Authority and Power

I recently found a great website dedicated to my home town of Wigan. I was actually born two miles outside of the town in an urban village but ‘going to town’ meant going to Wigan.

Most of the shops we used in the early sixties were local. The nearest we came to a supermarket was a chain of shops called Morton & Sons who sold everything. Within spitting distance of each other were Dewhurst butchers and Robinson’s Fruit and Veg. All family owned and run.

Once a week mum and I would make the trip to Wigan from Ince Bar on the local Wigan Corporation bus. The first fare I remember was 2d (in old money, just over a new penny in value) and half price for kids. The buses were cherry and white, the same as the famous Wigan Rugby League team. The journey seemed to take ages but was probably no more than 15 minutes. Part of it went over the canal bridge and I always hoped the bus would go over this quickly so that my stomach would churn and tickle. In those days you had conductors as well as drivers and you got on and off the bus via the open platform at the back, no closing doors.

The bus stop in town was in Library Street outside of Timberlake’s Garage. To get to the Market Place you walked up Library Street to a junction which consisted of several roads coming together at odd angles. There were no traffic lights or ‘robots’ as we called them. Instead there was a policeman on points duty. Watching him would fascinate me. He seemed to have so much power. He just raised a hand and could hold up a whole row of cars. His different signals were so clear that instead of potential chaos there was order. My favourite time to see him was on a dark winter night. In those conditions he was lit by a strong spotlight suspended across the road. The picture above shows the exact scene from 1961 as I would have seen it.

Years later I was teaching in church about how God promised through Jesus to clothe those of us who are believers with authority from the Holy Spirit. As I was preparing I remembered the scene of the policeman on points duty.

What made him able to do what he did? Two things. One he had training. He was imparted with an ability to direct the traffic, he had to learn the signals so well that he knew exactly what to do to bring order. Secondly, he had authority represented by his uniform. Without the uniform, even with all the correct gestures, it is possible he would be ignored.

There are two similar concepts in scripture concerning authority and power. The word exousia means ‘a right to do something’. We have a legal right to do it. Jesus was someone who taught with a confidence from knowing He had this kind of authority. It’s the word used by Jesus in Luke 9 when He sent His disciples out to heal. ‘He gave them authority’. The Holy Spirit in our lives is the living authority of God. We can operate by His leading in preaching the gospel and healing the sick.


The second concept is power. The word is dunamis and is the same word we get dynamite from. In Acts 1:8 Jesus said we would receive power (dunamis) after the Holy Spirit has come on us. Dunamis is the ability to do something. Again its not natural ability but supernatural. We have a right to pray for the sick to be healed and have a commission from God to do that. As we lay hands on the sick we can impart healing because dunamis power is in us. We have a right to speak in tongues (exousia) and when we do its by the Spirits power (dunamis).

I learned a lot from that childhood memory. I am learning more and more to live by the Spirit and trust Him. To walk in His authority and express in faith His gifts as He gives the ability.

Jesus has given is authority and power from His Spirit. Let’s walk in Him, the Spirit more and more.

Being, not doing Church

What is Church?

I recently spoke at a local house group concerning the Apostolic Reformation that is moving in the earth. One of the reforms taking place concerns church.

Church, as Apostle André Pelser puts it, is God’s plan A and there is no plan B. This was something I was going to touch on with the group. Before the meeting and as a test of people’s understanding I did an experiment with someone I was working with that day and asked her to draw church. She drew a building. I am sure many people would have done the same. At the house group I used this as an illustration of what I felt most people would do if asked to draw church.

Most Christians know that church is people not buildings but we have been so conditioned in our thinking to consider the building where church meets rather than people. This mindset leads to false ideas and notions and what church should be doing and also raises false expectations of what to expect.

The word translated church in the Bible is the word ecclesia. It literally means called out. A building can’t be ‘called out’ but people can be. Church is a community of believers called out to a way of living that produces a Body that Christ is the head of.

Jesus was speaking prophetically when he said in Matthew 8:21:-

“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”

Jesus wasn’t saying He was homeless. We read of places He stayed and people who accommodated Him. He was prophetically stating that He needed a Body, somewhere He could be Head of.

Paul tells us that its Christ who is Head of His Body in Colossians 1:18

“And He is head of the body, the church”

What kind of things characterise Church?

Acts 2:40 to 47 describes what the Early Church did:-

• They continued in the apostles’ doctrine
• Were baptised
• Broke bread together
• Fellowshipped
• Prayed
• Were a sharing community
• Walked in signs and wonders
• Continued daily in these things

What is my family’s experience of Church?

My family relates to an apostle and receive his counsel and input into our lives. He is not above us on a pedestal but alongside us mutually submitting to us as we do to him. An apostle is a foundation layer and we receive him as an apostle and as a reward we see foundations laid in our lives.

We are baptised believers. Hebrews tells us that part of the foundation we build on are doctrines about baptisms. Baptism in water, in the Holy Spirit and fire. We have all obeyed the command to be baptised and sought and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and have experienced the fire of God in our home.
Peter when asked what someone must do to be saved said in Acts 2:38 :-

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”

Baptism is not something we can say no to. It is not an optional extra. We should be baptised. True salvation is about following Christ as a disciple. A disciple does what His Master asks of him. Its not a pastor we disobey if we refuse to be baptised but the One we say we are serving.

Our family meals are part of our daily fellowship. My work pattern made it difficult for me to eat with the family. I began to realise that problems we were experiencing were partly due to the fact we rarely ate together. Our table has become a place of communion and fellowship as a family. Its where we pray together and study God’s word together. The word fellowship is from a word meaning ‘sharing your lives physically, mentally and spiritually’. Its not just being in the same house but being together on every level.

What we as an imperfect family are finding is Church. We experience Christ together. We pray for each other, prophecy to each other and encourage each other.

