One couple wrote..
"What impacted us most was, a glimpse
of the Beauty of God and His intentions for us - the
importance of Godly foundations to marriage.
Thank you so much for the ways you
have ministered to us. We have been so blessed by the
integrity, honesty, humour, passion and commitment on show.
Words can't express the deep impression made. All those
small touches are big in so many ways"
We look forward to doing this course again
in Australia, but more about that later!
The following weekend
in June we travelled to Donegal Town in County Donegal, Ireland, where I
was the
speaker at the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship
International weekend. It made a deep impression on
me for the following reasons.
I have been used to teaching the Father
heart of God over a two day time slot, so I was not really optimistic
that this was the right subject for just several very short
sessions, and especially to so many men and women who were long
standing Christians. On the Friday evening I gave my
testimony and that was well received, especially bearing in mind
the recent miraculous recovery from almost certain death!
On the Saturday time schedules slipped
greatly, and that, along with several wonderful and very
inspiring testimonies from FGBMFI members, left me with very
little time to teach such a big subject.
In the first session I had to condense the
essence of several sessions into about a half hour, and to my
absolute amazement the delegates spontaneously applauded!
During session two they seemed a little stunned as I talked about dysfunctional
parenting and its consequences, and during session three many
wept. At the end of that session one man walked up and hugged
me.
In the evening I was to due speak after a
banquet for the delegates plus their invited guests. The evening
was scheduled to be over at 10 pm, but as before times slipped,
and I did not get up to speak until 10.10pm.
Shortly after starting this, my final
session, a wedding party band struck up next door and we were
treated to 'Congratulations' at mega decibels, with other
popular wedding party songs following. It was both funny
and serious in that I really thought that the evening could not
possibly proceed. Then I noticed that all were still focused on
what was being said, rather than the loud music, so, almost
shouting over the band next door, I carried on and brought the
evening to a close with an open invitation for people to come
forward to the platform to have an encounter with Father God.
Despite the loud noise, many came.
The following morning several men of God
came to our breakfast table, some fighting back tears, to share
how precious the teaching had been to them.
Even though I 'know' that it is "not by
might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord" I think
that this weekend finally cemented that truth into my spirit.
Everything, from lack of teaching time to loud music, did not
stop Jesus revealing His Father. I need never doubt again!
A week later I met a man in church who had
just come from a short visit to Donegal Town. He told me that he was speaking to
a man in the town who had heard about a
wonderful weekend in Donegal where the Father heart of God had
been taught. Isn't God amazing! Always the Great
Encourager.
I am trying to rest up during July in
preparation for a busy August, but with ministry appointments
that cannot be put back, plus a lot of overdue administration,
it is proving somewhat elusive.
July 5th and 6th are red letter days in
the Symington household. On July 5th our daughter Joanne (26)
graduates as a Bachelor of Arts from Queen's University and
Stephen (21) graduates the following day as Bachelor of Science.
We are proud parents indeed! Thank you Lord. July 5th / 6th is
also the one year anniversary of my heart virus!
On July 23rd I will be speaking for the
first time at Bangor Elim, Northern Ireland, the largest and
fastest growing church the town.
Then on August 3rd we leave home to travel
and teach at the two Ellel Minisries International centres in
Australia. To lessen the wear on tear as me as I continue to
recover from last year's illness we will be stopping over at
Hong Kong on the way out and at Singapore on the way home.
This is our schedule for August.
7th |
Arrive in Sydney |
8th -10th |
Rest |
11th |
Supporters day lunch at
Gilbulla, outside Sydney |
11th - 13th |
Father heart of God |
14th |
Rest |
15th - 17th |
Marriage as God intended |
18th - 20th |
Ministry to men |
21st |
Fly to Perth |
21-24 |
Holiday in Western Australia |
25th-27th |
Father heart of God at
Springhill, Perth |
28th |
Rest |
29th - 31st |
Men's issues |
Sept. 1st |
Fly to Singapore |
I am still awaiting the results of the
echocardiogram which the heart consultant ordered after seeing
how amazingly and unexplainably well I am doing. The results were meant to be through in three weeks
but despite many phone calls to the busy hospital they have not been looked at yet.
All in God's time. Whether the atrial valve in my heart has been
totally healed, partially healed or is still operating at only
10% is of passing interest (though the first option would make a huge difference
to the medical insurance - nearly £800 for Australia alone!)
Following Jesus continues to be such an
adventure!
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