As I was driving home the other night from work (around quarter to ten) I was merging on to a new dual carriageway, when a guy in a white van decided to undertake me and then cut me up when swerving out to overtake the car in front of me. I had managed to pick up some speed and eventually overtook this guy who then seemed to think that I was interested in some sort of race/duel on the road. So he then overtook me again and cut me up once more. I was fuming. On the back of his van I couldn’t help but notice he had an advertisement of what I am assuming is his own company or perhaps a company he works for. (For now we will call this guy Joe Bloggs). “JOE BLOGGS – PAINTER AND DECORATOR. NO JOB TOO SMALL”. Etc etc.

At this point I thought to myself, “well pal, that’s one less potential customer you’ll have. If I’m in need of a painter and decorator (no matter how small the job) I don’t think I will be calling upon your services.” I was so livid at this guy’s careless driving which was ridiculous to say the least and adamant that his business wouldn’t be one I would be calling on.

Anyway, I quickly moved on and decided to forget about it. However, today I was reminded of this guys actions and how as a Christian, I at times have been no better. I thought to myself, that’s what people must think about me in the times where my actions are completely non-Christian. Now, I don’t exactly have a big bill-board sign attached to my chest saying ‘I AM A CHRISTIAN’, but most people who know me are aware of the fact that I am one!

It’s amazing how we accuse in others, what we excuse in ourselves.

Christianity is like living life in a goldfish bowl, constantly watched. Our actions, the things we say are more observed and criticised or opinionated more than we know. I’m not exactly the most outgoing evangelist, would find it very difficult just to say outright to someone ‘Jesus loves you’. But, I hope and pray that my actions; the things I do, say, and think will be enough to show others God’s grace and goodness.

The deeds you do may be the only sermon some people will ever hear.

Be mindful of your actions, people are watching. Don’t give anyone an excuse to say ‘If that’s what Christianity is then I want nothing to do with it’. Take Paul’s advice to Timothy when he says “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:11-12

My mind is on a constant overdrive of pointless information mixed with other self evaluating thoughts. It’s like it won’t shut up. Even now as I type about 10 different things are buzzing about: how does the technology in my iPhone work? How many lines on my covers can I count on the dark? (57 actually), about my day, how I spoke to people, was it good, bad, could be perceived in another way? What have I got to do for tomorrow? Etc etc etc!!!

I can tell you that there are 79 lines on the road between prestwick bp station and prestwick airport. I memorised 6 car number plates on the way home tonight and counted 102 steps from my car to my front door when I get home.

On top of that I’m pondering over my past few days readings. They are all about ‘vision’. Habakuk 2 says ‘write the vision and make it plain’. How can a vision be plain? Especially in my head? Lol.

Anyway.

Good morning.

I don’t know who started it but this week there was a game going about on Facebook called ‘The Numbers Game’. Basically the name of the game is to ask people to private mail (PM) you any number between 1 and 5000 for no one else to see, just you. You then use that number to publicly post on your status update what you think for that person. So in the end up, only you and that person actually know who is being described.

I thought I would give it a go this week. Some people were posting over Facebook how they thought it was a load of rubbish. I personally thought it was a great idea.

It is amazing how much kind words can completely build people up. Proverbs 16:24 says: ^‘Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.’ But it is also amazing how much harsh words can bring others down. One word sometimes is all that it takes to diminish someone’s confidence, self-worth and even character.

I’ve been challenged this week with this simple game; do my words promote health, encouragement, counsel and comfort?

Certainly thought-provoking!

Out.

I’m guessing they all picked him because he was naturally a loud person who likes to command the team, puts a lot of energy in to the team and generally quite confident.

It’s funny though how it came to the actual match this evening and one other wee guy in particular stood out more to me as a ‘leader’ to the team more than the other wee guy. Sitting here it has reminded me of my position as a youth worker. I desire to be a leader who doesn’t need to have the ‘captain’ armband on. This one wee guy in the team reminded me that leadership is not about the whole ‘up front, microphone in hand, front pew sitting’ kind of person. This wee guy actually wasn’t picked among his mates as the captain but in my opinion merited it more tonight than anyone else on the park.

And the thing is, it is that type of leader that stands out more, who people are more drawn to, who have influence over others. Funny, that wee guy might never know the impact or message he’s put out there but it’s really humbling.

Wy wife Lindsey stuck a comment on facebook today saying “sometime’s there aren’t enough hours in the day”. And man how true that is! These past few weeks have just been absoluetly mental. My job has just absolutely rocketted over the past couple of months. We’re in the middle of starting some new things for young people like mentoring, street work, a football team and looking at Room 60 being used as an alternate learning environment. On top of that I have my normal work load of Room 60, youth sermons to write, kids talks, youth services, school’s work, SU, spending time with young people, training new volunteers, designing leaflets for the church…. the list goes on, believe me!

On top of all that I decided to get involved with a wedding band for some gigs. We had 2 at the weekend; one in Kilmanock on Friday and one at the Menzies on Saturday. Both nights I was out past 1am. Poor Lindsey, feel like I have hardly seen her at all in weeks. Mind you, she might be happy with that! Haha!

Lindsey had her car smashed in to last week. Some wee scumbag decided to smash the back window for no reason. It litterally feels like, “hey, here’s £75. On ye go and smash my wifes window for me”. Insurance. Huh, what a joke. Then to top it off she’s had to have both the front and back brakes done on her car. God love my dad though, he’s amazing. He’s not long had a hernia operation and still managed to help us out by fixing them all. I love my dad, he’d do anything for anyone.

On the positive side just now, I guess being busy is good. I am constantly thanking God for my wife, my family, my job, my house etc. I am really blessed for what I have just now.

Thanks South Ayrshire Council. Tut.

Whilst I was listening to his version I was immediately reminded of when David writes in Psalm 8:

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
⁴ what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

What is man, that you are mindful of him? Isn’t it amazing to be reminded daily that the God of the universe, who breathes out stars bigger than our sun, desires a relationship with us. Who traded His son’s life so that we wouldn’t need to take the punishment of death?

Our hope is found in Christ Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

I love living my life knowing that my hope, my aspirations, my dreams, my desires, my faith, my destiny in Him.

What are you living for?

In my job I’m required to keep evaluations of every session we do; whether that be drop-in sessions, football, street work, mentoring etc. I’ve found it pretty interesting over the past couple of years looking back at where the youth ministry was and where it is now.

So, I’m not entirely sure how often this will be updated or even if it will. Most likely I’ll be writing stuff at around 3am in the morning when I’m doing my usual over-active mind buzzing can’t sleep carry on!

We’ll see…