Growth...

I used an illustration recently about growth. It was centered on a conversation between an apple grower and a friend. The friend asks, "Show me a perfect apple." The farmer picks a small, green apple from the tree and hands it to his friend. The friend is surprised and expresses his confussion, "It is not red and I can't eat it yet!" The farmer responds, "For it's age and stage it is perfect!"

When I first heard this illustration a huge light buld went off in my head! When it comes to young Christians, we tend to look at them as they should be and not at the stage they are at. When we have been in Christ a number of years and our lives have been affected by the restructuring of God's will in our lives we can forget and be a little harsh on those who, for their age and stage, are growing perfectly.

It is with this in mind that I want to share this post. This, in reality should have preceeded my last entry, but the joy of what needed to be shared meant this one had to wait. However, how do you prioritise growth? Whether it's the early stages of developing belief and faith or maybe at the start of our new life in Christ or maybe seeing the evidence of faith lead to action and experssion in our life. Although we can't deny there is something beautiful and powerful about a new birth, there is something equally lovely in the continued witness to the development and character that comes from a life focused on God.  

There are a few things to share that underline God's handiwork and show true growth in those who would "Draw near to Him." A couple of Sundays ago it was my turn to go up and support the Buckie Church. Fenella and the girls were not able to go and in light of this Fenella suggested that I take some of the teens up with me. Shaun, Thomas and Jordan all made the trip up with me and shared a day that will go down as one of my most memorable of 2011. We talked all the way up and the hour and twenty minute journey seemed so short.

When we got there and the boys met the congregation, I knew ir was going to be a good day. Bill Pirrie asked me, just as we were going to start the meeting, if the boys were Christains and if they would take part. My response was yes to both, thinking he was going to ask the boys if they would like to take part in the service. When it came time for the bible readings he called on Shaun to read the OT. Shaun walked up to the podium where there was a huge bible open at the text and read very confidently and clearly. He was reading from the KJV (not a translation he is accustomed to reading) and if i'm honest I don't think I could have read it as well as he did. Thomas and Jordan now realised that the chances are, one of them was going to be called up to read the NT and they made sure they had their own bibles ready! Jordan was called up to read and again did a great job (using his NIV). Thomas led a public prayer during the "Prayers of the Church" and like the others his words were heart felt. I am glad to say that I think the congregation were blessed as richly from the boys invovlvment than any message I could bring :)

We went to Bill and Eleanor Pirie's for lunch and enjoyed a fine time around the table. Eleanor commented that she loved the fact that she was taking clean plates back into the kitchen. I am glad the boys got to meet Bill and Eleanor, because they got to meet two faithfull giants of the Kingdom. I got to spend more time in the afternoon with the boys and shared with them one on my life's passions - ice cream! We met with the church in the early evening and went home knowing we had encouraged the brethren there :)

Another area I feel needs to be expressed is our bible study times on Wednesday and Friday nights. The effect of God's word and the influence of His Spirit is obvious. When I was studying with Kirsty and with Sam they both made reference to one lesson in particular. On Friday night we used a clip from the Australian X Factor, which did a profile on one of this years contestants Emanuelle Kelly. The lesson focused on our need to have something in our lives that help us overcome the brokeness and pain of the World. We looked at Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." We finished listening to Coldplay's, "Fix You."

Our focal verse these past weeks has been James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will come close to you." We have been challenging the teens to make that conscious choice to give God some room in their thinking and their decission making and see if He does not come close to them. Sam,  Kirsty and, I am confident a few others, have been making this verse reality :)

I want to make a comment about Shaun and Thomas and a decission that was made to make their faith more active in their daily lives. After a coffee with Shaun, where we talked about our football team, "Brothers in Arms," we were concious that the attitudes and conduct of our team was not always as good as it could be. Shaun and Thomas decided it would be a practice of the team to share a prayer before taking to the pitch to play our matches. The last two weeks Thomas has led the team in prayer before the game and I have to be honest and say that I am sooo proud of their example to the rest of the team, who are not Christian's yet, and showing their faith and dependance in God for all things.

One last bit of news I have to share in this post. Last Tuesday it was my joy to be in Longside school to teach their assembly. It was special because Mr Imlah, who was previously devoted to the children at Central School, is now the head of Longside School. I am always touched when I come in contact with Mr Imlah because his love for the children goes far beyond the normal realm of a teacher/student and it is obvious that he has a passion and gift in sharing and investing in the betterment and development of children. I suppose the truth is that there is a connection between us and this was made obvious when I was leaving the school after the assembly was done. I told Mr Imlah that I had huge respect for him and for the way he devotes himself to the Children and he responded with a similar gesture. We went our seperate ways with a lump in our throughts, not motivated by pride but for the common good.

