Hi everyone,
This is hopefully a prequel to another prayer letter some time shortly, but I couple things that I'd like you to be encouraged by.
First of all, God is at work in our world today and doing great things right in fromt of our noses, if only we would set ourselves aside and have him open our eyes. On Friday I was privileged enough to experience a humble expression of desperation. I young man approached Mack and I at about 8.30am in Nashville as we got out of our car. He had overheard part of our conversation concerning God's amzing ability and desire to speak to us. How, through his Holy Spirit he leads us to do and say certain things at certain times to certain people. He approached us and explained how he didn't know what God wanted for his life, especially God's will for his relationship with a girl. God is prompting people everyday to seek after him and we as God's people here to watch intentionally to those around us that need to be love. Mack led us in prayer, right there on the street at 8.30 in the morning. We stood in a circle on the pavement and held hands asking if God would draw near and reveal himself and his will to this young man. God is able to give this man a peace that he cannot find anywhere else in this world. He only needs to be still and see that Jesus is Lord. Amazing or what? So, relax and experience God's peace but never doubt, GOD IS AT WORK!!
Second, we are called to be pastors without pulpits, to reach out into a hurting and dark world and be a light. We are to engage and recognise the importance of how faith and culture interact. No one can understand God or his word outside of culture. This is particularly important for the church to grasp in the 21st-century, because the world today are looking for something genuine that they can trust and lock in to. So much of what we see on TV and right across the media, let alone in our day-to-day lives, is fake, a facade, a show and a good face for the public. Christianity today needs to have a clarity and a transparency that culture has never required so much before. Christ has entrusted us with the task of living lives of integrity. Authenticity is highly desireable as is an attitude of honestly. Live your lives as pastors without pupits which witness to an authentic faith.
This is the final thing I have to share - Christ was and continues to be committed entirely to the ministry of reconciliation and he imparted that ministry to us. Tonight I was privileged to be at a choir concert at Brentwood United Methodist Church. This choir was no ordinary choir, this is "Sonshine", a hundred 15-18 year olds commited to worshipping not performance. Now, I really can't put into words the impact their singing, enthusiasm and joy had on the whole church, the audience and to me personally. Truly this choir has the potential to reconcile. I am so convinced of that, that when Mack suggested that they come to Ireland it moved me to tears. For the first time I realised how much the bitterness and conflict that exists in Ireland breaks my heart. This choir is not only hugely talented, HUGELY TALENTED, everyone of those kids could stand up in the Waterfront Theatre in Belfast and sing a solo. But, as they formed a linking circle around an audience of 300 people and sang "May the peace of the Lord go on and on" in 6-part harmony this gift that God has given them has an amazing transforming power. So, in 2 years time we hope to have an all-Ireland tour organised for these guys to come over and bring with them the power of Christ's merciful reconciliation. Remember that Christ is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Eph 3:20).
That's all for now,
Your comments are welcome.
This is hopefully a prequel to another prayer letter some time shortly, but I couple things that I'd like you to be encouraged by.
First of all, God is at work in our world today and doing great things right in fromt of our noses, if only we would set ourselves aside and have him open our eyes. On Friday I was privileged enough to experience a humble expression of desperation. I young man approached Mack and I at about 8.30am in Nashville as we got out of our car. He had overheard part of our conversation concerning God's amzing ability and desire to speak to us. How, through his Holy Spirit he leads us to do and say certain things at certain times to certain people. He approached us and explained how he didn't know what God wanted for his life, especially God's will for his relationship with a girl. God is prompting people everyday to seek after him and we as God's people here to watch intentionally to those around us that need to be love. Mack led us in prayer, right there on the street at 8.30 in the morning. We stood in a circle on the pavement and held hands asking if God would draw near and reveal himself and his will to this young man. God is able to give this man a peace that he cannot find anywhere else in this world. He only needs to be still and see that Jesus is Lord. Amazing or what? So, relax and experience God's peace but never doubt, GOD IS AT WORK!!
Second, we are called to be pastors without pulpits, to reach out into a hurting and dark world and be a light. We are to engage and recognise the importance of how faith and culture interact. No one can understand God or his word outside of culture. This is particularly important for the church to grasp in the 21st-century, because the world today are looking for something genuine that they can trust and lock in to. So much of what we see on TV and right across the media, let alone in our day-to-day lives, is fake, a facade, a show and a good face for the public. Christianity today needs to have a clarity and a transparency that culture has never required so much before. Christ has entrusted us with the task of living lives of integrity. Authenticity is highly desireable as is an attitude of honestly. Live your lives as pastors without pupits which witness to an authentic faith.
This is the final thing I have to share - Christ was and continues to be committed entirely to the ministry of reconciliation and he imparted that ministry to us. Tonight I was privileged to be at a choir concert at Brentwood United Methodist Church. This choir was no ordinary choir, this is "Sonshine", a hundred 15-18 year olds commited to worshipping not performance. Now, I really can't put into words the impact their singing, enthusiasm and joy had on the whole church, the audience and to me personally. Truly this choir has the potential to reconcile. I am so convinced of that, that when Mack suggested that they come to Ireland it moved me to tears. For the first time I realised how much the bitterness and conflict that exists in Ireland breaks my heart. This choir is not only hugely talented, HUGELY TALENTED, everyone of those kids could stand up in the Waterfront Theatre in Belfast and sing a solo. But, as they formed a linking circle around an audience of 300 people and sang "May the peace of the Lord go on and on" in 6-part harmony this gift that God has given them has an amazing transforming power. So, in 2 years time we hope to have an all-Ireland tour organised for these guys to come over and bring with them the power of Christ's merciful reconciliation. Remember that Christ is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Eph 3:20).
That's all for now,
Your comments are welcome.
2 comments:
Hi Emma
it is wonderful how God speaks to us individually and as groups who are all part of the Body of Christ. God has been speaking to me and you and lots of others about the need for his message to be taken "into a dark and hurting world" (that how I am often led to pray when leading a service). We need to be the hands, feet, ears and mouth of God in this world bringing the message of his love and saving grace that is life changing. God be praised that we are able to use the gifts he has given us and that he allows us such unclean vessels to work for him. Reconciliation is so important here in Ireland. Unfortunately, the devil is at work even within our Churches putting up barriers and tempting us to try limit God grace to one community. Many feel that they cannot go into a Roman Catholic Chapel and worship because the teaching of this church is wrong. They cannot seem to see that Christ spoke to all sections of society and that his message is for all, How will they hear if we don't reach out? Pray that God's Holy Spirit will challenge the protestant and Catholic communities and bring a great revival that will shatter the hold of centuries of suspicion and hate.
Please pray for the Holiday Bible Club in Pettigo/Irvinestown. We pray that it will be a great time of blessing for the children, parents, the church and the wider community.
God Bless and Keep you
Nigel
Thank-you so much for your comment Nigel!
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