"The Mannie" under fire (*)

Fire fighting teams over the last few weeks have been dousing fires above Golspie. The fires could have been started due to the dry weather...some suggest it could be something more sinister. The Duke of Sutherland has always had a a mixed reception here in Sutherland. In fact over the years there has been signs of the monument being tampered with in a bid to fall the statue which can be seen for miles around- almost all of East Sutherland.  It stands as a reminder of the Dukes work... for others a reminder of the Highland clearances.

Signs of bravery and pulling together has resulted in the fire being contained. We have a thought for those who are suffering from the aftermath. The smoke the smells but even more the mountain bike business that will surely suffer from this fire.

* The Mannie is the local name for the statue above Golspie raised in memory of the Duke of Sutherland by supporters, and not encouraged by local crofters.

Paula White comment

 Paula White, wants to tighen borders.
In an interview about immigration in the USA last week Paula, said the following...

By Kamau360 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22145649

"I think so many people have taken biblical scriptures out of context on this, to say stuff like, 'Well, Jesus was a refugee,'" White responded. "Yes, He did live in Egypt for three-and-a-half years. But it was not illegal. If He had broken the law then He would have been sinful and He would not have been our Messiah."




"They care for the children," said White, who's also the senior pastor at New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida. "Not just three square meals, psychiatric care, clinician, medical care, chapel, events, schooling, language, and love."

Full link to "Christian Post"

Who is Paula White Wiki 

Culzean castle Ayrshire

Culzean Castle  Is a National Trust for Scotland premises

I visited the castle recently and was struck by the condition of the site. I felt the history was not very well presented. But there were at hand several guides to explain more details as they recited dates and information that folks will not remember. Have you noticed these places  where there is an air of " I know it all". 

I suppose we are all experts in our own field. ( By the way laptop still working)

 Now Culzean is not pronounced as here.   Well not in Scotland where the "Z" is silent. as in Dalziel. 

The castle is well set out for visitors wih good parking and an open feel as you head for the gates to the various premises. There is a walled garden, pictures below. The book shop was well stocked with second hand books but nothing for me to grab that covers my interst. Robet Adams castle is super.

 Walled garden plants

Culzean castle

Some views from recent visit.

Come back tomorrow.

Blue screen and its not the sunny sky.... happy ending

 I was going to tell you about a short trip to Ayr....



Just when you are settled and things are going good it all falls apart well that's what happened PC wise over the last few weeks. I had a skype meeting for Thursday in the meantime an update from Windows which had an effect on my Skype. the sound was wrong and sometimes not working I tried plug in phones bluetooth phones and the Laptop speakers. But to no avail Next was to bring out the old PC which I keep updated for emergencies like this. It gets all the updates Monthly.

So I fire it up and then when i go from sound to video on the Skype ...i get the blue screen.

 Today I am back with Current machine working fine after some sound adjustments ..and keep the blue tooth set away from the machine.

 The old machine was different.

"Unexpected kernel mode trap"..Blue screen.
So what now ...Because I have been updating monthly I am able to carry out a "fresh start" which is a new installation of Windows direct from the Website to the old machine.

That means no corrupt files from before being carried forward.
It also means  reinstalling all apps and software including anti virus

It takes a while but I was able to carry out other tasks while monitoring the progress.

This morning we are back again with skype working on both machines.

Advice
Always take the updates even if there can be challenges. 
Consider reinstalling Windows 10 with a fresh version including all the updates. Sometimes works out quicker.
Take back ups and use cloud drives as extra backups.

Ayr ...Maybe tomorrow.

Chief operating officer

I bought this book at the end of last year. with the view of a role I was contemplating south of the border. Jennifer Geary has pulled together some good stuff and compartmentalised into  16 areas of interest or concern.  it covers all you need to know or to watch out for.

Sometimes, the role of COO is to oversee change, sometimes to establish a set up or even to consolidate a growth period. This book accommodates all these situations. So from safeguarding to HR or facilities to strategy she covers it well. 

Published 2017

Seasons will pass me by ...I get up

Sun beating down has become a regular occurance in Perth with temps  in the good side of 20 for a few weeks. We can get used to this however the rain is required and I heard there was rain further North yesterday. Lovely how we have changing seasons. just when we were getting down with winter the season changed and this year it seemed so quick. planting out and then going to seed due to the heat.

