It's monday - I'm moaning...

..is this begining to feel familiar to anyone else?

Well, never one to shy away from contraversy, I'm going to moan about......



.....



....YOU!

The last two weeks we've had spots in the meeting where people can take part with testimonies or ideas, or something of a similar vein. Now I know there are all sorts of possibilities with these opportunities, and that sometimes it can be daunting, but your input is as valuable and neccessary as anyone elses. I don't think it's right that (no offense intended) the youngest person to take the opportunity was Heather.

Now most of you will have noticed that I've become a part time popper. I'm up possibly 30% of the opportunities I get. When I was a kid I wouldn't have dreamed of getting up, but now you can't keep me down. I'm only trailing Ray, Gill, Megan, Jean & Heather!!! So what changed Dan (is the question you're supposed to be asking)?

Well - it's a good job you ask, because I was going to tell you anyway.

People's testimonies count.

In fact, quite often people's testimonies count for more than a whole sermonm, at least to me. Look at Jeff Pearson - he became a Christian based on someone's testimony. People are moved by testimonies. They're also a great conversation starter with people you don't normally talk to!

I started standing up and talking when I realised that I had something to say. Not only did I have something to say, but I had something that no-one else could ever have said. If I hadn't said it no-one ever would!

You have something too. You might struggle in articulating it, you might not be able to link it to a bible verse, or song as some people do. You might not enjoy public speaking, you might feel inadequate, or uncomfortable. None of that is important.

What is important is that you have a relationship with God, that will be different to everyone else's, and if you tell us about it then maybe it will tell us about our own relationships, or encourage us to do something different or better.

Testimonies are often a challenge, or a question, sometimes a prayer request, or just a thought that came to you. Go for it! Tell us!

I know for a fact that I listen less and less to the testimonies from people I expect to hear from. When someone like Glynn stands up and gets emotional then that makes a big impression. When someone like Gemma or Sandra Dean gets up that's important because we don't hear from them all the time, but when we do you can tell they mean what they say.

If you catch all those 'old people' off guard with what is happening in your life they are going to be moved. They'll sit up and listen to you - probably more than they will to me now. You have a power that you don't use - I kind of feel that you're letting the corps down if you don't tell us what's going on every now and again.

I'm not saying pop up everytime the chance comes along. But when you've got something - GET UP!

What's the worst that can happen?....