KCC Blog

2009-06-12T20:09:00.002Z

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!!

2009-06-03T08:38:00.002Z

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

2009-05-25T21:53:00.002Z

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?

2009-05-23T16:26:00.002Z

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?

2009-05-19T21:45:00.002Z

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?

2009-05-19T14:48:00.003Z

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.

2009-05-14T21:33:00.001Z

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.'

2009-05-12T22:39:00.002Z

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!

2009-04-09T22:43:00.001Z

Here is a list of all the blogs that will be participating (so far), if you would like to read them:

http://mikeaddis.blogspot.com

http://blogdyfedwynroberts.blogspot.com/

http://theurbanpastor.wordpress.com/

http://lifefaithetc.blogspot.com

www.meetalancraig.com

http://gkcorner.blogspot.com/

www.knightswoodcongregational.org.uk/blog/

www.markmeynell.wordpress.com

www.deeperwaters.wordpress.com

www.bibleandmission.wordpress.com

www.bigcircumstance.com

www.adrianwarnock.com

http://andybeingachristian.wordpress.com

http://thesimplepastor.blogspot.com/

2009-04-09T22:27:00.002Z

I am blogging in conjunction with Slipstream. Full details and the other bloggers can be found at their website www.eauk.org/slipstream

Resurrection for me.

Thought I would add some of my rambling thoughts about the Resurrection.

When I was growing up, Jesus was never that real for me. It was just a bunch of old stories, but nothing real.

When I was about 14 I became curious. Some people that I knew went to Church, they were normal people and went to church. What a paradox. You see I thought church people were just plain weird. But who was this Jesus.

I realised that the Resurrection on Jesus was the most important event in my life. Excuse the pun, but it all hangs on the cross.

I came to realise that this Jesus character of the books, was real and alive in people's lives. When they talked about him, you could see a knowing in their eyes. A friendship. And I wanted to have a part of what they had. If there was no cross, they wouldn't have that.

The cross lets you see the price. The cost. For the way the world is. The hurt that living apart from God and, God's way for the world. You see that this is not the way he meant it to be.

The Resurrection, is the turning point to make our lives, and the world a better way to live. And it's not just all about getting to the everlasting life bit at the end, but the struggle that Jesus was involved in. Making the world a better place today.

2009-04-09T10:46:00.000Z

Resurrection Blog....

Check back later....

2009-04-03T11:46:00.002Z

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

I spend a lot of time in schools and see the great interest there is in football. I watch them take about their hero's, emulate them and look up to them. It would be good to see some responsibility back. We don't always hear about the good work that footballers do in the community, but when prominent people, picked for their country (which by the way many of us in our youth would have gave our right arm for) act like louts it sets such a bad example and a bad role model.

I get fed up reading bad news!!

2009-04-01T14:29:00.003Z

THE WORLD OF FACEBOOK

Have now entered the world of Facebook and Twitter.....only time will tell if it will be of any use!!!!

Busy time approaching with Easter coming up, having a wee break after it to recover!!!

2009-03-27T23:31:00.002Z

THE CHOIR'S GONE HOME

I will give my full update for the week after tonight. Too tired really to write it. But it was a fantastic week, and surpassed all our expectations. You can see the whole week on http://missionscotland09.blogspot.com/

2009-03-22T22:24:00.003Z

O WHAT A NIGHT.

A full house tonight at KCC, that was some 200+ bums on seats. A great night of congregational singing. A great set from the Choir. They are a great bunch, and a bit on the talented side. Have a look at their blog to keep up with their antics over here.

JADE GOODY

Sorry to hear that she has passed away. I hope her boys can get piece to grieve and then to be able to get on with their lives without the constant glare of the press which in many ways haunted their mother's life.

2009-03-21T22:45:00.002Z

A GREAT NIGHT

Just back from Church where we welcomed our American visitors, what a great bunch of kids. So looking forward to the week with them and the opportunities that will bring in the schools and our community's.

Need to pray that it does bring dividends for the Gospel and speaks into the lives of people in Knightswood.

Here's to tomorrow!!!!!

2009-03-19T09:27:00.003Z

IT'S BEEN A WHILE

It's a funny old world with this blogging stuff, days seem to pass and then you realise that you haven't been updating for a while.

So, what's been happening. Well, it turns out that Bruce is coming to Scotland......and.....I will be out of Scotland...so enough said on that. Things have been pretty hectic in the run up to the arrival of our American Friends, and that all kicks off tomorrow, we just hope that all our prayers will be answered as we seek to reach out to schools and the community.

