Livingloud - The Bowmanblog

Soul Cafe

It was my birthday on Thursday, thanks to all of you who sent texts, or commented on facebook or myspace... I feel the love,  Means a lot! 

I'm speaking at Soul Cafe this weekend.  I've spoke there before and It's one of the best outreach events I've ever been involved with.  The guys really pull out all the stops when it comes to the event, but what really sets it apart is the prayer that goes into it.  You can plan for great things, you can work for great things, but above all you must pray for great things! 

Snow Day

It started to snow last night and a world in white got underway.  This was our back garden when we woke up this morning... beautiful!  It's quite a while since I can remember a snow fall like this.  I just love how snow brings out the little kid in me!  It seems like County Down was one of the most affected areas with several inches of snow falling.  And as usual it took people by surprise, only in Norn Iron could a few inches of snow bring the whole country to a stand still.  Our friend Jonny was visiting yesterday, his bus home never appeared last night so he stayed over and when he went to get one this morning he discovered it was cancelled... poor guy, stranded in Saintfield!  He managed to finally get one this afternoon.  As I type the snow is disappearing, a shortlived but beautiful thing.   

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  Enjoy this short 30sec burst of the best moments of 0Se7en, they represent some great times with family, friends and youth ministry. 

Graduation

I attended my graduation on Tuesday, it was something of a milestone marking the end of three years of study and hard work (I've been studying community youth work part-time at the University of Ulster).  I've long believed that 'leaders are learners' and in the importance of onging professional development.  Having established a good foundation of Christian youth ministry training over the past 15 years (bearing in mind I started out in youth ministry when it was still very embryonic in Northen Ireland and training simply just didn't exist.  Thankfully things have changed a lot since those days).  I also felt it was important to gain qualifications that carried weight and authority in the secular youth work world. 

I have to say I've enjoyed study and I'm presently topping up my course at the University of Ulster Jordanstown campus, this should take about 18 months and will hopefully open the door to some masters study or further theological study. 

Graduation was also a bit of a head trip in that I was asked to make a speech on behalf of the graduating class of 2007, after which I got to process out with the chancellor, vice chancellor, dean and various other members of faculty, there was me in the midst of all these boffins!  Hilarious, a lot of fun and a great honour.    

Thanksgiving

I'd like to wish all our friends and readers from across the big pond a very happy thanksgiving!  We're ever thankful for your presence in our lives.  Peace

Happy Birthday Erin

My little girl is 5 years old today! I remember the first time I held you in my arms.  We called you Erin for the land you were born to and Grace for the greatest word ever spoken.  Wide-eyed wonder girl we love you so much and we're so proud of you.

Roz & Mark's Wedding

I'm now at the stage in my career when some of my past students are getting married, and its profoundly humbling when I'm asked to be part of one of the most sigificant and important days in their lives.  On 22nd September I had the great honour of speaking at Roz & Marks wedding in Guildford, England.  Roz was one of our students when we worked in York Road Pres Church in Dun Laoghaire.  At that stage York Road had barely any young people at all, Roz told me the first time we met, that she'd been praying for someone like me to come.  From that first encounter I admired her commitment, faith and perseverance, and she is a dear friend to Val and I.  Life has not been without its trials for Roz, she lost her Mom in her teens, and her health has been a rollercoaster ride over the years, but through it all she has shown incredible grace.  I'm immensely proud of all she has done, both in her relay work with IFES in Dublin, her studies at Regent College in Vancouver and her work on staff with UCCF.   In Mark she has found a true soulmate, someone who will cherish, love and lead her.

It was a beautiful wedding, Roz looked stunning, but above all it was a further witness to their commitment to Christ.  In a world that continues to undermine marriage day and daily Mark and Roz have chosen to live their lives by the standards of God and that is a beautiful thing.
We also got to spend the weekend with some wonderful new friends; Charlie, Esther and their family, who opened up their home and their hearts to us.  Good Times.

A long silence...

