to know the ropes.
Anyway, thumbs up to all our youth leaders who had given their all by closing time on Friday (10.50pm for some of us!) particularly those who doubled up on more than one club.
We also had some delightful young visitors with us on Sunday for our morning service, and we have had a few more parents, carers and 'little-uns' come along to Footprints toddler group these last two weeks too. God bless all these gorgeous kids! We are very blessed to work with them all.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Minister Blog 8
I have started my theology studies this week. It is just an access module from home but nonetheless it has some interesting reading and questions. However I do find I am overcompensating massively in my responses to simple tasks. Let me give you an example.
Where the question was “who are the people for whom the author is writing?” (about a book on the New Testament), I skimmed through the preface and concluded thusly:
“Thoughtful Christians” [his term] those without formal training but with a desire for deeper Christian knowledge like trained ministers have.
The guide answers looked at the book's title and concluded: it's aimed at Christians.
When asked to consider Psalm 23 I formulated an in-depth poetry analysis, with comments on the use of repeated pronouns, imagery, declaratives and the three-stanza progressive structure. The guide answers theorised, “David was a shepherd, so he wrote about sheep”.
Nonetheless my enthusiasm remains unabated, and I have to say, there were definitely parts of the guide answers that I hadn't considered myself, in my whirlwind of literary fervour, so I am definitely learning! The real blessing of study at the minute is how faithful God is being in piecing together the “story” of God's people in my mind. The bible has so much to give, philosophy, history, comfort and centrally salvation. So for me, it's a real joy to journey deeper into it, with the living God by my side, speaking to me as I do so.
Where the question was “who are the people for whom the author is writing?” (about a book on the New Testament), I skimmed through the preface and concluded thusly:
“Thoughtful Christians” [his term] those without formal training but with a desire for deeper Christian knowledge like trained ministers have.
The guide answers looked at the book's title and concluded: it's aimed at Christians.
When asked to consider Psalm 23 I formulated an in-depth poetry analysis, with comments on the use of repeated pronouns, imagery, declaratives and the three-stanza progressive structure. The guide answers theorised, “David was a shepherd, so he wrote about sheep”.
Nonetheless my enthusiasm remains unabated, and I have to say, there were definitely parts of the guide answers that I hadn't considered myself, in my whirlwind of literary fervour, so I am definitely learning! The real blessing of study at the minute is how faithful God is being in piecing together the “story” of God's people in my mind. The bible has so much to give, philosophy, history, comfort and centrally salvation. So for me, it's a real joy to journey deeper into it, with the living God by my side, speaking to me as I do so.
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