Golspie gardens...2000 Biblical

2000 Biblical Garden
A couple of weeks ago we headed to Golspie and had a look around the Biblical Garden. I came across plants I had never seen before. Some strange plants and herbs.




September is well upon us and the garden will now start its downward trend as plants start the hibernating for the winter.

The seasons, certainly in my mind, help to change the outlook visually. The bright spring the colourful summer the golden "fall".
I wonder how many actually visit the 2000 Biblical Garden in Golspie. Is Golspie still a village /town that could expand? It has a golf course a shore line a promenade.




I seem to be drawn to old tractors for some reason. There are so many in the north in all corners. Rogart has its fair share of heritage vehicles.

Duff continued 2

The Church of Scotland's first appointed missionary to India was Alexander Duff (1806-1878). Born in Moulin in Perthshire his academic career was at St Andrews. He carried off the top honour for Greek Latin. Logic and moral philosophy. He also gained the essay prize for best translation into Latin of Plato "” Apology to Socrates". He was indeed a excellent scholar. He was indebted to the encouragement of Dr Thomas Chalmers who took up the post of professor of moral philosophy in 1823. It was Chalmers, the most prominent evangelical in Scotland who later became a national leader that inspired Duff in to the mission and its work in the church. It was Doctor Ferrie of St Andrews who proposed Duff as the first missionary of the Church of Scotland in Calcutta. Duff felt at this time in 1829 ready to be sent to India. Before departing for India he was married to Anne Scott Drysdale (July 1829) and ordained on the 12 August of that year. Next month Duff and his new wife boarded the Lady Holland at Leith for London and on route the trials started with a ship wreck off Cape Town with no loss of life. They continued later on the Moira which also had difficulties after a cyclone, which left them all having to wade, to shore through the undignified mud of India.
At a little over 24 and two narrow escapes not to mention the many dangerous escapes as a youth Duff was obviously being preserved to carry out the mission work. Duff the educationalist went on to attract the attention of many including the governor of the East India company and indeed Gladstone. He was the founder of the University of Calcutta. It is unfortunate that his efforts on education and mission have been neglected in the last 100 years. He had several travels back to Scotland and it is noted that in1839 he raised the foreign giving for mission from £1200 to £ 7,538.
On one return to Scotland Duff found himself on the middle of the debate that would grow into the Disruption. In early 1843 he was still silent on how he would act in respect to his loyalty to the mission, church and conscience. He in due time sided with the Free Church and was instrumental in raising the first endowment and to become the first professor of the Free Church College Edinburgh of Mission and Education.
In 1871 Lord Shaftesbury wrote to Duff asking if his name could be added to the list of vice-presidents of the Bible society. Duff was highly honoured and accepted. His life had been a life of many seasons in Scotland in India, married and widowed early. He also advocated the mission work outside of Scotland.
It is unfortunate that Alexander Duffs contribution to the church, abroad has not been greatly recognised. At his death the tributes showed what a godly man he was- Gladstone acknowledged his intelligence energy devotion and spirituality and likened him to William Carey.

Dingwall Baptist Church

Dingwall Baptist Church ...well their building to be accurate!
A Non-Presbyterian Evangelical Church in the Highlands.

Mission for Scotland from Scotland ... the start

Scotland's mission awareness started in 1790 but was developed greatly during the 19th century. That century was dominated by the Westminster Confession and its emphasis on the doctrine of election by the Moderates. It was the preaching of the evangelicals towards conversions that accelerated mission. As far away as New Zealand and the American Indians people heard of the God who had provided Jesus Christ as the Redeemer. There was also a need to tackle the Paganism in the African and Indian countries. When Missionary Societies were formed during this period they initially got a poor reception in Scotland.

In 1804 the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed and in 1805 the Glasgow Bible Society followed in 1807 by Port Glasgow and Greenock. It was in 1809 that the Scottish Bible Society was formed by founding Church of Scotland ministers in Edinburgh. During that same year the Edinburgh Bible Society was instigated by minority churches. Missionary Society work was focussed in countries less hostile like Jamaica. Workers were paid little living expenses and encouraged to stay “single to save on costs!
It is only as we look back from our perspective that we see Britain's enthusiasm in mission and concern for the lost and its contradiction in encouraging slavery. Many names go down in history as forerunners in the spreading of the Gospel abroad, Livingstone, Slesser, Moffat, Mitchell, Savalle, and Duff. Duff requires specific mention.

Alexander Duff

Steve Irwin gone ....!

Sorry to hear of Steve's death. The man who wrestled with crocks is ironically killed by a fish. What he did have was tenacity for life, took plenty of risks.....but was extremely safety minded.

Burgh /Anti-burgh

Burgh /Anti-burgh
In 1745 the seceders started to debate whether the burgess oath might be legitimate.
The oath was an acknowledgement of the true religion professed with in its realm. By 1747 they had split into burgh (for the oath) and anti-burgher. The anti burghers took the burghers to the church bar, and when they were never turning up they were in turn deposed and ex-communicated. In 1795 a large problem came to a head over subscription to the Westminster Confession.

