( This article has been reworked in the light of a comment on the blog.)

Michael Jackson and the Bo’ness Fair - what do they have in common?. Perhaps more than you might think. The fact that he died yesterday on the Bo’ness Fair E’en, will live on in the memory of his many Bo’ness fans who were once children who danced and performed to his music as part of the Fair.

Of course the sad thing is that Jackson rightly or wrongly will always have a suspicion hanging over him when it comes to children. His friends say he was the victim of his own success. Moving from a child star to a teenage pop idol, to a global superstar in the 80s.  All this hero worship  and I believe a very  strict and at time abuse father, had an impact on his life. What ever the truth is, there is a great sadness in the story  of his life , because as I read it, it seems to me, he was a man in search of his lost childhood.  Ask yourself what ever happened to the wee boy in the picture

Jackson’s search for childhood is no different from many of our own longings. Physiologist tell us that we all at different stages in our lives try to be children again. Frank Lake a clinical theologian talks about the child parent role that we all alternate between instead of engaging with the adult we can all become. Too often we play the child to get our own way, or we play the parent often to put another down and win a point.

If only we could turn back the clock.  But we can’t and its dangerous to try.  When we do it often not only affects us but can have ruinous effects on other people. None of us can live in the past, we can learn from it but we have to live in” the now”.

Take for instance scores and scores of mums and dads have been building arches for the Bo’ness Fair. When my children were young  I did it myself. I think it’s quite magical to see a father working on an arch for one of his children, but everything has to be kept in perspective. We  all need to accept  especially in a world where there are increasingly limited resources that the simple can be the most effective.  I always remember the phrase, when it comes to art and music less can mean more .

Jackson’s love for children and his extravagant development of “Neverland” might be likened to the shear extravagance that many feel the Bo’ness Fair shows to children. I find myself alternating between two opinions. Delighted, entertained, and overwhelmed by the shear creativity of this community, and on the other hand left wondering is this the best use of resources?

It is the same challenge I find myself facing as we consider the refurbishment of the church. Should we spend thousands on a building or give it away to make a difference in the lives of the poor, or can we do both?

While saying all this it would be churlish of me not to commend the outstanding contribution that many hard working mums and dads are making to the the Bo’ness Children’s Fair. For them their work is a labour of love to help them engage with their children and the community.

The sad thing is for some  parents the fussing and preparation for the Fair is more about them reliving their own childhood rather than listening to their children. The truth is,  given the option of a huge expensive Fair experience, or the pleasure of Mum or Dad’s company on a daily basis, I know what most children would prefer.  Sometimes we can underplay the significance children attach to the most simple of gifts or actions.

All of us need to examine the motives that lie  behind the activities with which we get involved, be it in church or the community, or at work , especially when it come to our children.

Sadly too often for many of us, and I include myself in this,  the big gestures  in life can be made out of our  guilt complexes rather than our genuine engagement with an issue.  I have come to the conclusion honest involvement always creates the most effective community spirit.

No other town I know of  can match the enthusiasm of this community for a Festival centred around children.  Last year the Fair celebrated its 100th Anniversary. have a look at this clip from Youtube.

For me the challenge is to take the Fair to another level all together. To move from being a little less  inward looking to becoming outward looking. To become an International Children’s Fair.

Highlighting the predicament of so many children around the world who are caught in the trap of slavery and abuse, could be the greatest contribution that the Bo’ness Children’s Fair could make to the lives of children world wide as the fair moves into its second century  of “Fairness” .

I’m certainly encouraged by the response that many of our young people are making to the challenge of injustice and inequity already.  Indeed as a town let’s remember  it was people from our community  who set up the   Vine Trust nearly  25 years ago . Today  it is famous for  taking aid to street children in Peru.

Over the last six years this Trust has built over 5 orphanages,  in various parts of Peru, set up  a Medical Centre, from which two medical ships, now operate out of in the Amazon and the surrounding area. The Trust is also sending over 300 volunteers a year to make this work happen.  Yes there is much good will and good work in our town. It now needs more good people to catch the vision.

There is a sadness I feel as I finish this post.  The Jackson story will never be properly understood, but who ever does try to make sense of it   - one thing is for sure , children and his childhood must feature largely in it. There is little doubt that our childhood has a profound effect on the rest of our lives so lets help the children we know and even don’t know live happy and fulfilled lives as children.

