Horse Meat or Beef?

The catchphrase "It does what is says on the tin" might not seem quite so believable in the light of the recent news about the use of horse meat as a substitute for beef in several well known brand items.  In a not too unrelated matter I have found myself having to invest time sorting out problems where churches or Christian organisations have appointed people to leadership roles only to find out later that they were not all that they seemed to be.

The apostle Paul had something to say about this in his first letter to Timothy.

"Don’t appoint people to church leadership positions too hastily." 

(1 Tim. 5:22 The Message)

On at least five occasions Paul commends people who have been "proved" to be true.  That is they had been tested and found true.  In 1 Timothy 3 Paul urges Timothy to be sure that potential deacons have "first been tested". Indeed this was the principle in choosing the first seven to deaconal ministry in Acts 6.

Independent churches and para-church organisations are particularly vulnerable.  All too often at a time of need someone turns up that seems to be better than could have been imagined.  The opportunity is grasped before someone else grabs them.  Appointments are made without thoroughly checking the credentials. Then, time and again, they turn out to be incompetent at best, though sometimes absolute rogues.   Sadly, I have found that often the last people you would really want in a position of responsibility are the people who are best at "selling themselves".

God's work is too important to take chances.  A person who is genuine will not mind a church or organisation checking them out thoroughly; in fact they will usually be pleased that you do.  Independent churches are especially vulnerable.  It's healthy to realise vulnerability.  If such a church is part of an associational body then always take advantage of those within the association with special responsibility for placements.

I have spent much of the past seven months seeking to put right situations that were spoiled by a man who seemed to be excellent, but brought a mission organisation to its knees. Once in office, typically, he shied away from accountability. We don't want to believe the worst about anyone and would rather believe that all will be well.  Of course, none of us is perfect, but it is wise to be on our guard.  By now I have probably spent several years of my life clearing up bad situations for others that could so easily have been avoided.

Of course it is important that we examine our own lives.  Is there integrity?  Have we been proved true?  I grew up in Hastings and spent happy moments in childhood watching the machine that made sticks of Hastings Rock.  When produced by an expert it always had the words 'Hastings Rock' wherever the stick was broken.  May God graciously help us so that "Christlike" runs through every part of our being.

This Week's Diary for Prayer

• Preparation for the Rural Evangelism Network Conference
• Follow-up for recent rural mission consultations
• Writing and sending out the Rural Evangelism Newsletter
• Our ministry on various websites
• Ministry on Sundays at Yelvertoft Congregational Church
• Gartree Prison on Tuesday afternoon (last week I had a good discussion with one of the choir)
• Telephone conference for the Congregational Federation's Ministry and Mission Fund also on Tuesday afternoon.  Pray for wisdom as we respond to requests from churches for grants.
• On Thursday we have the second of our series of Bible Discussion Groups exploring the Letter to the Hebrews.
• Friday morning I have to undertake a glucose tolerance test following the results from a recent blood test.
• Saturday 23rd I will be in Nottingham taking part in the Congregational Federation's Mission and Society Committee.

The call of God to share in his mission can come at any time and in many different ways.  But it comes to us all as Christians.  It may be a call to speak a few words of the good news to someone, or to help them realise how much God loves them.  It may be a call to act rather than pass by on the other side.  It is almost certain to be inconvenient in some way.  But when it comes, how we respond will indicate whether we are what God expects us to be.  I hope we won't prove to be the equivalent of horse meat!

Barry

Saying 'thank you'

My attention was caught by the verse for today in Bible Gateway.  It comes from 2 Thessalonians 1:3 and was in the Message version "You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it." Paul then explains what causes this compulsion to give thanks.  Probably, like me, you were brought up to say please and thank you.  I find it strange when in other cultures and languages it is not normal to add 'please' to a request!  But this verse prompted me to think about the issue of praise and thanks to God.  Is this a matter of duty?  Do we feel compelled?  Is it a pleasure?  Does God expect our thanks and praise? If God expects our worship, doesn't that suggest some kind of ego problem?

