Back - but briefly!

It's been a while. But I have opened a Facebook page ' The Church That meets in a Home'....to give a brief daily update on my thoughts. If you wish, follow me there!

A Fantasy...

The place? Down-town Philippi. The time? A Tardis-induced present. It is 8-00am. Paul wakes. He is in a very comfortable hotel-room next door to his good friend Silas. 'Silas, wake up. It's time for the morning service'. 'Not Sunday again' mutters Silas from under the duvet. 'Yes' said Paul, 'and if we don't get going we'll miss the first service'. The two apostles clambered into their best clothes. No time for breakfast, they had to be there to help put out the chairs and get the lights, cameras and amplification in place. ' Can't we go to that new church that's just started? ' asked Silas, 'they have a better band' He saw Paul's pained expression. 'Sorry, I meant better worship'....'I know what you meant' said Paul, in that longsuffering tone of voice.

They made their way in their leather-lined luxury car to a huge warehouse which had been converted at a cost of £1m into a very spacious and comfortable 'facility'. Offices, cafes, bookshop, meeting rooms, all added to make an 'attractive package'. Soon the 2 apostles were safley parked in a reserved place, and helping the 'stewards' set things up. It took an hour and the room was soon reverberating to a soft rock modern 'christian song'.

'Who's speaking this morning' asked Silas. 'Timothy' said Paul. 'Good, he'll be better than last week's speaker' replied Silas. Soon there were about 500 people there, ushered to their seats by smiling stewards. The lights dimmed and the band started to play.


As you read the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles, anything in what I have written above seem incongruous? Just a thought.

The Acts. History or Lifestyle?

Someone said to me the other day, that the Acts of the Apostles is a history book, written simply to tell us how it was done then....and now we move on to something else.

Interesting - and presumably that is what 99% of the church thinks, because that is what has happened. Pretty well abondoned the strategy of AofA church life. And what has happened? We have lost the blessing they had. Coincidence? I think not.

It is very poor biblical exegesis to argue that parts of the Bible are simply a history book written for our interest. My, a Dawkins, or anyone who has half a brain, could make mincemeat of us!

No - IMO, AoA is written to show us, and it does clearly, how church should be, and how it should live in the world. It is simple, organic, clutter-free, dynamic, versatile, persecution proof (in the sense it can withstand it, not avoid it!) and great fun! If we live by the book, we will receive the blessing of the book!

How Many Days To Go?

A Christian leader said in my presence recently 'Christmas is all about Jesus'. This in order to begin an advertising campaign to get people to 'come to church at christmas and bring their friends'. This is of course pretty much incorrect.

Jesus was not born on December 25th. No chance. Clever people have worked out His d-o-b fairly accurately and it's not Dec 25th. Any suggestion that it is, real or implied, is a lie. Nothing more,nothing less.

No-where in the scriptures are we told His birthday. No-where are we encouraged to celebrate the event at all. Biblically, once we have marvelled at the cruel beauty of His coming in heart-stopping humility, there is little more to be said. The only really ongoing lesson is the almost total indifference that the world had to His first coming. They still treat the Lord of Heaven and Earth similarly today. His second coming may very well have a different impact.

Someone clever has worked out that 75% of annual church resources in time, money and effort are put into the 3 weeks of Christmas activity. Yet it is computed that less people find Jesus at this time than any other time of the year. As an evangelistic event it is a disaster. But then, if it's based on a lie, what do you expect?

I also discovered recently, that in many major moves of God where there has been evidence of prayerfulness, true piety, repentance, worship and godly living, there has been (albeit for a short time) a rejection of celebrating Christmas.

It is self-centred, gluttonous, self-indulgent, sentimental and wasteful. There can be no place for the Jesus I know in that.

By all means have a meal with your family and friends. By all means let's cheer up the cold and wet winter with some good food shared between those we love.

But as for Jesus, He is no more and no less there than any other day of the year.

To say anything else is simply not true....

Wishful thinking?

I went for a walk this morning, and thought about my present thinking. What do I want? In which direction am I heading? This is what I came up with:

I want to spend times of quality with my Heavenly Father. Those times will be spent honoring and glorifying His Precious Son, the Lord Jesus Christ - He will be the centre of all thinking. We will be led in all things by the Holy Spirit and no-one else.

That's it. End of. (As the boss would say!). There is nothing else and therefore, nothing else matters.

Can I, will I, find it? Here in Leicester? Or is it wishful thinking? We'll see.
I do not believe God creates a desire in someone without the opportunity to achieve it....

