Leaving So Soon: Thank Yous and Encouragements

So I'm on my way soon to be gone, but still Jon (no H).

I want to thank so many people for what you've meant to me over the last 4 years.

This church has truly been like a family to me, brothers and sisters and fathers and mothers in Christ. This church isn't an organisation but a family on a mission, and we've shared together hurts, heartaches and hardships, dreams, victories and our very lives.

It's been my pleasure to serve with you, to serve you and to be served by you. I take great joy in seeing how far we have come together and I will take joy in seeing the great distance you will cover.

I said before, I feel I've given as much as I could, but I have obtained an equal portion if not more. God gives generously.

If you have read the previous blogs 'Leaving so soon' to me, it feels like this time at the Well Church has been my proving ground, moving out of the comfort zone of home and into the furnace of university and testing my faith and seeing it not crumble, but instead seeing God build on it. Amen that God is gracious, these 4 years haven't all been successes, I have made many mistakes, but I have grown much thanks to the input of many of you and the immeasurable grace of God.

Thank you for the joy of glorifying God with you and may we continue to do so wherever we maybe.

Lastly (it maybe a long lastly) a few personal thank yous, kind of greetings like Paul did in his letters, as Martin preached on. I'm sorry if I haven't personally mentioned you, but so many people have given me so much and I am truly grateful to you all.

Martin and Linda and Family – Thank you guys so much for the way you have faithfully lead, not just since taking over, but also the great work you did before that. You have such a wonderful family, I so enjoy spending time with you all and it is always so much fun. I remember on my first Sunday, having Sunday Dinner at your house along with Josh and Jason, and your hospitality is always so good and readily extended. I thank you so much for the way you have helped me to grow to who I am today. You have always helped me to feel valued and appreciated, Thank you.

James & Amy Farrer – Thank you very much for your kind words. You have both been so wonderful in showing me how to lead – always by example – and how to be passionate for God and his word. I love your hunger for the things of God his word and his spirit. You have both been wonderful encouragements to me. I also want to commend your consistency, faithfulness, and the way you both give your all for the church. I had to take on a large mantle for FP, because you worked so diligently the year before, and continue to work so diligently now. Amy when you prophesy or interpret tongues the passion comes out and it cuts to the heart, likewise James when you read scripture it comes with the bluntness of a big book, but also the sharpness of a double-edged sword. Many of your words have helped to build me up and strengthen me in Christ. I know God has much for you both.

Ben Heap – Ben, you have helped me more than anybody else. Your encouragement helped me to come out of myself and to run harder for Christ. However I think it is in challenge that you have most changed me and helped me to become more like Christ and less like my self. I thank you for your mentoring and discipleship, but also for your friendship. You are a man after God's own heart, never defer from this. I love your heart that longs for more of him, both more of his word and more of his spirit. Your preaching has come on so much, and when you lead others follow willingly.

Alan & Mary – You have been like a second mother and father to me, always so caring and passionate to see me being all I can be. I especially thank you for the grace you showed when I led you in small group. You are a wonderfully dedicated loyal couple, I think the only area of church you haven't yet served in is the worship team (but I maybe wrong). You are a wonderful foundation for the church, you are strong rocks. I know much of your work is unseen, but God sees every part, the meals you put on for people, the welcome you give people, the work for the trustees etc. I thank you so much for your love for me.

Joe & Becky T – From the word go, you got stuck in and gave your all. What a wonderful example, the vigour in which you give yourself, and the talents you both have, so beautifully combined with humility. You are both always so approachable and friendly. Always making time for people and seeking to put others above yourselves. I vividly remember the way you used to clear tables and plates after church meals at Woodbrooke. You are both so servant hearted. You have helped to integrate many people and I feel so privileged to have served alongside you. I pray for the best for you in what comes next.

Steve & Zoe – You are always so welcoming, I love your passion in worship, you both always go for it. You set a great example for the kids but also for your peers, and your passion is transmitted to others. You're great at building in people and are always fun to be with in social settings and always hungry for God in meetings.

