Happy New Year to all my readers!
I hope you enjoy this last evening of the year, and of the decade. It's been an eventful ten years, and I pray that you will God's blessings during this next year, and the next decade.
Thursday 31 December 2009
Thursday 24 December 2009
Merry Christmas
If you have been following my Advent blog, then you will already have seen our family Christmas card for this year.
But since more of my friends follow me here, I thought I would post it here too!
My wife Liz drew it, with the help of her friendly computer, and I am very impressed with her artistic endeavours. I can't draw anything, unless I'm using a ruler!
We wish you a very Happy Christmas, and we pray that 2010 will be a Guid Year for you and your loved ones.
Monday 21 December 2009
Journativity
Two of my friends, John Pickles and Neil Urquhart have been part of a group at Fullarton Parish Church who have made a modern-day Nativity video called Journativity. It is filmed in and around their community and is a great 6m30s video. Above you can see a screenshot from the video, and I leave you to guess which one is John and which one is Neil. Click on Journativity to watch the video on YouTube.
The two music tracks (one after the other!) set a great tone for the action. The Journativity actors journey through the community, interacting with the people around them, until they all come together for the final scene. The actors carry pieces of the final set with them, and it all comes together in the open air, as people mill around, in the middle of their Christmas shopping, wondering what is happening.
Jesus. He is everywhere. Keep your eyes open. Gasp in awe and wonder, and rejoice!
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Weight off my mind
It's been a burden to me for the last few weeks, but I've not had any time to deal with it. I've had to carry it around despite the weight on my shoulders. Other folk haven't even noticed, and no-one has offered to help me carry the load.
I wondered what other people would think of me, but there was no time to do anything about it. Every morning I was reminded that I needed to do something. If I didn't then the problem would only get worse.
So today, I finally found space and time. I got on my bicycle and cycled over the hill to the barber's shop. He relieved me of that heavy load that had been pressing me down. He cut away what was no longer required. He released me from the worry and anxiety about what other folk would think. Now I am a free man.
Of course, although I am now free, my haircut was not. My wallet is considerably lighter than it was when I got up this morning. Although I have to say that the guy's prices are quite reasonable compared with prices in the city-centre.
Even in the barber's shop there was no escape from Christmas. Baubles were hanging from the ceiling, and there were silver stars hanging in the windows. Mind you, I was pleased to see that there was no Christmas Tree. I don't understand why we maintain that tradition, since the trees cost money, make a mess, and would be much better capturing carbon on the hills, than being turned into woodchip and compost.
There was even a free Christmas gift for customers. I enjoyed drinking mine, although I did have to concentrate rather harder than usual as I was cycling back home.
Christmas is all about giving. I have been giving that barber's shop my custom for around 30 years now. It was nice to get a present today as well as getting my hair cut.
I wondered what other people would think of me, but there was no time to do anything about it. Every morning I was reminded that I needed to do something. If I didn't then the problem would only get worse.
So today, I finally found space and time. I got on my bicycle and cycled over the hill to the barber's shop. He relieved me of that heavy load that had been pressing me down. He cut away what was no longer required. He released me from the worry and anxiety about what other folk would think. Now I am a free man.
Of course, although I am now free, my haircut was not. My wallet is considerably lighter than it was when I got up this morning. Although I have to say that the guy's prices are quite reasonable compared with prices in the city-centre.
Even in the barber's shop there was no escape from Christmas. Baubles were hanging from the ceiling, and there were silver stars hanging in the windows. Mind you, I was pleased to see that there was no Christmas Tree. I don't understand why we maintain that tradition, since the trees cost money, make a mess, and would be much better capturing carbon on the hills, than being turned into woodchip and compost.
There was even a free Christmas gift for customers. I enjoyed drinking mine, although I did have to concentrate rather harder than usual as I was cycling back home.
Christmas is all about giving. I have been giving that barber's shop my custom for around 30 years now. It was nice to get a present today as well as getting my hair cut.
Saturday 12 December 2009
Spreading Out
Since I turned 30 I've had a problem with Spreading Out! My wife developed the same problem around 9 months earlier, although for her, it was caused by the impending arrival of our first child, my son Peter!
In my case, I started a new job around that time. My wife Liz, and son Peter, both needed more of my time to look after them and the household. My wife's grandparents also needed our care, although by then they had moved into a nursing home on the other side of the city.
I had no time to play golf, or to go sailing, and life turned into a mad balancing act, trying to keep all the plates spinning, without dropping any to the floor.
I started putting on weight - eating too much, and not exercising enough. It's not an uncommon problem these days. At that time I managed to keep my waist from outgrowing my 32" trousers (the 30" trousers of my 20s never stood a chance!).
In recent years, while I was studying at New College, I again gave my waistbands a severe testing. However, I managed to get my degree before I suffered any wardrobe malfunctions! During the summer after I graduated, I managed to lose half a stone (7lbs, just over 3kg). My trousers were well pleased!
When I started my Final Placement last September, I was a bit alarmed at the amount of scones and biscuits I was consuming. However, I figured that if I scaled back, or even missed out, lunch on the days when I was eating too many cakes and other goodies, then I might just be able to keep my weight from exploding!
And so it turned out. In fact I've actually lost a few more pounds of surplus waist-line. Now I'm a sylph-like 10st 2lbs, or 142lbs US-style, or 64.5kg metric!
This month of unemployment might have been an opportunity to slim back even more, but it's the season of Christmas, with coffee mornings, mince pies, and the traditional Christmas Dinner.
I'll be happy if I reach January 3rd still able to get into my preaching suit!
In my case, I started a new job around that time. My wife Liz, and son Peter, both needed more of my time to look after them and the household. My wife's grandparents also needed our care, although by then they had moved into a nursing home on the other side of the city.