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VINE TRUST
We were at a brilliant Barbecue on Saturday in aid of raising funds for the work of the  Vine Trust This was a real heavy duty barbe! Steaks all round! I believe they were bought at the auction in the Roxburghe Hotel last January. So the meat was put to good use to earn more money for the Trust.

I’d like to say huge thanks to Gordon Stewart and his team of helpers  for putting on an excellent event. Of course the weather helped to make it an outstanding weekend.

Anyway here is a preview of the latest Vine Trust Video. We hope to get copies of this out to all the congregations within the next few weeks. Let me know what you think. If you’d like a copy contact the Vine Trust Office or drop me an email. Yes its another great production from SANCTUS MEDIA LTD

SANCTUS MEDIA

Talking about Sanctus Media, I had quite a creative day today working on the material to fill the new Sanctuary First website. We’re hoping to launch this new venture within the next few months however we need loads of content on the website to attract potential users to return on a daily basis. the theme i chosen for the first month is “Faith and Mystery” I think it is a rich seam to develop over a month. The following four topics with be discussed on a weekly basis.

1. The mystery of God
2. The mystery of Creation
3. The mystery of the Church
4. The mystery of Worship

I’ve made a start on the topic of the Mystery of God. part of the structure is to have a daily prayer based on the weekly topic and daily Bible readings centred around the theme. We hope to offer worshippers the opportunity to comment and reflection the weekly topic. Then one a month everyone will have the opportunity to meet together and share in an event centred around the theme of the month. If anyone feels they’d like to get involved with the creative writing side of this project please get in touch.

BOGLE’S PARAPHRASE

I will give you all the strength you need. I myself will even help you. In fact I will hold you up with my own hands. Isaiah 41.10

ARCHBISHOP TUTU AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Certainly history was in the making yesterday morning as the little frail looking man dressed in purple appeared in the play pen. By the end of his address the general Assembly gave him a standing ovation. ” Turn the wilderness into a garden of wonderful flowers.” He thanked all those who stood with him in the struggle because of them  he said, ” we are free today.”

SPEAKING AND FACING THE TRUTH

Well that’s me back from te General Assembly. It has been a challenging week in many ways for so many people. Someone sent me an email asking me if the church had gagged me. when it comes to my blog.   They were referring to the moritorium that has been placed upon ministers of the Church of Scotland commenting  to the press about the induction of homosexual people into ministerial charges. It is a crude instrument that is being used to try and prevent among other things,  the press from making up ridiculous headlines.  You know the kind that have been around recently.

I think it was one newspaper when reporting  on a report to the General Assembly on the issue of sex offenders attending church ran with a headline to the effect that “Kirk Supports Sex Beasts”  the truth of the report was that the Kirk is seeking to protect children at church from people who may have been involved with sex offenses. In doing so they were laying down procedures that should be followed  by the Church leaders when aware of such a person attending public worship.

I don’t believe the spirit of the moratorium is to prevent ministers speaking about and discussing the issues within the context of genuinely interested inquirers especially within the family of the church and community. It is more to do with preventing ministers from debating over the airwaves things that they might be better discussing face to face in a friendly manner. Certainly congregations will be expected to discuss and send their opinions to the Special Commission that has been set up to look into this matter.

I don’t think it will stop me in the least from contributing to the debate. For while I contend for a “Generous Orthodoxy ” (not my phrase but Brian MacLaren’s the author of a book with this title) , I hope to do so with respect and courtesy for those who see things in a different light. Never the less it would be a poor church that would try to stop a minister of the Gospel speak forth that which God has called him or her to say.  However we are all responsible for our words and the effect that they can have on others.  Let us hold to the counsel of John the beloved disciple and while we may disagree learn to love each other. By the way thank you James Hogg for the photo below. You thought I looked Presidential, personally I think I look as though I’m singing a version of “I did it my way”

BOGLE”S PARAPHRASE

Even if your world collapses all around you. Jesus said “I will never leave you to clear it up on your own” There is nothing too difficult for Him to do. So with great confidence think about this. If you have God as your helper what else do you need. Why would you be afraid of what others might think about you?  Heb 13. 5-6

Heb 13

You know something my spirits were raise this afternoon, the gardener has turned up and cut my grass. Is this a sign of old age?  Or perhaps a sigh of relief that Mrs iTalker will be very very happy. I’m told that in the modern world of home decoration the garden has become an extension of your home. Indeed it is looked upon as another room. It is not enough to have an attractive house inside, your garden has to reflect your personality. Hence the increase in all the gardening centres that have sprung up all over the place since the 1990s. So I thought you might like to see my wonderful garden. The heather has been a particular success it covers up the borders and means there is no need to do weeding. This is the brain child of Mrs iTalker.

