Looking back on this month I realise that I’ve found myself in some of the most unlikely places; places that I would probably not have chosen to go in the normal way of things, but my life experience has been definitely broadened and enriched as a result! Here are just a few…..I’ve been to a couple of nightclubs, a transport café and a local pub – and I thought I was a stay-at-home, middle of the road, humdrum type! So before you think I’ve gone wild in my fifties and am trying to recapture some long-lost youthfulness, let me explain!

Our youngest son plays the bass for a band made up of friends from church – they’re all followers of Jesus and they are all good musicians. They have been playing at gigs in town and so he has invited his parents along. In fact his dad acted as the ‘roadie’ last time and we ended up delivering all sorts of musical equipment, amplifiers and instruments to a club on a double yellow line in New Oxford Street. The wonders of facebook mean that you can easily invite all your friends along, so it was a grand reunion of friends from church, and supporting family and parents; the music was great, the cheers went up and we all had a wonderful time. I met up with our children who arrived from all over town, and I found myself thinking how strange it was that I was welcomed in this place despite my age. Maybe the world does belong to the young, but they are very hospitable with it! I also think that the family of God is very accepting and great fun.

Then there was the café experience: we had hired it ‘after hours’ to meet with some of the homeless men whom we have got to know while offering to pray for people on the streets on Saturdays. There we were with big mugs of tea and huge baked potatoes and beans and having the time of our lives chatting together about what God was doing today. Dave then announced that he had sprained his wrist and it was hurting badly; several people around him laid hands on his arm and prayed that God would heal it and he immediately said with enthusiasm that it was better. The presence of God was very real in that café, it was a brilliant place to be.

Last night I went to the local pub with some others from church to offer to pray for the people there. The landlord has welcomed us with open arms; there is a certain buzz about the place as some were healed by God the last time we came to pray, and the conversations often turn to God. ‘This is where and how the church should be!’ is something I’ve heard more than once from the regulars. In fact there is quite a lot of faith there, which makes it very exciting place to pray. I never thought I’d find going to the pub so exhilarating – and all on one Pepsi! Last night I spent a long time talking to three drinking friends whose best mate had just committed suicide, and they had so many questions about life and God. I didn’t think I’d got anywhere but as I was going they called me over to say goodbye and I said I’d be praying for them on the day of the funeral – ‘Don’t forget!’ they said earnestly. It felt such a privilege to be allowed into such personal pain, and I shall definitely be praying for them, as I think God is at work in their lives.

You never know what’s in store in the Christian life but Jesus was right when He said He came to give us life to the full. I hope your Christmas and New Year is blessed.