I had no time to play golf, or to go sailing, and life turned into a mad balancing act, trying to keep all the plates spinning, without dropping any to the floor.
I started putting on weight - eating too much, and not exercising enough. It's not an uncommon problem these days. At that time I managed to keep my waist from outgrowing my 32" trousers (the 30" trousers of my 20s never stood a chance!).
In recent years, while I was studying at New College, I again gave my waistbands a severe testing. However, I managed to get my degree before I suffered any wardrobe malfunctions! During the summer after I graduated, I managed to lose half a stone (7lbs, just over 3kg). My trousers were well pleased!
When I started my Final Placement last September, I was a bit alarmed at the amount of scones and biscuits I was consuming. However, I figured that if I scaled back, or even missed out, lunch on the days when I was eating too many cakes and other goodies, then I might just be able to keep my weight from exploding!
And so it turned out. In fact I've actually lost a few more pounds of surplus waist-line. Now I'm a sylph-like 10st 2lbs, or 142lbs US-style, or 64.5kg metric!
This month of unemployment might have been an opportunity to slim back even more, but it's the season of Christmas, with coffee mornings, mince pies, and the traditional Christmas Dinner.
I'll be happy if I reach January 3rd still able to get into my preaching suit!
Monday 7 December 2009
Looking Forwards and Backwards
I was in Taynuilt, near Oban, on Saturday for the Ordination of one of my training colleagues as the new minister there.
There was a huge sense of anticipation as the congregation look to the future. Their new minister is a very energetic, sensitive and caring person, and I am sure the congregations will be encouraged and strengthened in the months ahead.
Looking backwards, we visited the preserved ruins of the old Bonawe Iron Furnace down by Loch Etive. It was founded in 1753, not long after the 1745 conflict. Iron ore was shipped up the loch from the sea, charcoal was made in the surrounding forests, and the resultant pigs of iron were shipped out as a raw material for manufacturers.
The blast furnace operated for more than 100 years before it was overtaken by more sophisticated smelting operations farther South.
The church in that place has a long history, but now it faces a future that will continue to bring many changes. Employment patterns change, new technology changes the way we communicate, education systems change the way we learn, travel becomes easier. And all these changes in the way we live bring change to our environment as well as our culture.
The core message of the Church, that God loves each person and calls us all to live with Him for ever, remains unchanged. But how does God's invitation change the way we live, and how can we share it with other people so that they too can take up the invitation.
I am sure that the folk at Taynuilt will look to the future - it's only just begun.
There was a huge sense of anticipation as the congregation look to the future. Their new minister is a very energetic, sensitive and caring person, and I am sure the congregations will be encouraged and strengthened in the months ahead.
Looking backwards, we visited the preserved ruins of the old Bonawe Iron Furnace down by Loch Etive. It was founded in 1753, not long after the 1745 conflict. Iron ore was shipped up the loch from the sea, charcoal was made in the surrounding forests, and the resultant pigs of iron were shipped out as a raw material for manufacturers.
The blast furnace operated for more than 100 years before it was overtaken by more sophisticated smelting operations farther South.
The church in that place has a long history, but now it faces a future that will continue to bring many changes. Employment patterns change, new technology changes the way we communicate, education systems change the way we learn, travel becomes easier. And all these changes in the way we live bring change to our environment as well as our culture.
The core message of the Church, that God loves each person and calls us all to live with Him for ever, remains unchanged. But how does God's invitation change the way we live, and how can we share it with other people so that they too can take up the invitation.
I am sure that the folk at Taynuilt will look to the future - it's only just begun.
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Life Goes On
I was back in Winchburgh again today. I haven't been able to stay away for very long, since I finished working there only two days ago, on Monday!
Today was a sad occasion, when we said farewell to someone at the end of her long life. She had lived all her life in Winchburgh and was well-known, and well-loved.
Many folk shed tears at the service. I did too, although I had only known the lady for the past year. Even although she was in hospital for the last 18 months of her life, she was still surrounded by her friends and family who visited her frequently.
Now she has moved on. We trust that she will be in that better place with God, her heavenly Father. We cannot tell - but God is generous and gracious - we can trust Him, and we ourselves are unqualified to judge.
We all have to move on. There is no holding back the clock. I can hear three of them ticking off the seconds as I type away here at my computer.
I visited another friend's cattle today. You can read and see more at my Advent Blog, but today was the last day that most his cattle would be with him. Tomorrow they will go to the Shows, and from there either for breeding, or to the butcher.
Life goes on. Babies are born, grow up, become two, produce more babies, grow old, and move on.
God breathed his life into us. Will we let it blossom eternally, or let it wither and die? God gives us that choice (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
Choose life.
Today was a sad occasion, when we said farewell to someone at the end of her long life. She had lived all her life in Winchburgh and was well-known, and well-loved.
Many folk shed tears at the service. I did too, although I had only known the lady for the past year. Even although she was in hospital for the last 18 months of her life, she was still surrounded by her friends and family who visited her frequently.
Now she has moved on. We trust that she will be in that better place with God, her heavenly Father. We cannot tell - but God is generous and gracious - we can trust Him, and we ourselves are unqualified to judge.
We all have to move on. There is no holding back the clock. I can hear three of them ticking off the seconds as I type away here at my computer.
I visited another friend's cattle today. You can read and see more at my Advent Blog, but today was the last day that most his cattle would be with him. Tomorrow they will go to the Shows, and from there either for breeding, or to the butcher.
Life goes on. Babies are born, grow up, become two, produce more babies, grow old, and move on.
God breathed his life into us. Will we let it blossom eternally, or let it wither and die? God gives us that choice (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
Choose life.
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