and Again on target...The Story

John Knox
John Knox (1513-72) is looked upon as the main Scottish figure of the reformation of 1560. Knox fled to Europe to escape Mary Tudor's Queen-ship which started in 1553. He was heavily influenced by Calvin. Originally from Haddington he returned to the area to marry a Berwick girl. She died 5 years later in 1560. Know married again to Margaret Stewart daughter of Lord Ochiltree in 1564 and had three daughters. Knox having made much encouragement to the Scottish Churches from abroad, now being home found himself head to head with the Catholic Queen Mary who was invited back by the protestant lords to the throne on the condition that she upheld the protestant faith.

Knox could not stomach a Catholic Queen and as soon as she was back in Scotland Mary Queen of Scots found herself being preached against. Despite strong open debate in the public eye Knox continued to preach against her at St Giles Edinburgh. The political unrest got complicated and Knox moved to Ayrshire and after, the treat of murder and civil war he moved to St Andrew's in 1570. Although Knox rejected Roman Catholicism and worship on the spiritual grounds there were also political and economic reasons.

The Story continues

Reformation
Early in the sixteenth century reformation was taking place in Europe. Luther was giving account as to his thoughts and writings. Between 1532 and 1533 Calvin experienced a sudden conversion. His Institutes were published in 1536. He recognised two sacraments Baptism and The lords Supper. In 1537 he declared the ordnances “that Christ had instituted in the church four offices Pastor, Teacher, Elder and Deacon". A new Catechism was prepared and he found himself in the biggest struggle (1548-1555) as the people of Geneva felt swamped by all the “refugees” from Europe gathered in the city.

For Scotland, in the beginning of that century it was still a poor and backward country. Smarting from the defeats of Flodden (1513) Solwaymoss (1542) Pinkie (1547) it found itself still not under the control of England. Both England and France were keen to build relations with Scotland to out win the other. The Douglas family favoured England the Hamiltons -France.
Protestant beginnings started with Patrick Hamilton. Cardinal Beaton and the French put up a strong "holding work" for the Catholic Church. George Wishart (1513-1546) was burned by Cardinal Beaton on 2 March 1546. on the 29 of may Beaton in revenge for Wishart was brutally murdered and his wife fled to Fife. (yes he had a wife). 1547 saw a hunted protestant preacher and friend of Wishart become their spiritual leader, John Knox Scottish reformation hero.

Keyboard players

Why can I not find keyboard players in the North of Scotland to play for worship praise. Its not like everone is playing the bagpipes!

Nairn beach for Margaret

Nairn beach taken a few weeks ago.

Black Isle in the distance








I was encouraged to hear of three churches in Nairn that have been working to gether in the community.

The empty church building in the centre of Nairn would make a great focal point for the folks and for tourists. For what use could the churches use the building?

I dont mean for daily Services,- although it might at some times in the week.

Trike pictures up on blog

The pictures of the trike are up on


http://trikeforsale.blogspot.com

CALL FOR DEBATE AT NUCLEAR CROSSROADS

Churches should grapple afresh with Britain’s nuclear weapons policy, according to a new report following a Government announcement that its future may be decided within this Parliament. The Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) briefing urges greater government transparency on nuclear defence options and costs and appeals for a “wide public debate” on the replacement of Trident. The Trident missile system, which can be launched from four submarines, will become defunct in the next twenty years. Revd Graham Sparkes, head of the Baptist Union Faith and Unity department, said that churches could help to spread awareness and mobilise concern around the issue. “It’s a vital decision … because the issue of armed conflict and peacemaking is a central Christian concern”.

Sources: Baptist Times (22/6); Church of England Newspaper (23/6)

http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/news1.htm
http://www.churchnewspaper.com/news.php?read=on&number_key=5825&title=Trident%20challenged

Worship musicians in the Highlands...Drummers and all

Fortrose

I have been playing guitar on a Sunday morning over the last 4/5 weeks in a Church. It struck me that there might be a need for a register of musicians for worship so that when there were opportunities for praise nights in a particular area one could call on these people to assist.

I would be interested in folks in the highlands who play instruments regularly and would consider helping in worship from traditional accompaniment to modern rocky praise.