Is this the same for corporate Church?

Can that really be the same in a building we meet in as Church on a Sunday. It has to be because that is Church. A place where we discover God in each other and part of the community we become. I would dare to say if we don’t have that we are not Church but an institution.

If all we do when we gather is sing, watch the performance on stage, become part of the committee or team that runs things and put our money on to the plate then we might as well be a Working Men’s club, because that’s what they do.

God is reforming His Church. Its not new but has always gone on. Sad thing is we tend to allow God to reform then when we think we see what He’s doing we make a denomination out of it. God is not about denominations but a Body.

Its interesting to see in the Early Church people were added, 3000 on the Day Of Pentecost alone. Acts 2 the last few verses says they ‘continued daily’ and ‘the Lord added to the Church daily’. God did it. All by God using ‘uneducated men and women’.

What about the large churches we see in some places?

There is a new phenomenon these days. The mega church, some have tens of thousands attending. Are they really being church? I can’t judge but if the characteristics that I describe from Acts 2 don’t exist then they are not Church.

I read a statistic concerning one of the mega churches in the US. The majority of people coming to Christ in this church (I think they said 80%) after five years they are either in another church or not going anywhere. The reason given was that they didn’t feel they were doing anything for God, just making up the numbers.

Everyone has a function, part to play.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 that we all have a function. In fact leaders are there to equip us and help us find our function. Paul says when this happens (Ephesians 4:16), ‘by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love”

We grow and mature in a true Body. We know our function and place and we are doers of the word not just hearers. We see God work in our midst with signs and wonders.

God’s plan is Church. The Body of Christ is the answer. Not revival or a special outpouring, they come for a time but the Body Of Christ, His church, is here forever.

It’s Christ Church and He builds it

True Church is Christ’s Body and so reflects Him. There’s no room for big names and great reputations. You can build churches on personality and growth systems but eventually the personality moves on and the grown system fails. There’s only One true Church builder.

Jesus said, Matthew 16:18

“I will build My Church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”

Does what you have as Church shake the gates of hell or put all its effort into surviving and keeping its identity. Is God adding to it? Are signs and wonders evident? Do the members operate in their function to edify the whole Body?

God is reforming His Church.

The current reform of His Church is adding back fivefold gifts of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and Pastors so that the members can operate in their function accurately.

In the house group meeting I drew a diagram of a pyramid to illustrate the structure of most churches and why people don’t find function. I named it as old. I had wrongly concluded that this type of church didn’t work. Someone corrected me saying that people still get saved in this type of church. That’s true so I stand corrected. However, I could drive a model Ford T if I had a working example but I’d rather drive my four year old Mondeo with the safety features and sophistication it brings. I could use a Hoover from the 1920’s but I’d prefer a modern Dyson. God is moving His Church on, you either allow reform or stand still and operate in old technology.

Don’t let sentimental attachment to a concept or social group rob you of the excitement of what God is doing with His Church. I want to see His Church prevailing against the gates of hell. How about you?

Jill Caroline Crabtree (nee Moulson)

Recently I heard of the sudden death of a friend I knew as a teenager. Jill was a few years younger than me and died suddenly in her garden I am led to believe. She was someone I only knew closely for a few years but was part of one of the most important times of my life.

I was 16, almost 17 and lost. I’d just finished my O-levels and had not done well. Lots of reasons for that but the main one was lack of motivation and a not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I have been brought up in an Anglican church and made a commitment to Christ at the age of 10. It was real enough and although I never grew in my faith much I knew that I was different. By the time I was ready for sixth form I chose to stay on simply because I didn’t know what else to do.

During the end of the summer term before sixth form I went to a youth group meeting in a house. It was strange for me an Anglican, at that time we didn’t really even have prayer meetings outside the normal services. This led in a round about way with me being asked to go to help at a youth camp to be held in August in the dales around Settle, North Yorkshire. As a family we were poor, no money for camps. A small miracle of provision took place, unexpected income which meant I could go.

I remember arriving at the camp a few days early to help the pastor set up the tents. The scenery was stunning, I remember laying in my tent with my head sticking out from under the side looking at the stars in the night sky. I felt like I could reach out and grab hold of them.

Jill arrived with her younger brother Nick and a friend of hers from school. I think she was 14 and had the most beautiful face and bright red hair. Nick shared my tent and I quickly got to like him. I remember teasing Jill during the week as teenage boys do to teenage girls and thinking that she had a great sense of fun.

That week changed the course of my life. I had been a smoker for two years and stopped overnight, I was ‘on fire’ for God and excited at the reality of faith. I went back to school and within a few weeks two of my friends made commitments. We started a Christian meeting led by a teacher and other friends joined. Where I was hiding faith, now I was telling everyone.

The church that led the camp was a Pentecostal one. I was told they were weird and extreme and had previously had a bad experience at a meeting I attended. What I had seen and felt at camp gave me the courage to go and try it again. It was a special time in the life of that church. The love of God was real and the Spirit of God moved in His gifts. The pastor was a true man of God worthy of a book to be written about him. It was so joyful to be there at that time.

Just before I attended the camp I had been to some youth meetings there led by a group of bible college students from Birmingham Bible Institute. One of the couples helping out were due to end their study and the wife was heavily pregnant with their first child. Neil the husband became the Assistant Pastor and looked after us all as young people.

As the group grew together we began to do things together in ministry. I could play guitar and had the courage to sing so I kind of led that side of things. Neil and Ruth were lovely people. He was a fiery preacher and a fervent man of prayer. I loved that about him. As young people we would go door to door every week spreading the gospel. There are many funny anecdotes to tell.

