Stars and Sand: Roger Aubrey

Are Christians trouble-makers?

Here's a very good article by Kevin Shrum, about the continued isolation and marginalisation of Christianity in the public square. Shrum argues that "having come out of a period where Christianity was the ‘favoured religion’ of Western culture, could it be that we are actually getting back to the normal reaction any secular culture has to a series of beliefs that focuses on the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the call for a humble repentant self, the authority of a Spirit-wrought book, and where the cross is not just a beautiful mantle piece, but a true symbol of the sacrificed life?"

Read the full article here.

The El Nino effect

I know that many of you like to hear news of what Noralv Askeland is doing in the Philippines through Ministries Without Borders Philippines.

I have just received his latest report, in which he tells how El Nino has affected the nation in recent times; and how God is working there. Please continue to pray for Noralv and his wife Tone; and for all those they work with.

Download Philippines

With the sons of God

Dianne and I got home yesterday afternoon following a really good week in Ottawa. We were with All Nations Church there, which is led by my good friend Steve Wilkins. The church is quite young but is already at about eighty members, most of whom came away for the weekend camp. It's also young in age, with the oldest until recently just about thirty five years old! The people were really pleased that a couple nearer sixty have started to come along (always room for the mature - if they're in faith).

We were asked to teach the church on our identity in Christ as sons of God. I was very blessed by the response from the church as we spent many sessions going through the Word, explaining what the Bible teaches about the miracle of the New Creation. We also put a lot of practical application to the teaching.

One of the most amazing things that happened came on the Sunday morning session when I was teaching on moving in faith as a son of God. I was talking about using the name of Jesus and our authority to do so. I was pointing around the room, using the name and demonstrating the authority in that name. At the end of the session a young lady came up to me. Apparently she had been suffering from an injured knee and was intending to ask Dianne and me to pray for her. She said that I pointed at her when I was saying the name of Jesus: 'in the name of Jesus, be healed'. At the very moment I said it she was completely healed! Just shows how the Holy Spirit will use us at any time. When we're in the anointing anything can happen.

Class of 2007

Happy to report the graduation ceremony for the School of the Word Class of 2007 was a great success - phew!

It's always an emotional occasion for all involved; these men and women, many of whom were strangers to each other back in September have now become lifelong friends. To see them laugh, cry and take pride in each other is a joy to witness. I now have 23 more favourites!

The Wind blew, the Fire fell...

Just thought you'd like to know that our Pentecost celebration this past weekend was incredible. The people of God at All Nations were so hungry and thirsty in faith for a visitation from God - and that's what happened. I'm not going to give a blow by blow account of the weekend; there was so much going on! On Saturday night I spoke for a while on the importance of us having the same experience as the 120. All I can say is that after the word there was an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which went on for over 90 minutes.

Sunday morning was just as, if not more powerful than, Saturday. I can't say I really preached! As soon as I got up the Holy Spirit told me to pour a jug of water over myself as a sign of wanting to be filled with him. I did! That started over two hours of ministering from Acts 2 accompanied by demonstrations and signs of the Spirit. Andrew Caughey joined me several times to move in the Holy Spirit.

Sorry I can't go into more details; I could go on and on about this moment or that person. It was a case that you just had to be there. These were two of the most powerful times in the Holy Spirit I have experienced at home for a long time.

I've had some emails asking if there will be CD's of the meetings made available. To be honest I doubt it. These kinds of meetings don't lend themselves to that kind of thing. Sunday would be lots of sounds that would need the visuals to make sense of what was going on. I appreciate the hunger and desire for such CD's; but the Holy Spirit is the same where you are. He doesn't belong to us at All Nations.

Lean on me

Sometimes a 'non-Christian' song will encapsulate just as powerfully as a Christian song (if not more so), what God is saying to us as his people. That was certainly the case at last night's church meeting with Keri. The Body of Christ at All Nations has spoken clearly in recent months of its need for pastoral care. That doesn't mean a pastor who will do all the work, just drinking cups of tea or hospital visiting; neither does it mean that nobody cares now. It's just that where we're at as a community we need to move on in the whole area of proper pastoral care. And a people who are cared for will grow in numbers and in faith. Last night's church meeting was the next step in that process.

