In this photograph there are three fox cubs and a mother. Can you see them?
Double click should enlarge the picture.
Thursday 31 August 2006
Fox on the run!
In this photograph there are three fox cubs and a mother. Can you see them?
Double click should enlarge the picture.
Wednesday 30 August 2006
Engaging an alive Christian community
I am encouraged by the conversions, e mails and telephone calls regarding the need for an "alternative worship" for the Highlands.
Already Hi- land P-raise is having an impact on the people of the Highlands.
"Alternative praise" is a better phrase, actually, as worship you do all the time (or don't) praise is the focal point accompanied or not, corporate or not.
I want to see regular praise in a community no matter the size of that community. I also think I want to start collecting names of those interested in supporting and taking part. One does not need to be a musician for that!
If you have n't spoken to be in the last week and you are interested and you live between ....anywhere North of Inverness be in touch.
Thank you
b
Thursday 24 August 2006
Be creative !
I see from the Exodus 35 30 - 36 7 reading we are called to be creative.
The first person mentioned in the bible as filled....with the Spirit of God is Bezalel ....an artist.
God enabled him to make the place of worship a vibrant, attractive celebration of creativity. Bezalel is appointed to teach others so that more creations can be created amongst his people including everyone who is willing to take part.
When new things are happening and many are taking to be personally involved, it creates a surge of enthusiasm and commitment.
look here ! it is expressed in an offering that most churches treasurers could only dream of:
Its so big that the people are asked to stop giving.
The generosity is from freewill. Out of the joy at what God is doing.
In an area that does not encourage creative things be it art thinking or building help me to work and to help the worship and mission of the church and in the community!
More prayers at Visionbyprayer
Friday 18 August 2006
A9 Rosskeen
Another Presbyertian church on the A9
Rosskeen the land of the "men" of Easter Ross and East Sutherland. What do you know of these men?
Dingwall and Strathpeffer Free Church of Scotland
The building of the Free Church of Scotland Dingwall is a fine building sitting proudly at the end of the High Street across from the railway station. I am convinced that Dingwall, geographically, has a strategic importance to the Highland church of the future. Interestingly the Theological College moved to Dingwall from Elgin some years ago.
Thursday 17 August 2006
Sandeman Letters Theron and Aspasio
Some one looking for the text of Sandeman's letters to Harvey in Northampton 1755 ish.
Can any one help?
PDF from makidon
Some quotes here.
Not available - Amazon
Harvey
Glassite
Can any one help?
PDF from makidon
Some quotes here.
Not available - Amazon
Harvey
Glassite
Wednesday 16 August 2006
What a relief...
Relief Church
Despite the first secession of 1733 from the Church of Scotland a short time after the passing of the Act of Patronage, the further split created the Presbytery of Relief. The founding members being Thomas Boston(2), Thomas Collier and Thomas Gillespie ministers of charges at Oxnam, Ravenstondale and Carnock. The basis of the split was regarding admitting ministers to charges that they were called.
More specifically;
Boston felt led to Jedburgh so much so in the congregation they also agreed to build a church to accommodate his ministry after the split.
Collier wished to take up the ministry at Colinsburgh from Ravenstondale.
Gillespie unable to settle Andrew Richardson in the church at Inverkeithing contrary to the will of the congregation and against his own vow taken at his induction at Carnock fife.
Thomas Gillespie (1708-1774) was a man of weak constitution in life and also of a shy disposition. He went to Carnock after training at the Protestant Dissenting Academy in Northampton. (Could not find a suitable college in Scotland.)
It doesn't appear that the formation of the relief presbytery had any influence in the progression of the two arms of the secession church. Having no theological college, most going to the established churches' halls of education, may well have had some bearing, so also could the churches stance on a more open table at communion and its alignment with baptists and independents with their view on universal redemption. The church of the Relief soon had over 100 churches. The first Moderator being Thomas Boston in 7/12/1761.
In 1847 the Relief Church joined with the two “New Light” bodies from the burgh and anti-burgh churches to form the United Presbyterian Church. This was a sign that many were prepared to reconsider the nature of the church in light of the New Testament first and college Calvinism second. At this time there was a new awakening regarding foreign mission.
More specifically;
Boston felt led to Jedburgh so much so in the congregation they also agreed to build a church to accommodate his ministry after the split.
Collier wished to take up the ministry at Colinsburgh from Ravenstondale.
Gillespie unable to settle Andrew Richardson in the church at Inverkeithing contrary to the will of the congregation and against his own vow taken at his induction at Carnock fife.
Thomas Gillespie (1708-1774) was a man of weak constitution in life and also of a shy disposition. He went to Carnock after training at the Protestant Dissenting Academy in Northampton. (Could not find a suitable college in Scotland.)
It doesn't appear that the formation of the relief presbytery had any influence in the progression of the two arms of the secession church. Having no theological college, most going to the established churches' halls of education, may well have had some bearing, so also could the churches stance on a more open table at communion and its alignment with baptists and independents with their view on universal redemption. The church of the Relief soon had over 100 churches. The first Moderator being Thomas Boston in 7/12/1761.
In 1847 the Relief Church joined with the two “New Light” bodies from the burgh and anti-burgh churches to form the United Presbyterian Church. This was a sign that many were prepared to reconsider the nature of the church in light of the New Testament first and college Calvinism second. At this time there was a new awakening regarding foreign mission.
Monday 14 August 2006
Secede or succeed?
Seceeders
Most historians look at the republication of "The Marrow of Modern Divinity" as a trigger for the splits in the 18th century. The marrow was originally written around 1644 by Edward Fisher. With each republication excitement grew, in particular in the Church of Scotland, Synod of Fife. James Hog of Carnock was "highly pleased" with its contents. Of course there was also opposition. Principal Haddow of St Andrews being but one, who responded with "The record of God, and duty of faith therein required" (1719). By 1720 a committee was set up to report on the Marrow. Extracts from the Marrow were highlighted by the committee:
A believer is not under the law (but delivered from it)
A believer does not commit sin.
