February 2023: "It's for my psychic"

Published 22 February 2023

I was mildly taken aback by two things last week.

  1. How is it already half term??
  2. Since when was I the sort of person who thinks about life in terms of school term dates?

I guess it's the nature of working a slightly more seasonal job (and having a kid in full-time nursery). Anyway, with that fascinating insight into my brain out of the way, thank you for reading my latest update! 2023 has got off to a great start. This is me and Frankie (who turns 1 on Friday!) on a walk in Springfield Park (in Clapton) recently:

On a walk with Frankie on my shoulders

Here are some highlights and prayer points from the year so far.

Highlights: Youth Group

Every other Sunday evening we run a youth group called "Eat. The Word" and I come as a leader most weeks. It's a great format – we all cook dinner and then read the Bible together. I recently led a study on Colossians 1:15-20, and it felt like quite a privilege to think that that was potentially the first time some of these young people had seen the amazing picture of the supreme, peace-making Jesus described in that famous passage. Here's an excerpt to jog your memory:


Highlights: Starting to preach

By far the biggest thing I've spent my time on so far in 2023 has been preparing for (and preaching) my first sermons. Pete very kindly gave me the chance to preach at the 9:30am service at the start of January, and again in early February at both the 9:30am and 11am services.

It took me a long time to prepare (I'm not sure how preachers do this week in week out) but it was hugely rewarding getting the chance to (a) dig into the passage myself and (b) then try and preach it to others. I don't think I've spoken for 25 minutes before and felt like I started to flag a little towards the end (hopefully my hearers didn't have that same experience). But I was really glad to have done it and I'm keen to have another go.

It was a pretty intense passage (Luke 12:1-12) but I found myself hugely encouraged by this picture of God's loving care in the middle of it:

Every time I wash my hair one or two always come out and it's mad to think God has such care for me (and you) that he has a number assigned for each hair! ("oh look, this morning Ben lost hairs #20385 and #96589, I'd been wondering how much longer they'd last!")

In case you're interested in hearing it (I write this mostly for my mum's benefit) the recording is here.

Highlights: Door Knocking

I continue to enjoy going door knocking a couple of times a week! I recently met a woman who was about my age and we had a slightly odd exchange on her doorstep:

ME: (doing my usual shtick) Hello! I'm Ben and I'm from the local church, we're just out getting to know our neighbours. Do you have two minutes to chat?

WOMAN: I'm really sorry no I'm just heading out, but could I ask you a favour?

ME: Um, yeah sure I guess, what's the favour?

WOMAN: Thanks! This is a weird favour to ask, but do you think you could take a full-length photo of me?

ME: (slightly taken aback) A full-length photo?

WOMAN: (hands me her phone) Yeah you know, a full-length photo, one that gets my head and my feet in.

ME: Right yeah... (regains composure) Okay sure, why not.

TAKES PHOTO

ME: How does that look?

WOMAN: (inspects photo) Hmm do you mind taking it again? I look a bit weird in that one.

ME: (tries again) How about this one?

WOMAN: Perfect, thank you!

ME: (feeling a bit uncomfortable) Out of interest, and if you don't mind me asking, what's the photo for? (it would be a bit weird if it was for a Tinder date or something)

WOMAN: Yeah... so you probably think this is a bit odd, but I'm actually on my way to see a psychic healer, and they asked me to send a full-length photo before I arrived.

ME:

WOMAN: Sorry that's probably a bit weird for you being from a church isn't it, I hope you don't mind! Anyway thanks so much for the photo, have a nice day!

Stuff I'm praying for (and would like your prayers for)

Thanks:

  • For seeing some fruit from door knocking lately
  • That the sermon prep and delivery went okay!
  • That the kids are starting to sleep well and not be ill (after a very long period of them sleeping poorly and being frequently ill in various mild ways)

Ask:

  • That when I prepare studies/talks etc, I will make sure to first let it work in my own heart before I try and share it with others.
  • For wisdom as me and Courtney (and St Paul's) consider whether I should/can do a second year as a Ministry Trainee, and try and work out how funding would work for a second year.
  • For patience and perseverence for me and (particularly) Courtney when it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day to look after kids and do both our jobs.

Thanks so much for reading. Don't forget you can sign up here to be emailed whenever I send out an update!