TALKING THE WALK

Here I am just returned from the Assembly having spent the evening at the Moderator’s Reception in the old Parliament Building  just behind St Giles Cathedral.  Its the hall where all the advocates stay on the move as they listen to briefings regarding up and coming court cases.

The room tonight was certainly a buzz with Commissioners talking about all kinds of topics and no doubt some of them were reflecting on the day that has just past. I found it interesting to catch up with one or two old friends and to hear about their families.

As some of our local people here in Bo’ness prepare for the day of Prayer on Saturday, I was reminded that we have a great advocate in our Lord Jesus. He too walks along side us all daily and pleads our cause before his Father and our Father.  So lets take the opportunity those who can to drop into the church and share in the prayer time. Take the opportunity perhaps to write and prayer and stick it on the Tree or interact with some of the other craft ideas.

BOGLE’S PARAPHRASES

Funny thing God the Father sees all the good things you do in secret. One day he is going to spill the beans and give you a reward for all the effort you have put in. Matt. 6.18

Just back from the Assembly . I was at the Moderator’s reception this evening

THE ASSEMBLY COMES TO TOWN

Its all go tomorrow in Edinburgh, as the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland comes to town. I think it is quite an impressive spectacle especially for those commissioners who are facing the experience for the first time. However the Assembly Arrangements committee have been working hard at educating the commissioners. this year along with the Blue Book we also received a DVD which was full of good practical information including a tour round the building  and a message from the Moderator.  For most ministers its a chance to catch up with friends and hear in greater detail about the wide range of work with which the church is involved.

The trouble is that for many this will be a one issue Assembly but the truth is that we cannot allow ourselves to be side tracked into a one issue mentality. However I am not saying that the whole issue of sexuality is unimportant, it clearly isn’t it has massive implications and touches many areas of theology and life.. All I am highlighting is the danger of becoming obsessed with one issue that we don’t see the wood for the trees.

I’m praying that we will all see and hear  and even recognise Jesus when he comes to the Assembly this week. Roland Porchmouth, a famous Church of Scotland Minister once painted a picture of Jesus at the Assembly. I used the picture in a Book of Prayers I wrote over 20 years ago. the thing is the picture says it all. I just wish I had it in colour.

CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS IN DYNAMIC EARTH

I’m looking forward to our Church without Walls party which will take place on Friday evening at Dynamic Earth. To date over 200 people have booked up for the event. If you want to come its free go to www.cwwresources.org.uk and book your place. Its going to be an excellent evening. It will be a chance for people from all over the church who are not commissioners to attend a fringe event of the Assembly and to engage with  the atmosphere that it engenders.

Check this out below a new feature on the blog.

BOGLE”S  SCRIPTURE PARAPHRASE

See if you just calm down you’ll be able to live through all of this safely, and you’ll have a feeling of peace that will be so quiet that you won’t fear evil.  Proverbs 1.33