~ The Thames, Surrey

Happy New Year!!

To friends who visit here, and if you’re just stopping by, a blessing to you for the year ahead –

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” Num. 6:24-26.

Things have been a bit quiet here for a little while.

The reason is mostly to do with something really exciting that’s happened, and something that’s also involving lots of hard work, and keeping me busy! 

It’s a whole new road I’m on in my work.

It came down to this one day in September. It’s strange to think you can wake up one day, and have no idea quite how different things are going to be by the end of it.

For a while I have been thinking about returning to university to do more postgraduate study. It’s such a passion for me, but each time I looked into it, there was always something that made it somehow out of reach.

But this one day, on the eve of Michaelmas term beginning, I made a phone call, and as if everything were just waiting there, ready to fall perfectly in its place, by the end of that day, I had been accepted into a Master’s programme full-time, in Theology.

For me, it’s providence.

The opening hand of the Unseen.

The good gift of a Father truly perfect in goodness.

That’s how I feel. As if He has gone before, made the way ready, and when the time has been right, given something so unexpected and for me, special, it takes my breath away.

And though I’m learning so much about God in so many ways through all of this, the thing that stands out for me is this – that the goodness He has for us, so far exceeds anything that I could ever plan for myself.

He creates experiences that bring such joy, that I never could have even thought up on my own.

And that in His will, there is no obstacle. Nothing withstands His hand. His grace.

While I don’t want to give the impression that experiencing God’s goodness in quite the way it is now, is an everyday thing for me, or ignore the heartache and unanswered questions there can be; in this new opportunity, for me, God’s goodness and beauty in a hundred different ways, has been beyond words.

I really hope to be able to share stories along the way, even from these first few weeks, my love for the chapel being one (it is so beautiful there!) Just to say for today though, that the photo here, is from a visit there yesterday.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11.

[Just to mention too for any friends from Revelation TV, that everything stays the same with the programmes I’m involved with, alongside my study].

Though it may not make sense now, He is there.

From what may seem messy and confusing, He brings purpose and great beauty.

So so proud of our boys!

So happy for New Zealand!!

Well done ABs!!!

Join us tomorrow for Flourish Women’s Conference!

The vision of the Conference is to equip and encourage women spiritually to be all that God has called us to be, and the theme for this year is ‘Total Dependence on God.’ See the flyers for all the details, and we would love to see you there! 

Wait calmly for God alone, my soul,
because my hope comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock and my Saviour—my stronghold.
I cannot be shaken.

My salvation and my glory depend on God.
God is the rock of my strength, my refuge.

Trust Him at all times, you people.
Pour out your hearts in His presence.
God is our refuge.
Selah

Psalm 62:5-8

"Come to Me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept My teachings and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives.”

~ Jesus, Matthew 11: 28-29

I love Amy, and I love this worship. I’m preparing for a conference at the moment, where I’m speaking about God as the Almighty God, the unchanging One, the all-powerful One, El Shaddai. And so this worship has very much been part of the background so far. I love the words, the Names of God, the way these reveal aspects of Who He is, the peace it brings to be reminded. I hope you enjoy it too, B ox

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El-elyon na Adonai,

(God Almighty, God Almighty, God in the highest, O Lord)

Age to age You’re still the same,

By the power of the Name.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na Adonai,

(God Almighty, God Almighty, I will love You, O Lord)

We will praise and lift You high,

El Shaddai.