I've not had much time to blog lately.  It's been one of the busiest summers in all my 15 years of youth work & ministry.  We've made it through though, tired but in one piece.  Sadly as the summer drew to an end we had to say goodbye to Stephen Walters from Colorado.  Stephen has been with us since June, enjoying being a part of all the youth events and going on the Czech Mission trip.  It's been a joy to have Stephen here and we miss him.  He thankfully was able to leave the country with a lot less hassle than it was to enter it, immigration have been an absolute pain this summer... but that is a story for another post.

We did enjoy a few days on the north coast.  The girls loved staying in the caravan which became a much needed haven for us.  It was great to have days packed with nothing to do but explore the rock pools, enjoy the rides at Barry's Amusements and have fun together.  Though the work did not stop... I've been studying over the past few years and I was finishing up my last two papers; a reflective practice report and a five thousand word assignment.  So the books and laptop came with me so I could work into the wee small hours.  I've been working on it all week and just finished the final assignment last night. 

Right now I'm starting to look ahead, thinking about the new term of work that lies before us.  So much to be done, so little time to do it.  Five words to describe my life right now - reflective, tired, unprepared, relieved, content. 

Erin's First Day At School

Erin had her first day of primary school yesterday.  She has been excitedly looking forward to it for months and couldn't wait to get there.  It was certainly a more emotional experience for her Mom and Dad.  I still can't quite believe she has started school; she is growing up so fast!  It was beautiful to sit with her over breakfast and hear her pray about this first day... the first step in a long journey.   

Talitha's Birthday

Talitha has had a great birthday.  Her gran and her cousins came for a party and she enjoyed playing with her sister in her new playhouse.  Enjoy this vid of the day.

Happy Birthday Talitha Grace

Two years ago our little daughter Talitha was born.  We called her Talitha for 'little girl' and Grace for the greatest word ever spoken.

Happy 2nd Birthday Talitha you continually fill our lives with wide eyed wonder, we love you.
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young.

Being or Doing?

Lately I've been feeling the pressurized burn of busyness.  I think its partly due to the knowledge that a full and demanding summer lies ahead of us, together with the deadlines that accompany study, the priority of family and a growing awareness of the expectations, and judgement of others.  That last one in particular can be a killer. 
We have after all, been here for just over a year now, not long in terms of building a sustainable, strategic youth work, but long enough to know the honeymoon period is over! 
Come September we'll be starting some new events, and trying to cultivate a greater sense of unity in what is already going on.  We've taken things slow until this point, watching, listening, learning, discerning the needs.  I guess most people will be excited, but some will probably find change hard.  I realise I can't remove the pain that sometimes accompanies change I can only manage it. 
With a keen sense of discernment also comes the awareness that some people probably get frustrated with how we do things simply because we don't do it their way.  And there are others who just don't see the sacrifice of time, energy and love that you're pouring out, while others may only have eyes for failures and flaws.  And sadly there maybe some others who in spite of all we might try to do, have their minds made up and for some reason they plain just don't like you.  The truth is when you walk the path of ministry sometimes it means taking some hits and bearing some scars.  All of this can be a heady dangerous mix, you could become discouraged, disillusioned, hardhearted, or get forced down the route of trying to please people.  It's also easy to get sidetracked into doing rather being, the cul-de-sac thinking that goes along the lines of... If I just do more... give more... get more creative... have cooler programmes... etc.         

I realise I could  become so busy doing the work of God that I'd miss the importance of being God’s person.  Its easy to confuse the two—doing and being, especially with a packed schedule and the burden of expectation.  I believe, being connected to God on a daily basis is more important than anything I could do.  Jesus said, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you…apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).  Or as one of my youth ministry mentors used to say 'Your doing will flow out of your being'.
Service in youth ministry should never come at the expense of your personal passion and depth for God.  The truth is that the greatest thing I can do (or any of us on this path can do) for young people is to love Jesus more. 

