HAVE I REACHED THAT AGE

In the last couple of years I have attended three family funerals and bumped in to cousins that I hadn't seen for years before. And I am left with a question. Is that what will happen from now on?

That these people that I had shared part of my childhood with, I will now only see at times like that. Well. I am resolved that this won't be the way for me. We need to get a family get together....soon.

Also this week, had an interesting conversation with fellow ministers about the situation in the Church of Scotland.....I think it will grumble along like indigestion!!

JUST WHEN DOES IT GET BETTER

Here's the thing. I am sitting listening listening to the BBC news and all the talk about the reshuffle.

Is this just the death throws of a government? Is there anyway back? Is it time for a change? Who knows, the media will probably decide.

The thing is, I feel that there is something bigger needing change. A fundamental shift needs to take place where we really sort things out. Like, reading the paper the other day a doctor will lose £375 because.....she has had no complaints!!!!! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5405902/GP-penalised-for-lack-of-complaints.html

Church of Scotland debate....

Have you heard the news??? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8066379.stm

Is this good news? Bad news? A fudge?

Or will this allow a space for people to realise that people can hold different views and that maybe, just maybe, the gospel will be enhanced?

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

As a church prepares a self inflicted wound. I despair when I see people holding placards like this in Edinburgh http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8064428.stm

Where is the Gospel in this?

THIS SUMS UP THE STATE OF THE NATION

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8057798.stm

I wonder how many times this happens everyday. We are so caught up with what is going at Westminster that we miss the waste that goes on around us everyday.

There must be a better way of doing business. Must there?

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

I am struggling to get my head round what is happening in the house of commons and the speaker. Why is he under fire???? I have no idea.

We have had moat's, second mortgages, cleaners, tv's, book cases, and he's the one that has to go......it's a strange world. It also rids us of confidence in the situation. Oh the hope of better news soon.

I added this to the CF Scotland Discussion http://discuss.cfscotland.org.uk/index.php board under the Church of Scotland

Here is the thing for me.

I do not know of one member of the public who is even thinking about this, even less debating on it. The world moves along as a religious institution kicks itself in the teeth and they wonder what it's all about.

I look at the list of denominations on there and wonder how many of them could worship together, pray together, take communion together. But they are quite happy to condemn together.

I wonder how many Christians would sign a petition calling for the end of Churches storing more money than they will ever need. Or how about the richer churches giving away the legacy's and surpluses every year to the poor. Or how about handing over buildings to charity groups...Oh, I can see the rush now

Jesus who put love and understanding at the centre of his Gospel is replaced by a religion of rules and division....and all the while a world outside is bleeding to death. 'Jesus Wept.'

IT'S BEEN A BIT BUSY

I wonder where the time goes. All the time.

Easter whizzed past and we had a great break at the Minister's Conference down Derby way. Then, well it's just been crazy.

I was intending to start Scripture Union at Bankhead and we got 111 kids expressing interest. We had to cap the numbers and are running over two days with some 30 kids.....all taking time....

CF Assembly

Now just back from three days in Harrogate at the Congregational federation Assembly. It was a good three days of good fellowship. The Assembly was a very good day out as well. Jill Stephens will be our President for the coming year and after the thought provoking address she gave, I look forward to her visit up here.

Also congratulations to Sandra Turner as President Elect. Her and her husband John are a great couple and she again will do a fantastic job....

We're Going On A Bear (Witch) Hunt

I have been hearing all kinds of rumblings in the Church of Scotland about a minister going to a church in Aberdeen. He wants to go, the Church want him, even the Presbytery accepted him, but others are challenging and people are rushing to sign a petition denouncing the whole thing.

You have to ask if this is really the right thing. And there will be all the for's and against's. But before we get too hasty, in the past we have used the bible to defend slavery, to imprison Galileo only to find he is right!! And what do you do with reports like this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5120004.stm

Does God not say he knew us from there??? Just a thought!