All this has got me thinking maybe I have become mad. I bought a garden stove last week. I did so because I’m fed up with these electric paper shredders. I think I’m a jinx when it comes to using them. They always get jammed up and then I spend a good hour trying to free the blades. So I’ve come up with a cunning scheme - the wood burning garden stove. I’m going to use it to burn all my papers. No more shredding for me. It even has a wee grill on it so I might be able to cook a few burgers or sausages on it. Well as you can see the stove is a real burning success. But there is a downside I’m going to have to go for a shower I’m smelling of burning wood. I can see i still have a lot to learn about the use of these little wood burners but as I get more acquainted I’ll keep you up to date. Meanwhile I’m reasonably pleased with my acquisition. I know I’m doing something to environment but you must admit the wee stove looks good even a wee bit sinister? 

Well I’m back in in Scotland after a busy couple of weeks moving around Peru. I was glad that Willie insisted that we get seats at the front of the plane. We arrived late into Amsterdam and just reached the checking in gate for Edinburgh before it closed. I don’t think either of us could have stuck another six hours in an airport. Anyway big thanks to Willie, he was a great travelling companion, we got on well and I believe we managed to move our projects on a little further in Peru. In due course we’ll share some of our future plans. Meanwhile it full steam ahead to sort out our barge project. Talking about home. It was good to catch up with Gordon Reid yesterday. Gordon has just recently retired from his charge in Dunfermline. He did the preaching for me  I knew the flight would get in late on Saturday afternoon. I didn’t want to be preparing a sermon when I got home.

Gordon is an engaging speaker and he picked up on our theme for the day which was walking the road of holiness. Its worth listening to as a download. Go to www.standonline.org.uk. While your there have a look at the Holy Week video. Its worth a look. Jonathan Winkley presents the video really well. Looking at this reminds me of footage we shot a few years ago. If I have time we might use some of it for the Tenebrae Service this coming Saturday Night

Anyway getting back to what I was saying. The biggest challenge was the Sanctuary First Service. I must say we have a brilliant team. Everyone worked so hard and in the end produced a first rate piece of work. if i have any criticism it is this, once again I think it went on a bit too long. However regardless of the time I think the over all concept worked. the palms we got were outstanding.

We commissioned Jamie Stuart, the author of the Glasgow Gospels to do a piece to camera about the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It was a great wee video. I’ll try and get a hold of it and put it up on the blog. The idea or the theme behind the service was this ” Some people just can’t see it” You know what I mean. there are things in life, that you can talk about till your blue in the face and still some people just won’t get it. Where we give up the Easter story tell us that Christ never gives up. However he weeps for those who just can’t see. He weeps over Jerusalem.

We also used a track from U2s new album, “White As Snow” to introduce a meditation written by Maggie Lane while she was in Jerusalem last week. This song reflects the same tune as the Christmas or Advent carol, O Come O Come Emmanuel. U2 have adapted it a bit and written a whole new set of lyrics.

After this we invited the congregation to move to four stations where they could encounter the four Cries for Salvation. The Cries of Creation, the Cries of Humanity, the Cries of the Heart, and the Cries of the Christ. I think we could have perhaps reduced the prayer zones, but i’d be interested to hear other people’s view point on the whole service. One other thing it would be good to hear from all of yiou who have signed up on the lenten Journey I’d love to hear how some of these texts have impacted on your lives. During this week I’ll make a post on the Lenten Journey so that I can hear from all of you. I’ll get Neil to text everyone.

Well I’ve been out of range of WiFi for the past couple of days. This post will serve as my last one from this trip to Peru. I’m sitting in the KLM Business Lounge writing this post. Like all travellers I can’t wait to get home.

Yesterday, was just one of those magical days in your life. We left Paul’s house just after 6.30am to miss the traffic. We were heading for the airport in Lima to take a flight to Cusco. From Cusco we would travel to the Sacred Valley to a town called Urabamba.

