UP TO & INCLUDING 30/10/10

"Evenin' all", as Dixon of Dock Green used to say (whit dae ye mean "who's Dixon of Dock Green?"! - go 'Google it' - jings.) It's been a few days since my last blog - apologies to anyone who waits on my words like the cliffhanger at the end of an old episode of Buck Rogers with "Buster Crabbe (whit dae ye mean "who's "Buster Crabbe"?! - JINGS!!!) Yeah, have had a busy few days juggling housework, babysitting, conducting the promotion etc etc of Linette's Penney lane Studios stuffs, some graphic design work for The Howard Centre in Kilmarnock and some live work with Hyper P.A., so sorry it's taken me a while to put digits to keys.

Ok, so what's been goin' on? - last Saturday (23rd Oct.) was awesome, Lin and I went to the Light & Life training day at the Holy Trinity Church in Westerhailes on the outskirts of Eedinburger. Linette was training the volunteers in prophetic art and I was helping the amazingly annointed Mark Higginson with worship on drums and then conducting my usual role of taking photos for L&L Facebook and just "being around" as Barbara (the leader of L&L) would say, for whatever I was needed for. 

It was a great day, Barbara lead the event with an introduction as to what 'Light & Life' is and what we're looking for from volunteers and she was on amazing form - I know a few, what I call "lionesses" in the body and man was she roaring - awesome and good to see. Another "lioness", our good friend Beth Sciallo, would have been proud.

The event was great, met some really cool people and really felt at the end of the event that we'd been part of something which would produce good fruit. After that it was back down to Kilmarnock where 'Mini-Clan' was underway at The newly and costly refurbed 'Howard Centre', where Linette's 'Penney Lane Studios' stall was being "womaned" by our good friend Kim Wylie for the day as a favour.  So although Lin & I were a bit cream crackered after the effort of preparing everything for sale at mini-clan, Linette's paintings to be hanged there, ourselves for the L&L training event and then all the travelling it was good to thank Kim for her help and take over.

Mini-clan seemed a success and a lot of people seemed to get a lot out of it, was good to see my bros Allan McKinley leading worship, Michael Clayton on guitar and my "predator bro" Ben Monteith play drums. It was also really nice to see Lin's stall looking good with plenty for sale. Some folks are really daft though, they come up to Lin's stall, look at her paintings or flick through her prints for sale and go "Wow! - did you paint that?" - I have to bite my lip, 'cos what I really want to say is "DUHHHHH!!! - NAW! - IT WAS MAHATMA GHANDI, YA F##NY!" - jings, gie me strength. Hahahaha ;-)

"Anyhoo", as J.D. from 'Scrubs' would say - ("Google it" if you've never seen it.) The rest of the week was spent based around the boys' comings and goings - getting them ready for school, doing P.L.S. stuff for Linette or graphic design work, housework during the afternoon then homework at 3pm when the boys come home, after homework and depending on the day of the week the boys will either get to play outside, play the Playstation or watch their programmes for a wee while, whilst they do its time to do packed lunches and get their clothes ready for school the next day.  If Lin's working late then I get dinner, the aftermath of dishes, get the boys ready for bed and then Lin and I slump onto the couch and sigh "i'm knackered" - time fir jammies and mibbe a good film, some prayer or a large beer - on a good night all three! ;-)

The last couple of days and nights Linette as been at Hamilton college where the International House Of Prayer guys were worshipping, she had her stall there and was also painting and said that even though it was very long hours she was there it was amazing, the worship was fantastic and she was blessed by loads of people buying her paintings, prints or metalwork.

I, on the other hand, was away with 'Hyper P.A.' and 'MacFloyd' (Scotland's Pink Floyd tribute) in Paisley on the Friday and Langholm near the borders yesterday. A typical 'MacFloyd' show can be anything from a 12-16 hour day for the p.a. crew so it can be tiring, but the general banter and niceness of the guys and girls in 'MacFloyd' does help get you through it. Paisley Town Hall is great for the band as it's a fairly lage venue, but a nightmare for sound as it's so loud and boomy - it wasn't designed acoustically at all and running anything from the stage to 'front of house' (the sound desk) isn't exactly plain sailing. Cammy (Cambell Forbes from 'Hyper P.A.') and I aren't too keen on it generally, but the band like it. 

