The Kick Team, current and ‘alumni’ are in Seattle on ISA, hopefully having a great time, the rest of us are back in the UK getting sweltered. Hope whatever you’re doing you’re having a good summer. Can you rise to the challenge that this week’s thought offers?
Turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones (
'none of these things move me' ACTS 20:24
You don't often hear about famous people before they 'arrive', do you? It's easy to think they never had it hard, never had stuff thrown in their way; but that's because it's part of their job to put up a front in public. Think about some of the most significant leaders in our nation, like Gordon Brown or David Cameron. Do you think they ever got told they wouldn't amount to much? Of course they did; they get criticised all the time in the press taking all sorts of knocks. And what about Barack Obama; did he let the colour of his skin hold him back when everyone thought the idea of a Black President was impossible? The common theme is that these leaders have a vision for their life; nothing will stop them. That doesn't mean that things don't come along and get in the way, it doesn't mean everything's easy; but instead of letting the bad stuff knock them down, instead of giving up they brush themselves off after every fall and see what they can learn from it. Yes, some of the stumbling blocks in life may hurt, but don't let them stop you. Follow Paul's example, and next time something tough comes your way, say to yourself 'This won't move me'. Ask God to help you use it to grow and learn, and to shape you to be more like Him through your experiences.
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Win a Dave Crowder Band signed football!
With Frenzy just around the corner, Saturday 6 Jun, we thought we’d give you the chance to win a Youth for Christ football signed by the Dave Crowder band at Frenzy 08.
Youth for Christ will have a pitch and cage at Frenzy as well as a stand, come and visit us and chat, find out what we’re about.
To win this competition, please answer the following question.
What is Scotland’s biggest Christian music festival?
Competition open to UK residents only – please reply by 01 June.
Year out volunteers wanted, are you between 17 – 25 and have a passion to serve God? contact us.
Check out www.yfcone.com
Hey alan lucy from lochinver hear!
I just wanted to say a big thank you to the yfc team!
I'm now a youth worker in nairn just outside inverness and i absolutly love it!
I have all of your team and your-self to thank!
THANK YOOOOOH
luv fae lucy xxx
Hey Alan!
how are u?
wot ya up 2?
bmb Hoody (jr) x
Smells and shadows
'IN THE SHADOW OF HIS HAND HE HID ME.' ISAIAH 49:2
After visiting the Balkan region of South-eastern Europe, reporter James Creelman wrote, 'I learned that the world's supply of rose oil comes from the Balkan Mountains. The thing that interested me was that the roses had to be gathered during the darkest hours. Initially this seemed to be a relic of superstition. But as I investigated I learned that 40% of the fragrance disappears in the light of day.' Do you want to make a difference in the world? Well, God wants your life to be really smelly (check out 2 Corinthians 2:14-16) and you'll need to let God work with you in the shadows before you come into the spotlight. Before the prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven in front of the evil pagan priests on Mount Carmel, God told him to go and hide himself at a brook known as Cherith (1 Kings 17). The country was in a mess and people were dying but Elijah needed to sit tight in this craggy Nowhereville until God said the time was right for him to go and confront the King. Stories like this make us think differently about being in the shadow, don't they? Like Elijah you need to learn to embrace the shadows, enjoy the sidelines, to discover God and grow in them, then stride out confidently with something to say that's worth listening to!
Available daily at www.ucb.co.uk
'ouch' the Scottish exam results landed today - this may have come as a pleasant suprise to some - great, but it may have shocked a few more. If you or someone you know suddenly finds themselves in a 'oh no what i am going to do now situation!' what about a gap year - you could use your gifts and talents and gain experiences you could never have imagined or thought possible. Check out www.yfcone.com for more info and remember the truth in Jeremiah 29 v 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Hi, hope the summers going well, of course if you’re down south the holidays have just started. Well whether you’re at Imagine, Soul Survivor New Wine or sunning yourself on some beach somewhere I hope you’re having fun.
This week’s thought is a bit random but it’s got a good message, so apologies if you’ve got an allergy to feathers!!
