Over the last year we have been seeking to discern what God’s vision for the life and community of St. Barnabas is. The following poems are a description of what we believe God is calling us to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dwelling place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are each living stones, particularly and carefully made, particularly and carefully laid.\u00a0\u00a0Laid in such a way that we each know our place, a place where we always feel found, and here in this place the Lord comes to dwell that each of us finds ourselves bound.\u00a0\u00a0Bound to his love which bids us to tarry and learn to live life at his pace. And there at his pace which moves in His time, we draw nearer to listen to Him, because here in this space which we call God’s dwelling the things of this world grow dim, for God is our home, refuge and hiding place, as we learn to dwell in him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Refuge<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is a haven of safety, of anchorage in the tumult of life, where the winds of tribulation may be heard far away but here is rest and peace. Where one takes a breath in a sanctuary of trust, where busyness and rushing has ceased. Because this is the haven, the refuge of prayer where God breathes new life into dust, bringing wholeness and healing, guidance and freedom, forming new life in his name. For he is our refuge our strength and our anchor in whose presence we will never be the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God\u2019s light<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When life is dark and you’re fearful of stumbling there’s a torch which will show you the way. Like a ship that’s beaten and battered by the waves, this lighthouse will guide you to the day. As its light draws you in to the warmth of its welcome to still your heart to hear, of the whisper of love that drifts from God’s word, combatting and driving out fear. And as the darkness of fear gives way to God’s light, revealing the gaze of his face, illumination, revelation takes hold of our hearts, as we are held in the warmth of God’s embrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here in this place of kindness and grace you’re not a number or object or thing, not valued for what you can do for \u201cme\u201d but because of the \u201cyou\u201d that you bring. For here we all taste the welcome of God, an acceptance without reservation. And with the warmth of his love, he opens the way for us to be his invitation. An invite to all into God’s open welcome, a welcome extended to all nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Kingdom of God<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is the rule and reign of the king, a domain of justice and wisdom, where its citizens seek, falteringly so, to follow the heart of their king. A heart so great in love and compassion borne out through the lamb that was slain, for here in this Kingdom where love isn’t rationed but poured out with abundance like Manchester rain. And under that shower of his love, comes down God’s spirit like a dove, transforming those stood in the deluge as they learn to make God their refuge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A House of prayer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is the place I invite you to listen, slow down and dwell with me. Here is the space I invite you to ponder, to tune all your senses to me. For as I see you approach my heart\u2019s full of joy, so pleased that you’ve chosen to listen. For it’s in that space we can work out together the way to carry my mission. A mission of welcome, of refuge, of love, of light for all the world; a mission to Bredbury and all in who dwell, of kindness, of love, unfurled.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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