Through Jill I was invited to her home. Dave and Dorothy (Dode) had just had a baby son, Christopher. I remember my first visit to them. They said I could go any time. I remember walking around the area they lived in for over an hour before plucking up the courage to knock on the door. I needn’t have worried, they welcomed me with open arms. From that time until I went to Bible School a year later they adopted me as a son and I spent three nights a week there. Jill became a sister to me and I was changed by my first real experience of family. I was taught manners, I could debate and enjoy jokes and laughter. It gave me something that was precious.

As time went on I left the area, they moved church and house, and apart from a couple of encounters at church and weddings that was it. After my divorce to my first wife I had no contact. The strange thing was Dorothy taught all my older children at Primary school and was a strong support to them during the first years of separation.

Jill’s death was a shock and I feel sad. Sad not to have the chance in this life to catch up and reminisce. I also can smile at the memories and remember the affection we shared. God knows the answer to why so we need to have faith to trust Him for that. I know I will see her again and we will love each other as never before.

I thank God that He knows who we need and at what time. People are doors and pivot points in life. I ask that I may be a door to someone else.

Bless you Jill. Bless you Moulson family. I love you and thank God for the impact you have had on my life.

Mr Magoo Experience

Are you old enough to remember the Mr Magoo cartoon character. He was someone who was very short-sighted and could hardly see anything, even with his glasses on. I seem to recall there was a film about him with Steve Martin playing the role. Even his car windscreen had prescription glass.

I am not that bad but without my spectacles I can't see well as all. I have a condition which means I am long-sighted in one eye and short-sighted in the other. I also don't have binocular vision and can control which eye I can see out of. The sight in my right eye is now at a place where the lens prescription can't be improved.

Mrs P and our daughter Jenny have decided to attend keep fit classes, the gym and swimming. This decision also affects me as I am told I need to go along too. I confess that exercise for its own sake bores me so it is a discipline that I don't relish.

Out if the three evils swimming is the least painful for me, or so I thought. I have not swam in earnest for several years so I was not looking forward too it. I hate the getting changed bit and trying to make sure that you don't get the clothes you are putting back on wet in the process which I am not very good at. I got into the changing rooms, got changed, put my things in a locker and put the key on the wristband around my wrist. I was ready. Only problem was I had no glasses on and I hadn't worked out the direction that I needed to go in before putting them away in the locker. Instinctively I headed back in the direction I came thinking I'll find my way from there. As I passed several guys on the way I thought they looked at me strangely. That's not unusual so I continued.. out of the doors and back into the reception area. I was stood in my swimming trunks on a dark winter's evening in the middle of the reception. Realising my mistake I fumbled my way back, past the guys who had given me strange looks who were now sniggering. Eventually I found the route to the pool, managed to see my wife's waving arms (good job it wasn't someone drowning and asking for help) that indicated to me where she was in the water and quickly joined her. I can testify that getting older does mean you are less embarrassed, if I was younger I would have got dressed quickly and left vowing never to go back.

I did enjoy the swimming and realised how unfit I've become, especially the next day. I've been back since and am beginning to feel the benefit of exercise.

As I thought about the incident, laughing at myself in the process, it reminded me what the Bible says about people who don't know Christ personally. It says they are blind. I walk in my faith being able to see the things of God because my spiritual eyes have been opened. They can't see those things.

What should my attitude be to those who don't see what I see. Do I shout at them, blame them for walking into things. Do I snigger at them because its obvious to me they are lost? No. I try to guide them, speak truth in love to them, show them the way as one who was once blind. I am saved by grace. Once I was lost too.

It would have only taken one word from someone who saw my plight to put me in the right direction. Maybe all it will take is one word from you and I to direct people to Christ. It could make an eternal difference to someone.

I want one of those

I have just got back from a weekend ministry trip in London where I met up with several guys from Harvester Church, Cape Town including Apostle André Pelser.

It was a great weekend of fun, fellowship and ministry, despite having to endure the embarrassing spectacle of the England verses South Africa match with three South Africans.

As I journeyed back on the tube I saw a poster for a website entitled 'I want want of those.com'. What a contrast to the weekend's blessing. A website that clearly is enticing people to buy not what they need but what they want even if they can't afford it. I began to think of how many families at this particular time are going to go into debt at Christmas because of 'I want one of those' mentalities.

As a child I was told never to ask for things or I wouldn't get them. That continued into my parenting of children too. I then realised that even this was an extreme that wasn't right. As a father I should want my kids to enjoy life and teach them that sometimes we do receive rewards from those who love us. I have learned that my heavenly Father also rewards and delights in His children and sometimes for no apparent reason He just blesses us. I revel in His delight in me and it is such a strength and comfort.

The Bible is full of wisdom concerning money and materialism. Good advice that will help us to prosper in the correct way. Even this divine book has been used in an extreme way. Some of the teaching on prosperity has more to do with 'I want one of those' than 'My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19). In the full context Paul tells us about how he handles need and plenty:-

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul found a place of contentment in need and plenty. He was glad their care had revived for him but this wasn't the basis for that contentment. His contentment was in his relationship with Christ. His strength for living was from Christ.

Things are nice to have, although most things we get for Christmas are forgotten in a few days.

What do I want for Christmas? I want to find that same place that Paul found. A place in Christ where He strengthens me and I am content in that

Endurance

One word has been running around in my brain for the past couple of weeks and that is the word, 'endure'. It seems that is not a popular concept these days. If you look at advertising you will see that most products are quick fixes, or have a 'get want you want today' message attached. I can't help thinking that a lot of the economic problems that we are currently seeing have something of a 'have it today' rather than 'save and wait' thought behind them.

I confess that I have also in the past fallen into the trap of buy today and afford it tomorrow. When I gave up my job to give God room to do what He wanted with my time that had to go. I no longer had the big salary so had to think long term if we needed to buy things.

