Confirmation

Confirmation - Sunday 14th June 2009

Please pray for those who have stated that wish to be confirmed this year. The list so far :

Christine Cullen, Andrew Gradwell, David Gaden & Emma Farr

It is the Church Of England ruling that only those who are confirmed can take communion.

The reason for the ruling is that I Corinthians 11 talks of trouble if people take communion “unworthily” and the church in earliest years thought it wise to teach people the Christian faith before they were allowed to take communion for this reason. For us at Christ Church Alpha is the course which satisfies these conditions. If you have been through Alpha or are going through Alpha at Christ Church you can be confirmed

The confirmation service in Christ Church will take place this year on Sunday 20th June at the 6pm service. If you would like to be confirmed please complete the green form at the back of Christ Church which is also available from your service leader or Reception. Please forward to Reception on completion

The Curate writes…

Sons and Daughters of God

Have a read of Matthew’s take on the gospel, from the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13) to the end of the first temptations (Matthew 4:11)

The bible wasn’t written with chapters and verses, they were added well over a thousand years later. Sometimes they can get in the way of the flow of things. Maybe this is such a case. Because directly after Jesus is Baptized, The Holy Spirit Comes on Jesus and a voice from heaven says to Jesus and those around ‘This is my beloved Son, and I am pleased with Him’.

40 days later, having been without food and water, so probably not at His best physically, the devil comes and says “If you are God’s Son…. It could have been the first words said to Jesus after Father had spoken from heaven

Now have a look at the same episode from Luke’s point of view. Its probably even stronger. First there is the baptism and the same voice from heaven, then directly after the long family tree bit, which is about Jesus being the Son of God, Jesus is tempted by the devil for 40 days – and then come the major ones. “If you are the Son of God…”

Jesus totally ignores that bit of the temptations. Doesn’t even mention it. No attention is given to it at all. He is the Son of God.

Christians also are God’s children. Its plastered all over scripture, not least in the core prayer “Our Father in heaven...”

I know a man who has a lovely habit for his children. When they are born, he holds them in his hands, looking at them with love and sings a little song which starts “I am your Dad…I love you…” At different times in their young lives he does it again. “I am your Dad…I love you…” He said recently of a time when one of his teenage sons was going through a rough time, he put his arm round him and sang “I am your Dad…I love you…” The young lad was embarrassed but peace settled on him, resonating with knowledge that goes way back in his life.

Tough times in life can be unsettling. Unemployment, or employment within troubled relationships, or employment with pressure of deadlines and targets, arguments with anybody, poor health. The list can go on. BUT none of these do anything to affect our identity. We are still Father God’s dearly loved children. Guess who is upset by that. The devil would like to see anything make you doubt that you are God’s dearly loved child.

One way of having peace return, the peace of Father God, is to dwell on scriptures that tell us of who we are, and what we are like, because of Jesus. I like that word dwell. It’s like a place to live and stay. The Holy Spirit gets in on it too, and puts deeply into our hearts Abba Father and feelings will follow the golden fact.

You’ll be able to find your own scriptures, but here are a few to dwell in, to think about, to take thoughts captive with, to live as a dearly loved child of God:
· My Father God is intimate and involved (Psalm 139:1-18)
· Accepting not rejecting (Romans 15:7)
· My Father God celebrates and sings over me and refreshes me with his love (Zeph 3:17)
· My Father God is with me (Hebrews 13:5)
· Jesus wants me to have a fulfilling life (John 10:10)
· Father gives me freedom even to fail and restores me (Luke 15:11-25)
· I have been chosen – and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)

You’ll discover more truths in those scriptures than I’ve mentioned. God has great plans for you and the bet is yet to come. Dwell in the truth and be peaceful. You’ll also have noticed that much of the scripture is about us as a people. So, if you are going through it (or not!) be especially determined to come to the services, to worship, to receive from Father God through the Body of Christ.

God Bless
Dave

Releasing the Kingdom Conference

Andy Hall writes...

Releasing the Kingdom 3

This is the third conference done by Andy Hall looking at the basics of Kingdom lifestyle. It aims to equip us to see what's it involved for us, as we move from a church based Christendom model off faith, to a world engaging transforming version of the faith. This conference will continue to look at ways in which The Father wants to extend His Kingdom on the earth through us. We will be looking father into signs wonders authority and prayer under the four titles:

1. Kingdom come - From heaven to earth; switching our view to see thongs from Gods perspective!

2. Kingdom come -The government shall be on His shoulders. How much and how, does God expect us to rule on the earth?

3. Kingdom come - A church without spot or blemish. Do you have a "little church" mentality or a "victorious overcoming church" mentality. What's the Father working towards?

