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In Scotland and the rest of the UK there is a gap which was arisen during the past two generations, of no real involvement in the community (there are some exceptions) plus the change in culture. The culture change is one that needs address.

We have less and less social/nominal Christians going to church which clears the way for a genuine work of the spirit. People are less interested in turning out to be seen as a community figure head. Added to this we have a culture quite different from America. In The UK the post-modern era requires a different form of Evangelism!

For church to work in this new age its not simply a four laws lesson, a template, a plan. In fact internationally the emerging church is looking at how to be the community first rather then look at plans. 

The tee shirts in America that say “Don't go to church” and on the back say “be the church” says something very profound its not just going to meetings its giving over to God?

There is a danger here that meetings, agendas, time allocated work, compartmentalised the life. In turn this creates a church and non-church divide. This secular and non-secular arena. Again rather than a subculture that acknowledges the God spots in the week and all else is “worldly”,how about a culture that has input from practising Christians in the community. Elizabeth Fry's influence on community came from here community life driven by her personal faith.

Italy

Had a good time in Italy recently. here the pics.

Bass

Back from the dark

David and reflecting

David's preparation for Goliath

1 Samuel 17:37

Then David said, "The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and may the LORD be with you."

1 Samuel 17:38

Then Saul had his own military clothes put on David. He put a bronze helmet on David's head and had him put on armour.(HCSB)

1 Samuel 17:39

David strapped his sword on over the military clothes and tried to walk, but he was not used to them. "I can't walk in these," David said to Saul, "I'm not used to them." So David took them off.(HCSB)

1 Samuel 17:40

Instead, he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pouch, in his shepherd's bag. Then, with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.(HCSB)

Use of the Bible - Contemplative reading of the Bible

Discipline of “Lectio Divina”

Reading becomes part of the prayer. Tuning in.

Lectio

Taking up Scripture

Meditatio

Engaging with the passage- What do I notice?

Oratio

The deep self touched, Thank you for this passage, remembering it during the day.

Contemplatio

Rest and silence and read again.

Learning point or notes:

Why did David pick up five smooth stones for his sling when he knew that God would guide his aim to kill the Philistine giant with only one stone? Did David lack faith in God's supernatural power to destroy Israel's great enemy? The answer to this mystery appeared to me one night when Book of 2 Samuel, chapter 21. ...that Goliath was not the only giant in his family. The father of Goliath was a giant who had five sons, all of whom fought for the Philistines. Every one of these four brothers were also giants who ultimately died in combat with the brave soldiers of David. Summarising the story of their death in combat with David's men, the prophet Samuel recorded: "These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants" (2 Samuel 21:22). When David picked up five smooth stones for his sling he was simply being prudent in preparing for the possibility that Goliath's four brothers might have joined the battle when Goliath was killed. He might have needed the additional four stones to defeat the four other giants.

Looking forward to the weekend. A trip North to places in the memory.

Are you going to Church tomorrow?

An interesting conversation this afternoon. Are you going to Church tomorrow. We still need to be reminded that we are the Church we go to a building to  meet others etc.

Obstacles to Church

My blog post from Nov 2007 still holds good although my head is sore.

"I thought it interesting that when in America a couple of years ago a Church leader was advocating that the church takes to much energy trying to make the church attractive when in fact if there were obstacles for people to get to church it would be in the long term more fruitful.
The age of attractive church might be over. How do we change the culture if we are touching a church centred image when we should be flavouring the world.

Sometime you need to stand on your head to see a different point of view."

 

Amazon Kindle

I am getting good feedback about the Amazon Kindle the e book reader available only through Amazon. Hard to believe the battery works for a month.

Actually if you are getting one get the wireless and 3G connection. Although a bit more expensive it has free web browsing for life. its worth it for that!

Spotify

The listening of old music is a treat on Spotify.

Strawbs Let it rain.
Al Stewart Year of the cat
Bowie Life on Mars
Toto Rosanna
ELO Blue skies
CECE Winans For love alone

Charitable funds restricted or designated

Restricted and Designated funds

How are “Restricted” or “Designated” funds handled and treated in the proper manner for the Charity to safeguard donors, the organization and its charitable status and to reduce the risk of “material differences” for the “Report and Accounts”? Terms based on SORP 2005

Designated funds – Restricted funds

Unrestricted funds can be used for any purpose within the objects of the charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds allocated at the charity's discretion to specific projects – this applies to the majority of project funding. Designated funds allocated by the Board or executive can be reallocated if a project does not proceed.

Restricted funds are funds where the donor explicitly restricts their use to specific purposes and if the criteria are not met, then, the funds must be available for repayment.

Relic

A relic of historic Scotland..in the background!