I cannot help but say it now. My caution in not wanting to speak out to quickly has been overcome. I have to say that over this last little while I am now convinced the 'trickle' of occassional healings is becoming a small stream. It is delicate and would be easily stemmed in its flow, but it is here and it is growing without doubt. It is also accompanied usually with responses to the gospel which is how it should be. It is a sign!
In various recent meetings over the last few weeks I have seen sudden immediate and complete healings of clear and tangible issues not vague but clear. Sometimes these are through the laying on of hands in response to a prophetic word, sometimes they are when folk in the congregation standing near the person in pain or with illness place there hands on them and simply command the pain or sickness to go, whilst the person unwell places their hand on the area of pain or illness. I would also observe that sometimes one or two healings might occur. Then rather than stopping at that and celebrating if we press through and go again for the same thing we get even more.
This new thing we are seeing is not about technique, it seems to be about spending time doing it, growing in expectation God will come and simply the fact we are in a season of increase in healing activity. I long to see more healed as we are not seeing the big stuff yet. Why should we pray for the sick regularly? because we should hate seeing people in pain, unable to enjoy life in some way or another, preoccupied and weighed down, drained by pain, sickness or disability. Jesus hates it, we all must hate it! It is the result of a fallen world not the working of a God of love. He uses it, turning it for good as he is always a redeemer, there is nothing he cannot redeem. 'All things work together for the good of those that love God' - Jesus can do that as he is wise and mighty. It does not mean he wants people to be sick.
There is a mystery with healing and always will be. We live in the tension of the kingdom having come but not yet fully come. Some get healed and rejoice, some leave the meeting having to handle another bout of dissapointment.
We must entrust our questions to God who is always good and always wants people to be well. I have learnt to live in the tension of unanswered questions. Some things are too big for my tiny brain I entrust them to him.
I want to be part of an atmosphere where we love and care for those in pain and pray for them whenever they want to, rejoice when they are healed, weep and help them when they are dissaapointed. I want to kick the healing door open now it has swung open just a jar! Let the stream become a river!
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Recent events
I have been quite busy recently and the blog has been a bit neglected. This is not good as it is a helpful vehicle for news and views. Anyway some recent things for me of great significance were firstly. In October we held our Copenhagen 2008 leadership conference. This is now our fourth I believe and in my view they get better each time. We had around 75 leaders and other folk serving churches from Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Estonia, Canada, Poland, Germany, Holland, UK, Switzerland, Lapland and Turkey. I am sure there were more I have missed!
Once again the teaching, worship and prophetic ministry were of high quality. The thing however of great note to me is the depth of relationships forming across the nations.
This event links well to the one just after in my home town of Lowestoft as the churches we serve in Europe as a team we are now seeking to bring together into common mission and resource with the churches in the East of England we also serve as a team. In this way we end up with one larger area of influence which we can serve more effectively by supplying ministry to the churches we have, gaining momentum into new plants both in the UK and Europe and even further afield. Also the momentum of more churches and people in common mission helps propel us into the nations with greater impact as we play our part in the new frontiers family of churches.
Last weekend saw our first ‘Together at the East of England’ event. Some 1300+ booked in for this. Amongst the highlights for me
1- Turning on the radio in my car and hearing worship songs being broadcast to my home town from the event. Apparently the numbers listening grew through the weekend.
2- The sense of togetherness across the region
3- Some great healings in a number of the meetings. I was especially encouraged in the session Julian Adams and I did on ‘enjoying the Spirit’ which we did. Several people got healed as folk in the session laid hands on those who indicated they had any pain of illness. This was so encouraging as it was the whole church doing the stuff not just a few on a stage
4- 16 first time responses to the gospel and 21 recommitments in the youth meeting
5- Great worship and prophetic input
6- The great encouragement passed on to us by so many people
In the entire whole thing was great I felt, though no doubt we can improve on some areas as we were trying things out for the first time. I reflected that over 25 years ago now I was in a youth group of three people in a church in the Town. I stood in this large gathering and thought I would never have believed that in my home town we would see such vibrant representation of what God is doing in our little part of his church in New Frontiers in the East of England.
This weekend we have John Ifeanyi with us. John is an evangelist from the Bristol New Frontiers church plant. I am looking forward to his visit
Next weekend I and a small team go to serve the Klippan church in Sweden for their annual church camp. They have around 100 coming this year. This church is growing steadily each year and it is a joy to go back again for the camp and see the progress being made.
I feel we are seeing such advance on all sides. It is steady rather than fast. But in the end this is often easier to consolidate into church growth and advance for the future.
Once again the teaching, worship and prophetic ministry were of high quality. The thing however of great note to me is the depth of relationships forming across the nations.
This event links well to the one just after in my home town of Lowestoft as the churches we serve in Europe as a team we are now seeking to bring together into common mission and resource with the churches in the East of England we also serve as a team. In this way we end up with one larger area of influence which we can serve more effectively by supplying ministry to the churches we have, gaining momentum into new plants both in the UK and Europe and even further afield. Also the momentum of more churches and people in common mission helps propel us into the nations with greater impact as we play our part in the new frontiers family of churches.
