I have so enjoyed the course and challenges of thinking through/reflecting on/trying to articulate my responses
To these questions here it seemed right to look back on God’s Presence/Guidance in my life over the years to be able to begin a reflective answer
1. In 1974 God called me out of a career as a Chartered Accountant (12 years) to explore ministry within the Church of England. I had been a believer since before could remember -looking back , with a current understanding of Christian Baptism of God’s work in my life since my parents asked Him for this when they took me for Baptism
To love and worship Him seemed natural and I was involved in several different Christian groups/churches up until 1974 (Presbyterian/Baptist/CofE) but then the Church of England became the focus.
2. From 1974 to 2010 ministry (worship, service( caring. teaching) and learning ) was within urban parish of Chelsea, RAF chaplaincy & rural parishes in Devon).
3. Since retirement in 2010 I have been still been active within various Christian Churches (CofE, Methodist and Baptist) and expect to do so until He calls me closer to Himself through death.
4. About 4 years ago I felt Him impressing on me ‘John , now is the time to Be more than to Do’ and so when I could I started attending Quaker worship, learning more about stillness and contemplation and enjoying these CAC courses. (I will have completed 5 of the 6 online courses at the end of BOW and am starting the last-Wisdom School- on the 14th)
5. So a ‘Contemplative Mind’ is becoming a joyful & vital part of my journey.
6. On thinking more about Jesus’ own wonderful relationship with the Father through the fullness (in Him) of God’s Spirit and the centrality of a this Contemplative Way I am truly beginning to see things in a deeper and more expansive way.
7. Two of my favourite Bible verses are
‘In His Presence is fulness of Joy’ (Ps.16v11)
‘Christ in You the Hope of Glory’ (Colossians 1v27)
revjcc 