Father and Son bonding

Just had a great weekend white water kayaking on the river Dart, Father and Son bonding and all that! It’s the reason we took up kayaking. The trouble is I absolutely love it where as my son, Lewis, has not been quite that enamoured with it. As many of you who came to the Roadshows would have heard, my son’s thing is def metal and he’s a drummer! (Pray for me). So in the summer I went to Sonisphere festival at Knebworth and discovered there is an advantage to going deaf in old age. Actually we had a great time together and even though some lyrics were far from wholesome they were a great launching pad for conversation with my son. It did strike me that if the command on God’s people is to make disciples of all people groups (Mt 28:19) who’s doing it amongst this tribe? If you are aware, I would love to know. What I truly loved about being there was seeing my son energised. It seems both of us want to live life to the full and I know that Jesus himself said that was why he came. I am praying that my son will discover that for himself, even that he would be one Jesus would use to reach that culture.

You will find this email and the previous two on the South Wales Baptists Blog
http://southwalesbaptists.blogspot.com/
Have a look and join in the conversations on this blog!

By the way, the dart was so good this weekend he’s decided that Kayaking really is fun so I’m sorry but we are praying for rain this half term week so we can get on another river!

Rest in Him (19th Oct)

It’s been an incredibly busy few weeks and looking at the diary over the next few weeks it’s only going to get worse. And so it was such a blessing to get away for a 24 hour retreat last week with some other regional ministers. We need these occasions not simply to recharge but to recalibrate and as the Lord graciously did for me last week, reiterate his call upon my life. Whether it be a full blown retreat or the valuable moments we take each day, to listen to the Lord, allowing the Holy Spirit to regulate our heart beat with the Father’s is vital to our ongoing walk and fruitfulness in his service. It is the learning to rest, remain, abide in Christ so that we are able to bear the fruit he produces in us. We find our place in God and he finds his place in us. We become a hospitable place for him to dwell in us. Strange that we still insist on rushing around so much!?! But on that note hope to see some of you at the last of our Roadshows this week; Wednesday at Monmouth, Thursday at Woodville Cardiff.

first weekly email 12th Oct

I have had in mind for quite some time to email all of you as ministers within the association on a regular basis, say every Monday morning, simply to encourage you in what the Lord has called you to. It is after all an easy way to communicate quickly in the world we now live in. Paul tells us to make the most of every opportunity (Eph 5:16). And there are many opportunities. What about taking opportunities to help one another? As disciples of Christ we are ever learning from his word, by his Spirit and from each other.

I wonder if we can commit ourselves to taking the opportunity to sharpen one another (Prov 27:17). For encouragement, challenge and enabling each other. This can be done in twos and threes, in small groups, using our monthly ministers gatherings, then there are the bigger gatherings like Mainstream and the Ministers Conference. Andy and I are currently running missional roadshows focusing on change and transition. Tonight at 7pm we are at Jerusalem Pentrebach, tomorrow Ebbw Bridge. There are many opportunities to develop our gifts and understanding of what the Lord has called us to.

Perhaps begin by giving another minister a ring today and plan to meet up!