Learning, bit by bit

Here are some things God is leading me to think about at the moment, and be changed by:

1. Prayer
My prayer life, for the past 8 years, has been largely self-centred, albeit led by the Spirit and every-moment-edness. At this staff conference I was inspired to take up my role as being co-worker with God himself; not in twisting God's arm for a change of events nationally, internationally, locally or personally, but actually creating anew the future. This is what it means for us to be co-creators with God, (as Patrick Johnstone taught us).

2. Sex
Love and the expression of that love is an area I am also growing in. I always presumed sex was something you did (in marriage) when you felt like it. However I haven't always 'felt' like it as much as I had expected to. Therefore my other reason became for my husband in particular to not be unfulfilled, (notice the double negative; not a very positive reason!) However I have now discovered a whole new meaning for sex - for the benefit of the relationship. I was talking to my Brazilian friend about this and was very much inspired by her and her husband's views and priority of this aspect of their marriage. So now I see sex as something for mutual and joint benefit, (for joining emotionally and physically, as well as for fun),and an important part of marriage, not an extra determined only by physical lust or fear of failing each other.

3. Church history and in particular monastic communities.
In Japan I met through my language classes Sister Nona, a Catholic sister from the Philippines, and we became friends. In fact we had lots in common. I would like to learn more about these type of communities in the old days, which I have been told were founded in order to be missional. I plan to research about them on the internet and write up some notes.

love Me xx