A Day to Remember

12^th November 2017 March of Remembrance

As I walked into the exposed and blustery town looking out onto the open sea looking to find the little parade my eyes were stunned to see the sight of at least one third of the town stood in grand formation with their majestic flags flying in the wind. I was welcomed into line by two great and tremendous Union Jack flags moving in the air. Perhaps I am an emotional person but as I found a place in line I felt my eyes watering and I wasn’t even sure why. There was a level of solemnity in the atmosphere but also solidarity as we stood there anxiously waiting for the start. More and more people joined onto the back of the line every one of them wearing their poppies, little red specks of hope creating a floating field. I know without a doubt that I had never expected so many people to be there. I knew in my heart that every one of them had made the willing choice to be out there on the seafront in the cold to remember and respect. As we started marching, I felt God’s presence there as the flags blew signalling for men, women and children of all ages to follow behind. I felt united to the people around me and with smiles we made our way to the windy beach. Everywhere we walked there were people wearing poppies clapping, waving and smiling, many of whom joined in behind. We finally reached a high point with a grandiose view of the open sea where the wreaths were to be placed and everyone was to observe the two minutes silence. The land seemed to go quiet at 11 am even the gulls seemed to stop their screeching for a short time. People came out of their homes and stood there in silence and reverence not just for those who died before us, but those who give their lives each day but most importantly to remember the freedom that was bought and could so easily be taken away again. Perhaps it was this new found knowledge of the fact that freedom in today’s society is being taken away (and not in a gradual manner at that), maybe it was a reaction to the current Labour leader when he said ‘we have nothing to remember’, or maybe just an inert sense of respect suddenly placed in them from a heavenly realm. I am certain God had his hand on every person in my town when it went silent last week and I stood there remembering but also praying that God would implant something of himself into each of these people. And to my surprise prayers were read and heads were bowed, hymns were sung and unity was in the air. And as we entered back into the town received by crowds of people in red scarves and wearing poppies cheering and smiling standing in respect on the road side I knew without a doubt that God had answered my prayers.

 

I pray that this encourages you because this is what I felt as I stood there last Sunday. I felt that God’s spirit was there and that it touched many people consciously or not. I also felt that the land was singing God’s praises and the flags were flying as a sign. I know it was a march that brought people together in unity and it was also very British too in the sense that people seemed to be unashamed of their nationality and were proud of their town and country and its great legacy. I know that whatever happens in the spiritual sometimes takes time to manifest in the natural but mark my words I am certain we will see something great happen very very soon.

The Road

I had a picture which I wanted to share because I think it’s relevant for today.

As I was praying I saw a pavement. There were some people walking forward and I was pulling people from the road onto the pavement. But then I realised something that the people on the pavement kept wondering back onto the road. Some were walking in the gutter getting wet and dirty and still others were walking in the middle of the road wondering aimlessly and some getting hit by cars and trucks. I continued to pull people up but then I realised why they were wondering back into the road. They had blindfolds on. I stopped to untie someone’s blindfold but whilst I did many more people went back onto the road and it appeared as if I had lost time. It was hard to untie but I managed it. However, now I had some help and together we slowly started to pull people onto the pavement untying their blind folds. The progress was much slower but people didn’t go back into the road.

I felt that this was for the church. The church focuses on numbers but actually they don’t teach the people how to forge a true relationship, how to continue and go deeper in their faith and how to stay away from sin and the things that will pull them away so evidently people get pulled back into the world. There may appear to be more people in the church but they are just as blind as if they were walking on the road although they may not get hit by a car they run the risk of falling back into the road. If we take the time to show individuals the light, to cultivate relationship, to be patient then we will gradually produce a church where believers are not blinded but are able to not only walk forward but to also patiently show others how to walk forward too.

My prayer is that in these increasingly dark days the true church will realise this and although there may not look like many numbers or big figures deep relationships with Father are formed that are life changing and society transforming.

God bless you

Convergence

I learnt a new word today from listening to Lance Wallnau.  The word is ‘convergence’. It means something has got to come together in your destiny (an intersecting). It is the technical definition where you are engaged in the role which empowers you to do what you were created to do before you were born.

A word which has been used a lot in the church and in Christian circles was destiny. However, convergence has a more resonating and deeper meaning than even destiny itself.

If you become a Christian you must become a disciple, then you become a disciple, after that you seek your destiny, and finally you must step into convergence. This is essential if you want to fulfil that which was ordained for you before the beginning of time. Convergence however is not only about our own individual destiny but rather it is about affecting our communities, towns, cities and nations. Destiny is great and it can change your life knowing what your own personal destiny is but convergence allows God to work in us in such a way that we cannot help but affect everyone around us.

My prayer is that you will all step into convergence.