So, more on Norway soon, but in the meantime I thought I’d drive some more traffic to a project I’ve been working on for 24-7 over the last few months, called ’24-7 Shorts’.
This amazing set of mini documentaries tell the story of some of the things God is doing through the movement at the moment, and have been produced to a really high standard by a friend of 24-7 in the States. So, check out the first instalment here, or head on over to www.24-7shorts.com at your leisure!
Enjoy…
I recently joined the prayer ministry leadership in Greyfriars, and one of my first tasks was to lead a session on the power and authority of God in healing ministry. Hopefully I wasn’t too heretical 😉
I personally found it really helpful to dwell on the topic for a couple of weeks – and yet again was challenged about my prayer life. How much we need to see what the Father is doing!
If you’d like to read some of my thoughts, you can follow this link to a pdf of my powerpoint slides and notes.
== Please note that these are personal reflections, not necessarily the views of my church! ==
And here’s the evidence. One smiley Shirley with a shiny medal. Check out the pictures from the day in the gallery.
Thanks so much to those of you who have supported Shirley through you prayers, and your finances, as she ran the London Marathon today.
The great news it that she completed it! 4hrs 47mins is not her best marathon time, but its not bad at all given she was fighting off a cold! Cramp at 18 miles was thankfully dispatched by some very helpful St Johns Ambulance volunteers, and hailstones at 22 miles didn’t stop her striding out towards the finishing line.
Well done Shirls! Watch this space for some piccies soon.
And just in case you haven’t sponsored her yet 😉 www.curve.org.uk/shirley
Our church had a really inspiring time recently, with the Maundy Thursday service I helped to prepare. Several of us from the Greyfriars and New Hope congregations helped to put together our communion service, including the creative prayer time that was at its centre. As we considered the events of the Last Supper and Gethsemane, we focussed on what it means to serve and to be served, and on the ways in which Jesus fulfilled the signs that are remembered during the passover meal.
I was praying with Mr Morris the other evening when he showed me this great pearl of wisdom from John Bunyan:
“You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”
My prayer life really does need to be better!
This Friday I’ll be on the latest leg of the 24-7 UK Tour. We’ll be gathering friends in Gateshead, before heading to similar dates in Edinburgh on Saturday, and Bristol on Monday. Quite some travelling.
I’d really appreciate it if you could remember the team in prayer, and ask God that we might be a great encouragement to those we’re visiting. Also for safety in travel as we traverse the length of the nation!
On a more personal note, I’m heading up north early to spend a couple of days retreat at the Northumbria Community. Please pray that I would have a great time of restoration and inspiration as I seek Gods direction for the weeks, months and years ahead.
Thanks! :-)#
I know, not much blogging recently. Hopefully things will quieten down a bit soon so that I can do something about that 😉
Anyway, I was recently encouraged by a post that Carla wrote for the International 24-7 Prayer website. Testimonies like these are (I think!) why God hijacked me out of my career to go and work for a small, shambolic charity.
Enjoy…
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it here before, but I’ve recently felt God calling me to start praying again down at the Abbey ruins here in Reading. So, right near the spot where we opened the Reading Boiler Room back in 2001, I’ve been lifting the people of my town to God, in prayer.
At first sight yesterday was not the day to be out in the open praying. Rain was pouring out of the sky as rapidly as it could, but as Shirley and I stood praying, we were party to a magnificent rainbow.
I’d been reading Noah’s story in Genesis that morning, and as we prayed, it was wonderful to be reminded of God’s covenant with all living things. We thanked Him, and prayed He would look on the people of Reading with a merciful heart.
Well, it’s been a while since the last post on my trip to the States in August, but I’m still enjoying sorting through the several hundred pictures I took while I was there. So, it’s time for the sequel to ‘Great Scott’!
Having had such an amazing time at Crater Lake, Shirls and I decided that we needed to head back towards Portland via the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. Yet again, the scenery of Oregon County did not disappoint…