The Procrastinated Return

Aberdeen University Library

With lectures not starting until next week, I took the resulting day off to visit friends in Aberdeen, where I spent a year working for my church in a DNA year.

I’d been putting off this return for quite some time.  Because, when I left, I was starting to see fruit and breakthroughs in my work that I’d been struggling to achieve all year.  So to leave just as things were kicking off…was hard.  Not only this, but I’ve found the past few months in Perth to be the hardest of all.  Adventure 3 is turning out to be a tricky one!

But I felt it was time.  And it was.

I met with various people, and I failed to meet with many more.  I even got to go inside the new Aberdeen University library!  I appreciated every catch-up.  But one moment will be in my memory until ‘senior moments’ take it away!

I was able to go to a P1-3 assembly at one of the schools I served.  They were always a joy when I did them regularly, so to go back after so long was an incredible experience!  But the moment that will stay with me will be of one particular P3 who, when praying, used the prayer technique I taught the kids as his way of praying!  Wow!  I’ve left a legacy in that school!

But, now I’m refreshed.  Ready for another term of madness, strain, confusion, and general, old-fashioned growth!

Here I go.  I’m ready, ready, ready…

Monday 24th January 2011

Day 1 of the second 2-day block at City Church.

The guys were given the opportunity to talk about what God’s been doing recently.  I talked about, mainly, my problem with thinking people don’t want to be around me.  That I find it hard to believe that people like and enjoy my company.

When people were praying, P read out Psalm 139.  It was a huge reminder of just how much God knows about me; how much He cares about me; and how much He loves me.  What was really encouraging was A saying how much he appreciated my company, and then he gave me a hug!  This was quite fitting, as I was planning on giving him a hug at the end of the prayers.

I loved the Celtic Christianity and Scottish Church History teaching!  I was really encouraged and inspired by the fact that the Church has gone through turmoil and splits numerous times in the past, and has yet survived!  Though it’s nevertheless significant, the General Assembly (and the resultant status of the Church of Scotland) will not end the Church.

Another thing that was good was the Biblical Overview.  JT said, “How can we use Scripture more creatively in church?”  Really challenging!

Revival? Why Stop There?

I’ve heard a lot of talk of a revival in Scotland.  It seems that there is a great want in this country for a revival.

But I have one gripe with revivals: they’re passive and temporary.

I’ve seen people pray for the Hebridean revivals happen again, but on the mainland.  I’ve heard people pleading for young people to fill their empty, listed buildings.  Good prayers.  I like the picture of hundreds of thousands of people giving their lives to Jesus!

But, isn’t it all a bit…passive?

God send a revival.  God give us young people.  It’s all a bit one-sided.  Don’t get me wrong, only God can save someone, but He’s been gracious enough to give us a job too: to disciple that someone.  When people talk of revivals, they almost seem to have the picture of God doing all the work while they just sit and watch.  Now, while I’d love God to get more involved (cos He’s much better at this than we’ll ever be!), I doubt He’s willing to work like that.

If every one of us (including me, don’t think I’m preaching from a box every weekend!) told someone about Jesus today, chances are approximately 600,000 people would hear the Gospel (assuming 10% of Scotland are churchgoers).  Billy Graham claimed his evangelism had a 25% “success rate”, for want of a better phrase.  So assuming this is true, that means there’s a chance that of those six-hundred-thousand, 150,000 will come to know Jesus.

So, I ask you.  If 150,000 people were saved (the population of Dundee, by the way), would you consider that a revival?  We could, theoretically, have a revival anytime, we just need the guts!  However, I’m aware God doesn’t necessarily work like that, so it may not be as simple as some dodgy assumptions and a few sums

One other thing about revivals is that they’re temporary.  They only last a little while.  Why do we plead with God for something so short-lived?  Why don’t we be brave and ask for something that’ll change the world, like Scotland being transformed in Jesus’ name?