A question, if you had created the seasons would you have had 4 or just two?

Is Academic freedom in jeopardy...?

The most recent Cambridge papers looks at Academic freedom and hints to a    

widespreed perception that academic freedom is under threat. Tom Simpson wites a reflective piece which can be downloaded for reading. In fact you may what to register for future papers that come out quarterly.

The latest Cambridge paper  

Another plea....

Hi This is another plea to engage in my questionnaire and to ask others who live in the Highlands to complete it. Thank you

Edinburgh International Book Festival 11 -27 August

Edinburgh International Book Festival

The prayers of Kirkegaard

The prayers of Kierkegaard Can be sought from the University of Chicago Press. A touching book. You have to get used to the English translation which is like king James version. The Prayers still speak.


For a comprehensive read about Kirkegaard there are:

The Kirkegaard reader edited by Jane Chamberlain and Johnathan Ree.

and
Soren Kirkegaard a Biography by  Joakim Garff

Kirkegaard ... books on.

Works of love by Soren Kierkegaard is a challenging in its outlook to living. In it you can see claearly his faith in God and the response to that Love shown to him.

This is a practical ( as can be by Kirkegaard) book on how to live from the most profound thinker of the 20th century. Possible summer read?

Kierkegaard , Soren

Soren Aaby Kierkegaard was born in Copenhagen in 1813, he, the youngest of seven children. He died in November 1855. In the early twentieth century his work enjoyed increase acclaim and he has done much to inspire both modern Protestant Theology and existentialism.
I have a few books on my shelves about him or his work. 
The Humour of Kierkegaard is not the best place to start researching Kierkegaard but it is a good book and fun in a heavy sense.
For a more beginner book try.







 

Questionnaire Still going thanks. Pass it on to those living in the Highlands.

I am reminding you all to fill in the questionnaire.
Please like share subscribe etc. ask your contacts to help as well.

Liink at top right of the blog page
Thank you

Strawbs and cream....

What can we learn from breaking Glas!

So from the post a few days ago What can we learn from John Glas?

In his endeavours to find God in the Bible he reviews all his thinking and that of his peers and denomination. As he seeks to find "truth the real truth he encounters a different opinion. There is nothing wrong with a difference of opinion is there? Some like the colour Purple some like Red others Green! In the search for a Colour one can come across a new shade.

So John Glas, prayerfully checks his understanding of what he is reading and what he sees and hears around. his look in  the book of Acts brings him to see that he and the Church are missing out in aspects and work that should be done.  Many new revivals/awakening have come from earnest prayer and seeking to find the truth or re find truth. for every person there could be a separate interpretation

 Take a town or city there could be several Churches in the place each with a different outlook , each being taught a different way or Gods leading being different. It doesn't make it wrong it means God is more powerful and in control to "allow" this to operate.

As Glas found inconsistencies with the Church of Scotland and what he found in the New Testament, he led a church movement that would be governed by the simple order in the New Testament rather than by human councils and synods. His deep research concluded that the Kingdom of Christ is Spiritual! The introduction of a feast, simple meal (broth and bread),the Kiss and feet washing. His "influence" on rediscovery has made an impact in many denominations and churches such as

Scotch Baptist, Church of Christs, Brethern, Community church, Scottish Baptists, Old Scots independents, Haldaneites, Disciples, Walkerites,and Inghamites...

 Can we sum up

• Prayerfully look to an understanding
• Take recognition of others opinions but strife to find the right understanding
• Revisit book of Acts and ask what is working in todays Church?
• Take care when "control"  takes over and stumbles others
• Do we need to instigate more basic feasts in our church as a sign of care and community?
• The Kingdom of Christ is spiritual!

 Note

 Clyde Reid, in his law of religious evasion, states:

 "we structure our churches and maintain them, so as to shield us from God, and to protect us from genuine religious experience".

 he continues...

" Adult members of Churches today, rarely raise serious religious questions for fear of revealing their doubts, or being thought of as strange."

First 90 days

First 90 days

The updated and expanded, The first 90 days,- proven strategies for getting up to Speed Faster and Smarter: by      Michael D. Watkins

Harvard Business review press support the best seller" The first 90 days". As one would expect its the way to operate in the first 90 days of taking up your new post as ...CEO COO or leader of an organisation, community or company. So it is relevant to the Church as it is a community and there are a lot of gems in this book that would help someone with "accelerated learning".

