Taking the Time to Notice!

Thought I would make a few comments about this weekend. You just never know what opportunities you will encounter! For some reason it hit me this weekend the variety and depth of opportunity God places in our paths. I have been humbled, frustrated, proud, delighted, disappointed and useful all in the space of a weekend.

I was humbled on Sunday as Fenella the girls and I went to visit Ian and Avril Bowie from Cullen. We found out that Ian's health was in bad shape. We were able to spend a wee while in their home and find out that Ian has cancer in his bowel. His state of mind was exemplary and his outlook is very positive. It is humbling to not have the answers. Ian and Avril have been a refuge and safe haven for many in times of deep despair. Here again they are facing challenging times. It was good to listen to Ian share his confidence that God is his reason to face this cancer with hope. We were able to share a time in prayer and eventually tear ourselves away. I wish there had been more time to visit! We left at 5.30 and had to rush to get ready for church in Buckie at 6.00.

It is frustrating at times to see teenagers make bad choices in the past that are now affecting their future. I have had the joy of sharing some advice and council to a struggling teen. I can't help thinking how hard it is to go through those awkward years with a less than adequate tool box. I am prayerful, that in spite of some obvious struggles, the Spirit will guide and bring about something of value and purpose. I am very aware that this is always the case when the Spirit is involved, my prayer is for the will to engage and for fear to be overcome.

I am delighted with our Friday night bunch! This past Friday we had our first class of the term. We had to delay the start because of the Aberdeen Youth Weekend. It was a good beginning! We had Lewis and Robert "Graduate" from the Monday night Class now that they are in the Academy. I am so happy that they are now a part of Friday nights! We had two new faces in Jordan and Ryan. Jordan Sutherland used to come a few years back and after some invites he made up his mind to come and to bring his friend with him - fantastic! We added a few more "Hands" to our wall. I taught a lesson based on a fundamental difference between God and Satan, "God waits to be INVITED into your life, but Satan will INVADE any chance he gets!" We had a good crowd there and the atmosphere has certainly rolled over from last term. I am very hopeful and excited to see God continue the good work in this arena of young souls!

I have reason to be disappointed with myself. I have felt a bit flat and know I should be doing a better job in certain aspects of my life. I am reminded of the lesson I challenged the teens with last week and need to put it into practice in my own life. Satan, "The Accuser" will devour you if you let him! I need to spend some time getting back under, "The Mighty Hand of God!" After this weekend I know thing are getting back on track, but I am always conscious of my humanity.

I am not saying this to lift myself up, but to show how great God is and how we are useful in His service. On Sunday Fenella, Beth, Holly, Hannah and I had the joy of spending the day with the Buckie Church. On the journey up I prayed constantly that God use me to bless the church. I am confident that God used my family to encourage the Christians there. I preached two lessons and I pray that I allowed God to use my heart in delivering His message. We had lunch at Elaine Pirrie's and were spoiled big time! We watched a DVD of Elaine and Hunter's 25th anniversary, where they renewed their vows. It was beautiful and there were tissues, lots of them! It was good to spend time with Grace and Alan Johnstone. From a young age Alan, Grace and their family have impacted my faith.

I am proud of Amy and Beth! I see their roots of maturity in their desire to learn and choose a meaningful path for their future. I make these observations with an element of fear, because you never know what trials and challenges their lives will encounter and who they will turn too for advice. Fenella and I take comfort from the fact that they know God and that there is evidence in their young lives that their faith is their own. We don't know what tomorrow will bring, but we thank God for what his instruction and teaching has created through imperfect people.

Well, wasn't expecting to use this as a sounding board, but it is what it is! Please seize the opportunity to pray for many of the joy's and pain's I have shared in this entry - God Bless!