Hello - well you wait for ages for a post and then two come along at
once. If you missed the previous post (with the photo of the sleeping
bag incident) then please do check out week 10!
Pneumatology
This week was spent on pneumatology (study of the Holy Spirit). For
those who don't know much about this He's the third one of the Trinity
who lives inside Christians when they are born again, who's job is to
transform their character to become more like Jesus and to give them
power to speak in tongues, heal, prophesy and so on.
So we had three days on the theory and then a scary two days on the practice.
Warning!
I appreciate that this next part of the blog might freak you out if you
think Christianity is just a belief in God and trying to do good deeds.
Please feel free to comment or email me if you want to chat through
some of these issues further. I remember the first time I encountered
this I was freaked out - because it meant that either God was real or
some very freaky things were going on...
Holy Spirit practical
So it was like - "OK who doesn't speak in tongues and would like to?"
and then praying for them. If you're new to this tongues is where you
speak another language - one of your spirit talking direct to God - it's
like an intimate prayer language of the heart. Is it just made up
stuff? I've sometimes wondered - am I just making this up or is it
really a God thing? But I've seen and heard too many times where
someone speaks in a tongue and someone else recognises the language even
though the person speaking in tongues has never learnt it.
Then it was OK let's pray for words of knowledge. This is where God
gives you information about someone else that you would never know
yourself. God does this not to embarrass or freak people out but so
that He can heal people physically and emotionally. Various examples of
this have been Jen suddenly hearing in her head that our daughter
Hannah was out on the road (and she was), I somehow knew that my friend
was just about to leave home without his passport (and he was), Pastor
Mark Driscoll knew that a particular girl had been raped (and she had)
and he was able to pray for her and see healing, etc.
So what happened with us? Well all sorts (in fact so many I can't
remember them all). But someone felt there was someone with lower back
pain, there was, and they were prayed for and it was immediately better
(I have to confess being sceptical about the whole leg lengthening
business but I can't deny that this girl's back was better immediately
after...); we also had someone feel that someone had shoulder pain and
there was and they were prayed for and were immediately better, about
someone looking for their father as a small child and not being able to
find them and seeing that person freed from the trauma that had caused,
words also about isolation and seeing God meet their need (and deliver
one from some nasty satanic bondage - I confess I found the screaming,
spasming and puking when they were being prayed for rather freaky - was
this put on? I know her very well and can tell you that's not who she
is as she's one of the most genuine people there. But I can tell you
that she had been involved in a lot of unwholesome stuff before she
became a Christian and that she is just so much freer than she was
before the prayer).
For me I had two things - one about disappointment which spoke into a
time (which I had forgotten all about) where I felt I was let down and
deserted by God - I feel so much better now after prayer. Also one
about how I had felt a calling on my life for a couple of years now,
hadn't known what it was and had tried various things but they hadn't
seemed right and that it would come into focus by the end of this year.
That was freaky as I had been feeling for the last three years that
there was something else I was supposed to be doing for God but hadn't
known, I tried writing books with various people but it hadn't come to
much and also chasing becoming an IFA but it hadn't come to much either -
so this was like the story of my life - could they have guessed it (as
they didn't know me at all)? Well as a mathematician I know a fair bit
about probabilities and it's got to a point in my life where I've seen
so many things that I either say this is an unbelievable amazing number
of coincidences or take a very short step of faith to say this is just
so unlikely to be chance that there must be something else. So let's
see what the rest of this year brings then...
Sunday 30 November 2008
Friday 28 November 2008
My 10th week at college
Hello!
Well essay crises and all that has delayed this post...I know excuses excuses....
Father's Heart
We had only one day in college this week and we spent it on the Father's heart. So we looked at the story of the prodigal son but then went onto a practical...
So they had three people come up (including myself) where they re-enacted the story with us as the prodigal sons. The Father welcoming us sons home: putting on a robe (to cover our shame), putting on shoes (as only servants were bare foot) and a ring on our finger (to show that we are a son and an heir). It was a moving moment - helping us to really grab hold of the lavishness of God's love for us despite our failings, sins and messes.