Ed Mellish – It has been a great 3 years of fun and faith. I'm not sure there are many people who can make me laugh as much as you do, and I always enjoy the time we spend whether watching neighbours, playing pro evo or playing Champ Man, actually especially when doing those things! But what will impact me most is your passion for God's kingdom and your heart to go wherever he calls you. You truly are a warrior in Christ and I know God has much for you. When you go in faith amazing things will happen. (And you score more than tap-ins)

Tim Aston – There is so much I admire about you. The first word that comes to mind is character, you are wonderfully humble but also loyal, faithful and dependable. It is always fun to be around you, you are so light-hearted but also so freeing to be around. No-one needs to act up around you because you are so genuine and you have such a great heart. I know next year will present many challenges, but I know that God has given you and will give you all you need to meet these. Honestly mate be confident in all that God has given you.

Andy & Roo – I have so enjoyed serving with you and seeing you both grow together. You have become pillars to me. Roo the way you wait on God and have such faith to see all that he has for you. Andy I admire the way you are always passionate to go deeper into God with earnest determination. I also love your heart-felt prayers. You are both such wonderfully servants of Christ, I especially love the way you build up and encourage the church through prayer and service.

Tony & Elaine – You are such a wonderful couple. Tony, I enjoy chatting to you, it's always light-hearted but also helpful, you serve the church with such integrity and diligence. Elaine I so admire your passion, how it comes through when you pray and prophesy but also how it comes through in action. It is wonderful to see how God is growing the work with other cultures in Loughborough, and it is largely down to your obedience and faith. I commend you both for your hard work and dedication.

('the') Don – I know your unlikely to read my blog, but hopefully someone will print this for you or I'll write to you. I love your heart that does not cease or fade in its passion for God's kingdom to be built. I fondly remember the times I visited you, everytime I was encouraged and strengthened, even though I went to strengthen and encourage you! The first time I went over I wasn't sure of what to say, and we skirted topics on politics, sport etc. until you said 'I'd rather talk about God's word' Amen! You truly are a man after God's own heart, who no matter what troubles or difficulties face you, you cling on to God. I pray that when I am older, I will pursue God with the same heart for his word and spirit as you do.

Steve Emery – Steve, I don't think I could match your level of commitment and reliability. You are a faithful man not just in PA but also in God. I encourage you to continue to pursue God with all your heart. Whenever I heard you pray, it came so clearly with passion and earnestness.

Sazoo – I commend your faithfulness and dedication. I really enjoy it when you bring a contribution whether a testimony or prayer or song. It comes quietly but so clearly and with a wonderful spirit.

Chris Collins & Rachel – I love the joy that you both exude. You both show such wonderful passion for God. Rachel you always give your all in worship, and seem to have more fun in kids church than the kids! You are a role model to them and others in the way you serve with such joy and passion. Chris, you're a dependable guy with maturity beyond your years, take hold of who you are in God and run with it. I pray God will bless you both greatly over this summer and the coming year.

Ian Briggs – Ian, you are a faithful guy. You have a great heart for God, and wonderful dedication to evangelism that inspires me. It was wonderful to serve with you on Alpha and see the impact you make on others lives around you. Keep on going!

Joshwa Dugdale – It seems such a long time since we were in halls all those years ago. It's been a fun time since then, with Track & Field, FDM, 2 on 2 Football and other such games. I'm grateful for these fun memories but also for your loyalty, the way you supported me last year and the way we can laugh and joke before and after the Sunday meetings.

Ali Hogben – It's always a good laugh, whether bad punage or just general hilarity. I want to encourage you in your prophetic, you bring it with great weight, but also a wonderful humility, I know God will continue to use you in this, and I pray you will be a blessing to any church you go to, not just in this but in the plethora of talents you have. And thank you for organising all the football.

