THE eV&B BULLETIN

On the Road to Ardmore

eV&B Bulletin: July 21, 2009

From 27-31 July, I will be conducting a special seminar for a small group of teenagers and young adults from England, Holland and Switzerland. We are meeting in Ardmore, on the southeastern coast of Ireland. According to my unreliable Internet source (Wikipedia), Ardmore "is believed to be the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland." According to a more reliable source (my friends) it is very beautiful. It is a dream-come-true that a door has opened for me in Ireland, and I intend to make the most of it!

I read somewhere that "God has no grandchildren" and that is my unofficial theme for this week. All the young people in attendance are the offspring of Christian parents, and were raised in households governed by Christian precepts. The parents have done their best to fulfill the first part of Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go." It is my prayer that our week together will promote a smooth transition to the second part of the verse: "and when he is old, he will not depart from it." In order for Christianity to have any effect in their adult lives, young people must discover their own faith.

For me, the anticipation of the mission is the hardest part. The burden of representing God and Christ frightens me. The thought of public speaking unnerves me. As I prepare, I am hounded by the voice of two liars - one predicting grandiose triumph and the other spectacular failure. Fortunately, I know the difference between my own turbulent thoughts and the comforting voice of the Spirit.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

Still, I am required to do more than show up. That is why I have Ezra 7:10 pinned to my bulletin board (and hopefully, to my heart): "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."

While I am away, please remember my family in your prayers. Thank you for your prayers and support that contribute so much to this work. And special thanks to Aine Lucas for organizing this event.

In the service of His Majesty, the King of kings,

Rev. Tim Sullivan