I took a trip to Scarborough this week to meet with Dave Nellist who leads both the Scarborough and Whitby fellowships. He related to me how they are having a time of visitation in Whitby.
It does not have the dramatic elements of people coming under the conviction of the Holy Spirit in the streets, as per the Hebridean revival of the 1950s (yet). But there is a strong and tangible sense of the presence of God in the meetings which has intensified as they have gone on. They have also seen some healings such as a woman who has worn glasses for 40 years going to the opticians and being told that she no longer needs to wear them.
This is no hyped up revival but an outbreak of the Holy Spirit who is slowly increasing the temperature of the spiritual atmosphere there. Where this will lead only God knows but in the meantime we have the knowledge that God is active in our region.
I believe that such a time is coming for Beverley. Perhaps it is time to seek His face with greater urgency. That does not mean that we do not continue to reach out in every way possible, but there is still a longing in my heart to see an outpouring of the Spirit here that will change lives and glorify the king.
God bless.
Richard
James: What Sort Of Christian Are You?
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James: Faith That Works
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June 26, 2011
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Speaker: Carolyn Bradbury
Subject Open
Worship Leader: Tina Grant
June 19, 2011
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Speaker: Sean Clark
Subject: Open
Worship Leader: Natalie Clark
June 12, 2011
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Speaker: Sean Clark
Subject: Open
Worship Leader: Richard Bradbury
June 5, 2011
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Speaker: Peter Spencer
Subject: Reaching my friend or neighbour
Worship Leader: Tina Grant
A couple of major issues have been splashed throughout the media in the last week: the Royal wedding and the death of Osama Bin Laden. It seems fitting to make some comment on both.
Regarding the Royal wedding, I have been involved in a number of discussion forums where people have advocated a republican viewpoint. Whatever our view on how we should be governed, the reality is that no human government will be fully fair or just. What is appropriate is that we pray for those in authority as we are instructed to do in scripture. William and Kate will have an influence in our country whether we like it or not in the days and years to come. Let us pray that they use that influence wisely and that their marriage is an example for good in our our nation.
Regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden, I do not share the same self-congratulating sense of euphoria concerning this event exhibited in the media. Killing a man does not result in the killing of a mindset or a philosphy and it is the mindset of justifiable terror that needs to be killed rather than those associated with it. Any who know me know I have never been an advocate of the so-called war on terror, particularly as it has not resulted in justice for the people of sovereign nations (see for example the extreme persecution of Christians in Iraq who were protected under the previous regime).
I fear that all the west has done has created a martyr and a rallying point for extremism.
At this time let us pray for our leaders not to make similar mistakes where they are interfering in countries like Libya.
God bless,
Richard
2011_05_01_BDThe Missing Piece
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Palm Sunday
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