Springtime and Easter

Easter is one of those bitter-sweet celebrations that makes it difficult to fully appreciate. There is joy, but also tragedy. There is victory, but at an awful cost. There is life, but death comes first.

Although Spring arrives later in Sutherland than it does in more southerly parts of Britain, the green shoots of Spring are finally well and truly visible. The early morning sunshine now shines above Meall nan Clach Ruadha, down onto the village of Tongue, instead of hiding behind the hill until halfway through the morning. The snowdrops and crocuses are long gone and the earliest daffodils are now beginning to shrivel under the brightening skies.

Yesterday, the morning sunshine was brightening up the Moine peatlands across the mirror-like Kyle of Tongue, reflecting back to us upside-down across the still clear water, along with the puffy white clouds in the clear blue sky. Today, down in the village, we saw the Horse Chestnut trees in full bloom. The leaves on the trees are bursting forth. St Andrew's church, down the hill from the manse, is beginning to disappear as the intervening trees green up in preparation for the summer sunshine.

The countryside is alive with birdsong, and before long the acrobatic swallows will be back in town! We have already seen the bats fluttering and diving around the manse in the evening skies. Even the tourists are beginning to re-appear, in their motorhomes, or sport cars, or on their motorbikes, or even bicycles!

Spring-time is a time of new life. And so is Easter. Those parts of our lives which we thought God could never reach, are suddenly breathed into life by his tender love. Hurts are healed, wounds are washed, scars are softened, disabilities are dissolved, and we are made whole.

Yet our human bodies do not survive for ever. There comes a day for all of us when the sands of time are exhausted and we reach the end of our days. In this past week one of our number has gone to meet his Maker. Today we celebrated his life, and renewed the bonds of family love which bind us together in love. We have opened ourselves to the loving comfort of God's Holy Spirit, and we have thanked Him for the man we once knew.

Jesus shows us the way to God. As He said Himself, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We cannot stand far off and model our lives on His life. Only in His company, in His presence, and with His Spirit, can we follow Him and journey with Him, through the valleys of life and death, until we come to his Home where Our Father awaits us. Will you travel with Him and enter in?

Sliding Around!

The weather people had been forecasting snow, but after the early evening flurry melted away yesterday, I figured it would all come to nothing.

However, when I heard some weather battering off the window in the night I wondered if there might be snow on the ground in the morning, despite my scepticism. Indeed there was, and the photo above shows the scene that met my eyes when I looked out of my front door.

On Sunday afternoon we had had a discussion about whether I could pack away my thermals until next winter. I and some others had thought 'Yes', but my wife was not alone in being right - again! - in thinking 'No'! And today I proved her right by adding that extra layer under my jeans!

There were some massive showers during the morning, but in the afternoon the showers came less often and the sun has melted most of the low-level snow away. Above about 500 feet though, the snow is still lying. Ben Hope, which looms over Tongue at a mighty 3041 feet (927m), is getting very white again. It had almost melted clear during the warmer weather of the last few weeks.

Just when we all thought that we would be on secure ground until next Winter, the rug is pulled from under our feet and we are slip sliding about again.

I suspect that's what the man who built his house on the sand thought (Matthew 7:26). Everything looked great during the dry weather. But when the rain came down, and the floods rose up, it went spectacularly wrong, and the house fell down with a great crash.

The world's banks have gone through a similar calamity in the past few years. And I don't think they have learned their lessons yet. The problem is not just limited to the banks, but to the global economy, which only thinks it is doing well when the economy is growing. The present structure of our world economy cannot cope with a static situation.

But the World is nearly full up. We cannot continue growing our populations forever. Climate change is going to give us major problems ahead. I think it is more likely the global population will shrink over the next 100 years, rather than continue its meteoric rise of the past 100 years. We must re-evaluate the stability of our economic assumptions. We cannot expect to borrow today and pay it back tomorrow. Each one of us must start living within our means.

The church too is slip sliding about. The foundations we thought were secure have become unstable. Mighty buildings, filled with rows of pews, with a giant pulpit and table at the front, no longer result in the people pouring through the doors.

Preaching the Good News inside the building won't draw anyone in from the outside, unless the people inside become able to preach the message themselves, outside, in their everyday conversations - amongst family, friends, neighbours, and work colleagues.

This means that our church pulpits should be used for teaching and encouraging the people in the pews to do the preaching, instead of the preaching being done by the minister (or pastor or priest).

Relationship with Jesus is the true solid foundation of the church. Lift Him up and all people will be drawn to Him. If people are not being drawn to us, then we are lifting up the wrong thing.

Jesus is the light of the World. He will fill your hearts with joy. In the Father's house there is eternal life. Jesus has prepared a place for you. He is standing at the door waiting to welcome you in.

Don't slip up on your journey through life. But if that's what happens, you can depend on Jesus to give you a helping hand. If you're having troubling finding Jesus, then ask someone from the church to help you!

Golfing - a Round

Last Monday was a day off for me, and it was a good day to be off work. The sun was blazing down from a cloudless sky and the wind was not too strong. My wife and I decided it was a good day for a visit to Durness, to walk on the beach and play a round of golf. Well, after a short walk together on the beach, I would be playing golf, while my wife enjoyed a solo walk on one of the local walking routes!

The photo above is of the second tee and the eleventh tee at the Durness Golf Club. On every other golf course I have played, each tee has its associated green. You play from tee to green. But on this course, there are only 9 greens, shared between the 18 tees! It must get rather chaotic when the course is busy! Normally I only play 9 holes, the front nine, or the back nine. Maybe once the summer comes I'll play both halves of the course!



