Click here to view the embedded video.

There is no doubt this project has been talked about for years now it is happening people are proud of the project. You can see A giant banner alongside one freshly paved stretch of the $2.75bn (£1.7bn) highway declaring “Once a promise, now a reality.”

Many environmentalists and social commentators are warning that the highway will bring a whole string of new problems. One thing many are afraid of is the increase risk of AIDS being transmitted to the populations. The truth is the local people are not prepared for what is happening to them. I spoke with Professor Patricia Garcia of University of Cayetano and she explained about the fear of STDs and AIDS increasing because of the Highway.

In an article written in the Guardian last year one leading academic has suggested, “It’s not roads that destroy the Amazon, it’s the people that come because the road provides better access,” Ernesto Raez, director of the Centre for Environmental Sustainability at Cayetano Heredia University in Lima agreed with this “We shouldn’t blame these people – most of whom are very impoverished. The problem is that the authorities are too weak to control this influx.”

There is also the Madre de Dios region, which has long been a draw for wildcat goldminers, who believe they will make their fortune because the price of gold has risen considerably over the past few years.

The article in the Guardian continues, “Rainforest destruction is not the only concern. Aguirre, the governor of Madre de Dios, warns the road could also aid South American drug cartels. Recent years have seen Peru become one of the world’s leading cocaine producers, with Mexican, Colombian and Brazilian gangs continuing to extend their tentacles into the country. “I wouldn’t be surprised if this road became one of main drug-trafficking routes in the next few years,”

So Peru is changing yet the needs of the poor still remain. Our work in the Vine Trust is to continue to make alliances around the world with like minded people in order that we can change lives for the good I guess our motto holds good ‘ Connecting People To Change lives”

Well it’s really all very exciting! We’re trying to make sure that the work we do in partnership with Union Biblical is the best it can be. Like everything in our lives it is foolish to sit back and expect nothing to change. Life is all about change and we in the Vine Trust recognise that everything we do in Peru has to be monitored and improved upon. We also realise that Peru itself is changing and with it comes governments that are changing their attitudes to the way homes for abandoned children are run. It’s all very positive and great to see a change in policy.

However the changes in policy means that we will be faced with increased numbers of professional staff to be employed resulting in greater costs. Yet it’s difficult to complain when you know that the end result should mean a much better service for the children of Peru.

All these changes will mean in the long term that we may not always have boys staying for long extended periods in the homes. While it is true that many of the boys have been abandoned, others may never tell the real story behind their misfortune. The new rules means that homes will require to have a phycologist and a social worker on the staff of each home.

Having a social worker on the staff means that a greater opportunity will arise for children to be reunited with their parents and their parents traced down and encouraged to find ways to reintegrate their children back into family life. No doubt there will always be a need for children to be looked after but the opportunity for children to be adopted by Peruvian parents is also an option that seems now to be gaining favour in government circles.

Today I met with quite a few inspirational people who have a real desire to be change makers here Peru. Already the change is coming about. It’s ten years since we brought the first Amazon Hope over from Scotland. Ten years on Peru is a much changed place. it’ seems to me that it’s time we all gave this nation a clap on the back for he way they have and are working to make this country a more democratic and tolerant place in which to live

Manna Dobo Artist

However i wanted to follow up on my last post. Manna Dobo is a quite outstanding artist and respected in her field of visual arts. We are so fortunate to have someone of her experience and talent teaching at Bo’ness Academy. Anyway not many people could come down to the church at the drop of a hat and paint such an outstanding piece of work in less than an hour. Here in this work Manna was responding to the mood of the church and the worship of the moment as she put together this painting. The interesting thing is that she painted it with a feather in her hand and her eye and her heart ‘tuned-in’ to worship. I’ve entitled the painting “Too Close for Comfort” not sure what the artist will think of my presumption in naming the painting. However it speaks to me of the God who comes closer to us than we can imagine. Sometimes it is an uncomfortable feeling like lips being burned with the coal from the alter, or depending on your next meal to arrive with ravens. Yes God can be found in the ordinary but too often the ordinary is too difficult for us to trust or even understand.If you look closely can you see the face of the crucified Saviour kissing the face that is at prayer?

