BrianIngraham.com | ASPIRE

This week I have rested. I have just relaxed and spent time with family and friends. It is amazing how stopping brings better perspective and a renewed spirit.

This rest has been made possible by having such a fantastic and diverse team. Tomorrow Wade Thompson will be preaching and I will be doing much less. Andy and Wade have been threatening me that if I didn’t take a break soon they would “Force Quit” me… I don’t know what that means but I decided to pull a “Pre-emptive Strike” (yes, I was born in America) and choose this as a week of rest.

I am excited about Monday, when a few of us are going to spend time working on, in, and around the old boiler room at the church. Who knows, maybe we can get more heat in our building. That would be fantastic.

This year has been filled with obstacles, challenges, and HUGE answers to prayer. I am so glad to be here. God has been good to us and I am so thankful for this church, my team, and all who are making this church possible. May God bless you all.

See Last Blog Post…

>>>this added after reading the comments…

This Monday I am taking my UK drivers test, and after driving today, I realized I need divine intervention to pass this thing. It is not because I can’t drive, I’ve been doing that for 15 years or more, it is because I can’t remember all the British Driving Standard Test Rules…

If you could please pray that I pass, I would be very thankful.

Thanks, Brian.

(our tree)

This weekend Kellie set up our Christmas tree. It looks amazing. Seeing the tree reminds me of my childhood surrounded by family and grandparents. The tree for me has also been an acute reminder of the cost of our obedience.

In the bible the cross was referred to as a tree when it says, ‘cursed is every man hung on a tree’ referring to Jesus’ death on the cross. I read the book of Mark today and came across the passage which says if anyone would come after me they must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Elsewhere it talks about those who give up home and parents etc. for the kingdom… I was reminded that God’s people are always called to obey at a personal cost to themselves. Blessed are those who persevere in obedience no matter the cost.

Earlier I was getting weighed down for being thousands of miles away from my extended family this Christmas, knowing I will see no one. But after a good dose of the book of Mark, and a bit of Acts, I really feel thankful that Jesus would count us worthy of ‘suffering’ in this little way for the advancement of his kingdom.

I am thankful for my calling. I love our church. I love my team, and I can’t picture doing anything else, anywhere else, with anyone else. God has been so good to us by bringing us here, surrounding us with great friends, and I am thankful.

A special thank you to those who have been extra encouraging to me this last week. Thank you.

This morning I was struck by how much I simultaneously love and need my bible reading groups. I love the bible and enjoy reading it, but I know that I am much less likely to read in a given week if I am not in a bible group.

I love how these bible groups are not about guilt or insights but about loving the Word. We don’t ask, what did you learn, or what did you not read, or what questions did you have… it is all about what did you love from whatever book or books we are reading together.

Last week, one of my bible groups started the New Testament again. These groups are so basic, and yet so powerful, as if the ‘Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.’

I wish you all a group of people who will spur you on and help cultivate an ever-deepening love for God and his Word.