For those of you who were looking forward to Sanctuary First on 10 January in Bo’ness I hope you’ll be able to attend the next one. Perhaps the poor weather will give us an opportunity to develop the theme and make it even more interesting. The theme that we’ve chosen for Sanctuary First is based on the message of Jesus to the church at Sardis. It was a wake up call.

Here’s a wee poem I wrote for the service . Its entitled ” Dead men Walking dead men Walking I hope you find it interesting along side this picture that I took earlier today inside the Buchanan Galleries.

Here is a world a community of people who sometimes remind me of dead people walking. Most look fed up most feel they’ve had enough. They just want to get out of the place. Shopping just drains the soul out of a person. Is that not right? Let me know what you think?

If ever the church needs to be waken up from its slumber and its sleep it must surely be today. Sardis was a church that was living off a past reputation. So much of church life today is living off past generations. When it comes to the Church in Scotland so much of what we have and use at the present was never given or purchased by this generation. I’ve come to the conclusion that we do need new wine skins for the new wine. It also means that someone has to go and get the new wine skins and also pour the new wine into the skins. So many in this generation know very little about what Christians really believe and many Christians are no longer sure about what they believe. And if the truth were told there are ministers of the Gospel who are no longer sure about what it is they believe. Remember Jesus spoke out and said if the watchman sounds an uncertain note the people in the city will be confused. I think there is a great responsibility on all of us who have been entrusted with the gospel to make sure we share it in such a manner that the world around hears it and understands.

I think that is where the new skins come in. We need spaces and places and people who are flexible enough to allow the gospel to seep into every aspect of their lives so that they become the new skins that allows the wonderful new life of the Spirit to flow out from them into the world. It means we need new skins in politics we need new skins in the music industry, we need new skins in the media, and we need new skins in almost every aspect of daily living.

Sunday coming is “Discipleship Sunday” just hope that the icy weather doesn’t prevent people from coming to church on Sunday morning. The Kirk Session are encouraging everyone in the congregation to “Get Connected” The idea is members of the congregation be encouraged to join a group that has a special interest for them. For example young mothers and fathers might get together to form a groups to look at how we nurture faith in the young. There might be an interest for groups of men to get together to maybe just hang out together or go to a football match or think about studying the bible together. We might even set up an internet study group using Skype.

After the service on Sunday we’re going to have a lunch in the hall with bread and soup. So we hope that a good number of people will stay behind and help us begin to form some of these groups. The Discipleship Group are trying to find a way to engage every body and every age group in the congregation to be nurtured in their Christian life. Small groups have been one of the most successful ways in which people can be nurtured and rooted in their faith.

If we could start thinking about church outside of the church walls we might begin to understand that real church is not something you go to. It is something you live out. In doing so you create community that is centred around the life and teaching of Jesus. we need to constantly remind ourselves thatthe majority of Jesus’ ministry took place in the open air. It took place amidst th cut and the thrust of everyday life. I think this is the challneg for all of us that we being to develop community by allowing the small group to create the cell of community that links us into a much larger and effective community of change in the world.

The theme we’ve chosen for the congrrgation this year is centred around Colossian 2.6,7 as printed in the motto card for this year. Its about encouragig all of us to grow up into the mature people God is calling us all to become.

I’m hoping that we might see some really adventurous ideas develop around the small groups. Already we’ve had the suggestion that we call these groups ” Connect Groups” I’m wondering if there wold be an interest in running a lunch time group in Edinburgh and Glasgow or even Falkirk or Stirling for people who work in these places. We could meet in a Starbucks for fellowship and say a bible reading. Anyway let me know what you think. Better still see you on Sunday.

I felt a touch of history repeating itself today as I read in the news about the world’s tallest building being opened today. It stands at 828 metres and has cost 1.5 billion dollars to build. So what makes us wish to build higher and higher. I guess there is a human desire to stretch the boundries of technology and to go one better than our neighbours.

