Val writes: 

But those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

I have loved this verse since my teen-age years.  In this image of the eagle something is stirred in my imagination, there is a freedom, a rising and a soaring with the current. It reminds me of the scene in Chariots of Fire when Eric Liddell could express to his sister (who was concerned that he might lose his focus for the mission field by running for the Olympics) that ‘ God has made me fast and when I run I sense God’s pleasure.’

For years I have sought ‘to run, to walk and not faint’ and yet as I reflect I think this was something I tried to achieve through my effort. I did not realize that God had another way, captured here in this verse.

Today I am beginning to catch glimpses in a fresh way of this image in Isaiah and I am captivated by it.  The word ‘renew’ means ‘change/exchange’ and this gives a different  perspective.  As I wait on the Lord, I am reminded of all that is already mine in Christ.  Through His death and resurrection I receive His life, His life which enables, empowers and strengthens. I receive from Him and cease striving to achieve. 

One of our foundational verses as a ministry is Galatians 2:20. I think Paul understood something of this ‘waiting’ in order that he might rise up with wings as eagles.  It has been thrilling to see others encounter God who enables them to run and not be weary and to walk and not faint, where they too sense God’s pleasure and know a new freedom because they have encountered Him as Life.

May this verse continue to feed and shape us in the coming weeks, that it may be our  experience in increasing measure.

Signpost Days

This little picture will be quite familiar to those of you who have ever joined us for one of our monthly    Signpost Days.  It sits in the corner of the pieces of paper we regularly hand out, entitled, “Suggestions for Reflection”.

In fact that would be one way of summarising what our Signpost Days are—suggestions for reflection.  Nobody needs anyone to tell them how busy life is these days, and how difficult it can be to make time to reflect on our lives and where God is for us.  Our desire is to create a space where people can come away and do just that, either along the lines of our suggestions, or following their own inspirations.  We are equally happy for both!

Throughout the centuries, God’s people have seen themselves as those on a ‘way’ or a ‘journey’.  How good it is to come across signposts that confirm to us that the direction we are travelling in is right.  Month by month with these days, we have sought to consider different aspects of our journey of faith, that act as signposts for us.  For the first 3 of this year, we picked up 3 great themes that David Benner talks about in his book Sacred Companions: becoming great lovers, becoming whole and holy, becoming our true selves in Christ.  They made great subjects for reflection and produced much food for thought.

The days start at 10 am (tea and coffee are served from 9.30 onwards) and finish at 4 pm, with lunch provided.  All are welcome, and the atmosphere is very relaxed, so do join us in the autumn when we pick up again.

2/20 Conference

We had a wonderful weekend conference at the start of this month.  Mel and Peter were amongst the participants, and Mel writes: “This was my second conference. The first was a cathartic experience. The team taught in an understandable and non-judgmental way that I find challenging but not pressurising.  It’s certainly worth  doing twice (and  probably more!) – I had many new insights. My husband was  overwhelmed with the experience enjoying both teaching and interactions with fellow participants.”

Held twice a year, this conference forms the backbone of much of our ministry as we look at the truths of our new identity in Christ. Join us next time in    September — whether you’ve been before or not!

New Website!

We are pleased to let you know that our website is now live. The site has been under construction and will continue to be developed. We are grateful to Christof Linde for all his help in this. Do look and let us know what you think!  

Coming up…. 2/20 Encounter

June is just around the corner and once again, we will be gathering a group of people for 4 weeks to consider what it means to know Christ as Life. It is an immense privilege to watch what God does during these times and we are excited to see who He is drawing  together for this particular time.  We will look forward to telling you more next time.