It Is Well With My Soul

Soaking in the afterglow of Lausanne YLG06 :)

The emails are still coming in pretty thick and fast, the extended goodbyes and sharings on how so many were blessed tempered only by the reality of returning to the 'real world' and the battlefield of our broken world.

One participant remarked "but one of the things i reported back in my preach/share Sunday night in church was that it didn't (for me) have the big spiritual feel that a lot of big events
have - everything seemed so normal but in a huge big Godly amazing way (will probly struggle to explain exactly what i mean) but i think that was good for me - like it's normal to have a picture of the whole church together worshipping God, and it's normal to have a strong challenged call to missions, and it's normal to connect with people from all over the world in small groups and be allowed to glimpse into their lives and God's ministry they're involved in and so on..."

I like that... not great and unrealistic highs, but a glimpse of the way things could (and should) be among the global church.

Back at work, things are overtaking me and I hit the ground running, new boss is in and I'll be sticking to corp comms for a bit. Thankfully, the new boss is very experienced and seems a measured and efficient sort thats open and honest. we're getting a good working relationship going and I thank God. Hopefully spiritual conversations will develop soon.

Finally, its a bit wierd to be going back to church after... well, after... everything :)

A wise mentor said to not run away from issues, but we should run to and not run away. Seasons are a changing, and perhaps, just perhaps, the nudges over the past few months are pointing to something worth running to.


Dear Dad, take my heart in Your hands once more.

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.

2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave ^[a] came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

4 Then I called on the name of the LORD :
"O LORD, save me!"

5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.

6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.

8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,

9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.

10 I believed; therefore ^[b] I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."

11 And in my dismay I said,
"All men are liars."

12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.

14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant ^[c] ;
you have freed me from my chains.

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.

18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD. ^[d]