IN THE NEWS

I don't know what other folks think, but I am a bit disturbed by all the media that surrounds Jade Goody. I my heart goes out to her, and her family. It's is a terrible situation, but the media hype and intrusion is beginning to get the better of me.

WHAT I HAVE JUST FINISHED READING

Just finished reading a great book, really challenging. A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren. For those wanting to be challenged and have an open enough mind. It's well worth the read!!

2009-02-28T22:48:00.002Z

The Americans are coming

We are looking forward to our visitors coming from America. No, it's not Bruce Springsteen..sadly

But 412 Praise. We are looking forward to a week of concerts, outreach opportunities and just experiencing a different culture.

No doubt there will be many updates from the week. And if any of you guys are reading this, say hello!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-18T21:14:00.003Z

HAVE THE CONVICTION TO ANSWER THE QUESTION!

Has anybody seen the buses about "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." I think it's amazing talking point, and I can't believe Christians are complaining about it!!!! Would we really want to shrink away from this.

The things I would love to discuss with people are this.

Is a probably enough to stick your life on?

Does God want you to worry?

And why does Christianity stop you enjoying life?

See: www.humanism.org.uk/bus-campaign

2008-12-21T20:37:00.002Z

IT'S BEEN A WHILE

Been a wee while since I was last a blogging....so a quick update for Christmas. Panto went really well and the cast gave an astounding performance of Sleeping Beauty.

We are also drawing to the close of our 75th Anniversary Year and hopefully we will complete our refurbishment on time and be in the new sanctuary on the 4th of January....but now it's a case of watch this space.

BRIAN MCLAREN

Have seen Brian McLaren over the last week or so....quite inspiring....and...and...and...wait for it.....he has Dundee roots!!!!!!!!!! Check out his books and website.........http://www.brianmclaren.net/ what do you think about him. Also just read Rob Bell's new book.......put that one on your Christmas list. http://jesuswantstosavechristians.com/

LASTLY

Have you read the Sunday Post today http://www.thesundaypost.co.uk/postindex.htm .....are people really debating the Hocky Cokey!!!!! Come on people should get real and to even bother giving credence to either side of the argument!!!! I wonder what other nursery rhymes we should be discussing in such detail????? And meanwhile...in Zimbabwe....and in Congo...Afghanastan...Iraq...Iran....

2008-11-24T22:56:00.002Z

MEN OF THE CLOTH

Had a busy weekend with a visit from Rev. Michael Heaney the General Secretary of the Congregational Federation. Part of the weekend we went to visit Jack Graham in Parkhead. Both men ended up in the kitchen.

How about a caption competition!!!!!!!!

2008-11-18T17:43:00.002Z

SPEECHLESS

I came home last night to catch a bit on the TV of 3rd rate celbs in the jungle being sick because they are trying to eat some bugs and kangaroo body parts for 'entertainment' sake.

Does anyone else find this repulsive TV???

Is this really what we are reduced to? Watching people crying because they find life in the jungle "so hard"????????

Meanwhile....children of the world are rummaging through rubbish tips

As I said speechless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-10T15:21:00.003Z

CHANGING QUICKER THAT I THOUGHT

Last night I got a call from the builder saying they were ready to begin on the doors.

So they arrived today!!!!!!!!

Work underway. Check the main website for updates this week!

2008-11-08T09:21:00.004Z

THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING

Last week I got very excited about three cardboard boxes that arrived at the church. This week they were unpacked!!!!!!

The first signs of our refurbishment have officially begun. RBS Heating have started the process of installing the new heaters for the sanctuary. This will allow us to move forward with the rest of the works.

We live in exciting times in Knightswood. A new day is dawning and new opportunities are there for us to grasp.

AMERICAN ELECTION

It is hard to0 believe the momentous events that have happened in America this past week. Who would have thought something like this would have happened in our lifetime. We visited the deep south a couple of years back and the scars of the race issue are still to be seen. I do pray that this is a new dawn for America and indeed the world.

LASTLY

Did I ever tell you the one about a minister, some friends, a boat and the canal???? Tell you later!!

2008-11-04T08:46:00.002Z

HAS THE WORLD FINALLY GONE MAD!!!!!!!

Watching the news this morning I came across this link. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/puffbox/hyperpuff/audiovideo/england/london/7707231.stm

With all that is going on in the world....would we really remove a bench that pensioners sit on???? Good Grief!!!!!!

THE WORLD WATCHES

Today voting is taking place in America.......the world watches. Will it mean a change in fortune for us all??