Toward

 

So last week I was at a leadership conference for 3 days in the lovely setting of the Culloden Hotel. We didn't get to stay or use the spa or anything, but it was still good! Johnny Parks was taking the course so it was interesting to see him in a different light and without a guitar. Wasn't it??!!

It's always good to write down what you learnt after such an intense time, and it normally takes a while to reflect and digest everything, but honestly, my head is still fried. If anything I got to understand myself a bit better, why I react the way I do or behave the way I do. I'll say this tho - "I did NOT find myself" - never understood that statement. So there is no such thing as a problem....

What did I learn? I learnt that I actually exist. Might sound strange but it was an eye opener. I learnt that if someone criticises me or doesn't like me(which is quite often!) that rather than try to change their opinion, I just fuel their opinion of me by throwing the head up and maybe try to annoy them more. Now that was a revelation, cos it don't make sense, but I continue to do it.

So what do I want? I want people to like me. And what is the intention of people liking me? Well i want to be appreciated. And what would that get you? I suppose that would get me purpose and meaning in my life. And what's the purpose of you having purpose?

OK so I'm making a mockery but I use humour as a defense system...

We also looked at neuro linguistic programming model of communication, sensory acuity, rapport, cause and effect, parts integration, timeline, values, creating an achievable outcome and metaphors - all in 3 days! My head is pickled!

What I really enjoyed was meeting other people. When you go through something as intense as this you bond more quickly with people. So I worked with Dave Hines from City Church and Angus form CFC; Kelly and Sean from Woolsworth; Mags and Leeangh; Clare and Louise from YMCA; Christina; and Mims and Steve from YFC. A great bunch and I wish them all well. Just ragin I didn't have my cmaera to get a photo ot them, even tho I did have my camera but didn't know that I had my camera...

One more thing and i know this is a generalisation and that I am deleting and distorting some information.... I found that the Christians on the course were mainly driven by guilt andhad a really bad opinion on themselves - myself included. So we want to be a really good witness but what we say and what we do or don't do, but infact what would really speak to people is if we vlaued ourselves and seen ourselves how God views us -

dearly loved children

We are so caught up in selling Christianity and making hte gospel attractive that we have missed the good news that God takes and transforms lives for the better. I wonder do people want to be a Christian because of the way that I am living my life; because of the way I view myself and others or do people want to become a Christian so they can get a ticket for heaven or do people not even think about becoming a Christian....?

Ballydown

 

So here is me and the boss outside Ballydown Presby, near Banbridge. I look a bit flustered as it was absolutley boliling in the Church. It was a very hot day already and then I made the smart decision of sitting beside a radiator that was one! Presbys must be loaded having the heat on this time of year...
So I spoke at the childrens service, which was actually very good. The Church have a cool wee jazz band, led by a guy called Harry who was a bit of a musical maestro. The Church was packed - obviously cos they heard we were speaking....but it had a mixture of all ages. The atmosphere was brilliant. This weather influences people anyway in a good way and maybe being childrens day everyone is more relaxed. But we both really enjoyed the service. It was over in less than an hour as well, which always makes people in norn iron happy!
Steve spoke at the youth service that night and joined up again with the Dromore crew. They have a band and a drama team that took part and Dinger shared his story. You can't beat Dinger. He just says it as it is, which makes people a bit uncomfortable but needs to be said. Why do we want people to be dramatically transformed then conform to a respectful style of behaviour, where you start to play church or lip service??
Anyway it got us thinking, that this is what YFC should be doing more of - imagine having a YFC Sunday! We could come and take both services, for those holy spiritual churches that still have 2 services on a sunday....We love communicating God's word in a relevant and dynamic way. We believe we are great communicators. It would be great if we could get churches to support our work, get them onboard, so we could actually go and do work in schools and communities were young people have no contact with church. So anyone want to book us??