OOPS! Almost forgot about the picture :) Lewis Emslie turned 13 last Friday night and took a birthday cake to share with the group - good times!

"The word of God is living and active!" 

Kirsty's Journey :)

It is always a joy to begin a post with outstanding news! As you can see from the pictures we have a new babe in Christ :) Kirsty is a lovely girl and has made the choice to "Draw close to God." Two Friday nights ago during our class, I was standing in line at the St Combs ice cream van, when I got the message that Kirsty was waiting to talk to me. As soon as I saw her face I knew the look of conviction in her eyes. We talked for a while about what had caused her heart to be cut and for her to make this cry for help. I say this every time, but when you get to see first hand a soul finding their way back the their Father it is humbling and beautiful! We arranged to meet the following Thursday to study and to make sure Kirsty was totally convinced she was ready to surrender her life to the King.

I got the chance to meet up for a coffee with Helen, Kirsty's mum and sister Sam. I needed to know that Kirsty's decision was going to find support from her family. Helen is great and it is obvious that in her life God is beginning to make His presence felt. Helen was most gracious and made it clear that she is happy about Kirsty's choice and would certainly be supportive in the new path she is choosing. After studying with Kirsty on the Thursday and sharing the joy of the journey to salvation it was settled that Kirsty would be baptised on the Sunday night. You only need to look at the photo of Kirsty stepping out of the water to know her life was now in good hands. We sang a few of her favorite songs, "Purify me Lord" and "Listen to our Hearts." I love the way that even the songs that meant something to Kirsty gives an insight to her heart. 

We shared a little about people who had been influential in her path to this point. Donald was in the middle of the sea, fishing. He is an important figure in Kirsty's life. We all knew that Donald would have been a little sad at not being there, but we also knew that when he got the news of what Kirsty had just done, there would be floods of joy to overwhelm any sadness. Wendy, Jordan and Ethian have also been like an extended family and are important to Kirsty. I mentioned the power of our youth group and the importance of having friends sharing your journey. CJ and Megan Cowie have been good in sharing their faith and helping Kirsty. They were also present when we studied together and gave important insight into how Kirsty's commitment to Christ had already brought about evidence of repentance and turning towards God in her conduct as a friend and with her peers :) 

Sunday night was special and I was treated to a precious memory and indicator that God is undeniably doing something mighty in our midst! I had gone into the kitchen for a moment and when I opened the door back through to the main hall I was faced with a truly beautiful sight; there were a bunch of our teens from the youth group seated around the baptistery, I didn't count but, probably a dozen or more. I could not stop myself from thinking - God Willing they might all come to the same place they had just witnessed Kirsty committing too.  

I didn't mention about Kirsty's sister Sam. Sam has also began to, "Draw close to God." We have studied and anticipate that there will be good news soon in relation to Sam's journey of faith. When Sam and I were talking it became obvious how important church and her youth group had become to her. She told me about her first contact with the church, which was at Jordan's baptism, and how she feels so much at home when she comes on Wednesday's, Friday's and Sunday's. Sam is a genuine girl and I am so glad that God is beginning a good work in her life.

I have a bunch of stuff to share, but I feel I need to put them in a separate post. I do not want to distract you from this and the joy this one gives - it needs to stand alone :)

"God is Good and His love endures Forever!"

Consistancy is Key

As I was thinking about what to share in this post it became clear to me that the content of my blogs often follow a similar structure. My first reaction was that my ministry is predictable and repetitive, but on reflection I think the better way to look at it is consistant. Although there are some slight shifts in my focus the core of my ministry remains true to what it was over 10 years ago. My heart is still very much focused on youth and outreach, but I am very concious that over time as some are committing their lives to Christ and now progressing into their late teens and early 20's, I have a natural connection and desire to continue mentoring and counciling as they grow. I love what God is doing here and anticipate continued growth for the kingdom.

It was last Sunday morning I was hit with a smack of awareness that things are moving in the right direction. During our Sunday morning worship Jordan Sutherland was doing the public bible reading for the first time and did an outstanding job. I had the joy of preaching that morning and was able to encourage the Brethren before my lesson with an overview of how the young Christains are growing and active in sharing their faith. A couple of weeks prior to Jordan's reading Thomas was up there to for the first time reading. Donald was up assisting at the table. Donald also led our closing prayer at our last men's meeting! I was also able to mention all the work our teens are doing behind the scenes in our classes and that C.J and Megan Cowie are now teaching the P1 to 3's class on a Wednesday night! Shaun continues to show great desire for the Word and always has spiritually charged points during our lesson times with the youth.  This brings joy to our church and screams that God is working in their lives. 