If you have time listen to the replay of the service before it is replaced by the current one on Monday morning. It it mann speaks about the place of the feather in her hand while she paints. Its worth listening to and also worth the visual impact of seeking it all come together.

I think you can also pick it up for a longer time if you go to Sanctuary first’s website www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk The theme was finding God in the ordinary. What could be more ordinary than a feather, yet the artist in Manna saw that the feather speaks of flight and height, of prophets being fed and prophets being touched by winged seraphims with burning coals. It speaks of hope and for many people it is a reminder to lift themselves from where they are to where they might be.

I also wish to record my thanks to the members of the Committee who made the decision today. If the truth be told, I feel a bit like Peter, I’m thinking about the challenge of getting out of the boat and stepping into the water and I’m praying, Lord help me keep my eyes on you, or I’ll drown.

I wrote a song many years ago along with my song writing partners Iain Jamieson and Campbell Dye, it was all about stepping out and trusting. I have much to learn and find out about the job and no doubt I’ll make my fair share of mistakes but I’m looking forward to the opportunities that will come our way to serve together.

Step into the water

Your heart is beating fast and furious like a drum
And your throat is parched with a very dry thirst
Your time has come you can’t delay you must go
The tide is in, your time has come, go with the flow

Don’t second glance, this is your chance
Step intro the water
Don’t hesitate, you’ll be too late
Step into the water.

Your steps are slow, your faith is low, your on the edge
the fear of failure grips your soul and you turn to go
Yet from the sea adventure calls and mystery wins
the oceans vast your hook is cast love’s got to last

Don’t second glance, this is your chance
Step intro the water
Don’t hesitate, you’ll be too late
Step into the water.

Walk with hope discover faith on the edge of doubt
Don’t be afraid to be afraid, don’t shut love out
I have a friend and you have a friend
Who can walk on water
faith is the key, lesson are free, to walk on the sea

Don’t second glance, this is your chance
Step intro the water
Don’t hesitate, you’ll be too late
Step into the water.

Click here if you want to hear a blast from the mid 90s

Now I know when David stood up to Goliath, he not only used his sling. He eventually used Goliath’s sword and chopped off his head. Such barbarity doesn’t sit well with our rule of law. Yet it is reflected in the response of the fighters who discovered the wounded Gadaffi cowering in a hole, brandishing a golden pistol. He was pulled from the sewer unceremoniously, where he had been hiding and dragged through the street and eventually faced his end at the hands of mob rule. I noticed that a number of commentators used the scriptural quotation, ” Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.” Others have criticised the manner in which he died suggesting that he should have been brought to trial.

The thing that I find myself uncomfortable with is the way the conflict has been reported. Our 24 Hour News Channels have virtually turned a war into a form of entertainment. The showing of Gadaffi’s death on national television has elements of a snuff movie about it. I find that a bit distasteful. Just because we have the technology to do something doesn’t mean we have to do it. There is little doubt that the vast majority of Libyans are delighted to see the end of this monstrous regime. It is going to take time to see democracy begin to take shape.

Listening to the people of Libya describe their hopes and dreams now that Gadaffi has been removed is inspiring and at the same time a rebuke to those of us who have become a bit jaded and skeptical about the role politics can play in bringing about a more just society.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Could it be that the Arab Spring might in some way spring our economic academics into thinking about alternatives to the economics that conventionally we all seem to have followed without too much questioning. I think reformation could be in the air. I’m continually reminded of the words of Jesus, ” What does it profit a person if in gaining the whole world they lose all that makes them the person God intended them to be.” I somehow think this happen to Gadaffi, he lost his way, lost his people, and lost his soul. Let’s be careful that non of us live in such a way that another is in fear of us, be it neighbour, work colleague, or family member. As we judge so we will be judged.

