Puppet Christmas!

Here's a clip from our "Joy of Christmas" celebration last week. Those puppets certainly know how to have good time!
Click on the picture or here to see the clip.

Thanks to Barbara and Ian Black for providing it.

Evening with the Matears

Soldiers and friends at Ayr Citadel recently enjoyed a truly inspiring weekend under the leadership of the Territorial Commander and his wife, Commissioner John Matear and Commissioner Elizabeth Matear. It was a weekend that had been anticipated for a long number of months and we certainly were not disappointed – their leadership was masterful, their speaking inspirational and the personal interest they took in the members of the congregation was welcomed and commented upon by all who attended the weekend’s activities.

The first major event of the weekend was "An Evening with the Matears", an informal gathering giving the opportunity for the members of the Corps to meet the Commissioners over dinner and listen with enthusiasm to their after dinner speeches.

Dinner consisted of quite the most amazing serving of turkey with, of course, the seasonal trimmings; or for those who preferred, winter stew. Certainly we were blessed by the quantity of food piled onto our plates and were not disappointed by the quality of the fayre – cooked to perfection by a team of willing volunteers from the ranks of the Corps.

The soloist for the evening was our own Bandmaster, Bobby Irvine,
who brought great blessing with his singing of various Christmas favourites from the hauntingly beautiful "O Holy Night", to the ever popular "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" and, accompanied by our own Robert Dibden on the piano, presented a truly unique and playful version of "God rest ye merry gentlemen", a la Dave Brubeck, the American jazz artist.

Commissioner Betty Matear spoke of her own experiences in ministry, thrilling the congregation with her personal insight of the difference that Christ has made in her life – from an enforced visit to the Salvation Army in Greenock due to her finding herself without her Sunday-go-to-meeting hat! (Praise God that all can attend the Salvation Army, with or without hat!) to her experiences at the training college and subsequent officer service, culminating in her present role as Territorial President of Women’s Ministries. She also gave insight into her role as Moderator of the Free Churches Group.

The Territorial Commander spoke on an aspect of the Army’s work that was growing in strength and making a practical difference in the lives of those we seek to serve in Christ’s name. The Employment Plus programme has been helping young men and women enter the workforce and gain the relevant support to help them to life lives closer to the John 10:10 maxim of “life in all its fullness”.

Our own Commanding Officer, Captain Graeme Parkhill guided the gathered congregation through the evening with a lightness of touch that complemented the whole evening.

Overall, a great evening, enjoyed by all who attended.

Stressed Out?

As it comes up to this time of the year, the happiness and joy of Christmas can often be forgotten, or seem far away in the rush to get ready for Christmas time! Over the past week Wendy and I have certainly been very busy as we prepared and tidied up after a wonderful weekend we spent with the Territorial Commander and his wife, Commissioner Elizabeth Matear. It was a tremendous weekend of God-honouring praise and worship, but busy none the less.

It put me in mind of a thought by Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church in the US, which I'd like to share with you this week. It may be a timely reminder to us all at this hectic time of the year!

Managing your stress

Stress is caused by two opposing forces which pull against each other. We usually think of this as something negative but actually some stress is essential for living. For instance, gravity is a stress to your body – but you couldn't live without it.

You'll never be able to eliminate all stress from your life. You wouldn't want to. But you can reduce the intensity of stress and you can learn to manage it.

When a violinist tightens the strings on a violin, she puts stress on them. The strings are pulled in two directions. The capacity of a string to be stretched is called "tensile strength". If the strings are weak, they break when stretched. But if the strings are strong, the violinist is able to produce beautiful music because of the stress.

People are like that. When pulled in two different directions some people snap from the stress. Others, however, are able to handle the stress and use it to produce something beautiful. The difference is the spiritual strength of the individual.

How do you get recharged spiritually when you're feeling stressed?

1. PAUSE! Step back from your work for a moment. But instead of taking a coffee break, take a spiritual break! Take a deep breath, quiet yourself and focus on the fact that God is with you right now. You're not alone. God is ready to help you.
2. PRAY! Prayer is a powerful stress-reliever that you can use at any time of the day. It works best when you pray aloud - but when your situation doesn't allow that you can talk to God with your thoughts. Tell Him exactly what you feel. Of course, He already knows. The relief comes from getting it off your chest. God won't be shocked. He made you and He loves you.
"I pour out my problems to Him; I tell Him my troubles. When I am afraid, you, Lord, know the way out." Psalms 142:2-3
3. PRIORITISE! Pinpoint what's really most important to you and what isn't. You can't do everything, so clarifying your priorities is essential to reducing stress. Your work will be determined by pressures or by priorities. It's your choice. If you don't determine what's important – others will decide it for you.
"There is a right time and a right way for everything." Eccl 8:6

May God bless you richly this week.

Graeme Parkhill

Event Photographs

We now have some photographs of the very successful weekend activities "An Evening with the Matears" and "The Joy of Christmas" available.

To view just click on the links below. If you have photographs of these events you'd like to share, please contact Leonard McIlloney.