Matt Lowe – You are a servant-hearted man, looking out for others and always going the extra mile. I'm also so impressed by the way you bring your mates along to events. You have a great heart, continue to pursue God for all that you desire. I know you'll do great with set-up.

Jason and Becky – You are wonderful encouragements not just to me but the whole church. I have been so built up by your friendship and joy. You light up a room with your joy and fun, thank you so much guys.

Chris Mills – Really enjoyed getting to know you this last year, it's been wonderful to see you progress, in serving, in the things of the word and of the spirit. I know Camp America will be great for you and I pray that you continue to grow and develop next year.

Steve Wheeler – Your easy to talk to Steve, and also really enjoyed you leading worship. It was great to hear your heart for future plans and I'm praying God's will for you.

Sam & Meri – I pray all the best for you both in what you go onto next. Meri I know it will be a tough year, but I'm convinced God will do much work in you over the next year and that it will be to your benefit. You have a great heart and it is always good to hear you contribute as it comes with truth and heart.

2^nd Year Girls

Amy, Megan, Hannah, Becky P, Jenny

It has been great to see you girls emerge over this last year. It is really good to see you all getting stuck in and serving. You all have a good sense of humour and it's been great getting to know you all and seeing your happy faces on a Sunday morning.

Freshers

Alex Tait – Cheers for all the laughs and for being my whipping boy! It's been so good to see your heart for God and the way you have integrated into the church. Also just so you know I was at Josh's in my second year.

Tom Gooding – I love hearing you pray out mate, always comes with such passion, continue to do so.

Adam 'Fitzy' Fitzmaurice – Enjoyed the good times at Wilkos and Sainsburys over the last year, your a good guy mate and its been a pleasure sharing laughs with you. Maybe we'll get another steak pie one day?!?!?

Joe Tuson – We always have a good laugh, you've got a great sense of humour. Also wonderful music talent, I love the way you use it for God's kingdom.

Ollie, and Stephen – I only got to know you guys towards the end, much to my chagrin, but you both seem like good dependable chaps, continue to get stuck in serving and socialising.

Footy Guys

Thanks to all those I've chopped, nutmegged and skinned, it's been fun. Also those I've harangued, mainly Tim De V. (continue to play with passion, and pursue God with the passion you have for football). Its been a pleasure playing and I hope you continue to play as though you were playing for the Lord.

If I haven't mentioned you I'm sorry, but I am truly grateful to all those who have helped me in my time at The Well, those I've spent much time with but also those I've only spent a little with thank you!

Gramercy, Vielen Dank, muchos gracias, takk , thank you all very much

Jon.

Of the Love of Christ

I've been reading some of John Bunyan's works lately (he wrote Pilgrim's Progress, a classic story of the search and adventure of faith.) I came upon this poem by Bunyan called 'Of the Love of Christ' it is in old english and so maybe hard to read but the message comes through clear, and the last few lines are especially wonderful! That we who were captives can become kings!

The love of Christ, poor I! may touch upon;
But 'tis unsearchable. Oh! there is none
Its large dimensions can comprehend
Should they dilate thereon world without end.
When we had sinned, in his zeal he sware,
That he upon his back our sins would bear.
And since unto sin is entailed death,
He vowed for our sins he'd lose his breath.
He did not only say, vow, or resolve,
But to astonishment did so involve
Himself in man's distress and misery,
As for, and with him, both to live and die.
To his eternal fame in sacred story,
We find that he did lay aside his glory,
Stepped from the throne of highest dignity,
Became poor man, did in a manger lie;
Yea, was beholden unto his for bread,
Had, of his own, not where to lay his head;
Though rich, he did for us become thus poor,
That he might make us rich for evermore.
Nor was this but the least of what he did,
But the outside of what he suffered?
God made his blessed son under the law,
Under the curse, which, like the lion's paw,
Did rent and tear his soul for mankind's sin,
More than if we for it in hell had been.
His cries, his tears, and bloody agony,
The nature of his death doth testify.
Nor did he of constraint himself thus give,
For sin, to death, that man might with him live.
He did do what he did most willingly,
He sung, and gave God thanks, that he must die.
But do kings use to die for captive slaves?
Yet we were such when Jesus died to save's.
Yea, when he made himself a sacrifice,
It was that he might save his enemies.
And though he was provoked to retract
His blest resolves for such so good an act,
By the abusive carriages of those
That did both him, his love, and grace oppose;
Yet he, as unconcerned with such things,
Goes on, determines to make captives kings;
Yea, many of his murderers he takes
Into his favour, and them princes makes.