There's Some Good Food Going!

The boss and I visited a local congregation on Sunday, where a good friend was preaching. We also met some old friends which is always pleasant and encouraging to know that they are still 'going on' and being blessed.

The leader of the congregation read the words 'Taste and see that the Lord is good'....and it caught my attention. Familiar words, read many times. As I meditated on them, I felt the Lord saying to me that we must move on from that. 'Tasting' is an experience for the unconvinced, those who are distanced and need the flavour to invite them in. I've been to tastings in restaurants - and you don't get much!

I felt the Lord saying that we are nearer to Him than that. We are in the dining room, the banqueting hall. We are not 'tasting' - we are convinced! We tasted and found Him to be good. Very good. And now we are invited to feast on Him. There's plenty to go around, and we will not run out! We can eat as much as we like.

We have to enter in to the dining room. We have to sit down. We have to reach out and help ourselves....He will eat with us, break bread with us, and satisfy us completely.

Good, eh? My appetite is growing.....

Church - The Non-negotiables....

'Non-negotiable'....that's a bit strong I hear you think. Surely most things are negotiable? Not at all. I have a few non-negotiables I wish to share with you. You are free to disagree, but make sure (for your own good) that you are on solid biblical ground before you do. Any other foundation is at best suspect, and at worst, heretical.

My first Non-negotiable for church life may surprise you. The early church gathered pretty well exclusively in homes. So must we. The Acts of the Apostles gives us a clear mandate for insisiting that the church meets in the homes of the believers, or a person of goodwill to the church. There is no biblical mandate for buildings erected for 'church services'. Indeed the whole emphasis of scripture is against that model. There are a number of reasons for this:

They are expensive. I read somewhere that if all religious buildings were to be sold, the poor would have every need met in the entire world. A church meeting in a house can give 90% of their income away. Expensive to build and expensive to maintain. A drain on resources.

They foster and tend the view, that we 'go to church'. This plants in our mind that we turn up for a couple of hours on a Sunday and that's it. Church is 24/7/52. No less.

They mean 100's can turn up and spectate, whilst a few 'gifted' and paid people do all the work in presenting us with some stuff to respond to. Totally unbiblical. End of.

In a home, a handful of people can gather, share what they have brought to build one another up. They can eat together, pray together, share together, support one another, give and receive. A family, indeed!
Just as it was, and was always meant to be.

I am beginning to arrive at the conclusion, that here in the UK, the church which has lost this truth will be driven back to this biblical blueprint for gathering in the not too distant future. It may have to be persecuted to bring it about...so be it. If a child is not obedient, after a number of warnings, there has to be pain. It was always so.

Every single move of God over the centuries, has started in homes. Only as they have grown have they gravitated to buildings.

In passing, as I cease this rant, let me say this. I visit church buildings. I see 'foundation stones' inscribed with the words 'To The Glory of God'. Underneath I see the name of the person who laid the stone. To whom is the glory really given? Buildings have, since Babel, been to man's glory and no-one elses.

That's enough for now, more later.

Team Work....

I had this thought. Yes, a lonely experience! Thinking about Jesus and His relationships with people - and His 'team'. He spent time on His own. He spent time with 3 selected men. He spent time with the multitude, with crowds, with hangers-on. But the picture we have of Him, and the stuff He did mostly, was with 'The Twelve'. Men, chosen largely because of their potential, from a fairly wide background. One was even a thief. Some older, some young. Some educated and some not so. But that is not my point. 12 is.

Since then all sporting activities have teams of 11 -15 mostly. Yes, there are '5's and 7's - and I know we have 'the bench' and so on. But broadly speaking we have teams of around the 12 in number. Interesting. Now in sporting events, we have the team 'performing' and the crowds 'spectating'...paying their money and watching.

Bit like church, really. When they met in homes 12 - 15 would probably have been the number of those gathering.....then they started to grow and the ambition of a few was to build larger - rather than more. When they had 12, they all brought what they had to the communal gathering and contributed to the body. Everybody 'feeds' - everybody is 'fed'. Simple, beautiful....and effective.

Nowadays, a few present something to the spectators. Few participate, few contribute. We pay our money, takes our choice, walk away. Jesus obviously got it right. He always did. Sporting teams know that 12 is a good number for strong relationship activity.

Where are we going wrong?

Towards Biblical Church.....?

