A minor miracle

Here's why I believe in a God of miracles today:

It was Rock Solid last night, it was the first one I've done since the Easter Holidays, I was already tired and stressed out and needing to properly chill out.

The miracle? I really enjoyed myself!

Trevor has done such a great job with Rock Solid. I decided to change it to an open youth club style for 11-14s a while ago, and I know he wasn't entirely convinced it was the right move. But the person that Trevor is meant that I could count on his full support and energy in trying to make it work. It has, and that's down to Trevor's hard work rather than any inspired idea on my part. I've said it before, but I'll make no apology for saying it again: the guy is seriously gold-dust. We're so blessed to have him staying for another year!

Today there's a Mix Leaders meeting and interviews for next year's second Youth Ministry Assistant. Tonight brings Youth Alpha Active, RE:fresh and then hopefully a well-deserved pint.

Please pray for Laura, she's really tired. I think it comes from carrying another human being around inside you! I'm so proud of her though... she's coping really well!

NOT making a fool of myself!

Sorry for the lack of posts over the last couple of days... my computer's been playing up again. It may be time for a new laptop (note to parents: that's a hint for my nexy birthday!).

Where did I leave it? From Saturday lunchtime onwards then. Despite not having played cricket since September, I somehow managed to NOT make a fool of myself. Fortunately, I my limited batting skills weren't required as we made 185-8, but when we fielded I came into my own. I bowled first-change and took 3-42 off nine overs, which I was pretty happy with! A touch expensive, perhaps, but one of my overs cost me 22 so when you take that one out it's a pretty tight spell. And three wickets! I've never been a big wicket-taker, so three in the first game is a pretty good start to the season. All classic off-spinner's dismissals, too: a stumping, a caught-and-bowled and (my favourite) one that turned through the gate and bowled him! Happy days! I hope the rest of the season goes as well!

Anyway, enough cricket chat (apologies to those that don't love/understand the game!). I'll talk about Youth Ministry now, since that is the point of this blog...

Sunday was a mad day. I started iff by playing the piano at the 10.30am service, then straight into RS2, where I was leading the second session of a three-week look at Paul. The first session was excellent, and next week's looks good too, but this one wasn't up to the usual YFC standards, so I had to do quite a lot of work to it to make it work. In the end, it went ok, I think.

Sunday evening, of course, brought the long-dreaded talk at the Mix. I can honestly say I have NEVER wrestled with a talk like I wrestled with this one. It was a joint effort with Lorna Jopson from SYWM, but I struggled so much with writing my two slots. The way I work on talks is to write and write and write around the subject (in this case, Church) and wait for inspiration to hit. It's normally not a problem, but this time it just wouldn't come. I finally got some of my ideas on Friday afternoon, a few more on Saturday and even a couple in the shower on Sunday morning. Scarily late!

So I arrived at The Mix having cried about it (a lot), shouted at it, got infuriated with it, given up on it, tried again, written and re-written it and I was still not sure that it was what God wanted me to say. I was a bit of a wreck to be honest.

But how often does God work through our wrecks? He so blessed the work I had put in, because I think the talk went really well! It turns out, I think, that it was EXACTLY what he wanted me to say... just shows how he's in control even when we can't feel him. I ended up talking about hugging strangers by mistake, a bit of cricket (surprise!) and ... belly buttons, actually. But as far as I can tell, it was funny when it was meant to be, touching when it was meant to be and challenging when it was meant to be. I couldn't have dared to pray for better.

One more thing, on that... the young people themselves were so supportive. Clare, Jeni, Emily and Amy spent some time praying for me before the thing started, and they'd even made a banner with an ant on it! They cheered me when I started and gave me the confidence to be myself on stage. I couldn't have done it without their support.

Which makes me think... so often this ministry goes best when it's two-way. I'm a strong believer in being yourself with young people and telling them when you're struggling. And then they want to minister to you! I'm sure I learn more about God from them than they do from me...

Almost there...

... on two counts.

1) My talk for the Mix is ... well, I was going to say "almost finished" but I think I'm going to plump for "taking shape nicely". The inspiration that I have been so desperate for finally hit yesterday afternoon after a lot of panicking and no few tears of frustration.

Actually, I was talking to my friend Clare last night about how God so often works through the tears. I think I needed to realise that I actually COULDN'T do it on my own. Once I'd done that, I gave it up to him and BAM! Inspiration hits. Co-incidence? I think probably not.