This past week Mrs P got a new job which she starts in January. She has been in her present role in teaching at the same school since 1992. She has endured a lot. The school was badly run at one point and got into trouble with the inspectors. A new Head arrived and had to make many unpleasant changes. Many of the teachers left, they took sideways moves to get out of the stress of change. My wife decided to endure. She made the adjustments and learnt from it how to be a better teacher. She gained a role in Senior Management and now after being there 16 years has gained a Deputy Head position at a different school. She endured, counted the cost and learned how to be better. Her reward was promotion.

Endurance is about going through things rather than round them. To put up with things for a season. I find God is a long term planner and along the way He expects us to endure hardships and suffer trials which produce in us something that can't be produced any other way.

Jesus gave some solid advice in Matthew 6:28 to 34

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

In the prayer we call the Lord's Prayer, He talks about daily bread. Literally that means, 'today's bread'. So He was saying we should ask for today's bread today.

It is hard to remain focused on today's issues. We do need to plan but all we can do is plan in preparation for tomorrow. If we began to think too much about tomorrow we get anxious and worry sets in. Mrs P and I try and ask God for today things as much as we can. That way if things come that we need to face today we do it knowing God is in it somewhere. It may call for endurance rather than asking for a 'quick solution'.

Today's issues are sufficient. When we suffer we need to endure it. Its not easy and is against most of the thinking of today. I am getting to the age where I have been through one or two recessions. I remember in the 1970's interest rates of 15% for mortgages and inflation running at a high of 26%! I recall not being able to get a job when I left the ministry in the 1980's because unemployment was several million. If we learn to endure then we will come out the other side different.

God promises us the basic needs for today: food, clothes and drink. I can trust God for a day's provision at least.

Paul exhorts Timothy in his apostolic letter, 'Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus' (2 Timothy 2:3)

We are in a fight as Christians. We are opposed by the god if this world. We though, have overcome by the blood of the lamb and we can stand against those things that come against us.

Endure hardship, it has its own rewards.

Meeting old friends

This weekend was a time of meeting up with friends we haven't seen for a while. They are missionaries in France and God has allowed us to work together over the past few years. Some of you will know Wayne and Wendy and their work in St Etienne. It was great to remind ourselves of what we found together and what in each other makes the friendship important.

It brought excitement to us all, especially my daughter who was thrilled to meet them again. We planned a meal for other mutual friends so invited Wayne and Wendy to join us. Nine for dinner, my wife excelled herself. It was good to catch up and enjoy the witty banter that always occurs whenever Wayne and I get together.

I remember a few years ago joining Friends Reunited. Its a social network on the Internet that allows you add details about yourself, your school, workplace etc. As other people list their details you discover people you haven't seen for years. It was this that fired my curiosity to seek out my best friend from school, Stephen. We were really close for most of Grammar school until he left and I continued into Sixth Form. I eventually tracked him down and rang him. It was almost thirty years since I had spoken to him. A little while later I was on a business trip and stayed in the area where he lived. We arranged to meet in a local pub for a drink and to catch up. I remember being really excited and full of expectation. The person who greeted me was not what I expected, I was still thinking in terms of a thirty year old image of him. In walked someone in his late forties, balding and much heavier than the stick insect he used to be. It was at that point that I realised I too had changed. Grey hair, also no longer wafer thin as I was in those days, and a lifetime of events that had resulted in who I am now. As we talked, things like familiar mannerisms and expressions brought recollections of what it was like back then. It was a great time of catching up but I quickly realised that that was all it was going to be, a past schoolboy friendship. We send Christmas cards and that's about it.

I learned that Godly friendships have a divine purpose to them. They run to a divine drumbeat. Sometimes there is intensity and at other times they are just keeping time. These kind of friendships are led by God in their direction and even after many months apart you can pick up where you left off without missing a beat. That's what it was like with Wayne and Wendy.

Jesus wants us to enter into friendship with Him but there is a price. True friendship costs. It can be inconvenient as well as pleasant. True friendship is serving the other and seeking their best. Out of that heart true friends bring precious wounds at times but it is worth it.

Safe Pair Of Hands

When I was at school I played for the 1st 11 football team in various positions but for a while I was goalkeeper. I was deemed to have a safe pair of hands. It is an unenviable position. You are many times the last line of defence and if you had a bad day it was likely the team lost. A lot of responsibility.

I read an article about the singer Britney Spears, not that I am a fan but I feel compassion for her. She has messed up quite a bit in life. I can empathise with that. Her mess is public. I read today that they have extended the control that her father James has over her affairs. He is the safe pair of hands the judge has entrusted things to. She no longer has control of her finances or career until the judge says so. It seems that most things Britney has touched she has lost control of, even her children. Today I noticed she won three awards at the MTV ceremony in Los Angeles. In true American style she thanked, "God first and foremost for just blessing me like this". She had done well and praised God for it. That is a good sentiment. I sighed inside as I said a silent prayer for her, 'if only you had put God in control of your life, He is a safe pair of hands.'

I have discovered the safe hands of God many times. I usually find that when things have gone badly its because I chose to take back control of the life I surrendered to him at the age of 10. Like Paul says in Romans 7:19, "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice". He goes on to say that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

I am learning to reject that condemnation that comes whenever I sin. Its not God's voice. The Holy Spirit convinces me that I have sinned but also inspired me to go back to the Father trusting in the work of Christ. Jesus deserves the right to take my life in His hands. He stretched them out willingly, allowing them to be pierced so that I could be set free from sin. The true gospel is not asking Jesus into your heart, that's not a scriptural concept. The true gospel is the complete surrender of my life into the control of God - my safe pair of hands.

Surrendering your will, decision-making and control of your life goes against everything in us that is flesh. To truly die to self and take up our cross is painful and will cost us everything BUT its the only safe way to live.

Deuteronomy 33:27 is a great verse that tells us of our security: "The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you and will say, 'Destroy'"

He is not just a place to go when we need comfort or protection. Its a place to live in. There is a place of rest and here it is. In His safe hands we can rest. He will dispel those things that seek to attack us and proclaim their destruction. Its not easy to just rest in God. We are not taught to rest these days but to wrestle. God wrestles on our behalf.