I've decided to become more positive. It occurred to me that a lot of the time we/I get drawn into a despairing negativity by what we see around us in church life. With the Bible in our hands, the Holy Spirit in our hearts and the cause of Jesus predominant in our thinking, we look around and wonder what on earth is going on, and when is Heaven going to do something about it.

So, my blogging is going to begin to state positively what the church must become in order to fulfil what the Father requires of the Bride for His Son. Having pondered and prayed much about this, and read tonnes of stuff, my fingers feel inclined to put something readable down.

There are, of course, a few groundrules.

Traditional thinking - the manmade variety - is out of the window. There are Godly traditions we must keep. But manmade ones - out! Now this is not easy for me. After 63 years in church life you must pick up a few, but I am determined to let them go. If you don't think I am, tell me.

Also, it must be Biblical. Nothing else will do now. I (literally) don't care what man has made up. I may lose some friends, and that's a shame, I will miss you, but time is short. And a few less people at my funeral won't worry me too much! I am learning to love His Book increasingly, and He has revealed so much of His Will to us, that we must begin to drop our own plans, and adopt His. Urgently. We are facing a wipe-out in this country. Our enemies are around us, and within. Satan is (shorterm) rubbing his hands. Longterm he knows he's lost. It's the bit in between I plan to address.

I cannot offer you a 'local model'. What I am planning to present does not exist in my city of Leicester UK, to my knowledge. I believe it exists elsewhere, but I have no desire/leading to
move. This is theory as far as I am concerned. I long for the practical outworking.

I start soon.

I Can't Get My Head Around This One...

Someone recently mentioned that we are to celebrate soon in the UK (apparently it was a couple of weeks ago in the US...so we are not 10 years behind..) the event 'Back to Church Sunday'. I choked.

Google is so useful. I discovered that the CofE, Baptist and Methodist denominations jointly sponsor this event in an attempt to get people to attend a church service near their home, perhaps for the first time ever, or for the first time for a long time. Sometimes I just cannot believe what I hear and read. The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it sounds.

How can you 'go back to church'? You are either in it, or not. The Church is a people who have been gathered together in His Name. Sure, you can opt out. And sure, a decision is made on joining. But you don't 'go' anywhere. So you can't 'leave' anywhere. So you can't 'go back' anywhere!

When are we going to see that we don't 'go to church'? Ever. We 'are' church. Always.

What a difference it will make. Instead of 2 or 3 hours a week. 24/7. 52.

On a Mission...

This past week I set myself a discipline. Not in a bad way! I do not respond well to programmes and legalistic schemes, these days. In fact, never did. But particularly as I get older. But I decided to read Acts in a week. Not quickly, in a rushed way, but slowly and reflectively. And I used 'The Message'. This is a 'translation' I am becoming increasingly comfortable with. As you know, I am not clever enough to judge it's 'accuracy' - but I find it stimulates my thinking. I feel this is because all the other versions (including my beloved 'JND' version) make the teaching seem archaic and therefore not relevant. 'The Message' reads in such an up-to-date way, it sounds as if it happened yesterday..and is being reported by Sky, CNN or John Simpson...therefore relevant..now. It works for me!

I can recommend this exercise. The over-riding impact of this reading was to challenge me again about the vast gulf in experience between 1st century church and what we have today. They are so different. It almost seems like a 'different faith'. It's like 'Champions League' compared to park football. Concorde to Tiger Moth. Ferrari to Austin 7. I think you have my point! Recognisably similar, but poles apart in experience.

Gosh, it was dangerous then. Imprisonment, torture even death lurked around every corner. Theological debates were hotly fought. Relationships were tested. Decisions made. But in everything, Jesus was central, fellowship was vital, leading by the Spirit daily and the fear of the Lord evident. Tough times for those who lived at such a time, but underneath it all, forgive me the words don't seem right, but there was a sense of joy, excitement...even, dare I say it, ...fun!

Can we re-capture this? Of course we can. In fact we must. And if we don't do it soon, it will be forced upon us by God's great persuader...'persecution'. If the church corporate does not give up it's agenda (often called 'vision'...a word I am becomming increasingly uncomfortable with, in the current useage) and become a biblical expression of His body, it will be forced upon us by a divine parent who wants what is best for us. Not a pale, weak, childish man-made imitation.

We must leave the muddy messy mindless game on the local park, and make our way to the Neu Camp.

Has Anyone Noticed...?

