Our Weekend At Avon Tyrrell

By Cyndi Diamond

On the 24th of October, 2008, near a quiet English country village in the New Forest where ponies and deer roam free, a small group of brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world gathered together in an old beautiful Manor house called Avon Tyrrell. The house was built around 1891 upon a large ground of 65 acres that holds two small lakes. Young people often come to Avon Tyrell to do boating, building rafts and general activities. I felt it was peaceful spiritually for me there and the presence of God was strong.

Rev. Tim Sullivan kindly came over from America to do the teaching on the topic, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” He taught from the Old and New Testaments, highlighting relevant scriptures on many topics associated with worldly and spiritual riches.

Rev. Sullivan asked a very good question: If we were to leave this world now, would we be ready to meet the Lord? Would we be satisfied with what we have in our treasure chest in heaven? I am sure that this was much food for thought for all. It was a good time for all to stop and double check if our treasure chest was filling up nicely, or was it a bit on the empty side? Another good question he put over to us was, “Do you own your possessions or do your possessions own you?”

Here are some of my favourite scriptures that were touched on:

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:26)

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:4–5)

He that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
(Haggai 1:6b)

It was an amazing weekend with brothers and sisters helping and assisting each other with love and patience. Food was bountiful and plenty, and everyone enjoyed their free time socialising, playing games, going for lovely strolls in the grounds, and taking time out to talk with new and old friends, sharing experiences on how our loving Lord has been working and living in our lives, inspiring each other and putting happiness and peace within our time there. With everyone’s help and patience everything ran smoothly and timely, in order and with love in keeping with God’s commandments and scriptures. Many thanks to all who came. I hope they were blessed as much as I was.

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From the November 2008 edition of the Vine & Branches