Hello again...

Don't you just love the Kingdom? The more we are exposed to this worlds chaos and struggles the more We cling to the rock of our salvation! We are always mindful of the phrase, "... Walk a mile in my shoes." These past months I have thought much and hard about the paths we choose for ourselves and the pain we encounter when our steps are not directed by the Spirit, but rather by our nature. So many people trying to find their way in life, depending on their own understanding and feeling the pain and dismay when their path leads to despair instead of fulfilment. If there is one thing I am becoming more and more certain of in my middle age, it is the truth that is beautifully expressed in the old hymn, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand!" As I think for a second, my mind floods with memories of another song we sang at Donald Sutherlands baptism, "Jesus you're my firm foundation! I know I can stand secure!" How hard it must be to live and not have the assurance and hope in the Solid ground that is Christ! 

A strange way to begin this post, but actually, it is a very real affirmation and conclusion being revealed very powerfully as we minister here in Peterhead. I found a T-shirt, when we were visiting America in October 2013. We were privillaged to visit the 911 memorial site and in the gift shop I instantly connected with the message printed on this shirt that states, "In the Darkness we shine the brightest!" 

Christ is the power behind our radiance! Goodness is only brought to completion when it directs people to Christ. If goodness or good deeds done result in my name being raised then it will fail to deliver blessing. Only when it returns to its source (God) can it bring true joy and result in fulfilment. We live to glorify God and when God's name is honoured, then people will know and recognise true blessing!

The fact that this is my first entry in almost two years is pretty shocking! I have been resisting this media, probably to my detriment. I only wish this kind of thing came more naturally to me. So, this year I will try to keep this up to dat by committing at least one entry p/month in order to highlight and proclaim the sovereignty of our God.

Ok, before we get into this - I will appologise in advance for the unorderly and randomness of the structure. This is due to me being rubbish at reporting and remembering what would be interesting and mention worthy. I should really employ Holly to document my comings and goings, at least that way things would make more sense :) 

I am not going to try and remember all that has pointed to God's grace and presence over the past couple of years, but I will try and pinpoint a few in order that you can capture a taste. The opening thought is an easy one - Fenella and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this past December. It was made very obvious to me, in the most real and personal way, that our marriage is one of our greatest proclamations of God's handiwork. Not for a second do we claim to have the perfect model relationship, but we know without a doubt that our love has been made all the more deep because we both hold Christ as our Lord. One truth that continues to be evident is my never ending need for Fenella's Grace and understanding. Over our 25 years this has given substance to my faith and the ever present example of Christ in the words and actions of my wife. On a lighter note, the second photo is Fenella proudly wearing the medal I gave her in recognition of her achievement - putting up with me all this time :)

Our family continues to be our main event. We were commenting the other day how that the miles are pilling up on the cars as a result of the many trips up and down to either Edinburgh or Glasgow and the odd trip down to London! This has been a blessing in disguise for me personally, as I have developed a keen interest in car maintenance over the past years :)  There is no doubt that having four daughters keep us busy, but for all they consume of us, we have no greater blessing! 

Amy graduated from Edinburgh University with a music degree and a wealth of experience and memories. We, like many proud parents, know the journey Amy has travelled in order to have direction and service in her career path. We have loved supporting and watching Amy thrive as she finds balance in her life - again we see God's hand at work, a source of Joy.

Beth is mid way through her 3rd year at the Royal Conservatiore of Scotland and doing well. We love that Beth is focused and thriving in the realm of playing her Oboe and Cor Anglais. As Beth's parents we are especially proud of her desire to be in a Christian community within her academic studies. Beth has been part of the Christian Union within the RCS since she enrolled there and thrives within that community :)  Holly and Hannah are doing well and as you can see from the photo are growing into lovely young ladies. I must also introduce you all to Gus, our latest addition to the family :)

A few comments about ministry these past months. Towards the end of last year James Cantlay worked alongside me for one of the assemblies at Clerkhill School, which has around 450 children. This turned out to be one of the years highlights. We centred the program around the life of Joseph and James took on the character of Joseph throughout the assembly. We taught the children about the importance of "Giving Back" and "Blessing." One of the stand out moments was towards the end of the assembly where we invited some of the kids up to hold Joseph's Staff of authority (again a prop that James handmade himself), and proclaim an edict that would benefit the school. One of the first to come up was a primary 2 girl, cute as anything, who proclaimed that no children should be playing by themselves and that everyone has to be included in games. This 5/6 year old girl had just set the stage for a flood of others to come and proclaim good thing upon the school. After a few more "Proclaimations" we invited the head teacher up to pronounce the final edict, which was a perfect end to the assembly. Afterward, my sister, who teaches the primary 6's allowed us into her classroom and had the kids try on James' coat. The afternoon was a memorable one and resulted in much blessing.  