An evening with the Matears
The Joy of Christmas

Community Gospel Choir Debuts

Click on the photograph to see a video of the choir's debut performance at Castlehill Parish Church.

We will have more details and highlights for you shortly!

Where's your treasure?

As I mentioned two weeks ago, Wendy and I have been running a kids holiday club at North Bradley Baptist Church and throughout this week the kids were all encouraged to find the clues that led to the treasure.

To sum up on the Sunday morning family service we used the well known verse from Luke 12: 34, "For where your treasure is, there shall your heart be also." The question that arises from this verse is, "Where is your treasure?"



What or who has first place in our lives? As I pondered this further, I mused that there are many questions that come our way relating to the priorities that we give certain things or activities. The answer to these questions can show where our priorities lie.

As I think through my own life, there have been many times when I have had to think about where my treasure is:
- whether I would play with a football team who played their matches on Sundays;
- whether I would move up to the Company Section of the Boys Brigade or continue attending the Singing Company practices;
- whether I would study for my exams on a Sunday morning, or attend the meetings;
- whether I was prepared to work on Sundays;
- whether I would be willing to tithe 10% of my income to the Lord;
- whether I would seek the Lord's plan for my life or keep to my own ways;
- and many more examples.

Often where we have got these matters wrong is thinking about them in terms of being the right or wrong thing to do. The gospel of grace reminds us that God is willing to forgive all our wrongdoings ... therefore our answer to the above question of "where is our treasure?" becomes a matter of devotion.

How I respond to questions like these shows, not whether I have made the right or wrong decision in a legalistic sense, but shows the depth of my devotion to Christ.

Albert Osborn writes:
"More than all my lips may utter, more than all I do or bring,
Is the depth of my devotion to my Saviour, Lord and King.
Nothing less will keep me tender, nothing less will keep me true;
Nothing less will keep the fragrance and the bloom on all I do!

In the secret of Thy presence, in the hiding of Thy power,
Let me love Thee, let me serve Thee, every consecrated hour."

May God bless you this week as you consider your response to the question, "Where is your treasure?"

Graeme Parkhill

Evening with Matears announced

Commissioners John & Elizabeth Matear

(Leaders of the Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland).

Here in Ayr we are looking forward to the upcoming visit of the Territorial Commanders of the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland, Commissioners John and Elizabeth Matear.

This weekend has been eagerly anticipated for some time, and a number of events have been planned for the visit. The first of these will be Saturday evening December 5th at 6:30pm, in the Wallacetown Parish Church halls, with a celebration event, "An Evening with the Matears". Tickets are priced £5.00 including dinner followed by after-dinner speeches from the Commissioners. The guest soloist for the evening is our own Bobby Irvine. (Tickets can be ordered by phoning 01292 265813).

The Sunday morning holiness meeting, commencing at 10:45am, again in the Wallacetown Parish Church halls will be led by the Commissioners and in the evening, at the Castlehill Parish Church, a community carol service will be held. This will feature the Ayr Citadel Band, YP Performing Arts Club and the Ayr Community Gospel Choir and will be led by the Territorial Commander and his wife. Seating is limited, so come early to make sure you get one!

Always and Forever

Perhaps during this week, as you pause for thought each day, you would pray for the safe return of our soldiers from their mission in Afghanistan.

It has been highly publicised that this is the costliest year (in terms of human lives lost) since the Falklands War of the early 1980s. For every soldier lost a wife, son, daughter, mother, father, grandfather, grandmother …. mourns.

Pray that the leaders of the World’s great democracies would seek God’s wisdom and His judgment in this matter. Pray that there would be reconciliation between the East and the West; and that we could all live together in peace.

There are, of course, many other countries in which British forces are stationed just now - in active service; many in grave danger. Pray for God’s protection over them and wisdom and guidance for their commanding officers. May each member of our armed forces seek Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Above all, pray for peace in our World. A peace that can only come from God.

Graeme Parkhill

Prayer for Peace - Church of England Website:

Almighty Father, whose will it is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all:
Govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to His just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reign in you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever more.
God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end,
that the earth shall know the peace of Heaven.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Devotion

During this last week my wife Wendy and I travelled down to the lovely village of North Bradley in Wiltshire to lead a children's holiday club at the local Baptist Church. We had a great time with the children, running the Landlubbers Club – a pirate themed week where we found various clues that finally led us to the treasure!

In preparing for the week we came upon a small problem – North Bradley was a good hour's drive from any significant waterway – never mind the sea! How did pirates manage to arrive at inland North Bradley? – how could we make it realistic for the children?

After making up a story about crashing our pirate ship on the rocks beside Bristol – some of the kids suddenly realised that we were stuck without a ship to sail home in! Some of the men in the congregation gave this some thought and then came up with the idea of building us a ship in the field behind the church. The result is below:



Quite spectacular, really! It just goes to show what can be accomplished when a group of willing people put their minds to it and devote the time and effort required.

