Today has been a very busy day at St Andrew’s Bo’ness. Our problem is that there is not enough space to do the things we need to do. This morning was a good example. The Toddlers group was in at 10.00am as was the Midweek Service. Tea and coffee was served in the lounge area and then it was the Prayer Group’s turn to leave the church  where they normally pray and pray in the front office while any office staff retired to join the others in the office  vestibule.  It was all swings and roundabouts. Then it was a visit from Lloyds TSB Foundation followed by a funeral in the early afternoon.In the midst of all this we still had a little time left to have some fun. A big thank you to all who work at the church . Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated. We really  need that new building. Plans are a foot and we can’t wait to see the finished architectural study that has been commissioned.So tell me what you think of the new look, I’m sure you can see that I’m truly colour co-ordinated.

 Yes we’ve just sold our 100th tent. This means that we are beginning to make headway in achieving our target of  10,000 people to attend the National Gathering at Ingliston 3-4 May 2008. The word is starting to get out around the churches and I’m hearing every day about another congregation that has decided to buy a tent or rent a bus to bring a group from their church to be represented. Thinking about The National  Gathering  today reminded me of a song I recorded a few years back called, ” The Gathering Time”. We wrote it with the  image of the recruiting sargent, riding into a town or a village and inviting young men to sign up for the cause. If you took the King’s shilling, that was you . You had entered into a contract to fight in his army. the contract usually lasted about seven years.Today the CWW has its own recruiting team all over the country inviting congregations to sign up and be part of something that will make an impact on our nation. I’ll tell you more about “The  National Gathering” over the next few days. meanwhile have a listen to “The Gathering Time “ 

  Just wanted to say how much i enjoyed listening to “Wee See Lights” at Henry’s Bar last night. The band have  a great collection of songs. I think the song that Stephen sang last night was my favourite. It was entitled “Compromises” Its just a beautiful study on the subject. How easy it is for all of us to make compromises instead of standing up for the things we believe in. I think we lose our faith a little bit at a time. Then we waken up one morning and discover we’ve lost the most important thing in our lives the freedom to believe. Which brings me to another song Stephen sang called “Shy”, what a delightful song this is. Its all about that young boy who is just not confident. That boy that is some easily put down, that boy that has so much to offer but no one wants to give him a chance. You know,that boy who wants to fly but hasn’t the confidence. The boy  who thinks everyone is better than him. The boy who thinks he’s ugly. The kid who hides away, that laddie who can’t see what other can see. So this is a great wee song. And I’m glad that “We See Lights”knows this wee shy guy.    

Well I’m touched that a number of you guys who read my blog regularly are having withdrawal symptoms because italker has not been posting. The truth is I’ve got a lot on at the moment. I’m in the middle of writing the CWW Report for the General Assembly.  Taking up the challenge of being set free from parish duties for the next three months to allow me to head up the team that is working hard on delivering the amazing  National Gathering is an exciting and daunting prospect. so no doubt I’ll be sharing a few stories over the next few months. Meanwhile make sure you book your tickets for Ingliston, better still organise a bus party and bring the whole congregation.  Anyway I’m signing off tonight after having a most enjoyable evening listening to Stephen’s band “We See Lights”. they were playing in Henry’s Bar  in Morrison Street Edinburgh. Believe me when i tell you they are worth going to hear. i’ll see if i can get some pics of Rae tomorrow and I”ll load them up on the blog. Honest I’m back.

Well, iTalker is back after being silent for a couple of weeks. Life has been pretty hectic trying to catch up with the work of the parish, after the trip to Peru. Some things have got to go or take a back seat  in order to make sure the essential things are completed. I guess the blog falls into that category. Now its not that you guys who read this are not important, its just that some things have to take that higher priority.

Anyway I’m trying something different this week. So here is a sneak preview for those who read the blog.  I thought it might be an idea to put together a wee clip that promotes the services on a Sunday. I suppose a bit like a film trailer. So here is what Rae and myself have come up with. I’ve entitled the next lot of sermons “Seeing is believing” even the sermons in the morning on “Forgiveness”.  I believe as people see things in action they begin to believe the truth and reality of the teaching.