YFC v CJM round 2

So picture the scene. Saturday 19 May 2007. FA Cup Saturday. Windsor Park. 11am. Last year YFC ran away with the match 7-1. This year CJM had brought in Roy Walker for training and tactics. YFC lost some experienced players but have recruited some new supporters/volunteers/staff. CJM run out wearing the Linfield kit. YFC are warming up in Distillery's kit. Back into the changing rooms and the team talk is motivational by presenting each player with a 'norn iron' squad number and top. Kick off. Titterington passes back to captain Alexander who trips on his long studs and dislocates his finger. "He fell over" was the chant that rung round Windsor Park. Soon all watching realised that Phil was in pain. He rushed off to hospital to return for the second half and lift the trophy for the second year in a row. 3 goals separatd the teams managed by an unknown manager, with his only experience coming from playing Championship Manager and Football Manager 2005. Roy Walker might be taking over at the Glens but this young man has lead a Norn Iron select out at Windsor Park and won 3-0. Watch this space.....

My family

So this is April 10 2007 so its Ruth and Gavin's 3rd anniversary or 4th - I can't remember think its 3. It's also my Mum and Dad's 36th wedding anniversary - think they got married in 1971. Ah well! So here is the latest addition to our family, not officially, but she is lovely. Yes its Katrina. She's the one!

Prayer

 From l to r we have Jenny, Libby and wingnut! I have been asked to pray specifically for Jenny and Libby, so please pray that God's Spirit moves in their lives and that they reach their potential as young women 

National Director

  So this is Steven McCready with his national staff. Steve took his first official staff meeting this morning and shared with us how he was going to lead - thru communication, commitment, cohension, caring, challenging and change; and his personal standards and in turn what he expected from us - respect, support, servanthood, approachable and trust. It was inspiring! YFC needs to be dynamic and Steve believes we need to come out of our wilderness experience. He asked us, "How do we make a difference?" There is a need for a time of Repentance, Renewal and Revival. Liking the alliteration Steve! I want to learn from Steve and already he is motivating me, challenging me and encouraging me. But its not about me..its about YFC! 

Minus Charlie

  So we deliberately left a big space for the big man to be pasted in just to show our super holy spiritual accountability group. We try our hardest to meet every week to chat, and when I say 'we', I mean 'them'. Just finished going thru 'Catalyst' which was interesting but wasted a lot of paper, and as men who hold the environment in high esteem, we have decided to move onto something more ozone friendly. Honestly tho we have no idea what to do or look at next so if u have any idears please let me know 

The good, the bad and the ugly...

  Dave Currie, Nicky Blair and myself at the Dromore YFC Annual Formal, which is always a good night. As per usual Dave didn't shave. Nicky came along and did some DJing. He played Ntrance "Set me free" just for me, so I want to thank him for playing my favourite song ever. However I didnt feel the music as have been feeling quite poorly as of late and even looked a bit "Peekie" on Friday night - never heard that expression before, but apparently diagnosed by Doctor Marks it means "white or sickish"... 

Oakwood and Cranmore workshop

  So I think the topic was "Racism". We wold explore differnt countires and how they are different to us and how we should celebrate differences rather than slag one another off. (From l to r)Ashlee Coday(USA) Amy Logan(Japan) Dingo laid back Aussie guy and Gav as a spic...sorry Spainish. Ash and Amy are on Y1 in Kilmakee this year and they have been a great help when we do workshops in Primary school 

Guidance

 
Read Exodus 13 (focus on verses 17-22)

We were asked to look at our past, present and future. I suppose after wanting to be a truck driver, then a journalist, I always wanted to be a teacher. When a became a teacher it was like, ok, what now? I've always wanted to teach missionary kids abroad and would love to go back to Stran and become a teacher tutor!
I feel like I need a new challenge at the moment. The past couple of months have been ones of frustration and not very much direction. I'm excited about McCreedy coming to lead us. Things will happen, as he has lots of ideas and he is good at delegation and releasing people into their gifting. I know he is nervous and it will be an interesting dynamic with us as we've been friends and shared each others hearts and frustrations over the past 4 years. But I am excited at the potential of what God could do thru us.
This year I want to focus on making short films for Mannafest and general youth work. I have a couple of ideas and really want to create time to write, direct and act. Its a passion of mine which I've let slip lately. Oh and I also want to learn to play the drums and maybe do a bit of ballroom dancing! 

Sacrifice

 
Read Genesis 22 - the story of Abraham and Isaac. Never liked this story. It would never happen today with child protection and all that, so why is it in the Bible? Doesn't seem to fit. Then when you think about it, it does, so its ok....

