I've been quite busy recently, as I've been working full time - and mainly on my own. As I haven't really stopped doing other things, I have ended up being really quite tired over this week or so. And when I get tired, I can get quite low and spending time with people is the last thing I want to do. Being an introvert, that makes me even more tired.
So, that was part of the reason I wasn't sure if I could make it to my life group/cluster meeting on Wednesday. However, I was pretty sure that God wanted me there, so I asked Him to help me get there; to give me His strength to get there. And I got there.
I can't really remember much of the evening, to be honest. We were discussing our third session on spiritual gifts, which was supposed to be on hospitality, prophecy and encouragement. As two of those are two of my main gifts, that would probably be a good reason to be there; but it didn't turn out that way.
First, we talked about hospitality, which is one I don't find comes to me naturally, and that took an interesting turn. Obviously, opening our homes up to invite people round, as people do for life group and small group each week is a vital part of it, but it was also suggested that just giving people time is being hospitable too. And someone said that it should be the case that if we really love each other, then any of us could phone or just turn up at someone's house because they need to talk. I don't know if that ever would happen, or even could; but wouldn't it be great if it did?
And then, the main part of the evening, which was a little unexpected. We talked a bit about encouragement, and then got on to the main part of the session, where we all got given a piece of paper with our names on it and passed it around for everyone to write something encouraging on it. Which took a little longer than had been anticipated, clearly. And that was presumably why I was there. It's always good to encourage people, and now we each have a permanent reminder of how some people see us.
The one of these I can remember clearly is that someone said I am incredibly kind hearted. I think I know who that is from, because there is one person who has said that to me before. But it's nice not only to know she thinks that, but she stands by saying it. I don't really remembe the rest, but that's fine - after all, the point is that I have them written down and I can reread it whenever I like. We all can.
Showing posts with label cluster. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cluster. Show all posts
Monday, 23 June 2014
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Comparing Clusters!
So, a couple of weeks ago, we finished the course on How To Make The Most Of Your Life; and the two clusters following have both stood out in completely different ways. In fact, I don't see how they could have been more different.
The first week after combined a prayer walk with a social, which sounds a bit odd; but actually worked quite well. A few of us met up at church (which is fairly central), and went off from there. We went up to our friends and cluster members who are now parents, as of a couple of weeks ago; and, after praying outside their house for a bit, turned and went down the High Street via the Sandford Ale House, that we also prayed outside. We went down through the centre of town, and then went on to the social part of the evening; which was already growing in numbers. We had arranged to meet one of our other cluster members there, and it was a mere matter of minutes before quite a few others joined us-more than double. You could argue that this was due to the relative popularity of prayer walks and socials, but nearly everyone seemed to have good reasons for being late-and, socials are at least as important for clusters as anything else. Possibly more important than some things, as relationships are vital for clusters to work; and there has to be occasions for people just to get to know one another without 'working', as it were.
So, we just generally chilled and chatted in the pub. To be honest, I found it difficult at first, for some unknown reason, but after a while I relaxed and just let things happen. All in all, it was a great time; and a great time was had by all. You could call it something official like 'building relationships' or 'fellowship', and either of those would be just as accurate; but all that happened was people chatted, people relaxed (even me, eventually), and there was lots of laughter. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know I enjoyed it; and it was just what I needed.
And last night was also outstanding for completely different reasons. It was the first session after the course, and I was leading it. And I had no idea what I was going to do. Or rather I had too many ideas. The title I'd been given was 'Creativity in your Prayer Life', and I didn't know how to do it. My prayer life isn't particularly creative. I just talk to God and try to listen; not much else, really. I couldn't see how I could build a session on that. I tried looking up various patterns of prayer that different people use, but it didn't feel like the right way to go. So, I got round to asking people a few questions, and seeing what came of that. I had my day off the day before, so I planned to write it then to let as many people reply as possible. In the end, about 10 people gave me some answers, so I had a look at what they'd written to see what similarities there were. One of the main things was that from what they said they did, everyone seemed to have a fairly healthy prayer life, but no-one felt satisfied with it; they all felt it should be better.
