Thursday 24 February 2011

Building Bridges!

Was motivated to write this because of a comment I got on our youth group page. It never ceases to amaze me how the Spirit works! Last night we had an amazing class time. There was 7 of us in my class and we started out talking about the bridges we build in our lives and the importance of making sure the bridges are getting us to the right places. You are never sure how a class will turn out. It was not long into the session that I realised we were being led on a path that took our connection with each other and toward God much deeper that normal. We talked about our relationships being bridges between each other and the importance of being connected to the right people. We talked about how we bring the best out of each other and looked back at the time we started building the bridges into each others lives. Stuart kicked things of talking about the most important bridge being the one that leads to God and Shaun followed up talking about how in the church you find the best bridges. We talked about the youth classes and their purpose being to build bridges into the community. Lewis talked about the bridge I made into Central School many years ago being the one that started his journey with us over 8 years ago! Ryan talked about how important the relationships with the group had helped him through this past few months of having to deal with the loss of his Granada. Thomas talked about our faith being an important bridge and reminded us about the path being one way that leads to Heaven. We talked about the bridges people build that lead to the wrong destination and the bridges we need to break down in our own lives. The time was gone before we knew it and there was a very telling end to our class that showed just how deep we had gone. Shaun suggested that we all take part in the prayer to end our time. Not all were confident enough to take part, but Shaun, Thomas, Stuart and Ryan all opened their hearts to God. There is no more powerful example of the work of the Holy Spirit than seeing a group of young men, who have had to find their own faith, desire to draw close to God. I am humbled and joyful that He is doing marvelous things!


I want to share what went on last Sunday night at our 3rd Sunday! We decided to centre the time around the songs that make us sing! I asked a bunch to tell me their favorite song and to explain why it was important to them. It was not long before they started pouring in! Shaun and Thomas were very keen to get involved, when challenged, to get up and share their favorites at the meeting. Thomas was first up and talked about "Anywhere with Jesus," being one of his. He talked about our faith being an "all times faith" and not simply a Sunday thing. He did great and was followed by Shaun who talked about "Make me a Servant." Shaun shared of his new found desire to serve in the classes and influence the younger children with the good news of God. Thomas shared a second in "Walking on Heavens Road" and talked about the importance of baptism in making sure you are on the right road and warned of the danger in thinking you can have a foot in both camps! Shaun came up and shared his love for "Listen to our Hearts." Shaun focused on the importance of thanking God for the "Way, the Truth and the Life!" It is never easy to follow after them. I am proud with a Godly pride at how they are allowing God to use them. I shared one of my favorites, "I am a sheep" and mentioned Psalm 100. I talked about having the blessing of singing "praise" to God. My dad talked about the time he was standing on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and as he was looking at the stones, said, "What if these stones could speak!" His song was, "There is beyond the azure Blue - Our God He is Alive!" We had a time for favorites and enjoying singing. Amy sang, "Amazing Grace!" It was tough to follow Shaun and Thomas, but that was nothing compared to having to get up and talk after Amy sang! She was beautiful! All I could muster to say was, "That's what your voice was made to do!" The night came to a close and I have no doubt, going by the comments afterward, that everyone received a blessing and God was glorified!


A couple of other little "tasty morsels" in finishing up this entry. I had the joy of sharing some good times in school assemblies this last week. I shared a lesson on the importance of keeping each other clean and not being the cause of someone to be dirty. I used an object lesson with two white shirts, one that I had covered in dirt and ripped and another perfectly white and clean. I asked what their reaction would have been if I had came to assembly wearing the dirty ripped shirt. The response was great! In essence they told me they would have expected better! I was then able to ask them, "In light of your behaviour and attitude toward others how clean are you?" Toward the end of the lesson I made a charge to the P7's to be sure that they are the "cleanest" in the school and setting the standard for the younger ones coming up behind them. Of course, at the core of the lesson was God's desire that we look to Him as the source of all things clean and good. I love having this opportunity to help the young ones catch a glimpse of God's goodness and love. Talking about assemblies, I got our schedule for our campaign in June filled up yesterday! The exciting news is we will be visiting 8 schools (possibly 9 waiting for reply).


On Monday night we had a blast! The younger kids had a treat waiting for them. I managed to arrange with the St Combs Ice Cream man to meet up with a bunch of ice cream. I got various sauces and toppings to make it a bit special. They were delighted and there is a strong possibility we will have to make this a monthly deal. All 27 kids, 5 teens and 2 adults had plenty and there was still a little left over for seconds! Monday nights are fun with the right balance of focus.