4. Kingdom come - power evangelism; Jesus hallmarked the ministry of the Kingdom with signs wonders and deliverance. Is such a ministry possible for me today and how do I get into it?

If you have not attended the first two don't worry this material will stand on its own. There will be plenty of time for response and prayer ministry and worship during the weekend. We fully expect the Kingdom to come and be manifested in the ways we are speaking about as indeed it has at the two previous conferences

Andy Hall is a bible teacher and evangelist based in The Lighthouse Church in Ayrshire. He travels widely nationally and internationally speaking on the Kingdom and seeking to equip motivate and mobilize believers to be effective agents of change in their communities. He is part of the leadership of CLAN Gathering Conference (New Wine in Scotland) and also serves as the chairman of Leaders together for Scotland. He is married to Yvonne who is a pioneering evangelist with Healing Rooms in Scotland and they have two daughters at University in Scotland
You can see more of Andy's ministry at www.equippedtolivenetwork.org.

Andy Hall


Booking forms for Releasing The Kingdom 3 are available from Christ Church Reception 01262 404100 or from the information table at the back of Christ Church

Thanks to Roger and Angela

Message from Martongate Community Church

We are at a loss as to how to say thank you enough to ROGER GALE for all he has done and achieved at Martongate.

We have been so grateful for his Leadership, his vision. his clear thinking, his inspiration and encouragement to us all.

He has walked with us through the good and the bad times – he has been there – what more could we have asked for.

We are delighted that he and Angela have decided to keep worshipping with us and pray for God’s blessing on them both.

Message from Martongate Community Church

We are at a loss as to how to say thank you enough to ROGER GALE for all he has done and achieved at Martongate.

We have been so grateful for his Leadership, his vision. his clear thinking, his inspiration and encouragement to us all.

He has walked with us through the good and the bad times – he has been there – what more could we have asked for.

We are delighted that he and Angela have decided to keep worshipping with us and pray for God’s blessing on them both.

Martongate Community Church

Don Cossett in his book “What you say is what you get” says the following

“The bible says (Mark 16:20) that the disciples went forth and preached everywhere the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following . Jesus said if you ask anything in my name, I will do it (John 14:14). Who does the work? Jesus does the work. You do the asking, and Jesus does the giving. You do the preaching, and Jesus confirms the word. You say Jesus does. Since God does all the work, it’s important to give Him all the glory for it.”

On the opening day of Martongate Community Church Nov 11th 2004 Arnold Norton gave a very clear message for the purpose of the Church and he spoke these words of our mission, under our network mission of Jesus Christ for all.

Our aim is to bring the Love of Jesus into people’s lives by:-
Serving the community
Expressing God’s Love
Reaching out
Valuing every person
Enjoying fellowship with one another

This aim has been printed on the front sheet of our weekly news letter Martongate Matters for five years and although we seldom refer to it, Arnold spoke the word and God has done the work, mainly by sending people to us who have stood in the gap between the church and the community; by God showing us how much He loves us so that we are able to express God’s love in the community; by reaching out; by the church valuing every person who attends or has attended the church; by enjoying our fellowship before and after our meetings and in the house groups.

We do the asking Jesus does the work. The church has grown from 15 to 55 in 5 years. The church is reaching out into the community with Mums and Tots, Signpost, craft fayres. We do the asking Jesus does the giving

Don Cossett goes onto to say

“What you confess you possess. If it is negative confession the results will be negative. If it is a positive confession, the results will be Godward. When your heart gives a ringing positive “YES” to the Word, positive results will begin to occur in your life”
We have not sat down and done a sense check on our position with regard to our aim, but because we said it publically and positioned it on the front of our news letter every week God has honoured that, as we have strived to do His will.

God Bless
Roger and Angela

The Anointing

The Anointing

Praise and fruitfulness are the two which have the longest descriptions of Jacob’s prophecy. This is because these `are the two most noticeable distinctive aspects of the anointing of God in the world of men, and is also the most manifest part of the essential relationship with God which is the anointing of God. It is praise which is the way we enter the courts of the Lord (Ps100) and is the way the presence of God is seen (walls of praise Isa ) The anointing is the presence and power of God through the Spirit of God.

