Hammer and Nail

I like Simon and Garfunkel.  It brings out a skippy, dancing side of me. I like the lyrics, well most of them - they fire my imagination. How about, "I'd rather be a hammer than a nail."?  Think about it!  If a hammer and nail had feelings I would definitely want the hammer's role.  A nail is but a small slip of metal, banged again and again until it is lost from sight into the wooden piece of furniture. A nail would view the hammer as a bully, a relentless enemy who drives it into submission, pounding it again and again until the hammer's will is done.  The hammer returns unscathed to its place and glories in a job well done.

I have come to praise God for the lessons of the hammer and the nail; times of apparent set back, illness, loss of friends, folk leaving the church and barren seasons in sharing the gospel. Each day can feel like repeated hammer blows that leave me frustrated, angry and tempted to give up.

But when I look to the carpenter, hope stirs my fragile emotions. The nail and the hammer are both held in God's sovereign hands.  Jesus knows what he is doing.  There is a greater purpose, a divine building, something bigger than I have ever dreamed of, being accomplished with this one nail.  As A W Tozer said, "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply." 

To any reader in pain or doubt, stand firm. God is working his purposes out and you, dear child of His, are safe in his wonderful hands.

Soaring with eagles or squawking like parrots

My neighbour has a parrot, a vicious bird that bites and squawks and is generally bad tempered, scowling at you from the safety of his cage. His one redeeming feature is that he speaks: words, phrases and swearing screech from his mouth, repetitions of sounds he has heard clearly mimicked as he swings contentedly on his perch.

Contrast this encounter with another I had last year, that of a young golden eagle. Tethered to his handlers arm, this magnificent bird with its keen eyes wanted to fly. It stretched out its wide wings, tugged cords with its sharp beak, restless and driven by that inborn desire to soar and hunt.  It wanted to fly, to be free, to glide and find fresh quarry and mountains, to be Lord of all it surveys.

Reflecting on these birds, I am aware we are lacking eagles in the church but have an abundance of parrots. Leaders content to sit safely on their evangelical perches and repeat the latest tweet, blog or book content with parrot-like gusto. Parrots like the predictable and are easily satisfied with a few seeds and loud admiration.

The church is short on eagles, those leaders who fly; folk brave enough to break free of material cages, financial safety nets, religious traditions and to soar in wonder and worship in the Holy Spirit, eagle-eyed to God's word, open to new perspectives and fearless in their desire to reach new horizons.

We need more eagles: eagle writers, eagle prophets and evangelists, eagle pastors and eagle church planters. 

Parrots are colourful fun birds to keep in cages.  Eagles need to be released, and if you are an eagle, what are you doing on that perch?

Moving...

Today is the day our daughter Hannah, husband Mike and grandson Max, make a move.  Four months ago these "refugees" from their house sale arrived on our door step with all their worldly goods tied up in brown paper bags!  Since then, we’ve had a glorious summer of shared BBQs, gardening, walks and the endless march of the toys towards every room and under every piece of furniture. Grandpa, Grandma, Great Grandparents, uncles and aunties - all in their element cooing and adoring, desperate to get their five minutes Max-Moment.

Today the chapter ends, these the last words on this happy time. I feel joy, gratitude and truthfully a little sad. But no time for long farewells…all hands on deck. Bags, boxes, furniture clog the hallway and fill our living room. Stuff and more stuff: shoes, toys, blankets, books and those boxes in endless rows awaiting their deliverer, a man with a van. In so many ways, a moving experience that feels right and downright prophetic. Our TVs and newspapers are filled with images of migrants carrying all their worldly possessions on their backs.  It is reported that 40 % of the entire Syrian population has been displaced.  If this was England, then goodbye London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.  I cannot imagine what this must feel like but I do know that we in the West are blessed and churches carry a responsibility to reach out with the love of Christ using our stuff.  Answering Christ's final day challenge of "when did we see you hungry, in need of clothes?"

Moving house is a dress rehearsal for the big day, the final chapter, the great finale.  And all our stuff goes off to landfill as we enter a recreated world with such beauty, majesty and permanence. Home with Christ, which is better by far. 

Wow, what a Westpoint!

There comes a moment as a sailor when everything comes together, tide, weather, and most importantly wind, and the becalmed yacht surges forwards as the crew rush to haul sheets and sails, their smiling faces sprayed by the salty brine.

Westpoint 2015 had all these competing factors in the mix;  becalming circumstances, wettest August for decades and Commission crew raising our main sail Westpoint.  Dave Smith from Peterborough climbed the crow’s nest and urged us in Commission "to see beyond where you are," with lessons from Joseph and a time to dream again.  The daily compass bearings (bible readings) were taken by Mick Taylor from Ephesians giving a warrior call  (no one will forget his Aragon rallying call ) to strive for unity as believers and churches.  We are but one small flotilla in God's great armada.  I spoke on misplaced Kingdom keys to unlock the church to God's global mission, not least the baptism from Heaven of divine power.