Well, there you have it - in a nutshell: God is good!

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Made to Smile!











Have to share why I will be smiling all week! From time to time you come across people who stand out for whatever reason. There are a certain two young ladies who crossed my path, probably 6 years ago. We had not seen them for two years since they moved overseas to Italy. Well, on Sunday morning we go the shock of our lives when they walked into Sunday School! Alexandra and Lucia Culley are two of the most radiant young girls you are likely to meet. I had not realised how much I had missed them until they walked through the door :) Nina and I were talking in one of the classrooms, just before Sunday school was to begin and I don't know who's jaw dropped the most as they passed the door! What joy!!! I feel I must apologise to Paula, their mum and Jonathon, their brother who were also there. Jonathan is now grown up and very different to the toddler we remember leaving for Italy. Paula is doing a fantastic job with her family and being able see them all again was a rich blessing and it has truly put a smile on my face that will be there constantly throughout the week. During Sunday school we just sat and talked about their life in Italy and what they have been doing. I have to comment about Lucia, I would love to have some kind of counter to record how many words she spoke in that short 40 minutes or so that was Sunday school. She was captivating! A few times we had to plead with her to let Alexandra talk for herself and share some of her life too. We had the best time and before we knew it, it was 10.45 and time for me to go and pick up Thomas for church. Time flies when the company is this good. Last night we had the joy of seeing them again at our Monday night class. This time it was Jonathan who stole the show. I was so glad to see him get stuck in and enjoy the class. On the Sunday morning he was a bit shy and strange of seeing everyone. However, that was not the case on Monday! He never stopped smiling the whole night - joy! The girls had a blast too and I will especially remember them playing the old favorite, "Knights and Cavaliers." It was so good to see them as a part of our group again. I must admit I am a little sad at the thought of them all having to leave us again, but I am so blessed and proud of the way they are growing and have such lovely hearts - true beauty!
We have had a full few weeks. I have to comment on the growth of our teens. I am so proud of the way they are taking more leadership roles, especially when it comes to Monday and Wednesday nights. I was talking with Fenella yesterday and making the point that on Monday night I am the only "old" person. All the other helpers are between the age of 17 and 21! We have reason to look forward with hope at what God will do through these willing young adults! C.J, Megan, Brittany, Shaun and Stuart have been excellent this term. The young kids who come on Monday nights are blessed because of their examples. The class has grown this term and it is down to the atmosphere that has been created by these young lives and the willingness of the children to invite their friends to come and enjoy! I am also delighted to have Thomas come with me to Crimond school and to Anna Ritchie. We make a great team! Our time at Crimond is brilliant! Since Alex left to go back home I needed someone to help with the school and Thomas is more than willing to help - good times!

It was my joy to preach this pas Sunday morning. The journey of preparing for it was especially deep. The journey began early in the week when I was very aware of not having my usual energy and motivation to bless. I felt weighed down and sluggish in Spirit. It was then I was convicted to face the reality that Satan was stealing my joy. I spent a chunk of time meditating and in prayer over this and came to the realisation that I had not prayed in a long time for God to," keep the evil one far from me." This became my motivation for what we shared on Sunday morning. The lesson was focused on Jesus teaching his disciples to pray and especially the closing line, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." How often we forget to ask God's help in keeping Satan far from us! I know this was timely in my life and there was a reaction from many of the congregation, God's word is active and convicting! Well, that's my little confession time, hope it moves you all to think about the activity of Satan in distracting you from the will and relationship of our Father.

I had the pleasure of going down to Cumbernauld with a group of men from Peterhead to a their men's day. We enjoyed a feast of great lessons through four very different lives. The theme was reminding us of the fact that we are all pilgrims in this land and our sights are set on another kingdom. It was a long day, but a full day!

I will close this with some fatherly pride! Beth and Amy both continue to show outstanding ability in their love for music. Beth got her grade 7 oboe marks back and achieved a mark of 143/150! This is truly an outstanding mark and one of the highest the school has known. Beth is really blossoming with her oboe and her music is a real passion in her life. Amy also got her grade 8 singing. Amy got the outstanding grade of 136/150! Fenella and I get the joy of going down this week to hear Amy sing at the Fife Festival. It will be lovely to hear her, but the truth is that now she is living in Edinburgh the singing is secondary and the hug takes pride of place. Anyway, needles to say Fenella and I are very proud of our daughters.

God bless!