Let us look at what Jacob has to say about Praise. In this we are looking at anointing in our speech. Worship, preaching, evangelism, blessing, spiritual warfare proclamation, teaching, testimony are all within the orbit of this anointing. For simplicity I have summarised all this by the word Judah (which in English means praise)

(1) “Praise” and authority go together (8b, 10). It shows in the church (v8) as the church recognises `the importance of praise and other ministries and gifts will give place to “praise” as there will be the recognition that God is in it. This is no more clear than in the area of worship, because this is relating to the Lord who is indeed the source of everything. The Presence of God is never far from the Authority of God . Praise defeats the enemy v8b(see 2 Chronicles 20:22);

(2) Praise operates out of the finished work of Jesus. “you return from the prey” v9. Praise operates out of something settled , achieved , done, accomplished. \This is supremely the cross and resurrection of Jesus, but also out of something we have known, something we have experienced or something we have recognised. What has happened has a real place for “Praise””.

(3) Praise is towards the Lord but is also blessing to the nations. The Judah anointing ushers in the kingdom through proclamation (cf Mark 1:15-16 Jesus came proclaiming the kingdom). The obedience of the nations is when the kingdom of God brings God’s will on the nations thus fulfilling the general promise given to Abraham that his offspring would be a blessing to the nations. The Kingdom opposes and undoes the work of the enemy and has authority to do so. The righteousness that the obedience to God’s will of the nation brings then exalts that nation.


(4) “Praise” operates within and beyond a church context .It is tethered (v11) to the corporate context (the vine is often used as a phrase for the people of God Isa 5; John 15). Praise in church and proclamation from a church. There will always be some church corporate context for this. Praise is so closely linked with the church that God’s plan is to make the church the praise of all the earth (Isa 62:7). On his own at the cross Jesus was the lamb; but in the church, He is the Lion of Judah bringing about the rule of God in the world.

(5) The anointing is attracted to the “choicest branch”. Praise dwells in what is good, it manifests at the best of times, in the richest of fare. Blessing is the context of this anointing flow

(6) “his eyes will be darker than wine; his teeth whiter than milk” The blessing of God that is brought (e.g. wine or milk), the “praise” anointing makes the blessing more distinct and clearer to others

Easter at St. Mark's - a Network Invite

St Mark's are holding activities over Easter which the whole netowrk are wellocme to attend.


Good Friday Meditation

'At the cross'
A time of stillness.

The church will be open from 2pm to 4pm

This is a gentle time in which to meditate on the events of Good Friday.
There will be a free running PowerPoint presentation using Christian Art depicting the crucifixion, with some suggested prayers.

Also available, a selection of readings from the Church of England lectionary.

The slides take about half an hour, though people may stay for the whole two hours from 2pm to 4pm. Some will watch and pray the whole time, others will come and go quietly.

Kaleidoscope Easter Saturday 4pm to 5:30pm, St Mark's

A fun craft late afternoon, with the Easter story and ending with fish finger sandwiches.
This is aimed at primary school kids and any of their families. Kids under 7 will need to bring a responsible adult! Older kids can bring them if they want to!

ACTS 435

For further information go to

www.acts435.com

or contact 01262 404100

October Conference at Bridlington Spa

The October conference is officially launched………
See leaflet for your information.

The website http://www.christchurchconferences.com/ is open (though still being completed).
Please would you circulate this information to your contacts particularly if you have relationships with other churches.

BOOKING THE CONFERENCE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Don’t book on the website but note that Christ Church Members can book for £25 (as opposed to £40) if booking before 30th April – bargain!!

Book with Andy Jefferson directly 01262 404100

We would really value Christ Church members being at the conference – not only will we receive great teaching but also be able to contribute to the workshops to the benefit of others.


Make a note in your diary!!!
Christ Church Conference October 7th -9th

"Finding life to change the world"
at the Spa Bridlington

enquiries to:
Andy Jefferson 01262 404100



Brid Brochure for Comp

iBethel.TV // Bethel Church // Sunday Night Worship : Feb 28 '10

iBethel.TV // Bethel Church // Sunday Night Worship : Feb 28 '10

Destiny Africa Choir

Destiny Africa children’s choir who are visiting Christ Church Bridlington on Wednesday 7th July 2010 at 7pm had a hugely successful tour in the USA in Autumn last year, where they performed at 86 venues and received standing ovations and astounding reviews everywhere they went!

