When in the Netherlands last week we visited the Helmantel museum in Westeremden and some of his paintings in the Havezate Mensinge museum in Roden. If you are ever in the Northern Netherlands then make sure you visit both of these. Henk Helmantel is a contemporary Dutch painter best known for his classically composed still-life paintings. They are simple and stunning in their colour and … Continue reading Helmantel – The Greatest Living Painter
This weeks article in Christian Today – you can read the original here – (Photo: Unsplash/Tim Schramm) The End is Nigh Did you hear the news? In 12 years time the world could come to an end. Rising sea levels, coastal flooding, crop failures, carbon in the atmosphere will cause the earths temperature to rise by up to 7 degrees with all the problems arising … Continue reading The End is Nigh! Extinction and Evangelism
Many moons ago I led a school strike. The cause was just – I thought – we were protesting against the raising of the school-leaving age to 16! I remember leading all 600 pupils in a walk out in front of the school. As the headteacher, Mr Smith, approached me, I noticed that the pupils behind me and my friend had gone strangely quiet. “What … Continue reading Suffer the Striking Children – A Tale of Activism, Indoctrination and Mob Rule
Last Sunday morning we looked at Philippians 2:5-11 “Adopt the Attitude of Christ”. We sang ; My Jesus (Shout to the Lord); King of Kings/Majesty; Ps119:1-8; Philippians 2:5-11 and When I Survey the Wonderous Cross Melito of Sardis (2nd Century) – “ He that hung up the earth in space was himself hanged up; he that fixed the heavens was fixed with nails; he that bore up the earth … Continue reading Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 87 – Sermons and Songs from St Peters (and David Henderson)
A New Years Message for the Church and Society… New Year is as good a time as any to think about new beginnings. As we reflect on the past year and look forward to 2019, whether at an individual, community or government level, many of us would love to start anew again. Renewal is a great idea. And so is re-formation. I would love to … Continue reading All Things New – A New Years Message for Church and Society (the January Record Editorial)
Last Sunday morning we had a harvest thanksgiving – it is important for a city congregation to do this – to remind ourselves of where our food ultimately comes from. We also had the baptism of Lois – who although a child was baptised on her own profession. Songs: Praise to the Lord, Psalm 139 (New Scottish); Ps 112; How Deep the Father’s Love; You … Continue reading Harvest Thanksgiving, a Baptism, Ps 139, Romans 8:35-39 and God Made Humanity, Male and Female.
Today we had a lovely walk in Crombie Park. It was exhilarating to experience the Autumn colours even in what started out as a grey day and ended up sunny – this is after all Scotland, where you can get four seasons in one day. I wondered at the glory of the Creator in the variety of nature and then thought why do people think that … Continue reading The Glory of Creation and Prager on Evolution
After Perth Pride we have now had the Dundee version. By all accounts Dundee Pride on Saturday was a great success – thousands of people from all over Scotland (according to the organisers 8,000) took part at some point. It was well attended and well-funded – Sponsors included Lush, Tay FM, Explore Dundee, the Bank of Scotland, Dundee University, Dundee City Council, Unison, Clarks Bakery, … Continue reading “I AM WHO I SAY I AM” – Reflections on Dundee Pride
One of the more puzzling aspects of the Brexit debate I don’t understand (and I mean I genuinely can’t get my head round it) is the concern about the possibility of a shortage of workers after Brexit. Only this week I heard that one in ten care home staff are from the EU and that there are major concerns for agriculture (especially fruit picking) and … Continue reading Has Britain lost the Protestant Work Ethic?
CreationFest in Cornwall – Some personal Reflections. I once went on a Christian holiday (that is a holiday arranged by a Christian tour company for Christians) – it was nice but not my cup of tea and too expensive for this pastor! Apart from going to the Strathpeffer Convention in the Highlands when I was a teenager and speaking at a couple as an adult, … Continue reading CreationFest in Cornwall – A Festival for the whole UK