Erin Update

We're happy to report that Erin was released from hospital this afternoon.  Her temperature and blood sugar levels have all stabilized (on arrival at hospital yesterday her blood sugar level was incredibly low).  The Doc was satisfied that it is probably some kind of virus that she has picked up.  We'll get some test results at the start of the week, right now we're thankful that things are looking a lot better and Erin is feeling better.  She really wanted to go home, she said she missed her little sister.

We've been so encouraged by all your comments, emails, texts and calls.  You've held up our arms, just like Moses in the desert ...thank you! Grace & Peace

Erin in hospital

Today has been a rollercoaster of a day!  I left in the wee small hours of the morning for my weekly trip north to Derry for a day of study at the Magee campus of the University of Ulster.  Our girls have been sick this week, Talitha has a chest infection and Erin has what we thought was a tummy bug for the past couple of days.  She went to bed last night feeling a little bit better and I half expected she would wake up this morning with the worst of it behind her... if only!

I'd already left on my long drive north when the girls woke up (and of course this was the day I forgot to take my mobile phone with me), when Erin got up she was violently sick!  Val was worried because she was very weak and lethargic, so she called our Pastor's wife (James & Janice have been amazing today) who took them to the health clinic.   Erin was sick again when she was with the Doctor, and he was concerned because it looked like there might be blood in what she was bringing up, there was also a rash on her chest so he immediately referred her to Belfast hospital for sick children.

A message was relayed to me at the university and I left for what has been one of the worst drives of my life, mile after mile of worry, fear and crying out to God for my little girl.  When I arrived at the hospital she was being transferred to a children's ward where they keep kids in isolation; precautionary measures to prevent the spread of viruses or infectious diseases.   Needless to say hearing all this is head spinning and frightening.  They tried three times to get an intravenous line into her arm and then her foot, but it was unsuccessful, she was so brave, but the last time was just too much for her and she said to me 'Daddy this is too scary for little girls'...   

The staff in the hospital are fantastic, really compassionate and understanding of the questions and fears of anxious parents and little patients.  Their main concern was to find out if what Erin has is Meningitis... just hearing the word was terrifying!  They weren't taking any chances and were making sure everything as far as treatment goes was in place.  Thankfully at this point the doc's are fairly sure that it is not meningitis, but some other kind of virus.  We'll know more in the morning when the consultant examines her.  Val is spending the night in the hospital with her.  When I left them to go pick up Talitha, Erin was about to go to sleep, it has been an exhausting day for her and an emotionally exhausting one for Val.

In the midst of all this, we have been conscious of God's presence.  I was reading Erin one of her little stories, it was about how God is with us even when we are afraid, and that even though things may seem terrifyingly big God is bigger still.  To live in the reality of those words from Isaiah 41:10 'Do not be afraid for I am with you'    

I'll post an update tomorrow, I simply wanted to put this out there because I know so many of you keep track of the happenings in our lives.  We'd value your prayers. 

Talitha on The Move

I thought I'd post a short vid of Talitha, she took her first unaided steps at Christmas and she's been on the move ever since. 

A Celebration & Return of the Pranksters

The pranksters have struck again!  I arrived at my office to find the door wrapped up and inside there were balloons stuck everywhere, all numbered to mark my birthday!  yeah it was a very warm and touching prank... but will one act of benevolent prankiness mean I won't seek revenge for all the others?  ...I don't think so! 

YouTube really is wonderful! I just discovered this video of one of my all time favourite U2 songs: 'A Celebration'  This is a very rare song, it doesn't appear on any of the albums and I've only ever had a live version on 'old school' cassette from a Hammersmith gig back in the 80's.  But it is a fantastic track, with that early u2 post punkesque sound... love it, love it!  And I'd love to hear them rip into it these days, Shake! Shake!

Well today is my birthday and this is my present to all of you.  Enjoy!

Shake! Shake!

Don't go
I believe in a celebration
I believe you set me free
I believe you can loose this chains
I believe you can dance with me
Dance with me

Shake! Shake!
Shake! Shake!