SECOND UK TOUR…Destiny Africa are excited to be returning to the UK, performing throughout the country from the 9th May – 15th July.

The children will share their dreams and stories of hope though a lively mix of contemporary and traditional African songs, drumming and dances. Come and hear the inspiring sound of lives that have been given a new hope and a new start.

The children within the choir are between the ages of 8 and 16 years and have been rescued from horrific situations where they were facing abuse, neglect, starvation, sexual abuse and many were orphans. They have been rescued and now live at Kampala Children's Centre. Their lives have been transformed and now these children sing a new song, one of hope, restoration, freedom and Joy and they are bringing it on tour!

All proceeds from each performance will go to supporting the work of Kampala Children’s Centre: to rescue and save more precious children’s lives and give them the gift of a bright future. Find out more about Kampala Children Centre at:

http://www.kampalachildren.com/

If you are interested in Fundraisng in the lead up to this event on 7th July 2010 at Christ Church, Bridington, please contact 01262 404100

February News from Dan Clarke

Week 1

All of the intern's arrived, there are 10 of us. 3 Brits, 1 Dutch, 1 Zambian, 4 South African's and 1 guy from Japan.
We went to a campsite called “Kimead” and would be based there for the majority of the AIS Training Course. (In the middle of no -where).
As none of us really knew each other before the course began, it all started with an “ice- breaker” / team building few days.
“Boot Camp” is what they called it.
It consisted of a lot of physical and mental tests, with very early morning fitness sessions which began on the blow of the dreaded whistle from Sergeant Heinrich, and also early spiritual sessions before breakfast. Boot Camp also had many other elements – trust games, and 5v5 team competitions. But none of this compared to what lay ahead.

The Wild Camp Night! Up till this point we had shared a dorm with 10 beds in. With warmth, a roof over our heads, solid walls to protect from the potential harsh conditions of the South African Weather.
But this was different. We walked about 3km on a nice sunny afternoon up into the hills to set up our tent to embark on hopefully a nice night below the stars, and so it began, we cooked a big stew, with everything we had brought up with us, meat, veggies, and potatoes. And after a long wait, we enjoyed the food and warm drinks. Around the fire we sat, singing worships songs, a just having a nice time, talking and having fun.
The time hits about 11, and the first few drops of rain fall. We decide to go into the tent and sleep. I got into my nice, warm sleeping bag. Within minutes the rain turned torrential and the unlucky ones who were slow got wet outside. The lightning lit up the whole lands, the thunder was deafening and the wind was destructive. So Leaving at least 10 cm depth puddles everywhere. We tried to sleep but when the water entered our sleeping bags and our whole bodies where soaked, we turn hysterical, and the singing began.
The only way to survive in our horrible condition was to all huddle together for warmth and sing. After nearly 5 hours of signing, we couldn't think of any songs that we hadn't already sung. Impossible to sleep, we decided we had enough, and when the rained lightened we would walk back to base camp in the pitch black. So away we went 3km back to the dorms to warmth and dry beds, leaving our rain beaten possessions behind. Eventually we arrived back, at about 5 in the morning. After only 2 hours sleep, the whistle blew, and another fitness session began. Needless to say, we weren’t in the mood. We had a day to recover, before our training started properly, with sessions on an “Intro to Sports Ministry”, “World View”, “Culture Difference” and so on.

Week 2
We left Kimead and went to stay at a place called “Newcastle” for a week, no not rainy, snowy, cold Newcastle from Northern England, but a town between Jo'berg and Durban. Here we did a coaching course, which taught us how to run life skills sessions that would link to football. On the Saturday and Sunday we ran outreaches in the town to practise what we had been taught. They went well, and despite the boiling sessions in a tin building, it was a good week.

Week 3 + 4
Back we went to Kimead and to the majority of our training. Luckily, this time instead of the dorm, we had 2 little house to live in, 4 in one house and 6 in the other house. It gave us a lot more freedom and our own rooms to sleep in. As well as a lounge to relax, in what rare free time we had. Luckily it had a TV and so I have been able to watch a few football games in the evenings.
The sessions that we studied were:
“Children's Ministry”, “Football Camps”, “Public Speaking”, “Leading People to Christ”, “Prison Ministry”, “Working with Churches”, “Youth Ministry”, “Drama”, “Mentoring and Discipleship”, “Spiritual Gifts and
We had another training outreach at our campsite, the Church I go to in Pretoria ran a weekend away for the Kid's Club to the campsite, and so for one afternoon, we ran a few football sessions and fun games, with them all and had a good time.

