My Cup Runneth Over

My good friend Steve says this when he is feeling blessed by all the events and scenarios in his life seem to be pointing in the correct direction. At this particular moment I am feeling very much the same. I am feeling totally blessed and honoured to be sitting where I am right at this moment. In my new lounge, of my new home, in Chorleywood.

This is my second night in the house. Since moving in and cleaning (ALOT!) I have attended church twice, been introduced to huge numbers of people (the task of remembering all of their names and positions within the church is one that seems enormous and at this moment unattainable!) - my face actually aches from smiling. I have had a morning prayer meeting, moved some chairs, had a meeting with Bob and Cheryl (My bosses)and have generally spent time getting myself settled in and getting to know my awesome house mates a little better.

We have had some silly chats and some theological ones. We have talked about the nitty gritty of gettinog the house straight and also just randomness about our lives. We have conversed about our journeys, our beliefs, our policitcal leanings, our bad habits, sleeping patterns and Fiona's feet.

In the meeting today with the bosses they outlined all the different clubs and activities we will be involved in when stuff really starts happening (next week as the youth have only returned to school this week) and we are going to have a very varied and interesting time. I am even going to have to get my trainers out and play football! It is strange what path you are guided to by God.

I sat in the prayer meeting this morning and was suddenly struck by the fact that it is now my job to attend church. That in itself is good training for my future progression down the path to ordination. It won't just be something that I do for God and for my own spiritual development but because it is my job. This year I have to be an example to the young people. To show them God working in my life so that he may work in theirs also. That is a little daunting, knowing that without realising it I could influence the Christian life of another in either a positive or negative way. The old words of "with great power comes great responsibility" seem to echo in my mind.

I am really, really excited about the coming year. The staff here are amazing and so on track with what God wants them to be doing in this place. I have never been involved in a church before that is so intent on listening to God and putting everyting into his hands through prayer. I think sometimes churches get bogged down in their own daily grind and politics and forget what is important and why they are there in the first place. I certainly don't get that feeling from Christchurch. This place really has an apt name as everything is put to Jesus and it is without a doubt his church.

During this year I am also going to be enrolled in a leadership programme in Watford through the London Bible College and I will have lectures and seminars to attend with Fiona and Jon on a Wednesday morning. Again this is going to be perfect training to get me into the study of theology mindset that I will need should I progress to vicar factory.

So, as you can probably tell I am very pleased that God has seen fit to place me here with a great team, lovely house, fantastic housemates and oppertunity in abundence to prepare myself for future church dealings.

God Bless
Sam