So, I felt that was the thing to address. If people felt they were unsure about prayer, to give them some encouragement that they could do it, as it were. But even up until I was about to start, I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do, or how well it might work. First, however, came the worship that Fay led. She knew I was doing prayer, as she was one of the people I'd asked; and had come up with something that led into it brilliantly. She asked us to write/draw/make a psalm. She'd written out a list of some of God's titles/attributes, and let us get on with it. The idea of 'HELP' was in my head; partly because I'd been working on this all week and still didn't know what was going to happen, and partly because I'd been feeling quite drained a few times recently, and just felt if I was only just holding on with God, what would it have been like without Him? Anyway, I started writing, and it just kind of poured out. It sort of reflected what my prayer times are sometimes like, kind of calling out for help, and then acknowleging that God is there and leaning on Him. It was actualy quite emotional-and unexpected. And then I started. We started by discussing the questions in small groups, and then the main point of the evening. Another thing that people had said a lot was that they felt they didn't spend enough time listening to God, so I'd arranged for us to have some quiet time just listening. What He said to me was that, although I do get distracted, He is always there, and I know that; and also that I should worry less-or not at all. I'll keep working on that one, I think. All in all, I think it was another great cluster, God was definitely there; even in the time afterwards, in different ways.
The first week after combined a prayer walk with a social, which sounds a bit odd; but actually worked quite well. A few of us met up at church (which is fairly central), and went off from there. We went up to our friends and cluster members who are now parents, as of a couple of weeks ago; and, after praying outside their house for a bit, turned and went down the High Street via the Sandford Ale House, that we also prayed outside. We went down through the centre of town, and then went on to the social part of the evening; which was already growing in numbers. We had arranged to meet one of our other cluster members there, and it was a mere matter of minutes before quite a few others joined us-more than double. You could argue that this was due to the relative popularity of prayer walks and socials, but nearly everyone seemed to have good reasons for being late-and, socials are at least as important for clusters as anything else. Possibly more important than some things, as relationships are vital for clusters to work; and there has to be occasions for people just to get to know one another without 'working', as it were.
So, we just generally chilled and chatted in the pub. To be honest, I found it difficult at first, for some unknown reason, but after a while I relaxed and just let things happen. All in all, it was a great time; and a great time was had by all. You could call it something official like 'building relationships' or 'fellowship', and either of those would be just as accurate; but all that happened was people chatted, people relaxed (even me, eventually), and there was lots of laughter. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know I enjoyed it; and it was just what I needed.
And last night was also outstanding for completely different reasons. It was the first session after the course, and I was leading it. And I had no idea what I was going to do. Or rather I had too many ideas. The title I'd been given was 'Creativity in your Prayer Life', and I didn't know how to do it. My prayer life isn't particularly creative. I just talk to God and try to listen; not much else, really. I couldn't see how I could build a session on that. I tried looking up various patterns of prayer that different people use, but it didn't feel like the right way to go. So, I got round to asking people a few questions, and seeing what came of that. I had my day off the day before, so I planned to write it then to let as many people reply as possible. In the end, about 10 people gave me some answers, so I had a look at what they'd written to see what similarities there were. One of the main things was that from what they said they did, everyone seemed to have a fairly healthy prayer life, but no-one felt satisfied with it; they all felt it should be better.
So, I felt that was the thing to address. If people felt they were unsure about prayer, to give them some encouragement that they could do it, as it were. But even up until I was about to start, I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do, or how well it might work. First, however, came the worship that Fay led. She knew I was doing prayer, as she was one of the people I'd asked; and had come up with something that led into it brilliantly. She asked us to write/draw/make a psalm. She'd written out a list of some of God's titles/attributes, and let us get on with it. The idea of 'HELP' was in my head; partly because I'd been working on this all week and still didn't know what was going to happen, and partly because I'd been feeling quite drained a few times recently, and just felt if I was only just holding on with God, what would it have been like without Him? Anyway, I started writing, and it just kind of poured out. It sort of reflected what my prayer times are sometimes like, kind of calling out for help, and then acknowleging that God is there and leaning on Him. It was actualy quite emotional-and unexpected. And then I started. We started by discussing the questions in small groups, and then the main point of the evening. Another thing that people had said a lot was that they felt they didn't spend enough time listening to God, so I'd arranged for us to have some quiet time just listening. What He said to me was that, although I do get distracted, He is always there, and I know that; and also that I should worry less-or not at all. I'll keep working on that one, I think. All in all, I think it was another great cluster, God was definitely there; even in the time afterwards, in different ways.
Monday, 5 November 2012
Fireworks, No Bonfires
I know it's been a slightly longer time than usual since I last posted. Either this week was particularly busy, or I didn't have much to write about. Or both, I don't really know.
So, here are a few thoughts about Bonfire Night (or Fireworks Night, as you can see from the title, no bonfires were in evidence); which I've actually been thinking about for a while now. Mainly because there were a few kids locally who were out asking for a 'penny for the guy', and they started doing it about two weeks ago. Unfortunately, I live above a shop, and they had decided to position themselves in front of the shop. Quite a smart move on their part, as loads of people passed them over that time, but it meant that almost every time I went in or out I had to go past them. They did ask me a couple of times, but I refused-I didn't want to have to do the same thing every day for two weeks. Though I was sort of impresssed by their tenacity-it got pretty cold at times, and I can't really see that it would have been worth it. But it made me think about the origins of the whole thing. I mean, obviously, it represents Guy Fawkes, but what is the point of the giving-what are people giving money for? Something I've never really thought about before.