The course is rugged, although not as mountainous as Lothianburn Golf Club just to the South of Edinburgh where I used to be a member. That course has 500 feet of height between the nearest and farthest parts of the course! At Durness the main challenges are the narrow fairways, the rough, the wind, and the rabbits. I'm sure that the ball I lost went down a rabbit hole!

The 5th hole above is a long hole down the hillside, with a large knoll 3/4 of the way along the fairway which stops your ball running on down towards the green. It was the first hole of the round where I managed to hit the green in regulation - 2 shots for this par 4. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get down in 2 for my par, but a 5 was good, and 2 better than each of the the first four holes!



The 6th hole is a great challenge and usually a very beautiful scene. The green is on the far side of Loch Lanlish, in the centre of the far shore. The loch is too big to hit across. You have to go round it, on the left side. As if the loch wasn't enough, there are two more water hazards cunningly placed to catch the unwary golfer! My second was a dribbler, but I was pleased my 8 iron approach shot flew through the air to land close beside the green. If it had fallen short it would have made a big splash! A six for that hole, and 5 for the short par 3 which follows it. The sun was so low that I only caught a glimpse of the ball flying low before I was dazzled by the sun and lost sight of the ball. I did find it but it was in the rough and my next two shots were, only just avoiding the greenside bunker. Down in two after that though! And another 7 on the 8th as my approach shot dropped short into the greenside bunker.

The last hole, pictured below is my favourite! It's a short par 3, between 100 and 150 yards depending on whether you are playing from the 9th or the 18th tee! When the tide is in, with the waves crashing in from the sea, it's a fearsome prospect. And it's not much better when the tide is out, leaving a yawning chasm from tee to green! My 7 iron flew true and the ball landed perfectly in the centre of the green rolling on towards the flag. Two putts and that was me down for my first par of the round. Yippee! I decided not to play any more holes, and headed up to the club house, on the right of the photo below.



Before meeting up again with my wife, I was surprised to see two surfers practicing their art on the beach at Durness. It was just the last day of February, and they looked like a couple of giant penguins togged up in their wetsuits! Perhaps like me it was their first outing of the year!

My wife had enjoyed her walk as much as I had enjoyed my golf. We relaxed and chatted as we drove gently Eastwards along the North coast, and then South and North around the shores of Loch Eriboll, until we completed the 28 mile drive back to our home in Tongue. A splendid outing!

Cycling Around

Today my wife and I cycled the thirteen miles around the Kyle of Tongue. The wind was rather cool but at least it was blowing us along as we headed Northward along the Western shore.

We began from our home in the picturesque village of Tongue. We cycled past the grand Tongue Hotel and then the cosy Ben Loyal Hotel before passing the Post Office and Police house. We continued South out of the village and down the hill to the scattered community of Rhian. After crossing the Rhian Burn we continued passed Ribigill Farm and up the steep hill to Lochan na Cuilce and Lochan Hakel or Hakon.

After a few more twists and turns the single-track road begins the descent down to Kinloch River. It gets pretty steep on this side too and both brakes were needed to avoid going round the gravelly corners too fast!

Once over the bridge we passed the entrance to Kinloch Lodge where the road turns sharply to the right. There is a road sign here warning users that beyond this point there is no gritting or snow clearance. Proceed at your own risk! We proceeded!

After passing through a stand of gnarled Silver Birch trees we came upon the boarded up Kinloch House. It seems a shame that such a fine house is no longer used. We continued along the road keeping our eyes open for the the ruins of Dun na Maigh, an old iron-age broch. But yet again we did not see it. Next time we will bring the guide book!

After crossing another bridge we took a wee detour left to see if this would lead to the Moine Path, which skirts to the North of Ben Hope before dropping down to the South end of Lochan Hope. The map says that it does but a shallow Ford dissuaded us from further exploration. We returned to the bridge and headed North beside the Kyle.

There is not much to see beside the road, but the steep rocky cliffs across the Kyle are worth the trip. Eventually we see Castle Varrich standing on the headland across the water and shortly after that the houses of Tongue can be seen too.


Looking Eastward across the Kyle towards the village of Tongue with Castle Varrich on the skyline at the right.


Looking Northward up the Kyle towards the bridge and causeway.

At the North end of the road we came to the main road between Thurso and Durness. Turning right we soon reached the bridge across the Kyle. The tide was an hour or two passed high water and I had never seen the water flowing out so fast. It was like a river rapid!


The ebbing tide running fast under the Kyle of Tongue bridge.

Once across the causeway, passed Tongue Lodge which is a Youth Hostel from Easter to Autumn, the road climbs back up to Tongue. We passed the historic kirk of St. Andrews, dating from 1680, round the hairpin bend, and up the last 100 yards to the house again. Ready for a cuppa!

Solar Storm

The world exists in a permanent condition of being 8 minutes away from annihilation. That is how long it takes light and other electromagnetic energies to travel from our nearest star, the Sun, to travel to Earth. If the Sun were to explode then we would first know about it 8 minutes after it happened.

I don't want you to be alarmed! The sun is in a continuous state of explosion, as this enormous ball of super-hot and super-dense Hydrogen gas, is crushed together by it's own mass and the force of gravity. Tiny Hydrogen atoms fuse together into Helium atoms, which are four times the mass. Enormous quantities of energy are released in this process, and these keep the Sun hot, and our Earth warm.

