Tuesday 14 December 2021
Gyles: Odd Boy Out
Friday 10 December 2021
Old TV
Wednesday 8 December 2021
'Keeping the Lights On.'
‘Keeping the Lights on’ by David Craig, describes the joys and difficulties experienced when following the calling of God to lead and build a church. In fact two churches are here built and both are still going strong.
Having known the author and his young wife for fifty years I loved watching again their successes and shared once again the many heartbreaks endured. Nothing is without trouble in this life, church leaders know this too well, they too share the same problems, difficulties and joys following Jesus brings.
Beginning as a History of the last 30 years the book has developed more into a mix of biography, History and instruction to young men faced with the ‘Call’ to build a church. From the cold north in Aberdeen, via well paid employment in Edinburgh and moving abroad to England and the London Bible College David is always honest about the doubts, fears, financial woes encountered, as well as the joy of provision from a God who never forgets his people.
The first church ‘Westbourne Grove Baptist Church’ as was at the time, ‘The Grove,’ to all who have known it, began with a congregation of 14 members! This really was the last shot! Several years of bible exposition, personal counselling and a great many bacon sandwiches at the ‘Manse’ led to an increase in numbers, around 65 or so, and a sense of ‘Love’ that remained long after they had left. That is ‘Love,’ not the sentimental hush that so often represents ‘love,’ today.
The Call to Bournemouth and a slightly larger church followed. Similar hard work, personal discussion, bible based teaching, personal seeking after God for the congregation followed. Again hard work, much prayer, and by prayer we mean listening to God not reeling of a shopping list like I do, brought a numerical increase, a number of fellow leaders for the growing organisations, and the a powerful ‘renewal’ for the church. ‘Renewals’ during the 80’s and 90’s often caused much pain, Satan worked marvellously to insert hate on many occasions, I experienced this myself twice, but the church in Bournemouth pulled through by making every effort at keeping the ‘agape’ between all concerned alive.
The author does not hide failures or personal crisis, indeed such honesty encourages belief in Gods work. Good times and bad follow as the church seeks to follow Jesus, this book makes this clear.
There are pages of description regarding the practical requirements that will benefit many building churches today. Experience learned the hard way is always good. The end result after 30 years and retirement (do preachers ever ‘retire?’) was a church now settled in an old cinema, a building suitable for the 500 or more no members of the church.
Both churches had connections to mission work overseas, the home church made sure these people far off and often in difficult situations were not forgotten. Social media of course helps here today. This along with the many connections the those around the church continue, and will continue unabated as long as these churches thrive.
Advice to young pastors includes the requirement to spend time with God alone daily, to spend time with wife and children daily, and especially to take time off before burn out and destruction arrives. The need to pray regularly with elders and leaders is stressed, as is communication to one and all when required. The whole church must pray, not just the leaders. House groups and prayer groups must be used when possible. The church must lean on the God who called, not individuals own ideas. We can trust the Father to make known his will.
One thing is clear, without his wife David could never have succeeded. Her willingness to support the work, indeed the development of her many gifts in prayer and counselling the women in the church, her support, and often rebuke, we have all endured that, enabled David to finish his calling. He could not have done this without his wife Maureen.
This book is easy to read, informative, full of the daily stresses and joys of church building and a credit to both David and Maureen and to the Lord who called, enabled and provided all the way through. I recommend it.
Tuesday 7 December 2021
Monday 6 December 2021
Sunday 5 December 2021
Saturday 4 December 2021
Slumber
Friday 3 December 2021
Afternoon Booster!
So off I hobbled, rushing to get there in time for the appointed hour. I need not have bothered! This jab is given by a church organsation, and well organised they are. However, with one thing and another there was a queue, quite a long queue, all muttering about 'Booked Times' and standing outside waiting in the dark. Most obeyed and understood, some objected, and those working there were indicating that they were all volunters giving their time freely for this, which pacified some grumblers. I suppose we are all so used to having what we want when we want it and not happy to wait.
Wednesday 1 December 2021
Christmas & Parliament
Tuesday 30 November 2021
Christmas St Andrews
Considering this is St Andrews Day I felt the weather was very Scotch. Though warmer than yesterday, I doubted Andrew, while fishing with his brother Simon on the Lake of Galilee would endure such a west wind as was reminding me of my days heading up Ferry Road from Leith. He may have endured squalls, rain, and snow every thirty years or so but in between he had high temperatures and plenty of time to lie in the sun and forget work. That did not occur in Leith!
Monday 29 November 2021
Cold Christmas
It is also a pleasure to find the postman ringing the bell and knocking desparate to give me my first Christmas box! It is a pleasure to open this box, unwrap the mountain of needful bubblewrap (well wrapped indeed as any postie was tell you) and find several bottles of liqueurs made from a variety of fruits. I accidentally opened the Blackcurrant one now and am forced to enjoy it.
Saturday 27 November 2021
Boring, Cold, Saturday
The storm has been the only story in some papers, I note the Tory rags have ignored Conservative Dougie Ross's claiming for expenses while forgetting to enter his £30,000 linesman takings in the Holyrood register. I suppose to the Tories that is not a problem, more a way of life to them. The 'Glasgow Herald' however does splash an ex-SNP member as being questioned by police, no charges so far. Dougie appears ignored. The rest cast fear about the latest version of the virus, especially as it may 'Halt Christmas!' though Christmas will go ahead whatever. The usual Saturday scare stories and little actual news, the Conservative Party will not allow this.
Friday 26 November 2021
Another Flu Jab
I was back this morning, in spite of the rain, to the surgery. This time it was the Flu Jab. The queue of aged people was long, but quickly parted to let me in to the Stasi. She, I must say, was very cool in the heated atmosphere, lots of folks stumbling aroung hither and thither, some knowing where they were going, some not. I, the youngest among them, was treated well by the Stasi, she even helpfully gave me the Blood Test result, nothing changed there, and sent me round to the old folks queue. Five people were before me, except I was the only one on time! I joked with the crew there before a nurse approached, called my name and off I went. I must say these two nurses while efficient were not the cheeriest. I suspect they have come in for the day to jab the Flu queue and then hop off to collect the kids. Their men, if they have them, are welcome to their cheerless faces.
Wednesday 24 November 2021
Ancient & Medieval Worlds lecture 1: Mesopotamia part 1
Tuesday 23 November 2021
Sun, Sky and NHS
Saturday 20 November 2021
Fungi, Tardis and Sweets
A late afternoon wander around town where the crowds gather for the 'Xmas Lights' being switched on. Every child in the town was here, far too many people, and a few perplexed dogs. I pushed, and was pushed about by the crowds, willing to mix it as not long after leaving home an Audi driver came close to hitting me. I wished I had said more at the time but he kept moving. Thus Irked, I wandered about.
Sweets abound here. This stall is a regular who offers bags of teeth destroyer. He remains considerably cheaper than the fancy stalls found today. Candles, cakes and things I canny afford nor indeed desire. Many have been before so must have made money, and Xmas arriving will do them some good.
Friday 19 November 2021
Nothing to Say Friday
Thursday 18 November 2021
Stasi at the Surgery
Tuesday 16 November 2021
Hospital Helicopter, NHS and Flanders Stew.
Monday 15 November 2021
Mope Monday
cks. The innocent taxi driver was extremely lucky to escape, the bomb going off while he was inside. I suspect it was a poor home made device which possibly went off by accident. Only the Bomber was killed, even the driver was sent home after first treatment. Four others arrested. The man in the Hi-Vis jacket who rushed to aid or capture the driver needs commendations also.