For some of the men, this really became a labour of love and they committed a good bit of their spare time to raising this model ship from imagination to reality. You see, they were devoted to the kids who came along to the holiday club and to the Christ who was being spoken of at the club.

Whilst these men may not have been directly involved in the running of the holiday club, this was their bit! An act of devotion to Christ, and his mission to turn all men to himself.

I wonder what you're devoted to? Perhaps you may take some time during this coming week to consider this and the depth of your devotion to Christ. It will be easy – you will most likely be devoted to the thing that takes up most of your spare time.

You may find the words of this song by Margaret MacMillan helpful as I have:

In the depths of my soul's greatest longing
I am coming, dear Saviour, to thee,
Offering each thought and deed for refining;
Let thy touch now descend upon me.

Draw me close to thee in deeper consecration;
Wash me, Lord, and cleanse my soul from fear and dross;
Sanctify me with the fire of thy indwelling
As I tarry in the shadow of the cross.

May God richly bless you.

Graeme Parkhill

2009 Carol Concert Announced

The Salvation Army

Ayr Community Carol Concert

6th December 2009
6.30pm
Castlehill Parish Church

Featuring
Ayr Community Gospel Choir

Ayr Performing Arts Club Puppeteers

Ayr Salvation Army Brass Band

Guest Speakers

Commissioners John & Elizabeth Matear

(Leaders of the Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland).

Collection in aid of CLIC Sargent children’s cancer charity.

“Every day 10 families are told their child has cancer. As the UK's leading children's cancer charity, CLIC Sargent is the only organisation to offer them all round care and support. That’s because we’re there every step of the way:” (quote from CLIC Sargent website)

True Greatness

I have been thinking over the past couple of weeks again about what it takes to be truly great. I suppose the death of Stephen Gately, from Boyzone aged just 33 has led me to think again of the legacy that I would leave, should life be taken from me. You see I also am 33.

My mind was drawn to the scripture, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." (Mark 8:35).

It's true to say that the vast majority of the people today think of life in terms of ease, comfort, luxury and security. But, as I thought over these qualities, I recognised that we could have all of these in abundance and still not really be happy or contented.

Gadgets and possessions don't have the capacity to satisfy the human soul.

Biblical scholars believe Jesus also lost his life aged 33. By this stage, he had saved the world -- without comforts, luxuries or security that we would understand. There definitely is a vast difference between the popular ideas of today and the philosophy that Jesus taught.

Jesus saved the world through self-sacrifice. He calls his people to a life of self-sacrifice. It's the only way to find real life, rich life, a full life. Jesus never tried to bribe people by offering an easy way. He offered poverty, misunderstanding, criticism and a cross.

Of course, this principle is not limited to religion. In the days of World War II when Winston Churchill took over as PM, all that he offered the people of Britain was, "blood, sweat and tears". It resulted in Britain's "finest hour".

True greatness, I concluded, comes from a life of self sacrifice -- putting others before our own desires and taking the example of Christ and others to heart.

May God bless you.

Graeme Parkhill

Food for Thought

I once read that by the time we feel thirsty, we are actually too thirsty.

According to experts, it is advisable that we drink water long before we experience the symptoms of thirst. Those symptoms are nature’s way of telling us that we are on our way to dehydration, and that we have left it too long since we last filled up.

It’s much the same with a car, for example, or with the prize vegetables we are trying to grow down on the allotment. If we leave either without water for longer than is advisable, the car’s engine will begin to malfunction, and the vegetables will struggle and maybe even die.

I dehydrated once, when I caught a virus as a boy. The effects were dramatic. I would hallucinate as my body became unable to process the correct amount of fluid to my brain. All things considered, then, we can safely conclude that being deprived of water is not a good idea. Such deprivation weakens us, physically and mentally. Conservative Party leader David Cameron always drinks a mug of hot, sweet tea before Prime Minister’s Questions, working on the theory that hydrated brains function better.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus had a conversation with a woman who had come to draw water at a well. Jesus used the conversation to highlight our need of spiritual refreshment and sustenance. He said, “All those who drink this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring which will provide him with life-giving water and give him eternal life” (4:13, 14 Good News Bible).
For each of us, balance is important. We need to look after ourselves in order to maintain physical and mental wellbeing.

Our spiritual life, though, is also important. If we fail to nurture the spiritual dimension to our lives, there is a vital part of us, within, that suffers. Jesus alone can quench such a spiritual thirst. He wants us to take him up on his offer of life-giving water.

How about it? There is plenty for everyone. A chat with Jesus over a cuppa will do the trick, and will refresh those parts of us other philosophies and theories simply cannot reach. Consider yourself invited!

Major Stephen Poxon

Parkhill's Perspectives Debuts!

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Be sure to check out Capt Graeme's new series of thought provoking articles on the website in "Parkhill's Perspectives".

Just click here to go to the first in the series.

What's a lie?

As I was thinking about a Thought for the Week, I came across this devotional of Woodrow Kroll’s and thought that it was worth sharing in this way. It’s based on the Bible story of Abraham and his wife Sarah in the land of Egypt.