Derby Prayer day
Well Tuesday was a day of fasting (where we don't eat for 24 hours), followed by a day of prayer on Wednesday up in Derby (it's grim up north - though apparently it's only the Midlands - which shows how much of a southerner I am
).
Have to confess I thought it would be a real drag but when they broke it up with periods of testimony about what's happening in the churches it really fired us up. One of the most exciting moments for me was hearing about the street healing - literally they go on the streets and offer to pray with people who need healing - and they've seen all sorts from piles (the size of pairs apparently) to cancer getting healed. Fab.
In our own group David's retina was becoming detached again (he's had an operation on it previously) and some of us prayed and it not only got better but he says it's the best it's been for ages (ie his vision is so much wider than before). Excellent.
One of the fun times was the evening where we had a quick sleeping bag fight. However in my attempt to make Ben fall over he dodged out the way - it's all because he didn't have a "mummy" shaped sleeping bag (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
) and I seemed to have ended up on the floor...
Oh yes and made a hole with my elbow in the wall...just above my prone form and to the left of the door. Yeah it was interesting explaining that one to the owners...still waiting for the bill...
I'm trying to get the video clip for this (does this sound a familiar story?) - though I have at least pasted it to my facebook profile if you want - it's well worth a visit - just to see Ben's face of shock when he sees the hole!
Also got a day's input from Mark Ritchie on using our stories to spread the good news. Although he hasn't been able to use the story about his mate who had been invited over for dinner and then couldn't flush his number 2 down the loo and so resorted to a grabbing a big clump of tissue pulling it out and throwing it out the window. All might have gone well had they not invited him into the conservatory for a cup of tea to see something (you know what!) zig zagging it's way down the roof...
Reflections
At the prayer day someone opened my eyes to the disciple John who started off so judgemental (wanting to call down fire on people) and proud (wanting the most important place in Jesus' kingdom). But then later came to define himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and finally in his letters preached how love was the most important thing. What a journey! But as he described this to me I saw myself - the one who is often so judgemental and wanting to be the centre of attention but yet am discovering this year how much I am loved. I so want to finish this journey and become the one who sees love as the most important thing...
Well essay crises and all that has delayed this post...I know excuses excuses....
Father's Heart
We had only one day in college this week and we spent it on the Father's heart. So we looked at the story of the prodigal son but then went onto a practical...
So they had three people come up (including myself) where they re-enacted the story with us as the prodigal sons. The Father welcoming us sons home: putting on a robe (to cover our shame), putting on shoes (as only servants were bare foot) and a ring on our finger (to show that we are a son and an heir). It was a moving moment - helping us to really grab hold of the lavishness of God's love for us despite our failings, sins and messes.
Derby Prayer day
Well Tuesday was a day of fasting (where we don't eat for 24 hours), followed by a day of prayer on Wednesday up in Derby (it's grim up north - though apparently it's only the Midlands - which shows how much of a southerner I am
). Have to confess I thought it would be a real drag but when they broke it up with periods of testimony about what's happening in the churches it really fired us up. One of the most exciting moments for me was hearing about the street healing - literally they go on the streets and offer to pray with people who need healing - and they've seen all sorts from piles (the size of pairs apparently) to cancer getting healed. Fab.
In our own group David's retina was becoming detached again (he's had an operation on it previously) and some of us prayed and it not only got better but he says it's the best it's been for ages (ie his vision is so much wider than before). Excellent.
One of the fun times was the evening where we had a quick sleeping bag fight. However in my attempt to make Ben fall over he dodged out the way - it's all because he didn't have a "mummy" shaped sleeping bag (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
) and I seemed to have ended up on the floor...Oh yes and made a hole with my elbow in the wall...just above my prone form and to the left of the door. Yeah it was interesting explaining that one to the owners...still waiting for the bill...
I'm trying to get the video clip for this (does this sound a familiar story?) - though I have at least pasted it to my facebook profile if you want - it's well worth a visit - just to see Ben's face of shock when he sees the hole!
