In this session Jane Evans told the hilarious story of her attempts to be a little more 'adventurous' with her husband Ps Ashley. She recounted the 'parking incident' where she convinced her husband to go parking with her one night - against his better judgement - they parked in a primary school car park and, well ahem - got into the back seat! a little while later a police car pulls up behind them and orders them out of the car (I don't think either of them was in any state to be seen publicly) The police officers informed them that they were trespassing and that there had been break ins recently at this School! (We fell about laughing at this stage of the story) Anyway the next question was "So what do you do for employment?" They had to tell them that they were Pastors of a local Church! 'But its alright Officer blurts out Jane - we're married!"
They were doing the right thing - just in the wrong place! This was the premise for her message about the Christian life and doing the right things, outwardly - but being in the wrong place spiritually, i.e. serving, ministering, functioning from a place of fear, bitterness, resentment, ego or regret.
She spoke about 'changing the place you walk' walking closer to the 'middle' of God's word, and closeness to the Spirit.
Abraham walked in the flesh, and an 'Ishmael' was birthed that was the cause of much trouble to the Jewish nation (and still are!) Because there is a child of promise & a child of the flesh, when it comes to the product of our decisions and choices. We don't want to have to deal with a flesh-child running amok in our life, due to a poor decision made at a critical moment. We would rather the placid child of promise playing nicely in the corner wouldn't we? Saying in the spirit / walking in the spirit will help us to operate from the Spirit and will guide us to wisdom in life. Remember Jesus said "Wisdom is justified by its children?" remember this when you come across a delinquent child! say to yourself "Must make better decisions!"
Jane observed that Jesus cast out demons in Mark from a position of authority that was a result of his relationship with the Father, a robust faith and the discipline of Prayer & Fasting. The disciples were incapable of dealing with this situation because they were insufficiently prepared / not operating from the right position.
Advice to parents:
- Change your position & perspective
- We are the right parents for the children God has given us.
- Sometimes we can be financially miss-positioned - this causes pressure on family life
- Be relationally aligned with your children
By changing ourselves and aligning with God we can be in a position to influence and change others.
This was a great session & I loved Jane's ability to share their journey with honesty & humour.
That's all this week - (The only parking I'm doing from now on is in front of Big W / in broad day light!)
Ps Rhett
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