Alex Salmon

Alex has resigned from his party! That is not a small step for him. Alex Salmon has resigned from his party so he can fight them in court. He has raised over £64,000 for his court fees etc. Nicola will be upset at this resignation. Nothing to date on his profile site Alexsalmon.

I admire this ex Banker who has had re returns and is a significant person in the Independent struggle. I suppose when you are in the limelight opinions can vary. The recent RT programmes did not help his cause or image.

We await the outcome of the court case in due course.

Inflation the scurge of the developing country

Have you noticed recently that only one country has severe inflation. currently at 61,000% and the authorities switching off electricity and water in a manner to save on costs.

With the cost of a tyre being 3 times the monthly average wage it must be desperate to live in countries like Venezuela. People are being classified as "the walking dead".

Thursdays note

You have missed a few days. Let me explain.

Last week I had a contact from New York state about a possible family connection.
My Gran was a Pinkerton and the Family in American had no Idea about the Robertsons. Thats all of us.

She Jean married William Clarke Robertson ...But her Brother Alexander didn't know!

So as you can imagine there has been communications going around as people try and get an understanding of things.

I hope to have an on line "Chatparty" where we can establish who is who and where they fit in.
Interestingly this is only weeks after the post about " belonging" in a different context but still relevant. 

So we will get back to things shortly. In the meantime you could read other stuff in the blog.

Jean Middleton Pinkerton

Sunday reflection

Sunday. This is the day when we rush around to services and have big meals and generally do too much. 

As you take a few moments on your electronic gadget. Pause.

Dont read on yet. Just pause and say speak to me! 

Following on from yesterday's thought it is good we take some time to consider those in leadership and the challenges they have.
What might they be?

1. Keep the focus in organisational direction
2. Listening to God and the tuning in to his way
3. Winning over people who are not in agreement with an action or direction
4. Dealing with the many crises that come their way as they attend to the flock
5. Finding time for preparation in meeting preaching etc
6. Taking time out to reflect like you are doing now 
7. Then there is ordinary life aspects family etc

Take some time to read Psalm 107 10 to 32

 What things might cause darkness to a leader?

Read the passage again what verse is striking out to you?

What are the distresses or storms that leaders might have ( including missionaries) ?

Any wisdom coming to you from your reflection.

Write down in note form your reflection and any inspiration.

Now pray for the leaders of your faith organisation, then others in Churches who lead and for Christian leaders in faith organisations or other bodies. and for those who seek to help them in times of isolation or testings.

Thank you.


Lectio Divina is a reflective study. 

We are used to Exegesis stude text criticism language and commentaries try the more reflective Lectio Divina.

Needs of the Ministry , Pastors, Bishops and organisational leaders

Lauder hills last weekend.

It can be a lonely path

Those in ministry may relate to this in a way and also those in faith based organisations. It can be a lonely path!

There are challenges, disappointments, distractions, evil obstacles and personal tests all to be negotiated while looking after others. The positive aspects can be drowned in self afflictions come  from all corners and from nowhere to test the leader. I am about to join an organisation that is working to support in relationships those in leadership to help them work through little and big challenges in a prayerful manner. Please come back in a few weeks when i will tell you more and where you might help me. as well as covering those life crises we hope to provide support to reduce the risk of these crises coming around.  

Have a good weekend.

    

The money Charity monthly figures

 The Money charity figures for last month.Take a few on the site

Striking numbers  £19.97: The fall in Debt growth per adult in June 0.75%: The new Bank of England base rate £65m: The fall in Public Sector Net Debt per day in 2018. 106%: The average First Time Buyer deposit compared to average salary £2,650: The increase in net lending to individuals a day. 44: The amount of bankruptcies per day in June. 32: The amount of mortgage possession orders per day in June. 0.2%: The average Instant account rate (highest in almost 2 years). 1.4%: The increase in house prices on last month.

Managing risk the viewpoint

I remember the first time I had the opportunity to stand behind a shop till. It was a newsagents. I was a paper boy. An emergency took place and the shop manager said "you cover the counter while I deal with this situation." Apart from the buzz for a child to be in control of a shop, I had never dealt with cash before, I was terrified.

But the lasting impression about that situation was; I saw the shop from a different viewpoint.

Years of paper rounds delivering in the local village, leaning on the counter, several visits each day, I had got used to seeing the shop from one side the customer side.

Now I was seeing the other side. It was strange.

If you have lived in the same house for a long time and you haven't been in the garden of next door then when you do go and visit -its strange because you are seeing it from a different eye, a different perspective!

Looking at "risks" is to some extent looking from a different angle.

While you might have a insight, the rest of your team might not!
To move forward in risk management there is a need to have everyone increase their awareness.

