In church this morning, I was really struck by how God has used so many different people and circumstances, in my life and that of people around me, to bring us closer to God. He really is amazing!
I started going to my current church, Holy Trinity Sittingbourne, nearly 4 years ago now and on my first day there I met someone that would become a lovely friend, Cathy, who had left that church but had decided to come back that day - coincidence? I think not...
Recently, a guy that went to my university church for three years, just after I left and who knows many of my really close friends from that church, decided to move to Sittingbourne and attend the same church, with no knowledge of me or our joint history - coincidence? I think not...
A friend from one of my last jobs as a teacher, attended Alpha last year and became a Christian; she was recently confirmed. She has been hoping to get her four daughters to come to our church and while she has been in Turkey with her husband, they have attended church this morning because one of them works with another member of the church! A coincidence? Well I think you get my point!
I have come to the conclusion that God places so many people in our lives at different times and we never know who or how we are going to influence them but it is so important to live life continually aware of this. God uses all of our situations and experiences for the good of His kingdom. I'm sure many of you would have realised this a lot sooner than I did and I think I've always known this on some level but it just really hit me today.
Someone once said that it takes on average fourteen incidents for someone to turn to Christ and to hear the good news. We are all part of those times for many people without thinking about it - how amazing is that?!
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
A Monkey's Orientation
Just finished this book which I bought at LSE New Wine and have to say, though it is geared towards new, younger Christians, it was really useful. I have always been a bit of a performing monkey rather than really understanding the grace of God and it has taught me that once we are secure in God's identity in us, we can then know what our calling is and what it really means to be holy. I love the stories in this book and it is quite funny for a book on holiness! It is very easy to understand and explains the Jewish side of many of the parables of Jesus, very well. I didn't realise that what Jesus was doing for Peter in John 21 was a version of Mitzvah (an act for forgiveness) and that Jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate Mitzvah.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Introduction
I'm a Christian living in Kent and as the title suggests I'm a 20-something! I'm a primary school teacher and have a lot of time on my hands at this time of year so thought I'd start a blog with my musings...
I've just come back from LSE New Wine and being a New Wine first timer, I have to say I really enjoyed it despite not being a camping enthusiast. I think I had the smallest tent in the whole site but I was definitely warm most nights! I went with my local church but travelled on my own which was lonely and I have learnt that I'm not the greatest on my own - I think too much.
The seminars were fantastic though and I really enjoyed the worship and talks in the morning and evening. I went to Venue 2 for most of these, and the music was what I was most used to. I was much more able to 'let go' and not worry so much; more able to worship with happy abandonment rather than constantly wondering what people think. The talks were limited in many ways but were often what I believe the crowd, including me, needed at those times. The host of Venue 2 was St. Mary's church in London and many of the speakers and worship leaders came from that church. They are an 'up and coming' church which has planted many others and have helped many 20-30s feel at home in a church.
Being a part of that age group I think this has challenged me most over New Wine week - why are so many 20-30s leaving church or not bothering to enquire of it? What made me come back after a brief spell out of a church? Do our churches provide enough support and guidance for this age group? Trawling the internet about this topic I've come to the conclusion that many churches are unsure how to develop in this area. Having been to my church for three years now I'm very glad to suddenly see a rise in people in my age group and have been aware that I have been put with older Christians in groups before, as I'm married and quite sensible!
The church I left after university (St. Mike's, Aberystwyth, Wales) was massive and catered for all age groups, especially students. Finding a church similar to this was always going to be tough and I know all churches are different. Speaking to someone I've recently met at my current church, I was saddened to hear him say that there is nothing for 20 somethings in the area - and by implication the church.
So, as I've come back from New Wine with the feeling I should be doing more and feeling down because I'm not the type to create new things; I've decided this in particular needs to change. Any ideas are more than welcome!
I've just come back from LSE New Wine and being a New Wine first timer, I have to say I really enjoyed it despite not being a camping enthusiast. I think I had the smallest tent in the whole site but I was definitely warm most nights! I went with my local church but travelled on my own which was lonely and I have learnt that I'm not the greatest on my own - I think too much.
The seminars were fantastic though and I really enjoyed the worship and talks in the morning and evening. I went to Venue 2 for most of these, and the music was what I was most used to. I was much more able to 'let go' and not worry so much; more able to worship with happy abandonment rather than constantly wondering what people think. The talks were limited in many ways but were often what I believe the crowd, including me, needed at those times. The host of Venue 2 was St. Mary's church in London and many of the speakers and worship leaders came from that church. They are an 'up and coming' church which has planted many others and have helped many 20-30s feel at home in a church.
Being a part of that age group I think this has challenged me most over New Wine week - why are so many 20-30s leaving church or not bothering to enquire of it? What made me come back after a brief spell out of a church? Do our churches provide enough support and guidance for this age group? Trawling the internet about this topic I've come to the conclusion that many churches are unsure how to develop in this area. Having been to my church for three years now I'm very glad to suddenly see a rise in people in my age group and have been aware that I have been put with older Christians in groups before, as I'm married and quite sensible!
The church I left after university (St. Mike's, Aberystwyth, Wales) was massive and catered for all age groups, especially students. Finding a church similar to this was always going to be tough and I know all churches are different. Speaking to someone I've recently met at my current church, I was saddened to hear him say that there is nothing for 20 somethings in the area - and by implication the church.
So, as I've come back from New Wine with the feeling I should be doing more and feeling down because I'm not the type to create new things; I've decided this in particular needs to change. Any ideas are more than welcome!
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