The Father's JOY as His children Dance

Last night was the most beautiful encounter that gives a glimpse into the heart of the Father. At this festival for young adults, there came a spontaneous blessing of great celebration and joy.

One of the families who live on the grounds of SPEC, journeyed up to the festival tent for the evening social time. Tim ended up playing music while his daughter danced to varied Irish and British folk songs, as his wife and son Patrick cheered and encouraged them on. The entire place was erupted in JOY… a joy so intense that it could only come from the source of all joy. It was a celebration of family and the power of goodness in the ordinary of our lives. Through the gift and witness of this family was the celebration of LIFE.

This is the New Springtime, I believe. It is the great joy and beauty of living and celebrating in the ordinary of our lives. He is so present in this way. As I spoke with young people later, they shared of the powerful encounter with God they had through this evening. Some of whom had never seen an intact family or a family who loved each other in such a way.

How much joy the Father does have when His children dance! May we all have the grace to celebrate and dance today, that the world in need of hope and joy would see how good the ordinary moments of our lives truly are!

Equipping the Church

It has been a time of great grace here at the festival. We are experiencing the Lord's blessings in many ways and so many young people are receiving the good news of the gospel. It has been a blessing also to witness such good fruit from last year. I have heard from four youth ministers that they have begun Eucharistic Adoration in their schools this year, after having heard the Lord's call to this through last year's ministry gatherings. Also, so many young people who have come to embrace their relationship with the Lord and have been journeying together. Last year, they were here not exactly knowing why.... this year they are here, seeking to be empowered and equipped to go forward and share the Lord's love with others.

Please pray for the Church here in England. God is moving in profound ways to build up the Church and to equip many. I believe this will be a place of great commissioning for all of Europe. It is a very pivotal time of grace here.

Thank you for your prayers.

ON THESE GROUNDS

I arrived yesterday and traveled to St Albans, UK. Today we begin to prepare for Brightlights Festival. Tomorrow, we will welcome about 350 young adults who will arrive and begin a 4 day journey together. The festival theme is 'ON THESE GROUNDS' and will be a journey with they witness of St Alban. The festival takes place at the All Saints Pastoral Center, which is located on the grounds where St. Alban was arrested and sentenced to death because of his faith.

St Alban was a Roman soldier, practicing a Pagan Religion when he encountered the generosity of a priest. As a friendship developed, he ended up taking the priest into his home for the priest to hide during a time when they were arresting and killing all religious. There he experience the Lord Jesus through the witness of this priest, converted and was baptized into the faith.

When it was discovered by Roman officials that the priest was at Alban's home, they arrived to arrest the priest. Alban, knowing he would be killed, took on the clothing of the priest and fled to these grounds, as a diversion. Here he was found and arrested. When they recognized who he was, a very highly ranked officer, the Romans gave him the option to renounce Christianity and live or be put to death. He proclaimed His faith to Jesus Christ and was then taken to be executed. He was only a Christian for a few weeks... yet was given the great grace to give all of his life for the sake of Truth Himself. And so, this place where that journey began is truly holy ground.

St Alban is the first Christian Martyr of England. And as an important saint to this nation, he was martyred for the faith before reformation, at a time where the Church was truly in unity and undivided. So, I believe the intercession and witness of St Alban is a most important saint at this time, as we continue to pray we might all again be one.

St. Alban pray for us and all those who will come here tomorrow seeking to grow closer to the Lord.