We arrived in Urabamba just after lunchtime. The little lodging house we checked into was amazing. Well specked, I’m told it is owned by a priest in Europe, it’s his nest egg for retirement. It was a good place to wash and get freshened up before heading out on a one hour trip to the latest Girasoles Home in the sacred valley. What a magnificent setting.

We picked up a crowd of the boys returning from school. They all climbed into the new minibus. This bus was donated by Greenbank Church Youth Group in Edinburgh. This has proved to be a tremendously useful gift . The fact is that this home is so isolated, without the minibus it is difficult to see how the boys would get about.

We arrive at the home around 3.00pm. What a welcome we received. I’m sure all forty boys run towards the bus shouting their words of welcome. Hector their house father jumps out of the van and introduces Willie and myself and our friend David who has joined us for this trip.

The home sits in what can only be described as a little piece of paradise. The huge mountains in the background and the shining silvery river running behind the home all adds up an amazing idealic setting.

The boys are anxious to show us  round their home to see their rooms. The first thing that strikes you is how tidy their rooms are. Willie comes over to me, “go on, take a picture of this wee boy’s bed, it could make you cry.” Well in this setting the sensitive side of McPherson is revealed as we look at a bunk bed with a wee boys teddy all ready and prepared for sleep. Its actually a little lamb. How wonderful to think that a child that once was on the street can regain something of the innocence and fun connected with childhood. More than this I recall to myself the words of the song.”Wherever I hand my hat that’s my home”

A few minutes later the boys are called for their evening meal. One of the children stands and gives thanks for the food. Then each table is served. Soup was the first course followed by chicken and rice, then jelly and angel delight. The boys didn’t leave a scap. It was great to see forty hungry boys getting tucked in.

After supper the boys had some time to play. David had brought a gift for the boys. A game of Table Tennis. This amuses a large number of the lads. Others had their pockets filled with marbles while others played football. In another area a group were doing homework, while a couple of boys had been detailed for washing up.

I move around the site taking pictures. Then something quite amazing happens. A rainbow appears on the sky just above the home. For me this was a sign a wonderful sign that God was smiling down our efforts.

On this journey we have visited the many varied projects run by Union Biblical and funded by the Vine Trust. It has been great joy to represent all of us in Scotland and beyond who have so faithfully supported the work. Of course I heard about challenges and difficulties but I also met people in Peru who are willing to face these challenges knowing that God is with us. For more pictures check out my picture gallery.

Its the second day in the new year and war seems to be round the corner for the Palastinians and the Israelis. Have a look at this Rueters web page my heart goes out to such people caught up in the middle of years of mistrust and injustice on both sides.

I’m wondering where Tony Blair is in all this? I thought he was the special emissary in the middle east? I haven’t heard his name mentioned once in the news. I wonder of Israel and Hamas are escalating all this because they will find themselves brought round the bargaining table when Barack Obama is sworn in as President of the USA later on this month?

I’m sure if the Palestinian homeland question could be resolved and Israel’s right to exist agreed, we would see a huge shift in the whole relationships between East and West. I often think that we’ve not moved on a great deal over the years. We are still fighting over who own and controls land.

Meanwhile here’s a song from Bono PEACE ON EARTH

I was telling you all how I enjoyed Christmas. i was especially impressed by the latest ministry that is being developed out of the church. the Puppet People.  thanks to Hugh O’Brien and his inspiration earlier on this year we now have our very own little puppet ministry.  I think they did a brillant job of Christmas Day have a look and tell me what you think? Puppet People So I’m now looking forward to the next presentation. I’m hoping we’ll be able to use this group to make the children’s address come to life on a Sunday.

SANCTUARY FIRST

Believe it or not this Sunday evening we’ll be putting on the Sanctuary First service. The theme this month is “A WAKE UP CALL” the service is going to be based around the passage in Revelation 3. This is the letter to the church at Sardis.  This community finds itself being rebuked because it is something its not. I always think this is such a challenge to all of us who try to keep the church relevant. We need to be careful that we are not simply promoting programmes to look busy rather than being engaged with effective ministry. Here is the opening part of the liturgy. Its meant to cause you to think. I’m posting it as a kind of trailer, perhaps to coax you to come along or at least loh=g in on the net next Sunday at 7.00pm

“Music playing to reflect  imminent danger. On the screen the clock is ticking. There is an interplay between the world on the screen and the ticking clock. Finally the music stops and all that is heard is the ticking of the clock.  Then  suddenly an alarm breaks the silence!”