So, what did you to celebrate/commemorate this weekend? To be honest, it's not something I've ever really thought about much. I don't dislike it, but I've never really been one much for big gatherings, and this has always seemed more like an excuse than a reason. It may have been different when it first started, but how many people now actually know what was going on, why Guy Fawkes tried to do what he did. And would they be for it or against it? But this year, I did go out to celebrate-with my home group. We met for hot dogs, and then the plan was that we go to the Racecourse to see their display. That turned out to be a bit iffy, because of the weather (yes, no,yes, no, YES), but it cleared up enough in the end that we could go. We didn't go in, partly because we left later than we originally intended, and partly because we just wanted to watch the fireworks and then go back; which we could do quite well enough from outside. Actually, from where we ended up standing, we probably got a better view than if we had been inside, as there were some fireworks that were quite close to where we were. They may not have been from the Racecourse (though I can't imagine who else nearby would bother), but we more or less ended up with two displays-or that's what it felt like, anyway. Which was brilliant. On the way back, I saw some Poles, and I did wonder what they thought of it all-if they had any idea what it was all about. But then, probably the same could be said of almost anyone. Why do we still celebrate this? And then we went back for tea and biscuits (how very English that sounds), and a bit of chat. And very nice it was too.
I was also thinking about the difference between us and the States in this-they don't have Guy Fawkes Night, so Halloween is a much bigger event. It's never really going to get that big over here, I think, simply because we move from one to the other-celebrating the one after October would kind of get in the way of the other. But the other thing it made me think about is why it is that everyone knows about All Hallows Eve, but not All Hallows Day. Or All Saints Day in modern English. Which is November 1st. And the day after that is All Souls Day. Which is hardly celebrated-or even known-even in churches. Why is that, do you think?
So, here are a few thoughts about Bonfire Night (or Fireworks Night, as you can see from the title, no bonfires were in evidence); which I've actually been thinking about for a while now. Mainly because there were a few kids locally who were out asking for a 'penny for the guy', and they started doing it about two weeks ago. Unfortunately, I live above a shop, and they had decided to position themselves in front of the shop. Quite a smart move on their part, as loads of people passed them over that time, but it meant that almost every time I went in or out I had to go past them. They did ask me a couple of times, but I refused-I didn't want to have to do the same thing every day for two weeks. Though I was sort of impresssed by their tenacity-it got pretty cold at times, and I can't really see that it would have been worth it. But it made me think about the origins of the whole thing. I mean, obviously, it represents Guy Fawkes, but what is the point of the giving-what are people giving money for? Something I've never really thought about before.
So, what did you to celebrate/commemorate this weekend? To be honest, it's not something I've ever really thought about much. I don't dislike it, but I've never really been one much for big gatherings, and this has always seemed more like an excuse than a reason. It may have been different when it first started, but how many people now actually know what was going on, why Guy Fawkes tried to do what he did. And would they be for it or against it? But this year, I did go out to celebrate-with my home group. We met for hot dogs, and then the plan was that we go to the Racecourse to see their display. That turned out to be a bit iffy, because of the weather (yes, no,yes, no, YES), but it cleared up enough in the end that we could go. We didn't go in, partly because we left later than we originally intended, and partly because we just wanted to watch the fireworks and then go back; which we could do quite well enough from outside. Actually, from where we ended up standing, we probably got a better view than if we had been inside, as there were some fireworks that were quite close to where we were. They may not have been from the Racecourse (though I can't imagine who else nearby would bother), but we more or less ended up with two displays-or that's what it felt like, anyway. Which was brilliant. On the way back, I saw some Poles, and I did wonder what they thought of it all-if they had any idea what it was all about. But then, probably the same could be said of almost anyone. Why do we still celebrate this? And then we went back for tea and biscuits (how very English that sounds), and a bit of chat. And very nice it was too.
I was also thinking about the difference between us and the States in this-they don't have Guy Fawkes Night, so Halloween is a much bigger event. It's never really going to get that big over here, I think, simply because we move from one to the other-celebrating the one after October would kind of get in the way of the other. But the other thing it made me think about is why it is that everyone knows about All Hallows Eve, but not All Hallows Day. Or All Saints Day in modern English. Which is November 1st. And the day after that is All Souls Day. Which is hardly celebrated-or even known-even in churches. Why is that, do you think?
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