Thank you God for being my 'safe pair of hands'.

Laying it down

Long time no posts. Just after my last one I was in South Africa for three weeks in lions enclosures and riding on elephants (no joke). Since then I have been organising gatherings and helping with a conference in Scotland. In the middle of all that I have had a bad ankle which left me unable to drive or walk for a month. Painful and frustrating, there is only so much Loose Women a man can take. Being laid up has its advantages. At first the pain was bad but later after that was controlled it gives you time to meditate and think about where you are going and what you are doing. I have learned that suffering is part of God's economy. It is something that eventually you learn to embrace.

A friend once told me about the 5 T's; trouble, temptation, trials, tests and tribulation. They are all different and have differing impacts no us. Sadly one strand of the Church sees suffering as 'lack of faith' and yet Jesus suffered much even unjustly. All of these things can be a distraction and something that can take your life out of alignment from God's plan. I am learning that even in the worst of times I can have a rejoicing spirit and discover the truth of the joy of the Lord as my strength. It doesn't mean that's easy but then no-one said it would be.

I have laid down my life for Christ and the sake of the gospel. It may seem a noble thing but Jesus said this is what we would have to do if we are to follow Him. At the conference I attended in Scotland someone testified that they had seen a vision of a cobbled bridge and their face was on one of the stones. At first they were upset and didn't want to be walked over but then they realised the vision was about laying your life down for Christ and His kingdom. The Lord spoke to me through that picture. I realised that the stone had no say in where it was placed, it surrenders to the will of the bridge builder. If a stone is prominent and protrudes then it is a danger to those walking over it. People stumble over protruding stones. If you lay your life down then maybe you will not be prominent but you will be significant. Each stone is significant to the strength of the bridge.

Jesus said in John 12 verses 24 to 26

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

The grain needs to become obscure before it can produce a harvest. This is true kingdom gospel. Not easy, contains some moments of suffering but its an eternal perspective that we need to have. We live forever.

Paul says that the small amount we suffer in this life is not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

Friendship

I am so fortunate to have many special friends. We attended a baptism last evening and I was reminded how many people support and care for us as a family. This is a precious thing. Friends are people you can count on to bring comfort, laughter, joy and sometimes correction into your life.

I remember the first 'best' friend I made. It was a school pal called Stephen Dagnall. I was never one for many friends but he was one who was special. I am afraid our alliance started as smoking colleagues behind the chemistry labs, not the best way. His dad managed a public house in a village about five or six miles away and I used to visit quite a bit at weekends and holidays using my bike as a means of transport. I remember the long steep hill which going was a pain but coming back was a delight. This friendship opened me up to many joyful experiences - hay making, learning the process of pasteurising milk and the joys of wondering across fields just enjoying good company. He left school a year before I did and so the friendship ended. I tracked him down a few years ago and we met up almost thirty years since we left school. It was enough to meet the once and now we exchange Christmas cards. The friendship was for a time and that time passed.

Friends come in different types. I suppose my current best friend and forever best friend is my wife. She is stable, solid, always there for me and gives me the grace and love I need to do what I do. The friendship grew out of the attraction and chemistry of falling in love with her and is far more precious now than ever before.

My oldest friend who I still count as a friend is Anita who now lives in Holland. We don't see each other for years but the shared memories and knowledge of each other means that we can easily pick up where we left off. It still needs the occasional e-mail or phone call to remind each other but it will always be there.

I was never one for many friends but as I have grown older I have accumulated a lot more. Perhaps its easier to make friends and sustain friendships as you grow older. I have 54 friends who support the work I do in prayer. That is very special and a great privilege. Too many to mention by name.

I know that my greatest friend is my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The bible tells me that He is one who is closer than a brother and that is so true. I am constantly telling Him I love Him. I find myself doing that many times a day. Something inside me just wants to reach out to Him and express my love and gratitude for all He does and is doing in me and around me and for my family and friends.

A good friend is hard to find and I now have so many. I thank God for friendship.

New glasses

I have been moaning for about two years that I could not see to read with my varifocals and for the most part to read I took them off. Over the past few months I have been repeatedly saying that I needed to get my eyes tested. I know all of these things because eventually Mrs P told me to 'put up or shut up'. In other words she was tired of my moans and wanted me to do something about it.

What did I do then? I shut up about it. It had been five years since my last eye test and I confess to being a bit embarrassed about it. I had ignored all the reminders thinking that my eyes weren't that bad.

Last week I dropped my car off with my mechanic mate for its MOT. It mean that I had to find something to do for a few hours in Tamworth. I asked him to drop me off at the shopping complex that houses all the IT related shops and also Asda. I thought at least I can get a cup of tea and window shop.

As I was walking around I decided to go and get a cuppa in Asda Café. Noticing the Opticians in there I decided that if they could fit me in then I would have an eye test. They could and so I did.

In the five years since my last test a lot of the technology had changed. That impressed me, I love technology. Three different machines as well! After the test I was told that my eyesight had changed quite a lot in five years and I would need new lenses. I decided to have varifocals again. I also discovered that I could now have plastic lenses that were also react to light. No more changing specs when the sun comes out or remembering the sun specs are in the car when I am on the plane to Cape Town. Amazingly the new glasses were ready in two working days and were half the price of the last ones.

I realise that my 'make do' attitude wasn't very clever. I had put off something that was painless, (apart from the price) and made a vast improvement to my enjoyment of life. I can now read with my glasses on (once I get used to not having to do it without them). I was also glad that in the five years new technology made the process quicker and more efficient and that the advances actually saved the cost of a second pair of specs.