Of course the answer to the last question I raised is 'no', but often we present the issue of praise and worship of God as something that God requires from us for his sake, rather than for our sake.  Last weekend Doreen celebrated a special birthday and I organised two days of special surprises built around meals, and then our church added a third day with a very special lunch.  Around 100 different people attended her celebrations over the weekend.  Since then she has been busy writing thank you notes for gifts she has received, and receiving thank you notes from some who came to share in the fun (many more have thanked verbally).  While some might see such activity as a chore, it actually deepens the pleasure.

Demonstrating that we have appreciated something reinforces our consciousness of the value of what we have received, enriches our enjoyment of it, and also communicates to the giver the pleasure generated.  Whatever the cost of what was given, the knowledge that it has been enjoyed by the receiver gives the gift special value.

The value of giving praise and worship to God is not that God needs it but that true worship and praise demonstrates our joy as we realise the greatness of the things he has done for us, and beyond that our enjoyment of just being in a loving relationship with him.  It should therefore always be a joy to say thank you.  Giving thanks expresses our delight in receiving a gift, and gives delight to the giver.

In the account of the healing of ten men who had leprosy (Luke 17) only one returned to give thanks but I understand the Greek verb suggests a continual thanking rather than a simple thank you.  Why not take a few moments now to reflect on God's goodness to you, and be thankful.

Recent matters for which to be thankful

• Rural Mission Conference in Wales - For same travelling both ways, for a  warm and responsive group from the Baptist Union of Wales, for the opportunity to hear some encouraging stories, and to share from the knowledge and experience God has given us.
• Birthday Celebrations - Doreen has been a wonderful wife but also a valued partner in ministry, and I am glad so many came to mark her special milestone.
• School Assemblies- I travelled back from Wales immediately after the event with the BUW so that I could take a school assembly at Yelvertoft.  The biblical theme was the testing of Jesus in the wilderness.  The Lord gave me a great way of putting the concept of trials across to young children and they responded wonderfully. A few days previously I had a similar experience of inspiration at Lubenham Primary School on the theme of generosity.  I am thankful for great relationships with staff and children.
• Prison - Both my colleagues have been unable to be with me (Jean's husband is in hospital; Roger has an ulcerated sore on his ankle) so I was on my own, but didn't feel that way.  We had a great practice time.
• Chapel Improvements - We are thankful for the gift from a local firm of a new kitchen at Yelvertoft.  The new porch doors went in this week which is the last item on a schedule of improvements.  We thank God for his provision to enable this work.
• Financial Support - I can't remember whether I previously shared my thanksgiving for Philip.  He is a minister for whom we conducted some activities many years ago.  He faithfully supported my ministry with a regular gift for many years but wrote recently to explain that this has come to an end as he now feels that the Lord wants him to help an important project in Africa (with which I have considerable sympathy).  While the loss of financial support would not normally be a cause of thanksgiving, I felt overwhelmed with praise to God for Philip's faithfulness over such a long time that any regret over reduced income was more than eclipsed by the joy!  We are really thankful for both individuals and churches that keep the ministry on the road.
• Ministry in a funeral - Many expressed real appreciation for a few words about the Gospel and personal faith, and for my singing of  "Were you there when they crucified my Lord" at the funeral service for Joe, a dear friend from the Parish Church at Yelvertoft this week.  Joe had been battling a terminal illness since before I came to Yelvertoft.  On one occasion he and his wife were present for a concert of the Yelvertoft Ladies Choir where I was the guest soloist.  One of the songs on that occasion was "Were you there.." and they had both been moved by that.  On one occasion when visiting Joe in hospital recently, he asked me to sing it again right there in hospital.  I did so and Joe joined in from time to time, while he gripped my hand firmly with a light in his eyes.  It was a privilege to sing it this week at the request of the family, and a joy to know that God used it to touch more hearts.
• Rebecca starts her work - The new East Midlands Area Children and Families Worker commence her post on 1st February.  We give thanks that she and her husband had a safe move of home.  There is much for her to do and we are thankful for all who showed interest in applying.
• Getting into God's Word - Should that be God's Word getting into us?  What a blessing it is to lead a Bible Discussion Group in Yelvertoft.  These are stimulating meetings as we share together in drawing light and truth from scripture.  We found a great deal of interest from 1Corinthians and now move to Hebrews as we enter Lent.  We also thank God for Louise from Theddingworth who has started on the Congregational Federation's Integrated Training Course.

