Church
The provision God has given me through Saviours church has been wonderful. A few of the leadership team spent 3days in October up in Sheffield at a ‘Learning Community’, this is essentially a 6month appraisal for churches. It provided some great space for me to learn about the church, where they had come from and where there vision lay moving forwards. Our goals centred around having fun and spreading the joy more frivolously.
I was keen that we each recognise an area where we naturally meet people that we can be salt and light in. My place of peace has been a Jamaican run cafe in the centre of the Meadows. The church going couple who run it are wonderfully sweet and provide a welcoming place to many folk in the area. One week, having met the local counsellor in there and walked back to church I felt a prompting to go back and offer the couple prayer.
When I arrived back the place had got a lot busier than when I left some 10minutes ago so the couple welcomed prayer, but after serving their customers. This was fine because whilst they were doing that just about everyone in the cafe requested prayer for themselves or a family member. Gladly I released destiny on children, provision on parents and healing on grandparents. The only lady not to receive prayer shared with me how her being able to walk was down to God and the prayers of other folk at Saviours. It was a beautiful afternoon. I proceeded to pray for the couple and bless their work and ministry.
In December the leadership team went through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator which I found really helpful. Going into it I was reluctant to be boxed but the message from the trainer and the heart from Dave and Caroline (vicar and wife) meant it was a really empowering process giving language and understanding to my internal world. I am an INFP, which the more I read and live it’s amazing how much aligns... even the prospective jobs fit with what I’m doing: Teaching, Academia, Musician, Church Work and Writer.
The process has really helped communication throughout the team and a greater value for one another and our differences. This growth in efficient collaboration was put into practice during the run into Christmas with a smooth running Carols by the Fire and Christingle Service. With over 100 folks from the community coming to the two events it was great to see the church community pulling together and blessing our neighbourhood.
Dave is a visionary, so sees what’s next almost before the current has happened so it was fun reflecting on all that’s gone before, thanking God for the good and then setting out a standard for what’s ahead. I’m aware I can walk similarly and see the improvements to be made tomorrow and in doing so miss being thankful for the grace poured out today, hence the importance of testifying here to fuel my fire for worship.
The emerging youth ministry is growing which is exciting. Sophie is laying a great foundation, providing space for encounters and creating her own networks throughout the area. Flare, the 10-14’s drop in youth club on Thursdays has been amazing. We thank God for the small beginnings because here we’ve been able to quickly build deep relationships with the kids. Amidst the shouting, running around and general craziness God has met them beautifully in healing, face to face encounter and spontaneous bible reading.
The kids are unchurched so don’t have a grid for the supernatural but it’s been really sweet seeing their honest reactions to their bodies being healed and their inquisitive questioning about meeting with God. It’s been great championing them, getting them working together and introducing them to Father God. Two regular lads one week began taking it in turns to read out various scriptures spontaneously. They struggled through the weird words but persevered. God’s grace is falling in our midst. He is giving us time as a team to gel together and work out a pattern for the sessions whilst showing up powerfully.6 of the youth from Thursday nights have begun sticking around and joining us at our Home Community that runs half an hour after. They can’t stay for long but its sweet seeing them beginning to integrate with more members of the church body.
Since October the church body has met each week in the vicarage for our first home community. Between 14 and 25 of us bring and share a meal before breaking into groups and discussing that weeks ‘truth and dare’. This term we’ve been reading through Mark (truth) and then daring each other to do it in the coming week/rest of life. The dares have consisted of resting more and walking in freedom to raising the dead and encountering heaven. We’ve welcomed various visitors through the weeks and one local guy who used to attend as a child is beginning his journey to faith with us.
Each week we finish with communion and prayer time. There has been much joy released at the end of these evenings, with plenty of laughter, healing and life released. Most visitors have been blessed with a good dose of prayer and prophetic input whilst Cheryl, the kid’s worker, was healed of lifelong asthma. Others have been freed from aches and pains and received words of knowledge to alleviate RSI. It’s a wonderful community of disciples learning to walk in authority, sonship and freedom. It’s beautiful to be part of.
The vision is to have a home community on every street in the Meadows, something that the local Salvation Army base seems interested in as well. The first step is to plant into two new homes come the New Year and continue to foster links with the sally army. God is good and continues His reign in the Meadows of Nottingham.
PhD
My PhD in Sustainable Energy Technology has started smoothly and I am all set to submit two review papers when I return to the office in January. Along with my main supervisor, Saffa, the relationship with industry continues to grow, as does relationships throughout the department. My work thus far has been reviewing phase change material (pcm) for application within the built environment. In the next phase I will look to model the materials performance within buildings and its potential performance beyond. I’m enjoying the work and enjoying discovering, playing with excel and applying some kingdom science.
I’ve been reminded afresh that this ministry in the Science and Technology sector is my calling. I love finding avenues to express my creativity and applying analytical solutions at each moment. I’ve enjoyed grasping PCM technology and I look forward to engaging in more debates around the topic. I know God has called me to change the world through the revelations I receive. Being planted where I am provides scope to see that revelation benefit a whole business and in turn society at large. Knowing I have industrial backing gives me the drive to know my research is going somewhere. I’m just beginning to see how powerful this opportunity is! God is faithful.