How can weapons be turned into art? How can ‘swords’ be transformed into ‘ploughshares’? For some scholars and practitioners involved in building peace, the phrase ‘Swords into Ploughshares’ is an overused cliché that has lost its original force. In this illustrated public lecture, Professor Jolyon Mitchell investigates how this ancient text is being brought to life in many different parts of the world through artistic projects promoting peace. He analyses how various artists are transforming weapons that used to kill into tools for farming, useful objects or symbols of peace. He explores how different museums, educators and film-makers are now using these pieces to envision peace. Professor Mitchell considers the significance of these expressions of ‘Swords into Ploughshares’ in local, national and international peacebuilding.

I must confess that I found myself smiling at his choice of topic for I too have seen with my own eyes swords turned to ploughshears. I think he has struck a hammer that resonates with a great many people. If given the choice would not most of us beat our swords into ploughshears?

While Joylon focused on the role of artist engaging with the text from Isaiah ‘beating swords into ploughshears’ I began to reflect on those who make the swords, those in our modern day arms industry. What happens when they catch the vision of the prophet? Lives are changed and enemies and critics become friends. It is not a dream as some critics suggest.

It became a reality when a whole work force, (be it for a short time),turned from making warships to making a hospital ship.In 2004-2005 BAE Systems the maker of arms and war machines became involved with the the process,not of creating a works of art, but of literally recreating a sword and turning it into what can only be described as a “hard core ploughshear” The outcome being an ex Royal Navy Fleet Tender reshaped from transporting military equipment to becoming the carrier of hope and healing to some of the poorest and neediest people in Amazonia.

So what makes a dealer in weapons become a dealer in compassion? Perhaps it is simply because deep down within the human psyche the text of the prophet Isaiah resonates with a longing we all have to be peacemakers.Its a fascinating story how Willie McPherson managed to persuade the CEO of BAE Systems in Barrow to climb on board and begin the reversal; turning his war machinery into creators of healing and hope. Its an inspiring story how over 70 apprentices turned a small ship into a hospital. Its heart warming when specialised artisans gave of their time and their money to make a dream come true. However what’s even more amazing this little ship of hope was sailing the Atlantic when the planes crashed into the twin towers.Even when evil does its best the light will not be defeated.

Click here to view the embedded video.

All of this may be true, but as Willie McPherson says when his life is judged he’d rather be judged,for doing something rather than doing nothing. One more little aside. When Amazon Hope 2 was leaving Barrow another surprise took place for the workers. Every time a submarine is built and leaves the port the local Quaker Church turn up and silent protest against war holding banner. When Amazon Hope 2 was leaving a little group of Quakers could be seen standing on the bridge but instead of protesting they were cheering.

The thing is he couldn’t have picked a better location for instant patter and the amusement of his film crew. last saturday I passed by a van full of Zombies. he driver was amusing the crowd as he interacted with the large dummies.

A few yards away I can hear the quick repartee in George Square as a workman puts up the American Traffic Lights outside the City Chambers. ” Aye the real reason that Brad Pitt came tae Glasgow wis because o the toon zombies . ” His pal turns to him and says, “is that wano they gangs in the Gallowgate ? “. ” Naw ! “, the man replies, “I talking aboot the toon coonsellors!”

The thing is there is quite a serious side to this particular movie. A number of reviewers see it as making social comment on the state of democracies in the 21st century. It has been seen as an opportunity to critic government ineptitude when it comes to financial matters, corporate corruption in the light of sub prime motgages and human greed and immorality . The book ” World War Z , written by Max Brooks makes reference to America’s inclination to follow a policy of isolationism . the book points out the dangers that lurk behind such a policy.

The film turns out to be a kind of parable explaining that it is too easy to allow the Zombies to take offer our world. We need to engage with the issues of our time and engage our brains and come up with compassionate and human answers to some of the greatest issues facing the world. It is not enough to follow theories wither they be political or theological. People matter more than any process.