Graeme Parkhill

Genesis 12:12-13

"Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, 'This is his wife'; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you."

The Wrong Kind of Help

A little boy asked his mother, "What is a lie?" "A lie," she replied, "is an abomination to the Lord -- but a very present help in time of trouble."

Abraham apparently agreed. Faced with a famine in the land of Canaan, he moved his household down to Egypt. Out of fear for his life, he told the Egyptians that Sarah was his sister and persuaded her to go along with his lie. When Pharaoh heard of her beauty, and thinking her unmarried, he took her into his harem. Abraham was on the brink of saving his life but losing his wife. Fortunately God intervened and Pharaoh learned the truth in time. Abraham, however, was rebuked and forced to leave the land. In the end, his lie earned him nothing but contempt and disgrace.

Often we are tempted to lie our way out of a tight spot. Perhaps at work a "small lie" will help us avoid admitting we made a mistake. Or at home "bending the truth" may seemingly help us avoid a scene. But resorting to subterfuge always ends up causing us more heartache than help.

When tempted to lie, remember that what seems like a "very present help" will ultimately be "an abomination to the Lord." Lies always result in more hurt and hassle in the long run. That kind of help you can do without. Instead, tell the truth and trust God. He'll take care of you.

A lie appears to offer help, but in reality only delivers harm.

The Brush

I'm a retired officer having worked, with my wife, on agricultural projects in Africa for much of my life. (I have a BSc. in agriculture). We now live in Perthshire. You may know Majors Stephen and Heather Poxon (at Paisley). Heather is our eldest daughter. We worked in Zimbabwe, Kenya (where Heather was born), Congo and Nigeria and retired in 1996. Both of us were new to the Army and just thank God for the wonderful way He has led us over the years. 

I still go to Africa quite frequently, last year I went with our youngest daughter, Carol and her family, and a group of school children from her school to Malawi to plant trees and put up beehives in four villages for the Army. Then in November I helped run a beekeeping training course for the Army in the Congo. Next month I will be going to Sudan to help with a beekeeping project run by World Vision.

Since retirement I have published several books for development workers in Africa (on plant uses, beekeeping and edible insects!). This work was paid for by doing dry-stane dyking for local farmers. I enjoy dyking, and it's a way of saying thank you to God for being able to live in this beautiful place.   

A few years ago I went to stay with my eldest daughter, Heather, who lived in the bush in the Congo. I remember when I woke up in the morning hearing all the wonderful sounds of Africa, the cockerels crowing, some women talking, I felt the warm air that came through the window which was wide open, and then suddenly I heard a pig. I looked out of the window but couldn't see it any where. Where had it got to? Then I suddenly saw it being carried on someone's shoulder.

While I was staying with Heather I was given my duties each morning. One morning she gave me this brush made from some grass stems bound with an old tomato tin.

It had been bought in the market for 10p.

My job was to sweep out the sand, dead cockroaches and ants each morning - all the bad things that had come into the house during the past 24 hours.

Each morning we need to ask God to keep us clean, pure and fit for his service - to clean out something unkind or untrue we might have said, some bad habit we've got into or some bad thought that's been bothering us.


Let us make the same prayer that king David made many years ago, each morning when we get up.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit in me".

Major Paul Latham (R)

Community Choir Gets In The Swing Of Things

The first rehearsal of the Community Gospel Choir went with a swing this evening! Over 50 people joined together in the Wallacetown Parish Church Halls to rehearse gospel music for the Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 6th December.

Led by Bobby Irvine, who certainly knows how to get the best out of any vocal grouping, everyone enjoyed the music, and the fellowship. The community feeling of the evening was evident from the very start, as everyone was encouraged to welcome three people that they had never met before.

After a quick shuffle to organise the singers into vocal groupings: - soprano, alto, tenor and bass and a humorous rendition of “My bonnie lies over the ocean,” the serious stuff started! (if you can get serious with gospel!)

All members seemed to enjoy the evening and many commented on what a good idea it had been to bring together this community gospel choir. Its not a closed event – all can join in and it seemed this evening to be a case of the more the merrier.

Watch this space to see further progress as the rehearsals start to build pace.

Graeme Parkhill

Faithfulness

Over the past few weeks, as a topic for our meetings at the Salvation Army in Ayr, we have been looking at the first few chapters of the book of Hosea and have been discovering together that what God requires of us is faithfulness.


It brought back to my mind a story I had read about Hudson Taylor. He was born on 21 May 1832 and died 3 June 1905. He was a British missionary to China, and founder of the China Inland Mission. Taylor spent 51 years in China and the society that he began was responsible for bringing over 800 missionaries to the country, founding 125 schools and directly resulting in 18,000 Christian conversions.

The story goes that on one stormy night; Hudson was due to preach in a school in the city of Birmingham, England. The organiser of the evening insisted that nobody would attend on such a stormy night, but Taylor insisted on going. "I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper."

Apparently, fewer than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with unusual spiritual power. Half of those present either became missionaries or gave their children as missionaries; and the rest were faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for years to come. Taylor was faithful and God rewarded him.