I have begun to realise that there are also times when I 'make do' with God. I allow what I have grown used make me stop progressing into new things. He has moved on but I have stood still. To God nothing is new but to me lots of things are new because I have not walked in them yet. Once I have seen something then surely I should not ignore it but walk in it.

What stops us moving on into new things? I was proud and didn't want to admit my stubbornness. There are times when I know God has revealed something to me but the fear of what others would think if I said holds me back. I remember when I was first taught about the gift of tongues I rejected it because the church tradition I was in had said it was not of God. When I embraced it I had to declare the teaching I had received, albeit sincerely, was wrong. I had to move on.

I am learning that it is better to obey God than man. It will cost but in the end it reveals new spiritual technology and adds to your faith. God is looking for those who not only believe His word but walk in its revelation. I am learning to do that more and more.

Identity Theft

A couple of summers ago my wife and I were holidaying in France. We hadn't heard from home for a few days so we decided to text our son and check if all was well. The reply indicated all was fine but he had a question, 'Did you order another GPS because one has arrived?'

I realised something was wrong so called Ben to find out what was going on. I then discovered to my horror that someone had stolen my details and was ordering items to be delivered whilst they thought we were on holiday. In total nearly a £1000 worth of things had been ordered.

I had to call my bank from France on my mobile phone and after a lengthy process managed to convince them that I was not the one ordering the items. I discovered that the thieves had probably got my details from someone working at an online company I had used who was passing them on. The scam was to order the goods when they thought I was on holiday and then pick them up from the parcel depot where they would have gone to if I didn't sign for them.

I was angry not just because of the cost and inconvenience but because someone was trying to pretend to be me. It was my identity they were stealing.

None of us like to be mis-represented. I used to become very agitated at work if anything I had said or done were mis-represented to others. I was reprimanded once for calling someone a liar in a Senior Management meeting. They were lying but it wasn't the done thing to say that.

As a Christian I am God's representative. I represent Him to my family, friends and even the strangers I meet. Being Jesus to others is what I am called to do. He lives in me by His Spirit and I am His witness to those around me. It should be that if people want to know what Jesus is like then something of what I am in Him should be seen. The Apostle Paul said to one church that they were God's letter to be read by all men.

I have learned not to feel condemned but just to accept that. I am so many things in Christ that I must just accept and walk in. I am the righteousness of God, I am a new creation, I am more than a conqueror. I have not done anything to deserve any of this but I accept that this is what God says I am since Christ is my Lord. Its a Kingdom of God thing. This is the exchange that took place when I repented of sin and made Christ my Lord.

My identity is now in Him. I am hidden in Christ. I no longer live but Christ lives in me and even the life I now live in the flesh I live to the glory of God. Even if I mis-represent God then there is an advocate who speaks on my behalf named Jesus. All I need to do is confess my sin and He is faithful and just to forgive it.

Its not arrogant to say what God says I am. If I deny it then its inaccurate and I can't claim the benefits of sonship that are mine. I have stopped struggling with who I can't be and have received who I am. For those that are led by the Spirit are sons of God. Accept it and see what happens.

Fitting In and Fitting Together

This week we have a full house. As well as the four of us in the family we have three guests. Seven people in a semi-detached house even with four bedrooms is tight. To add to the equation we ordered a new bed and carpets for two of our rooms that were supposed to arrive in time for our guests but we still await both.

Two of our guests are from South Africa, one from France on an exchange visit with Jenny. It is interesting to watch the communication take place between English, Afrikaan and French.

How do you make things work in this situation? As well as coping with guests the normal busyness of daily routine has to go on. Doing the school run, shopping for the extras, sight-seeing, chauffeur duties etc. I think it works well if all concerned just try to fit in. Just one person working against that would cause disruption.

Another thing has also happened which is more precious. Not only have guests fitted in but somehow we have fitted together. My kids suddenly have gained the wisdom of two extra parents, we have gained extra sisters, relationships have formed. There has been a deposit into our lives because of this visit. We have been added to and enhanced and will change.

It reminds me of the wonder of God in forming His body, the church. One has a psalm, one a hymn, one a tongue etc. Church is not just fitting in but fitting together. Its the linking of hearts and minds led and influenced by His Spirit. Dr André Pelser named His book about the body of Christ, 'The Genius of God'. God has no plan B. His intention is to use the genius of His body to show Christ in the world. How we fit together tells the world what Jesus is really like. He is reforming His church to look like Jesus.

My Mate Bob

This week I had to have my car serviced. I have a friend called Bob who has his own car repair business who has been 'doing my cars' for years. So off I went to drop off my Ford estate for a few hours in exchange for his 'courtesy car', an old Maestro van.

If you want quality surroundings and coffee while you wait RJ Bartle Motors is not the place for you. If you want a quality mechanic who is as honest as they come and an hours chat when you drop your car off and when you pick it up then Bob is your man.

As I drove back home in the courtesy van I reminded myself of how we met and how instrumental this ordinary man of God was in bringing me back into the fold.

I had been out of the 'ministry' for a couple of years and Mrs P and I were not attending church. We had many issues and felt hurt and rejected so we didn't go. We were okay with that but in reality if we had stayed in that routine we would have missed much.

I was out of work and we had no money. Ben, our eldest, was a baby and I had an old Ford Cortina that we could just about afford. One day the engine kept cutting out. My father-in-law advised me that he knew a mechanic who happened to be a Christian and who we could trust to do an honest job. That was Bob. He had a garage not far from home and so I managed to get there and within a couple of minutes he diagnosed and fixed the problem. Can't even remember if he charged us.

Not long after I got a job and changed my car for a VW Camper. I had always wanted one. It turned out to be the biggest drain on my finances. Always in for repair. Bob was the one who benefited from this. We began to develop a friendship, Bob is a talker.

