The clone is not the one He loves 

How are you managing during our Prayer & Fasting Month? How have you found the challenge to “fast-your-phone”? What have you heard the Lord say to you and to the church? At the Engine Room last week a clear theme emerged about being Open – open doors, open hearts, open to those not in the church. We gather again for the Engine Room on Sunday 25 September and we look forward to what the Lord will say to us then.

On Sunday morning, as I turned to Psalm 139 for this week’s theme, I discovered that my Facebook account had been cloned. As I read the verses about how the Lord has known me from the beginning and knows me still, He pointed out to me that He certainly doesn’t love the cloned me, nor the genuine Facebook me, he only knows and loves the real me. Warts and all. He detects the front I present to the digital world and wants to do business with the person behind. I was jolted into a fresh intimacy with Him – so thanks to whoever cloned me!

Later on, after Michael Harvey’s invitation at weekly worship, I was incredibly moved to see scores of people patiently queuing up at the cross to pin the names of the people the Lord had put on their heart for invitation. All those people out there whom He has placed specially on your hearts and minds; the many invitations that are going to be offered; all the life transformations that will take place as a result; sometime, somewhere down the line. If you missed it please do have a listen to Michael’s talk on the website.

Let us continue to pray and to invite. If you would like a target date we have designated Sunday October 16 as Invitation Sunday: an ordinary Sunday when we just do what we usually do and ask the Lord to do what He usually does!

Next Sunday (18th) will be just as special as we welcome Steve and Cindy Nicholson from Evanston Vineyard, Chicago. Alison and I first met them in the 80’s and they have been inspirational leaders in the Vineyard forever. Do everything you can to join us on Sunday morning and expect the Lord to reveal something of Himself to you.

It’s September and that means (1) a new flurry of Small Groups. Lots of information on line and in the brochures. Sign up soon! And (2) the students are coming back to Leeds. Let’s look out for the ones who are returning and welcome new students looking for a family. If you can offer meals and hospitality after weekly worship let us know. There is nothing more important to a student than a home-cooked meal!

Finally, you’ll be delighted that your staff team do know how to let their hair down occasionally. We took some time out to master the art of ten-pin bowling. Here are the final scores. See if you can work out who is who! Ask Hannah about The Strike and Molly about The Dance.

Peace

David