It includes :
preparing oneself
Accelerate your learning
Matching strategy to situation
Early wins
Build team
Alliances
Managing self
Accelerating everyone.


Best seller  The first 90 days : Micheal D Watkins

 

Glasite John Glas shatters the thinking of the time!!

  John Glas 

Glas "son of the manse" (1696-1773) of Auchtermucty was a person who sought the scriptures and at the time concluded that Christ's kingdom is one that is completely spiritual, and therefore as such should be independent of both state control or support. Educated at Perth Grammar School, he graduated from the University of St Andrews in 1713. Glas married Catharine Black, the eldest daughter of a Perth minister in 1721.

He was a minister from the age of 24 and was the fifth son of the manse. Although he did not want to leave the Church of Scotland he took up a new cause from the parish at Tealing near Dundee and started anew Church known as the Glasite Church. Churches sprung up in Dundee, Perth and with the textile industry flourishing at the time further Churches were set up in Paisley and Dunkeld. They as a Church were never large in number but their influence was great both national and international by the strong promoter John Glas's son in law Robert Sandeman. 

The Church was known for its "foot washing" and "holy kissing" and for its love feasts or communion celebrations that resembled banquets. The local name for the Church was the "Kail Kirk". This communion was only administered by elders. As a Church they preferred "unlearned preachers".

In Perth while the Balchristies (see previous posts) met in 28 South Methven Street under David Bower The Glasite meeting were held firstly in 267 High Street and 232 High Street (1733)(Glas had moved to Perth. The church members were under attack with mud throwing as they went to church) and by 1839 to 1929 in The building at 251 High Street (now a dance hall, below). Interestingly the building appears in a map of 1823 so it must have had a different use prior to 1839. 

 By Kim Traynor - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

 Sandemanianism

The basis of the Sandemanian Church lies with John Glas the minister of the Church of Scotland devoted to the Church but because of differing opinions at the time forced to leave and set up a Church based on his new found principles.

These services would take no account of the Christian calender

Robert Sandeman (1718-1771) who's family business based in Perth was bleachers of fabrics, took up the leadership of the movement in the 1750s. He had business contacts in London which gave him the opportunities to write and speak in England. He married John Glas Daughter Catherine.

The result was the son in law of Glas became the strongest and most wide spread promoter of Glas theology. The most famous Glasite from the past is Michael Faraday. The Sandemanian Church through its elders demanded total obedience to their decisions from any or all of their congregation. This in the long term caused several splits and was also the downfall of the “Scotch” Baptist Church who followed some of the principles.

The Sandemanian service was one of love and hope with singing of Hymns, yet unaccompanied, at each meeting. A roll call was taken and as well as the prayers and study of the word the preaching was taken by the elders. These services would take no account of the Christian calender in respect to Lent, Easter and Christmas. Old Scots Independents John Smith, Newburn and Robert Ferrier, Largo having read the papers of Sandeman meet at Balchristie mid point to their parishes to discuss the content. “Like the Secession and Relief Churches this denomination had its origin in Fife. The founders James Smith of Newburn and Robert Ferrier of Largo,were neighbouring ministers of the Church of Scotland, who, on adopting views very similar to those of Glas, resigned from their membership of the National Church in 1768. They organised a congregation at Balchristie (see previous posts) in Newburn Parish, on Independent lines, they themselves being appointed the joint pastors, and deacons being appointed for the administrative work. 

Balchristies this blog

Balchristies and Glas

John Glas 

New Glas archives 

Sandermanianism

Please help me !!!

Hi I am still looking for people in the Highlands of Scotland to fill in my short Questionnaire. Please do so and ask a few others to help.
The Link is on the right at the top.

Building Financial Management Capacity

Building Financial Management Capacity

John Cammack

Before we start the pictures are just a decoy.

I read this book just before Christmas and found it a good text book for charities NGO's and the like.  

It covers presentation of financial statements, planning budgets, and all the things that non financial folks would benefit from reading. Even pastors and church leaders would benefit from it as well as Financial Controllers, Heads of Finance and Financial Managers. At the end of the book there are some "tool kits". Very practical book and on the button in terms of areas where most faith based organisations and charities need support.