The Solar reaction is gradually slowing down as the Hydrogen fuel is consumed and turned into Helium. But it won't run out any time soon. It will be millions of years before that happens.

The Sun's activity appears to be cyclical, on an eleven-year cycle, and some longer cycles too. In recent time the Sun has passed its eleven-year minimum, and activity levels are increasing. The number of sunspots is growing, and the solar flares are occurring more often.

Several flares, or Coronal Mass Ejections, to give them their scientific name, occurred earlier this week. Huge quantities of the Sun's outer atmosphere of superheated gases are ejected at high velocity away from the Sun. This week's flares have headed in our direction.

The Northern Lights are likely to be visible over the next few nights. You may even have seen them already if the sky has been clear. The energetic charged atoms are deflected by the Earth's magnetic field. They get sucked into the North or South polar skies and when they hit the Earth's atmosphere they create beautiful and mysterious patterns of light high in the night sky.

We humans like to think we have everything under control. Our sophisticated electronic technology allows to find out almost anything we want, from almost anywhere in the world. We can speak to our friends at a moment's notice even if they are on the other side of the planet.

But Solar Storms such as the one this week can seriously disrupt satellite communications, and other radio communications such as mobile and cordless phones. Even high voltage systems such as the National Grid can be degraded by Solar Storms.

Our human activities take place in a very fragile environment, where the temperature and climate, are within very narrow limits.

Jesus Christ came to bring the Good News that we can depend utterly upon the love and power of God. God cares about each human person. He cares enough about us to allow us to choose whether we even believe in Him. He invites us to talk with Him, and follow his leadings and guidings. His decisions can seem strange, mysterious, and even perverse, according to our understandings. But what we believe does not change who He is.

In the storms of life, as well in the sunny days, put your trust in Jesus Christ. He will never let you down.

Spring already?

It is hard to believe that it is already the middle of February. I nearly missed St. Valentine's Day, although my wife reminded me!

Life has been busy here. During the second half of January I attended a Presbytery training day at Dornoch, a friend's ordination in Glasgow (which was great!), a training day on prayer and prophecy in Lairg, and a church consultation in Inverness.

We also finished the Alpha Course, which we have been helping with since October, and we had our second all-age activity service at the end of the month.

A couple of weeks ago we had a big storm, which roared around the house through the night. In the morning one of the ridge tiles had come off the roof, but it was quickly replaced. I was astonished to discover that the windows were all coated in salt spray - and the house is 200 feet above sea level, and 750metres (about half a mile) from the seashore of the Kyle of Tongue. The wind has an awesome power. But the power of God's Holy Spirit is even more awesome!

February has been a little quieter, although we began it with the funeral of one of our older members. She had friends and family all over Scotland, and the Melness Church was full to overflowing. There must have been about 250 people there. The Free Church minister for this area was sharing in the service too, and it was good for folk to see us on the same platform together. It was the first time we had met each other, so it was a good opportunity for us to see each other in action!

This week we will journey with six folk through the basics of Christian faith and church life. I am pleased they have taken this opportunity to explore what is involved in becoming, and remaining!, members of the Church of Scotland. We look forward to welcoming them into full membership of the church of Jesus Christ in this place.

During this past week we have discovered some snowdrops growing in the manse garden. The snowdrop in the photo above is today's discovery, and it seems to be struggling to flourish. Perhaps the strimmer has been applied too diligently in the past. Or maybe its position at the front of the house leaves it too exposed to the wintry blasts that can sweep across the house even at this time of year. Spring may be in sight, but it is not here yet!

It almost miraculous that these beautiful plants remain hidden under the ground, and yet when the time and conditions are right they burst forth and surprise us with their exquisite beauty.

It seems to me like a metaphor for the workings of God through his people, the Church. It seems like there is no life, that nothing is happening, that the future is hopeless. But just when we least expect it, the new life appears, springs into sight, and bursts forth into bloom.

Jesus told a story about a man who went to sow his field. The seed which fell on good ground yielded as much as a hundred new seeds. God is calling each one of us in his Church to be fruitful and to prepare for harvest. (Luke chapter 8:5-15)

Happy New Year!

It's been a busy time of year for me during the past few weeks. The snow caused a fair amount of disruption here in Melness and Tongue. So I've had even less time than usual for keeping you all up-to-date.

Our three children, and my Mum, all arrived for Christmas a few days before Christmas. Their first day here was filled with wall-to-wall sunshine. Mum and I enjoyed a short walk across the Rhian Burn and on towards Varrich Castle.

Just before we set off, from the front door of the manse, I snapped the above photo of Ben Hope, which I think is my favourite winter photo so far! Blue sky, thick snow, and the sun glistening off the snowy branches in the foreground.



The air was very cold and crisp, and the snow was firm and crunchy. It was easy to walk on, although I nearly went on my neck at one point where the snow had fallen on ice underneath!

When we got down to the river it was very noisy. Not the usual tinkling of water, but the sharp cracking and snapping of the ice sheet which had built up overnight.

The tide had been in during the bitterly cold night, and the air was very still. There were no waves coming up-river from the Kyle of Tongue, and the surface of the river had frozen hard with an inch-thick layer of ice.

As we arrived at the river, the tide was going out. The ice sheets had dropped onto the rocks in the river bed, and it was snapping and cracking as the water removed its support.

As you can see in the photo above, the river bed is a chaotic jumble of broken ice slabs, tipped at crazy angles, and shining on the low winter sunshine.

