What Has the Snow Put On Ice?

posted: 30 Nov 2010 comments: 2category:

Nothing quite like a snow fall to turn our lives upside down. Perhaps even for the better. We're sitting here in Bo'ness with about 10 inches of snow on the path. The poor weather looks like continuing and I guess for the next few days we'll all be out with our snow shovels moving snow. Its meant that a lot of people can't get to work and of course all our schools have been closed for the past two days. I've had to leave the car in the driveway and do a bit of walking....
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Rock Night On the Avenue

posted: 21 Nov 2010 comments: 0category:

just got back this evening from a speaking engagement at Moffat. It was a wonderful opportunity to tell a whole new group of people about the work of the Vine Trust. I got back into Bo'ness just in time to catch up with Craig Hannah one of our church voluntary youth workers who does an amazing job drawing alongside young musicians and mentoring them. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V2ZUTlev_g[/youtube] Tonight he has 5 bands playing in the church hall....
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Thank You Children in Need From Bounce Higher

posted: 20 Nov 2010 comments: 0category:

I'm watching BBC Children in Need tonight. It is so moving to hear the amazing stories about wonderful resilient children in the UK who are facing daunting challenges but who non the less live their lives with such courage and hope that it is such an inspiration. I find myself full of admiration for the many thousands of people who contribute to the Children in Need Charity. Thanks top their support we in Bo'ness have been able to establish a brilliant family...
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I don't need someone to preach me happy!

posted: 19 Nov 2010 comments: 4category:

I've been preparing some of the material for the next Sanctuary First Service which is coming up on the 5 December. The Theme is " Don't put the light out" The theme is all about not allowing ourselves to become despondent when we are facing hard and challenging situations. The thing is we can't always change our circumstances but we need to realise that the backdrop can change. Our mindset can change. Above all we need to realise we have a great God who is always...
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From Thames to the Barge on the Forth

posted: 16 Nov 2010 comments: 0category:

There is never a dull moment in life of a parish minister. I was sharing with you my visit to London a couple of weeks ago. This was an opportunity to tell more people about the story of the Vine Trust and also to engage the support of big business and also parliamentarians as we go forward into the next 25 years. There are so many opportunities opening up and so many people looking for creative ways in which they can help make the world a better place. I'm...
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Stones Help Us To Remember

posted: 9 Nov 2010 comments: 0category:

As we approach this time of Remembrance I'd like to encourage you if your reading the blog to take a moment and engage with our Sanctuary First Theme this month. I was at the service on Sunday evening and it was absolutely brilliant. The team made a first class job of the theme. It really is worth taking the time to engage with it. I hope to use some of the material this week in various situations. Take a moment and click here to enjoy our labyrinth service....
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Remembrance Sunday

posted: 8 Nov 2010 comments: 0category:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwKgwnLbwtM[/youtube]Cold damp November Sunday morning Boots and berries Top and toe, comrades who once fought a common foe. They march in solidarity to remember what they have tried to forget. Its sixty five years for some since the guns fell silent. For others the guns still pound in their heads and in their hands Their wounds are still fresh Flesh and blood bind them together Like brothers and sisters in each...
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