There was a couple of flies in the ointment - the first being the fire-alarm going off in the interval meaning everyone in the venue having to stand out in the rain while the fire crews investigate and Michelle, one of MacFloyd's backing vocalists phone got stolen from the dressing room whilst the band were playing. This is very un-professional as a bands dressing room should be safe and secure - not a pilfering place for chancing their arm local crims to come and see what they can get away with. Turns out the venue captured the thieves on their cctv - they were in there for 7 minutes - not exactly an 's.a.s. style' quick in and get out eh? - they really took their time! but for all that footage I still don't think Michelle got her phone back, what a load of pish. :-(

Yesterday (Saturday 30th Oct.) Cammy and I were in Langholm near the borders, what a lovely quaint village! Upon arrival after a long, but pleasant drive down we enjoyed a quick bite to eat at a local café and then went to load in the gear. The load-in was dead easy and the stage although not particularly high was very clean, wide and reasonably deep too - sweet! (It's sad, but I appreciate things like that). The in-house technician was a guy called Walter and what an amazing wee host he was, he really bent over backwards for us and was very welcoming.The gig went well, but without the two lady backing vocalists for this gig it did sound empty at parts. Still, the punters seemed to love it and after the gig we left for the long drive homewards. Cammy's a guid lad, he keeps my spirits up and I think, vice versa. We mainly talk a lot of old bol###ks to pass the time, but sometimes can get into serious debates or discussions about life, the universe and everything, to quote Douglas Adams. A typical phrase of Cammy's would be the time when he tried to remember what a golf ball was called got frustrated and said " you know...a pig-sheep!" hahahaha! - fanny. So a golf ball is now called a "pig sheep" - there are plenty of other similair tales, but I won't go into them tonight :-)

I love Cammy, he's a good man, he doesn't want much out of life and isn't a greedy person. I've known and worked with him for many years and love the fact that he's been very respectful of the change in me, hasn't belittled it and hasn't gone all weird on me because he thinks that just because I've become a Christian that I've suddenly become all "holier than thou" and totally changed ha! ha! - far from it - yeah, I have changed, but I've tried to change the bad things in me and become a better person for myself, my family and my friends, isn't that a good thing? - why do some people fear that change?... (that is a rhetorical question, by the way)

After such a long day and night yesterday Linette and I were both pretty shattered this morning and underwent the question that crops up every blue moon "should we go to church?" - we didn't go last Sunday as we really were too tired, but something inside us pushed us out of bed and down to The Lighthouse in Troon, where our church resides. We were both a little late and snuck in quietly doing the whole mouthing silently "soreeee!" thing and generally trying to be invisible. It is hard though when  pretty much everyone you see is also saying "HIIII!!!" in the same silent style hahaha!  It was good to be back at church, even though it was only one Sunday that we'd missed, it felt like a lot longer.

Lin and I sat way over at the side because it so busy, but I actually liked it -I think it's good to sit in different places because it gives you different perspectives on things. Everyone should do it. It frustrates me a little when I see the same people sitting in their usual chairs with a cup of tea and a biscuit as if waiting for the entertainment to start and then I see them leave afterwards I think - what did you get from that? - did you even hear what was said? or do you just come out of habit?...  I think Richard, Yolanda and Andy (the church leaders) should make everyone sit in a different place every week, it would force people out of their comfort zone and maybe wake them up a little too, but then i'm just that challenging type of guy ;-)

It was lovely to see Yolanda and Mariette back - what a blessing these two, strong "Seth Efreecun" women are to our church, but they're not just strong - on the opposite side of the coin they can be amazingly tender and gentle too. Not that long ago they both helped me with some prayer and some gentle "exorcism" of some things inside me that I needed help with and I will always be thankful to them for that. I think Y & M are both amazingly annointed women, but also know that they need prayer, affirmation and shoulders to cry on too - they're just the same as you and I and I love that.