Matters for Prayer

• For follow-up activities linked with recent rural conferences and consultations.
• For friends in Ukraine are looking at our resources for rural evangelism
• For friends in Germany and Ireland using our resources.
• For the preparation for the Rural Evangelism Network Conference in March.
• For our ongoing ministry in the East Midlands, especially at Yelvertoft, Theddingworth and Gartree.
• For the need for additional partners who will help maintain our ministry through regular donations, and for churches to share with us as part of their missionary giving.
• For all who have been under our ministry in word and song, that hearts will open to the saviour and Christians come closer to the Lord.
• For all with whom we work in partnership in rural mission, and in other areas; especially for Rebecca as she settles into a new home and a new role.
• That in all things God will be glorified, lives changed, and God's kingdom extended.

Thank you.

Barry

A fork in her hand!

Here in the East Midlands of England we have had snow but not as bad as some other parts of the country.  The first heavy snowfall started in the East Midlands but we were on the southern edge.  However, as temperatures stayed low the snow has stayed around, periodically added to.  However, we were able to get into the village last Sunday and again on Thursday for a Bible Discussion Group.  This week we explored 1 Corinthians chapter 15 where Paul addresses the hope of the resurrection and life after life.  Paul starts by emphasising that the resurrection of Jesus, witnessed by many, was at the heart of the gospel he had preached and they had received.

His first argument is that if Christ rose from the dead then we can be sure of resurrection.  If there is no such thing as resurrection then that would mean Christ had not risen from the dead and we have an empty gospel.  "But now is Christ risen from the dead".  Later her addresses the nature of resurrection and draws on two illustrations.  The first of these is living plants.  What grows from the ground differs absolutely from what was planted as a seed.  The second is the spiritual  character of Christ, compared to the earthly character of Adam.  So what will rise up to spend eternity with God will differ from what is laid in the grave or cremated.  It will be like Christ.

While I enjoy many contemporary worship songs and prefer to use contemporary language, I love the theological and spiritual depth of many more traditional hymns.  The words of 1 Corinthians 15 are clearly the inspiration behind the Cardinal John Newman's wonderful hymn, Praise to the Holiest in the Height.  take a few moments to dwell on these words.

Praise to the Holiest in the height,

And in the depth be praise;

In all His words most wonderful,

Most sure in all His ways.

O loving wisdom of our God!

When all was sin and shame,

A second Adam to the fight

And to the rescue came.

O wisest love! that flesh and blood,

Which did in Adam fail,

Should strive afresh against the foe,

Should strive and should prevail.

And that a higher gift than grace

Should flesh and blood refine,

God’s Presence and His very Self,

And Essence all divine.

O generous love! that He, who smote,

In Man for man the foe,

The double agony in Man

For man should undergo.

And in the garden secretly,

And on the Cross on high,

Should teach His brethren, and inspire

To suffer and to die.

Praise to the Holiest in the height,

And in the depth be praise;

In all His words most wonderful,

Most sure in all His ways.

It is recorded that when William Gladstone, a great Prime Minister of the UK, laid dying he often went over these wonderful words, relishing the truth that inspired them.  This then reminded me about the funeral service of a woman who lay in an open casket (coffin) with a cutlery fork in her hand.  As people filed past to bid their last farewell they were perplexed to see the fork.

In his message the pastor of the church explained that this was a special request the woman had made.  She had told him,  "In all my years of attending church socials and pot-luck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'keep your fork.' It was my favourite part because I  knew that something better was coming..like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep Your Fork..The best is yet to come'".

