20th February 2012
I could only float
As you will have read in a recent devotional, the National Leadership Team had the great privilege of being invited by the Ministry of Tourism in Israel to partake in an incredible itinerary of that country. One of the experiences I enjoyed was the amazing sensation of floating in Dead Sea water. I'd heard stories of the experience but assumed they were exaggerated. But I was wrong. The only thing I could do was float, everything else, even swimming, was a massive effort or too dangerous! I was explaining this experience to someone and ended up saying, ‘I could only float, I could do no other.’ I had to fight really hard to go against what's natural when I'm in the water.
'Here I stand, I can do no other' were the words Martin Luther expressed to his accusers in 1521 when he was summoned to either renounce or reaffirm his 95 theses, which radically challenged the teaching of the day. This stand was against the norm, and against the full might of the Roman Catholic Church.
The secret of the Dead Sea is that as the water very slowly evaporates it leaves in the salts and minerals so continuously giving it an increasing density. As leaders we need to experience self evaporation, the gradual letting go of our emotional instinct. We need to let the density of the Spirit increase in our lives, so much so that against all other opinions, circumstances and challenges we can do no other than what we feel directed to do by the Holy Spirit.
Have a brilliant week,
Ian Watson
National Leadership Team
P.S. One word of warning - if you go in the Dead Sea, don’t use your best swimming costume. I had a really nice pair of shorts and when they dried all the colour had disappeared!
Youth Alive Italia
We've had a brilliant report of Youth Alive Italia's latest conference, which was packed with 1218 youth - more attendees than ever before!
It also had performances from the Hillsong London band and over 200 decisions to become a christian. Read more here!
Coalition for Marriage
A petition campaigning to keep the current definition of marriage as between a man and a woman has been organised by the coalition for marriage.
The campaign was launched today, and aims to influence the governments talks on redefining marriage, by allowing same sex couples to get married, next month.
You can sign their petition at http://c4m.org.uk/ or download paper petitions from their website.
Where Jesus Walked
The NLT recently got back from a trip to Israel - you can take a peek at their blog from the visit and their snaps of the brilliant landscapes here!
Tweet tweet
Are you on twitter? It's fun and a great way to communicate and keep up to date with leaders, churches and people. Here's some of our top tweets this week from people that you might want to follow!
@JohnPartington Leadership Thought:- You can live your life by DESIGN or by DEFAULT. so choose this day, not only WHO you will serve but HOW you will serve.
@AoG_GB Our new sign is up @matterseyhall http://pic.twitter.com/LZtMFwfe
@DrJohnAndrews Nu.15: Even after the people decided not to enter the land God still prepared them for the land. His plans don't change even if ours do!
@ijbjhr Excited about church tomorrow - Week four of our theme GO.. Tomorrow's subject "go in the power of the Holy Spirit!"