As the worship team are having a small hi-atus I was off the kit today so it was just time to praise and try to just thank God without a set of sticks in my hands - weird. Listening to the guest worship leader all I could think about at times was getting behind the kit and joining in and I'm sure the rest of the team also thought so, but as that wasn't happening we just concentrated on the music and in turn worshipping Papa.  

During the worship I felt drawn to my bro Ken Browne who was kneeling in prayer I felt such a wave of sadness for him that it must have been from God, Gail Montgomery and I prayed over him and then I felt like God was asking me to get him to stand up and just tell him "I love you son" over and over and over again. I think that was what Ken really needed, was just to hear what god was saying. I LOVE when God does that through me - it's as if I'm just a shell on a beach and he's just blowing his words for people through me and they're coming out of my mouth! I'd like MORE of that please!  Going round the room I was waiting to pray for Andy and Sadie Billingham, but noticed a troubled looking Robert Ballantyne, I simply put my hand on his shoulder told him he was a blessed brother. I can't really describe his reaction other than he looked up at me like a child looks at his daddy who's been gone a long time and we simply hugged for ages without saying anything - MAN, it was POWERFUL! The men's group that we've been running has had such a huge impact on the church's male brethren that beforehand that would never have happened between us, but yet now that's not a big deal at all. Thank you Daddy for bringing us together.

My mate Michael Montgomery was guest speaker today, something I was well chuffed about, Michael speaks all over the world, but yet this is his first time he's been asked to speak on his "hame turf", so I waited to hear what he had to say with bated breasts ;-)  Michael is amazingly annointed, but can also be a bit of a nervous chap, so he kinda humbly felt his way along at the start, but when he got into gear the "Lord Montgomery" in him came out and took over! - I like Michael's approach, he is thoughtful, but also doesn't mince his words - GREAT!! - another like minded man!  Michael's sermon was short, sharp, practical and to the point, all things I like - BANG, BANG, BANG! - get in, make your point and get out with something people can think about, remember and most importantly USE in their lives. I'd like to hear more of what he has to say and I'm sure I speak for many of the other Lighthouse keepers when I say that.

After the meeting there was the rushed "hi's" to everyone you haven't had time to speak to and really want to (and some you really don't want to) Heh heh! ;-) Nicky McCormack gave Lin and I some beautiful prayer just before we left about the two different types of people we are and how I am "such an amazing warrior" she then followed with this belter - "I've never seen such a huge sword"........  Now........ I would like it noted in the minutes of the meeting that A: Nicky was speaking purely prophetically & B: I managed to keep my dirty jokes and laughter to myself, even although my wife was giggling next to me at the time. ;-)


Joking aside, I'm always the same after church I want to withdraw to a quiet room, really think about what's just been taught and write down my thoughts, but it never goes that way. Lin and I always have to do many other things before I/we get that personal time to reflect.

I know that before getting to the prayer room tonight I was quite short with the boys and very short with Linette, it wasn't because they were being naughty or that Linette was being a pain or anything, it was merely my frustration at not having some quiet personal time to write down my thoughts and feelings which had been burning away at me all day. I will apologise to her when I've finished typing this blog, the good thing is that she will give me grace to apologise and that she'll decide that be the end of it. She's a very understanding, gracious woman, I am blessed that she is my wife.

"Anyhoo" - God has told me that I've to try and write more, so if I haven't please slap me on Facebook and I'll get my butt in order. Until then I'm off to go hug my wife, tell her I love her and that I'm sorry for being a Mr.Grumpypuss.

Be  B L E S S E D - 'The Bridge' ;-) x

21/10/10

"Good moaning!" - the boys have left for school and I'm now in the position of having some time to put digits to keys before the day really starts. I do like the efficiency in which I can get the wee men ready for school in the morning, it gets easier every time (touch wood). Here's how I work it (please be advised that the following list is very anal, but that the writer doesn't give a stuff what you think, if it gets the job done quickly and quietly)  ;-)

THE NIGHT BEFORE:

1: Make the boys packed lunches.

