It seems that the bible is not orthodox enough for modern day conservative Christians.

I came across an article today (you can read it by clicking here) which talks about a group of conservatives in America who are seeking to render God’s word into modern English without liberal translation distortions. There seems to be growing disquiet amongst some groups of people who have identified, for example, some pro-abortion distortions that omit or twist ‘clear’ references to the unborn child.

It is incredible that people, who have traditionally styled themselves as the upholders of the bible, can now rewrite it to remove things that they find difficult or do not back up their cause or belief.

The group talks about some possible approaches to creating a conservative Bible translation: Continue reading »

I must thank my wife for this one today. She shared with me a picture that she found online of a glass box. It may appear from the photograph that it is a perfectly acceptable mirrored box. And it is.

However, inside the glass mirrored box, is a great view of everything outside … and a toilet. Yes, a toilet.

People can see out when you are doing the needful but others cannot see in.

The toilet was the brainchild of the artist Monica Bonvicini and she wanted to explore the concept of ‘seeing but not being seen’. Now that is an interesting notion. You sit, able to watch everything that is going on and everyone around you but you are protected from glaring eyes by the one way mirrors. No-one can see you. You can do whatever you wish and no-one can see you.

There seems a bit of dishonesty about that one. It reminds me a little all of the political scandals over the past few years where MP’s felt it was acceptable to stretch Continue reading »

The Church of Scotland have provided a response regarding the Scottish government consultation on Same Sex Marriage. It makes interesting reading. I am not going to debate it here, but needless to say there are many in the Church delighted by its comments and an equal number of people despondent.

You can read the report here and the press release here

As you read, if your are interested, it is worth noting this the group that came up with the response say they have only reiterated the stance the Church has had as the General Assembly, the only body able to make legislative decisions, has not come to a definitive mind on the subject yet.

In saying that this is a ‘snapshot in time’ of the Kirk’s position suggests a purely factual report. Why then does it sound very negative in parts? Continue reading »

So today is the day!

The advent calendars have been opened. Chocolate has been consumed by children the country over, after taking a few minutes to find door number 1 they have popped the cheap bit of chocolate in their mouth …. yummy!

Today is the first day of Advent.

Well, no, not quite.

Advent began on Sunday, 27th November. Today is just the first day of December. Now don’t get me wrong I have nothing against the first day of December – it is a very good day, as days go. I mean, the first of December is the 335th day of the year. It is also World Aids Day, in 1990 the two sides of the Channel Tunnel met in the middle and in 1935 Woody Allen was born. These are all important things, but …

… it is not the first day of Advent.

I often think that the church are the world are very much out of step. Many in the church celebrate Advent many days before the rest of society. It is not that those in churches want to keep the first few days a secret all to themselves, it is just we don’t seem to inspire people to think that Advent begins then. Continue reading »

Well, today has been a day and a half.

We took the girls to Stirling where Iona and Pauline had to visit the dentist and we did some shopping. Then when we got to the car park we drove the car normally and after a hundred yards or so the temperature gauge shot to maximum, the car beeped at us, said engine too hot and cut out. After causing a major obstruction the kindly car park people pushed me into a space and after trying a few things we admitted defeat and called out the AA.

After they had tested, and head scratched for a bit it was off to the dealers we went. Normally we would take it to Lanark but they garage now don’t deal with warranty claims for Peugeot. So a quick diversion to Motherwell and the care was tucked up for the night. Pauline came and collected me and got lost as the bright sparks at North lanarkshire Council had closed a major road and put a diversion in place then stopped the signs!

For a council to do this, maybe no surprise. However, the AA surprised me. The technology they had with their toughbook able to tell us the fault with the car after running diagnostic testing was immense. It showed the temperature, the RPM, the fault codes … everything. It even sent an email to the garage with the problem. That was a surprise. Another surprise is that their vans don’t fit in a multi story car park …

Advent is a time of surprise. God burst  Continue reading »

Well, I have decided that during Advent, as well as getting prepared for Christmas I am going to do two things. Firstly, I am going to attempt to read the New Testament and secondly I am going to try and write a blog every day.

Over the last few weeks I have not been too well with Labyrinthitis and it has forced me to slow down and not do as much. This is also part of that plan. I want to take time to reflect, time to wait, time to enjoy the Advent season.

We all expect things to be done … now. But what does it mean to wait?

Last night at 4pm we had the switch on of our Advent Scene in Lanark. A few years ago the churches in the town clubbed together and bough a nativity scene and had a shed built for it. Each year since it has gone up and at most points you pass has someone standing looking at it.

The annual lights switch on fae the cooncil happened last weekend in Lanark but Continue reading »

The Panel on Review and Reform offered a new model for reforming Presbyteries into larger units with less meetings and more focussed on mission. They told the Assembly that almost everyone they consulted with thought that the current system had issues and change was inevitable of not desirable. I had a few issues with the proposals but nothing major as the panel had given an idea of how things might look. The important thing was that Presbyteries were to come up with their own reform within their framework. In other words, local held the power.

Well that was until the Assembly came onto agreeing the deliverance. The Assembly agreed that there is a need for reform but totally rejected the model that was proposed. Instead the Assembly opted for a counter motion from Rev Rosie Frew, Presbytery Clerk in kirkcaldy who suggested that Presbyteries should find local links with their neighbours to share what they could but not to formally come together.

It was the first time in 20 years that such a major piece of work by a central body of the church, who had been given a remit to look at this by previous General Assemblies, was thrown out. I felt for David Cameron the convener as he stood there watching his 5 years of work slowly disappear.

I do think that some of the work can be saved. Upon reflection last night I reread the report and think  Continue reading »

Today at the General Assembly the mood was tense to say the least. For the last two years this day has been anticipated with hope and horror in equal measure by everyone on any part of the spectrum of belief on the debate. Two years ago a special commission was established to look at the issue of same sex relationships and the ministry … or in other words, can ministers in same sex relationships be ministers of the Kirk? Under the chairmanship of Lord Patrick Hodge the commission undertook the biggest consultation of its type in the history of our denomination. They invited every elder within every Kirk Session to make their views known on the subject. It would be fair to say that on both sides there were deeply held views, with many, on both sides of the debate feeling that they would have to leave the Church if a decision was made which they could not hold to.

I would also like to add that a continuation of an instruction for ministers and others not to make public press statements in relation to the issue. What follows is merely a factual (as best I can offer the facts) report on the debate and a plea for unity without entering my own opinion in any way on the matter. Continue reading »

So what was it then? Was it an attempt to celebrate the Church and all that she does? Was it an attempt to open up the workings of the General Assembly to more people? Was it an attempt to bring people together from all over Scotland? Whatever it was … I think it worked.

Roll Away the Stone was an event in the middle of the Assembly weekend to replace the traditional garden party at the palace with a whole other sort of garden party in the centre of the city. This one wasn’t for those and such as those wandering around in frock coats and top hats. This one was for you and me to go along to. Wherever we were from, whenever we could get there. Early estimations suggest around 4,500 came through the gates (don’t take that as gospel!) and they came from all parts of Scotland.

I had the pleasure of acting as Stage Manager for the Ross Bandstand (the ‘main stage’) where we had New Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Fischy Music, Scotland African Massed Choir, Steph McLeod and Band and worship to finish the event. The worship had its own massed choir of around 250 people from all over the country who had learned the praise and led the assembled congregation of thousands in worship. Organ music, pipe band led singing and a worship Continue reading »