Well, few can easily see God’s kingdom in Britain’s dysfunctional society today. Yet, who can be in doubt that such a vista would be enormously attractive to so many who are unsettled by a world they know longer understand nor are certain of? Who amongst Christians can deny our imperative is to bring Christ in the flesh to those very same people? And we do that best when we remember Jesus’ way to illuminating the ‘promised land’. Let us then this autumn dedicate ourselves to working together to re-enforce the links of our Church family. Let everyone offer all their time and talents to taking a message of hope out the hopeless. Above all, may each and every one of us put our shoulder to the boulders that stop people coming to worship; since it is there alone they and we will glimpse both King and Kingdom in an new hope-filling light

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See you there

As the year draws on, it seems that the summer holidays were long past! However, of the many visits we made, one particularly sticks in my mind. It was to Durham Cathedral. Now to get to his ancient place of worship, you must first navigate the modern streets of the city followed by narrow hilly ones adorned with Victorian shops. However, the climb and the crowds are worth it. For, not only does one of the finest Cathedrals in these Isles await you, so does a friendly welcome. Since, on entering you are greeted by volunteer vergers obviously keen to inform you of their church, ancient and modern. But also, I noticed various clergymen sitting in quiet corners of the building beside notices telling you they are there to listen to those in need.

Well, there are many around us today carrying a burden of troubles. And so, we could all draw a lesson from the ‘seat of the Prince Archbishops’. In particular, let us always welcome those who are strangers and offer them, without judgement, a listening Christian ear. Because, it is then we turn our houses, streets and church into seats of the Prince of all Princes – the holy man who always welcomes and always listens – the ‘living Cathedral’ of peace ancient and modern.

With every blessing

Dear Friends

It came as a huge shock to think it was 40 years ago that humans first landed on the moon. I was working in a hotel during my school holidays when the first grainy and blurred images appeared. Yet despite how antiquated its technology is today, the whole project still seems to be part of the future rather than the past. In other words, what we witnessed from back then is but a taster of what one day may be commonplace and unremarkable.

Well, many you hear say, ‘I don’t believe the Bible because it tells us of Christ’s miracles and I see no sign of them now’. But these wonders are just the same as those intrepid men in that flying machine. Since Jesus’ miracles are, in a way, part of the future. Because they give a glimpse of what the Kingdom will be like when it is here in full glory. In fact, Jesus’ miracle events are windows upon the perfect world that will one day be joyfully commonplace.

However, in the meantime we must not forget that real miracles are still being performed by Christ through his followers. The sort of marvellous wonders we too can all aspire to achieve with very little effort. For, as Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminded this year’s General Assembly – with a mere fraction of the West’s wealth, we could easily ensure no one on the planet goes to bed hungry or without a home and healthcare.

So if humankind, 40 years ago, can achieve the mammoth undertaking of landing on the moon, how can we not perform a lesser miracle today?  And, in the process, our assured success will also give the sceptical and ourselves a glimpse of the Kingdom coming.

With every blessing this harvest time

Graham

Dear friends,

As I prepare for our forthcoming New Communicants Class, I can’t help thinking back to my own preparations to join the Church. I attended a series of afternoon meetings in the Chaplaincy of Glasgow University with its then Chaplain - the redoubtable Reverend Ritchie. And much of his guidance I remember quite clearly. Such as he stated we all should be diligent with our daily Bible study. Advice that is not always easy to keep up particularly after a difficult day or when not feeling 100 percent. That’s why my curiosity was aroused when this year’s Moderator of the General Assembly chose to be given a copy of ‘The Message’ as his traditional gift from the Scottish Bible Society. So when I found myself browsing in the bookstall in one of the Assembly Rooms I couldn’t resist picking it of the shelf. Now I have to say I am not a great fan of some modern translations. Yet, this translation somehow presented familiar words in a fresh and highly engaging way. So much so I bought it without hesitation. Later that evening, I found myself reading whole chunks at a time of the New Testament rather than mulling over short passages. Take its rendition of the Lord’s Prayer as an example:

Father, reveal who you are,

Set the world right,

Keep us alive with three square meals,

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others,

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

And this brings me to another bit of Mr Ritchie’s advice. He said, from time to time, we should read a whole gospel at one sitting rather as we would a chapter of a novel. Well here is sage wisdom no matter which Bible version we prefer. For the occasional rapid reading of Jesus’ whole life, gives us again the spark of excitement we experienced that first time we encountered the Word of God. Let us then this summer resolve to take an hour out and reread one gospel with all the enthusiasm, openness and expectation we once had and may have lost a while. Because then we could well become refreshed and ‘recycled’ communicants!

With every blessing this summer and always,

Graham

Dear Friends

Just recently, I have been reading Sir Jackie Stewart’s autobiography. Now many celebrities put their name to fairly bland volumes probably penned by ghost writers. But this is certainly not the case for this famous racing driver from Dumbarton. Since, even in his memoirs early chapters, he makes quite clear he has something to say. Not least on his own disability which is dyslexia. But he then goes on to tells us what he considers forms the character of the truly great - be it an elite sportsman or woman, a captain of industry or world class politician. And he does so by quoting his old shooting coach who said to him when, after much national success in the sport, he had to face real failure:

‘stay calm, don’t get distracted by the temptations of the good times. Instead stay firmly focussed on the basic elements of the challenge, keep you head down and get on with it’.