By the Saturday the wind was in our sails; stories from youth, children's work and adults reported many saved and baptised in the Holy Spirit.  Sam Allberry came on board and spoke tenderly on same sex attraction and reminded us of the unique make-up of the church crew, and that God is more committed to their long term joy than they are.

Saturday evening was our offering evening with a greater mission goal than last year with 10% less people!.  Andrew Wilson spoke powerfully on 'Individualitis and the Dung Gate' - that our destiny is corporate! And the role of the ordinary in doing something magnificent for God.  The offering blew us all away with 10% more than we asked.  This meant that with the wind of God's favour whistling around our ears I preached on the final day on the "unbelievable church," a call to return home to build these local boats of all shapes and sizes.  All hands on deck.

Reflecting on these few days I am so humbled and thankful to God for those who served, the talks, the Holy Spirit encounters and let’s not forget the weather. Good to fair!

Humpty Dumpty's view on walls

It’s a poem seemingly without meaning that children sing through the generations, but it fails to answer the question of how on earth fragile Humpty did ever get to be on top of such a high wall with such tragic result.  Or is it a rhyme to instil into our young sub-conscious minds that the best and most stable of men can, in moments of opportunity or difficulty, act in such a way as to place us beyond the restorative powers of all the King’s horses and men?

In these past few months, three dear friends have had their own Humpty moments; from a bedroom trip in India, to a skiing spin in Austria, or a car flip on the M3 in the UK.  Each have resulted in arms broken and needing a  DIY shop of steel pins to bring back fragile bones to a place of unity.

In Europe we have climbed high on the wall of European integration.  This week we witness a Greek referendum, not principally about debt, but on two colliding juggernauts of vision and values.  In one lane the fast paced Rolls Royce of banking and business with traditional politics the engine beneath the bonnet.  In the oncoming lane, a more grass roots, self-assembly kit car, fast, responsive populist approach heading for a different vision of Europe where the individual has greater voice.  Where will it all end?  Just how many King’s men will be needed to put the European Union back together again?

In Iraq and Syria we read of war, murder and rape, and the pulling down and destruction of ancient artefacts and museums.  Documentaries tell us that in the history of civilisation there has never been such awful obliteration of so many antiquities, with billions of broken pieces.  A religion at war with itself, as well as the infidel, provides daily Humpty Dumpty footage of the terrible loss of life and destruction.  No wonder local king’s men stand and scratch their long flowing beards and shake their heads in dismay.

This shattered world desperately needs the divine love of God in Christ - the only glue - to work a miracle.  Only the church has the answer to this carnage.   Unity within diversity appears a beautiful but fragile dream.  Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 for his church seems a bit pie in the sky,  "That they may be one as we are one," (John 17:21).   Not a dream says Paul, but a battle:  "…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," (Eph 4:3).

Within the worldwide church today we witness similar fragmentation, party spirit and elitism, and many wonder if there is even a desire for unity let alone how much glue will we need?

My heart tells me that Jesus’ prayer is guaranteed as an answer when our hearts and wills say amen to His prayer.  Sitting recently amidst a pile of Humpty pieces I felt the Father remind me that the only way up in His kingdom is down. "He who descended is the one who also ascended," (Eph 4:10). It was Jesus who rebuked James and John's desire for prominence with the words, "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve," (Mark 10:45).   It is this desire to be served that underlies kids playground fights, or bust ups with our neighbour, or foreign powers exploiting the poorer nations of our world.

The great reversal of the kingdom is that we must die for Christ to live.  Only when we embrace humility, take a lower position and truly believe, "that whoever would be first among you must be your slave," (Mark 10:45), can we hope to show the way and to heal the broken lives around us.  In the Humpty Dumpty world we live in, we can each find God's wisdom and security on the lower step.

The power of creation

The Easter holiday was coming up fast and a week at home was something I was looking forward to. I love the garden at this time of year, and a grotty area in front of the garage filled with old plastic containers got my pulse racing. So a week of trips to the dump, followed by digging post holes through tarmac to the back breaking work of patio slabs and lugging gravel have all brought transformation. Today we look out upon a restful seating area with bird and insect boxes, all created in a week’s hard work and winter months of imagination!

To create is to touch the divine, and remind ourselves that we are made in His image. God rejects the cookie cutter approach with mankind, flowers, butterflies and yes, even snow-flakes! No heavenly factory mass production line where everyone looks the same, speaks the same language and laughs at the same jokes.