Last weekend saw our first ‘Together at the East of England’ event. Some 1300+ booked in for this. Amongst the highlights for me
1- Turning on the radio in my car and hearing worship songs being broadcast to my home town from the event. Apparently the numbers listening grew through the weekend.
2- The sense of togetherness across the region
3- Some great healings in a number of the meetings. I was especially encouraged in the session Julian Adams and I did on ‘enjoying the Spirit’ which we did. Several people got healed as folk in the session laid hands on those who indicated they had any pain of illness. This was so encouraging as it was the whole church doing the stuff not just a few on a stage
4- 16 first time responses to the gospel and 21 recommitments in the youth meeting
5- Great worship and prophetic input
6- The great encouragement passed on to us by so many people
In the entire whole thing was great I felt, though no doubt we can improve on some areas as we were trying things out for the first time. I reflected that over 25 years ago now I was in a youth group of three people in a church in the Town. I stood in this large gathering and thought I would never have believed that in my home town we would see such vibrant representation of what God is doing in our little part of his church in New Frontiers in the East of England.
This weekend we have John Ifeanyi with us. John is an evangelist from the Bristol New Frontiers church plant. I am looking forward to his visit
Next weekend I and a small team go to serve the Klippan church in Sweden for their annual church camp. They have around 100 coming this year. This church is growing steadily each year and it is a joy to go back again for the camp and see the progress being made.
I feel we are seeing such advance on all sides. It is steady rather than fast. But in the end this is often easier to consolidate into church growth and advance for the future.
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Arctic Circle
I have recently got back from the Arctic Circle. A team of us went to investigate some new relationships in the very furthest parts of our inhabited world.
There is mile after mile of forest. Mostly there is nothing but wolves, bears, Reindeers and rivers in between the small towns and villages. Some places such as Gallivare and Kiruna are mining communities of around 20 thousand people in each. With remoteness, long winters, sparse population and harsh working conditions for many. Dare I say it, but due to the harsh living conditions this is a part of the world more suited to Men in my opinion. The winters are long and dark. The snows come in September and melt in May. In the summer the sun does not go down, in the winter it hardly comes up. It is very cold at times. Accounts of minus 50 were relayed to us. There are deposits of Gold, Iron Ore and Copper here in abundance and fresh mines are opening soon due to the discovery of fresh deposits. These mines dig deep.
We met some outstanding people who have not only made life work up here but who also have served the Lord faithfully and effectively for many years. Amongst them was Alf the Reindeer herdsman. Alf’s love for the Lord and knowledge of how nature works was a joy to listen to. Another hero we had the pleasure of meeting is Jorma Lappalainen a man who has planted over 70 churches in Lapland then across Russia and even into Estonia. Almost single handed he serves a circuit of small congregations ‘Wesley style’ (but without the Horse). It was a privilege to meet Jorma and speak in two of the churches he serves. His infectious passion for God deeply touched me. As I observed young people in many of the places he has planted churches in it made me realise a new generation is emerging that requires young men with the same passion he has to rise up and reach their peers and see a fresh wave of church planting. The regions these village churches are located in cover great distances. We did over 1000kms in three days from place to place.
We had a great conference in Gallivare which was our main reason for coming initially and I believe we made some really good friendships and we will see emerging a new fresh expression of New Testament church values across this region. The enthusiasm for the message of grace and fresh insights on building New Testament principles and values into local church life was very encouraging to me. I believe God was in this trip and has plans for new moves of his Spirit here.
Jesus loves all people groups. We met Lapps, Saami, Finns and Swedes. I felt something in the heart of God was touched by us coming here. Jesus told us we would be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. He loves to include all into his family it does not get much nearer the end of the earth than this. Jesus has unique purposes for these places. It was a privilege to meet such dear people. The leaders at the Gallivare church showed us very kind hospitality and hunger for God. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
There is mile after mile of forest. Mostly there is nothing but wolves, bears, Reindeers and rivers in between the small towns and villages. Some places such as Gallivare and Kiruna are mining communities of around 20 thousand people in each. With remoteness, long winters, sparse population and harsh working conditions for many. Dare I say it, but due to the harsh living conditions this is a part of the world more suited to Men in my opinion. The winters are long and dark. The snows come in September and melt in May. In the summer the sun does not go down, in the winter it hardly comes up. It is very cold at times. Accounts of minus 50 were relayed to us. There are deposits of Gold, Iron Ore and Copper here in abundance and fresh mines are opening soon due to the discovery of fresh deposits. These mines dig deep.
