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.

Amazon free business account

Amazon Business account


Amazon are away a head of many retailers with their business account 

Amazon Business is a business-to-business marketplace that combines selection, convenience and the value customers around the world have come to know and love from Amazon, with additional business-specific features including bulk pricing, Pay by Invoice*, downloadable VAT invoices and spend management tools. In this marketplace, multiple sellers compete for purchases on common stock keeping units (SKUs) on the most favourable terms for customers. It’s like a “reverse auction” where customers save time, money and hassle in the process.
Choice, value and convenience: Amazon Business simplifies the entire purchasing process for businesses by helping them find, compare and order exactly what they need with fast, reliable shipping and flexible payment options. It’s a shopping experience Amazon customers will instantly recognise and understand. Helpful purchasing tools: Amazon Business gives users access to helpful purchasing controls that can ensure that only authorised purchases are made, together with tools to integrate with their existing purchasing system and provide detailed purchasing analytics.

Free accounts: Unlike warehouse clubs or subscription-based online retailers, Amazon Business accounts are free, even for companies with multiple authorised purchasers. Once registered, those with accounts are able to search hundreds of millions of products in the Amazon Business inventory, where multiple sellers can compete for their purchase.

*Subject to satisfactory credit checks and credit limit


Amazon Business account

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

Just to let you know I have a special deal with Amazon prime. see below if you are interested.

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.




Try Amazon prime special offer

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. 

 

 Amazon business books

Windows 10 update in late summer

Questionnaire

Reminder I am looking for folks who live in the Highlands to fill in a short questionnaire. top right of the blog for the link. Please ask some others to help.

Thank you.

Sunday again... reflecting

When this goes "up" I will be most probably be in the Church I go to.

Sunday afternoon reflection

Consider a charity and in our case a Church. 

Looking at the dual aspects of leadership and Charity responsibilities for leadership lets consider the following:

We take without any thought that leadership would act honourably, for God, in care for the members and adherents, without considering their own personal taste or preferences.

How would Leadership stack up against the following based on the previous paragraph?

Hallmark 1: Clear about its purposes and direction

An effective charity is clear about its purposes, mission and values and uses them to direct all aspects of its work.

Hallmark 2: A strong board

An effective charity is run by a clearly identifiable board or trustee body that has the right balance of skills and experience, acts in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries, understands its responsibilities and has systems in place to exercise them properly.

Hallmark 3: Fit for purpose

The structure, policies and procedures of an effective charity enable it to achieve its purposes and mission and deliver its services efficiently.

Hallmark 4: Learning and improving

An effective charity is always seeking to improve its performance and efficiency, and to learn new and better ways of delivering its purposes. A charity’s assessment of its performance, and of the impact and outcomes of its work, will feed into its planning processes and will influence its future direction.

Hallmark 5: Financially sound and prudent

An effective charity has the financial and other resources needed to deliver its purposes and mission, and controls and uses them so as to achieve its potential.

Hallmark 6: Accountable and transparent

An effective charity is accountable to the public and others with an interest in the charity (stakeholders) in a way that is transparent and understandable.

Additional quotes and link

Belonging . belonging to where...

For many churches, the process of discovering themselves and implementing their desire to follow God is a hard one. This is caused by many different distraction as diverse as members not “buying in” to the mission conflict of time use,- be it work or family or worthwhile causes. Mankind creates a busyness that stifles the Work of God in the community. This is seen so often in the activities of organisations and they view expressed in actions ...” I am busy therefore I am important and needed”.

This expression comes from the wish from most people who have a sense and need “to belong”.

The early church had that sense of belonging meeting regularly to share in meals. Whilst life seems more complex in this decade the sense of belonging is still important. If leadership could harness the sense of belonging and gifting of their flock the work would be easier and perhaps move on quicker to complete the plan to fulfil the purpose of the community known as “such and such” church.

Part of the challenges after agreeing how the community should be, is the method and structure of such, I hesitate to say, an organisation that has control yet flexible to the changing needs of the community and its people.

Is there a sense of belonging where you worship? ( rhetorical)

Linthlithgow

 Had a good time in good weather in Linlithgow this week, see Van short post. The water side off the High street is looking good and welcoming. I could not get over the number of Coffee type shops and bars.


Here is a statue of Mary, Queen of Scots near the palace and Church. interestingly the church tower is seen as the Linlithgow land mark , with many thinking its the palace.

 What will you overcome today?
 

Have you...

Completed the small questionnaire?
Have you asked some one else to do likewise? go on.

Stop hiding in the rushhes and help me ...

Windows 10 update

Details of Windows 10 updates coming soon- to be issued on Monday. Come back and check whats in store next week.

Hy vans

Spent some time in Linlithgow this week and came across this snack bar. have you noticed they are popular as eating places on wheels. Citroens (Hy van) are commanding good prices.

Classic French vans  Is a good example of what can be done. or also here HY vans.

The Money Statistics July 2018...another month goes by.

Striking numbers  £4.21: The average UK household spend on gas, water and electricity a day. 96: The average use of cash machines per second in the UK. £46m: The fall in Public Sector Net Debt per day in 2018. 125%: The average rent in London compared to the rest of England (2 bed). £122m: The increase in net lending to individuals a day. 230: The fall in unemployment a day. 18.24%: The average interest rate on a credit card bearing interest. £64.40: The average price of 50 litres of unleaded petrol. 0.3%: The real terms increase in regular pay on last month.

For all the recent details visit, the money charity.