What a wonderful hope we have!  It's a sure and certain hope!

During the morning meeting last Sunday my mobile phone rang. I thought I had switched it off.  When I saw the number I realised it might be important and asked the congregation if I could take the call.  It was to tell me that Joe had died that morning.  Joe is a farmer who lived next to our Chapel.  He has been ill for some time and I have visited him several times both at home and in hospital.  I'm glad his long battle is over, and delight in the memories of our chats and times of prayer.  Once, in hospital, he asked me to sing "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?".  As I raised my voice (unfortunately in the wrong key) there and then, Joe joined in the song.  "Were you there when he rose up from the grave?  Sometimes it causes me to tremble!"  Thanks be to God who gives us the victory!

This week

Sunday 27th  - 10.45 Yelvertoft Congregational Church.  In the afternoon I set off fro Brecon, Wales.

Monday 28th - "Mission to the Margins", a one day rural mission conference for the Baptist Union of Wales.  the most important item for prayer is that those who attend go away and build on what they have learnt.  I travel back home to the East Midlands that evening.

Tuesday 29th - 10.30 School Assembly, Yelvertoft.  I took the school assembly in Lubenham last Friday and really felt God was at work as we explored with the children the generosity of God.  Their interaction and attention was wonderful.

In the afternoon I expect to be in HMP Gartree.  Please pray for the chaplaincy team there and for all who seek to minister something of the love and word of God in our prisons.

SPECIAL WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

On Friday 1st Doreen, who has proved such a wonderful wife and partner in mission, celebrates her 80th birthday.  Normally birthdays pass without much note.  But on this occasion I have three days of surprises.  

On Saturday 2nd I have arranged a surprise lunchtime party also in Market Harborough and have invited anyone who wishes to do so to join us.  If you wish to have details of when and where this is being held please email me at barry@ruralmissions.org.uk.

All this is being kept secret so please don't let her know about these arrangements.  

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Barry

Because You'r Worth It!

Each month I have the opportunity to write something on behalf of Yelvertoft Congregational Church in the local Parish Magazine.  Some of these articles have also been published on my other blog at barryosborne.blogspot.com.  But I thought you might appreciate reading a sample here.  So this is the article for February 2013.

L’Oreal’s famous slogan has gone through two subtle changes due to consumer psychological analysis, but basically it is still saying the same thing.  Yes, the products don’t come cheap but you deserve the best. And it’s a slogan that has been working well for most of the past decade for the world’s largest cosmetic and beauty company.  Had you noticed the changes?  It started out as “…I’m worth it” and became “…you’re worth it” before warping into “…we’re worth it”.

Behind the slogan is the assumption that we all like to be valued.  We want to be loved for who we are.  We want to matter significantly to at least one person. Even if we have self-confidence and a sense of self-worth, we still value having that affirmed by someone else.  However, there is something sad if that affirmation has to come from a commercial entity that makes its millions out of feelings of low self-esteem!

But, hey, you already knew that making people feel good was not their bottom line.  It does not compare with knowing that someone genuinely values us for who we are rather than how much we spend on their products.  That’s why experiencing the love of God is such a bonus in life.  The Christian life is so much more than dogma or theory.  God longs that we might truly know him and his love for us.

At the Congregational Church we have been giving thanks for our new kitchen, kindly donated.  The final phase in the scheduled alterations will be internal porch doors, and we anticipate that will take place any day.

Of greater value has been the privilege of providing support for several in the village who have suffered the loss of loved ones over recent weeks.  We do so as an expression of God’s love, for we are all genuinely valued by him.  Jesus Christ did not die on the cross because we deserved it, but because his love for us makes us truly worth it. Implicit in the cosmetics industry is the philosophy that we somehow make ourselves more desirable if we use certain products. But God loves us despite knowing the worst about us, and that’s a love that will never fade.