I believe in the third world war
I believe in the atomic bomb
I believe in the powers that be
But they won't overpower me

And, and you can go there too
And, and you can go go go go

Shake! Shake!
Shake! Shake!

And we don't have the time
And everything goes 'round and 'round
And we don't have the time
To watch the world go tumbling down

Go! Go!

I believe in the bells of Christ's Church
Ringing for this land
I believe in the cells of Mount Joy
Doesn't understand

And, and you can go there too
And, and you can go go go go

I believe in the walls of Jericho (And you...)
I believe they're coming down (Can go there too)
I belive in this city's children  (And you... )
I believe the trumpet's sound (can go go go go)

And you can go there too
And you can go go go go...

Celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary

On December 5th 1996 Val and I were married in the little country church she had grown up in.  I'll never forget that moment when the first chords of 'A Song For Ireland' (a beautiful song recorded by Irish singer Mary Black) were played and I turned to see her walk up the isle.  This was the day we had long hoped and planned for... the first step in our journey together.  Steve prayed for us that day - 'May God show you a bigger picture, may He play you a longer song, may He put you on a road that is deeper and straighter than the one you're on."  ...He has!

The last ten years have been a great adventure.  We've had some amazing experiences - some tough, mostly good, lived in different and interesting places, had the privilege of getting to know so many dear folks, and we've been given two beautiful girls.  We've been blessed. 

Today, I want to pay tribute to my wife.  The book of Proverbs 31:10a states:  “If you can find a truly good wife, she is worth more than precious gems!" 
She is precious because true goodness is a rare virtue.  Few people in the world have the kind of character that always makes situations and relationships better.  Val has it!  She has been my true companion, she has loved me unconditionally, she has believed in me, and time and time again she has spoken those words that can heal.  Thanks for the best ten years of my life!  And as we journey on I echo Steve's prayer 'God show us a bigger picture, play us a longer song, and put us on a road that is deeper and straighter than the one we're on... amen.         

Piano Girl - Erin Celebrates her birthday

Erin had a great birthday.  She loves her keyboard, and we thought we'd share a little clip of our 'rock star in the making'. 

Happy Birthday Erin

Erin is four years old today!  I can't believe how fast she is growing up.  Erin I am immensely proud of you and I'm humbled to be your Dad.  You have brought so much joy and wonder to our lives.  I love you ...all the way to the moon and back.  Happy Birthday.

First Day at Nursery School

This was a big day for Erin, it was her first day at Nursery School.  It's days like these when you realise just how fast your kids are growing up.  She had a fantastic time and enjoyed the whole experience.  Erin I am so proud of you! 

6750 Days

Talitha had a great birthday!  She enjoyed playing with her cousins and cruising around in her new wheels...

Days like this are so precious.  I can't believe she is one year old already, it just seems like yesterday when we rushed to the hospital and a few hours later she was born.  Both our daughters have brought us so much joy!  And as I think of Talitha at this first big milestone in her life, I'm reminded that her first 18 years will contain 6750 days and I really am determined not to miss one of them. 

My happiest times are when I slow down and live life at her pace, not missing the little moments of wonder that come along the way.  For both Erin and Talitha love is spelt TIME!  Time when I intentionally focus on them.  Child psychiatrist Ross Campbell (1979), in his book How to Really Love Your Child, calls this “focused attention.” He writes: “What is focused attention?  Focused attention is giving a child our full undivided attention in such a way that he feels without doubt that he is completely loved.  That he is valuable enough in his own right to warrant parents’ undistracted watchfulness, appreciation, and uncompromising regard.”  Campbell goes on to claim that focused attention “is so vital in a child’s development of self-esteem.  And it profoundly affects a child’s ability to relate to and love others.”  ...perhaps it is the greatest gift I could ever give her and the truth is the impact will be just as profound in my own life. 

Happy Birthday Talitha

Talitha celebrates her 1st birthday tomorrow. Enjoy this little journey back through some of the memories.