Also got a day's input from Mark Ritchie on using our stories to spread the good news. Although he hasn't been able to use the story about his mate who had been invited over for dinner and then couldn't flush his number 2 down the loo and so resorted to a grabbing a big clump of tissue pulling it out and throwing it out the window. All might have gone well had they not invited him into the conservatory for a cup of tea to see something (you know what!) zig zagging it's way down the roof...
Reflections
At the prayer day someone opened my eyes to the disciple John who started off so judgemental (wanting to call down fire on people) and proud (wanting the most important place in Jesus' kingdom). But then later came to define himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and finally in his letters preached how love was the most important thing. What a journey! But as he described this to me I saw myself - the one who is often so judgemental and wanting to be the centre of attention but yet am discovering this year how much I am loved. I so want to finish this journey and become the one who sees love as the most important thing...
Friday 21 November 2008
My 9th week at college
Well I really am getting behind with blogging - sorry was in Derby for a couple of days this week!
So a short sweet report and the next one will follow fairly swiftly!
Church History (part 2)
Well last week we did the reformation and onwards and how it wasn't just Luther but many people challenging the corruptness of the papacy (their mistresses, inquisition, selling of "indulgences" and the like) and their traditions which didn't stand up to scripture (as people read the original Greek texts which were released from Constantinople just before it fell. These showed just how poor Jerome's Latin "Vulgate" translation was, which said things like "do penance" instead of "repent").
Also went through the very messy English reformation (which made me just cry out to God and repent for our nation). And then the various revivals where social action (John Wesley, William Booth, Wilberforce, Shaftsbury, George Muller), spiritual outpourings (eg Welsh revival under Evan Roberts) and then God's miraculous healings (through Smith Wigglesworth and George & Stephen Jeffreys and the like) were key. Some of the healings just made our jaws drop and even us Christians who have seen God do amazing things (eg my sisters epilepsy cured, my friend's blindness cured, my wife's polycystic ovaries cured) were just shouting "no way!"
. Great stuff.
Tumbling Bay
This week we organised skittles (ie indoor bowling) for the old people - have to say they (and we) had a great time. We're in Derby next week but the week after we will be doing Romanian and Ghanian dance and music courtesy of Daniella and Beverley, respectively.
Pregnancy
Little jellybean is still with us and our 12 week scan is on 25th Nov. Unfortunately, Jen's SPD has progressed very quickly this time and she is already on crutches and finding it hard to do many of her jobs. However the OTs will be coming round next week to assess her and provide various zimmer products
to help her around the house and various people from the church are
already volunteering to help with housework, cooking and lifts from
school.
Reflections
It's been a really amazing week for devotions so much so that they've had to delay starting the lectures as we were overwhelmed with His presence and love. For me I was really moved when Joe said in his devotions "we came to college for that Sunday Resurrection feeling but are finding out that we have to go through the Good Friday first" - I had been feeling that Jen's pregnancy (meaning I won't be able to go on the mission trip) and disability (meaning I'm late to college each morning and so miss out a bit on devotions) will mean that I'll miss out what God's got for me and my year is wasted.
However after dropping off Lizzie and Josiah to school in the car (and so already being late) I was miserably trying to get my moped started (don't buy Piaggio
)
and I was suddenly overwhelmed by the delicious irony of the situation
- here I was trying to get to college so I wouldn't miss out on what
God had for me in the devotions and I felt Him say that I was missing
out on what He had for me in my troubles!
He was right I was limiting God to only speaking and moving in one particular way! I suddenly realised that this isn't out of God's will - as if He didn't know what was going to happen this year - this is what he has for me - these are the circumstances that I need to go through to grow and mature (one of the key things I had been praying to happen this year). So yes we're still going to pray for healing for Jen's SPD (...Claire at Didcot church was miraculously healed of this) but I'm also embracing all He has for me at this time. Bring it on!
So a short sweet report and the next one will follow fairly swiftly!
Church History (part 2)
Well last week we did the reformation and onwards and how it wasn't just Luther but many people challenging the corruptness of the papacy (their mistresses, inquisition, selling of "indulgences" and the like) and their traditions which didn't stand up to scripture (as people read the original Greek texts which were released from Constantinople just before it fell. These showed just how poor Jerome's Latin "Vulgate" translation was, which said things like "do penance" instead of "repent").