In our village we have experienced a significant number of deaths over the last few weeks and I value your prayers as, together with other members of the church, I seek to show God's love and share the gospel in these situations.

During the past week we held another of our Winter Holiday at Home programmes in Market Harborough.  Despite poor weather it was well attended.  Holiday at Home is not an evangelistic event other than it provides a context of showing that we care about the lives of older people in the community, and in that sense creates a context for witnessing to our faith in Christ.  Please pray for those that come and enjoy these occasions that their hearts will be open to the Lord,

This Sunday and next Sunday I will be leading the meetings at Yelvertoft.  On Tuesday I will be in HMP Gartree with the choir.  Last week we had an excellent time and I ask for your continued prayers for the prisoners who attend these sessions.  On Wednesday I will be part of the editorial team planning the next issues of the Country Way magazine

On Thursday we hold the next in our series of Bible Discussion Groups in the village as we explore 1 Corinthians 15.  I might have to miss this unless I can move an important dental appointment.  While those attending these encouraging sessions state that they value my leadership I delight in their enthusiasm to manage without me!

On Friday I will be taking a school assembly in the village of Lubenham.  But apart from these activities there is still a significant amount of administration for Sunrise Ministries, Rural Mission Solutions, the Rural Evangelism Network, and Action for Christ.  I will also be preparing for the Rural Mission event for the Baptist Union of Wales on Monday 28th January.

On a personal note, Doreen attended hospital this week for an endoscopy during which a polyp was removed.  We are still no wiser as to what caused a severe bleed a few weeks ago but the investigation has not shown up anything to cause concern.

Thank you for praying with us.  Your support is clearly very effective.  We give God our thanks and praise.

Barry

God speaking through scripture

During the week I had a delightful surprise when I received an email from a friend commenting on  last week's piece on revival.  I discovered that she too had a link with the late George Down from Winkleigh.  During her school days (40 years ago) she developed a friendship with another Christian girl and discovered that both of them had an uncle called George Down who lived in Winkleigh - though they were two separate people with the same name.  Small world!  The George I wrote about later moved to the east coast and was, I believed, involved in a mission to seamen, or something similar.

Others also responded to last week's newsletter.  I find it very encouraging to hear from people who regularly read the information I send out and it is great to know how God moves folk to pray.

This morning I was due to speak at the local Torch Fellowship Group.  These monthly gatherings that exist all over the country provide an opportunity for blind and partially sighted Christians to meet together with others in similar situations.  It was just as well I phoned the leader in advance as I discovered that he had someone else booked to speak.  I went along, as I often do, and enjoyed the meeting and the talk.  But I was left wondering why I felt I had a particular message on my heart for the occasion.  I have had occasions when I have been due to speak but had no conviction as to what I was to say.  However, I cannot remember the last time I had a message but was unsure where it was to be given!

I shared this on Facebook where I also gave a very brief summary, and had two people comment  that it was helpful to them.  The substance of the talk was that God has plans for each of our lives but that often God's guidance takes us through situations where things go wrong.  The biblical basis was Romans 8:28 and Esther 4:14b.  Maybe it's for you.

Our Bible Discussion group on Thursday tackled 1Corinthians 14.  This was a challenge for some who have not experienced gifts of the Holy Spirit and for whom speaking in tongues is a strange, possibly disturbing, concept.  The whole of 1Corinthians deals with various aspects of church life that needed adjusting. Chapter 12 introduces the gifts of the Holy Spirit but the heart of its message is our interdependence within the body of Christ.  No one is superior or inferior to another.  We are all of equal value.  This is all about attitudes towards one another, and leads us into chapter 13, that great passage about agape love.  The Paul picks up the theme of the gifts of the Spirit again in chapter 14.

But the three chapters need to be understood together.  Chapter 14 addresses the use of the three oral gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they should be used within corporate worship.  Paul clearly wants to encourage the use of these gifts but in a way that benefits the congregation and is done decently and in order. We need to reflect back into the opening verses of chapter 13 and remember the need for love for others when we exercise any ministry. (Note to self!)

