God's Healing Power

On Sunday evening I had a great conversation with one of our young ladies at our 6pm meeting, so I asked her to write it down:

"For about 10 years, suffered with low mood, developing into depression and anxiety, always in and out of counselling and different therapies. I battled with self harm and suicidal thoughts for what felt like forever, and if I'm being honest, that really made me struggle in my walk with God. I was put on increasing amounts of medication as I became increasingly dependent on them - I was on the highest dose of anti-depressants that they could offer.

In the autumn of 2015, I experienced a horrible trauma, and was put under emergency care, my medication increased even further, and was having visits from nurses every other day, to try and combat the voices in my head that were very real to me. I had PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), and I didn't ever see myself getting better.

One night in November 2016, I was having a flashback when I called on one of my closest friends, and spilt my whole story to them. They prayed for me continuously throughout the night, even once I'd finally fallen asleep, pleading God for peace, and praying for healing once and for all. I prayed that week with the same person and others, until one morning I woke up totally different - I didn't take my tablets that morning, and haven't since - I don't need them, and I feel happier in myself than I ever did before, medication or otherwise.

I praise God that I'm here, and I'm alive, because without him, I dread to think what would have become of me."

Praise God!!!

Cakes at Reading Girls School

Not every one will know this, but every half term Judy, Bea and Alan go into Reading Girls School with cakes baked by our army of outstanding RFC bakers!!!

Bea was in on Wednesday and one teacher said to her that the cakes bring them together and makes them socialise.

Another teacher who regularly works in school on a Sunday, asked where we had been this last Sunday.  Bea told her about the Mad Stad One Church event and she said that she likes it that we are there when she comes to work!

It's so good that we get to express our love for the staff at the school in this way and to see that it is making a small impact.  Building unity and bringing comfort is part of what it is to be ambassadors of Christ.

Stories from the Mad Stad

We had a great time at our One Church celebration on Sunday.  It was brilliant to start with good news stories of answers to prayer and what God is doing in our lives.

Ethan told of how they have been learning about religions at school and he took in his bible.  His teacher read from the bible at the end of the day and he was able to have a couple of conversations with children in his class about how they could be Christians!

Mick told of how he posted a card of encouragement through the neighbours door; Saffy told us of how she had desired the gift of tongues, asked for it at a youth weekend away and ended up speaking in a language that she hadn't learnt!!!

These were just some of the stories that were told publicly on the morning.

As I left on Sunday morning, the security guy was genuinely delighted to see how people had all left smiling and joyful on the morning.  It turns out that someone else had had a great conversation with him earlier and he had shown a great interest.

God is on the move amongst us, let's be alert to what he is doing and let's encourage each other by taking every opportunity to share the good news stories, whether that be answers to prayer, opportunities to pray for others or being able to do good works to help someone out that brings light into someones life.