Post New Wine and pre Soul Survivor

It's amazing what a week away can do...

On July 27th I arrived at New Wine (a large Christian conference. John Wimber had a pretty big hand in some of the direction of new wine years ago). This year I thought it might be a good idea to apply for serving on a team (team members go for free and have most of their meals taken care of during the week). Back in march, it sounded like a good deal to me.

I had no idea that I would be in a dry place in life. At the start of the week I was pretty drained and didn't feel like serving. A situation all too familiar if you have spent anytime in just about any capacity of service. Just another time of forgetting why I serve and what my motives should be.

As the week progressed though, the leaders were very encouraging in the time we spent on our own to be refreshed and recharged. Most of what was said in the main sessions for the young people and in the team meetings in the mornings really resounded with me. By Thursday night I felt like I had come back to some familliar place in my personal walk with God, and felt more equipped to serve and pray for the young people.

One of the consistant themes they hit on was the fact that being at New Wine (or any big God centered conference) is time spent in a bit of a bubble. While being away gave me some new tools and perspectives on my life, I find that coming back to reality is quite difficult. I'm still waiting on God for direction and giving the best I can in the way I serve. I really hate em, but low points are great teachers too. They show me that I need God more than I ever thought I did, and I find to at times I'm really surprised by how much God does through me when I'm feeling low and have nothing to give. I'm also aware that for as bad as things seem with me, I don't have the worst of circumstances to contend with.

It's been hard at times to find people to really confide in. While I do have friends here and people who I can share a laugh with, it's hard to find someone I really connect with. If you know me you know how much I value that connection. It's in my personality...I may be a bit introverted, but the ones who I do open up to are very dear to me and I value that bond very highly. Heh heh, I love being an INFP...

I had a fairly relaxing week though since coming back from New Wine. As hard as it was being on team, I've taken most of this week off to recover. I can't believe it's friday already, but I guess time stops for no one. The plus side is that the rain is holding off and we may have a bit of a dry spell here in the wake of all that flooding. I'm glad I live near the coast. Did I mention that Bognor has recorded the most hours of sunlight in the last 100 years or so? Yeah, pretty sweet...

I hope this finds you all well. It's the best way I know how to communicate, so my apologies if it seems impersonal and distant.

Till next time,
Paul