At the end of the course, we all went our separate ways, 2 guys went to Cape Town, 2 went to Durban, 2 went to Midrand, 1 to Soweto (Jo'berg) and 3 of us are at Pretoria. So it was pretty sad going to different parts of SA, after building such good relationships over the 4 weeks.

Week 5

Back to Pretoria, and to the last week of my training, TREC (Training, Resourcing and Equipping Coaches). A week of football coaching training, although I had been coaching for the last 4 months before Christmas, due to TREC's being cancelled due to lack of numbers, I have eventually completed TREC 1, after 4 days training, we all got assessed and I passed with Grade 1 (which is the highest mark) :). Although I have done coaching before, I feel it was still a good week, and I also learnt a lot of new training methods too. So it was a worthwhile week.

As for the Week 1- 4, it was very long and tiring, but good fun, and I learnt so much and it will hopefully equip me for the next 6 months and even the rest of me life.

But for now it is nice to be back to my home, and this morning was the first lie in for about 6 weeks, and I love my sleep!
Oh, and If you have been watching TV and have thought you might have seen me in a VISA advert, you are indeed correct in thinking so. Or if you haven’t check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8PUsX75OXg J.

Keep up with the prayers,
Dan

February Photos _word 97-2003

Bishop of Hull Pictures from St Andrew's, Ulrome Visit Sunday 7th March 2010

ULROME:
Geographical and Historical information from the year 1892.

The church of St. Andrew is an ancient structure, built of cobbles, with cut stone dressings, in the Early English style, on the site of an earlier edifice, supposed to have been erected before the Conquest. It consists of chancel, nave, south porch, and a western tower containing one bell. The nave and chancel were rebuilt in 1876-7, at a cost of £900, raised by subscription. All the old material was incorporated in the new work, and the inside walls faced with brick. One of the original Perpendicular windows remains in the chancel; all the others are modern. There is a small stained glass memorial window, representing the patron saint, in the south wall of the chancel. The roofs are open and boarded. The tower rises very little above the ridge of the nave, and presents a stunted appearance. The font is circular, and is believed to be coeval with the church. The nave is fitted with open benches of pitchpine, to seat 105 persons. A chantry was founded in this church at an early period, but by whom is not known. Ulrome was formerly a chapelry, with all parochial privileges, except burial. The registers date from 1710. The living is a vicarage, gross value £142 per annum, including 22 acres of glebe, in the gift of, and held by the Rev. Edward Arthur Tickell, M.A., of Balliol College, Oxford.

[Description(s) from Bulmer's History and Directory of East Yorkshire (1892)]

The Vicar writes...

Dear All,

God’s purpose for us is that we enjoy our salvation. The enemy’s plan is we do not receive salvation and if we do then he tries to stop us enjoying it. Joy is the means by which we draw up the blessings salvation offers (Isa 12) and is also the way our salvation becomes contagious to those we meet. Satan sometimes uses hardship outwardly, but this is not his main weapon . What he uses most is accusation about our past or our present, and when he brings difficulties, he will be accusing us by saying it is our fault, and there is nothing we can do about it. That is not true. Jesus is always bigger than any problem. He has a plan. Our past is irrelevant to the Christian being able to receive and move in the salvation Jesus brings to us through his death and resurrection. The only issue is our faith and how much we are willing to receive of His Spirit.

We enjoy our salvation because Jesus has forgiven us. When we asked Jesus to forgive us and rule our life, He has done just that. We do not need to be better; just people who walk with Jesus in life.

Romans 7:1-6 reminds us that before we found Jesus as our saviour, our reference point was not Jesus but the law. This law dominated us whether we were trying to obey it by being good, trying our best; or whether we were being rebels doing the opposite of what we knew others would expect. Both ways wound us and make us empty inside.

What is worse, the law may give us good instructions but no help, so we feel even further alienated from any hope of being different. Paul in Romans 7 likens it to being married to a husband who is no help but always correct and from whom we cannot be divorced and as the law `never dies, we cannot even look forward to being free through his death. The answer to this is that we die instead…. we become a Christian and enter a new life. Paul states we died to the law through belonging to Christ.

