Conference Day 5
So it’s been a week since I got home, and rather a mad week at that. Am actually out at ikea, with the kids in the childrens club. I am sitting still with not much else to do – time to catch up on some blogging!
Rather than talk about the last two talks I am going to try to think avbout the conference overall. I know is was a big christian celebration, but first of all for me it was a holiday – rare time away from the family, space to think and enjoy myself 
I enjoyed the worship/singing bits a lot more than I expected. There were some cracking tunes which I hope will turn up on a conference cd. And I was chilled out enough for the songs to lead me into prayer and drawing close to my heavenly father. I think there will be a lasting legacy of being less self concious in worship (I am usually horribly self conscious)
The impact of the preaching will be more long term, particularly those talks about courage. The call to courage is only tested when you actually do something. I have made some positive decisions about home and family but they have not been all worked out yet. I am looking for the courage to start things, and the courage to keep them going!
At the moment I just feel more on the front foot for God. That sounds very wooly and touchy/feely but I can’t really describe it more than that. I am more likely now to think of prayer, and miraculously, to actually do it. The church meeting on Sunday morning, which I have been increasingly struggling with, flew by this week leaving me wanting more – something that hasn’t happened for a long while!
With all this excitement I keep the strong commitment to be protective of family time, making sure family remains my first priority.
And then in that context Jane and I have been drawn to the new church group Colin and Tim and friends are looking to start in Levenshulme, not far up the road from us. So, while we were considering this, we were delighted to be invited to join the starting group. In the past we have been blessed being part of small groups of people starting new church groups in different parts of Greater Manchester, so we are exited to be having another crack. Each new group I am part of means another chance to make less of a fool of myself, so here’s hoping!
[the talks from the conference are now available as mp3s on http://www.newfrontierstogether.org/Groups/174930/Newfrontiers/Resources/Talks_and_Preaches/Select_Event/Leadership_International_11/Main_Sessions.aspx - may I particularly recommend talk 5 - P J Smythe on Suffering, Sickness, and Healing - let me know what you thing!]