At times I have found myself wrestling with where it (work) fits with the importance of evangelism. I’m up for preaching on the streets, but I see little fruit. I’m happy sowing seed, but desire to see the harvest. I want to be effective with this earthly time I’ve been given. I need more face time with Jesus, spending time devoted on Him daily. I’m done trying to squeeze in time to fulfil religious responsibilities. I am to freely spread the kingdom naturally, easily, without fear, full of power in constant communion with Him. Whenever fear, anxiety, stress, etc tempt me I’m to fix my attention on Him. So before trying to unearth the distraction I lift my eyes to Him, enjoying Him above all else. He is holy.
Work (PhD) is providing opportunities to disciple the nations. I have prayed for international colleagues and engaged in discussions spreading kingdom thinking that is getting into their theses. It has been amazing to see the times when someone presents their new idea, or big conclusion and I think... yep, that’s kingdom, the tension of comfort and risk that propels invention (invitation and challenge), the importance of freedom channelled in loving service and the necessity to be like a little baby – free to explore. All topics I’ve debated, all my ideas flowing from scripture, revelation and Christian teachings I’ve received. It’s beautiful to see the truth of the Kingdom not only standing up but leading the way in the post graduate research world.
The concept of ‘Kingdom Science’ remains in my heart... what does it look like when God invades? What principles of the Kingdom hold the keys to scientific breakthrough and eternal provision? We are called to steward the resources God has given us, not out of fear of lack but for increase, for blessing for glory – increase that is holistically beneficial – Energy that enables without compromise. We are moving nearer and as I hear tales from the world of TED.com my spirit stirs. Lord, I want to be part of the greatest discovery ever found. For the sake of your name, for freedom, for the sake of the world, burn like a fire in me.
I’ve met some exciting people in this business. People with big ideas, people I’m excited to get around and see what God does. Pray for us.
Girly Adventures
The pull on my heart strings, the star in the east that led me to Nottingham remains radiant. This term has provided exciting times for us to deepen our relationship and enjoy the simple things of life together; meal times, shopping trips, hockey matches, dance shows, worship leading, weekends away, family visits, friends weddings, church together, fashion shows, films, lakeside walks, jazz gigs, surprise picnics, all night prayer, skype calls together, etc. It’s been a real blessing, full of joy and love.
We’re currently working through ‘Defining the Relationship’ dvd series for couples considering marriage. The dvd’s have provoked healthy discussions and provided a platform for prayer and preparation in our relationship. The topics covered ever deepen our understanding, communication and connection with each other. God is good. These times have been great and we both long for more time to invest in our foundation. Pray for us to know Him more and love each other in worshipful response.
Social
Amongst all that I’ve been playing with the University Wind Orchestra, achieving a collective gold award at the National Wind Band Festival, and with Blueshift, a relaxed unauditioned uni jazz band. The wind band stretches my ability and focus whilst Blueshift enables a wonderful opportunity for wild creativity. There is plenty of room for soloing and I’ve even got to jam on drums. Aside from music cycling to and from everywhere keeps me fit along with weekly hockey matches where I’ve scored 12 goals in 9 games. Collectively these provide wonderful avenues of creativity camaraderie and fun in my life.
In conclusion
I’m now glad to be home, resting. Christmas has been lovely. Having had more contact with my family in the last 3 months then most years at uni, it’s really lovely feeling more connected with them.
This term has been amazing. I know myself more, my strengths and susceptibilities. Nottingham is a great ground for Kingdom living. There have been challenges but each has been overcome. The peace in my heart grows more solid each day. I have found freedom; I am now working out how and where and with whom to express it. Some are hungry, others sceptical, but each way round love is growing.
In the new year I will move house, planting myself in the heart of the church community, living with Ste and Sophie, neighbours to Dave and Caroline. I look forward to learning from the grace on their lives and letting my grace get on them to. Laura, Brillo, Ben and Esther has been incredible. Their constant love, welcome and hospitality have made this term and my initial move north possible. God, continue to reign in their house, in their lives and fill them with ever increasing fullness. Bless them abundantly. Amen.
Financially I am faithfully secure. God provided paperwork for a CDL to cover tuition fees the day before they were requested and some work as a Physic Tutor. Abundant funding has to been forthcoming yet I know the Lord has a marvellous plan. My parents faithfully support me on this adventure yet I long for the day to repay them their sacrifice. I pray He would teach me what I am to learn in this season and lead me to His river of provision in time.
When I committed to coming to Nottingham I believed the Lord for ‘the perfect place for me’. It was love that drew me here but I knew God had a plan for my being here. He is fulfilling His word. God is faithful.
Wherever you are, whatever you’re believing the Lord for, receive it by faith. He has a mighty destiny and call on your life. Walk in the assurance, security and significance of being His son. Let the power of God flow from you and bless all those around you. You are mighty.
Arise, shine for your light has come.
In Love,
Praise
No comments:
Post a Comment