One January through a Christian friend at work we were invited to a concert held in a school hall. We drove freezing cold in our camper quite a distance out of Birmingham where we live. The concert began and who should be one of the lead singers but Bob. His seven month pregnant wife was one of the other singers. We got talking at the end and found out that they attending a little Baptist Church not far from where we lived.

Over the next months my camper spent more time with Bob than me and so my visits to see him increased. Eventually he found me another car when I finally gave in and sacrificed the dream for reality (and solvency). Then one day he asked me bluntly why I didn't attend church and why didn't I go to his that Sunday. I did and my wife and I spent three years there before moving to another Baptist Church which we attended for thirteen years.

That little church brought great healing to us. God used it to restore us and we gained great friendships that will never end. There is lots more to the story but time limits what I can write.

Thank God for His ordinary people who take faith seriously and live the gospel not just preach it. Thank God for the Bob's of this world who are naturally supernatural.

School Days in France

I am just about to return from France after spending a week with my friends the Hadleys who live in Sorbiers near St Etienne.

Yesterday I went with Wayne to his school, St Paul's, to take part in an English Conversation lesson. I did this a year back and recognised some of the faces of the pupils. The lesson took the same format with me being asked questions about myself, my name, age, where I have been etc.

Last time this happened I was with my wife and another friend, an older lady from the church we attended. A question I was asked was, 'Is this your daughter?' pointing to my wife! There were puzzled expressions when I said it was my wife. The next question was, 'Is this your mother?', pointing to the older lady! It grew worse as we were then asked our ages etc. They couldn't quite get their head around the fact that I was married to someone so young. It caused great hilarity for Wayne and the team visiting France with us.

This time the questions were kinder. Age and name came up but nothing embarrassing. I really enjoyed my time with the class. They were really nice kids and I already have added one of them, Camille, as a friend on Facebook.

I find its much more interesting to visit France and stay with a family. You see the people and country in a different way. I love France and have a growing love for the French. I have found a welcome in this town and enjoy the experiences of being here.

So its off to the airport in Lyon and back to my home country but part of me is in France and I hope to come back again and again and again. My prayer is that this country will find God's blessing and the love and joy that I have found in serving Jesus.

New Operating System

I have finally come to realise that soon I need to buy a new laptop for my business. Normally I would be excited and in part I am but I know this time it will mean I have to get to know a new operating system, the dreaded Vista.

It is so different from what I have grown used to but because I sell PC's and repair and fix them I need to bite the bullet. I know I will get frustrated because they have renamed familiar tasks and some of the ways of working will seem long-winded. Its par for the course.

I then realised that coping with change is not something that I have just found difficult as I get older, I have never relished the process of change. What is it about change that is challenging? For me it is having to become vulnerable. I like the unfamiliar that change brings but the vulnerability is the thing that gets to me.

I remember when Windows XP replaced Windows 98. I was an expert in 98. I didn't want to become a novice again. Now I am quite knowledgeable on a PC with XP installed so I don't want to move into Vista.

In the Bible there were similar experts in Jesus time. They were experts in the law of the Old Testament. They could quote it, tell you how to apply it and in some cases how to get round it. In one example the law says that on the Sabbath you can't travel more than a mile from your gatepost so they made the gateposts portable and put them in the cart with them.

Jesus came a long with a new operating system. It was all about humility and grace, love and meekness and faith in God justifying a person for eternity. It threatened the whole way of life for the law experts. They were sincere in their beliefs but Jesus said the effect of this on people was like carrying a heavy yoke on your back.

This challenge of new things didn't end with Jesus. The Apostle Paul began to reveal new things as well. Things like, no circumcision, priesthood for all and everyone being Spirit-filled believers.

The challenges still continue. I am seeing that the new challenge is for the church. Is God bringing new things that we are seeing as a threat to our way of doing things? I think He is. After all its His Church He can do what He wants with it can't He?

Eventually the thing that I was expert at will become obsolete. Windows 98 is a fading glory, XP will follow in the same way. Vista is the new thing and if that's were the work is I have to adapt. I won't get much work as an expert on Windows 98! I have to name the old as obsolete and embrace the new.

Maybe spiritually this is what is holding some of us back. Has God moved on and we are clinging to old operating systems.

Not fit for the task

This week I returned home from working away and discovered the next morning that the shower was faulty. It was no longer fit for the purpose it was made for. I was hoping for a rest yesterday, I had only slept in my own bed three times in the previous three weeks, but the shower needed replacing.

I managed to find a bargain and presumed that if I bought one almost identical that I could fit it without too many problems. I duly ordered one and decided to have a go with the help of my son Ben.

I was brought up not being shown anything about DIY and it always makes me feel inadequate when I have to do any. The theory seems easy but application leaves me at a loss. When I lived in my first house after being married I was hopeless. What made it embarrassing was that it was the church manse and as such a public arena. Most of the older men in the church were skilled workers and this made it worse. I was hopeless and only one of these guys, Mr Wills, took the time to get alongside and do jobs with me. There were some funny moments and not so funny moments. In truth looking back I can probably laugh at them all now. The familiar cry during those times was, 'What have you done now?' This was the beginning of my 'DIY' history and like the shower I often feel 'unfit for the task' when I attempt any. Some of us are just not built that way.

Ben and I took our time and began the job after lunch. All went well, we managed to get the old shower off and started to fix the new one to the wall. I then realised that although the water and electricity supplies would be fine I needed to drill new holes through the tiles to screw the unit to the wall. I have done this before so I knew to put tape on the wall to stop the drill bit from slipping but I couldn't remember which drill bit I used. I came to a full stop, realised that I needed to buy a special bit or risk messing things up. Off to Wickes and hey presto the right tool made it easy and the shower was up and running in no time. I could feel a certain amount of pride at completing the job.