Keri expressed where we need to get to by playing to us that Bill Withers classic - Lean on Me. Those of us who knew it sang along; and it wasn't long into the song before we realised the power that's in those words. God can speak through secular prophets too. This is a song for the Body of Christ. Here are the words...

Back Home

Home again from a superb weekend away with the wonderful young men and women from King's Church Manchester. About 115 of them attended the conference. It really was an exceptional time, right from the start. People had come to do business with God, and whenever God finds hunger and thirst for him like there was among this group, then he's going to do some serious equipping and anointing. And that's what happened.

Each session of the conference was hallmarked by the tangible, manifest presence of the Holy Spirit. The worship was outstanding (well done Rosy Cole); people responded to the Word with faith and actions. The encounters that they had with the Holy Spirit were a privilege to witness. You'll be pleased to know that there were baptisms in water and the Holy Spirit; and healings. One lady had suffered in her back for over ten years. She was completely healed on Saturday night!

Even though they worked us hard, Dianne, James and I all came away encouraged and strong. So a big Mancunian thanks to the folks at King's, especially my friend Ian Whillans, who organised the whole conference and played a major role in the smooth administrations of the Holy Spirit.

Hectic and warm weekend (2)

After Saturday's emotional day, it was back to the church in Swansea yesterday for the final time. The church met in the round with the bread and wine on a table in the centre. The period of worshipping the Lord was led by Julie and Ceri. They did a great job.

I spoke from Acts 2:41-47 on what kind of church God wants. We went through each of the characteristics of the church produced by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, applying them to us today. And we must never forget that the church in Acts 2 was not the perfected church; they were still stuck in their Jewish concepts. The end time church will reach a level of maturity and power that the church of the New Testament did not attain. That is what Restoration is all about.

Dianne and I were very grateful for the responses of some of the people who expressed to us what the Lord had done for them in them and through them these past weeks. It has been a privilege to see lives transformed.

Dianne returns to Swansea next Saturday for a ladies' meeting. It will be a powerful time; how do I know? I know my wife and the Spirit of Christ in her!

Hectic and warm weekend

Well, it was a hectic and warm weekend. Saturday was the graduation ceremony for School of the Word and School of Worship. We had over 300 guests in attendance - families, friends and leaders came in from all over the world.

It was a great day, and ever so warm. We always seem to have our graduation on the hottest day of the year (I'll let you know when next year's is so you can get the barbecue ready). All the students did really well - nobody fell over walking up and down the steps! Joanne Smith gave an excellent speech on behalf of the class and Bryan Shutt gave the address.

The two prizes were won by Amie Woolley and Stephen Loy. Amie won the Course Achievement Award, which is given to the student who gains the highest average grade. Stephen won the Students' Student Award; the students select who they think most represents the ethos of the school. Amie and Stephen were worthy winners.

I've made a photo album of some shots taken at the official photo session on Friday. Just click on the Graduation 2005 icon in the right hand column. When the Saturday photos come through I'll put some of them up for you.

Thanks to all those who made the day so special by serving us - we really appreciate you very much.

Busy weekend

Been a busy yet fulfilling weekend. Yesterday I had the privilege of marrying two wonderful young people, Kwaku and Lucy. I have known Lucy since she was a little girl and have watched her grow to be a lovely woman of God. Kwaku - or Q as we call him - has been with us in the church for several years, and has become a very dear friend. Q and Lucy lead our youth at All Nations. Don't they look good together?

Today Dianne and I have been back in Swansea for the third of five meetings. I spoke on the meaning of Pentecost in the light of the purpose of God. It wasn't long before the Holy Spirit manifested himself in power, with several people I called out having major encounters with the Spirit. I was especially thrilled at Len, the man in his 60's I mentioned last week. Today he was baptised in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and filled with the power of God. It was so easy; all I did was to get him to ask Jesus to do it and then speak in tongues. Len did so and began to speak in tongues immediately. He fell to the ground under the power of the Holy Spirit. When he got up he said he had seen an incredibly bright, almost blinding, light. God is on the move!

We continue on Thursday night.