The sad thing is that the whole Dubai economy has collapsed and one wonders if this building should be hailed as a great achievement or a sad reflection on an extravagent and greedy world that continues” to fiddle while Rome burns.” Anyway the papers tell me that tower has been named Burj Khalifa after the president of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

In the Bible there is a story told about how the tower of Babel was built s an expression of mankind’s egotism and confidence. Early mankind was reaching for the stars while at the same time killing his neighbours. Nothing much seems to have changed. What a diifferent place the world would be if we started promoting our energy to bring about peace and justice. I’m reminded of these words in the Book of James.

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:13-17 I think this verse is a great reminder to us all of our human fraity and our dependence on God.

I’ve been trying to keep my focus on the real importance of Christmas this year. It’s so easy to miss the point. Its not about all the material things we give or even receive. I’ve been trying to understand what it means to encounter the joy and the peace of Christmas.

I’ve been trying not be too stressed when things go wrong. For example the Christmas Eve service plans went hay wire this yesr. We ended up having no musicians to play. My sermon notes weren’t printed because I ran out of ink so I went down early to the church to use the printer there, only to find that I didn’t have a clue how to put a new bottle of toner in the print machine. I ended up preaching without notes. But in truth it all worked out and I believe it was a meaningful service.

On re-reading the story of the shepherds as described in Luke’s Gospel. I discovered that the message ” Good Tidings of Great Joy” made great sense to them because they discovered the ‘peace and the joy’ for themselves.

I think what I learn from this story is that the shepherds where first and foremost optimistic and expectant. They decided that they would go and test out the truth of their experience. In doing so they encountered the joy and the peace of the Lord.

It got me thinking – it is so important to try and live a life of expectant optimism.
I’m sure this is what Paul meant and wanted us to practice when he said ‘ If God be for us who then can be against us’

So I’m going to trust God right now and embrace the shepherds example.

The Gospel itself is a message for all because it has at it’s core the one thing for which we humans are longing – to be at peace with each other and with God.

Today is damp dark and a bit gloomy. Yesterday was a beautiful Winter’s day. The sun was shining brightly as I drove to the crematorium. Such beauty in the middle of sadness. Sometimes I wish the weather would match the things I have to do. When I feel sad lets have rain, and when I feel happy lets have sunshine!

However the day ended with the discovery of these wonderfully red holly berries. For some reason I was drawn to think about the cross of Christ. The red berries spoke to me about the beauty and the bitterness the sadness and the joy of relationships. These are real emotions that help me begin to reflect on who I am and why I am drawn to the cross of Christ.

All this got me thinking about something Luther said.

“The man who looks upon the invisible things of God as they are perceived in created things does not deserve to be called a theologian. The man we perceives the visible rearward parts of God as seen in suffering and the cross does deserve to be called a theologian.” (Theses 19 and 20)

For Luther God is revealed and paradoxically hidden in the cross of Christ. Like Moses Luther believed we could never see God as he is, we must encounter him from the rear. We can only see the back of God. God reveals himself in paradox. His glory is in shame in humility is in his glory.

This is the first week of Advent a time when we as Christians reflect on the idea of beauty and sadness. The Christmas story itself has these elements. There must have been great beauty revealed in thd face of the Christ Child but also a great deal of anxiety and fear and suffering encompasssed his early life. Does not Luke record that a spear would pierce te heart of Mary? So here in the story of a manger and a stable there can be found the making of the cross.

We started a new Alpha Course tonight in the Inchyra Grange Hotel in Polmont. It was a good evening. Apart from the food which everyone seemed to enjoy the interaction and standard of the questions was very engaging. Alpha is a great opportunity to listen to others share their views and also to hear the questions and concerns of people as they wrestle with issues of faith. We’ve joined up again with Polmont Old Parish. I find it really rewarding and relaxing to work with Jerome the minister of Polmont Old.