We met some outstanding people who have not only made life work up here but who also have served the Lord faithfully and effectively for many years. Amongst them was Alf the Reindeer herdsman. Alf’s love for the Lord and knowledge of how nature works was a joy to listen to. Another hero we had the pleasure of meeting is Jorma Lappalainen a man who has planted over 70 churches in Lapland then across Russia and even into Estonia. Almost single handed he serves a circuit of small congregations ‘Wesley style’ (but without the Horse). It was a privilege to meet Jorma and speak in two of the churches he serves. His infectious passion for God deeply touched me. As I observed young people in many of the places he has planted churches in it made me realise a new generation is emerging that requires young men with the same passion he has to rise up and reach their peers and see a fresh wave of church planting. The regions these village churches are located in cover great distances. We did over 1000kms in three days from place to place.
We had a great conference in Gallivare which was our main reason for coming initially and I believe we made some really good friendships and we will see emerging a new fresh expression of New Testament church values across this region. The enthusiasm for the message of grace and fresh insights on building New Testament principles and values into local church life was very encouraging to me. I believe God was in this trip and has plans for new moves of his Spirit here.
Jesus loves all people groups. We met Lapps, Saami, Finns and Swedes. I felt something in the heart of God was touched by us coming here. Jesus told us we would be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. He loves to include all into his family it does not get much nearer the end of the earth than this. Jesus has unique purposes for these places. It was a privilege to meet such dear people. The leaders at the Gallivare church showed us very kind hospitality and hunger for God. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Friday, 8 August 2008
Spending time with God
Time with God – there is no substitute
His week I had the pleasure again of two days set aside to pray and fast and seek God on my friends boat. Moored in the Blyth Estuary 30 minutes from my home town it is a place far from anyone except God.
I have found as life gets busier and the things I seek to do for God increase in number and importance. To let such times get squeezed out by business is very foolish and short sighted. To have two days of prayer and study requires good planning and a schedule to stick to. I owe a lot to the Navigators and to authors like Richard Foster and his classic book ‘celebration of discipline’. As a young Christina this book and the disciplines of bible meditation taught by heroes of mine like Warren and Ruth Myers of the Navigators put capacity in me from an early age to get up early and seek God with a bible and journal and meditate over sometimes small portions of scripture like a verse or even a line from the psalms. I learnt to listen to God and hear God and feed on Scripture without the aid of anything else. This is a priceless discipline. In our instant and fast food culture where everything is ready made just assemble easily yourself. To learn to hear God from the scriptures in solitude and silence. To learn to pray in tongues for a prolonged time. To pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests these are the anvils upon which God’s purposes in and through us are hammered out.
As I began my time on the Boat I was praying and meditating and worshipping God through Psalm 12 Verse 6 says ‘the words of the Lord ‘the word of the Lord came to me’ to hear God speak to be aware of his counsel and direction and affirmation and promises, cannot possibly be bettered by any other experience. Nothing can give such confidence and certainty or courage. I began my time by thanking God he would speak to me whilst I was on the boat seeking him. I began thanking him for all the ties he had spoken to me. I began by telling him that all I ever need is to hear his voice of command and promise and whatever he says I will do, whatever he promises I cannot but trust him for. Once he has spoken sure pure words that cannot ever be false. Nothing can stand against his promises.
I want to encourage you to learn the disciplines of meditating on Scripture. Let the pure words of the Lord shape and direct your life and character.
With so much to do, the stakes are too high to try to do it without hearing from God.
His week I had the pleasure again of two days set aside to pray and fast and seek God on my friends boat. Moored in the Blyth Estuary 30 minutes from my home town it is a place far from anyone except God.
I have found as life gets busier and the things I seek to do for God increase in number and importance. To let such times get squeezed out by business is very foolish and short sighted. To have two days of prayer and study requires good planning and a schedule to stick to. I owe a lot to the Navigators and to authors like Richard Foster and his classic book ‘celebration of discipline’. As a young Christina this book and the disciplines of bible meditation taught by heroes of mine like Warren and Ruth Myers of the Navigators put capacity in me from an early age to get up early and seek God with a bible and journal and meditate over sometimes small portions of scripture like a verse or even a line from the psalms. I learnt to listen to God and hear God and feed on Scripture without the aid of anything else. This is a priceless discipline. In our instant and fast food culture where everything is ready made just assemble easily yourself. To learn to hear God from the scriptures in solitude and silence. To learn to pray in tongues for a prolonged time. To pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests these are the anvils upon which God’s purposes in and through us are hammered out.
As I began my time on the Boat I was praying and meditating and worshipping God through Psalm 12 Verse 6 says ‘the words of the Lord ‘the word of the Lord came to me’ to hear God speak to be aware of his counsel and direction and affirmation and promises, cannot possibly be bettered by any other experience. Nothing can give such confidence and certainty or courage. I began my time by thanking God he would speak to me whilst I was on the boat seeking him. I began thanking him for all the ties he had spoken to me. I began by telling him that all I ever need is to hear his voice of command and promise and whatever he says I will do, whatever he promises I cannot but trust him for. Once he has spoken sure pure words that cannot ever be false. Nothing can stand against his promises.
I want to encourage you to learn the disciplines of meditating on Scripture. Let the pure words of the Lord shape and direct your life and character.
With so much to do, the stakes are too high to try to do it without hearing from God.
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