John Bunyan.

The next post is going to be a long one, so advanced apologies.

Leaving so soon pt.3

Last Year in Loughborough....

At the end of my FP year I felt that I wouldn't be staying on in Loughborough beyond my degree. However I also felt that I was called to go back to Sidcup for the summer, that it wasn't just a return home for the holidays, but a time to pursue God in all things.

So, I went back and tried to get myself in to that mindset, however on the back of a hard FP year it was hard to motivate myself and build my relationship with God. Yet it got better, but in a way I didn't expect.

Every summer for as long as I have known, I have been to Christian conferences. For the last few years this would mean going to the Brighton Conference in July and Newday in August. However I felt God say to not go to either. Whilst Newday was on, my difficulties seemed even more acute, but on the Sunday, during the Matt Redman song 'You never let go' I felt a change.
I prayed out and God began an amazing work in me, to the extent that I sort to pursue God with all my heart. At the end of the summer I met up with Tim Blaber, student leader at New Community and he asked me if I would consider returning to Sidcup to lead the student work. This came as a big surprise to me, I had been praying to God about where I was to go post-degree, but I had excluded Sidcup as I'd had a prophecy when I was in Spain, that 'Sitting in a pew in a big church will kill you', basically just going to a big church without a role would be spiritual suicide, so i'd ruled Sidcup out. Yet when I prayed into it felt like I would go, but somehow I wasn't in a position to make that decision yet.

Returning to Loughborough was nice after having been away for 3 months and people were very encouraging, and I had a real sense of purpose to work hard in my final year and to honour God in the way that I work. However life soon became hard, I was still deliberating over the decision, and Sunday mornings had become no less hard than they had been in my FP year. I felt under real attack and one week it felt like the rug of faith had been pulled from underneath me, I questioned things that I had always taken as read, and life was hard. The crunch point came one week after church when there was community group meals afterwards and so everyone went to those, yet I didn't have a community group and wandered home, wondering why life was so hard and lonely.

Life can be hard and serving can be costly, but God dealt with me graciously, I decided to stop waiting for some kind of miraculous sign and accept the offer to take on the student work, and God gave me confirmation that I had made the right decision. Things got better and there have been ups and downs since, but these last 6 months have flown by so quickly that I have little I can remember to write. The main themes have been job interviews and working for exams. In between I have raised up a new setup team and handed over responsibility for it, and have run with all I can to pursue God.

So I have only one more Sunday left at the Well Church. I've given my all and pursued God over these last 4 years, and the pursuit has been not only well worth it but also reciprocal! I have given much over my time at the Well, but what I've given has been more than repaid, by the love and warmth of my family that is the church, the input of so many wonderfully gifted people and the opportunity to grow and flourish. It hasn't always been easy, but I am so thankful to so many people who have shaped me over this 4 years. I have changed so much over the 4 years (hopefully all for the better), from a elderly boy who was quite shy to a young man who shaves and more importantly is confident in who he is in Christ and who is privelidged to be a recipient of God's lavish grace and to be called a son.

If you can keep your head

The famous poem, IF by Rudyard Kipling starts,

"IF you can keep your head when all around are losing theirs"

During final exams and many other times of uncertainty, it is easy to lose your head, easy to worry, easy to fear and easy to blame God for hard times. Hard times are not bad times, they may sometimes feel like it but they reveal and build character and help you in the future.