The Lord can not see sin in a believer
The lord is not angry with a believer who sins
The lord does not Chasten a believer for his sin.
A believer hath no cause to either confess his sins or to crave pardon at the hand of God for them...
These and others were put beside the scriptures and the articles of the confession of faith and the catechisms, so that matters could be considered. An act was passed "all ministers of the church were strictly prohibited from writing printing or preaching in favour "The Marrow".
The "marrow -men" as they were called were agitated by this stance and steps were taken to have the act repealed.
In Edinburgh William Wardrop met with Ebenezer Erskine and his brother Ralph Erskine, James Wardlaw, William Wilson (Perth), and Thomas Boston(1) to name a few. At the 1721 assembly, a defence was made of the marrow by twelve ministers led by Ebenezer Erskine. This "Evangelical " Minister made a defence of the situation, highlighted a need for the right of a congregation to choose its own minister.
His case which was good went back to the claim of the medieval church for independence in spiritual matters.
After some time and several meetings including Erskine being called to the Bar of the Assembly to receive a rebuke from the Moderator, he refused to accept this rebuke in silence and produced a written protest which he wished to be added to the Minutes.
Erskine and three other supporting ministers were suspended. The next step was a document claiming succeeding, not from the Church as such, "but the establishment within" who were not following reformed and covenanting principles! To this end the Associated Presbytery was born.
The Assembly had not anticipated this split and in the days that followed tried to have the suspended ministers back within its authority - but to no avail.
The Original Secession 1733 saw responsibility for prayer and upkeep of Church and minister, however saw no responsibility for surrounding area. -except to gather adherents. These churches grew out of "praying societies".
Barrier Act 1697
Passed to "Constructively insure against hasty action by extremists... that any innovations should be sent down to presbyteries and only enacted with their assent had been secured."
Most historians look at the republication of "The Marrow of Modern Divinity" as a trigger for the splits in the 18th century. The marrow was originally written around 1644 by Edward Fisher. With each republication excitement grew, in particular in the Church of Scotland, Synod of Fife. James Hog of Carnock was "highly pleased" with its contents. Of course there was also opposition. Principal Haddow of St Andrews being but one, who responded with "The record of God, and duty of faith therein required" (1719). By 1720 a committee was set up to report on the Marrow. Extracts from the Marrow were highlighted by the committee:
A believer is not under the law (but delivered from it)
A believer does not commit sin.
The Lord can not see sin in a believer
The lord is not angry with a believer who sins
The lord does not Chasten a believer for his sin.
A believer hath no cause to either confess his sins or to crave pardon at the hand of God for them...
These and others were put beside the scriptures and the articles of the confession of faith and the catechisms, so that matters could be considered. An act was passed "all ministers of the church were strictly prohibited from writing printing or preaching in favour "The Marrow".
The "marrow -men" as they were called were agitated by this stance and steps were taken to have the act repealed.
In Edinburgh William Wardrop met with Ebenezer Erskine and his brother Ralph Erskine, James Wardlaw, William Wilson (Perth), and Thomas Boston(1) to name a few. At the 1721 assembly, a defence was made of the marrow by twelve ministers led by Ebenezer Erskine. This "Evangelical " Minister made a defence of the situation, highlighted a need for the right of a congregation to choose its own minister.
His case which was good went back to the claim of the medieval church for independence in spiritual matters.
After some time and several meetings including Erskine being called to the Bar of the Assembly to receive a rebuke from the Moderator, he refused to accept this rebuke in silence and produced a written protest which he wished to be added to the Minutes.
Erskine and three other supporting ministers were suspended. The next step was a document claiming succeeding, not from the Church as such, "but the establishment within" who were not following reformed and covenanting principles! To this end the Associated Presbytery was born.
The Assembly had not anticipated this split and in the days that followed tried to have the suspended ministers back within its authority - but to no avail.
The Original Secession 1733 saw responsibility for prayer and upkeep of Church and minister, however saw no responsibility for surrounding area. -except to gather adherents. These churches grew out of "praying societies".
Barrier Act 1697
Passed to "Constructively insure against hasty action by extremists... that any innovations should be sent down to presbyteries and only enacted with their assent had been secured."
Clan Gathering 2006 St Andrews
Anybody had feedback from Clan Gathering in St Andrews or New Wine down south?
Friday 11 August 2006
Spiritual Formation Bible
In this major new Bible, the foremost names in Christian spirituality and biblical scholarship, including RICHARD FOSTER, EUGENE PETERSON, DALLAS WILLARD and WALTER BRUEGGEMANN, have combined to produce a unique Bible that rediscovers Scripture as living text.The book includes:
* The full text of the NRSV Bible
* Introductions and notes for each book of the Bible
* Spiritual exercises incorporated throughout the text
Example Leviticus 5 v 5
Note at bottom of page
Responding
5.5 Confession
In 1-4 the Israelites were commanded to confess their sins when they were guilty of refusing to testify when they could have, touching unclean things, touching an uclean human or uttering a rash oath even if they were unaware of doing wrong.
Recall a time when you did something and only later became aware that it was wrong. Take a momment now to confess it to God. See also Spiritual Disciplines Index
* Profiles of key biblical characters
* 15 essays on living `The With-God Life`
* Spiritual Disciplines Index - a glossary and complete Bible references for all the spiritual disciplines.
HODDER & STOUGHTON, ISBN 0340909013 Price: £29.99
Can be bought from
Scottish Bible Society
I have mine -most pleased.
Look at pages dip in for your self....Here you are
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