Chatting about church life last night with a friend of mine, he commented that there seems to be so little spiritual gift activity in meetings these days. What he meant, I believe, was that tongues, interpretation, prophecy, word of knowledge and suchlike, do not seem to be as evident as they were, say 25 years ago. My brain has been examining this statement....as you can imagine!

He is absolutely right. Our memory does not play tricks, nor are we harking back to 'the good old days'. The average church service is devoid of much that could be described as supernatural. Mostly pretty straight stuff and most services could be mistaken in style with a political party meeting or a slick sparkly product launch.

WHY?

Because god is moving again and we haven't. Simple. As with the children of Israel in the wilderness led by the cloud and fire, He has moved on and we have hung on to what we know. I am reminded of the verse 'and Samson did not know that the spirit had departed'. Now I know that the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and we are 'sealed'. OK no problem. But when we gather corporately we have things so organised, polished, practised and beautifull presented that there is no need for the Holy Spirit to attend, so he slips away...un-noticed and un-missed.

We have attended 5 different church services in the past 2 months. All pleasant, neat, welcoming, friendly, even inspiring and stimulating. But only one had any evidence of spiritual gifting in any obviously supernatural way, and even that was not at all 'edgy', if you know what I mean!

We need to move. To catch up. God is waiting and the Holy Spirit is ready to ignite again.

Personally, I can't wait. My impatience is becoming unbearable. But individually we cannot do it. Moving the camp is a corporate event!

He is Risen!

I have been challenged by a book I have been reading lately which is a serious book, outlining the importance of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, to our faith and preaching. The writer asserts that in the early church and in subsequent revivals of the christian faith throughout the world, the preaching of the resurrection was the main theme of all public teaching.

He goes on to say that in these days of 'popular preaching', there is much about the life, birth and death of Jesus, but little is mentioned about His rising from the dead. Even though we all would nod our heads in agreement that the 'Lord is Risen Indeed', we just don't preach it!

So, me being me, on Sunday as we sat in a congregation here in Leicester for about 2 hours, I listened for a mention of the resurrection. Although I wasn't listening all the time (my mind does wander - and wonder!), I must confess I don't remember the resurrection mentioned once. Whilst Jesus was central to much of what was done and said, and that is commendable of course, the one event that distinguishes us from all other 'faiths' ie that our Lord rose from the dead, was not mentioned at all. Interesting, eh?

A belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus is central to our faith. We cannot become a disciple of Jesus until we acknowledge that fact. The ultimate victory - as well as others along the way - depends on that event being an historical fact. Surely it deserves a mention?

If I Had a £m?.....

Seems ages since I wrote about the Watchman Nee book. That's because I've only just finished it. Normally I get through a book in about 3 days...but this one has taken nearly a month...and I need to read it again! All I could manage was a paragraph or two and then I had to lay it aside, ponder...read something else....and then pick it up for another dose.

It was written in the '30s. But it is as up to date in it's message as tomorow's newspaper (as Billy Graham used to say). Quite simply it is a biblical strategy for a 'Jesus Centred Church'. Most churches are activity centred, pastor centred, denomination centred, revival centred, growth centred. Let me illustrate. Recently I attended a church service and the song we majored on truly exalted Jesus. Lots about Him - centred on His life, work and ministry. Lovely - really moving and energising - and, more importantly, Jesus exalting. Then I picked up the 'bulletin' - the publication which listed all the church was doing for that month. The name of Jesus was mentioned once. The name of the church (in full) 14 times. Get the idea?

Oh, the title? 'If I Had a £m?' Have you often wondered what you would do? Narrow it down a bit and forget about family, house, holiday, car whatever. If you had a £m - which you had to spend on something/someone else - what would you do with it? Right now, I'd buy as many copies of this book and send it to as many church leaders as I could, requesting that they read it.

The church as it is today in the UK, bears little or no resemblance to the church of the Lord Jesus and and the 1st century. And, frankly, it breaks my heart after 63 years of church life to see what we (yes, me and you and others) have done to it. I'm not just blaming others, I'm blaming me as well. I've contributed either directly, or by allowing things to happen.

Jean and I visited a church we used to belong to 25 years ago. It had it all then. Apostolic input, a stategy, a spirit of worship, community, more and much more. We hadn't been back for over 20 years. It was so very sad. Whatever we had then, has gone, IMO, and replaced by 'nice'. We walked away with a heavy heart. The main reason for that weighty organ, was that they didn't know it had happened. We shall, as far as I can see, never go back. Life is too short, now.