Tonight we were asking the question “Who is Jesus?” We ended up having a great discussion regarding the identity of Jesus pre- resurrection and post resurrection. So here is a question. How different was the post resurrected Jesus from the pre-resurrected Jesus? We know he had a different kind of body. So what was the significance of that body for his post resurrection life on earth? what does Matthew mean or hint at when he suggests in the last chapter of his gospel that this same Jesus will return again in like manner as he has gone into the Heavens? What is the significance of the resurrection for human beings as we live out our daily lives? Is there a link between the idea of self denial and death and rising again as a new creation in Christ? Could their be a spiritual death and spiritual resurrection for all of us to encounter in time as well as in eternity? If so what would it look like? Go on get writing.

Its amazing what you see on the road when your out and about around Bo’ness. I’m staggered at the weight of things that get transported on our roads.  Here’s a steam engine being pulled by a lorry. The lorry is having a rest in a lay-by outside Bo’ness.

Got me thinking about the shear weight of troubles and worries that we all transport around in our lives. We literally carry rubbish in our heads and feelings in our hearts  that should have been dumped years ago.  

I’m just thinking I  had a boot load of rubbish rattling around in  the car for a day before I took it to the skip. It was most annoying rattling about in the boot , especially when I was turning corners.

Its the same with our emotional and psychological  rubbish, it always reminds us of its existence, especially when we’re trying to change the direction of our lives. The answer is simply take it to the skip and have a clear out. Yes dump the lot. You’ll feel a lot better. Why pull a steam train on a road when it was meant to go on rails. We do carry strange things around with us.  I like what Jesus said about troubles and worries. I’ve paraphrased it below.

BOGLE’S PARAPHRASE

Drop into my lay-by if your carrying a huge heavy weight, even if its the size of a steam train, I’ll deal with it. I’ll give you rest from that burden. I’ll send you on your way feeling different about everything. I’ll put you on the right track . Before long  the burden will be carrying you. Is that not what steam trains are made to do?  Matt 11. 28-30

I’ve been working on the the sermons for Sunday. Struggling a wee bit with the theme for Sunday morning which is entitled “Facing the Single Life” i guess I’m becoming aware of the breadth and depth of the topic. People are so different, their approach and attitude may depend  on their age, their sex and whether they have chosen to be single .  I can imagine the feelings  will  be quite different for people  who are single, following on from a divorcee, or a bereavement. One thing we can be sure of the experience will also change as you go through different stages in life.

I guess the one thing i will be trying to get across is whether,single, married, divorced, separated, a parent or childless. We are all by our calling as Christians part of the family of God. Or in St Paul’s words we are all part of the Body of Christ. they key thing is for us all to discover the place where we have been called to serve. Anyway I work more on this theme tomorrow.

After an enjoyable  evening spent at the Hippodrome, our local refurbished 1910 cinema, where we saw the film, ” Last Chance Harvey” starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thomson the night was rounded off nicely by seeing Bono  and Edge on the Jonathan Ross Show. I’m seriously tempted to splash out and get some tickets for the Glasgow gig on the 18 August.  The Stage their using looks amazing. have a listen to this recording from the Milan gig it looks awesome.

BOGLE’S  PARAPHASE  PSALM 100
Tell U2 to turn the volume up
They make such a joyful noise
The Lord just loves that sound

On the Edge

Let the stadium rock with worship
Incite the people
To serve with joy and gladness,
enter the gates of the stadium with praise.
Give thanks for truth endures for all times
It is everlasting throughout all generations .

The Mystery God in Creation

Creator God
Here am I
A created being
Thinking
Feeling

Praying to you

The Almighty

Its just something within me – I can’t control
I’m pushing on an ever opening door
The door itself is the revelation
It tells me your presence
Is all around
In blues, greens, reds and yellows
I need to speak your name
I need to reach out and touch
The mystery of the one who made me
Oh God how majestic You are.
You take my breath away
Such beauty
And you made me
So I could appreciate all this wonder filled creativity
How absolutely amazing
And I know there is more
I can’t see
If I could see your entire creation
I’d die of wonder shock
So here I am a created being
Speaking to you the creator
Through an open door
In the shape of a Word
Its just another one of your mysteries
O Lord
Deal with this soul patiently
For I may well forget my place
As I gently tread
in and out of your Creation

( 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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