Flying in formation
'LET US NOT GIVE UP MEETING TOGETHER.' HEBREWS 10:25
Geese. They flap around with their long bandy necks, honking (ie making a loud noise; not a smell!) What could we ever learn from a goose? Well chew on this: Every autumn geese fly south to where the climate is warmer. But they don't just set off in a random flappage of feathers, they fly together in a 'V' formation. Geese know that to complete the long trip, they have to fly united. Air waves created each time a bird flaps its wings provide uplift for the one behind, conserving its energy and enabling it to double its flying range. A goose flying solo could never complete the trip but in formation the youngest, the oldest and even the weakest get there. In other words, they do as a team what they could never do alone. When the Bible says, 'Let us not give up meeting together... but let us encourage one another,' it's saying, 'Stay in formation! Enjoy the uplift!' Christians aren't meant to fly solo, whatever their calling, gifting or maturity. We're all part of Team Jesus, created to fly as a unit with other believers. Sometimes a goose will go off alone and find itself adrift. Before long though its wings become heavy from exhaustion and it loses altitude. There's only one thing it can do; get back with the group. How about you? Are you flying in formation today?
Available daily at www.ucb.co.uk
Hey Al,
Just thought I would leave you a wee comment....how you doing? Hope you're not working too hard! Just back from the garage...going to have to spend £440 on my car today to make it fit for travelling to Clan.....Ouch! Will give you a call next week to see what we need to talk about and sort out!
See ya!
Check out the Vid we added wishing a very Happy New Year to all our friends in Kick Land! Hope you had a good time and are looking forward to a great 2008. Give thanks for responses to prayer for Paul Charles whose funding situation has been resolved and he's able to continue is studies in the US. Please pray for our many friends in Kenya during this very difficult time, remembering Solomon, a sports ministry legend!
A VERY Happy New Year!!!
God Bless
Kathy
U ARE WIRED REALY WIRED
This is the last blog of the year. From Kick i hope you all have a great time and hope to catch up with you at somepoint in 2008. God bless.
I've come too far to turn back! 21 Dec 2007
'IF THEY HAD BEEN THINKING OF THE COUNTRY THEY HAD LEFT, THEY WOULD HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN' HEBREWS 11:15
Any pilot will tell you that there's a point of no return. When you reach the end of the runway there's nowhere to go but up. It's fly or die! In Hebrews 11 you'll see a list of totally normal people who did some mad and crazy things because even when they were going through the hardest times imaginable, they stuck to their vision. If you never look back, going back is not even an option. When you decide to follow God not everybody will be happy about it. Your vision could be their nightmare. Your success could prove all things they said about you wrong or remind them of the vision they abandoned. Usually the hardest place to follow your vision is at home. There are always so many people keen to remind you of what you used to be like and they're often unwilling to believe you can change! In order for God to move us on, the first thing he does is to make us uncomfortable. Until your faith factor is bigger than your fear factor you won't move! If you're at all comfortable, settled and content, don't expect God to give you more; you're not ready for it. When you start taking risks you'll pray like you've never prayed and stay as close to God as possible because it's all you've got. There's nothing like that sense of feeling frustrated and boxed-in to get your full attention on God. Bottom line: when you decide, 'I've come too far to turn back,' you'll start to see God's hand at work in your life!
courtesy of www.ucb.co.uk
Hi Kick. Is it Grayzo that runs this? Missed you last night through in Edinburgh at the CIS meeting if it is you. Hope you're doing well and looking forward to camp! Stephen
Happy birthday for the 6th! Blessings and much good stuff to you all... NESYFC
That would be good. My son was with you in Scalloway when you were there. I had forgotten, so I asked him and he said that they had had a cool time with you all. Trevor Watt was the main organiser from Shetland I think
Thai looks like a cool site. I found out about it at the SU I go to.
When were you in Shetland? and more to the point when will you be back?
hey kickers, great to see u infiltrating the world of bebo! keep up the amazing work u all do, God has given u all such great skills & passion and its so encouraging to see u using them to reach folk! many blessings, and kicks!! lynz xox
Well done Alan for getting Kick on here, Bebo is much better than Myspace!
First comment on the board - good times!