I would love to find a group of people who really want to experience 'Jesus Centered Spirituality' and not 'Church Centered Spirituality'. Are you wondering what I mean? A year ago, so was I. I think they idea is beginning to dawn.....more later.

Rediscovered Treasure....

I've rediscovered Watchman Nee. I first read his stuff when I was a young Christian and wanted to explore and learn quickly. It was too much, then. I was too young to appreciate him and his work. I also didn't like Red Wine and Stilton, bought that's changed too. Something to do with growing up.

The book I'm reading at present is 'The Normal Christian Church Life'. It is simply stunning. No words I can use can amply portray my appreciation of this book. And I'm only a third-way through. It is awesome. All my life I have sought to find, and contribute to, biblical church. I have read millions of words and explored many an avenue. I am now at the point of near despair and frustration. I am a thirsty man in a dry and arid land. So God by His grace, brought me to the metaphorical feet of Frank Viola. His writing on the church is wonderful, almost too good to read. He has recommended I read this book by Watchman Nee, and he is absolutely right.

Ifthis book were to be read by all believers who love their Bibles a lot, and their Lord a lot more, and laid down their preconceived notions, we would have a church on our hands which would change this nation.

More will come from my dancing fingers.

I watched, very moved, the service from Whitehaven yesterday. Sky News, bless 'em, gave the whole hour at 6-00 to broadcasting this without any comment. Respect. No BBC broadcast at all.

This morning I was reflecting on this church activity and began to see that this brief hour represented a picture of the church and her engagement with a needy world.

About 300 people gathered in the town square. There were a few seats, but most stood, watching. There was a canvass gazebo-like construction for the church dignitaries so they could shelter from the rain. They sat on a raised platform facing the congregation. One by one church leaders did their bit. Readings, poems, prayers, homily from the Bishop, hymns sung, musical solo and recital, candles lit. Very British, reassuringly amateurish. After one hour precisely, they finished their service. Trooped off the platform and disappeared into the nearby church building. The people, wandered off, holding onto one another, huddled in groups, solemn and tearful. Their faces strained and expressions fixed. Sad and despondent. I wanted the religious leaders to go and meet people. To shake hands, hug, embrace, individually pray with folk, cry a little - engage! It didn't happen.

Sunday by Sunday, we meeting in our buildings sheltered from the elements. People sit and stand and watch as religious rituals take place. Music, recitals, prayers, readings, talks. The people listen. The religious leaders peel off and go home. A handshake at the door. The audience returns to the business of the week.

It's going to change, folks. It has to. The church cannot go on doing what it does.

Suffering - on a Hot Day...

Our 'Sunday Service' yesterday morning was devoted to the subject 'Why does God Allow Suffering' and we were presented with a series of UTube-like visuals and Cartoon film clips, and a talk which was designed to help us come to terms with this question.

I sat and pondered. As I do. And on the way home I talked over my ponderings with the boss. I admitted to her that I had never, ever, in my life asked the question 'Why Does God Allow Suffering?' and therefore was there something wrong with me? She, of course, said that there was, but this issue was not particularly it. I could not believe that people should ask such an impertinent question. In my view, we are lucky toget away with the little suffering we do endure......

So last night, I left the family BBQ and wet downtown to see an openair conducted by some followers of Jesus who want to reach out a bit to people they would not normally contact. A lovely evening and I sat on a wall and listened as men stood up in turn and gave public announcement of their faith. A bit dated in language and style, but bless 'em they made an effort.

During one of the talks a big and rather drunken man shouted out that he had lost an 8 year old son recently and 'where was God in that, then?' Some of the guys there talked with him, and he calmed down. My heart went out to him. I choked back tears. He had no understanding of God at all, no sense of the love of God, no idea of the relationship that he could have with a loving Heavenly Father. He went lurching on his way. I pray he finds peace..

So there is suffering, there is hurt, and people do ask that question....May God be merciful and reveal His purposes to us....

Great BBQ! Good food and fellowship with lovely people. My family!

Another thing I can't believe.....

Before I launch into today's rant....I have decided to blog more and FB less. FB is too open and invites comment from people who can't really be bothered....I know, I've done it on other people's FB! S, avid reader, expect more....

I read the other day that some followers of Jesus find denominations a good thing. Others thought they actually helped christians to be more united. Others couldn't give a hoot one way or the other. Unbelieveable!

