Weir Good Lads Gather

I met Dave Weir about four years ago at the gym. He was just a wee 17 year old student at Glasgow University, and was recovering from a major shoulder injury. Our friendship eventually grew out of the gym and into going to movies and hanging out every once in a while. I asked Dave to start going to church with me and ultimately to join a Bible study at my flat with another friend (Johan) from the gym. That was about two years ago, and we've been going strong ever since. Dave recently graduated from Glasgow Uni and is about to embark on an extraordinary adventure. Tomorrow morning he will leave Glasgow for about a month and head to France to cycle the Tour de France route. Since we met, Dave has lost nearly 8 Stone (about 112 lbs.) and has become an avid endurance athlete. Over the past month we've been spending time studying the Psalms and Dave has adopted several passages as motivation to endure and overcome difficulties and trials. He'll find a way to fix some of these passages to his bike for those moments in his ride when he feels like giving up or slowing down.

This morning was perhaps our final Bible time together for a long time. When he returns he'll only be here for a week before heading down to England to begin his post-graduate studies. As our time came to a close my friend Stuart Weir arrived for my second meeting of the morning. "Maybe you guys are related," I joked. As they made their introductions they discovered that, in fact, they are 2nd cousins. How bizarre... two young Scots livng in Glasgow's west end all this time and they only just met and discovered they're related. It was pretty cool to see this happen in my kitchen... cool and mildly sad since Dave leaves tomorrow and only returns to Glasgow for a brief stay. I will be tracking Dave's journey through his blog on MySpace, and will be praying for him daily. Dave has come a long way as both an athlete and a young man, and I'm very proud of him, but I'll miss him too.

Here's a few pictures from our flat, Weir good lads gather.


Me & Dave












Me & Stuart

ANNIVERSARY: Three Years Down, Forever to Go!

Jasheen and I celebrate three years of marriage today! And what a three years it's been. From our first month of marriage, it has been non-stop. An international move, two beautiful daughters, and a change in ministry later, we feel like we've crammed about 10 years worth into three.
An anniversary means celebrating the gifts and blessings of another year; growing together through the trials and challenges of another year; reflecting back on the really good memories (and some not so good) of another year; and most importantly, it means another year shared with the love of my life.
Marriage is likely never what one would expect; you're probably never exactly where you thought you'd be, but the truth is, it's better and more rewarding than you ever imagined, AND it's harder and more challenging than you'd ever have thought.
Throw parenting in to a young marriage and you have some of the most significant growth and learning opportunities known to man.

...and we're still here... loving, crying, laughing, playing, praying and growing together.
But one thing's for sure, there is no way that I'd be the man or the father that I am, nor would I be able to do the things I do without my loving, tolerant, gracious and gorgeous bride.

Thank you all for your care, concern and prayer for our marriage, our ministry, and our family!

Three years and counting...

McKenzie Blog Back Online!

After more than six months of internet silence, our family blog is back online. We've undergone some serious transformations and transitions since our last entry, not the least of which, the arrival of Isabelle Sophia. Born at the Queen Mother's Hospital on 18 March at 10:15am, Isabelle is a healthy and happy baby. Gabrielle has welcomed her new little sister with joy and enthusiasm, as have her mother and I. You can find pictures of this glorious occasion at our online photo album, in the March set.

Another big change, in case you haven't heard, is that after serving with CRM/nieuCommunities for more than seven years (four here in Glasgow), we've made a transition to Christian Associates International, the organization we originally came here to partner with four years ago. We're excited to continue our ministry calling to Scotland with CAI, and we believe that from a gifting and philosophical standpoint, we are more capable to fully carry out the ministry that God has called us to do.

Jasheen and I are grateful for the invaluable learning and growth experiences we've had with CRM, and for the opportunity they have given us to serve the Lord with them in Scotland.

Our transition will be complete as of 31 July, and CRM will process our funds until 9 August. All gifts received thereafter will be returned. To continue supporting us in ministry and transition your current giving from CRM to CAI, or to begin partnering with us financially, please visit CAI's Giving page for instruction on how and where to begin sending your gifts. And of course, we are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have if you'd like to email them directly to us.

Jasheen and I are deeply grateful for the loving and faithful ministry that we receive from our generous donors and prayer warriors. One would have to be in a situation like ours to truly know how precious and valuable those gifts and prayers are that allow us to fulfill our ministry in this spiritually desperate place. We're so grateful for the friendships, care, and willingness of others to be involved in our lives and ministry.

Book Review: A Tale of Three Kings

A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness - Gene Edwards

One glance at the back cover and I wondered, "Why haven't I read this yet???"

"Many Christians have experienced pain, loss, and heartache at the hands of other believers. To those believers, this compelling story offers comfort, healing and hope."

This story addresses those facing the pain and brokenness that result from unfair treatment by other believers, and promises to provide encouragement through this powerful story about David, Saul, and Absalom.

This book is a very insightful retrospective examining the contrast in character quality found in three Old Testament kings: Saul, David and Absalom. You may be familiar with the story of these three kings (found in 1 & 2 Samuel), and you'll be surprised at how relevant the lessons learned from these character studies are today.

Reviewing how David coped with an insane king that tried to kill him, and a vain, narcissistic son that tried to usurp him (both of which nearly succeeded), is an amazing study in God's love, grace and wisdom.

But keep in mind, this IS a case study in brokenness. This is next-level-faith type stuff. The patience, surrender, reverence for God and faith in His will that David displays in these situations is not easily attained or executed. In fact, it's completely counterintuitive to how we (and those around us) may expect us to behave.

At the same time, the revelations that wash over you as you read this book and the profound perspective this story can offer you will likely change your life. As Edwards says himself, you may not like the questions this book raises, and you'll probably like the answers even less, but this book is a must-read for anyone interested in any kind of leadership in Kingdom-minded service.