Last night, I was at bible study at my home church for the first time since the crash and my local review. The group are still exploring the Fruits of the Spirit and this week we were exploring gentleness. The bible passage we based the study on was 1st Thessalonians 2:1-12 (I tend to use the Good News bible, but Biblegateway doesn't have that translation, but that's just by-the-by).
I've missed a couple of studies as I haven't been out and about too much for 8 weeks. Anyway, the bible passage really spoke to me. Some parts felt as though they were speaking directly to me. Telling me I am doing God's work; I am called to spread the Good News. The parts of the passage that particularly spoke (I am quoting from Good News now) were:
"And even though there was much opposition, our God gave us courage to tell you the Good News that comes from him". I know, in context, that wasn't what Paul was getting at, but I felt that part of the passage was a sign to me that God has given me the courage to follow his call for me. No matter what opposition I encounter, he is always with me and will help me spread his Good News.
"Instead, we always speak as God wants us to, because he has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News". Yes, he's entrusted me with the Good News. How wonderful and amazing it that? Also pretty scary - wasn't anyone else avaliable ;-)
Of all the bible studies I have ever been to, this was the one I needed. The passage gave me a reassurance. As I've blogged before, I know my call is the right path, but this passage felt as though God was giving that extra bit of reassurance and affirmation while I'm in limbo awaiting my next co-ordinated field assessment placement.
That said, I think the passage was also trying to tell me I need to be a little more gentle. Maybe that's what I need to learn in my next placement? Somehow, I think it might just be...
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Friday, 17 April 2009
Post-crash blues
I keep (is that the correct phrase) another blog based on and around motorcycling. I've recently updated it with comments about the limitations both my hubbie and I have post-crash. If you want to read it see here.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Local review - update
Well, the answer is....
I've had my CFA extended by 6 months and I'm to do it at another church, with another co-ordinator. I must admit, I wasn't especially surprised nor disappointed. I felt with the time I'd lost out on between the CFA date being after 5 months rather than 6, due to starting my extended review late, my supervisor being off sick for 6 (or was it 7) weeks and then me being unavailable following the crash and operation, there was some things I hadn't covered and I hadn't had the opportunity to demonstrate I'd learnt from some experiences (especially the fall-out from January's fellowship meeting).
When my supervisor returned from being off sick, I had mentioned delaying the date of the local review, to take this into account. My supervisor didn't think that was necessary as he thought we'd covered most things. I also discussed delaying post crash and, again, he didn't think it was necessary. Well, looks like I hadn't covered everything. If I had, I wouldn't have thought I'd need an extension (maybe a rejection, but not extension!!!).
Okay, so if it really is my calling to be a minister of word and sacrament (which I firmly still feel called to), I won't be able to being training until next year at least. That said, I also think it will work out for the best. I have learnt from my first placement. I know I didn't look at myself, and my call, as much as I should have. I will be able to do so at my next placement.
God is with me. I really know that. In many ways I feel He's given me this opportunity because I am following His calling.
I've had my CFA extended by 6 months and I'm to do it at another church, with another co-ordinator. I must admit, I wasn't especially surprised nor disappointed. I felt with the time I'd lost out on between the CFA date being after 5 months rather than 6, due to starting my extended review late, my supervisor being off sick for 6 (or was it 7) weeks and then me being unavailable following the crash and operation, there was some things I hadn't covered and I hadn't had the opportunity to demonstrate I'd learnt from some experiences (especially the fall-out from January's fellowship meeting).
When my supervisor returned from being off sick, I had mentioned delaying the date of the local review, to take this into account. My supervisor didn't think that was necessary as he thought we'd covered most things. I also discussed delaying post crash and, again, he didn't think it was necessary. Well, looks like I hadn't covered everything. If I had, I wouldn't have thought I'd need an extension (maybe a rejection, but not extension!!!).
Okay, so if it really is my calling to be a minister of word and sacrament (which I firmly still feel called to), I won't be able to being training until next year at least. That said, I also think it will work out for the best. I have learnt from my first placement. I know I didn't look at myself, and my call, as much as I should have. I will be able to do so at my next placement.
God is with me. I really know that. In many ways I feel He's given me this opportunity because I am following His calling.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Happy Easter
These semiphore statues are in York Minister. The message says it all, since the first Easter. And not just in the minister, but throughout the world and with us all always, until the end of time. That's if you know semiphore...
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
No April Fool
My local review was this evening. I'm glad it's over with (and was after high noon). I think it went fairly well. I answered all the questions as openly and honestly as I could. Now, I just have to wait.
As I can't drive yet, my hubbie took me to the meeting. When I got in the car I was shaking a lot. Okay, it was a bit colder than it have been all day and I wasn't wearing a jacket, but it was all the nervous energy releasing from my system.
This morning my hubbie and I were at the physio. She was really impressed with our progress. Well, we're both stuborn and have been doing what we were told (which, in some respects, is unusual for us). Just before we left, though, my hubbie managed to get one over a senior physio. He didn't do it for an April fool, but he hadn't met this one:
Hubbie: "So, will I be able to play the piano?"
Physio: "Yes, I don't see why not. In fact, it would be great exercise for you."
Hubbie: "That's amazing that is. I've never been able to play the piano".
You should have seen the expression on the physio's face.
As I can't drive yet, my hubbie took me to the meeting. When I got in the car I was shaking a lot. Okay, it was a bit colder than it have been all day and I wasn't wearing a jacket, but it was all the nervous energy releasing from my system.
This morning my hubbie and I were at the physio. She was really impressed with our progress. Well, we're both stuborn and have been doing what we were told (which, in some respects, is unusual for us). Just before we left, though, my hubbie managed to get one over a senior physio. He didn't do it for an April fool, but he hadn't met this one:
Hubbie: "So, will I be able to play the piano?"
Physio: "Yes, I don't see why not. In fact, it would be great exercise for you."
Hubbie: "That's amazing that is. I've never been able to play the piano".
You should have seen the expression on the physio's face.
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