Views of Ayr trip

Some pictures from recent trip to Ayr.

For some time I have been concerned for the fellowship and communion of Christians in the Highlands. I have lived in Ross shire Sutherland and Caithness and have felt there is a need for some local regional coordination be it electronic or physical to link up Christians for support, prayer and discussion. I believe this would be for those who are like minded and can tolerate others in different denominations or theologies. The recent questionnaire is to gauge this need for those in the Highlands and the results may help plot out a work. I would value your input in the questionnaire and separately.

As I said last week its too early to say what is done to support the work but already I am seeing clear needs for example the daily devotion or questions to consider during the day.

At some point it would be good to clarify any requirements. 

Quarterly rallies? Daily thought for the day, Questions to consider? Local buddies for prayer... Local small worship sessions.

Keep coming back. Subscribe and share please.

Over 30 folks... want to follow, at Rosskeen- 1742

A bit of Sunday reflection and consider the"awakening" some years ago if you go to my previous post on awakening you  will find out a bit more about historic changes in the community.

Come back and consider:
What signs are there of people looking for faith?
What is in my church or community to encourage faith?
Where are the hindrances?
Am I the blockage to an "awakening" ? 

For a community to be revived some would save certain conditions are required or helpful. What are these conditions?

When an awaking took place in the past in the islands, Rev Kenneth Macrae had strict tests to affirm it was a work of God and not just some minor hysteria.

He as well as other denominations would hear reports at there centres of works in communities. ( Free church, Church of Scotland, Scottish Baptist Union etc.)

By 1939 a wide revival work was present in lewis. At the Free Church Assembly he( Kenneth Macrae) recorded “evidences... that the Lord is effectively working in the hearts of men”.

There was concern over certain phenomena. At Point meetings were reverent and with solemnity. There was elements of excitement and hysteria. Yet clear evidence of lasting conversions.

By 1938 the phenomena of swooning, of out cries, of temporary paralysis of limbs and muscular spasms or jerks drew much attention. The press searched for stories. People would collapse, others rise together, some weep or call in Gaelic on their relatives. Some lost all power to their limbs and would be carried to other rooms to recover. These things caused controversy. Some ministers affirmed the physical effects as God's. In their thinking All the phenomena was linked to revival. Others were concerned how the media were presenting the situation.

MacRae spoke at one meeting of the Free Church Stornoway on the:

Unusual features of the present religious movement in lewis.

He was convinced there was a revival in Lewis and a work of God. But he wanted people to consider some of the peculiar features of it.

In particular MacRae wished the meeting to consider that in Park... convulsive fits.

Grimshader ...trembling or tremors...with crying.

At point and Shader ...trances and women praying and exhorting ( ...and a good deal of disorder). He noted further:

• Those or some could not give an explanation to what was happening. Rather than looking for the work of the Holy Spirit people were disappointed if there was no manifestations.
• Secondly MacRae saw a sense of superior order of Christians taking hold with those who had experienced some of the manifestations.
• He felt that matters might lead to unscriptural extravagances.
  
  

He also talked and reported on other happenings in the country, quoting Kilsyth and Cambuslang.

He concluded that the manifestations were neither good or evil but hysteria.

He quoted the medical observations for hysteria.

• Highly strung people mainly young women
• Infectious
• Associated with convulsions tremors and trances
• Attacks are always in an audience never alone.
• Those effected say they could not help themselves.
• If wanted to those effected could have controlled themselves.
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Consciousness not lost.

MacRae was concluding that mass hysteria was happening in Lewis and his concern was separating it from the work of the Holy Spirit.

Hi did specifically acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit at that time.

Quoting the action of McChenye from Dundee. He was supporting the need to have religious meetings closed by 11.00 pm. “Lest Good be evil spoken”.

It is clear from MacRae there is a need to discern what is of God and a work of the Holy Spirit and what is not. While he saw the Lewis revival as of God, not all was his making. It is easy to be tricked in times of revival to assume all phenomena are in connection with the spirit of God, and to question it is to hinder that Revival. There is a more discerning Church today- but a good warning nevertheless.

There have been many Scottish revivals and in particular in the 19^th century the country had “breakouts” in different parts. Alexander Macrae tells us that almost all revivals have been started by lay preachers. He has also noted that some if not all revivals have started when someone talked about a previous revival. The retelling of past works has inspired and moved the hearts of others. Whilst we would acknowledge that a Blessing of God transforms a meeting which can continue into revival, it is when people “work at it” with a sense of urgency and expectation that we see results in terms of a deepening of faith across communities. The work of the Haldanes is a good example of this. The North East coast revival in 1921 shows the spread and catalytic effect from a work. it started in Norfolk in 1921 and spread to Caithness Scotland the the travelling movement of the fishermen.

Now go back and ask the questions at the begining of this post again and reflect.

Caithness work -on this blog 

Alexander Macrae, Revivals in the Highlands and Islands, 1998

 

Kenneth MacRae, Diary of Kenneth MacRae

revivals  Scotland wiki

Extreme Teaming

Amy C Edmondson and Jean Francois Harvey have a book on lessons in complex and cross-sector leadership named Extreme Teaming.

You have probably heard of the manager who hires people who are like him which makes life simple but means there will be gaps in skills and a lack of challenge. this book takes this further and suggests you go outside your organisation to have your team enlarged by people who are not on the payroll. Their insight might be valuable.

Extreme teaming was used in the successful  mining rescue in Chile 2010.
If you are looking for a refresher or some new ways to have an effective team this book might just help. Published 2017.