Also went through the very messy English reformation (which made me just cry out to God and repent for our nation). And then the various revivals where social action (John Wesley, William Booth, Wilberforce, Shaftsbury, George Muller), spiritual outpourings (eg Welsh revival under Evan Roberts) and then God's miraculous healings (through Smith Wigglesworth and George & Stephen Jeffreys and the like) were key. Some of the healings just made our jaws drop and even us Christians who have seen God do amazing things (eg my sisters epilepsy cured, my friend's blindness cured, my wife's polycystic ovaries cured) were just shouting "no way!"
. Great stuff.Tumbling Bay
This week we organised skittles (ie indoor bowling) for the old people - have to say they (and we) had a great time. We're in Derby next week but the week after we will be doing Romanian and Ghanian dance and music courtesy of Daniella and Beverley, respectively.
Pregnancy
Little jellybean is still with us and our 12 week scan is on 25th Nov. Unfortunately, Jen's SPD has progressed very quickly this time and she is already on crutches and finding it hard to do many of her jobs. However the OTs will be coming round next week to assess her and provide various zimmer products
to help her around the house and various people from the church are
already volunteering to help with housework, cooking and lifts from
school.Reflections
It's been a really amazing week for devotions so much so that they've had to delay starting the lectures as we were overwhelmed with His presence and love. For me I was really moved when Joe said in his devotions "we came to college for that Sunday Resurrection feeling but are finding out that we have to go through the Good Friday first" - I had been feeling that Jen's pregnancy (meaning I won't be able to go on the mission trip) and disability (meaning I'm late to college each morning and so miss out a bit on devotions) will mean that I'll miss out what God's got for me and my year is wasted.
However after dropping off Lizzie and Josiah to school in the car (and so already being late) I was miserably trying to get my moped started (don't buy Piaggio
)
and I was suddenly overwhelmed by the delicious irony of the situation
- here I was trying to get to college so I wouldn't miss out on what
God had for me in the devotions and I felt Him say that I was missing
out on what He had for me in my troubles! He was right I was limiting God to only speaking and moving in one particular way! I suddenly realised that this isn't out of God's will - as if He didn't know what was going to happen this year - this is what he has for me - these are the circumstances that I need to go through to grow and mature (one of the key things I had been praying to happen this year). So yes we're still going to pray for healing for Jen's SPD (...Claire at Didcot church was miraculously healed of this) but I'm also embracing all He has for me at this time. Bring it on!
Monday 10 November 2008
My 8th week at college
Welcome back! Here's the belated update (was still recovering from my last essay to face writing the blog last weekend!!)
Church History (part 1)
Well first week back after "reading week" and we razzed through the 1st 1500 years of church history. It was absolutely mind blowing. I confess I just kinda thought that after the persecutions at the start, the church got more corrupt when Constantine issued the edict of Milan and sponsored Christianity (with lots of money for churches and the like) and the whole pope thing took off. And yes there was that - but it was fabulous how in every generation there were Christians rising up and saying "this is wrong" and getting back to basics with refusing wealth and the trappings, serving the poor and the destitute and living the Gospel (eg St Francis, cistercians, "brethren of the common life", St Patrick, St Benedict, John Chrisostem, Augustine, St Anthony, etc). Fab!
Essays!
Well Friday was the hand-in of our "love ethic" essay (only 4am finish this time! let's say that the essay was within the word limit but the footnotes were rather large - some would say bigger than the essay itself...
) - where we were exploring Jesus' command to love your enemies and how
this has been the distinguishing feature of "true" Christianity from
the martyrs forgiving their enemies, to modern day examples in WWII, the
Rwandan genocide and South Africa. Just to get hold of how God loves
us - even when we were enemies of Him - and forgives us of so much - how
can we do anything but share the love He has shown (and given) us.
Sorry if I'm repeating myself - but it was so cool to get hold of this -
I am so much more forgiving of those who are cutting me up on my moped.
