Pentecost

It is some time since I wrote on my blog for those who follow my musings. I have no excuses other than busyness!

But as I reflect on what I have achieved, well in my eyes probably not a lot, however I know that in God's eyes I have achieved an awful lot in His name. God works through us in many ways that we are not aware of, those things visible through the fruits of the Holy Spirit that as Christians define us, that blueprint for our living and witness.

As we reflect on the passage for Pentecost, often referred to as the birth of the church, the coming of God's Holy Spirit, let our busyness not get in the way of what God wants to achieve in and through us. How often do we leave God out of our lives? The Holy Spirit is our driving force - imagine trying to drive a car without an engine! The Holy Spirit is our guide, our inspiration our encourager, our helper in times of need - in fact He is all we need to live our lives - but we have to put Him at the helm and to set aside our own wishes and desires and let Him lead us in ways of righteousness and power according to His will.

Find a quiet place, give God time to speak to you as he spoke to the crowd on that day of Pentecost - pray this prayer and let Him lead you.

Come Holy Spirit as wind

Come Holy Spirit as fire

Come Holy Spirit and set us ablaze for you

Come Holy Spirit and transform our lives

I offer my life afresh to you

Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven

AMEN

Back Home

Back home after an amazing week of God blessing His people through His Holy Spirit. Bible study was execellently led by Krish Kandiah, Saltmine Theatre Company were superb, telling the story of Esther, excellent speakers and good weather for once, although a little on the cold side at night time, but a week without rain, that must be a first for us in all the 17 years we have been going!

Worshipping the living God with 5,000 other Christians is an amazing experience - if you haven't tried it I suggest you give it a go, you will be spiritually refreshed, although physically tired as there is so much to do!

I am, along with Mike going to organise a group for 2011 and an information evening for those interested in coming with us so watch this space!

Visit the website for more information:
www.springharvest.org

:)

Spring Harvest

It's that time again when myself and the family, plus others pack our bags and plenty of food and head for the sunny resort of Skegness to endure the delights of Butlins, but we aren't there to enjoy all that Butlins' entertainment offers, but to worship God with 5,000 other Christians of all denominations. There are bible studies, seminars, wonderful worship and a real sense of the Holy Spirit at work within us. A truly blessed time where you can begin to recharge your batteries, explore all that God wants for us and learn more of Him.

Visit the website to learn more of what Spring Harvest is all about: http://www.springharvest.org/

Silver Wedding Anniversary

Stuart and I enjoyed a lovely weekend in York. The city holds a special place for us as we went on honeymoon there, so had decided to return there to celebrate our anniversary.

We spent a lovely few days, dining out, seeing the sights, even managed a boat trip! For those of you who know me well, I love boat trips and take every opportunity I'm allowed to go on one wherever we are in the world!!

We spent our actual anniversary on Tuesday with family and friends at home and had a lovely day, finishing off with going out for a meal in the evening.

Saturday Night

Well, what can I say, being called "Madam" and "Honoured Guest" amongst other things, like "spare Alison" and "Escort" "Consort" " bit on the side" - it was all meant as a bit of fun and I certainly joined in with the laughter and fun of the evening. Where was I? I hear you ask, well I was the guest of the President of the West Ashfield Rotary Club, namely Mike Redshaw attending his Charter evening at The Derbyshire Hotel.

It was a great chance to get dressed up and go out for a lovely evening, of good food, friendship and wine of course! I freely admit to really enjoying myself and was very warmly welcomed by everyone present, including some people I did know, but it felt like a group of friends and didn't feel like an outsider at all and that is thanks to the wonderful people who are part of the Rotary Club. Helping others is something at the very heart of my own passion and to hear of the work being carried out by the club was wonderful to hear.

So my thanks go to everyone involved and attending that made my evening so enjoyable, and special thanks also to my "partner" for the evening, Mike - who scrubs up very well in his bow tie and dinner suit - not a croc in sight - whooppeee!

Thoughts

Life doesn't always go to plan! One minute we are living life only to find the next minute we are facing difficulty in many different formats.

Being a Christian doesn't mean that we won't face difficulties in life, in fact the road is tougher in many ways as we struggle to live out our lives the way God showed us to. But the fact remains, whatever difficulties we face in life relationships, health, money, loss etc., we have the reassurance that God travels with us through it and that He is the rock on which we stand, which we cling to in times of difficulty.

The old hymn, What a Friend we Have in Jesus reminds us that whatever difficulties we face we should take it to the Lord in prayer, that is the reassurance we have in our Lord Jesus that we have been given a way to the Father through Jesus. Our lives are made richer and blessed because of the sacrifice Jesus made, and our relationship with Him is to be built upon and strengthened through prayer. Therefore in tough times and good times we should give him the praise and thanks for He is the greatest friend we could ever wish for.

Weekend

This weekend has been very relaxing for a few reasons:

1) Our youngest daughter was staying with a friend over the weekend, and
2) For the first time in a long time, I had no services to prepare or meetings to attend on Sunday!

Stuart and I have spent quality time with each other, even though it meant shopping, tidying kitchen cupboards and cooking for the majority of the time - but there was no pressure to do anything and it has been lovely.

The best time spent was in church on Sunday morning, spending time with God before the service, letting his Holy Spirit fill me and refresh me and also to equip me for the week ahead. Although it was great to spend time with Stuart it was even better spending time with God. Our lives are so busy we forget to put time aside to let him come and dwell within us and to show his love for us. As we open ourselves up to him and seek his ways our lives are made richer, our relationship with him grows and develops and most of all that we sense God's great love for each of us and how special we are to him.

If we do nothing else this week, let us try to put some time aside to reinvite, or even invite God into our hearts and deepen our relationship with him.

Thoughts

This week has been a tough one for me - 3 days, 3 funerals all very different, all special in their own way and all paying tribute to people who have achieved so much in their lives. Some of those achievements spread over many years and in the case of Matt spread over a short life.

This week was my first for flying solo in taking funerals and although tough, my first one being of a very special young man. I feel honoured and priviledged that my friend asked me to take the funeral for her son, and indeed began to understand the trust placed in me and my faith to take on such a task. Standing side by side with someone in their grief and loss is a priviledge, something I had not understood until recent months but through all of this we grow and develop and learn something of God's great love for each one of us and how important it is to share our faith in any way we can. The touch of a hand, the comforting arm, the prayers offered the cup of tea offered, the listening ear are valuable skills that we can all offer to ease the suffering and distress of those around us.

We are reminded that all life is precious to God and that we should all endeavour to ensure that we take every opportunity to share and show the love of God and to celebrate life with each other.

My prayers this week are for all those who have lost a loved one and all those who face illness and distress in any way. May you know the peace of God in your hearts.

Please hold my friend Anna and her family in prayer on Tuesday at 12pm as we hold the funeral of her 21 year old son Matt.

This week

Busy week this week, lots of preparation to do for funerals, bible studies and services. Please hold me in prayer.