April Pictures

Leading Music at Avoca

April Update

This past month I had the opportunity to go to a leadership conference in the UK. I traveled down with Kevin and a few other friends really not sure what to expect. Although my Friends background combated the charismatic approach, the Lord was really able to use the teaching to speak to me. The three day conference was packed full of speakers who would each speak for about an hour. After a speaker was finished, we would have about a ten minute break before the next session would begin. Needless to say, here I am a couple weeks later still trying to process all that was said.

The line that ran through the entire conference was the importance of relying on the Holy
Spirit for everything. So often we can find ourselves looking at a problem in front of us and trying to do all we can to solve it on our own. I think we sometimes forget that God knows what is going on and knows what the needs are. Furthermore, God knows the answers to these needs. We need to constantly be developing our relationship with God in order to be able to hear His voice and follow His leading.

I also had the opportunity to serve at a kid’s camp this last month. What a blessing that was. I was responsible for the music as well as being a leader for the weekend. It is always a blessing when you get to teach kids about whom Christ is, and it is even better when you have the opportunity to pray with kids about making a decision to follow Christ.

Just before the weekend came, I became sick with the flu. I could hardly move on Thursday, and often wondered how I was going to be able to do the weekend which started the next day. Although I wondered how I was going to do it, I never considered not going. I have been excited about this camp and was looking forward to serving at it.

The leadership was very nice to me and made sure to give me some slack as far as being up for the early meetings and even giving me an opportunity to rest in the afternoon. However, when I was resting I found the Lord really drawing me to his word and to spend time with Him. I thought to myself how much I wanted to just take a nap, but the Spirit kept drawing me to just rest in Him. I have to tell you that this was a remarkable experience. As I came to the word, and simply spent time with the Lord, I physically became more rested and rejuvenated. It was incredible. I did not receive some great revelation from the Lord, but God through His Holy Spirit filled me up. It was incredible!

Often times I find myself going to the word and making it about discovering something new, or having some grand revelation. I was reminded from this weekend that it is not all about getting some great new insight, but is simply about spending time with our God. It is about having a relationship with Him. That’s what He wants. He just wants us to spend time with Him so that He can fill us and give us the strength we need to carry on. When we turn to Him He gives us all that we need.

A fourteen year old boy from Jobstown who used to be in Kevin’s youth club was hit by lightning on Saturday and killed. Ireland hardly ever has lighting and it was quite surprising to me to hear that somebody was actually struck. Please pray for this situation, and pray that God will somehow be able to use it to direct people to Himself.

I want to thank you all for your continued support in all that is happening here. Please continue to pray for the church and for the city of Tallaght. May the Lord be with you in all that you do.