Why so many different Baptists?

Baptists Variance

The following is a little, general. There will be differences but for the most it holds good. In different countries where the viewers are there will be differences. I am not promoting Baptist theology but informing readers who might be interested. I would far rather be in dialogue about Kingdom stuff! So... add a comment.

Ana-Baptist

Originally the name given to a German "sect" which rose in 1521. They taught Adult/Believers Baptism as opposed to infant baptism. The term was used later for various sects with a similar view.

Closed Baptists

Branch of the Baptist Church which is exclusive in outlook and doubtful of inter-Church communication.

General Baptists

Branch of the Baptist Church which is Arminian in theology, general as distinct to "closed". Most English Churches are of this type.

Open Baptists

Generally "open" in reference to the communion table i.e. open to believers, as opposed to closed to non-members (Particular).

Particular Baptists

Branch of Church which is closed in membership and closed for communion i.e. the table is for members only.

Reformed Baptist

A branch of the Church which is strong on Calvinistic theology and reluctant to have inter-Church dialogue.

Seventh Day Baptists

Members of a sect founded by John James, who was executed in 1661. His preaching was strong on the second coming of Christ.

“Scotch" Baptists

Founded by McLean and Carmichael with a Glassite influence. Calvinistic with plural "Elders." None left in Scotland however a few similar Churches are found in Wales.

Scottish Baptists

Majority of Churches in Scotland would claim to be Scottish Baptists, "general" in outlook, "open" in Communion. Although not all are closed, membership tends to be closed I.e. membership for those who have been baptised as believers/adults.

Liddells Plean house continued

Sorry I left you in the dark...Continue

So Andrew Liddell (1789 to 1854) was the Senior partner in Andrew Liddell and Co,Iron works Glasgow and retired at age 44 giving his nephew the business.

He proceeded to pastor a church having purchased a building for the congregation in Brown Street( Glasgow?) to use.

There was a will dated 15 November 1848 and a codicil ( Change to will) dated 26 August 1851 written at Plean House Stirling shire. Some one else has researched the census for 1851 but could not find Liddells at the Plean house for that date. Research as to other properties has not resulted in finding them on census day.
 We assume he had several properties.



The Plean estate was owned by the Earl of Dunmore.
 Robert Haldane (Airthrey Estate) bought it from the Earl.
1799 Robert Haldane sold off the Plean estate to pay off debts (funding divinity students)
1800 Francis Simpson, Clerk, Carron Iron Works owns the estate.
1819 He commissions Plean House on the estate
1831 Trustees -William Asylum own the house and estate with Various tenants till the end of the century 
1901 Plean Colliery co. own the house with Coal master William Thorneycroft in residence
1922 Thorneycroft buys the house from the Coal Company. 

So I am left with Andrew Liddell renting around late 1840's and certainly in 1851 the time of the will alteration.

Currently the Plean house is owned by Stirling Council it sits well fenced with in the (Plean) Country park. An Interesting wee review from a wonder what happened. 

Liddell, Plean House,...Haldanes...Scotch Baptist and ironworks!!

As I was carrying out a little research a few weeks ago I came across a few bits of interest to pass on to you budding historians. 



I was reading the paper:

The Scotch Baptist Tradition in Great Britain by D.B Murray 

For now all you need to know is that Scotch Baptists were a group of belivers coming from various backgrounds but are not directly linked to Scottish Baptists of today. ( More on that another time)

So Murray mentions a letter by John Cowan an elder in Galashiels who on 11 December 1848 wrote to James Everson.
 He was congratulating Everson for his pamphlet "Reasons for being a Scotch Baptist".

I continued to explain about his workload which although busy was nothing like Eversons.  He contues to say that He visited Mr and Mrs Liddell at Plean House. He continued to Stirling and on to Glasgow in the following days.

Now having lived near Plean I wondered about the "Liddells".

Who were they what did they do etc.

Here is what I discovered.

Andrew Liddell

The visit was to Andrew (B 1789- 1854) and Margaret Liddell, Andrew son of Andrew (B 1736) a school teacher in Bainsford who became a clerk at the Iron works, Falkirk. Margaret was married previously, with children and had a son Robert Mclaren.  I will talk about Andrew Liddell (1789). 

