Christ... who strengthens!

After a youth weekend, climbing a mountain and making a trip down and back to Edinburgh in the same day - I am aware that my brain may not be at it's optimum for remembering all that God has done these past weeks. However, what a few weeks they have been! A couple of weeks ago I was studying for a lesson and came across an observation from a wise scholar that said, "Too many people are so intoxicated by their busy lives that they never stay sober long enough to ask the big questions in life." As I observe and listen to our culture I totally agree with this. Yes, it is important to be active in life, but at the core of our activity, may it be God that we find there.

Be prepared for a real mixed bag in this entry. Within our family we have been touched by joy as well as trial. In the church we are being challenged to discern the will of God in new ways as we look to the future of the kingdom here in Peterhead and in our ministry we are challenged to look ahead in preparation for change. I want to mention a little of Fenella and my joy as parents. Although we could not go down together to see Amy perform in Handel's "Semele" we were both able to be on different nights. She was beautiful! We are constantly reminded of God's goodness when we listen to Amy sing. Can't remember if I mentioned this in my last entry, but allow me a little boasting in sharing some joy at Beth's achievements too. Beth was successful in auditioning for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and as part of their summer program will be performing at the "Proms" in the Royal Albert Hall in London! We had the pleasure of going to Beth's music school concert at the Music Hall in Aberdeen - beautiful! The two photo's are of Beth in rehearsal's for the concert and Amy performing in Semele. Fenella and I are very aware of our girls "talent" and gift of music - we are very proud :)

Before I get a bit more specific about my core ministry involvement, I want to mention some of the out of the ordinary stuff. I was blessed to share a day with Ian Starrs and Patrick Boynes, however I must confess that when Ian phoned on the Sunday night about their plans to go and climb "Benachie" the following morning I was a wee bit hesitant. We had just got home from the Cumbernauld youth weekend and I was still fighting a flu bug, but I was sooo glad to have made the effort! Although the weather was far from perfect the company was special :) I am thankful for the day we shared and the chance to get to know Patrick and Ian that bit better. We laughed, talked and walked - joy! 

I must mention something about the weekend we had in Cumbernauld with some of our youth group. Donald Sutherland and I took a group of seven down and had a good time getting closer to the group. Sam, Kirsty, Amie, Claire, Shaun, Jordan and Scott were such an encouragement! They were exemplary in their involvement and their attitude throughout the weekend - THANK YOU! I must mention the good work going on in Cumbernauld. The youth there did a good job in organising and heading up the weekend. I want to comment on Aubry Boynes and David Cope's involvement too. They were two of the featured speakers for the weekend and both showed depth and desire in their expression of where their study and preparation had led them. A joy to see these young men grow - praise God!

A few Sunday's back we spent the day up in Buckie, supporting the church there. The Peterhead Church, once a month, sends someone up there to help with the preaching of the Word. This is a worthy work of the church and it's a joy to be a part of it. Fenella and the girls came up with me and we had an excellent day. We planned to stop in by Cullen to visit with Avril Bowie on our way home. Holly and Hannah loved their time at Avril's! Avril loves to inspire the young and her gifts are a joy to see. She spent the afternoon teaching our girls how to knit using their fingers as needles. They LOVED it! All the way home they were creating these long knitted lengths, that would make a scarf when joined together. Again, THANK YOU Avril - you are lovely :)

 

OK, the core stuff. We are about to go through some changes to the fabric of our youth program :) Growth is good and the challenges it produces causes us to look constantly to God for His strength and will for the direction needed to continue the good work He is doing! This comment is easy to say, but it takes so much focus and discipline to do! Let me try to explain... In the summer we have a big  group of P7's that will be moving up from Monday nights to Friday nights. They are taking the next step into a new arena of involvement and focus toward God.  We are encouraged that this class on Friday nights has proved to be critical in holding this group of 12 to 18+ age youth to church. In our history this is the age we have failed to bring through and stay connected with. So, in one sense we give praise to God for this and are thankful that the structure is now there for the younger ones coming up. However, we now have this group of around 15 young adults who are now needing to move beyond the foundation that Friday nights have given and on to something more "Adult." God is good and as a church we have challenges and decisions to make that are a joy! We are beginning to work through the planning of what this will look like and how to make it happen. With this in mind we are beginning to mold this years campaign around this transition. I will comment more about this in my next entry as things develop. Again it sounds so simple when I am writing this, but knowing the importance and trying to discern God's plan through this is testing. I would love to know that you all are praying for what God is doing here and for our church that we are bringing the Truth of God's Kingdom to the community.   

As I try to close out this entry there are still so many things on my heart that I would love to lay bare on here and give you the opportunity to bring them to God's throne in prayer, but that is not possible. Let me simply request that you keep our family and the church here in Peterhead in prayers. There are many things that God is working for the good of the kingdom here and we are confident that He will continue to give more strength and grace in order for His will to be followed - please pray for us.

Let me close with a comment on Fenella's mum Alexa. Alexa continues to stay strong in spirit, but her body is showing signs of struggle. She was unable to have her third round of Chemo yesterday because she is not able at this point. Fenella is totally devoted to caring for her mum and Jackie is holding everything together. Please pray for strength through all this.

God is good.