Search as I may, and to be honest, I haven't searched much, I cannot find a single Bible verse that suggests that denominations are helpful or desirable. Personally, I think they are contrary to any idea God ever had about church. I am dismayed that believers can see any virtue in any thing that divides the body and that they are totally man-made and probably devil inspired to keep the church from demonstrating the unity Jesus prayed for in His last hours on earth.

People say that it gives people to find and expression of church that suits them. Frankly that's nonsense. We should not be in the least interested in what suits us, purely in what suits Him! The scripture is clear about how church should be. If you are interested, read for yourself and see how your church group marries up with the Bible. Be prepared to be dismayed!

Covering. Now what was that again?

I was listening to a preacher the other day who used the word 'covering' in the sense of protecting someone from error. It took me back to the days when I believed that. We used to ask people when we met them, maybe for the first time, 'Where do you get your covering from?' and they would either mention the name of some apostle or other, or, alternatively, look a little uncomfortable and 'admit' that they hadn't the privelege of such a security. We would then, either a) extol the virtues of 'our' apostle or b) tut-tut and warn them of the imminent danger they were in of apostasy or worse.

The using of the word today astonished me, as I had genuinely thought that we had outgrown such thinking. The preacher, I think, would have seen his covering from his denomination. Most institutionalised churches see it that way. At least there is a 'safety' in an organisation covering you as opposed to an individual.

Where did it come from, this concept of covering (which I admit, I embraced 30 odd years ago)? Well, not from the Bible, that's for sure. I remembered one of our elders, who was a man who loved the scriptures, admitting that it was a concept difficult to prove from the scriptures, but it was, nevertheless, a 'good thing'. I blush as I recall accepting such an arguement for embracing a belief that was so significant at the time.

There is no Biblical basis for 'covering' by one individual or organisation over another. The very thought encourages an heirarchal view of church - a 'clergy' and 'laity' concept which is a complete nonsense, and totally discredited by even the most basic understanding of the work of Christ on the cross. Our security, in every possible way, depends on our relationship with Jesus. He and He alone is our complete security in every walk of life and every area of our existence both in time and in eternity.

Frankly, I wouldn't want it any other way, or by any other person.

....and another try at church

The house is not big as seen from the road, but parking is easy and it seems a safe area. We walk up the driveway and ring the bell. A young boy answers and hot on his heels a 30+ year old welcomes us. 'Not been before?' We are assured we will soon feel at home. There is the noise of laughter from a large room just off the hallway. We are greeted by about 20 people, all very relaxed and sitting around the room - on seats, stools and even on the floor. A couple have guitars. Room is made for us and people around the room tell us their names and welcome us again. We respond by introducing ourselves. They seem to approve! Every age group is in the room and there seems to be, though predominantly white, a mix of nationalities.

One of the guitarists starts to play and suggests we sing some songs. For the next 20 minutes we sing songs suggested by the people there. One or two give a reason why they have requested their song, which is usually because it has been on their minds that week and has blessed them is some way. All the songs are Jesus-centred. Then a few folk pray - everyone enthusiastically commends the prayer to God with loud 'amens'. All the songs are praise and thanksgiving. There are a couple of relevant Bible readings. Then there are some stories of how God has blessed and provided that week. It seems there has been some cafe evangelism happening and there have been some contacts made. Prayer is made on their behalf and one of the men speaks in an unknown tongue which is interpreted - it is an offering of praise to God who is described as a God of 'opportunity' - something I had not considered before.

Then for about 25 minutes one of the men teaches from the scriptures on The Lord's Prayer - it would seem there is a series going on, and this week it's about forgiveness. Interesting and all use Bibles and when they are not sure about something, interrupt for an explanation. Aprayer at the end and then a lady brings a prophetic word regarding the need to take the next step in our walk with God....quite thoughtprovoking.

There is then a prayer for a family who has a virus and are not there today. Someone responds by offering an opportunity of taking a food-parcel to them....most promise a contribution. There is then an offering basket passed around - and someone says they are sending £500 to a church in Malawi with which they have a contact.

Two hours have passed....we stand and say the blessing together....and then food! In the next room is a table laden with goodies! We are encouraged to eat and drink. When we are satisfied a bottleof wine in open and a loaf of bread (tasting a bit strange - apparently it's unleavend) each drinks and eats and prayer is again made giving thanks to God.

We take our leave - we have been there for over three hours and the time has passed quickly.....we get back in the car and make our way thoughtfully home.

It was my wife (always the source of wisdom) who commented that it seemed like we had been in the presence of Jesus. There was such liberty, joy and spontenaity.....church?


What do you think?