The Lifeblog
   Church Leaders can be alive too...

Anne preached a sermon in July about holidays being originally holy-days. All about being set apart for God and for recreation and celebrating his love, time with him not a holiday from him! But time for renewal.

It looked like we were not likely to be going away as a family, but an envelope came through our letterbox containing money and an instruction to use it for our holy-day - then a day or two later a phone call came with an offer of a break in Pembrokeshire. God is good! We went and had a great time... here's a few soundbites of things I enjoyed....

Keepy-uppie football with the family
Seeing Ben & Tris catch Mackerel and eat them for tea
Being in the surf on the board - catching the occasional one right!
Rock Pools full of life
Playing crazy word games in a camper van
Peace and prayer in St David's cathedral
Super Sand-castles
Cards in the caravan with a glass of cider
Bonfire on the beach with a BBQ
Melted Chocolate and bananas cooked in foil on the fire
watching the sunset on the beach
A beach open-mike night at dusk! Ben was able to perform
Being backing vocalists for another singer there
Tasty lamb steaks in Solva
Enjoying our neice and nephews
Unrationed laughter
The presence of God in the morning before everyone got up...!
Praying with the caretaker in an old Welsh chapel
pembrokeshire potatoes!
And (when we got back) seeing a Kingfisher land 5 feet from us with a fish in its beak, which it swallowed and savoured for a while before flying off...

It was certainly re-creational! Thankyou Lord for these special times. Help us see your goodness within every day!

Here are some photos of our holiday if you really want to see them....!   Holiday snaps!

The Great Commandment

Many of us have heard of the Great Commission (as we have called it) which is in Matthew 28:18 -  " then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19)  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20)  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This can be a challenge to us! The hunger to go can be a little variable...

There is also a Great Commandment, … What is this great commandment?

Mk 12:29   "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.30   Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31   The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

How can I do this? It's too hard....isn't it? How can I always love God like that....?

By pursuing his presence. Your heart affection is shown by what you pursue!! This soaking is not just laying on the floor. It's a radically uncompromising about-turn from the way the Church has behaved for years. Just doing one mission after another, loads of work but often little power or result.

Too often Christians lean towards what is their natural thing. So historically some said word, some said Spirit. Some said grace some said service. Some said love and some said power. Now some are saying rest and some are saying go, and not understanding each other. Both are vital, for ever and ever till Jesus returns, and those who get it will be fruitful beyond all they imagine! Because one fuels the other!!!

As we passionately pursue an intimate relationship with God He gives us 'more' and we give it away to others. This is the Great Commandment and the great commission all in one! Dedicate yourself to loving him. How? By spending time with him, by seeking his presence, by letting him change you, by letting him set the agenda for your life. How else can you know what your Father in Heaven is doing?

Part of his agenda will be to use you to touch those around you with his love. By not just telling people but introducing him to them. By being a channel of his love into the world. Giving away what you’ve received. What else will meet their need?

I've said this before - and you'll find most of it elsewhere on the site! We must not forget these things if we want to succeed! Let him give to YOU what THEY need!