When we returned back to the bridge across the river on our way home, it was just two minutes after noon, on the day after the Winter Solstice. The sun was very low in the sky, shining over the rugged peaks of Ben Loyal, that Queen of Scottish Mountains. The sunlight was reflecting off the water in the river, the broken ice slabs, and the snow on the mountains and bushes. It was a glorious scene, and I am pleased I was able to capture it, and share it with you in the photo below.



As I write this post, it is more than two weeks after the Solstice. Sunset has already retreated half-an-hour later in the afternoon, and we are well into the New Year. I wonder what lies ahead in our journey with Jesus.

I have been thinking about our worship services. It is nice that we have a pattern to them. Hymn, Prayer, Talk, Hymn, Readings, Hymn, Sermon, Hymn, Prayer, Hymn. It makes our services predictable for the people who usually attend. It gives me a framework around which to weave the message for this week.

But it occurs to me that our Sunday services are not at all the way that Jesus spent his time with his disciples.

Jesus did attend the synagogue regularly. He read the readings sometimes, and when he did, he gave the message. But on one occasion someone asked Jesus to heal him, in the synagogue, on the Sabbath, and Jesus did just that, and he was chucked out.

Jesus spent most of his time, meeting with people, in groups, usually in the public places, but sometimes in their homes. He introduced people to the awesome, loving, power of the God who created the universe, his Father. Travelling with Jesus was exciting, unpredictable, and there was no hiding place. People met with God, who knew their deepest needs, and satisfied them.

I wonder if the framework of our Sunday services is too much like a fence between us and God. The framework keeps us from getting so near to God that He might speak to us or even touch us. We can hang around the fringes, without any risk that we might have to speak or even do something. God is awesome and majestic, and if we don't know the depth of his love, then we might feel afraid of Him.

When we journey along the road of life we don't know what lies around the next corner. If we are keeping close to Jesus, the one who knows the way ahead, then we can travel securely, safe in the knowledge that we are loved and cared for.

I think that we will be dismantling the fence, and coming closer to God, in the weeks that lie ahead.

Happy Christmas!

Yes, I know I'm a bit late, and I'm sorry not to have posted on Christmas Day itself. I hope you'll understand and forgive me!

We had five services during the past few days: the Tongue Primary School Christmas Service was on Thursday afternoon, then our Christmas Eve Watchnight Service was at 11:30pm in Tongue Church, followed not long afterwards by the Christmas Day service at 11:30am in Melness Church. Not surprisingly, not many folk came to our two Boxing Day services!

The church was well filled on Christmas Eve and there were people who had come from as far as Bettyhill! This was the first time I had preached at a Watchnight service, and I really enjoyed speaking with folk about the connections between our present-day culture, the Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah, and the Christmas Story.

With my science background, we were thinking about how scientists know what they know, and don't know what they don't know (quoting Donald Rumsfeld along the way!). Isaac Newton got a mention, with his apple and gravity, and his three famous 'laws' of motion. Albert Einstein also got a mention, due to his update on one of Newton's Laws, and his famous formula of e=mc².

Of course, we also were talking about love, because the birth of Jesus demonstrated to the fullest possible extent, how much God loves each of us. It isn't only a children's story. It really happened. People experienced it. People recorded it. And people have passed it on, down through the ages, all the way to us.

It was the beginning of a journey, for Mary & Joseph, for the shephereds, for the Magi, and even for God himself. He invites each of us to journey with Him.

On Christmas Day, the service was all about celebration, and we ended up with a Birthday Cake, complete with candle. We all enjoyed gathering together around the cake, for a chat and a piece of cake, before heading home to enjoy the rest of Christmas Day.

We long to see God's Kingdom becoming more established in this place. God calls us to be like watchmen, watching on the walls, praying to God that He will build his kingdom and restore his 'city'. We all have a part we can play in the drama.

On Boxing Day, there were some boxes! We were talking about packing up for journeys, when moving home, or just for a short visit from one end of the country to the other.

Mary and Joseph journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The Magi journeyed hundreds of miles, probably from Babylon to Bethlehem. Then Mary and Joseph fled from Herod to Egypt, followed some years later by their eventual return to Nazareth.

We wondered what kind of boxes, or packages, they used to carry and protect the precious gifts that the Magi had given them. Jesus was their most precious 'possession'!

We thought about the kind of emergency supplies we need to take when we are travelling on icy and snowy roads. We thought about how some people treat Jesus as an emergency item; kept safely and securely hidden away out of sight, until the emergency occurs. Then He is unwrapped and pressed into service to save us from whatever disaster has occurred.

How much better to journey with Jesus, walking in his footsteps, holding his hand, following his guidance and directions. The likelihood of emergency or disaster will be much reduced, and the likelihood of rescue so much stronger.

At the end of the service, a few folk received a mysterious box with a little present inside. God is a God of surprises - nice surprises!

I am looking forward to the New Year ahead. We don't know what it will bring or where it will take us. But we know that God will be with us, or rather, we will be with Him!

God has a unique path for each of us, tailored to our circumstances, and to who we are. He loves you for who you are, and wants you to be the most you can be. With God all things are possible.

Four months and five days to go

Tomorrow will mark four months since I was ordained into the ministry after which there are only five more days to go until Christmas - yay!

We are now in our second period of wintry weather. This one began on Thursday and the forecasters predicted a couple of days of snow and then dry into next week. However, it snowed quite a bit through Saturday and on through the night. As a result it was rather difficult for many people to get to our Cool School Nativity Service this morning.