This past year has seen an increase in my activities within the schools and it has been a joy to be involved in the Academy too. I am doing assemblies in 4 primary schools and also have kept on my football coaching at Anna Ritchie School. The past year was a huge year as far as having opportunity in the local Academy. I am one of the Chaplincy team, along with 4 others. We have worked together for the past two terms holding meetings to work on programs for the assemblies which run over a whole week. Starting with 1st years on the Monday through to the senior 5/6 years on the Friday. I love this ministry and working with the Chaplincy team. I have been blessed with two further opportunities within the Academy setting. On a Friday lunch time I have the joy of coming into the school over lunch time and help facilitate what we call "The Chill Zone." The school has given us a designated room where kids can come over their lunch break and find community. This is where I thrive! I love Friday lunch times and the hour we share. There are anything between 25-45 kids come to the Zone. We have a really cool community which sees a core of kids coming faithfully and a bunch coming to find a bit of company. We are consistently there every Friday and the relationships are getting to where we are beginning to gain trust and gently find pockets of opportunity to council and encourage. I have also been invited to be part of the X-Cell group that meets on a Thursday lunch time. This is a community of young Christians that meet for a time of fellowship and teaching. I the joy of teaching this group once a month. It is an exciting group to meet with and a pleasure to teach! There are around 25-30 kids with a pretty even mix of the various years represented. 

On Tuesday lunch times I am still privillaged to join the Willowbank Community! I have been meeting my friends there for the past year and consider this to be one of my favourite things to do. I have been going out to meet James Cantlay and together we simply spread a little joy to everyone we meet. It would be around a table out at Willowbank that James and I would talk about ideas for Assemblies or lesson plans for football coaching with younger children at Anna Ritchie School. During our time there we have pretty much befriended the whole community and our lunch time visit is always met with plenty smiles. 

This past year I have been involved a lot more in preaching. There has been a focused effort to marry the Sunday morning lessons around a common theme. Predominantly the preaching has been shared between Michael, Jr and myself. I have been hugely stretched during this time. I have no doubt that the stretching has been for my benefit and I have loved the time that has been devoted to the Word. With having to devote so much energy and effort to preaching I have felt a little divided. There have been many times I have felt as though I were, "A Jack of all trades and master of none..."  I am conscious that the time I used to devote to resource for developing youth outreach and classes have been neglected in light of studying for preaching. I am thankful that God is the one holding the reigns and is over all things. I can see His hand at work powerfully in providing what is needed. Throughout the week we still have a pretty full youth program. Our Monday nights from 6.30-8.00 we are with the Primary school kids, Wednesday nights from 6.15-8.00 we are with all ages and Friday nights from 7-9.45 we are with teens and young adults. This is when I know God's grace and sovereignty are evident. In spite of my being stretched there are strong signs of growth and community within the various class settings. 

I need to spend a little time trying to document what Jr, Daisha, Gideon and Naomi Sheets impact has been over the past, nearly 2 years. In a nutshell I know God continues to work in and through them for the good of the community, church and God's glory. Everything is certainly better because they are here! We are certainly going through some tough times. Jr and Daisha are coming in with new eyes and vision for God's Kingdom. They have obviously been channels of life and blessing during their time with us. Jr's giftedness in preaching and teaching are probably the most telling spiritual evidence of God's hand. I can only speak for myself, but I know God is breathing life when I come under his preaching. Our path ahead is more obvious when working alongside the Sheets. I almost put, our path ahead "easier," but I had to stop and think a little. The path that we share has not been easier, if fact at times it has been harder! However, again I can only speak for myself, but already our lives and vision have become so intertwined that it is hard to think of the journey ahead without them.

Well, that will Work for now and hopefully there will be more regular updates to follow.

May we all acknowledge and give thanks for God blessings in 2015.