Our life has now a new reference point, not the law of the past with its priorities and snobberies; its guilt and regrets; its obligations and responsibilities; its rules and divisions. Our reference frame is our relationship with Jesus. We must not commit spiritual adultery by going back to our first husband the law. Just as we received Jesus we are to live in him (Colossians 3:6). No more “ I must be a good Christian”; instead thankfulness at the cross. No more doing without receiving; instead receiving God’s favour and moving in His will. No more doing anything to please men, but only to please God;

People around us may view us initially as if there is no change, but as we move in our new life in Christ, they will gradually notice a difference. This may not, in the beginning, always be welcome or seen for what it is, but God will be at work in those we meet and in most cases brings a blessing. Eventually as we continue in the new life we have found in Jesus, others begin to get the good news too! Don’t let anyone rob you of the joy that is yours in Jesus!! (John 15:11, 16:22,24, 17:13)

Jonathan Couper

PS Don’t forget the passion play!!

Radio One's Chris Moyles - Interesting Discussion on Church

The Anointing

The Anointing

Introduction to the Anointing of Jesus—A Recap

Christ is a word which means Anointed. Jesus demonstrated this anointing as He taught, prophesied and healed people, raised others from the dead, fed thousands with just a few loaves and fish, changed water into wine and rebuked the wind and waves. This same anointing is available for all those who are in Christ ( after all we are Christians who have the opportunity to move in the presence of the anointing. The gospels and the book of Acts show us the results of being in that anointing. The Holy Spirit is the source of this anointing made available to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The anointing blesses us, but this is not the primary focus. The anointing brings about God’s purpose in us and through us. We as creatures align to the Creator through the anointing. We also bear the family likeness as the anointing changes us from glory to glory. We are all in process and there is always more to discover, but over the next few pages, I hope to write section by section about the ingredients of this anointing.

In Genesis 49 we see that the anointing of God has a 12 -fold nature which relates to the Hebrew meaning of the twelve sons of Jacob (Jacob was God’s choice to found the community of Israel and in this chapter He is giving a fatherly blessing over this community and in so doing bringing prophetic revelation about the anointing which is given to the people of God by the Holy Spirit)

Name (Hebrew Meaning)
Reuben (Seeing)
Simeon (Hearing)
Levi (Intimacy)
Judah (Praise)
Zebulan (Dwelling)
Issachar (Reward)
Dan (Assessment)
Gad (Gathering)
Asher (Joy)
Naphetali (Struggle)
Joseph (Fruitfulness)
Benjamin (Sonship)



1. Seeing (Reuben)

The first ingredient is Seeing. The anointing breaks through veil satan has placed over our minds
(2 Cor 6); the veil of death which tries to keep us from seeing the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus.

Without the anointing we have no light and thus no sight. The anointing brings revelation to our hearts. Scripture becomes astoundingly clear and relevant. Life also looks different. We also find what we see has a relational dimension with God and when that happens it becomes precious to us. Jesus by contrast described those moving in scriptural truth without anointing, as being blind guides who lead themselves and others into a ditch. Without God’s revelation, everything is supposition. Seeing is the first thing we need to move in.

Jesus could only do what he saw the Father doing (John 5:19). We as Christians should expect to see what others cannot see, and this comes not from our rational intelligence but from our relationship with God in which the anointing flows to us and through us. In this context we will also see with words of knowledge, words of wisdom, prophecy as well as seeing some of the supernatural dimensions around us. In the fathers house we all have a room with a view

This month we look at Hearing and Intimacy


2. Hearing (Simeon) & 3. Intimacy (Levi)

Genesis 49:5-7
Hearing and Seeing are designed to go together. Simeon and Levi are brethren..

In general, we hear in the intimate place with God, and we are intimate with God when we are hearing from him. Abide in me and if my word abides in you....

But this is not all Jacob says about this, they are brethren because they have the same result ...zeal.. Our self life can easily skew this anointing from the Lord (see verse 6).. The following verses are often only explained in the behaviour or Levi and Simeon in Genesis 34, but I think this misses the point about the lessons from this aspect of the anointing.

The human spirit receives zeal through hearing and through intimacy, and it is zeal through which the government of the Lord is seen (Isa 9:6). But this can easily become anger or wrath. Instead of building God’s Kingdom we do the opposite. It is because of the dangers zeal can bring that Jacob continues with some helpful reminders when we are in the place of intimacy and hearing from God.

