for your viewing pleasure...

Was great to have Nigel speaking at our church ABC yesterday. He spoke from Hebrews 12 on laying aside that which hinders; getting rid of sin; running with perseverence; and fixing eyes on Jesus.

'Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.'

What a great reminder that we are surrounded, not by spectators, but by those who have also witnessed the truth in Jesus - it is a 'we','us','our' identity and calling.

It is a privilege and a spur to be surrounded by witnesses to Him as we run this race together.

I made a video recently (well Kate did the skilled bits) that I hope captures some of the desire to live together for Jesus - such that all may know of Him! This is Marsden....

There have been some challenges, some really exciting times and great opportunities to witness to our great Saviour and Lord - together. Praise God for that! Changing times ahead...

The privilege of sharing with those around me in witnessing the truth of the Lord Jesus is something I have been reminded of recently with Sueanne's review of her Minty year. Watch her video.

a great cloud of witnesses indeed. Praise God!

blessed and thankful

I sometimes feel a pressure that when I update this thing I have to be revealing of something completely new and brilliant that I am learning, understanding, seeing. To be honest an awful lot of the time I am learning similar lessons over and over I think. And I am thankful for that. There are many things that I have been reminded of, in His grace, over the past few weeks:

Friends are brilliant. And generous. And pretty amazing companions for walking this path of faith.

It was the quarter century last month. I am a little bit rubbish at organising things like that. But what a quality night. Epic people, cakes, cards, presents made it flippin brill. I am so thankful for the folk God has placed alongside me! Creative, generous, lovely people. Who organise folk to come over. And make coconut saltire cakes. And massive goose on the loose cards.

I am in the middle of planning a session on following Jesus in the company of friends for our upcoming Student Leadership Conference - specifically for those students who are graduating this year. This is probably one of the main things I have been learning and experiencing over this year - the value of community, of following Jesus together and seeing the fruit of that.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." [Matt 5:14-16]

It is a privilege to be part of a city on a hill. The light produced with many together is amazing to behold I reckon. That is the prayer - that in shining for Him together we would see many glorifying God!

Another thing I relearned as we did way up to Cape Reinga and back in a day: God is pretty good at creating...