GregAndSuzanne

I am reading an incredible book written by Roland Baker. Keeping the fire. I am not even half way so I would not do it justice to try and summarise it now. But it was so perfectly placed within my current season, every page seem life changingly inspirational. Yes I know... there is no such word but it says what I need to say :) I write as we are driving towards Athens after spending 7 days in the little haven of Spiantza in Greece. We had been looking forward to going there for months now because we knew we were hoping that to find restoration there. Roland starts his book by talking about God being the great Revivor. I was in much need of being revived. Before we left on our Greek adventure I was made aware of my rock bottomness. My empty inability to function as a daughter of God. My absolute lack of love. I knew I have never been lower and lifeless. It felt as if I had died. What I adore about this God we serve is He knew... the timing... the perfect orchestration of events. Me ...

This morning I have the privilege again to write from a special place on the planet, a small rural village on the west coast of mainland Greece. We're five days into an epic, ten-day family holiday. Good friends of ours have spoiled us by letting us use their family beach house here in Spiatza. In our short time here, we have discovered (and remembered) that Greece is a special place - and not just because of the whole toilet paper scenario! Greece is special because, as most people know, it is steeped in history. Walking around Athens and seeing the few-thousand-year-old ruins were incredible. Hearing and reading about them just don't compare to actually seeing them. For me though, it feels like I have an even deeper affection for these sites, as so much of what my life and our lives are dedicated to, had significant moments here - walking past Mars Hill, where the apostle Paul first preached in Greece, and driving past Corinth for instance. Greece is special because the Gre...

I've been meaning to get this post out for a while! I've actually just passed the halfway mark of my sabbatical. Crazy to think that six weeks half gone past, although so much has happened - it's been such a rich time for me personally. Of course, I am now in the second part of my journey, which is focused on 'unusual productivity' or being physically productive. The first focus ended with a retreat to a beautiful place called Ashburnham Place. I spent about three days there walking through the woods, spending time with my Heavenly Father. It was a great time during which I was reminded of my mentors - people that influenced me significantly since the age of about ten. I spent a lot of time reflecting on what they had imparted to me and tried to contact them to thank them for it. I hadn't spoken to some of them for more than twenty years! So since then, my dad and I have been working on a few projects at home. The biggest one was taking the wallpaper off the l...

So it turns out that it really is more fun in the Philippines, so much so that they don't want you to leave! When I arrived at the airport this morning, I heard that my 7am flight had been moved earlier to 1am. Luckily they emailed me at 11pm last night... That's right, 2 hours before the flight! Long story short, I am on an 11am flight now and will then stay over in Abu Dhabi to fly to London in the morning. My 19 hour trip has just turned into a 36 hour one. Thank you Jesus that it's just me and not the family as well! It's been one of the most incredible weeks of my life. I have slept less than I have in years, but I am more rested than I have been in years. I was reminded of something one of my great mentors, Wolfi, often says: resting is not doing nothing, but doing the right thing. The right thing or things is that which makes us come alive. This week, I have been reminded of a few things that make me come alive, one of them being the ocean. I have always loved...

This morning I was doing my devotions in one of the most beautiful places I've ever done them (and I've been to some beautiful places), sitting on the roof of our half-built hotel (thank you Jesus for relaxed health and safety) overlooking the harbour town of Coron. You can see it below. I felt God speaking to me powerfully as I was listening to a song by Jon Owens called Fire Burns, which has been ministering to me for over ten years! But first let me share quickly the epic adventures of the last two days. It's Wednesday today - it's been a bit of a blur as Henry forgot to plan for us to sleep at all during our itinerary! I'm joking, sort of, but we have used every ounce of daylight and beyond to the max! Monday we spent at an old Spanish type Manor House called Villa Escudero, which is about a two hour drive from our base in Paranaque. It was an awesome day. Among other things, we visited an interesting museum (specialising in everything from Roman Catholic symbo...