Westminster Confession
While most independent churches would avoid confessions, creeds or formal documents as to the basis for constituting a church within the Church of Scotland and future Presbyterian splits leaders over the years struggled with the need of a defending statement that would stand the test of time and accommodate modern change yet not dilute the basis of the church and the truth. An "Athenian Creed" was offered by John Witherspoon to stop the easy-going way of the moderates in the church. This document had a feel of Deism and this may have annoyed the moderates (Deism- God created the earth but does not intervene in the course of nature and human affairs.), especially when Deism does not recognise miracles. The moderates were unable to write a distinct theology because they were bound by the Westminster confession (They could not publicly denounce it).

In 1766 Alexander Ferguson of Kilwinning in a "Scots magazine" article maintained that no church had a right to impose a detailed confession except in so far as it could be justified by scripture. Subscription to the confession therefore, at that time, must be made not that it is absolutely true but only in as far as it is scriptural.

Ferguson was making steps for a more liberal theology but with important grounded Christian doctrine. This was a step more spiritual than parliament had anticipated. It had enacted the confession only for a test of Presbyterian conformity. Twenty years later Dr William Gill took the process further by using fresh language to highlight doctrine in "A practical essay on the death of Christ".

The outcome was a polarisation of Moderates on the one hand teaching tolerance and good conduct as needful more than precise theology- all this as the age of Enlightenment dawned.
The rest supported by David Hume who saw the Moderates theology as weak and dependent on miracles. Hume was from a classical education and relied on those classics as his basis for thought. Although brought up in the same geographical area of Edinburgh as Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine, Hume, was from a different outlook of intellect no miracles and of the world of new thought. In his “Treatise of Human Nature” he set out a philosophy -which ends up at a dead end, in as much as he had no positive conclusion apart from nothing really changes.

Auchterarder creed
At a time when the church was suspicious of the Westminster confession, most likely concerning the thought that this confession might contain heretical thoughts, members of the presbytery of Auchterarder, created a question and answer system for a new student of the ministry. The statement put to him was " It is not sound and orthodox to teach that we must forsake sin, in order to our coming of Christ, and instating us in covenant with God." The probationary young student failed to see that what was meant, in disguise was Christ died to save sinful men. The student appealed to the Assembly who upheld his case condemning the presbytery for its "Auchterarder creed" which evidently caused confusion.

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.

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

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.

Lord Thank you for the skills I have help me to be creative to create things for your glory.
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

Morning rise 6.33 a m Thursday

Rogart today .... need I say more

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?

Colours at that the garden gate

How not to take a photograph!















With your shadow in the picture tut! tut!

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.

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

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.

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."

Clan Gathering 2006 St Andrews

Anybody had feedback from Clan Gathering in St Andrews or New Wine down south?

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

Glas some say Glass

!"Never heard of Glas"


John Glas (1696-1773) of Auchtermuchty 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. 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 a new 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".
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.
Robert Sandeman who's family business based in Perth was bleachers of fabrics, (1718-1771) 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 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 Balchrstie mid point to their parishes to discuss the content. David Dale did likewise and set up a chapel of ease which in 1769 became an independent church with dale as one of the elders. Both these connections became known as Old Scots Independents- small, and sharing Glasite ideas of Church life and practice.

Touring photos

Bethnal Green East London this week.

Just back from the city and missed the trouble with the delayed flights due to heightened security alerts.
It would be easy to think of life purely in the Highland state ! As I walked along Bethnal Green this week, I was trying to consider how does the Church meet the varied culture of Bethnal Green?

It has an history of Christian witness over many years to an area recognised as having needs.

Where does one start to gossip the gospel to several societies in the one location?

3

3 How should a church call its workers?

from within?
or from where the skills gifts are found?

(workers being more than the minister etc.)


Emergent Church

2

2 Is the Scottish Baptist principle of consensus in the business meeting a drop out for poor leadership?



Emergent church

The emergent and associated church

No this is not a new church it relates to previous blog messages, which need to be broken down.

Emergent church

This blog I think splits in to Three question for further discussion.

1- What has the "emerging Church got for Highland Scotland." (bearing in mind definitions might vary. )

and ....

Story ...continues

Richard Cameron was born in Falkland, Fife. After a formal education Cameron took up the post as School Master at his birth village. He moved to the borders for a change in church life as he was having difficulty in speaking out against the system. He was taking on a covenanting conviction and at that time the borders were more sympathetic. John Welch of Irongay got to know Cameron and impressed upon him that he should take up the licence to preach. Despite Cameron's concerns as to becoming a root of bitterness in the camp he was indeed licensed. He never lacked for a crowd to which to preach, and his best sermons were open air communions, the first of which was at Maybole, Ayrshire. He became troubled with the difficulty in what, he wished to preach, and what was acceptable and for a time, moved to Holland.
In Holland the Scots Kirk would have been a little haven for him. As he preached to the folk gathered there, giving him recognition and to this end McWard gave him an additional charge of sorting out the decline in the standard of gospel presentation in Scotland.
After Donald Cargill wrote the Queensferry paper, a new covenant based and similar to the Rutherglen declaration Cameron compiled the Sanquhar declaration. While his father was in jail in Fife for a godly cause Cameron found himself at loggerheads with the King's army. 21st June 1769 was the Battle of Bothwell Bridge and in June 1680 he prophesied that actions to follow would shake the throne of Britain. Eight years later as he stood fearless in battle, it was fulfilled. He stood for a Godly nation, Protestant and Presbyterian. At Ayrsmoss on the bleak moors Cameron and his followers stood against the King's army as predicted 8 years earlier.
After the Battle the Armed Forces took his severed hands and head to Edinburgh. An observer in Edinburgh noted "these are the hands and head of one that lived praying and preaching and died praying and fighting." Cameron had renewed the determination for those in the struggle of open faith.