Is there anything you think God wants you to sacrifice?

Probably the high opinion I have of myself and the low opinion I have of others. That I would stop living life for myself and put others before me. It is a revealing meditation 

YFC 24/7 Prayer Room

 
From Mon 25 Jan to Mon 22 Jan YFC have got the hold of the Methodist prayer room to do 24/7. Its a great location, in Aldersgate House, and even tho it is just a room, there is something holy and sacred about that place. Its easy to understnad how people can get caught up with a place or experience that they make sacred and limit God to moving only there. Here in YFCNI we want to be a people in tune with God's Spirit, doing God's work in God's strength. Its in the manual.... 

Reunion with Reona

 
This is what Christmas is all about - meeting up with old friends. Reona was a year below Charlie and I in Wellington, but we sang in the choir and performed in schools plays together. How much fun did I have in school! That was a rhetorical question. The choir trips were immense. I only realised I wasnt a bass after like 4 years, during our last gig. I wasnt a tenor either more baritone but I only had the choice of 2, sometimes you just dont fit into neat wee boxes.
Reona was also in the Mannafest drama team with me. I nicknamed her "space cadet" just cos she was. Lots of fun. Very sincere.
So Reona has been living over in Atlanta Georgia for the past couple of years and she has got married to Jesse. They work for a church but it is cool cos they dont work in a church. They are placed in like these appartment blocks to live out their lives eveyday in community with people. I think they are employeed to organise events as well throughout the month for all residents. I hope Ive got this right but its very cool what they are doing. They have also just adopted Zoe, who has a great smile and goes about and does her thing very content and happy.
It was so good to meet up at Reona's parents house and the grandparents were loving the family reunion. Reona's dad is called Steve Martin...brilliant. Her brother, Gavin, also just got engaged to a beautiful mexican girl, which gets me thinking.... 

Corona

 
Also a name of a beer, but Ross came up with it first. This is my other band that I've been known to dabble in. We got the opportunity to play at PANTS on New Years Eve, well actually we got on stage at 230 in the am, much to Craigs delight, so it was New Years Day. I suppose this band came out of CSSM. Alan and Craig used to play in Native Spirit, but they split up. Ross has always wanted a band from CSSM days and we've played a few gigs. Last year we played at a battle of the bands and thought officially we didnt win, we did, and everyone there knew it and knows it. We rocked that joint, and this stupid girl band got the sympathy vote. Anyway, I love playing with these guys. Craig or Judas as I like to call him, cos he betrayed me once and I wont let him forget it, is a talented beatch, seriously the guy is amazing on the guitar, the best Ive heard or saw/seen. He wont play certain songs, so getting a set list together is quite difficult but its worth it in the end.
This year we played Mr Brightside, Breakfast at Tiffanys, A little respect, Back for Good, Hit me baby one more time (my fav), When September ends (but we changed it to December!) and just for Ross 'Best of you' by the Foos. Rock on wee man!
From l to r - Craig "Judas" Jackson (lead guitar), Alan "funny trousers and strange hats" Currie (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) and Ross "Baby" Jackson (drums). I played Bass sort of and sang a bit... 

Christmas band

 
This was the second year, maybe even third, when we got together to do a little bit of "rockin around the christmas tree"..although we didnt actually play that one....classics include slades "merry christmas", shakin stevens "snow is falling", whams "last christmas", a not so "silent night", and a collection of reliant k songs. My favourite is "celebrate the day"
This year we played in Killyleagh, so we had to do "Away in a manger" just for the line..."the stars in the bright sky looked down where HEALY HEALY HEALY...".
This picture was taken in Ballysillan. We had no idea how the young people would respond to Christmas rock, as they are all into dush-dush music, but they really got into it, whicyh meant we were able to enjoy it more
From l to r - Alan Currie (Sound), me, Mark Currie (Drums), Pete Harrison (Bass/backing vocals) and Dave McConnell aka Shaggy (Electric guitar/keyboards/violin/acoustic/harmonies...legend!) 