2: Put two bowls, spoons and tissues on the breakfast bar.

3: Put the boys clothes neatly on their dresser, in order of how they put them on for them with shoes underneath.

THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE:

1: Whoever's getting the boys up's alarm goes off at 8.15am, Lin or I wander dazed through to the bathroom, quick pee and a wash of the hands and then go say hi - the boys have usually tidied their room by now, have made their beds and are neatly dressed for their day at school.

2: Quietly we go downstairs, so's not to wake whoever is getting the illustrious sleep in, the boys choose their cereal and all we have to do is pour it into their bowls and add milk - easy-peasy.

3: After brekkie the boys tell us "the two q's" - QUICKLY and QUIETLY, then off they go to clean their teeth and wash their faces. Our walls are paper thin and our bedroom is right next to the bathroom, so it's great when the boys are nice n quiet, that way they don't wake Mummy or I up, depending on who's overseeing and who's getting the sleep in that morning.

4: Ok, so next it's just a case of putting on jackets and bags answering any wacky questions the boys might have stored up in their craniums, hug time and then off they go.

I've got the morning part down to 15 minutes from me going into seeing the boys to them going out the door, which, for me, is a real blessing as i'm not good in the mornings so the less  I have to do the better as I'm still in the "waking up process" lol. Linette is an amazing multi-tasker and can handle loads of things at the same time - me? - nup, I do one thing at a time - but do it WELL.  ;-)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So yesterday, well it started with Lin and I heading down to Troon to collect her paintings from church so that I could take some good-quality digital snaps of them for her Facebook site and to prepare them for sale at 'Mini-Clan' in Kilmarnock this weekend. When we got to the church I couldn't help myself by doing a quick tidy-up of the worship area - you can't switch off the stage manager in me, it's my default setting. A little known fact is that God created man, woman and Gaffa tape. ;-)

Leaving the church we popped over to B&Q in Kilmarnock to get picture hanging stuffs for the prophetic paintings Linette will be displaying at the Howard Centre from the weekend onwards. The Howard centre's just had a MAJOR refurb., so I'm looking forward to seeing it. After leaving B&Q upon asking my wife why she was taking her mobile phone into the garage to pay for petrol she said in her finest 5 year old, upset and confused voice "I don't know! 'cause I'm tired and lonely, grumpy, fizzy pop" - she sure has a way with words my wife! lol - I love that silly side of her, she's not scared at acting daft around me, I find it very endearing. :-)

After B&Q our tummies were fair rumbling so off to 'The Coffee Pot' in Stewarton, we do like it there - the food is great, well priced and it's a welcoming environment. We were unfortunate enough to be sat near some "ladies" talking about some sort of creams they had to use regularly and then endure them bitching about some other women they know and referring to them as sluts  - NOT what I want to hear whilst I'm eating my brunch thank you very much, so we went to the other section of "The Pot" where it was much quieter - ahhhhh! luvlee. :-)

After brunch we went home so that Lin could work on some paintings and I could work on things like Penney Lane Studios stickers and painting tags etc. Working out how to print stickers took longer than I wanted and some swear words were banded out there in the process,to which I apologised to Lin for later, she was right it wasn't fair on her. The boys came home just after 3pm and settled down to CBBC whilst Mum and I carried on with PLS stuffs.

We'd been invited to Richard and Jan's for tea which was nice - what a welcoming and peaceful environment their house is. It really helped Lin and I chill and just forget about PLS things for a while. The boys were well behaved, as usual, so it meant we could all just have a good gab together. We enjoyed a lovely meal and sat next to their fire afterwards chatting - good times. :-)

After that it was straight to bed for the boys as it was way past their bedtime and then back onto working on PLS stuffs. Linette was painting and I was designing the tags that go with her artwork - you know the kind of things - they explain the name of the piece, how much it is, the artist's thoughts etc. etc. etc.  this took us up to well after 1 in the morning when after laminating the tags I had reached my limit methinks. I can't stay up all day and all night anymore, must be getting old... so off to bed with my wife wearing two dressing gowns 'cause it was so cold. Who says newly weds aren't romantic? heh heh ;-)

Blessings to you all! 

p.s. you can check out Linette's art at www.facebook.com/penneylanestudios

19/10/10 (part 2) + 20/10/10 (part1)

Had quite a day yesterday - Papa spoke to me on lots of things. I had done loads of housework, which meant that I could relax a lot more today. I am writing a day behind so as to be able to reflect on things with a sounder mind and write more comfortably and even better get to spend some much needed time with my wife.