But it takes more than a bit of snow to keep Melness and Tongue folk away from church. All the children and leaders were there, and there was a good crowd of parents and siblings too. I reckon we had close on 50 folk in church today.

Given that we have at least three folk away on holiday, and another dozen or so kept away by the weather, I was pleased by the strong turnout.

It seems that God is really drawing people towards our church fellowship. We are having fun together as we strive to follow Jesus and worship our God. People are deciding to start coming along for the first time, or after an absence of many years.

The children did really well today. The Christmas Story was well told, with clarity and humour. The congregation did really well too, laughing at the funny bits, and managing not to laugh when one of the Kings proudly announced she had brought Frankenstein for baby Jesus!

During this past month we have had five funerals in the parish. It is not many compared with a lot of parishes, but for a resident population of around 600, it is a significant percentage. One of the people who came to church today said that it seemed that for too long they had only been to church for funerals. They were pleased today to celebrate the joyful message of Christmas with us all.

Although I have been here for four months now, the beautiful scenery still catches my eye and makes me gasp in awe and wonder at the majesty of God's creative genius. The above view across Talmine Bay and the Kyle of Tongue, with the watery wintry sunshine slanting across the misty air, just took my breath away.

When God's messengers came to tell Mary and Joseph, and then the Shepherds, what was going on, almost the first thing they said was 'Fear Not!'

God loves each person and He doesn't want anyone to be afraid of Him. Don't be afraid to put your trust in Jesus today. He has lived through everything we have, and more. He won through to the other side of death, and He beckons you to follow after Him.

Don't get left out in the cold and dark of Winter. Shout out, "Wait for me, I'm coming!"

Before the Beginning

Recently I watched a BBC Horizon programme entitled "What Happened Before the Big Bang?" The interaction between science and faith is interesting for me. I have been an electronics designer for much of my life, and now I am a minister in the Church of Scotland. I care about science, and I want to know more about God.

The Bible begins by declaring that the Universe came into being through the action of God. The book of Genesis records the earliest understandings of our place in that Universe. In Genesis we see that God was involved in the development of life on the Earth, culminating in the arrival of mankind. God breathed his Spirit into humanity, and He gave us the ability to communicate with Him, to have a relationship with God himself.

Scientists have often struggled to give any credence to the Genesis story. Scientific experiments have been unable to prove anything about God. Nor have they been able to disprove the existence of God. Millions of people have claimed to experience God, but that experience is not scientific.

The nature of the Universe, and mankind's place within it, have been the subject of our curious minds since the dawn of history. Every culture has its traditions about how they came to be here.

During the first half of the 1900s, there was a great scientific debate about whether the Universe had always existed. If it hadn't always existed, then how did it get here? Of course, that question is equally relevant even if the Universe always existed!

By 1950, the argument had been settled. The Universe began with a Big Bang, and expanded into its current condition. The Universe continues to expand. Indeed, scientists think that the expansion of the Universe continues to accelerate.

Cosmologists continue to analyse and study the Big Bang. Sensitive microwave telescopes can detect Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation. It comes from everywhere, but it has variation and structure. The current understanding is that this background energy is left over from the Big Bang. Studying the CMB radiation can give clues about the Big Bang.

Recent discoveries suggest that before the Big Bang, there was Something. There are a range of opinions about the nature of that Something. The Horizon programme presented the ideas of about ten different researchers. It was interesting to see how these scientific folk grapple with something that happened so long ago and so far away, when no-one lived to record what happened.

I did wonder if one of those people might turn out to be a theologian, someone who studies and thinks about God. But 'No'. After all Horizon is a science programme, not a religious broadcast!

But I wonder just where that blurry line runs, between science and religion, when talking and discussing such an intangible subjects as the Big Bang and the Creation of the Universe.

Perhaps if people considered the claims of religious folk throughout the world, both those living today, and those from former generations, they might enlarge their understanding of how we all came to be here and what we are here for.

Religious folk must also take seriously the work of our scientists. We have much to learn from them about this world that God has given us to look after. It's the only world we have just now. Scientists too are seeking to understand Life, the Universe, and Everything.

Autumnal Snow

Last year the first time I saw snow was just a few days before Christmas. The snow hung around for a couple of months before finally disappearing. That was pretty unusual for Edinburgh, where some winters there is no snow, and even in a bad winter it would only lie around for a week or two.

So I was quite interested on Tuesday morning this week to see through my study window a dusting of snow on Ben Hope. Ben Hope is the most northerly Munro in Scotland, a 'Munro' being a mountain peak higher than 3000 feet, or 914m, above sea level. My OS map indicates Ben Hope is 927m.

The dusting of snow increased slightly on Tuesday afternoon, and then on Wednesday the heavy showers continued with even greater intensity. Even Ben Hutig at 408m near Melness had some snow on the summit by the end of the day.

In the noontime sunshine I was astonished to see that the strong breeze was swirling around the summit and whipping up the snow into graceful whorls and streamers. The sunlight was gleaming off the white snow and it was awesomely beautiful. You can see a photo below. The snow must have been very dry to be lifted into the air by the wind.



Sometimes we take the everyday beauty of our world for granted. The delicate balance of nature on the surface of our planet seems imperturbable. Yet the narrow zone of habitable environment is narrower than we think. A rise in global carbon dioxide, or a fall in the solar power output, is all it takes to throw our human civilisations into chaos.