Andrew was married to Janet Goodsir in 1820 and in 1829 on the 2 Novemebr he married Jessie Peddie. Interestingly enough there was a ante-nuptial contract which implies he had assets. So to have a will ( 19/6/1855 at the National Archives Kew) he must have had a measure of wealth.

Andrew as a young person was an assitant to father andrew at the iron works.
At 18 Andrew moves to work in the foundry at Edinburgh and then Leith. It was is wish to be surgeon but things took a different turn. He moves to Glasgow to become a partner in an iron foundry business around 1814/15. His Brother Robert Maclaren advancing funds to contribute to the capital after a retiring partner left.  

Andrew now the main person in the foundry works on till retirement at age 44 gives the business to his nephew (Maclaren) which stage he becomes a Pastor at a Church in Brown street which he had purchased for the use of the congregation.He was a member of the Scottish Baptist Connexion, but he also had interests in Mechanics, Science, Philosphical Society, Arts, Patents Philanthroic work with the likes of the homeless destressed and temperance work. He was also a magistrate. He died in Novemeber 1854 at Bardowie House Baldernock. 

 Now having lived in Plean house, remember Cowan letter what happened?

Plean House picture on Hiveminer.com

Plean House

 Come back tomorrow.....

Alpacas books of interest

I Have read a few books on the subject of Alpacas. The following were helpfull.
 

• Llamas and Alpacas A guide to Management
• Llama Keeping
• Alpaca Fleece what can you do with it?

An alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in appearance.

While they can look formidable when first viewed, like a large sheep with extended neck the Alpaca is  a quiet, timid animal.

They are known for their fleeces as high quality wool which commands a good price compared to sheep wool. If you ask someone about Alpacas the information they have is probably little. In fact they get mixed up with llamas the bigger animal. 

The next point of note by the novice is the spitting reputation they have. I have seen little of that and perhaps there was some activity that prompted the spitting. I know of one alpaca that has spat on occasions but usually its because he has eaten food to fast and its got stuck in its throat.

If the ears are forward then the animal is not as comfortable as it should be,- ears back is a sign of contentment.

The books mentioned are on different aspects and all three would be a good collection for someone wanting to get to know the animal and its general up keep with a view to keeping them as pets or for stock.

Like most things prices are variable from young boys as £200 to mothers with Cria (young alpaca) at foot for several thousands. Despite the call years ago that prices would rocket, a mixture of supply (over 40,000) and lack of major  new rearing businesses has meant prices are not as firm as expected. Breeding can result in more males than females and they can be surplus to requirements.

With a few acres the need for a lawnmover can be dropped, as a couple of boys can keep your grass trim. They are well behaved when it comes to toileting and they are a good guard to hens and small animals from predators.

It is well known that alpacas need to be housed together. It is not good for the animal to be living on its own. This results in sales of several animals rather than one at a time.

Enjoy your reading.

Yellow hat ....

yellow Hat means sunny day in Perth.

Another Sunday. Presbyterians have to thank Monk

Of course I wrote this a few days ago when I was celebrating the discovery of Baptist in Sutherland.

Interesting title for you? now let me explain.

RD Michell 1950 says "By the mid 1600s there were several baptist churches in the different towns that had garrisons.
At first Baptist groups had been supported and encouraged by Cromwell, but when he was appointed Lord protector, there arose an attitude of opposition to him among officers of the Baptist persuasion, that his policy had changed to active hostility.... Baptist officers implicated in sedition included Captain Overton Major Holmes ....The whole baptist cause was under suspicion ,  ... pamphlet was published on behalf of the "rebaptized churches at St Johnstone (Perth) Leith Edinburgh"", Printed in 1655 it had 15 signatures appended.

"In  continuation of the policy of repression and punishment of seditious Baptist officers, Cromwell, struck at the entire Baptist group by ordering the council of scotland, in 1658 to "see that no Baptist holds office of trust, nor practises at law, nor keep a school.". As the Baptist cause went down the Presbyterian cause went up, for Monk had no love for Baptists, and in their repression found willing allies in the Presbyterian ranks."
 