IPODS

So we are not very creative in our house/family! Just incase you are wondering the women are in the kitchen doing the dishes....leaving us men alone to play with our toys! (from l to r) Dad, Gavin, Colin and myself. I think if you bought 2 you got 1 free...Merry Christmas everybody! 

YFC Staff Christmas party

So this is everyone who could make it to the party or find Jude's house. Secret Santa was probably the highlight, with the 'rockin Santa' and the Christmas lights being hot potatoes. But surely Gav went home with the best gift! This was also the night James got unveiled as the newest YFC worker, taking up a post in Donaghadee with Alan and Ashley. Welcome Jamesy 

Maverick

I feel the need...the need for speed! As a fundraiser the Bluehouses put on Top Gun in the wee cinema in Comber. Loved it. As one of my favourite films, it give me an opportunity to dress up in uniform - love dressing up! I suppose some people would call me a bit of a maverick, in that I like to do things my way, and go against authority and all that jazz. I want to buy a motorcycle..and get one of those bomber jackets like Tom - not Bros... 

See no evil..hear no evil and speak no evil

Suzi, Mims and LauraB 

The crew

This is the after shot. Everyone fed and happy. We took some time to give thanx for the year by giving some time and space to write down our thoughts, which I advise anyone to do. I suppose everything in the blog is a highlight of my year, so if u havent made it in here, unlucky! Only joking...sometimes I just dont have my camera with me....

We also sang a few thanksgiving songs and watched a thanksgiving episode of 'Friends' So here are some things I'm thankful for this year so far, off the top of my head:

January - too far back can't really remember anything. I think Kenny moved in around this time but not sure. Anyway I'm thankful for meeting Kenny and for getting some help with the rent!

February - went over to London for the Youth Alpha conference, loved the singing led by Tim Hughes and got to see Naomi for a bit!

March - Charlie, Maggie and Eva came home, which from a pure selfish point of view has been great. Without wanting to rub salt into Jen's wounds, its been great being part of Eva's growing up stage. I played my last game for PSNI, before getting injured, again, but scored 4! The 4th one I got busted but still managed to take it round the keeper....also went to California for the 'Purpose Driven Youth Conference'..great time with Dave, Alan and Claire, but never got to meet that girl that I love, but cant remember her name...

April - At the start of the month we had the Dromore High weekend, focussing on the Holy Spirit. That was a great weekend. We heard that 7 young people became Christians during the Youth Alpha, but just being part of other young people's journey of how God wants to be involved in their lives is a pretty special thing and one that I'm thankful for

May - nothing comes to mind...oh apart from that dance with Jennifer Garner! I guess I have to be satisfied and thankful for that one and only meeting with Lisa, the physio from Dungannon , who now lives in Stranmillis...anyone know her and could get her number???

June - Dave and Heather's wedding. Had a lot of fun with Alan and Claire writing the bestmen song/speech - we still need to go into the studio and record it or lay the track down....the World Cup started which is always a good thing and I was thankful to watch Argentina play some amazing football in the early stages. We also hammered CJM, the day after the wedding. I'm thankful to my team!

July - 2 football camps, one in Ballysillan one up north with Baptist Youth. Loved going to the Milk Cup matches and singing all the Norn Iron songs

August - I'm thankful for not going on holiday...but i'm thankful for hanging out with my sister and spending time with her, walking the dogs and stuff

September - the Mannafest volunteer overnight was great fun. I'm thankful for being involved in Mannafest and the Y1 training. Norn Iron beating Spain. What a night. A better result than beating the English. David Healy. What a hat-trick. Good times Neilers! Toby mmoved in as well and I'm thankful for some help with the rent!

October - I'm thankful for the opportunity in Killyleagh, working with Carol and the young people. Alton Towers was good and r spontaneous trip to London Baby! Got to see Naomi again which is always good. The Murder Mystery Night was very fun and I'm thankful for meeting new people

November - I'm thankful for the opportunity during Dungannon schools week. 700 pupils. I'm thankful for finally getting my assemblies ready to publish - watch this space. I'm thankful that the new James Bond film is actually very good and that Daniel Craig didnt ruin the iconic role. Im thankful for spending time with my dad and I'm thankful for thanksgiving for this opportunity to be thankful and give thanx. And thank you for reading this!