God calls each of us to live in harmony with his plan and purpose for the world. We are to love our neighbours, even if they are our enemies. We are to care for the poor, bring healing to the sick, deliver justice to the oppressed, and to enjoy the bounteous provision of our creator God. God is love - dwell in his love.

Is love more important than happiness?

God loves us so much that he spent his life on the Cross so that we might come into a loving relationship with Him. But does He want us to love Him more than He wants us to be happy?

Sometimes people try to make friends with someone by being nice to them. We are so desperate for them to be our friend that we give them gifts, take them places, and generally be as kind and helpful as we can.

Such generosity might convince the other person of our sincerity, but if the other person is not attracted to us as a person, then it is not likely that our generosity will change their mind. They may be happy to be with us, since the good gifts are enjoyable. But when there is a pause between the gifts, then they become uninterested again. They are not deep friends, only fair-weather friends. When life gets hard, they will move on, and leave you behind.

Sometimes people think that if there is a God who loves us, then He should make us happy. If we were happy, then we would be willing to love God. If God can't make us happy, then He is not worthy of our time.

I wonder if that kind of attitude underlies the fragility of so many human relationships. People are pleased to stick with their partner so long as he or she makes them happy. If life moves into a difficult phase, and we are not happy, then we split up and look for someone else who can do the trick.

How much should our love be based on our feelings, how much should be based on our thoughts, and is there anything else that would strengthen our love?

When we feel happy, when we enjoy someone's company, when we desire to be with someone, we sum up our feelings by declaring our love. But feelings can be very fickle, having bad days as well as good days.

If our love is based on a considered appreciation of someone, then that should be much more stable. We remember our partner telling us of their love for us. We recall their attractiveness and we remember the good times we have had together. We are thankful for those qualities and characteristics that we value and appreciate. We may not be feeling positive towards the person, but we remember how important they are to us.

My musings are no-doubt only capturing a glimpse of what love is all about. Many others have written deeply on the subject. But it seems to me that many folk today still struggle to feel loved, and to love others.

Love is more than feelings, and more than a product of our thinking.

God tells us that He is love. It is his nature. He has made us humans in his image, and so we have capability to love. God wants us to love, and to be loved. He longs to be the primary object of our love, and to enfold you in his love. When you know his love in and through you, then you have love in abundance for other folk too.

We cannot make other people love us. But we don't need to make God do that - He loves us already. He is just waiting for our response - for us to open the door of our hearts and lives, to let Him in, and fill us with his love.

God loves you unconditionally. You cannot make him love you more, and you cannot make him love you less. He gives us that kind of love for other folk too.

If you are feeling short of love, then open yourself to God, and let Him fill you to overflowing.

Northern Lights

It's been a beautiful day, almost cloud-free, except for a period in the mid-morning. We've been working in the garden, and then visited someone for afternoon tea.

This evening the air is very still and the sky is still clear. I went outside to check that the intermittent low rumbles I could hear were actually from the military bombing range at Cape Wrath. Indeed, they were, although I couldn't see any flashes. The bangs must be rather loud, as it's some 30-odd miles to Cape Wrath from Tongue.

When I looked northwards, I was delighted to see my first sight of the Northern Lights. The photos I had seen previously, and a distant view through an aircraft window, did not do them justice! It was really amazing to see the patterns moving about and the glow was much brighter than I expected. Perhaps we will see even better examples during the dark winter nights ahead.

I took a few photos, but even at 8 seconds exposure time on f2.8, I could only catch the brightest portions. The photo above has the brightness level boosted, and you can make out some of the aurora just above and to the right of the street light. My photo won't give you any idea of the broad view of the Lights. They ranged across the whole northern sky, although they didn't not stretch high up into the night sky.

You might also make out the constellation of the Plough farther up in the sky, pointing towards the North Pole star. I was only holding the camera against a downpipe at the side of the house, so I'm quite impressed I held it so still for 8 seconds! Perhaps next time I'll get out my tripod.

When everything else was quiet, we could also hear some distant roaring from the red deer stags, now that they have started the annual rutting season. Hearing this was another first time experience for my wife and I.

Milky Way

One of the sights I have been looking forward to here in Tongue is the night sky.

Living in Edinburgh we only see the brighter planets and stars. The Milky Way and the clouds of stars that make up the unpolluted night sky are just invisible in the city.

Tonight, as I arrived back home around 10:30pm, the Milky Way was stretched across the clear night sky above my head. A very bright planet was rising in the East (as they do!), and there were hordes of stars visible almost everywhere I looked (up the way, that is!).

When you see the night sky in all its glory it adds resonance to several passages from the Bible. The Christmas Star is probably the most obvious. The stars are created in Genesis, the bright Morning Star(s) shines in Job, Isaiah, 2nd Peter, and Revelation. At the End, the stars will fall from the sky. But tonight I am glad the stars are still shining brightly! And the planets too.

Us Human beings often think that we are in control of our own destiny. "If you try hard enough you can do whatever you want." Heard that one before.

Look up. What can we do compared with all that. We've reached the moon. We sent robots to Mars. We've sent a spacecraft to Pluto although it's not got there yet! Two spacecraft, the Voyager probes, have almost reached interstellar space - the edge of influence of our own Sun. Big deal!

The Universe is so awesome that we can hardly believe the numbers. So I'm not even going to try and make you now!

The Queen of Hearts encourages Alice to practice believing impossible things. In her own youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast."

Recently a well known scientist, physicist and mathematician, has declared that God wasn't there when the Universe began. Apparently it all started with an act of "spontaneous creation".

