Keeping up

As most most of you know I was born with a disability known as muscular dystrophy. This meant I was restricted in many ways physically. This raised huge doubts in my mind about the existence of God and I chose to be an Atheist. Then in 1983, God got hold of me as a fifteen year old lad and turned my life upside-down. Three weeks later I was gloriously immersed in His Holy Spirit and I knew I would never be the same again. I was overwhelmed by His presence and knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was now an adopted son of the my Dad in heaven. Some said that it was just a passing phase but twenty-eight years later this passing phase hasn't yet passed! (And it never will). In these last twenty-eight years I have seen some awesome things. I have seen lives changed, many healed and churches planted. It has been an incredible adventure and I have been on the most exciting journey with My wonderful Father.

However, as glorious as it has been so far, and I thank God for that, it does not compare with what He is doing in our church today. Going back to my opening sentence, when I was young I often had to play catch up. What I mean is that on school trips where there was a lot of walking, I was always last. Because of my physical weakness I could not keep up with the main crowd. This was very frustrating as I was often walking on my own or with people not of my choice. My friends would often have to stop so that I could catch up. However, I have never allowed my limitations from stopping me do the things that I have wanted to do. I may not have done them as quickly as others but I have done them. What I am finding today is that I am having to play a different form of keeping up. This comes in the shape of God doing things in a way that I am not used to and I am having trouble keeping up. Yet this is not frustrating but exhilarating. The pace in which the Holy Spirit is moving amongst us as a church is breath-taking and I am constantly playing catch-up. More and more new people are coming through our doors, the youth are on fire, people are being saved during worship, lives are being changed, the prayer meetings are growing in size and there is greater freedom amongst us! God is knocking religion out of us and many of us are discovering more of the Father's love. The great thing about this is that we haven't planned it, programmed it or come up with any formula to see it happen! It is happening because Daddy loves us and wants us to be immersed more and more into His very presence. We are coming into a greater knowledge that the curtain has been torn from top to bottom and there is nothing more we need to do to run into His arms!

God promised the church that a mighty river would run through the centre of Bethany CC and into the town and surrounding area. We are right at the start of that promise and there is so much more to come. While Stuart, Sarah and I were praying in the office I saw this huge wave coming towards us and a lone surfer as a speck in front of the wave. Gradually I saw the surfer rise to the top of the wave and was just gliding with the full force of the wave under him. All he had to do was stay standing and trust the wave to carry him. That is us! God says just stand and trust me and you will be carried by the full force of His wave. It will surge through Harpenden and the surrounding villages and towns. It will touch many lives. The greatest thing about this, is that it is all for His glory! We can not take ANY credit for what is happening.

I don't want to ever keep up with what God is doing. The moment I have caught up with God is the moment things get predictable again! I want to be constantly surprised by Him, constantly kept on my toes and always second guessing what He will do next. Beloved, we are in the most exciting time of history. Continue to join me on the surfboard and let's see where the wave will take us. Climb on, Climb On, CLIMB ON!!!

Yours in Him

Neil

ps Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB5c39PZFQ4