That leads me back to considering whether the message I thought for Saturday morning is really for Sunday morning at Yelvertoft.  I have been praying but think I need to sleep on that.

The Churches Rural Group meeting on Wednesday was helpful (I hope mutually) but the absence of several of the group was disappointing as it devalues the purpose for which we gather.  Part of our business was exploring the issue of leadership skill development.  We have also been invited to share concerns in a wider rural context.  This was the first occasion on which the new Director of the Arthur Rank Centre, Jerry Marshall, was able to meet with us.

So to this week's diary.  I am still working through essential administration but this needs to be completed within the first half of the week.

On this Sunday and next I will be leading the morning meeting at Yelvertoft.

On Tuesday I will be back into Gartree Prison for the first Tuesday since before Christmas.  This has been an unsettling time for some of the men and I value your prayers for them.

On Wednesday I will be working with Brian Kennard and others with the winter one-day Holiday at Home outreach.

On Thursday we have a funeral and thanksgiving service for Jim, one of our folk from Yelvertoft.  I have spent time with his family and pray that what is spoken on Thursday will carry the sense of God's word and touch at this time.  Hopefully the new kitchen will have been installed by now.  This is a wonderful gift to the church.  Last week, as we had no kitchen at the church we had a wonderful shared lunch in the home of two of our members.  What a wonderful occasion that was.  Fellowship in rural churches has a potential that cannot be matched by larger urban churches.

I also have several important meetings coming up and have to prepare for these.

Have you ever noticed that little phrase in Nehemiah 2:4?  Here we read of what some people call 'arrow prayers'.  There were only seconds in which to pray how to answer the king.  Nehemiah was a real man of prayer, as the whole book reveals.  But he knew how to pray a quick but vital prayer to God.  As we go about our normal activities this week (as indeed Nehemiah was doing) I hope that from time to time we will remember to call on the Lord. It proved very significant for Nehemiah and the fulfilling of God's purposes.  May it prove so with you and me this week.

Barry

Revival

From the earliest days after I determined to follow Jesus I have had a keen interest in revivals.  To revive simply means to bring back to life or to bring back to state of healthiness.  For a word with such inspirational meaning for Christians it is strange to note that the term is rare in scripture, and is only found in the Old Testament.  Even here it is sometimes difficult to discern whether it is being used to refer to national/political restoration or spiritual restoration.  Perhaps that is because in the context of the ancient people of God the two are intertwined.

The term is commonly used to describe a sudden and significant experience of God's presence and working.  In 1968 just such was experienced in Rwanda, Africa.  In 1904 large parts of Wales experienced spiritual revival.  It is said that the impact was such that the Law Courts were empty and that pit ponies were confused that there masters no longer kicked them and swore at them.  Churches were packed out night after night.  In 1949 revival came to the Hebrides, a group of islands of the west coast of Scotland.  All these revivals had a limited life (though sometimes lasting several years) but the fruit from them lasted for decades afterwards.  The word is also associated with movements of God such as the Pentecostal Movement which seems to have been at its height from the 1930s to the 1950s. This was a time of the discovery of the experience known as the baptism of or in the Holy Spirit.

In each of these occasions there were men and women of God whose lives demonstrated holiness and commitment.  Their ministry of God's word brought thousands to faith in Christ.  Within the USA one name among many linked with revival is Charles Finney whose ministry in the second quarter of the 19th Century was marked by an extraordinary sense of God's awesome presence.  So profound was this that he had only to enter a room and people would fall under deep conviction of their sin.

If true revival is a strong wind of God's Spirit then I have felt the occasional breeze.  Most noticeably when conducting evangelistic missions in mid-Devon there were times when there was an extraordinary sense of God's presence and we were privileged to see God at work sovereignly   Most revivals start where there is a stirring in a few hearts, a dissatisfaction with 'second best' for God, and a deep longing for something of spiritual reality.  Devon was no exception.  A godly group of men met to pray for revival, and we had the privilege of experiencing answers to their prayers.