Please be in touch
name contact details instruments played etc.

Fortrose picture

Alan's trike for sale...

Alan has a trike for sale.-short message today.


http://trikeforsale.blogspot.com

UK problem...

CHURCHES ATTACK FLOUTING OF COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

Senior church figures have told the Education Secondary that secondary schools are restricting students’ spiritual and moral development by failing to organise regular collective worship. Representatives of the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Roman Catholic churches also asked Alan Johnson to introduce training in running religious assemblies and remind schools of their legal obligations. The joint statement said collective worship helped “equip young people to understand more about themselves, foster a sense of the aesthetic and to cope with life-changing moments”. Ofsted admits that only 17 per cent of secondary schools comply with the law in holding a daily “broadly Christian” assembly. Meanwhile, Oxford University has announced it is to revive its RE training to meet a national shortage of teachers of RE which has become the fastest-growing subject at GCSE and A-level.

Sources: The Guardian (13/6); Times Educational Supplement (16/6)
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,1796232,00.html


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Bible Society- -newswatch

Loch Airighe Mhor 746 feet

From a recent hill walk a photo of the loch south of Strath Fleet- Loch Airighe Mhor.

From here it was possible to see Acheilidh Club hill, (An-t-Sron) the light green patch in the distance.

Taken on the way back

"Sea town Rogart"

The flat light green area in this photo would have been blue 200 years ago. The sea came in to Rogart to the post office at boat hill but in the early 1800 the Causeway at the Mound blocked the tidal wash from coming in the 4/5 miles.

London city Blackfriars

Thought you would like a picture of London to show we are not parochial in the Highlands. Recent business trip . View of St Pauls cathedral from Blackfriars.

Typical the day I was in London it was two degrees warmer in the Highlands. If you are reflecting on London and city life What does the bible say about cities? That would make an interesting study.

Separately Citylife is working to eradicate unemployment in cities. See the website on the column. Based in Cambridge they are looking for investors to lend money for 5 years to projects that generate jobs. One forfeits the interest and gets the money back in 5 years. That's a different way of charity giving!

Caithness , Sutherland Revival 1922

From the recent research here is some stuff from the local paper.



Northern Times
26/1/1922
30 converts from Helmsdale visited Brora and conducted service at the Fountain and the United Free Church
2/2/1922
Revival spread to Golspie. Positive article of Gods Goodness and YMCA helping young converts.
23/2/1922
Revival in Wick
“The revival in Wick is still progressing John Troupe's presence was an additional attraction, He is now almost well after his illness, but still to refrain from much exertion....one of the converts a young man died recently after a short illness,The hymns and prayers also bearing pathetic terms. A solo sung by Miss Lara Rosie was much appreciated.”
9/3/1922
Reference to Hymn singing conflict.
23/3/1922
Letter to editor of enquiry as to use of Pitgower Hall for meetings. Revivalist meetings (with hymn singing) got use of hall but not the Free Presbyterians
30/3/1922
Page 5 writer to paper recalls a “time of refreshing” in Rogart 50 years earlier 1870's when there were 70 converts. Wrote from Canada.
6/4/1922
3 weeks mission closes by Mr Dowie in Brora- moving to Golspie
20/4/1922
Page 4 col 3
Evangelistic meetings Golspie YMCA
Mr Dowie Aberdeen.
“Presentation to Mr Dowie at fisherman's Hall Brora presented with a roll of Treasury notes from the public of Brora. In reply and thanks “requested the revival meetings continue under Rev Thomson.”
See also additional sheet.
13/7/1922
Mr Mackenzie in Embo
People from Helmsdale going to take revival meetings in Balintore.
3/8/1922
Brora news: Rev Thomson Ill
Messrs Fraser Stewart and Robertson close two weeks mission in the Fishermen's Mission.

Observations

Several leading revivalists .
Troupe
Mackenzie
Dowie
Thomson: Rev Donald United Free Church settled previous year Feb 1921
In a few months revival has come right down the coast in to three counties...and we have never heard of this ...Why not???.

Oh and the tractor just a nice picture. You make up the link "Ssssleeping tractor... sleeping tractor like Scottish church hiding in the heather.. bracken. Rusty ineffective unit...