Janice Forsyth on Radio Scotland has been playing this single for the past month. The video of The Law performing Television Satellite is just great. I hope you enjoy it. Is this the best view of Dundee ever?
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Shift Happens
We were shown this clip at the Primary school parents night, last night. It does make you think.
Friday, 20 November 2009
Smile - It's Only An Excuse
How can we stay dismayed? Six weeks yesterday evening until the New Year 'It's Only An Excuse'. Remember this one?
Dismayed
I'm dismayed, upset at the news on the Free Church of Scotland web site that they have suspended all talks with the Church of Scotland - read about it here.
The Free Church of Scotland have been, and will remain, the closest sisters and brothers to the Church of Scotland in terms of polity, governance, doctrine and history. It is sad beyond expressing that growing and developing relations between our two denominations have been harmed in this way.
Amongst other things the Church of Scotland does need to give thought to our increasing isolation and separation from the Church Catholic as we pursue a path of our own choosing which if followed to its end will lead us not only out of fellowship with other Christians, but out of step with our God.
The Free Church of Scotland have been, and will remain, the closest sisters and brothers to the Church of Scotland in terms of polity, governance, doctrine and history. It is sad beyond expressing that growing and developing relations between our two denominations have been harmed in this way.
Amongst other things the Church of Scotland does need to give thought to our increasing isolation and separation from the Church Catholic as we pursue a path of our own choosing which if followed to its end will lead us not only out of fellowship with other Christians, but out of step with our God.
Tearfund - Statement of Faith
I've just got round to the Autumn teartimes.
The final item is a report on the adoption of a new Statement of Faith by tearfund. You can read the text of this statement here.
Matthew Frost, the Chief Executive of tearfund, has written:
The Statement demonstrates that Tearfund participates in God's plan to bring about, through Jesus Christ, a transformed creation free from evil and suffering, through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. (in teartimes Autumn 2009, page 30)
The Church is at the heart of tearfund's Statement of Faith and it expressed a deep reliance upon God in all its terms.
I've got two simple comments here:
1. Most statements of faith limit themselves to discussing faith as a noun and describing aspects of the faith to be believed. This tearfund Statement goes further in recognising faith to be a verb, something to be done, this especially in the third point where the bullet points begin: 'to live', 'to make known', 'to demonstrate' and 'to serve' - doing words all. What difference would it make if we thought and spoke about our faith in terms of what we are called to do in obedience to God and in response to his grace and love for us?
2. Reading this tearfund Statement of Faith I am once again at a loss to know how the Church of Scotland could ever choose not to be in partnership with such a Christian relief organisation? We cannot do all the relief and development work that needs to be done ourselves, nor can Christian Aid - why then have we not partnered with others, like tearfund, to more fully show our commitment to the poorest and most needy in our world?
The final item is a report on the adoption of a new Statement of Faith by tearfund. You can read the text of this statement here.
Matthew Frost, the Chief Executive of tearfund, has written:
The Statement demonstrates that Tearfund participates in God's plan to bring about, through Jesus Christ, a transformed creation free from evil and suffering, through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. (in teartimes Autumn 2009, page 30)
The Church is at the heart of tearfund's Statement of Faith and it expressed a deep reliance upon God in all its terms.
I've got two simple comments here:
1. Most statements of faith limit themselves to discussing faith as a noun and describing aspects of the faith to be believed. This tearfund Statement goes further in recognising faith to be a verb, something to be done, this especially in the third point where the bullet points begin: 'to live', 'to make known', 'to demonstrate' and 'to serve' - doing words all. What difference would it make if we thought and spoke about our faith in terms of what we are called to do in obedience to God and in response to his grace and love for us?
2. Reading this tearfund Statement of Faith I am once again at a loss to know how the Church of Scotland could ever choose not to be in partnership with such a Christian relief organisation? We cannot do all the relief and development work that needs to be done ourselves, nor can Christian Aid - why then have we not partnered with others, like tearfund, to more fully show our commitment to the poorest and most needy in our world?
Monday, 16 November 2009
24-7 Red Moon Rising
I've been reading Red Moon Rising by Pete Greig and Dave Roberts, The adventure of faith .. the power of prayer.
This is a good book, not difficult to read, very encouraging and challenging.
Perhaps it struck me because of the recent anniversary, but I love this quote:
But when the Berlin Wall finally came down one communist official made an extraordinary admission to a journalist: 'We were prepared for every eventuallity, but not for candles and not for prayers.' (page 24)
The vision and values of the 24-7 movement are very powerful and well worth reading and reflecting upon - vision and values here.
Again, perhaps given the present situation in the Church of Scotland, I was struck by one of the seven aspects of the brotherly agreement that influence Zinzendorf and the Moravians:
A refusal to be hostile to other believers - even when you believed they were not understanding the Scripture as you might. (page 341)
I don't think this is saying you need to agree with everyone, or even give in to everyone, but rather that in disagreements within the church, between believers, there should be a refusal to be hostile. Hostility generates heat, and what is needed in disagreements between believers is light.
So, read the book, visit the 24-7 web site (link at the side) - but even if you don't, pray!
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Phatfish - Holy, Holy (Lift Up His Name)
Pharfish have put a great video of their song Holy, Holy (recorded at Newday 2009) on youtube, but you can see it here!
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