On one occasion one of these men, George Down of Winkleigh, slipped unnoticed into a little side room at the Congregational Church at Zeal Monochorum where we had gathered to pray before the start of that evening's meeting.  I shall never forget his prayer: "Lord teach us tonight that success comes not from overworking, but from overflowing".  Immediately we were gripped by a feeling that God was in the room and our hearts were fully captured.  Such was that sense of God's presence that we dared not leave the room for another twenty minutes, much to the consternation of those sitting waiting for the meeting to begin.  It was my task to open the meeting but before I could say a word a spirit of worship took hold of the meeting and the time was taken up with spontaneous prayers, worship hymns and songs.  What God wrought in the hearts of us all I have no idea.  When the praise and worship finally subsided all I could do was to close the meeting in prayer.  It was God's meeting.  He had come and done his work.  Any human addition seemed like it would have been an intrusion.

At a later date we conducted a mission in Winkleigh which at that time was renowned for being spiritually hard.  For two weeks we laboured and saw no fruit from our ministry.  We had Wednesdays as a day off but used them to conduct meetings elsewhere in the County.  On both occasions we saw significant results with people coming to Christ.  Not until the very last moment of the final meeting did we see any result.  It was an after-church meeting probably scheduled to run from 8.00 to 9.00.  Folk from other churches came to join us.  One of my colleagues preached and I conducted the meeting.  As I gave the invitation for anyone wishing to come to know Christ or to rededicate their life to come forward as we sang the closing hymn, a young woman from Wembworthy, already known to us, came to the front.

Carol was a committed Christian but she had been praying about finding a husband.  She had such an opportunity but it would have meant lessening her service for God.  In coming to the front that night she rededicated herself to be God's first.  Tired, but thankful for some fruit at last I closed the meeting in prayer and was halfway to my seat when George Down broke into song.  Throughout the two weeks of the mission George had prayed several times every day that God would do a work that no human being could claim to be the cause.  Now he sang, "Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee, how great thou art". I stood upright again to join the congregation in one glorious song of praise.  As we did so it felt as if a wind had blown through the building.  In the 45 minutes that followed people poured out their hearts to God.  One young woman standing with tears streaming down her face called out, "I want to be saved!" and pushed her way to the front.

Such was the extent of the work that God wrought that night that we ran out of counsellors.  Some time after ten o'clock I finally closed the meeting with a brief prayer but people were loathe to leave the building  Awestruck by the palpable sense of God's presence that we could only speak in whispers as we bade one another goodnight.

Why are such experiences the exception rather than the norm?  I am not sure.  I believe that we do settle for second best.  We become at ease in the faith, lukewarm and half-hearted. With false confidence we rely on our own abilities.  Times of enthusiastic praise and worship so common in some of our churches today are no substitute for that which flows spontaneously and beautifully when God's Spirit moves and melts hearts.  Revival cannot be stirred up; it comes down.

I well remember attending a large and popular Pentecostal church in Cardiff that was holding special meetings.  The associate minister was leading the congregation in singing God's praises and it felt good to be there.  Then the senior pastor whose heart had been soaked in the presence of God was invited to lead us in prayer.  From his very first word we felt God's presence and power in that place.  Oh, for more men and women such as that in these days.

If revival is a sovereign act of God then I want to say that I believe that there is a price that has to be paid if we want to experience it.  I believe that God is calling us to deeper devotional commitment, to sweeter holiness, to passionate and earnest prayer.  The sad fact is that revival is not meant to be exceptional but our normal Christian experience.  That's why it is called "revival"; it is about the restoration to normal healthy life.  Perhaps the problem is that we do not realise how seriously unwell we are.

"For this is what the high and exalted One says – he who lives for ever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."  Isaiah 57:14-16. NIV

"O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."  Habakkuk 3:1-3 KJV

Dare we say "Amen.  Do it again Lord, and do it in me"?