This story challenged me that human wisdom often fails us – too often we approach things from the eyes of logic, rather than the eyes of our God. Logically, Hudson should not have bothered that evening – on a cold, wet and windy evening in Birmingham, Hudson should have stayed in the house, in front of the fire!


He faithfully carried out God’s work for him and God used his efforts. His faithfulness was useful to God.


I once read a ‘thought for today’ in the Daily Record, of all places! These words have stuck with me. “When your faith seems small – stick to being faithful.”


God requires and uses our faithfulness.


May God bless you greatly as you remain faithful to Him.


Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus – but to trust and obey.


Graeme Parkhill

Life is a Journey - Part 3

his article is the third of a series written by Major Ian Robinson, who is a local Ayr product. You can read the first article by clicking here and the second by clicking here.

Major Robinson and his wife Isobel are the Corps Officers at the Sheringham Corps in Norfolk.

Ian and Isobel are well-known all over the Army world as pastors, missionaries, and an incredible music and song-writing team. While they were stationed in Singapore, Ian and Isobel wrote a series of email "epistles" to the rest of the world entitled "Survivor Island". Those letters were always filled with poignancy, hope, and a love for the people for whom they worked so diligently to bring the love of Christ.

We are delighted Ian has agreed to write these articles for us and we hope you enjoy this journey!





Major Ian graduates to Trombone!

Life is a Journey – Part Three

Life’s journey takes many twists and turns. Over the years since I left Ayr God has taken me to some incredible places and introduced me to many delightful friends along the way. Here are just a few:

- Santa Barbara – We spent seven and a half years in this beautiful Mediterranean-style community about one hundred miles north of Los Angeles. It was our first Corps appointment and we grew to love this wonderful city with the Pacific Ocean breaking on its shore and the mountains standing tall behind. We grew from rookies to seasoned officers here. In January 1999 we were commissioned as “full” Captains in the Corps with the Regent Hall Band led by Stephen Hanover accompanying us – they were in California for the Rose Parade!

- Singapore – Part of our hearts will always be there. It is a magical, enchanting island with everything ancient and modern. In just a few square miles you can be in England, or China, or India, or Malaysia, or Indonesia, or even the USA! We loved the people, the food, the pulsating, driving lifestyle, the convenience for traveling throughout Asia, and the ministry that God gave us among the people.

- Asfirrudin – He was a fourteen year old Malay Muslim boy with a brain tumor who was admitted to Peacehaven, the nursing home we ran in Singapore. When he came in he was not expected to live more than a few weeks. He could not move or do anything for himself – he was literally in a vegetative state. But the constant care and love that was showered on him by our staff saw him begin to respond, first with slight movements of his eyes, then with his hands. Soon he was sitting up and quite aware of his surroundings. I visited him often and was always surprised at the progress he was making. Our chaplain, Jimi, also visited him and kept telling him about the love of Jesus. One day, more than a year after his arrival, Jimi asked him in Malay if he wanted to accept Jesus into his heart. He told him to squeeze his hand once for “Yes” and twice for “No.” Asfirrudin squeezed his hand once and accepted Christ as his Saviour while Jimi prayed. He went to heaven a few weeks later. His doctors said that the quality of life he enjoyed was far greater than anything they expected. He was my special friend and I still miss him.

- Mui Lang – She was the cause of some of our greatest headaches in Singapore, but became one of our best friends! As the Assistant Executive Director for Nursing in Peacehaven she really ran the place. We called her “the matron” since that was her role. It was also her attitude. But we recognized her leadership and potential to help us achieve our goal of making Peacehaven truly a Salvation Army ministry. Over the years we saw her move from adversary to friend. She began attending the Corps, then became a soldier, and finally we commissioned her as our Corps Sergeant-Major! What a woman! A five foot nothing bundle of nuclear energy, she kept us running from morning till night. When we left Singapore, we proudly and confidently handed over the reins of Peacehaven to her, and she still calls us every week with an update!

- Kolok – Captain Tan Guat Hai, or Kolok as he is known, is the Corps Officer in Bintulu, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. I visited Kolok several times and was always impressed by his energy and compassion. One day, while conducting the Corps Review we were interrupted by a phone call. A longhouse belonging to an Iban family had burned to the ground. Kolok told me we needed to deal with this so the review was put on hold and we loaded his van with food, clothing and other supplies. Then we set off on a two-hour trip into the jungle where we found the family living in a makeshift tent alongside the ashes of their former home. We gave them the supplies and spent some time listening to their story. It was only later that I discovered that the Iban people used to be headhunters! Many still have the little shrunken heads hanging on their doorposts to ward away evil spirits. But this young officer and his CineseHong Kong wife bravely and regularly carry the compassion of his Christian faith into the heart of Borneo, because they love Jesus.

