Geneva - Thursday 30th

Woke around 8.30 at David and Leila's who had long gone to work. The weather outside was cool with sunny spells. There was a gorgeous view of the Jura mountains which are still snow-clad. David had played golf in that area recently and had to abandon it due to the snow.

We drove in the Panda to Challex. We didn't use the most direct route as we couldn't get the satnav to work and didn't have good enough maps. Howev we finally arrived and sorted out the ants. Had a bite to eat and a drink as the auberge was shot for food. Drove back to St. Julian and had a drink and nibbles.

Romans 1:8-15 First, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed in the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, is my witness, how constantly I make mention of you, 10 always asking in my prayers if somehow now at last I may succeed to come to you in the will of God. 11 For I desire to see you, in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, in order to strengthen you, 12 that is, to be encouraged together with you through our mutual faith, both yours and mine. 13 Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that often I intended to come to you, and was prevented until now, in order that I might have some fruit among you also, just as also among the rest of the Gentiles.14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Thus I am eager to proclaim the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

V8 They have clearly made an impression on the rest of the emerging church because of their faith, no doubt in the face of persecution.

V9 'serve in my spirit' and odd phrase - possibly drawing a distinction between his flesh life and spiritual life as he does later in Romans when he talks about e internal war between flesh and spirit. He is a man constant in prayer for the saints across the region.

V10 his passion to visit Rome is clear but only as God wills. As with his visit to Macedonia, Paul always allows God to decide his agenda.

V11 I wonder what spiritual gift Paul had in mind. Perhaps he didn't know because he hadn't met them and didn't want to presume what they might lack.

V12 in humility Paul sees himself as an equal, not a superior (mutual faith).

V13 in typical Pauline style he urges them to produce spiritual fruit - never lets people off the hook in terms of discipline.

Vv14,15 Paul declares his credentials as an apostle to the Gentiles.