With change like behaviour it might take time, but as you carry on, others will see this new perspective and what a benefit it could be. A disaster missed, a more efficient office, no loss or a catastrophe averted.  

kierkegaard meets the emerging Church

looking back to a post some years ago

Old post Kierkegaard meets the emerging Church



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Made it to Kelso

Yes we made it to Kelso a few days ago and it was dry. The locals were saying that they heard it had been a realy dry summer in Perth! I was taken by the Kelso sqaure and the locallity. Nice walk a long the river. Might try and make it back again.

Lauder hills and stunning countryside.

Great views at the week end as we walked the hills at Lauder near Whitlaw and Pitmuir farms.


Lauder has a caravan and camping site south of the town in the grounds of Thirlestane Castle.

Didnae make it.

 With the weather looking wet we half planned a trip to Dundee.  But at the last minute we headed south with the tent to Lauder.  We had a good few days of dry weather. This picture above is Dalkeith country park.

 Now look for the crane in this picture. (Kelso )

Still looking out..!

 
Still looking out for people who live in the Highlands to complete a small questionnaire. Thanks.

  Details with link top right of blog.

Sunday again

Hi 

Today is another rest day.

What ever comes from thee-Kierkegaard prayer, translated in to AV English.

What ever comes from thee

Father in heaven! Let us consider that whatever happens to us, this comes from Thee, and that of whatever comes from thee nothingis able to harm us, no, no, it can only be of benefit.

saturday raining viewing.

U Tube sites I have been watching over the last year


Pure living for life

Seven wanders the world

Justin Rhodes

Expedition Overland 

Loop community

Colin Furze

Practical worship

Robertson

Gospel multi tracks

She is a beauty.

She is a beauty, The Forth bridge, the railway bridge. despite there being three in a small area of Queensferry, she is the one which stands proud.

The Forth bridge stands 110 meters above the sea and opened in March 1890. See link for furhter details.

 

Crop rotation! Nah.

I am not promoting Costa, in fact I seldom have coffee now which is a great loss. I really enjoyed a seat with a cuppa and with or with out company and the time to think about things. In Perth there are three Costas High street, Inveralmond estate near Marks and Spencers and the one closet to me At Broxden Round about. A drive in!

There are certain aspects to life that we do regularly, habits, behaviours. 

These times can be helpful and provide a sense of safety. other times we need to push through and do something new because we have become trapped in the routine. Smoking, drinking , coffee or whatever can take a grip of oneself.

Kierkegaard  talks about rotation (a bit like crop rotation) and the reoccurring behaviour. Things can repeat themselves. I heard folks talk about things coming round in threes a sign of the pagan past. But the mind can look for these three things. A bit like when you are on the road looking for a land rover defender and once you start looking for them there would seems to be lots. This might purely be because of your focus. I have heard too the line about looking for the best in people.

Any way Hebrews 12:1 New International Version (NIV) says Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,...

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Dundee here we come?...

The plan was to have a few days camping, however things have not been working well towards this aim. Now the weather looks a bit iffy. Confirmation of what to do has been held off till team meeting post lunchtime today.

 My thought for today, after you have completed the questionnaire comes from Kierkegaard and I translate in to mid Scots.

Is this the way to Dundee?
yes in deed this is the way to Dundee but you are facing the wrong way.

Have a mindfulness think about it.
You might be on the right track but somehow your knowledge of being on the road has blocked you from seeing in which direction you should be going.

Here's to the right path and the right direction ...and that includes me.

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Today Im off to Southton smallholding where I have been involved for three years (4 summers).

I am currently a volunteer, one day a week, at the SouthtonSmallholding at the Bield Blackruthven. Its environment is extended to people who have experienced long-term unemployment through learning disabilities by offering supported employment in a smallholding setting - growing herbs and vegetables on organic principles and keeping hens, ducks, geese and sheep. Produce is sold via a box scheme maintained by the smallholding team. Work includes gardening, tending animals, innovating from recycled materials, craft-making etc. 

 

Amazon prime

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Anyway,

been to Loch Leven last week to walk around the loch. Noticed the rasps were good considering the loss last year from disease.

Next time we will bring a picnic.




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The coaching habit...say less ask more

Michael Bungay Stanier brings together the key aspects of coaching in his book The Coaching habit.(box of crayons press 2016)

He has 7 key questions ...yes you have to read right through to pick them up! to support good coaching. It is produced in that modern way with poster pages with key aspects. I wonder if this is to spin it out to over 100 pages?

Any way a good book that can be read for the overview or a pick up read a bit put down. The key thing that should be said is you need to use your own words and not the books questions. 
Say less ask more and change the way you lead...forever.

Good read for next rainy day. suit all types of managing people roles. 

 

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