- Myles and Debbie – These two are among our newest friends. While we were attending our “home” Corps in California (Tustin Ranch), we met Myles and Debbie after a Sunday morning service. Myles was going through a very difficult work-related trial and although he was a Buddhist, he was looking anywhere to find some peace and help. They were Japanese-Americans from Hawaii who both worked as pharmacists. Isobel talked to them and quickly realized they needed Jesus in their lives. Led by the Holy Spirit, she asked if they wanted a relationship with Christ and to know His peace. They blurted out, “Yes!” and we led them into a small room where they both invited Jesus Christ into their hearts. We only had a few weeks with them before we left for the UK, but saw tremendous growth in their faith, and great joy and peace come into their lives. They now attend the Corps regularly, and we look forward to seeing them in a few weeks.

Throughout this journey Isobel has been my constant companion. She is my best friend, my inspiration, and my soul-mate. Without her I would have been lost. Of course, the same is true of Jesus Christ, who brought us together and has kept us in His love. Together we travel through all the twists and turns and eventually will be united for all eternity. What a wonderful hope! Jesus says, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). And so we journey on singing the words of Fanny Crosby:

I must have the Saviour with me,
For I dare not walk alone;
I must feel his presence near me,
And his arm around me thrown.

Then my soul shall fear no ill;
Let him lead me where he will,
I will go without a murmur,
And his footsteps follow still.

Major Ian Robinson

Who's Success?

I read a story the other week that I thought was great! Let me take this opportunity to share it with you.


A proud woodpecker was tapping away at a dead tree when the sky unexpectedly turned black and the thunder began to roll. Undaunted, the woodpecker went right on working. Suddenly a bolt of lightning struck the old tree, splintering it into hundreds of pieces. Startled but unhurt, the haughty bird flew off, screeching to his feathered friends, "Hey, everyone, look what I did to that tree!"

It got me to thinking that very often we are quick to turn to God when things go wrong in our life – whether it is health wise, relationships, finance and money problems or disastrous accidents. Often, though, when things go well we are less quick to recognize that God is to be praised and thanked for our good fortune or success. James reminds us in the scriptures, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Let’s not stop turning to God in our hour of need, because He is always there for us – but let’s be quicker to turn to Him in praise when He showers His blessing upon us.

“All good gifts around us are sent from Heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
For all His love.”

May God bless you each one.

Graeme Parkhill

Gospel Choir Rehearsal Schedule Announced

Bandmaster Bobby Irvine has announced the rehearsal schedule for the Ayr Community Gospel Choir. He writes:

"Hello everyone!

Thanks for responding to the invitation to take part in the Ayr Community Gospel Choir. This is something new and exciting and I’m really looking forward to being part of it, I hope you are too. Rehearsals commence on 17th September 2009, the list below gives rehearsal dates and times. The venue will be the Wallacetown Church Halls, John Street, Ayr.

"We have had sufficient response to get started, however if you have any friends who would still like to take part then please let them know it’s OK to turn up on the first rehearsal night!
I am really looking forward to meeting you all, and looking forward to the privilege of being able to take part in our Community Carol Concert on 6 December."

Rehearsal Schedule (all to be held in Wallacetown Church Halls, John Street, Ayr)

1. 17th September 7.30pm till 9pm

2. 08th October 7.30pm till 9pm

3. 22nd October 7.30pm till 9pm

4. 05th November 7.30pm till 9pm

5. 12th November 7.30pm till 9pm

6. 26th November 7.30pm till 9pm

It's still not too late to register your interest in singing! Just click here!

Missing the Presence

MISSING THE PRESENCE

A man wanted to become a monk so he went to the monastery and talked to the head monk. The head monk said, "You must take a vow of silence and can only say two words every three years." The man agreed and after the first three years, the head monk came to him and said, "What are your two words?" "Food cold!" the man replied. Three more years went by and the head monk came to him and said "What are your two words?" "Robe dirty!" the man exclaimed. Three more years went by and the head monk came to him and said, "What are your two words?" "I quit!" said the man. "Well," the head monk replied, "I’m not surprised. You’ve done nothing but complain ever since you got here!"

My wife, Heather, could win any competition to find The World’s Quietest Person. Yet, when she went away recently, the house seemed silent. Paradoxical, really, as Heather contributes little to the levels of volume in our household. It was her presence that was missing. I wonder if it can sometimes be like that in our lives? Can we just carry on as usual (as I did, with my daily life, when Heather was away), but, occasionally, know that we have, somehow, missed God’s presence, despite everything else being just the same?

There are probably several reasons for that happening (and I guess it happens to us all): busy-ness, fatigue, distractions, responsibilities, cares and concerns, etc - the sheer hurly-burly of normal life. We can rely upon the fact that God is actually present. ‘Never will I leave you…’ (Hebrews 13:5). That ‘never’ is a strong word! Therefore, if we miss his presence, it behoves us to consider afresh, Psalm 42.

God knows about our busy lives, and understands. We have the indelible reassurance of James 4:8: ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you’ - not to blame us, or rebuke us, but to embrace us. When we take one step towards God, experience shows us that he takes ten towards us. The secret is to take that step. We need to acknowledge that our awareness of the promised presence is missing. Without that acknowledgement, we are in danger of simply going through the motions. The psalmist recognised his spiritual thirst (Psalm 42:1), and turned that thirst into a prayer. This week, if that presence seems to be lacking, it might be helpful to step back for a moment, and to sense him - and his love - close, once more.

