| The Encourager - November 2002 | ||||
| The mind of Christ |
Nigel Writes about - The
Mind of Christ
At a recent 'Open Space' service we were thinking about the nature of wisdom. What is it and where does one acquire it? The conclusions were that wisdom comes in 2 forms - the human "common sense" type which was about the practical application of knowledge. The latter is God given and is more about knowing his ways and his will. The former is easy to spot in practice - some people seem to have "common sense" by the bucketful, others, despite being intelligent human beings, are lacking in this regard. But how do we discover God's wisdom? Does it matter if we don't have it? The writer of Proverbs 4 knew the importance of the Lord's wisdom - "Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight." This reminded me of Jesus' exhortation to those who would be his followers . . . "seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else will be added to you as well." Is discovering the Lord's ways important - no doubt about it. But like salvation, like many other things from the Lord, wisdom is a gift to be received. It doesn't come automatically. The role of the Holy Spirit is to reveal to us the ways of the Father. Our task is to listen. This is one reason why I am suggesting that at St Barnabas' Church we have a week of prayer. This will be at the beginning of December, the 1st - 8th. The Church will be open for a part of each day (details to follow later) and there will be the opportunity to pray in a variety of ways. The overriding aim is to have a period of time in which we seek the Lord's face so we can commit to him our future as his church and seek his wisdom for those issues which are before us at this time. It was J John who wrote that our society is "swimming in information and starving for wisdom." Wisdom is having the mind of Christ which is revealed to us by the Spirit of Christ. I hope you will join me in seeking the Lord's wisdom and his ways for St Barnabas' Church.
Earlier this year St Barnabas sponsored
a project in Leova in Moldova through Mission without Borders to
provide a well near a children's home with 428 children. This is a
letter of thanks from the Director.
To: Sponsor of this project
Water is the source of life. These
natural resources vital for daily life in Costesti (Riscani, Balti
district) are the ones we lack. The water is very deep underground,
28 - 38 m, thus digging a well is very difficult. It would have been
impossible for simple people like us and for an institution like
ours, but God in His infinite love cares about each creature.
Currently through Mission Without Borders a very necessary well was dug on the territory of the school. On the behalf of the school's administration and of all children we are sincerely and profoundly grateful to all those who contributed to this major charitable deed. We are especially grateful to the Sponsor who was able to hear and understand the cry of those who are helpless. We wish you the best and many achievements throughout your life. May God bless you. Director of school Maria Dorea Barney
Bears for 0 - 5's
Sunday 1st December
10.00am All Age Worship with Baptism 6.30pm Evening Communion
Sunday 8th December
10.00am Holy Communion 6.30pm Evening Prayer Sunday 15th December 10.00am Holy Communion 4.00pm Christingle Service Sunday 22nd December 10.00am Church Family Communion 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight Tuesday 24th December Christmas Eve 4.00pm Children's Christmas Service 11.30pm Midnight Communion Wednesday 25th December Christmas Day 10.00am Church Family Communion Sunday 29th December 10.00am Church Family Communion 6.30pm No service of Evening Prayer at St Barnabas' Church
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DCC
meeting 16th October
For a while I have felt I should update my
friends at St. Barnabas on what I have been doing in relation to
creative worship. As some of you will know, from an early age I have
enjoyed music and dancing. Soon after becoming a Christian I went to
Spring Harvest, saw Andy Au (leader of City Gate church, Brighton and
now travels internationally as a speaker, teacher and dancer)
interpreting the worship songs in movement and knew in my heart that
this was something I wanted. I saw the 'freedom' in Christ that I'd
heard so much about and wanted others to know this too.
To cut a long story short, I tried to find out different ways of expressing God's character and His love for us. I believe God puts passions in each of our hearts and we shouldn't be surprised (although we often are) that God uses them when we put Him first in all things. I can look back and see how I've 'happened' to attend churches, meetings and conferences where God has spoken to me through other people and His word about this. It hasn't always been easy. I can remember times when pursuing God has been a lot of painful effort but God has blessed me beyond what I ever imagined. I remember the first time God told me to move in worship at a Christian celebration in front of over a thousand people. Scary stuff! I did it, although it wasn't what I'd done that caused people to hear God speaking to them, but God being allowed to work through me. My confidence and 'ear' for God developed as I responded to God at St Barnabas. I was involved with St Thomas church, Lancaster and Metamorphosis events group in Leeds with whom I danced in Millennium Square for Pentecost Praise. Last year I danced at Manchester Vineyard, Folly's End and creative worship is tied up in the vision for GenR8 here in Moor Allerton diocese that I lead with Kathryn and Richard Thompson. Over the summer, I was accepted to go to the first National Summer School for Movement in Worship in Brighton. (See www.miw.org.uk) I thank St Barnabas for helping me with this. The school included sessions on prophetic movement, intercessory movement and moving with props to interpret Gods word. The week was both exciting and challenging. As well as the dancing, God allowed me to meet a whole range of people who had the same vision as me, to bring people closer to God and see more of Him, which was a great encouragement. Most recently, the opportunity has arisen to attend the Creative worship discipleship-training course based in Brighton or Manchester and to dance in the creative arts team at Spring Harvest 2003. More importantly than all this though is that I'm learning that God has got something to say to each one of us and if we've got a passion for Him, we've just got to go for it! It may not be the easiest road but God promises 'life in all its fullness'. Thank you to EVERYONE at St Barnabas who has supported me so far. I really do appreciate it. 'If you have faith as small as a mustard seed 'Nothing will be impossible for you' Matthew 17:20. N.B on Saturday 23rd November GenR8 will be hosting a 'Movement in Worship' evening suitable for ANYONE who wants to explore more of what God has for us. Please sign up on the sheet at the back of church Love Shelley Scaife |
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