Wickwar Cricket Club

2) The cricket season starts for me in about two hours. I am, like my talk for the Mix, horribly underprepared. I haven't made it to a single practice and so have barely touched a bat or ball since the end of last season (so, about September!). There's a strong chance I'll make a bit of a plonker of myself today. I'm just praying that somehow, my body remembers how to do these things!

Last night was another succesful night, work-wise. The new Youth Alpha Active course (for 11-14s) was on at tea-time, and we did session three, "How Can I Be Sure Of My Faith?". It's always a really good session, and this time was no exception. There is a really nice atmosphere at this group, and quite a buzz about the Weekend Away in June.

Just a word, too, for the Young Leaders - Ruth (middle), James (top) and Emma (bottom). These guys are only 15 or 16 years old themselves, yet they're leading small group discussions for 11-14 year olds on a Youth Alpha course, and what's more, they're doing it with confidence, style and enthusiasm. I don't think I could have done that at their age. Fair play!

And also for Cath (above). Cath may be coming to work with me next year, but in the meantime she is co-leading the Youth Alpha course with Trevor and I. Last night she did her first ever talk for this age group, and did a brilliant job. She has a lot of potential... watch this space!

RE:fresh was also great... no time left to write too much about that, but I'll say this: the atmosphere was great again, and the brand new Xbox 360 (a gift, unbelievably!) was a big hit.

Finally on this mammoth blog-entry, an update on Zac. He is now at home with Rachael and Dean and it turns out he has viral gastro-enteritis (no idea if that's how you spell it or not!). He still isn't quite right, but at least we know what the problem is, and he is improving. Thank you all so much for your prayers.

Off to make a fool of myself at cricket!

Mettle Group A

Well, it rocked, as usual! We were looking at forgiveness and despite the fact that I departed almost entirely from the prepared material, I think the point that "we are a forgiven people, and therefore need to be a forgiving people" really came across. You know when you have nights when you try things and they just take off? Yeah, good night for that!

In addition, the video for The Mix (I'll explain later!) went down a storm, AND we were treated to an impromptu concert by Emily Feltham aka the lost member of thebandwithnoname. All slightly bizzare... but that's why we love it!

So... boy or girl???

So we have our 16-week scan today. I don't know how these things work... when can one tell whether it's a boy or a girl? To be honest, it makes no difference (mostly because I'm pretty sure already that she's a girl). I'll keep you informed. Laura doesn't want to find out, but I won't be able to resist, and she won't be able to bear it if I know and she doesn't!

On the baby subject, please pray for Zac (my nephew) who is a bit poorly and spent last night in hospital. Please pray for my sister (his mum) Rachael and her partner Dean, because obviously they're a bit worried about him.

And, before you ask, no, my talk for The Mix on Sunday STILL isn't finished! I'm just teetering around the edge of panic over it.

f h c u and more!

Today brought a better day... with f h c u the highlight!

The Christian Union is always something I look foward to, although there has been a sense that, while it's usually been good, we've never properly "cracked it".

Today, I felt like we were getting there. I led a session based on Saul's conversion and Ananias' role in it, showing that meeting Jesus can change our lives and that sometimes we will be called to talk about him to the most unexpected people. It went really well ... I think we might look at doing stuff like that again.

We had a great turn-out, too. We now have a regular crowd of ten, and four of those are from other churches, which is really encouraging, because f h c u is not really supposed to be another Mettle meeting in Filton High ... it's supposed to be a group for ANY Christians in the school.

One thing you can pray for though: all ten of the regulars are girls! And when you add Liz into that, it means an 11:1 female/male ratio - I feel a bit outnumbered! It would be great if some of the guys (St Mikes Youth folk or otherwise!) would start coming. I know of quite a few Christian lads in the school, but for some reason, they've never some along. I would feel far less outnumbered if they would!

Just a quick word too for Mettle Sunday. Louise led a reflection on "Garbage In Garbage Out", about what we fill our lives with and how it is bound to come out. It was great! There were only about 12 young people there, and it would be nice ot have a few more even though it is optional, but it was a bit chattier than normal and that made a nice change.

Next Sunday is The Mix, and I'm sure numbers will pick up for then! I'm speaking at it, and nowhere near ready! I'm sure I'll get there by Sunday...?