Empowered with the Holy Spirit

 
I'd just like to reflect on my experience today at church.


It was so hard to say goodbye to the family I had there. I cried during worship, because I knew that hearing the songs in another place in another time would send me straight back to that moment. There IS a Redeemer...

I was glad to have the chance to say goodbye to some of the people who'd been so good to me there. I think we all regretted not having more time to get to know each other. But, as Jamie put it, you don't ever really say goodbye. (*points to heart*) That place will always be a church home for me.

Yet the most incredible thing was after the service, just as I'd thanked Bob and Gil for their kindess to me, when Gair came up alongside and asked Bob and Gil if they'd pray over me with him. It was so good to be surrounded by people who cared about me. They urged the Spirit to come and fill me, to empower me, to help me make peace and not just keep it, to be a leader in my community, to be used by God in wonderful ways... tears flowed down my cheeks as I stood there, grateful, and knowing that it would be as they asked.

I feel capable of going back and being a leader, to rise up and do my part in the Great Comission.

Scares me, yes. But the only Fear that owns me is the Fear of the Lord. I don't worry about men, or the things of this world; the worst they can do is kill me. But I Fear the One who can kill both soul and body. But my Hope is in Him, and I shall love Him forever.

Lord, reign in me. Reign in your power! Over every dream, in my darkest hour! You are the Lord over all my life! So won't you reign in me again?

Praise Him. Oh Lord, more... more... more...


I have been so blessed by the Glasgow West End Vineyard church. They have equipped me in a way I never expected. I grew so much during my short time there...(14 weeks) but it was family even so. I am grateful for Laura and Gair Porter (and their kids) for their loving openness to receive me into their family for a while. That church has singlehandedly convinced me that community is the most important thing you can build within a church family. I've never seen anything like it. If you want to draw people to Christ, it only takes drawing them into your family to see how life can be. Oh, blessings.

And yet, my heart is full of joy and full of grief. It's not just limited to the fact that I love Glasgow so much and yet I'm so sad to go, because I also feel empathy for people I know and love back home. I'm thrilled that Kim is doing well with Javi, and that sure is good to hear about! Yet, I found out that my mentor's daughter has a possibility of a rare disease that causes overgrowth in blood vessels. My heart breaks for that, because Heidi has already gone through so many trials in life. But there is hope that her daughter, Samara, will grow to be healthy and strong. But yes. So many deep stirrings in my heart. So much to live for, so much to die for.

♥
betsy joy