What we got up to at CMS Summer School 2013...

It's been a bit over two weeks since my last post. This is because I went to CMS Summer School for a week and since being back, Ezekiel and I have just been recovering! What a week it was!

For those of you who don't know what CMS Summer School is, I shall fill you in. It is a week long (Sat-Fri) convention based at Katoomba Convention Centre. CMS organises and sends out missionaries to various parts of the world to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to as many people as possible. It is a week to celebrate the missionaries and the work that God is doing through them, a week to hear about what they do and how they are going, a week to learn about how we can support them and pray for them, and, most importantly, a week to hear from God's Word. It is full on but so refreshing and worth it. One of the best ways to start the year!

This year we heard from Vaughan Roberts, a minister of St Ebbe's in Oxford, England, who spoke on the book of Daniel. The theme of the week was the Vision of the King.

These are a few things I have been encouraged by:

1) Don't withdraw from the world. Pray for peace and justice in this world, but mostly pray for His Kingdom to come!

2) Don't compromise. It is so easy to fit into the mould of the world but God calls us to be different. It is so important to draw lines and do not compromise! Be aware of people and things Satan might use to try to drive a wedge between you and God just as the satraps tried to do with Daniel.

3) Don't be afraid. When earthly authority seems strong, look up! Look up at Jesus seated next to God on the throne in Heaven. Jesus conquered all sin. Have peace. God is in control. God is the giver of the power, the knowledge, the energy for everything! True power lies with Jesus Christ!

A few things I found interesting:

1) Daniel was over 80 years old when he was thrown into the lions den. What faith he had!

2) Darius effectively broke his own law at the end of chapter 6 verse 16.

3) Many say Darius didn't exist, but there may be gaps in our history. Beltshazzar was discovered later too. This was one idea. There are many other arguments too.

I learnt a WHOLE lot on prayer too but I will save that for another post or maybe a couple of posts. There is so much to share!

I love going to CMS Summer School each year. I always go home encouraged by these people doing the work of God faithfully, often in harsh environments and with little support. I love hearing how Gid is moving and shaking. I love getting out of Sydney and living in a cute house for the week. I love the fellowship with (almost) everyone we've ever known! And I love the mountains. God creates such beauty up there for us! Zeke did so well to get through the week, too. We sat in the (very baby friendly) Cafè Tent with a live feed. He loved watching and playing with the bigger kids and he loved meeting new people everyday. He slept very well in his porta-cot and let me go to every session I wanted to. I could not have done it without my parents. Thank you, God, for them.

And I'm still benefiting from Summer School. I bought these books (pictured below)!

I've started reading 'The Praying Life' first and it's brilliant! So keen to get into the rest of them!

Praying that you are encouraged by this blog.

:)