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

Streams in the Desert

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Streams in the Desert



Over the past weekend I have been manning a stall at the Ayr Flower Show. We designed the stall to highlight the UK Territory’s Watershed Appeal. (More details about Watershed can be found on the UK Territory website.)

As you look at the photo of the stall above, highlighting the life-giving water of Christ flowing into the desert lands, allow God to speak to you through these words from scripture:

Even the wilderness will rejoice in those days. The desert will blossom with flowers. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The desert will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel’s pastures and the Plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendour of our God.

With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those who are afraid, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

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.

And a main road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-hearted people will never walk on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there. … Only the redeemed will follow it. Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return to Jerusalem, singing songs of everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be overcome with joy and gladness. (Isaiah 35:1-6, 8-10 NLT)

May God bless you richly!

Graeme Parkhill

PS check out the Showstoppers' Blog here!

Showstoppers Holiday Club Day 2

One of the highlights today was the presentation of ‘Oscars’ to some of the students. Here we have Cameron and Caitlin receiving their Oscar for best performance of the Showstoppers Theme Song. Another highlight was Isaac, Lewis and Nicola singing the nursery rhyme Ba, ba black sheep whilst gargling a cup of water! A new take on the Water Music!


Points are being awarded throughout this week for many of the activities that the drama students are involved in, from remembering their lines (scripture memory verses) to winning competitions and posting jokes and other interesting items through the ‘stage door’! At this early stage the team in the lead are the crew from Dressing Room 3. Stay posted to find out the eventual winners!

Steven Steel the Burgers: Director

Showstoppers Holiday Club Launched

The club got off to a flying start with Drama director, Miss Darbiss (Captain Wendy) introducing the rest of the team to the kids. Vocal coach, Microphone Milly (Rachel Irvine) led the singing and the crew’s personal trainer, Motivator Mo (Valerie) helped the kids loosen up for the activities.

With the focus of the day on God’s creation, the children were reminded that creation was good and during the rest of the week they will discover the various scenes of The Greatest Story Ever Told – God’s story.

Steven Steel the Burgers: Director

Amazing Love!

Summer Fun – God the Father

I have to admit that I really love the Summer Holidays, and as I am still a child at heart, I am usually right in the middle of whatever the kids are doing. Whether it’s a water fight, the trampoline, or the game of rounders at the park, I still love all that!!! And at 29, I’m not sure that I’m ever going to grow out of the fun and games.

A couple of years ago we had a huge water fight in our street during the summer holidays. The two boys were five and six years old and they were getting absolutely soaked by some of the older girls in the street, who really were just going for the easy targets!! The boys were getting quite upset because they were never able to get near anyone with their little water guns. Seeing how upset my little boys were I just had to do something to make it better! I decided that Graeme and I would have to go out and help the boys to give the girls a soaking. It was a great laugh!! The girls were absolutely drenched, and so were we. Graeme and I had a great night, all in the name of protecting our two little boys!

When I think of how much love Graeme and I feel for our children, and the way we want to guide and protect them from harm, it always causes me to think of the great love that God has for each one of us as his children. The love that I feel for my children is just a fraction of what God’s love is like. So great is the love of God that we are told in scripture that nothing can separate us from the love of God. ‘Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the power of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38-39). Amazing Love!

It always brings me a feeling of security knowing that nothing can separate me from the love of my Father God. God wants each and every person to be his child. He wants to love you, guide you, and protect you.

I love the words of the song that say of God:
‘O Father of the fatherless,
In whom all families are blessed.
I love the way you Father me.
You gave me life, forgave the past.
Now in your arms I’m safe at last.
I love the way You Father me!

Father me, forever you’ll Father me
And in Your embrace I’ll be forever secure.
I love the way You Father me

God wants to be your Father. Choose to be His child and nothing will ever separate you from His love.

Wendy Parkhill (Captain)