Bless 'em!
Third Place group
This is our community service group - I am currently assigned to Tumbling Bay Retirement Home (not quite prisons yet...but I'm learning to submit!!) - guess I was a little disappointed and I really haven't ever engaged with the older generation (it's shocking I know! just always felt that I didn't have anything in common and so what would I say???) I have to say it's been a delight to serve them - they still have a wicked sense of humour and so I tease them mercilessly. We attended their quiz (and will be doing skittles with them next week)and were even able to answer some questions despite many being out of our generational knowledge...
Church Placement
All students get attached to a church where they will serve and I'm attached to my home church (on my own...
).
Being at my one church has pros and cons - the pros being that we can
develop our life as a family in the community, the cons being that we
might not get as many opportunities. However chatting with our pastor
we're going to be working on some kids work - specifically some praise
parties as sometimes the main church service can be a little dull for
those who want to run and jump (and for the children too ;) )
Other stuff
Things are really changing round here as the group grows together - it's been a pleasure to see how people who started at totally different ends of the spectrum (including me) are loving each other - it's truly a beautiful thing to behold. Arguments which used to be about trying to prove your point was correct have just given way to learning from each others viewpoints and experiences. Mint!
Plenty of other things on the boil which I'll chat about in next week's blog.
PS Babies still doing OK - though Jen isn't - her SPD kciked in on friday last week...
Church History (part 1)
Well first week back after "reading week" and we razzed through the 1st 1500 years of church history. It was absolutely mind blowing. I confess I just kinda thought that after the persecutions at the start, the church got more corrupt when Constantine issued the edict of Milan and sponsored Christianity (with lots of money for churches and the like) and the whole pope thing took off. And yes there was that - but it was fabulous how in every generation there were Christians rising up and saying "this is wrong" and getting back to basics with refusing wealth and the trappings, serving the poor and the destitute and living the Gospel (eg St Francis, cistercians, "brethren of the common life", St Patrick, St Benedict, John Chrisostem, Augustine, St Anthony, etc). Fab!
Essays!
Well Friday was the hand-in of our "love ethic" essay (only 4am finish this time! let's say that the essay was within the word limit but the footnotes were rather large - some would say bigger than the essay itself...
) - where we were exploring Jesus' command to love your enemies and how
this has been the distinguishing feature of "true" Christianity from
the martyrs forgiving their enemies, to modern day examples in WWII, the
Rwandan genocide and South Africa. Just to get hold of how God loves
us - even when we were enemies of Him - and forgives us of so much - how
can we do anything but share the love He has shown (and given) us.
Sorry if I'm repeating myself - but it was so cool to get hold of this -
I am so much more forgiving of those who are cutting me up on my moped.
Bless 'em!Third Place group
This is our community service group - I am currently assigned to Tumbling Bay Retirement Home (not quite prisons yet...but I'm learning to submit!!) - guess I was a little disappointed and I really haven't ever engaged with the older generation (it's shocking I know! just always felt that I didn't have anything in common and so what would I say???) I have to say it's been a delight to serve them - they still have a wicked sense of humour and so I tease them mercilessly. We attended their quiz (and will be doing skittles with them next week)and were even able to answer some questions despite many being out of our generational knowledge...
Church Placement
All students get attached to a church where they will serve and I'm attached to my home church (on my own...
).
Being at my one church has pros and cons - the pros being that we can
develop our life as a family in the community, the cons being that we
might not get as many opportunities. However chatting with our pastor
we're going to be working on some kids work - specifically some praise
parties as sometimes the main church service can be a little dull for
those who want to run and jump (and for the children too ;) )Other stuff
Things are really changing round here as the group grows together - it's been a pleasure to see how people who started at totally different ends of the spectrum (including me) are loving each other - it's truly a beautiful thing to behold. Arguments which used to be about trying to prove your point was correct have just given way to learning from each others viewpoints and experiences. Mint!
Plenty of other things on the boil which I'll chat about in next week's blog.
PS Babies still doing OK - though Jen isn't - her SPD kciked in on friday last week...
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