Come away with me ...

Recently I have had a real compulsion to retreat!
Retreat .... time out.... I have heard God say "come away with me".
I decided to block this Friday out of my diary and do just that ... retreat!
I have great expectations for the day; walking, listening, praying, listening, eating, listening. Just a day to do little and yet to achieve much ..... I will be different at the end of that time. I hope to draw closer to God be more aware of Him.
I am reminded of how Jesus went about his ministry.... long periods of solitude and communion with God, time out from his disciples, not just a quick before ministry, not a quick quiet time.... but extended time set apart with his father.

I'm looking forward to the space this will provide for me.
The day will finish by meeting a good friend over a cup of coffee.

Substitutes

I've been challenged by something I read today .....

"Some are shocked to consider that they have let a life of church activities be their substitute for having a life with God"  

(Renovation of the heart in daily practice - Willard & Johnson)

Those substitutes can be distractions. I've been thinking about things that distract me from God. I've made a list and I need to work through them. Even a minister can have substitutes.....

Ordination Vows

So it has been quite a while since my last post. Lots has happened since then. I have moved house and started ministry in another church, which is a brilliant place to be!
I have the blog bug again ... I don't know how long it will last!

I've spent some time reflecting on the vows I took for Ordination. I was reading the journal I had written at the time. I remember the "they are worthy" response and thinking ... wow ..... do they know me? They believed and trusted that I was worthy, I hope that is still the case!
I am thankful for the trust placed in me
I am thankful that I can preach by word and deed the Gospel of God's grace and desire to do it better!
I am thankful for all the other things I am called to.
I am challenged to give counsel and encouragement to those entrusted to my care.
As I read the vows again I am deeply challenged to pray without ceasing...

I have a week off coming up. Well, a week when I need to get some words on paper for my dissertation, a week when I need to relax, a week when I need to reflect on all that's going on, a week when I need to be still, to listen, to discern ....might be a "full" week off,,,, and I will spend some more time reflecting on those ordination vows ....
Shalom