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young.

Words - Bob Dylan

Sunny Days

Erin is growing up fast!  Check out my little 'stunt girl'  She's been putting these sunny days to good use. 

The Journey Begins

The last few days have been a whirlwind of activity.  We packed up all our stuff and with the help of some of the folks from Saintfield and some of the crew from Ballysally we moved it all to our new home last Thursday.  Its been boxville ever since, though we are getting to the end of unpacking. 

On Sunday evening I was commissioned as the Director of Youth Ministry in 1st Pres Church in Saintfield.  It was a fantastic service with the local High School choir singing and Gemma from 1st Pres also singing.  We were so encouraged at the number of folks from Ballysally who joined with family and friends to support us as we begin this new chapter of life and ministry.  Roz Stirling our denominational Youth Director commissioned me in my new role and Pastor James from 1st Pres preached on the importance of maintaining a vitally important time to 'BE' with God as I face up to the challenges ahead.  His words echoed loud in my heart as I've been on something of a rollercoaster ride in the past few days and weeks...excited at fresh challenges, sad to leave friends behind and keenly aware of my limitations, my weaknesses and my inability to do this job in and of my own strength.  I've been reminded again that my 'DOING' flows out of my 'BEING'.  It's a timely lesson to relearn as I begin this journey.  May you too be one who seeks to 'BE' and not simply DO.

We're still internetless, I guess its going to take some time to get connections up and running.  Stay tuned to the Blog and we'll let you know once email is up and running again.   

On The Move

Saying Goodbye

This has been a very emotional weekend.  On Friday evening we had our final Youth Club event, all the young people gathered together and we watched  'Heyday' a movie (pictures and videos) of some of the highlights of our time here.  Then I spoke about how much it has meant to us to not only share the Gospel with them but our very lives as well. 

This morning was our final church service.  I preached about remembering what God has done and looking forward to what God is doing.  It was a challenge to leave a legacy, to make history in our church and in our community.  It was cool to see so many past and present members of the youth ministry there.  After the service we had a reception (check out the pics) where young people and leaders from the church thanked us for the work we had done over the years.  It was deeply humbling and I could barely hold it together to express our thanks to the church, the youth and the many individuals who had helped us over the years.  We also watched another ten minute movie of highlights down through the years.  Val and I were both in tears yesterday afternoon as we put it together, remembering the youth and the experiences we've shared.   This weekend we've been able to look back and remember.  We've lived a story I thought we'd never get to live.  And as I look back I can only say 'Wow... look what God has done'.    

Another Year Older

Well, today is my birthday!  After having had so many its really not that big a deal now, but my daughter Erin has been doing her best to make this a very special day.  She picked out a 'Star Wars' card complete with a birthday greeting from Yoda (this girl has taste) and she is insisting on having a cake and all the trimmings.  Memorable moment of the day...I was doing some work in my office early this morning when there was a knock on the door, I opened it to find Erin standing there with her little toy mic and she sang me 'happy birthday'.

I've just been reminded of some lyrics from Stonehill's 'Turning Thirty' (with some minor adjustment)
Now thirty-five ain't like fifteen
And it's not like twenty-five
My back's a little stiff
And there're some lines around my eyes
But I've still got my energy
And I've got most of my hair
And I'm not too old to rock 'n roll
And I'm not really scared
Of turning thirty-five.

Christmas

We had a great Christmas!  This was Talitha's first Christmas and the first Christmas that Erin really caught the whole 'get excited because the fat guy in the red suit' is going to show up thing!  It was great fun and one very excited 3 year old is the proud owner of her very own princess castle.

It was a day to spend with family, a day to celebrate and also ponder the meaning of this miracle birth.  It is so easily lost in the consumer version of Christmas on display in every high street. 

Behold the lamb of God, the light and life of man.  The power of death undone by and infant born of glory.  As singer songwriter Bruce Cockburn so eloquently put it 'redemption rips through the surface of time in the cry of a tiny babe'   It is an incredible miracle, that the creator God would allow himself to become created in the belly of a teenage girl...a miracle of love.  I read this great quote from Bono in a rolling stone interview recently. 