Major Stephen Poxon

Flowers and Music

Ayr Flower Show is Scotland's answer to the Chelsea Flower show and since 1960 has been delighting and captivating visitors to the town as well as being a red letter weekend in the local calendar.

As in previous years, the event concluded with the Ayr Citadel Band on the central bandstand bringing the Christian message, through music and song, to the gathered crowds.








In the beautiful setting of Rozelle Estate with its feature trees, ponds, woodland walks and the glorious Rozelle Mansion House and Galleries, our band graced the airwaves with favourite songs such as How Great Thou Art, Onward Christian Soldiers and modern greats like There is a Redeemer and Be Still. The band got feet tapping with their renditions of Spirit of Endeavour, with the stirring melody “Marching along, marching along, the Salvation Army is marching along” and ARC Centennial, composed to celebrate the centenary of the Adult Rehabilitation Centres in the USA.




The Army presence was also made known through a stall which highlighted the UK Territory’s Watershed Appeal and the work of the Salvation Army in Ayr.The stall was designed to remind us that Jesus is the water of life, and as a reflection of these verses from Isaiah 35: ‘And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a dear, and those who cannot speak will shout and sing! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the desert.’

[You can see more photographs from the flower show here - Webmaster]

The Children of Today

As the dust settles on our Summer Holiday Club for 2009 – Showstoppers! one has the opportunity to reflect upon the week’s events. Many positives have come from this as well as lessons to be learned for next year!



The Psalmist says that children are a gift from God – and we certainly have felt blessed by the ministry we have shared with these children throughout the course of the week. It is amazing to see the development in their young lives even through the course of just one week! From the shyness of the first day … to the questions … and the realisation that God’s love is for all and to be shared with all …. and then the celebrations of the final day!


As the weeks and months unfold for these young people, they will be faced with many choices. They will return to their schools and family lives – and for many nowadays, the idea of a ‘normal family’ is far from their experience. Many are with one parent during the week and another parent at the weekend – this is their normality … some have parents who have drink and drug problems – others are in stable families, but seldom see their parents during the week due to long working hours, with both parents struggling to keep their heads afloat in this uncertain economic environment in which we live.



How resilient these young people are. How precious they are to God. During this next week, allow your attention to turn to young people … just where you are. Allow yourselves the opportunity to reminisce back to your own childhood years … if you have happy memories of these days, think about what made that so – good role models, loving parents, family and neighbours; surrogate aunties and uncles who were looking out for you …



If your memories are not so good, if you can, consider also why this was.



And then take the chance to ask yourself how you can ensure the young people around you are given every opportunity to develop into the best they can possibly be for God and the community they are in. Play your part in shaping a better tomorrow for the children of today.






Graeme Parkhill

Community Gospel Choir

CALLING ALL SINGERS!
DO YOU WANT TO SING GOSPEL?


Everyone is invited to join with the Ayr Salvation Army in it's 2009 Annual Carol Concert, as part of a Community Gospel Choir conducted by Bobby Irvine. The concert will be held on Sunday 6th December in Ayr. Six rehearsals are to be held during September, October & November, at the Wallacetown Church Halls, John Street, Ayr.

All you need to do is register your interest here or telephone 01292 285237 for a registration form. Registration is free and we will send you more information when we receive your registration. Where participants of 14-18 years of age are registered we will require parents' consent.

Something old, something new...

Our weekly thought this week is brought to us by Major Stephen Poxon who, with his wife Heather and children Jasmine and Alistair, have been stationed at the Paisley Corps since 2006.



Major Stephen Poxon (Paisley)

Something old, something new…

A few days before being invited to write this little article, I was wandering around the magnificent Durham Cathedral. I was in that region, on holiday, and invested a day visiting the fine city of Durham. It is almost a crime to visit Durham without spending time in the cathedral (in fact, I think it should be made a crime), and so there I was, savouring the prayer-soaked atmosphere. It is, almost, as though the Holy Spirit inhabits the very stones of that place.

At this time of writing, I have just returned from a visit to the equally huge Braehead Shopping Centre, close to where I live and work and have my being, in Paisley. Braehead might be considered a modern type of cathedral, where daily worship is offered to the god known as Mammon, within the plastic and glass infrastructure. Strange as it may sound, I like both places very much, but for vastly different reasons.

I love Durham Cathedral because simply being within its ancient walls never fails to fill my heart with peace, and because I am made acutely aware, whenever I am there, that I am, literally, treading where the saints have trod. I feel an overwhelming sense of history, and a truly awesome air of reverence. Durham Cathedral reminds me, quite stunningly, of the continuing, faithful witness of God’s people through the centuries. The magnitude of the building carries reminders of their colossal witness, often against difficult odds.