Well recently we looked at how the church had to rebuild itself time after time in the dark and middle ages. And on each occasion, the advice that Jackie received was also the approach that the Christian Church took to move on and remain relevant in ordinary people’s lives. This was never truer than for the ‘church rebuilder’ who featured in the last sermon – Saint Francis of Assisi. Because, it was he who saw the need to express the gospel relevantly in the newly expanding cities. As a result he and his companions went out to where people were spiritually, materially and geographically. He went out to engage with the big issues and challenges that affected those who had lost faith. In fact, he went even to the worst places to tell in contemporary language of the love of Christ and His invitation to enjoy his glory.

Well today many feel that the Church is a well run hat shop in an era when people don’t wear hats. Put bleakly – it is irrelevant. But if we apply Jackie Stewart’s advice in our pursuit of Saint Francis’ strategy, we will not only rebuild the Church in the hearts of many, we will also encourage them not to wear a hat but an eternal crown instead. And what is more relevant than that!

With every blessing

Graham

Dear Friends

I heard recently of an elderly lady who was very fond of her garden. In general, she could keep it the way she wanted. But from time to time, she enlisted the help of a young gardener friend. Then one day she decided to plant a new shrub in the back garden. She started off well enough but then the task got more taxing. Suddenly, the work got too much for her not least because of the strong wind now blowing. She wished for an extra pair of hands with all her heart. Then unexpectedly she heard a voice behind her – ‘Hello, I had a feeling you were going to need me today’. It was Joe the gardener. Without further ado he picked up a spade and completed easily the work in hand. Later over a cup of tea, she confided that she was mightily glad that Joe had turned up – ‘ a true friend is someone who comes in adversity without invitation’.

And there is the message for a post-Easter world. For if we look around we see many who are ‘soldiering on’, making do  and just keeping going. Maybe you feel the same way under some unspoken of burden. Yet the great news of Christ risen is that we always have a willing friend. Now sometimes we don’t see that friend around and sometimes we are not around for that friend. But in our adversity or just when the task seems too big for us, he comes around the corner without invitation and says - I had a feeling you might need me today. All we then need do is let him help without further ado.  For, as Elizabeth Gozney writes:

Lone no longer, now the journey,

Going, forth into the night;

God sends faith to walk beside you,

Leads you with His guiding light…

With every blessing

Graham

Richard Dennis in his book ‘Over my dead body’ tells the story of a man who visited a church. He parked his car and started toward the front entrance. Another car pulled up and the irritated driver said to him, “I always park there. You took my place!”

The visitor went inside and found an adult class. So he sat down. A class member said, “That’s my seat! You took my place!” The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After the Bible meeting, our visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down in an empty pew. Within moments another member walked up and said, “That’s where I always sit. You took my place!” The visitor was troubled, but said nothing. Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to be present with them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and cried out, “What happened to you?” The visitor replied, “I took your place.”

 
Richard Dennis’ story then reminds us that Jesus Christ crossed the greatest barrier ever so that we don’t have too! Leaving us all asking - what’s wrong in our taking a leap of faith in a world full of walls. What is wrong in our demolishing a few obstacles in places needing bridges built! In all honest, what is wrong in our seeing it all Christ’s way in our own a barrier confrontation!

Dear friends,

My mother, as most of you know, was a life long teacher. And it was therefore with a definite tongue in her cheek she used to quip – those that do will do but those who cannot – teach! However, any form of teaching focuses the mind and always brings a greater understanding of the subject in hand.

Well this week of my writing, the Grove Academy chaplains, have been giving a multimedia presentation on Easter to the school’s pupils. And this has caused me to really think through the meaning of our Lord’s passion and resurrection.

But that is not a bad mental process for everyone at this time of year. For, of course, the events of Holy Week were at the pivot point of all human history. However, our own interpretation of them also goes to the very foundation of what we each believe and what our personal faith is built upon.

Because in them is the meaning of our forgiveness for failure and worse. In them, is the certainty that what we see is not all that we get. And, in them, is the explanation of how after that first Easter the world was changed forever.  Yet these events also extend an invitation to us as well. The invitation that says – you have been bought at a very dear price – the world has now seen evil defeated – you are reborn to eternal life. Now do something about it! Indeed, go out and teach by your words. Go out and preach by your behaviour. Go out and show your gratitude by playing your part by being the new person within. For Easter always means as Iris Hesselden writes:

Be the person you want to be

The person deep within,

Don’t be afraid to face the world –

Let the future begin!

Hitch your wagon to a star

And follow where it leads

Be strong of purpose, brave in heart,

As every plan succeeds.

Time to be what you want to be

Step forward, take your cue,

The spotlight on, the curtain raised,

The stage is set for you!

Every blessing

 for a restful and worshipful Easter,

Graham