This Sunday while we were at church, during the worship, God reminded me of how reliable He is. He found a way to restore and inspire me to trust in Him fully again. I am so grateful. Examining my heart I realised that life`s disappointments weighs into our trust in this EVER so reliable and faithful Father. He has never disappointed me, however I have been dissapointed so many times. Dissapointment in outcomes that we desperately needed to be different. These moments have the potential to ruin our trust. Loosing 2 babies was a harsh reality for me to deal with. Close frienships shattered,  financial difficulty, a struggling business.  I knew He had the power to change it all, but, for some unexplainable reason that supercedes time and space He tarries. He does respond to prayer but often in His own time, and in His own way. I am yet again standing at a cross roads. Trusting God in a time where He seems to be slow to respond. Then He whispers: "trust Me, you know I am ...

Today was a great day! It was day one of our week of fun in the Philippines... And it did not disappoint. We started the day (well technically I started my day by rolling around at 3am when I couldn't sleep anymore because of the jetlag!) by attending a church service at Fort Bonifacio. In many ways, it is the heart of our church movement. It was awesome to be there with many guests from around the world and to worship with brothers and sisters whom I've never met, sharing not only the same Father, but also the same heart to make disciples of all nations. After the service, we headed off to an outdoor 'market market' and enjoyed some awesome seafood in the bustling, 34-degree heat! And after that a trip to Tagaytay with a beautiful view of a lake and volcano, stopping along the way for a number of delicacies like bananas and four different types of peanut brittle! So far the heat and traffic have not been too bad, but I'm assuming the air-conditioned car and apar...

As Suzanne wrote before, we just came back from an awesome two-night camping experience in a small village called Hurley, close to Henley. It felt like we were away for a week! One of the things we appreciated most, was the freedom the kids had to run about and do their own thing. There is a lot of talk these days that kids are all stuck on the couch, glued to the TV. Well, not these kids! We were happy to see that a remnant (and a significant one at that) of free-spirited, outdoor-loving kids still endure and that our kids fit into the vibe easily. I'm currently sitting in the departure lounge, on my way to the Philippines. I feel massively privileged to be able to go on this great adventure. In fact, I have to fight a little to not feel guilty when I get to go and so many others (including my family) don't. I am radically aware that it is a privilege, a blessing really, which I am happy to receive - but I am committed and commit myself again to seeing everyone's God-give...

We are camping. As we took on the road towards our campsite yesterday we were not expecting to arrive at our destination in only 12 minutes. We knew we were close but this was such a pleasant suprise. Only 12 minutes away from our home we are in a little haven of bliss. Surrounded by many other families taking a moment out from the buzz of life. This morning I managed to grab a few moments to read from Proverbs. I am currently reading from the Passion translation and I love how it gives familiar scriptures new life. I have so much to say about this chapter, but I have decided to leave it to you to experience all this piece has to offer: Searching for Wisdom 1My child, will you treasure my wisdom? Then, and only then, will you acquire it. And only if you accept my advice and hide it within will you succeed. 2So train your heart to listen when I speak and open your spirit wide to expand your discernment—then pass it on to your sons and daughters. 3Yes, cry out for comprehens...

It's the first morning of my sabbatical... And I was awake at 5:30am! I suppose there are many things rattling around in my head. Trying to finalise, or pause, a significant part of one's life is not an easy feat. I've been preparing for this for quite some time, and I'm sure there are still quite a few things that needed to be arranged, but here I am now. Ready for all that God has for me for these next three months. Sabbatical of course comes from sabbath, which is the great day of rest. It is first introduced (by that name) in the context of Israelites gathering food on a daily basis. For five days, they gathered food for that day and that day only. If they tried to gather more, the leftovers would rot. But on the sixth day, they gathered food for two days, for that day and the following day - so that they wouldn't have to work on the seventh day as well, so that they could REST. The amazing thing is that on that particular day, the leftovers wouldn't rot, ...