(a) Intimacy and hearing can bring about zeal which destroys rather than builds up. instruments of cruelty are in their habitations . We can be attackers of those who have not heard what we have heard or who do not belong to us. Our soul, whilst it will abide in private communion with God and hear from him, must have a focus beyond just hearing and intimacy (for example mission, or serving or relationships) my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly.

(b) God’s glory is not carried on our hearing or intimacy. It is on our obedience and character
O, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will
they digged down a wall. Many church divisions or wars over religion started with genuine
hearing from God and intimacy with God, but the response was in our self will ..e.g. the wars resulting from the reformation or the putting down of one church or Christian by those who are spiritual and moving with God.

(c) Being angry or wrath does not bring a blessing. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: For example someone can go to a conference and hear from God or be close to Him and come back in fierceness or wrath at the shortfalls in the worship or teaching and achieve little.


I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
In the church of God both in the times when church is weak (Jacob) and when it is moving in authority (Israel), this aspect of the anointing (hearing or intimacy) are not concentrated, but present in every resultant manifestation of the anointing ( i.e. part of church life and mission). In the anointing there are times when God speaks and times when God overwhelms us by His presence. These rarely are together. We can be close to God in our Bible Study and then hear God while we are about our daily chores, or we can hear God without being overwhelmed by Him. This is deliberate so that we can continue to move in the anointing.

When Ezekiel is overwhelmed by God’s presence, so he falls over (Ezekiel 1: 28—2:1), God refuses to speak to Him until he stands up, thus moving out of that place of intimacy. By contrast in Ezekiel 3, when he is intimate with God and God speaks to him, he describes his emotional state as “ I went in bitterness in the heat of my Spirit, but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me (Ezekiel 3: 14). We cannot forget that when Jesus had an intimate encounter with the Spirit and heard God speak together at his baptism, it is no surprise that He was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness. This is why in most cases intimacy and hearing are separate in our experience as we move in the powerful anointing of God

Jonathan Couper

Kampala Children's Centre Uganda Fundraiser

Christ Church Wednesday 7th July at 7pm

To help raise funds for the Kampala Children’s Centre in Uganda, Christ Church has booked a performance from Destiny Africa Children’s Choir. In 2008, the Choir toured Great Britain concluding with a performance at 10 Downing Street before Prime Minister Gordon Brown. We are hoping individuals/groups/projects within the Network may be interested in fundraising for the Children’s Centre prior to the event.

For the website visit http://www.kampalachildren.com/
There will be no charge for entry, but we want to try to raise as much money as possible

Ruth the UK Tour Co-ordinator writes:

“The actual performance is created in Uganda. The show includes live singing, traditional dances, a cultural show (informs the audience a bit about the culture of Uganda), testimonies from some of the children - shown on a video, drumming, the children share their dreams, and a short video about the vision of Kampala children's centre. Most of the songs have been written by the children themselves and many of the dances have parts made up by the children. Most of the songs are about God and display his faithfulness and great compassion, mercy and love (some of the songs are English, some are in different languages) They are totally inspirational!”

Please keep this date free in your diary for what should be an exciting evening! (Watch the Video!)

The vision behind the Kampala Children’s Centre is to house, educate and care for at least 1000 orphans from within Uganda and to give a safe and loving environment to at least 1000 children from war torn areas, slums and AIDS affected families.

www.kampalachildren.com for further details

Would you like to assist with the organisation of this event or help to support it financially
by raising funds personally or through your project or making a donation. If so contact Steve Frazer 01262 404100

Here is a video of them performing at !0 Downing St for Gordon Brown

Wilberforce Academy for students and young professionals

Calling the next generation of lawyers, politicians, journalists, civil servants, and all who want to make a difference in public life. The inaugural ‘Wilberforce Academy’, March 21st to 26th 2010, will be a residential week of lectures, seminars, worship, devotions, and interactive discussions, designed to help students and young professionals become a generation of men and women who ‘Passionately Demonstrate Truth’. Please do draw this to the attention of anyone in your congregation you think might be interested – full details at

http://www.ccfon.org/docs/Wilberforce_Academy_Flyer.pdf

Womens World Day of Prayer

WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God

A Service Prepared by Christian Women of Cameroon

Friday 5th March 2010

ALL WELCOME - MEN WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

2pm
Our Lady and St. Peter’s Church
Speaker: Sister Susan Tyler

7pm
Sewerby Methodist Church
Speaker: Mrs Vicky Jackson