A WAKE UP CALL

Narrator Speaks
We’re on the edge of disaster .
We’re facing economic, ecological, spiritual and moral bankruptcy.
We watch on like people in a dream.
We’re asleep.
We’re snoring
Ignoring
The clock ticking
We only have one life
And we sleep through it
And we gamble with it
Like poker players in a game
We each hold a hand
We throw away the best cards
In search of the charmed suit
Only to find we hold a busted Flush

But we dream on

This post is going to be all about lights at Christmas. Its truly wonderful how a candle can light up the darkness. I know it sounds like stating the obvious but to me it is always full of wonder. I think to myself so where did the darkness go? Of course its still there but the light has brought another dimension so that your eyes see things that otherwise would be hidden. Every Christmas there is always something or someone I see in a new light.

WE SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Last night I wa at the Dockers Welfare Social Club to listen to the Songwriters Christmas Song Competition. It was a great night organised by Stephen of “We See Lights“. It was great to hear a load of new Christmas songs. If you want to hear what some of them sounded like click here

CHRISTMAS LABYRINTH

I think the labrynth at St Andrew’s Parish Church Bo’ness is one of the most spectacular Christmas Light experiences you will ever come across. It was written by Maggie Lane who was our probationer minister during Christmas 2006.  A team of people still run with it and have created quite a wonderful Christmas encounter. It was designed to encourage us to make a journey to follow the star like the wise men of old to find the child i the manger who is the Saviour of the world.

there will be different stations for you to stop at on the journey giving you an opportunity to participate, to think, to pray.  Music will accompany you on your journey. You will be given an MP3 player to guide you through   your journey. the journey can be done 15 minutes or it can take you longer depending on how long you choose to stay at each station.

Word has got out this year and I believe we had a a good number of people going through the experience yesterday. So if your reading this and you can get over to Bo’ness between 2pm-4pm and 6pm -8pm today then I believe it will be an experience you’ll remember for a long time.  The thing I find encouraging about this is to see  people of all ages going through the labyrinth. If I  can get a hold of one of the tracks from the MP3 player I include it in my next post.

On other thing, I said I’d mention something about the other projects in India. take a moment to pray for those who suffer from the dreaded disease of leprosy.  Mount Zion Church in Chennai have been helping a group of people who suffer from leprosy who live together in a colony outside the city. Its about 40 miles from their church but they go every second week with food and money to help them. Last year you may recall we had an appeal in the town of Bo’ness to send them blankets.  Please keep this group of people in your prayers this Christmas. We sent £400.00 on Monday for the support of this community. A small amount but it wil go a long way to feed people with rice this Christmas.

BEING THANKFUL

Hope you enjoyed looking at the  last post Fixed Point.  Here’s another little film about a trip I made to India last year. It might encourage all of us to be thankful for all we have.

We sent off £13,500 pounds to India this morning. It was a real joy to feel that this money will be arriving in time to make a difference this Christmas.

This is money that we’ve been collecting to share with our partners in India who are part of our World Without Walls Project.  Somehow we seem to have adopted  five projects, some we are supporting more than others.  Take a moment to look through te slide show  SANGITA_TRUST.html

In this post i’m focusing on the Sangita Orphanage. Tomorrow i’ll tell you about one of the other projects.

If you scroll down on the slide show you’ll see pictures of the Orphanage being built. It looks really cool.

You will see that there are various projects on the go. Including a very worthy project which is helping feed men and women who live in a leprosy Colony.

I’m particularly concerned about the Sangita Orphanage at the moment, mainly because they are trying to build a home for over 70 children, while  being under the threat of being evicted from their present premises.  the landlord has upted the rent and has the right to evicte them whenever he wishes. He has already taken over part of the building and they now care for 70 children out of two rooms.

Paul and Grace Moses the founders have started to build the new orphanage but they need more funds to finish the project. `The thing is it is in an amazing site and the plans are quite spectacular. A million miles away from what the children are living in at present.  They need to build another three buildings to be able to house the children. Each building costs £6,000 to erect. Today we sent £7,500 this will help erect another building and also help with the running costs. If you’d like to donate to this work you can do so by going to www.standonline.org.uk our church web page and press the donate link on the left hand side of the page.