Linette and I were very kindly offered a baby sitter last night, courtesy of a good friend of ours Mrs Sarah Mayers. I suddenly felt obliged to take her up on it because we don't get many babysitting offers - family and friends help when needed, but to actually get VOLUNTEERS?! is unHEARD of, lol! The only fly-in-the-ointment was that Papa had been speaking to me since Sunday saying that I've to spend more time just being with him and to stop concentrating on what I've to do for him - HE is the light at the end of my tunnel, not a job or church direction, so this left me in the uncomfortable situation of having to explain to Linette that I think we'd have to decline Sarah's amazing offer this time. 


Linette was understandably disappointed - we don't get much "us time" at all and here was I asking if we could turn down such an opportunity. After some huffing and puffing on both sides we both understood that if God tells you to do something you just DO it - after all HE was the one who brought us back together for heaven's sake, so off to the prayer room I went with my wife's blessing and understanding, which made it so much easier.


Sunday I really struggled with where I was with myself and with God, I have been feeling surplus to requirements and rudderless recently and my usual warrior-like self had become a real withered balloon.  I'd lost interest in my men's group, in Light & Life and even going to church, if I'm really honest, but God spoke through Janis, Kim and Andy at church and gave me such amazing words that refreshed me again.


Andy's sermon definitely felt like it was solely aimed at me, but it wasn't until one of my best mates Allan offered to come round and go for a coffee on Sunday night that I felt I really got the answers and since my time with Al I have been experiencing such peace and a real sense of direction - not who I am in the "kingdom", not what i'm meant to be, not what I can do for him, but simply just being with him - MORE - spending QUALITY time with him.


So, my aim is to do exactly that, Papa told me to go get a devotional, so today I did, Linette and I went up to Wesley Owens in Glasgow and got a copy of Eugene Peterson's 'Message Solo', which I think will help me in my "Papa tahm" nicely. Today I feel very chilled and am looking forward to nothing more than just spending time with him.


Before I go I would like to thank Sarah for her lovely offer and my bro's at mens group - Richard, Ken, Robert and John for their prayers and texts - your support and love is amazing guys, thank you, I appreciate them more than you know and am happy to report that what you have told me is exactly what G has been telling me too. :-)

Blessings to you and yours....

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2010

I'm watching over the boys again today, thankfully it's the last day of their October break, so back to school tomorrow, but that still leaves me doing the customary washing, drying, washing up, making lunches and snacks and generally being a "house husband" as some would say. 

I've struggled with it recently, not because I don't want to be with the boys, but rather the mundainess and monotony of it. Every day is the same "routine", to a certain extent - get up, get the boys breakfast, let them watch some t.v. for a short while, then go through the "that's enough now" and the consequent "but, can't we just watch another episode?" - "'fraid not, time to go play".

The boys'll play, popping in and out constantly until I say "either you're in or you're out" and then that nips it in the bud ;-)  Housework begins and I have to have some music on - I struggle to do it without some tunes, funny how music can help things like that, isn't it?..

The day'll roll on with the usual fishing from the boys "can we play the Playstation now Daddy/Keith?" - "nope, it's a beautiful day guys, go! enjoy!, I'll put it on later for you". Linette and I have strict times when the boys watch t.v. and play games as we don't want them to grow up "square eyed", especially as they'll get way more out of being outside and interacting with other kids, falling off their bikes, getting skint knees etc - it's what boys are meant to do.

Anyhoo, "enough of my yakkin'" as Marti Di Bergi would say - better get on with the hum drums, will write again later with the rest of the day's business.

Blessings y'all.