Billy Gilvear: Meekness – Gentle Giants!

New regional director for Manchester. Matt 5 The British army is built on the values that come direct from the sermon on the mount. Popular view of happiness – when and then thinking: When this happens – then I will be happy Kelly Holmes interview this week: she had the dream of a gold medal since the age of 12. Then she had one setback after another: Started cutting – self harming Then after she got a gold medal, it was great/ for a while… But then she said she got down again ‘because I had no hope.’ The richest people Billy met when working in close protection were the loneliest. Matt 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Who do we think of when we hear ‘meek’ – Ned Flanders. The word sounds weak.meek, squeak – like a mouse! But only 2 men in the bible were described as meek- Jesus and Moses Meek = power under control. Cf Monty Roberts. The horse whisperer brings the strength under control. Jesus is saying ‘happy are those…who […]

Uniting in Prayer to Show that We Care

Mobilising our churches to pray for our police service. Tens of thousands are now signed up to this national campaign started here in Manchester following the tragic shootings this week. at 11am tomorrow we will stand in silent remembrance and pray for the families and friends of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes, and praying with gratitude for all who ‘serve and protect’ in our Police Service. Full details at this link – http://ow.ly/dR436

Containers for living water

Ivy Grow Group notes I’m going to be talking this Sunday about church (surprising eh?) Specifically I want to focus on membership Being apart OF not apart FROM the Body. Read 1 Cor 12, then pray together What parts of the passage are hardest to understand? What parts go against how we naturally think and live? Let’s think a bit further on this: The gospel is like ‘LIVING WATER.’ (where does that phrase come from? Find out and read around it). What does water do? It fills any receptacle – without retaining the form of any. The container isn’t what’s impt. The CONTENT stays the same, the CONTAINERS change. We are individually containers, and we meet together in containers. List what containers Ivy presently meets in that you know of. Pray for the new outreach starting soon- Ivy Sharston – and the team led by Matty Hawthorne getting it going. Are you called to help with this on Sunday afternoons? Contact the office! The body looks like it does because of its DNA – that’s what makes us what we […]

Tears, Rage and Prayers for Murdered GMP Police Women

I wanted to be a police officer since I was thirteen, and at 16 my dream came true when I joined GMP Police Cadets. After that two years I served 10 years in various roles as a Constable, with some of the bravest and best people imaginable. As I wrote in my book ‘Diamond Geezers’ my concept of true friendship was forged during those years, and in some senses it spoilt me for what sometimes passes as friendship in the rest of the world. In the church I have made some great friends too, but such terms as brother/sisterhood are sometimes bandied around too easily as religious concepts among people who are Sunday acquaintances; but while not wanting to be over sentimental, when you’ve been through that dangerous door with someone, or fought alongside them in a dirty pub as the pint pots fly past – you learn who your friends are. My best mate is still one such man I faced fear down alongside with. The call that every Bobby worth their salt would abandon everything to run to […]

Giant killing – Intimidation vs Intimacy

Ivy GG notes.  Graham Cooke told us: You get to live in the favour of God. This is who we are. Don’t live below the line of your privilege.  Discuss – what does the Favour of God mean?  GC: At the cross, Jesus has removed everything that was hostile to us. God said ‘I will make all your enemies turn their backs on you.’ The enemy is vulnerable to the favour of God that is working in your life. The opposition now works for you. The enemy was created to serve the purpose of God. Nothing’s changed. He still does. Read the beginning of Job. What does this tell you about the devil, his role in the world, and the limitations of his power? What puzzles you about this story?  Do you tend to live in fear that the enemy can steal, kill and destroy – or  do you live as I said last Sunday, DARING, DEFENDED – so DO IT.    GC: Don’t focus on the attack of the enemy. Look what God’s doing. David turns up with the cheese for his […]

Radiant Overcomers!

We’re coming to the end of the GG notes that come out of my notes/ thoughts on Graham Cooke’s visit for Keys to the City – probably just another couple of weeks then I think we’ll start looking at the Beatitudes, following the new EVENING teaching at Ivy. But there’s still plenty to chew on from Graham. By the way i put these nots on a few days in advance so this stuff is for NEXT week.  1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Discuss: What do you think Paul meant by this? Is it as easy as saying a phrase then?    GC: It’s not enough to just know Jesus as Saviour – We have to learn him as LORD. This means we come to terms with his supremacy. Jesus is Lord means He rules in every situation.  If you’ve heard my recent talks I’ve been saying there’s a difference between what makes us FAIL (Fixed […]