Despite currently having the most important exams of my life at the moment, I feel at peace, despite clouds of uncertainty and the potential to feel insecure, I feel secure.

Why is this?

Is it because of my laid back, debonair nature and cool calm demeanour? Err, no

No, iti s very evidently the holy spirit in me producing peace, inspite of uncertainty and probably because of it. The fruits of peace have already helped me to witness during the exam period, as I am able to be confident, that if I do my best and fail, God still loves me. Ben's talk last week was very helpful on this. The peace of God distinguishes me from those who are panicking and "losing their heads" (metaphorically of course). And I am able to use this for the gospel.

At present I have two more weeks in Loughborough, before I leave to go to New Community Church, SE London. But I still face uncertainty, I have no job to go into yet, no house at present to move into (I'll move back home temporarily though) and I'll be leaving the place that has become home for the last 4 years. Yet in uncertainty I know God will provide and that he has given me peace to stand, oh his abundant grace how it keeps me and helps me to understand how blessed I am.

What more can I say, but that when faced with uncertainty what can I do but trust in God, who has never failed throughout all eternity.

Lastly I'll leave you with the words from this song

How great is the love of God
How steady is His hand
To guide me through this world
Though I am weak in Him I stand
And you will hear me say today,
In faith, I'm gonna trust in God

The Final

With the selection process now finished we have our finalists.

The selection process though lengthy, has revealed in many cases the true colours of the candidates and there are the inevitable comparisons between experience and youth, and the different backgrounds and upbringings. What is clear is that you didn't necessarily have to be the best candidate to get to this stage, it is more about staying in the race.

Now in truth I am being a little bit guarded here, I am speaking both about the Apprentice and the US presidency, two vastly different jobs, but still two cut throat selection processes. We now know that the Apprentice finalists will be Helene, Claire, Lee and Alex; whilst the US presidency candidates are the Republican John McCain and the Democrat Barack Obama. However Hilary Clinton is manouvering for position as she has yet to formally acknowledge defeat (despite being defeated) if I was Obama I would perhaps let her hang out to dry and embarras herself, rather than meet her supposed demands for the Vice Presidency.

To get to this stage for all concerned has taken a great deal of effort and in the case of the presidency candidates, resources. It may now be a test of stamina rather than genuine ability, Obama will no doubt be more strained after his intense battle with Clinton for the nomination than McCain who has seemingly strolled into the Republican nomination. However McCain's past health problems may catch up with him as they tour the country campaigning for the November elections. Whilst for the apprentice hopefuls those who are tired now after a gruelling selection procedure will struggle in the final task.

Undoubtedly one of the big issues in the US presidency will be experience versus youth, McCain the war veteran vs. Obama the young senator; and this is a recurring argument in any selection procedure, how do you gain experience if you are young without getting exposure to the top jobs. 1 Timothy 4 v12 says "don't let anyone look down on you because you are young," and as young people we can set an example of how to live and act, but we are also called to respect those more experienced than ourselves. Alex in the Apprentice, despite always being defensive, seems especially so about his age being just 24, youth is not there to defend it is there as a positive with potentially years to learn from those ahead of you.

This quote from Pitt the Younger whilst being humourous also serves to make the point about youth and experience.

Pitt was accused by Robert Walpole of being young and theatrical, his retort was such:

The atrocious crime of being a young man, which the honorable gentleman has, with such spirit and decency, charged upon me, I shall neither attempt to palliate nor deny; but content myself with wishing that I may be one of those whose follies may cease with their youth, and not of that number who are ignorant in spite of experience. Whether youth can be imputed to any man as a reproach, I will not, sir, assume the province of determining; but surely age may become justly contemptible, if the opportunities which it brings have passed away without improvement and vice appears to prevail when the passions have subsided.

Pitt's answer was I can't deny my youth , but I hope my mistakes stop in my youth and don't continue onwards as with others. Whether youth can be held against someone as a disgrace I won't say, but experience is no better if it brings no improvement or old and bad habits die hard.