Taking a Toll
“If you want to pass this way you’ll have to pay the toll”. The other weekend, at Doing the Stuff (which was a wonderful event – many thanks to all of you who served so graciously that weekend), Robby Dawkins shared an interesting spiritual warfare tactic – taking a toll. I find it an intriguing idea - although I’ll have to give some thought as to the theological angles!
The basic idea is that when the enemy afflicts one of us, we extract a toll from him in the form of the healing and salvation of others. For example, If I get ill, Alison looks out for someone else to pray for and when they get healed it acts as a payment for the illness I am suffering! If you get hit with a major piece of bad news, I go out looking for an opportunity to bring someone to faith in Jesus.
Do you get the idea?
Over the Doing the Stuff weekend we had a great time seeing people come to faith, sickness and injuries getting healed and demons cast out. We were also able to demonstrate God’s love for people by rescuing the school gardens from the jungle, giving out flowers and chocolates, washing cars, picking up litter etc etc. One group set up a “red sofa” in Leeds City Centre and engaged many people in discussion and prayer.
We’ve had great feedback (from Shire Oak Primary School where we sent a gardening team, "Your team were brilliant! We are getting positive comments from passersby and parents and everyone is much more excited about doing something with the space now that it is clear".
I would love to hear your stories - please email me or tell Kate so that we can compile a bit of a history of that weekend.
In the subsequent days I know that many of you have continued to Do What Jesus Did but I also know it has been difficult for some. I am sure the enemy did not enjoy the weekend at all and he is been hard at work trying to make our lives a misery. So, what do we do? We take a toll, we persevere, we keep looking for opportunities to approach people with the message that Jesus loves them and offers a personal relationship with him.
How do we do that? Let me remind you of what Sarah taught us a few weeks ago, See, Feel, Do. Let's keep our eyes open, allow the Lord to ignite compassion in us and then have the courage to step out and do something! You can remind yourself of what she said here.
This weekend we started a new series, “What is Church”. I kicked off with a discussion about how we find ourselves asking questions (which is a good thing) and at the end of the day the answers our found as we worship of our creator and sustainer. Over the next few weeks the themes are:
28 March: What is Church? – Family, Romans 12:4-18 (Kate Newman am, David Flowers pm)
5 April: What is Church? – A people of the resurrection (David Flowers)
12 April: What is Church? – A people at worship, Romans 12:1 (Phil & Helen Hicks)
19 April: What is Church? – A people who change. Romans 12:2 (Alison Flowers)
We continue our popular tradition of having breakfast on Ilkley Moor on Good Friday morning. This is a great church family event to which you can invite friends, neighbours and family. Full information on the website.
Baptisms
Our next baptism service will be on Sunday 31 May (in the River Wharfe as usual). If you would like to be baptised please let one of the pastoral staff know as soon as possible. If you have questions about baptism please do ask one of us. Being part of this celebration, when someone publicly demonstrates their commitment to following Jesus, is one of the highlights of our life together.
This is our bi-annual holiday in the beautiful East Sussex countryside. We’ve have a great line up of speakers (including John & Ele Mumford and Andy & Harmony Smith) and, as always, the sun will shine! It’s a great time for all ages and all stages. Do join us. Email: ashburnham.holiday@yahoo.co.uk. Or search for the Ashb group on Facebook.
Peace,
David