Braehead Shopping Centre, on the other hand, that ultra-modern focus of spending power and high-force capitalism, reminds me, not of liturgies and priests and bishops, but, quite starkly, of my responsibility ‘to serve the present age, my calling to fulfil’. My personal calling is to serve the present, ultra-modern capitalist age as a Salvation Army officer. I need the Lord to help me to discover new and inventive ways of reaching the masses. I depend upon his ancient grace to show me how to bring the Bible to Braehead, so to speak.

In assessing this opportunity, I draw strength from Durham, where so many strove, and where so many still strive, to make the stories of Jesus relevant. Their centuries of creativity challenge me to think of the means by which shoppers are turned into saints. It is up to me (and you?) to successfully marry something old with something new. With God’s help, that can be done.

I returned from Durham with a lovely water colour of the cathedral, for my office wall. I returned from Braehead with a silk tie from Tie Rack.


May it be said that people return from spending time with me (with each of us?) with attractive, colourful reminders of the old, old story being kept very much alive.

Major Stephen Poxon: 0141 8842359 / 8873619 & 07837 686515

Award Ceremony

[Note: to see all the Showstoppers photographs click here, to see the daily Showstoppers Blog click here]


Showstoppers Award Ceremony

We have had a great morning here at Ayr, with many of the students coming to the morning meeting with their parents to celebrate and review the holiday club week.

Singing included the Theme Song, Great Big God, Jump up and Down and Give me oil in my lamp. Miss Darbiss was dressed to the nines, letting her hair down – and receiving many requests for her phone number!!! Steven Steel the Burgers helped sum up the whole week as he recapped on The Greatest Story Ever Told - God’s Story. The students impressed the gathered congregation by reciting their ‘lines’ – 5 scripture memory verses learned during the course of the week.

Ayr Citadel Band and Songsters also took part and Bobby Irvine, leader of the musical sections at Ayr opened the day in prayer, asking God’s blessing upon all gathered and all who had taken part in the week.

Team winners were dressing room 3 – ‘the Showoffs’, although the competition remained close right to the end.

The morning finished with the full cast taking part in a drama Colours of Salvation. A tingling atmosphere was felt as God’s spirit moved through the gathered congregation, using the efforts of the young people to bring all present closer to God’s presence.

Well done to all involved.

Steven Steel the Burgers: Director

Showstoppers Holiday Club Day 6

Today was the final day of rehearsals for the drama students before the big show tomorrow morning. So it was a hectic start to the day - putting the final touches to the singing, dancing, drama and artwork.

Miss Darbis and Steven Steel the Burgers were not at the club today – the students learned that they were at a press conference promoting the club. We hope that the interest raised will bring many to the final performance.

Oscars were awarded to many of the students and the points competition is really close, with all teams performing well. The kids managed, in addition to the rehearsals, to make lion masks (Daniel and the lions den) and Christmas decorations.

Things are looking really good ahead of tomorrow. I love it when a show comes together!

Steven Steel the Burgers: Director

Showstoppers Holiday Club Day 5

The drama students today embarked upon their most colourful workshop- the dance workshop. Under the watchful eye of Miss Darbiss (Captain Wendy) and Motivator Mo (Valerie) the students developed a dancing display to the music ‘Colours of Salvation’. This will be premiered on Sunday morning in the Holiness Meeting, which will feature many items from the children involved in Showstoppers.

After celebrating Christmas yesterday, the focus of today’s activities was Easter, with the children finding out that God loved them so much that He sent Jesus to die for their sins, so that they could inherit eternal life. Thus, God provided the solution to the problem of sin in the world. Not the end of the story – simply a new beginning.

A further highlight today was the composition and singing of team songs from both dressing rooms 1 and 3. Whilst dressing room 3 look as if they are running away with the points contest, much can happen on the final day to change the look of the Leader Board!

Steven Steel the Burgers: Director.

Showstoppers Holiday Club Day 4

This seems to have been the best day so far, with the drama students celebrating Christmas! Bit early this year, but well received all round.
Three teams took part in a photography workshop, led by our webmaster.
You can see some of the efforts on this page, from catching poses like ‘kissing under the mistletoe’, and ‘eating Christmas dinner’ to full-scale performances of the Christmas story.
Oscars were won by Joshua for the Motivator Mo workout, Lewis and Cammy for their dancing displays and Jordan and Arran for their efforts in the Theme Song.
Half way through the week and numbers are steadily growing each day and it’s good to see so many of the regular kids coming back day after day to here more of the Greatest Story Ever Told!


Steven Steel the Burgers: Director

Showstoppers Holiday Club Day 3

Today the drama students tried their hands out in the music workshops. Music making, lyric writing and choosing music to go along with the story of Daniel and the Lions Den! Steven Speilberg eat your heart out!

Oscar winners today included Sophie and Joshua for their rendition of the Theme Song and to the chants of “How low can you go!”, Hollie was the winner of the limbo dancing contest, gaining an amazing 20 points for her team.

Still out in front in the points contest are dressing room 3, but dressing room 1 put in a great effort to catch them by being the first team to compose and perform a theme song for their team.

Steven Steel the Burgers: Director