I keep hearing that 2012 is a big year for young people and for Scotland.  If that is indeed the case, let’s stop speaking of revival and start asking for something more.  Because God is big enough, and will honour our request if it glorifies Him.

Deus e bom.

Friday 21st January 2011

Upon completing the speaker evaluation form, I realised that I’ve really come a long way since that first week in Horsham.

I’ve changed so much.  I’ve experienced a new side of Christianity that I didn’t even know existed.  I’ve gained confidence (according to Louis!).  I’ve gained tremendous, supporting, loving friendships in the other DNAers.

Yeah, I’ve changed hugely.  And I bet God’s not finished yet.  I’ll change some more, learn some more, and experience some more.

God, do it!

He did.

Tuesday 18th January 2011

At this point in my DNA year, I was faced with my co-ordinator, T, becoming a father and therefore leaving me with the church’s youth and schools work for 3 weeks.  I was terrified.  Here were my thoughts:

Me and T went over my schedule for the next two months.  It’s going to be crazy busy.  And with him and S being on paternity and maternity leave I’m effectively on my own.

This is one of those times when I have the choice whether to try and do everything in my own strength, or to leave it up to God and entrust everything to Him and rely on Him to work it out.

I can’t do this.  It’s too much.  I need God and His power and strength in order for anything to work.

GOD, IT’S ALL YOURS!!!*

* Actual size of the writing in the journal!

Proverbs 3:21-26

21My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,

do not let them out of your sight;

22they will be life for you,

an ornament to grace your neck.

23Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble;

24when you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25Have no fear of sudden disaster

or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26for the Lord will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from being snared.

Serve And See What Happens

Och, it’s so simple!  Serve and see what happens!

I thought I’d sorted my servant heart during DNA, and I know I did.  But it turns out my servant heart has the behavioural skills of a one-year-old.  I took my eye off it for just a few months…and there I was complaining about how I was serving and missing the entire point of it!

The entire point of serving is that you’re serving; not that you’re serving in a way you want to serve.

I’ll explain.

This weekend saw the NewFrontiers Scotland youth weekend away, with youth coming from Perth, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow to worship God and do a bit of business with Him.  I was given the job of managing the song words.  Not a problem, I don’t mind doing that.  But I found myself missing the front line.  I missed being able to pray with the youth and do some ministry.

No bad thing.  Praying over people is a brilliant thing!  But envying other people when I was serving…not so good.

You see, I’d forgotten the point of serving: to serve.  Serve, serve, serve.  And when you’re done serving, serve some more!  And then have a day off cos you’ve served for six days!

I’d almost, very almost, let the ‘little foxes’ of Song of Songs into my head and forgot the point of me being there.  The point of me being there was not primarily to pray for people; the point of me being there was to do the words, meet some leaders and experience what the weekend was all about.  For a purpose?  Definitely.  Do I know what that purpose is?  As usual, no.

Such is the mystery of stuff God does.

Friends, serve and know that you are worshipping.  Serve and remember that something awesome might happen because of it.  Serve…and then have a rest – because we’re human beings, not human doings!

Deus e bom.

The “Year of the Youth”?

There’s been a lot of chat around 2012 being a significant year.  More specifically, there’s been a lot of chat about the youth rising up, changing the world, and being an effective Church in the world.

I don’t know if things are genuinely picking-up, or if I’m now just more aware of worldwide stuff happening.

Have you found this to be true?  How do we approach it?

Wednesday 12th January 2011

Went to smallgroup this evening, but it was only me and R.

We ended up just chatting, and had a great D&M about where we’re at with God.

All-in-all we’re both missing those who have left the church, so hopefully we’ll be able to help each other in that.

She challenged me to pray for God to get me the money for fees in miraculous, unexpected, random ways.  Let’s do it.  Lord, I ask that I get all the money I need for the DNA fees.  Please, if it is your will, get it to me in amazing ways.  Ways I’m not expecting, so that it drives me to worship you as a result.  I’m asking in Jesus’ name.

He did.