George Monk

At the Existentialist cafe freedom, being & Apricot Cocktails

This was an interesting read for me as we delve into existentialists' ideas. Really good book to get an understanding of the last 150 years of this subject. Probably not in most Christian bookshops.

One of my best reads since last summer.

 Quirky, funny clear passionate....Mail on Sunday

At the Existentialist cafe freedom, being & Apricot Cocktails by Sarah Bakewell

Questionnaire completed?  Top Right 

Existentialism

Baptist in Sutherland 200 years before the Free Church!

Today I want to tell you of evidence that Baptists were in the Highlands a lot earlier than you may have thought.

But before that remember if you have not completed the questionnaire please do so if you live in the Highlands of Scotland.

Brian Robertson says "It is fairly safe to say there were Baptists in Perth by 1653. Cromwell having established himself in Scotland set up 18 garrisons in towns like Leith, Ayr and Perth. Cromwell initially was tolerant of Baptists but at some point changed his mind and became anti Baptist. ( Was this because of a pacifist influence from them?)"

In 

Archbald Maclean 1733-1812

 Baptist Pioneer in Scotland

By Robert Dawson Mitchell 1950

he states in page 45 of his 348 page thesis that according to Hexham records p 301,302 "Baptists seem to have penetrated as far north as Sutherland, for there is a record of a letter written to the "soldiers in the garrison at Holmdell  (Helmsdale) in Sutherland shire by William Packer. A reply to this letter was written in 1656 by Jonas Dell, soldier in opposition to those dipping themselves in water."





Hexham records p 301,302
History of Baptist in Scotland page 30

So there you are 1656 that's approx 200 years before the Free Church of Scotland (1843) and 100 years before Keiss Baptist Church was established(1750) recognised as the, first Baptist church in Scotland, in Caithness -there were Baptist in Helmsdale Sutherland.

Scotch Baptists influence on the Disciples of Christ

I read at the weekend the pdf  of the

 Scotch Baptist influence on the Disciples of Christ by John Owston.

This short paper from 1997 is a good summary of  the topic.

 Link to paper Scotch Baptist influence...etc

Please complete the questionnaire at the right hand side of the blog if you live in the Highlands of Scotland. Thanks.

Please come back tomorrow I have great news on the Baptists in Sutherland. Yes Sutherland. 

 

Census 2011 figures Are they what you expected?

The 2011 Census ( Crown copyright 2013)

Some interesting details from the individuals who responded to the religion questions on the census of 2011.

Scottish Census

Church of Scotland    1,717,871
Roman Catholic            841,053
Church of England          66,717
Baptists                        26,224 
Episcopalians                 21,289
Methodist                      10,979
Free Church of Scotland  10,896
Scottish Episcopal Church 8,048
Brethren                         5,583
Salvation Army                4,100
Congregational                2,078
United Reformed Church   2,021
United Free church           1,514
Free Presbyterian             1,197
Churches of Christ              979
Church of the Nazarene       785
Apostolic                            552

These are the figures for individuals marking on the census. There will be a difference from membership and attendance at the churches.

 I know there has been a change since 2011, The Church of Scotland membership figures drop yearly.

I have removed some groups for convenience. ( Christadelphian, Full Gospel Assembly, Mennonite, Greek Catholic etc.)

Pastors burnout

One thing is ...

Caring for 30 people personally is possible. Caring for 230 is not, many pastors burn out trying.

Discuss

Reasons Pastors leave the Ministry

10 reasons why pastors leave the ministry by Jim Fuller  ( In America)

1. Lack of vision
2. Low income/ low self esteem
3. Lack of motivation
4. Stress and burnout
5. Not appreciated
6. Cant be real- have to be the most spiritual
7. Stress on family and health 
8. Feeling all alone
9. Lack of denominational support
10. Minister has a vision, the church doesn't 

 It is a concern that churches have pastors leaving churches for whatever the reason.
Remember the load and stress they carry. 
Today pray for all the pastors of your locality.

Questionnaire... need more help.

Sorry , But I need to come back again, and ask that you complete the questionnaire and ask others to do likewise. I am looking for a lot more "samples" to use for the research.

Click below and complete...Please

 Highland Questionnaire

About church fellowship communion and isolation. Takes a few minutes.

Thank you

Message from Brian, Thank you.

Questionnaire if you still have to do it.