As we come to St Andrews day tomorrow and to pray for the nation we need to think about the state of the Church as well. In this article I want to look at the state of the Church in Scotland – but those of you from other nations may be able to empathise and apply to your own situations. In the article on the State … Continue reading Pray for the Church – Why We Should Be Concerned About the Sins of the Church
There was a meeting going on in England this past couple of days, which I believe is of enormous significance to the future of the UK. There were probably some underlying tensions, as there always are when sinful human beings gather together, but overall the message was positive, challenging and encouraging. And it had nothing to do with Brexit. The FIEC leaders conference took … Continue reading FIEC Leaders Conference – A Significant Event for the UK
Last night – November the 5th – we were driving home from the airport when about 10pm we stopped at Asda. Annabel came out shaking her head – they had a Christmas tree up and were playing a Christmas song….50 days to go said the banner. SHOP NOW! This is not the usual grumpy rant about the commercial exploitation of Christmas….it is a heart … Continue reading Shop Now – The Nightmare Begins
Last Sunday we had communion in the morning and looked at Psalm 85. There were so many people that we had to serve communion upstairs…the stillness was special. As was the singing of Grace at the end. Songs: Saviour of the World; Only a Holy God; Ps 113; Ps 85; Grace Readings: Acts 10:24-48; Ps 113 Sermon: Ps 85 – Restoration, Revival and Righteousness Here are the quotes that … Continue reading Revival (Psalm 85), Male and Female in the Church; Owen on Love; Communion; Portuguese Praise
This is the editorial from the October Record – just out now. The Rise of Civic Christianity and the Collapse of the Church It’s a somewhat strange paradox. As the church seems to be in decline, the number of religious items in the news increases and the clergy are everywhere. Tom Nairn’s quip that Scotland wouldn’t be free until the last Church of Scotland minister … Continue reading The Rise of Civic Christianity and the Collapse of the Church – The October Record Editorial
Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that Romans 8:32 contains the highest doctrine that there is. After preaching on it last Sunday I am inclined to agree. It is a profound and beautiful teaching – that is absolutely life changing once you get it and believe it. Many of us were deeply moved and assured by it. You can here the whole service here or just the sermon … Continue reading The Greatest Doctrine (Romans 8:28); Proverbs 1 and “It is Well With My Soul”
This is a version of a piece I wrote earlier today re the proposed Inverness and Stornoway Pride marches. unfortunately both were hacked – this is a rewritten, restored version which I hope is as near to the original as I can remember. I normally have a back up but for some reason didn’t with this one! Apologies to those who posted comments on the … Continue reading How should the Church React to Inverness and Stornoway Gay Pride marches?
‘Oh no’ I thought[‘ here we go again’. Yet another memoir on being a gay Christian. But I had heard this girl was good…..so I ordered Gay Girl, Good God in the hope that it might not be bad. I was wrong….it is superb! This is the book that Vicky Beeching should have written! There is so much that is good about it. It is … Continue reading Gay Girl, Good God
This weeks thought for the day from Premier. In a week when I have been reminded of the weakness of insipid Christianity – it’s always good to be able to turn to the real radical thing!This talk was based upon chapter 7 of Magnificent Obsession. From which the following quotes are taken: “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” Acts … Continue reading The World Turned Upside Down – Premier Thought for the Day 8
“Could you come on the show and talk about celebrity funerals – especially Barry Elliott of the Chuckle brothers” was one of the strangest requests I’ve ever had from the BBC. This is the resultant discussion. The story is that the MSP Trish Marwick had tweeted a derogatory comment about the Chuckle brothers after the death of one of them (Barry) in which she stated … Continue reading Is it ever ok to speak ill of the dead? and some reflections on funerals – BBC Radio Scotland