I was reminded of how important it is to have the right tools and for things to be fit for purpose otherwise they are useless. Spiritually there was a lesson in this for me. I need to be reminded that if God chose me for a reason He must think I am 'fit for purpose'. The Bible says that we are 'called according to His purpose'. I know that when I have messed up its because I have done things outside of that call, I wasn't made to do them and therefore couldn't do them well.

Often I don't feel fit for His purpose. I sometimes feel that maybe God has got it wrong or that I am doing things that I can't really do and one day the whole thing is going to blow up in my face. I then realise that all I have to be is His tool. A great tool can be right for the task but in the wrong hands its useless. All I have to do is keep submitting and obeying and He will continue using me. I am not great, in fact I wouldn't cross the road to see me but if God speaks and acts through me that's something different.

I am only a great tool as long as He uses me.

Crazy Solutions

Our 'just out of warranty' tumble dryer suddenly stopped working earlier this year. What with being away for the summer and no longer having the obligation towards a lodger we just left it. I recently started to see washing on airers which really annoys me so I thought I'd look to repair the dryer.

I decided that all a tumble dryer really is is a hair dryer, so I should be able to fix it if I had the right parts. So I looked on the internet and found several sites that provide spare parts. In my searching I discovered a fix for my problem (the dryer one not my personal one). The fixer wanted £1 and in return he would send me an e-mail with the fix. I thought its only £1 and his reviews on E-bay seemed good. I sent the £1 and a while later got an e-mail back. It told me to take the back off the dryer, take this thing called a capacitor out and throw it against a hard surface. I thought I'd been done but decided what the heck I'll do it. It worked! Saved me a fortune.

I just watched a DVD of a sermon by my friend André Pelser called, 'The Man Born Blind'. It tells the story of Jesus healing this man in John 9. André acts out the event and it is very funny, first time I recall seeing someone trying to make clay balls out of sand and spit in church. Then as I thought about it I thought of lots of things Jesus did that if we had been there would have sounded crazy. He once spat into someone's mouth to heal them, he took two fishes and five loaves and fed 5,000 men and many other things.

I suppose to those who haven't experienced it faith seems a crazy notion, putting your trust in someone you can't see and have never met in the flesh. Yet my life has been lived by having faith in this Father God, trusting His son Jesus and relying on His Holy Spirit. In fact I have gone a long way and done a lot of things because of this. I have seen lives turn around and bodies healed and people set free from all manner of things. Best of all it didn't even cost me a £1, it was all totally free.

AM or PM ?

A couple of times a year I have to have a blood test, its to ensure that some possible side effects of medication I am taking aren't occurring.

Off I trot to the Doctor's a couple of weeks ago and she tells me its time for one of the blood tests. In preparation for the test I have to fast and am given a slip of paper with instructions on that tell me what I am to do..

"Please do not eat or drink anything except water after 12.00pm the night before the test."

I think about this and wonder whether 12.00pm means midnight or midday. Obviously I need to get this right so I decide to be sure and I will fast from midday. My appointment is 9am the next day so it means missing a couple of meals.

Next day I keep the appointment at the surgery and a blood sample, (three vials full actually) is taken. I then ask the phlebotomist what time should I have fasted from. "Midnight" is her reply.

It didn't bother me but did make me wonder if 12pm is midday, as I thought or midnight as they thought so I did some research.

It turns out that it depends where you live. Officially in the UK we observe the standard 12 noon or 12 midnight statements. In the US it is 12pm noon and 12am midnight, but not always! Confused, yes I am too. The article I read said, 'the terms AM and PM are used in the UK but will no consistent meaning'. Tell me about it!

I often find that we can say the same thing but have different meanings behind it. I missed a couple of meals because of it. Not a big deal but maybe in other circumstances it could have cost me a lot more. There is a requirement to be accurate.

I find many people interpret the Bible in different ways and end up using the same words but meaning different things too. How do you avoid that? I heard a phrase whilst ministering in South Africa, 'Aim though the cross'. Does what you have to say stand that test? Does it fit in with the redemptive work of Christ and all that He stood for. I find a lot of our differences in the faith come because we lose the focus of the cross. We then major on minors, things that aren't in the long run going to matter. Behind the act of the cross was love. This shone out of Jesus is what He did and said to people. Sure He came to fulfil things but He also came to get rid of the unnecessary things that created a religious spirit towards God.

The cross speaks of relationship, its about restoring a right relationship with the Father. What do we major on? Are we causing confusion because although the words seem right they don't really aim through the cross and have no love behind them? Jesus said, my yoke is easy and my burden is light'. It should be easy to follow Him not confusing.

Territorial

I am currently having a battle with next door's cat. He likes to dominate our garden and as even been known to try and take over the house if we leave the windows open too much.

He wasn't the first cat in the area. A neighbour's cat two doors away used to be the only one and it was his turf. Then 'Ginger' arrived, colour not necessarily name, and war broke out. We would be lying in bed and hear the screeches and wails as they argued about territory.

My latest beef with Ginger is to do with our garden fence. He took to using our fence as a scratching post, problem was he did it so often he wore through the top panel spar and the panel fell apart. The rest of the fence was also ropey and so we replaced the lot with feather board. I thought this would be safe, nothing to balance on and so the scratching days were over. Wrong! I caught him standing on top of the gate and having a go at the feather boards from there. It took several shouts before he moved.

From what I have read of cat psyche this is just the beginning of the battle, the opening salvo. After all to Ginger this is his territory and he has fought to prove that.

As I mused on this dilemma I realised that the problem only arises because of my territorial attitude. That's why the fence is there isn't it. When the old one was removed we were without a fence for a few weeks and I felt so vulnerable. Mind you the old fence was so rickety it provided no real protection anyway. I think the new one if you give it a good push wouldn't be much better. (apologies to my father-in-law for all of his efforts)

So how to defend my fence? Hosepipe, bucket of water, loud shouting, recording of Rottweiler? I need help here. Suggestions welcome.