Mark Carey writes

 This year we are holding some words from Isaiah as a guiding verse for 2023.

And it will be said:

“Build up, build up, prepare the road!

Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”

Isaiah 57:14

The further we go into the year the more helpful I find this verse. We've been in extended rebuilding time and now it's time to put the focus more onto 'building up'. However, obstacles need to be moved out of the way, there are things that prevent the building up and therefore movement of God's people. It is said that in answer to a question in a newspaper, "What is wrong with the world?" G.K. Chesterton wrote in with a very simple answer: "Dear Sirs, I am." I've found that I am sometimes the obstacle that gets in the way of the movement of God's people! As well as this there is the need to pay attention to what God is showing us about obstacles - what is he revealing - we find that establishing regular patterns of prayer , individual and together really helps. It is good to be part of the wider networks of relationship with Awakening the Coastlands and New Wine - this helps us work out what to build up. 

On a different matter:

I'm thankful for the opportunity I've had to work with Oli Preston - you may already have heard that he is moving over the Summer to serve as Rector of Haworth in West Yorkshire. 

Let's pray for Oli and the family as they prepare for this significant move.