Quoting the BBC Website,
Stephen Hawking says: "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing.

"Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist.

"It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going."

It seems to me that Mr. Hawking has been trying too hard to believe impossible things. At least he believes in Creation. At least he believes there is a reason that the universe and humans exist. To me, 'spontaneous creation' seems like an unlikely reason. Indeed, I would say it is an unbelievable reason.

Laws do not occur spontaneously.
If gravity is a law, then there is a lawmaker, and a Judge.

The entire basis of Physics is that things do not occur spontaneously.
There is no uncaused event.

Quantum Physics throws some doubt on that assertion.
It deals with the microscopic, sub-molecular scale.

But it is not tenable to suggest that since sub-atomic events appear to be uncaused, i.e. occur spontaneously, then macroscopic events, such as the creation of the Universe, can also be spontaneous, uncaused events.

For years scientists have been saying that miracles, as described by present-day people, and recorded in the Bible, can not and do not occur.

Now we have a scientist saying that the Creation of the Universe occurred spontaneously.

Well that seems miraculous to me!

Gorgeous Sunset - Beautiful Morning

Last night there was a stunning sunset. The sky near the horizon was clear, except for one cloud just above the sun, which was setting below the skyline. That cloud shone a brilliant gold, reflecting off the higher wispy clouds above.

The clear sky, with its shades of pink, yellow, and red, heralded a chilly night, and so it proved. I wouldn't have liked to have been sleeping outdoors. It must have been well down into single figures (Celsius).

This morning the sky was still clear. In fact, I couldn't see any clouds, anywhere in the sky. The sun was blazing down out of the Eastern sky, glistening off the heavy dew, and shining off the wet leaves on the bushes and trees.

The combination of gorgeous sunset, cold dark night, and beautiful morning, reminded me of the Easter story. Although that story stretches over two nights, there are similarities.

Although the Crucifixion was a horrible, horrific, event, we call it Good Friday. In that moment, Evil was defeated, and God triumphed over all of the Devil's machinations. It was an agonising torture for Jesus, but for Christians we rejoice that He accomplished that victory on our behalf, indeed for everyone who chooses to trust in Jesus. It is equivalent to the Gorgeous Sunset.

After the Crucifixion, there was the dark day of Easter Saturday. The disciples were in hopeless despair. The One in whom they had put all their trust, was now gone. What would they do now? Where would they go? What could they believe in now? Two dark nights, and a dark day inbetween.

Then, on Easter Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb and found the stone rolled away. The body of Jesus was gone, and in its place they found grave cloths, and angels who told them that Jesus was Risen. Other disciples went to check it out. Gradually, more and more of them met the Risen Jesus. He really was alive! He spoke with them, ate with them, and was touched by them. It was wonderful, marvellous, glorious, Good News. Equivalent, but better, than today's Beautiful Morning sunshine.

Two images that can remind us of the greatest story of all.

Overflowing Gutter

You can tell that I am now living at the Manse rather than being a visitor.

On a few occasions since we arrived 12 days ago, we noticed that when it was raining, the gutter at the front of the house was overflowing. My conclusion was that it was either full of dirt or else the downpipe was blocked.

Today, during the rain, I noticed again that it was overflowing. So when I was outside anyway, wearing my boots and cagoule, I decided to investigate. The drain at the foot of the downpipe seemed clear, but there was practically no water coming out of the downpipe, despite the rain falling on the roof.

On closer inspection, I noticed that drain is completely covered by a grid, to prevent leaves and other debris from falling into the drain. The downpipe terminates about 5mm above the grid. That gap is large enough to allow leaves and other small items to be flushed out of the bottom of the pipe. But it is not large enough to allow lumps of moss, etc., to get out.

As a result, the bottom of the pipe had become clogged up by moss and mud.

I realised that the 10' high downpipe was fall of water. The plastic downpipe had enough flexibility to move sideways slightly, and as I moved the pipe, layers of mud were left behind on the grid. After flexing the pipe back and forwards a few times, the muddy plug suddenly disintegrated under the pressure of the pent up water, and the water gushed out and up from the bottom of the downpipe.

I wasn't quite quick enough to get out of the way, and my jeans got sprayed with muddy, dirty water! But the good news is that the downpipe is now clear, and the gutter above has stopped overflowing. A successful job completed. And I'll keep an eye on that downpipe during the coming months as the leaves fall during the Autumn.

It's a job a visitor would be unlikely to undertake, unless they were being very generous to the actual homeowner. It's not their problem. They don't own the house. They are not staying for long. It's someone else's problem.

The mud and dirt had built up without anyone noticing. The people who were using the manse were not living there for long - no more than a few weeks or months, and maybe only for a few days at a time. It is not surprising that no-one noticed, and that the problem had been developed. It wasn't anyone's fault. It just happened.

Sometimes such accumulations of rubbish occur in other parts of our lives too. The flow of air, water, or energy, can become blocked. Life is restricted, but often people don't notice. The deterioration can be so slow and gradual that everything seems normal. People become used to the way things are, without realising they could be much better.

Eliminating that blockage requires action. When the problem is noticed, it must be investigated. What has gone wrong? How can it be fixed? What are the risks? What are the benefits that will result?

Sometimes it is only an outsider who can see the problem. If that outsider passes on the observation sensitively then the person or people with the problem may act and sort it themselves. But they may need ongoing help, perhaps from a specialist in such issues.