"I believe there's a force of love and logic in the world, a force of love and logic behind the universe. And I believe in the poetic genius of a creator who would choose to express such unfathomable power as a child born in "straw poverty"; i.e., the story of Christ makes sense to me It's so brilliant. That this scale of creation, and the unfathomable universe, should describe itself in such vulnerability, as a child."  Bono

Don't miss the miracle this Christmas season.  A miracle for your life...

Christmas Greetings

Remembering Sarah

We've had our good friend Doug Tharp visiting with us for the past week.  As many of you know, Doug was Sarah's husband and he had come to fulfill Sarah's wish to have her ashes scattered in Ireland.  It has been an emotional and yet also a healing journey for him. 

Today, December 21st would have been Sarah's birthday so it seemed so appropriate that we remember her on this day and scatter her ashes at the Giants Causeway.  It was a beautiful day, Doug and I set out early and hiked from Dunsevrick Castle to the Giants Causeway. Along the way we had much time to talk and remember Sarah, share stories and reflect on the legacy she leaves behind in the all the lives she has touched.  Val and a group of friends who knew and loved her then met us at the Causeway. 

With the waves rolling in and the winter sun shining down we gathered by the waters edge and sat on the rocks to pray, read the Scriptures and thank God for Sarah.  There were tears and there was laughter, and in the midst of deep sadness... there was hope.  I read again the promises of God and the sure and certain hope that He himself will wipe away the tears from our eyes, and there will be no more pain and no more death.  Sarah is home at last, she is free and all her tears are washed away.  Yes, today we were once again reminded of just how much we have lost... but oh how much more she has gained!

When our little memorial service came to an end, Doug and I hiked on around the coast to Portballintrae.  The sun was going down, golden in the December sky.  We thought about how there was no more fitting a marker, or memorial to Sarah than the Causeway, this beautiful piece of art by the Creators hand.  It's changed how I will look at it forever.  It's Sarah's place now.  I shall miss her, and I'm sad that my daughters won't get to know their big sister.  But I'll see her again, when my tears are washed away and all things are made new.

Anniversary

We're celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary today!  I can't believe how fast those 9 years have sped by, it seems like no time at all since we stood at the front of a little country church before family and friends to take our vows and begin this most sacred of journeys together .  And we have so much to be thankful for; two beautiful girls and the joy of sharing this life together, through good and bad.  I thank God for this incredible woman he has blessed me with, someone who loves me unconditionally and accepts me flaws and all.  She is a true companion and I couldn't imagine life without her. 

Congratulations

Congratulations to Rob and Audrey who got engaged this weekend in Prague.  Rob has become a dear friend, a valuable partner in youth work & ministry and a comrade in all things related to a fine musical taste.  I just met Audrey this weekend, and she is all Rob said she was and then some... you guys are a fantastic couple.  All the Lord's best to you both as you embark upon this journey together.  We can't wait to get you both over here! 

Thank You

A big thank you to all of you who have sent gifts, to celebrate Talitha's arrival in the world.  She is 3 months old now and is a very happy, healthy young lady.  We finally got our thank-you cards published one will probably find its way to you in the near future.  Just know all your love and generosity has been deeply appreciated. 

Welcome Talitha Grace Bowman

Talitha Grace was born this morning at 8:07am weighing 6lbs 14oz.  Both Mom and baby are doing well.  The labour and birth went smoothly and Val was a real trooper.  Erin is over the moon to have a new baby sister.  (Click on the picture to see a larger image)

Talitha, (pronounced 'tal-ee-thah´) is a name we have always loved.  Its Aramaic and means 'little girl'.  It was spoken by Jesus, when he raised a little girl to life.  This lovely story can be found in Mark's Gospel Chapter 5.  We'll post some more pictures in the coming days.