BrianIngraham.com | ASPIRE

Turkey, Ham, Stuffing, More Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Pies, the list goes on… Settlers of Catan, Gabbing, Friends, BF2… Who doesn’t like Thanksgiving? What a great day. I find myself exceptionally thankful for three things this year.

1. How good God has been to surround me with such great people after moving across the word in 2003.
2. The birth of my son Owen, a real joy.
3. The joy of leading our Church.

God has been so good to me. What do you find yourself thankful for?

“Prayer begets and maintains holy courage and magnanimity in evil times. When all things about you tend to discouragement, it is your being with Jesus that makes you bold.” – John Flavel.

Click on the ‘Prayer Request’ “Tab” at the top of this page to read our latest prayer requests and praises.

Thank you for praying!

My In-laws sent me Iain Murry’s new book, “A Scottish Christian Heritage.” Although I was anticipating quazi-interesting, highly informative read; I have found the book to be shockingly enthralling, gripping, and encouraging.

The first chapter was a brief look at the highly controversial figure of John Knox, the most prominent figure in championing the protestant reformation in Scotland. I was surprised to see that like Patrick (St. Patrick) he had been enslaved for an extended season which God used to shape him into a man of prayer. I am sure there are many things about Knox not worth imitating but these I found excellent.

• John was a man of prayer.
• Continually lived reliant on God’s Spirit for power.
• He was an internationally shaped Christian. (Historically speaking people who spend significant years in other nations are better aware of the ruts both nations may be unknowingly trapped in.)
• He was a man of great courage and tenacity.
• When all his work seemed to be falling apart.
• When many false charges were brought against him.
• When he was enslaved.
• When he was at the heart of religious persecution.
• When his friends and companions turned on him and away from their dream.
• A man championing bible reading and sound teaching.
• A man who lived constantly aware that his real enemy was the devil and the spiritual forces of evil.

That was just the first section I can’t wait to get to the rest of the book. That first chapter does beg the question… Where will the John Knox’s in our generation come from? Who will endure what needs to be endured to call our generation out of its present darkness?

I have been sitting in a series of lectures on the Holy Spirit and today brought so much clarity to some of the things I am experiencing now and have seen during the life of Re:Hope. For example, I have often wondered what happened last October? Why God started to move in an exceptional way during the services when we weren’t doing anything different?

I have been so refreshed by the teaching but even more so by the Celtic Way Discipleship Training School people led by Gary and Bev Killingsworth. The morning worship times have been powerful, and those in the room have such a genuine and therapeutic passion for God. It truly is a place of common heart.

For a long while now I have had healthy weekly spiritual rhythms, including lots of times of prayer and in the bible. Today I realized it has been a few years since I have done a real spiritual retreat. I haven’t felt the need. But today I was challenged that I don’t need time away to catch up, but instead I need extended time to listen and go deeper in my communion. I have become content with my times with God and I need to push on further.

What might you do to push on further with God?

I thought Ushpizin was a fantastic movie. On the one hand it was supposedly a comedy, which I am sure it is to its Jewish audience. I found it to be thought provoking and challenging. Stephen said, “Ushpizin is more Christian than any Christian movie he had ever seen.” I see why.

• I enjoyed the insight into modern Orthodox Jewish culture.
• I enjoyed the expression of relationship with God.
• I was challenged by how he interacted with God in continual brief prayers.
• I saw the wrestling with what God wants, when it conflicts with what we want and appreciated their authentic wrestling with costly obedience and commitment to please God.
• I saw faith.

Ushpizin means “guests.” It takes place during the biblical feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23- click here to read the verses) the last and most joyous feast of the year. The Jews refer to the feast of Tabernacles as Sukkot (its Hebrew name.) I suggest going to ‘Jewfaq.org’ and reading this page about Sukkot before you watch the movie for a deeper appreciation of what is going on.

There are many thought provoking concepts in the movie that are worth pondering for any Christian. Check it out. If you aren’t Jewish expect it to be a bit slow and not so funny. But consider their expression of their relationship with God, does it challenge you? I bet it might.

We heard back regarding our bid. Apparently our bid was not accepted and although we offered as much as we could based on all that was given we didn’t have enough money.

What we don’t know is if we will get the building or not. Confused? Everything about the accepted bid is confidential including their contingencies and proposed use. If (most likely) the accepted bid is contingent on planning permission to change the buildings use (US- zoning) there is a high chance the city will deny such application.

If the city denies that application we will have another chance at the building again. In the mean time we continue to pray and it seems we need to raise a bit more money.

Bottom line: We didn’t get our bid accepted today, but there is a good chance we will have another shot. So we will continue to plan and prepare as well as scout out other old church buildings that are potentially coming on the market in our area.