Sometimes it is God who shows up the blockage. This is one of the values of prayer. We sense that voice of God urging us to take action, even although we hadn't seen there was a problem. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can clear up the mess and rebuild our lives.

Sometimes the process of clearing up the mess results in other folk getting covered in dirt too. But with goodwill and hard work, and the Lord's help, we can reach a successful conclusion.

Running water, fresh air, renewed energy, life to the full.

That's what Jesus came to do - to give you life to the full.
That's what he said. You can read it yourself, in John, chapter 10, verse 10.

"I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full."

To Work - Sort Of

Daughter, sister, mum, and aunt, at Talmine Harbour in Melness

The last of our family visitors departed for Edinburgh today. My Mum, and my older two children, have been staying with us in the Manse since Thursday. It has been a busy time, since there have been the two Ordination events to attend, as well as tours of introduction to the Parish. It was my Mum's first visit to the Parish, and only the second visit for my older children.

The Four Girls at Skerray Harbour

Four Girls and Two Boys, waving to the Manse

Now that they have gone, the Manse has settled down to peace and quiet. Not that we were in conflict while we were all together! It is just that there was always someone coming or going, or moving around. Today we are quiet again.

I have been thinking about tasks for later in the week. Mondays and Tuesdays will be my 'Weekend' days, with Sunday as the busy focus and highlight of the Week. Therefore, today is not a Work Day, but I am still thinking about Work. And maybe even Blogging should be classified as Work, so long as I don't spend all day at the keyboard!

There are many new things to begin now that I have finally started as a Parish Minister. There are new relationships to make, with the leaders of the congregation, with those who are in need of care and pastoral support, and with those in the community who will expect me to interact with them. Not least, I must begin preparation for leading worship and preaching sermons!

Preparation is needed, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I need to spend long hours of administrative organisation. I want to begin this ministry in the same manner I intend to continue - by listening to the Holy Spirit and by following Jesus.

The things that seem most reasonable and rational to me, are not necessarily the first things that I should be doing. My initial activities may not be the things you think I should be doing.

Were I to Follow Jesus literally, I would now be heading out into the Wilderness, to spend 40 Days on my own, listening to the Holy Spirit, and learning how God wants me to move forward in my Ministry.

But the parish of Melness and Tongue is nowhere near the land of Israel. I have duties to perform and functions to undertake. This Time is different from the New Testament times.

Therefore, I must find new ways of beginning, that are customised for this place, this time, this people, and this Minister. I can only see dimly what lies ahead, but I know that Jesus goes before me, and his Holy Spirit will make the way clear as we press onwards, following Jesus.

"One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus" will do for me just now.

Happy Ordination Weekend

It has been a wonderful weekend, with my Ordination and Induction to the parish of Melness and Tongue on Friday, followed by my minister from Edinburgh 'preaching me in' on Sunday.

Many friends and family have made a stupendous effort to join me and the congregation as we set out together on the journey that Jesus is calling us to follow. The congregation also have made stupendous efforts to welcome my family and my friends into the parish over the weekend. I am hugely grateful for everyone's enthusiasm and support.

I don't have time now to share everything with you, and parish work will no doubt soon press in too. But perhaps the photos below will give a brief glimpse into our special weekend here in Melness and Tongue, and our surrounding communities.

Me outside the Manse before the Ordination

Post-Ordination smiles at the Church Noticeboard

Rays of Sunshine outside the church after the Ordination

Only 4 days

It has only been four days since my last post, but it seems much longer ago than that!

We enjoyed meeting up with friends on Saturday evening at one of the local hotels. They joined us for Communion at church on Sunday, the last Sunday before I begin my duties as minister.


In the afternoon, we joined our friends for a walk up Ben Hope, some 3040 feet (927m) high. It was a great break from unpacking and storing at the manse. The weather was good, dry but not too hot. The summit was clear most of the afternoon, but it was capped by cloud by the time we arrived. We were getting late, and there were hordes of midges, so we had a brief snack, took some photos, and headed down again. However, there were many fine views both climbing up and during our descent. I'm sure it won't be long before we're back to try again for a clear view from the summit.

On Monday we headed out to Thurso for our first major shopping expedition. It's a 90-mile round trip, but it didn't take too long. Soon we were back home with all that we need for the celebrations this weekend.

The unpacking is nearly finished now, and I have begun to give some thought to my first few weeks of preaching. A plan is now in place, and the first couple of weeks are beginning to get some detail.

I've already made my first pastoral visit, organised my first meeting, and today I even received my first enquiry about a wedding! The Big day isn't until next year so no big panic - yet!

It's been sunny quite a bit this week, and I am still revelling in the beautiful views around the manse. Below is the back garden in the evening sunshine, and then the view this morning from the front door over Castle Varrich and the Kyle of Tongue.

Second Day

After a first night in the manse, camping on the floor, we were glad to see the removal van arrive. The unloading took all afternoon, but by teatime, the guys had headed off for a well-deserved weekend.

During the evening the sun came out giving us a beautiful view over the Kyle of Tongue. The tide was out and the sandbanks and mudflats were shining and glistening in the sunlight. The second evening.



The Second Day began this morning with a glimpse of sunlight on the slopes of Ben Hope. Today the clouds are higher than yesterday, but the summit at 3041 feet (927m) is still shrouded in cloud. Perhaps it will clear later in the day.

Our second full day in our new home beckons. A day full of unpacking, but also with a visit by friends from Edinburgh. They will be staying in Tongue over the weekend.