Yet strangely our Western world is losing its diverse predilections. We dress from the same few shops, eat mass-produced ready meals, robotically play the same computer games with a billion others. Our homes are straight from a catalogue. Perfection in cardboard boxes ready for self-assembly and all you need is a screwdriver.

No, making stuff is the release of the real you. It may be digging a new border and planting it with fruit trees, painting a picture, making a mosaic from discarded tiles or cooking a squirrel stew. It brings you in touch with hidden talents, it produces something unique in this world - imperfect certainly - but a one off. To write, draw, paint, make and create is to produce something, no matter how small, that never existed in the world before you made it. It is to touch the power of the creator who fashions a stunning universe and brilliant creation each day before our eyes. It is to remind ourselves that we too are being shaped and fashioned by the creator throughout our lives, to be made ready for eternity. 

Rio de Janeiro

So the last leg of our South America missionary journey brings us to Rio - a city surrounded by mountains and with a beautiful harbour.   John and Flor Evans met us and took us for steak dinner then a small walk on the island they live on.  On Sunday we met as church, Rio Vivo, a great group of almost 20 people  passionately worshiping with some great gift contributions.  It felt full of  life and I really enjoyed speaking.  Afterwards we had a wonderful BBQ at Jonathan and Becky's and then were taken to the oldest favela in Rio! These shanty like developments are all along the mountains surrounding Rio and are often controlled by drug barons carrying guns.   Luke and Luis's home was right in the middle of this particular favela and certainly was a "city set upon a hill"!  Very inspiring and moving to see them touching so much need. 

Brazil and the Valley of Blessing

Today is our last day at the Valley of Blessing, the home of Antioch Mission. Established forty years ago, it has released hundreds of missionaries, and continues to train men and women. As well as the mission training school it has a number of social action ministries including: a Children’s Home for children with special needs or those who have come from disadvantaged backgrounds; an after-school club providing hot meals and extra studies for children with minimal education, and also a teenage programme providing computer training. We also had the privilege of visiting the drug rehab site, on a farm miles from the town. Many men have had their lives turned around by their prayer only detox!

We have been so inspired by being here, enjoying the warm hospitality of Brazilian Christians and the joy of fellowship. There is a real sense that there is more to come, for both Portugal and Commission to be involved in Brazil.

Sao Paulo update!

So after 10 days in Bolivia, we bid a sad farewell to David, Sarah and their wonderful family and headed east for Sao Paulo.  Pastor Silas Tostes met us at the airport and drove through rush hour traffic to bring us to the Valley of Blessing, the home of Antioch ministries.  Met our dear friends Mike and Jessica there, who are sharing with us on this trip. 

Today was an orientation day to hear about the mission and to see the incredible faith and faithfulness of God to Silas's grandfather Jonathan, his daughter Marcia, and now to his grandson, Andre.  The facilities are mind blowing: a 24 hour prayer room is their first building (inspired by George Muller), a 700 seater church building, a bible college, conference halls, a hostel and children's homes  - all set in huge magnificent grounds. 

We will be teaching over the next 3 days on the church, the apostolic, and being empowered by the Spirit.  Do pray that we might really bless students and staff.

Hello from Bolivia Part 2!

The church camp was a great introduction to the church and the feedback this week was of great encouragement, particularly in stepping out in the prophetic.  Kevin Bartlett and I have taught this week on leadership, worship and breaking through in faith so I am praying that this will strengthen the church and enable it to grow and plant another church in the coming years.  Do pray for David Adjei as he leads and seeks to raise elders in the next year.

David and Sarah have been kind hosts and have treated us to Bolivian food (delicious), jungle (amazing), family (what a great family)  and best of all the church.  I have also been in constant conversation with Lee Yarborough and Oscar Suarez from Newfrontiers Mexico and feel our partnership will bear more fruit in years to come, here and in Spain. 

Another little update...

Another little update from Bolivia, talking about the church camp....and rain!

Hello from Bolivia Part 1!

Well, we have arrived in the beautiful nation of Bolivia! The flight was long, but we made it here safely and with no hold ups. It has been very sunny and hot so far, and we are settling in well, enjoying the food and the warmth of Bolivian hospitality.

We have been spending this bank holiday weekend on a church camp, enjoying great times of worship and preaching, but also social time together....and of course, lots of eating! The church is truly amazing, with many coming from very poor and deprived backgrounds, yet there is so much joy and care for one another.

Please pray for us as we spend this time with the church, and for the camp itself. The first day was especially difficult, as one family in the church had their young daughter knocked down and killed by a car. This has been incredibly sad and hard for everyone. Do pray for their family and for the church.

Have a look at the videos below to see some of what we've been doing, and we'll send you another update soon!

Worship at the church camp

A small update