Emergent stuff

"under the Mound so to speak..."

Man made meets creation with out a medium.

All this emergent stuff is good for the old brain. Now then did you know that the old Struie Road that joins the A9 at Alness used to emerge at the castle, top of Tullich Street Dingwall.

Emergent or not what are the signs of a passionate church?


And In the Book the Passionate Church There is a comment about " poles" (see previously).


Extroverts and introvert?

But the poles are not this but Pioneers and Settlers.


Pioneers - apostles, prophets and evangelists

Settlers - pastors and teachers

Who relates to this then ?

Lettie update 3

N0 update for this at present.

The emerging church

Thanks for all the viewings and comments.

I will try and keep replying as soon as possible.

The story... continues

Counter Reformation

During the middle of the 16 Century the church based in Rome sought to reunite the church. Pope Paul III continued to use of the Inquisition. It had been successful in closing Italian protestant growth.
With the Catholic counter reformation started the zeal for revival missionary work was taking a fresh hold and in particular in Spain. From the council of Trent Roman reforms were starting but not as fast or as much as the church on the ground wanted. With the Pope endorsing public interpretation of scripture, bishops preaching, and teaching taking place in parishes these were good signs of an establishing revolution by the new pope Paul IV. Dominicans and Franciscans eagerly shaped the work. But in Scotland by 1557 the first covenants (bonds) were signed by several earls and lords which declared their intention to overthrow the Roman Church.

One person who shaped Scottish Presbyterianism more than John Knox was Andrew Melville (1545-1622). After study at St Andrew's and Geneva Melville returned to Scotland in 1574 on the request of the bishop of Glasgow. As a “Charismatic” teacher who made Glasgow a city of learning , he also influenced the seats of learning in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. He for a time lectured in Oxford and Cambridge (1584) whilst he had fled from king James VI's Earl of Arran who wanted to imprison him. Melville was rector of St Andrew's between 1590-1597.

Renovare August news is available at the website.

Renovare newsletter.

Diamond or square

Is this a diamond window or am I just looking at things the wrong way. whats your perspective.

The person who saw from the side an half eaten apple ask two people what they saw.
One said an eaten apple.
The other said a whole apple.
?

History of Stirling Baptist Church

H, sent me a copy of the "Standing on the Rock"

A History of Stirling Baptist Church 1805 2005. This book is by Brian R Tolbot. Unfortunately I am unaware of any outlets stocking it for resale.

Having not completed it yet, I reserve judgment but what I have skimmed looks great and informative.

I am grateful to the increse in traffic to this blog. keep coming back for more related stuff.

Embo last weekend

Another lovely garden, this time in Embo.

Gone fishing... Helmsdale

I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men fishers of Men...so the chorus goes.

Lovely lobster creels at Helmsdale.

Now then how do we fish for men?

Is it to their intellect, is it to show their strength/weakness. Is to show a leader worth following. Do we appeal to something.

"I will make you fishers of men" said Jesus. What was that method and process. Can it be carried out today in this culture. Is the same basis still there?

Is there anyone still fishing?
How do you fish?
What bait are you using?
Which fish do you like to fish?
Have you caught anything lately?

The Church emerging re-forming

Church emergent

emerging church


For the lazy.....

Christianity today article with lots of side pages and info

Oh, and not necessarily my views.

Lairg in the sun..Emergent church

Lairg in the sun ...


The future of the church including in Scotland will be heavily influenced by the "emergent church", whose growth is substantial in America.

It would be good if viewers could check out the writing of Richard Foster and Dallas Willard who are indirectly quoted as linked to this emergent church. It is no doubt because they hope for a community that is God centered and not overly religious for the sake of being religious.

Mark your diary today for looking back in the future the emergent church is on its way. Are you tempted to find out with a google search?

Rosskeen Free Church Ross shire

What a lovely building on the A9 in Ross shire. Every time I pass it I admire it. This was taken on the move through the car windscreen!

Rosskeen parish has a deep heritage of Christian witness over the years.

Answer

Well in 1751 there was an act of the Scottish Parliament to remove 11 days from September 1762 to have the Christian calendar in line with the planets due to the irregular circulation of the earth and the planets around the sun. (that's why we have leap years)

So in September 1752 the dates went 11,12,24,25!
Well done Margaret. Got it in about two hours.

Big question for you ?

You have a few days to ponder and research .

What was special about September 13 to 23 1752 in Scotland?

Good one for the historians?

No clues to leap onto.

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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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...