My work with the schools has continued to be a source of purpose for me. During the various assembly times I have share this term I have had the joy of sharing a lesson on being generous with what God has blessed us with. I have loved the kids response as I share the story of the "Widow's mite." I have two kids come up to play the part of the rich giving and one to play the widow. The rich one I give loads of bags of gold chocolate coins and ask him to throw one bag to charity and share that the widow only has two pennies, everything she has, but gives them away. I then ask the kids who gave the most? Over 90% of the kids know that the widow has given more even though she put in less coins. We then shared an application based on our abbilities and gifts God gives us to use. Even though in some areas we have little to give, it isn't about the quantity but it is about our willingness and desire to share what we have for the good of others. I also make the point that Jesus notices when we make the effort!

With my after school clubs I must say that I am loving them too. I am working with a younger group at Meethill school this term - the P4's and 5's :) They are lovely and if our first session last Thursday afternoon is an indication of what is to come then I am excited! I tend to forget the impact these after school stuff is having untill I am in Morrisons or Asda getting messages and there are all these kids with their parents waving and talking to me. My Tuesday afternoons are out at Crimond coaching football. Again, I love the the excitment and happiness, especially with the P1-4's, as they come and go to the session. The older ones are a bit more compettitive and aware of their ability and they tend to need a lot more council rather than coaching, but the outcome is the same - relationships! On Friday afternoons I finish the school week with Anna Ritchie! Every week there is something that captures my heart with them :) This week it was James Cantly and his "never give up" mentality. James had about 4 shots on target last week and if he had a stronger leg every one of them would have found the net, but because there wasn't enough power behind the shots the keeper would just manage to get over and save them. James didn't score, but when we were walking off the playground he was telling me how that next week he would score! What an encouragment to me, they all are!

We are having some amazing class times! This has been most obvious on Wednesday nights. We have seen growth in this class over the past two terms. On reflection it may be down to the involvement of the young Christains and their influence. Wednesday is when all ages are together, apart from the 35 minutes we split for class. There is an obvious joy and happiness in the air as they play and sing together. As I mentioned earlier C.J and Megan have the youngest class, Fenella teaches the middle class and I have the teens. These are encouraging times and if I let my mind run a wee bit wild I see generations involved together and passing the faith effectivelly to the one coming behind. 

Last night in our Primary School age class was further evidence that this cycle is in fact in progress. We had a bit of fun with it being "Halloween." I don't buy into the horror of it, but in the context of the class it was a great opportunity for sharing. We had a blast with the younger kids! Again if it were not for the teens helping, it would not have been as effective. I am not going to say too much, because the photo's say everything :)

I have made a concious effort this term to spend more time in personal growth. I tendes to get so caught up in meeting the needs in others that I was not feeding myself. I will take a book on Monday morning and go to "my local," which is the Symposium Coffee Shop. I am loving the time to sit and litterally feel my tank being filled! I changed my Monday schedule so that I am not running home from Crimond at 4.45pm and rushing to get supper and away at 6.00pm for class with the young children. Now, I have time to get a wee bit more focused and less rushed. I have to say is is good :)

During the October Holiday when the girls were out of school we were able to enjoy family stuff. Fenella was off work for a week and we even got to meet up with Amy for a brief visit. Amy was up in Aberdeen performing with the Edinburgh University Chamber Choir and we were able to meet up for a wee while before the performance. It's hard coming to terms with family growing up and doing what they need to do. However, the fact that Amy is doing well and that she is very concientious about her decisions make Fenella and I proud. It was good to have Beth home for the break and get back to the normality of shouting up the stairs in the early afternoon for her to get up! I must admit, it was sooo nice to do that. Fenella and Beth were working on how they were going to get to all Beth's upcomig auditions. I was able to watch from a distance and be in total admiration of a mother's love and devotion. Fenella is such an amazing mum :) Anyway, we got time to play some badminton, go swimming, see the Three Musketeer's Movie and share a few driving experiences with Beth at the wheel.

I continue to enjoy the challenge of delivering a lesson to the church that will both encourage and enable the Spirit to have an avenue that causes us to desire holiness. We looked at Forgiveness and Generosity as an essential part of our being a servant and that no true act of service comes without sacrifice. If we are to meet the needs of the lost and hurting because of the brokeness of the flesh and of this world, we must engage with and shoulder some of their hurt. It is not an option, for a Christian, to pass by on the other side and be unaffected by the condition of the lost. Instead it is our joy to lead others to life and healing that is Christ's to give. God continues to open my eyes and my mind to the truths and the riches of His Word - may it ever be.

It struck me last night with the kids that I missed Alex Swango. I looked back at old photo's and this time last year we were side by side as Batman and Pick 'n' Mix bringing joy to the children. Alex will be getting married on the 19th of this month and I just wanted to wish both he and Erica his intended bride to be, every blessing in Christ as they look to start their married life together :)

God Bless!