IN JESUS

It is no secret to anyone who has known me for more than about a day that I love a certain Brighton based band who go by the name of Phatfish.

Their new album is due to be released on June 4th (the day after my birthday coincidently...!!) and until the 1st June they're GIVING AWAY a free download of the title track 'In Jesus'. You really would be a fool not to follow this link right away, download it and then play it on repeat - it will do you good!

After you've done that you should follow this link, book yourself a ticket for the nearest gig to you and count down the days until it arrives with glee. I can promise that you won't be disappointed.

Following that you should set a reminder on your phone to purchase the new album - I've had a sneak preview listen and it is simply outstanding. I've said it before and I'm likely to say it again 'you just can't beat a bit of Phatfish.'

Go enjoy the free download.... NOW!!!!!

playing a bit of a game with God

So today I was on my way back from a lovely lunch and I had to go a bit of a different way. The road that I usually use is closed at the moment and I didn't really know what other way to go. I had a rough idea but wasn't at all confident and good old TomTom wasn't with me! I heard God say 'just trust me, listen to my voice and go where I tell you.' I replied 'hmm.....but what if I hear you wrong' God told me 'it's no big deal, just listen and go where I tell you.'

So I thought I'd give it a go, I'm always up for learning more about hearing God's voice. The funny thing was that God was telling me to go in what I thought was the 'wrong' direction. I was sort of arguing with Him in my head, but funnily enough (!) He guided me all the way back to a road I recognised and from where I could navigate myself home.

God is so interested in every area of our lives - even when we're not sure how to get home! Why not play a game with God this week - how can you practice hearing His voice?

A cool story: God heals today!

Twice a month on a Thursday morning I head off to 'regional leaders' this is where anyone with a leadership role in a local NewFrontiers church get together for worship, prayer, encouragement and doughnuts.

A couple of months ago we spent some time praying for the different churches represented. One of the lead elders couldn't be there as he was pretty ill. He'd been having problems with his voice for a really long time, he'd be back and forward to the hospital and they'd given him a date for an operation. He could barely talk and had been told by the Dr's that his voice would probably never be the same again - not so good for a preacher.

As a group we knew this wasn't what God wanted for this guy, so we prayed. Then someone had an idea - let's pray for something and send it back as a kind of a 'we're praying for you sign' and we'll believe for a miraculous healing.

Don't get me wrong, this is a bit out there. None of us had a theology of praying for hankies, but it just seemed like a God moment and the right thing to do. Nobody had a hankie either, so we prayed over a paper towel and sent it back with the elders.

That night the guy slept with the paper towel under his pillow. He woke up the next morning TOTALLY HEALED!! He went back to the hospital who have now refused to operate on him because THERE IS NOTHING WRONG!!

I only heard the end of this story yesterday at church - God is so good and His Kingdom is breaking out all over the place! More Lord!

A plea to Anon

I read this article earlier on in the week. It got me pretty frustrated, mostly because I think a proper understanding of the Scriptures with regards to men and women makes a MASSIVE difference on this issue.

So here's my response:

Dear Anon! I am gutted that you feel like this and want to shout at the top of my lungs - IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS!! I have to be honest and say that I've found a different approach has kept me from ever experiencing the feelings you've expressed. The different approach I'm talking about is making a conscious decision to submit myself to the male eldership over me and trust them in their God given authority. I've found this approach ridiculously releasing.

I don't have to worry, or strive, or push my agenda because I know the guys in authority over me believe in me, know my gifts and will honour and protect me in every situation. I don't feel like I'm held back, or pushed to the sidelines in fact I'm able to step out with amazing security and freedom. Everything I do is submitted to the elders of the Church I work for and my covering comes from them - I'm not afraid to say that I think submission is key. I wholeheartedly believe eldership is male and that women should be released into EVERY other leadership role going (which would include preaching). I think God has created male and female differently and that includes different roles.

As a part of Christ's Church we're called to submit to GODLY eldership, (whether we're male or female) the more and more I've embraced this the more and more released I've been to use my gifts in the local church, regionally and nationally.

I'm sorry this hasn't been your experience, and bad male leaders can make the life of a gifted women a nightmare - I sympathise with you and share my experience as an encouragement - there are men out there who when secure in their own gifting will do everything they can to release young leaders (male or female) in theirs. Sarah.