Most of the past week has been spent on essential administration.  This continues through this week.

Sunday 6th  Yelvertoft CC, Northants.  This is our church's Covenant Sunday when we renew our pledge to help each other walk the Jesus way.
Monday 7th  Pastoral ministry following the death of one more person in the village.
Tuesday 8th Churches Rural Group meeting in London (I chair this CTE Coordinating Group)
Thursday 10th Bible Discussion Group in Yelvertoft (looking at 1Corinthians 14)
Saturday 12th  Speaking at the Torch Trust Fellowship Group in Market Harborough
Sunday 13th  Yelvertoft CC.

Prayers are asked as I prepare for an event on 28th January with Welsh baptist Ministers and leaders as we explore rural mission.  Also for the Holiday at Home mission day in Market Harborough on 16th January.

Please pray that the sails of my life will be filled with the wind of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you.

Barry

A gift beyond words

Let me begin by saying that I hope this will be a very blessed Christmas time for you.

No doubt, like me, you are finding yourself busy in the run up to Christmas.  In my blog last week I mentioned that there were less activities in the diary but it has certainly still been a busy time.  Next week should also provide space for rest - or possibly tidying up my office!

My usual prison ministry on Tuesday was cancelled as another event kept the prisoners locked up and unable to attend.  So the only events in the diary were ministry at Yelvertoft on 16th, a school assembly at Lubenham on 17th and becoming Father Christmas on Wednesday.  For the assembly I did a simple summary of the events of the first Christmas, periodically saying, "Can you imagine that?"  The aim of the assembly was to encourage the children to imagine themselves into the events, and in particular to think through how Mary and Joseph might be thinking.  It seemed to work well.

Today we held our annual Christmas warmer at Yelvertoft.  This is a visitor-friendly event where we welcome our guests with mince pies and mulled wine (alternatives available for us Tea Totalers) and then sing their requested carols.  We had the best attendance ever and a wonderful atmosphere.  The biblical account gets woven into the programme in word and song.  The folk at Yelvertoft Congregational Church all put in a lot of work and we had a sense of what "Emmanuel" is all about.

On Friday I undertook some pastoral visits and gave out leaflets in the village.  I returned home footsore and weary.  The rest of the day and much of Saturday I spend building a new website for the church at Yelvertoft.  I had hoped it would go live around 5.00 pm on Saturday but a quirk in my router would not let me into the new website but kept looking for an older version.  Finally at about 1.30 am Sunday morning after shutting everything down and starting again it finally worked.

Thanks to all who let me know about typos as requested.  I put those right this morning before going to church.  If you haven't taken a look please go to www.yelvertoftchurch.org.uk.

While on the subject of Internet you can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ruralbarry (become a friend) and on Twitter (less often) at @ruralbarry (please follow).

In my many travels around the countryside if I need an overnight stay and haven't had an invitation somewhere I usually go to www.farmstay.co.uk and have found excellent B&Bs at good prices.  It's a great way of supporting the farming community.  Talking of farming do uphold your local farmers and pray for the work of Farm Crisis Network as farmers are sorely affected both by the bad weather and by the dreadful Schmallenberg virus.  Livestock feed is also in short supply in many places.

Doreen and I have been delighted to receive cards and messages via the internet.  The flow of news has been a blessing to us.  Thank you.  We have had some wonderful assurances of daily prayer support.  We have also received more gifts than usual and I am hoping this might just ensure we close this year without a deficit.  Perhaps I will be able to tell you more about that next year.

During the week our only meeting will be on Christmas morning.  Next Sunday, 30th, I am taking the morning service at 9.00 in Gartree Prison before going to Yelvertoft for 10.45.

As I close this blog my thoughts go once again to those affected adversely by the weather.  We have had heavy rain but nothing like what has been experienced in parts of the Southwest, Wales and Scotland.  If you have been going through a tough time please let us know how we can pray for you.

"Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful to describe." (2 Corinthians 9:15 ERV)

Barry