Reasons to be Thankful

I’m writing this in the post-conference fog of tiredness & being “talked out”.  The TSCF Mid-Year conference is over for another year.  Students & Staff are travelling around the country as I write, by plane, train, automobile & ferry to return to their homes & campuses.  I’d love to tell you more about the ‘Livin’ The Dream’ conference, but there’s no need to replicate what my Scouse mate Andy has done here.  Instead, I thought I would write down some simple thoughts on why we can be thankful after the 2 conferences we have had in TSCF this past week – the Students’ Mid-Year conference & the Catalyst Graduates’ conference.  In no particular order, here are some reasons to be thankful:

* For the first ever Catalyst Graduates’ Conference launched by Mark Grace – a colleague & friend with more vision than Dennis Taylor! 

* For the involvement of Priority Associates (the Campus Crusade workplace ministry in NZ) in the Catalyst conference & their partnership with us in this work.

* For the safety & protection in travel of all who attended our conferences, especially Cameron & Alison, who were involved in a serious car accident at the entrance to the camp on the first night of the Catalyst Conference.  (They were stationary, waiting to turn right into the conference, but were shunted from behind by a car coming at speed.  They were spun round & into oncoming traffic, and again, were hit from behind (thankfully, as it meant they weren’t hit head-on).  I was among those stuck in the significant traffic jam caused by the accident & feared it could be much worse.  We are very thankful that despite them having to be cut out of the car, they seem to be unharmed. * Mark & Emma Grace, and Jen & I are expecting babies in mid-July.  We are thankful they didn’t arrive during the conference & that all seems to be well with both babies & mums.

* On Tuesday morning of the student’s conference, it was great to look out & see the students with open Bibles expectantly waiting to hear from God’s Word.  It was a real joy & a mark of progress in the work & one of the thrills for me at this year’s conference.

* Hearing Mike Butcher sharing his testimony of how God remarkably saved him from Neo-Nazism, whilst he had no thought for God.  The tears rolled down several folks’ faces & it was fantastic to hear and be reminded of the God, with whom NOTHING is impossible.

* The sense of unity amongst our students & partnership together in the work.  From North to South, there was a spirit of eagerness and enthusiasm to learn, grow & change our campuses for Christ.  

* The high calibre Minterns who are working with us and being discipled.  They are real gems and bring fun and a faithfulness to the work and a constant reminder of the need for us to pass on the baton to others. 

   (Mothy (left of Nigel, in the red) is thankful for the one good leg he has)

 

* For great colleagues & friends (they are both at the same time!).  People who love God, love students & love each other.  At times the work is hard, but it’s a joy to work together.

* Particularly, I am thankful for Nigel – his vision, clarity, creativity & Gospel-focus make him great to work with.  I enjoy having his input & find him thought-provoking & stimulating in pushing me & the work on.  His explanation of some of these hopes & dreams at the TSCF AGM was brilliant.  (Has an AGM ever been brilliant?!  If you doubt it, go here to read his thoughts in written form.)

* It was also great having Andy back after a fairly significant absence due to a brain injury.  We’ve missed his input, insights & capability & are glad to have him back.

(The 2 amigos – Andy had to keep his name badge on to remember who he is)

* For Val & Mothy who filled the gap caused by unavoidable absences that have affected us in conference preparation.  They did a great job in coordinating the conference & bringing it all together.

* Nigel’s reminder to us that persecution is part & parcel of normal Christian living.  Let me quote him directly:

“I have sometimes heard people pray that they are glad they live in a country where there is no persecution. But Paul says to Timothy that EVERYONE who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus WILL be persecuted. So the only countries where there are no Christians being persecuted are those where there is no one who wants to live a Godly life.  We have chosen to settle for comfort and respectability rather than living lives that provoke a reaction. If our faith is not lived out in ways that sometimes provoke a negative reaction it is unlikely they are going to provoke a positive response.” 

I am thankful to God for the rebuke & challenge this comment provides.

* For people like John Criswell, who is helping with us to bring a greater sense of partnership in the Pacific.  It’s been great getting to know him, hear his thoughts & observations, and to try to help him as he helps us. 

* To enjoy a conference in beautiful surroundings with the delights of Kiwi nature is a reminder of the ingenuity of our Creator God.  

* I’m thankful for friends in the UK, NZ & around the world who have joined with us and partner with us in the work.  Some of you have been on my mind this week because we’ve heard from you, miss you, or have a lot to thank you for.  We really are thankful.

* Last, but by no means least, we are thankful to God for all His goodness in so many ways.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen 

(Jude 24-25)