Unthinking politics will lead us into the world of Zombies. As human beings we are people who are alive, we have a soul, we have a responsibility to each other in the words of Cain who murdered his brother, trying to cover up his actions he asks, ” Am I my brother’s keeper?” That question is still being posed as a smoke screen to hide guilt in our political and corporate world. The answer is still the same – yes you are!

However we know it doesn’t work like that . People only come when they know there is a place for them. The quote of course comes from the film ‘Field of Dreams’. Why am I thinking about all this ? Well yesterday I visited the ‘Field of Miracles’. This is the name of the site on which the Leaning Tower of Pisa is built.

There is great controversy about the tower. Architects and historians have been debating the issues surrounding the leaning tower for centuries. Some have argued that it is folly. A tower built without counting the cost. Others of-course take another view all together. They argue that the clue is to be found in the name “Field of Miracles” On this site all three buildings are leaning one way or another to a lesser or greater degree, so perhaps the architects were saying something about perpendicular buildings?

They argue this was all intentional. No medieval mason would have continued building a slanting tower unless he was making a point.

They continue to argue this is more than a site showing off the cleverness of human ingenuity. It is seeking to point the human mind to the God who can do things off the wall – the God of miracles.

Could the architect be saying here is a kind if miracle – a tower leaning some 17 degrees yet still standing. Like the God who says here is a ‘burning bush still burning’

The thing is believers and non believers all come. They come from all over to see something different. To see a folly but perhaps to return home believing a miracle!

I guess the builder would identify with the quote. ‘ You build it; they will come. Yes they still come after 700 or 800 years. So do they come to see a folly to look at an architects mistaken enthusiasm or do they come to wonder?

Could it be the same intrigue that continues to attract men and woman to Jesus Christ? Is he the folly or is he more?

Is it not that he refuses to conform to what we think God should be. He offers an alternative narrative to life. He says “try to keep it – you lose it. If your prepared to lose it you find it. Do the unthinkable therein lies the miracle.

It’s interesting why people come to look on the folly of the cross to wonder at the point of such amazingI can never forget the picture that I saw on a Mega Church wall on one of my visits to the United States. It simply read ” You Build It : They Will Come.” Underneath was a picture of Noah waiting for he animals to arrive. It has stayed in my mind because I fear that too often we all play safe we want the people to come to whatever, before we’ve built the Ark. However we know it doesn’t work like that . People only come when they know there is a place for them. The quote of course comes from the film ‘Field of Dreams’ Why am I thinking about all this well yesterday I visited the ‘Field of Miracles’. This is the site on which the Leaning Tower of Pisa is built. There is great controversy about the tower. Architects and historians have been debating the issues surrounding the leaning tower.

Some have argued that it is folly. A tower built without counting the cost. Others of-course take another view all together. They argue that the clue is to be found in the name if the field on which all three buildings are leaning p
one way or another to a lesser or greater extent.

They argue this was all intentional. No medieval mason would have continued building a slanting tower unless he was making a point.

Come here is a miracle a tower leaning some 17 degrees yet still standing. It’s a miracle and they come from all over to see something different . To see a folly but perhaps to return home believing a miracle. I guess the builder would identify with the quote. ‘ You build it; they will come. Yes they still come after 700 or 800 years.

It’s interesting why people come to look on the folly of the cross ? In the Kelvin Hall Glasgow the most viewed exhibit is Salvador Dali’s St John if the Cross. It has been reviled even slashed yet many return believing the miracle. God has redeemed a lost world and in Christ he has reached out to touch people like you and me.

There is a distinct history in belief being connected with follies. The Pisa Tower shed light on another meaning of miracle for me.

There is a distinct history in belief being connected with follies. The Pisa Tower shed s light on another meaning of miracle for me.

“Taoiseach Enda Kenny who told the Dail yesterday that the culture of the Vatican was dominated by ‘dysfunction, disconnection, elitism, the narcissism’. Photo: Dara Mac Donaillaoiseach Enda Kenny (file). Photo: Dara Mac Donaill”

Recently in the blog I’ve been highlighting the corruption in all our major Institutions, police, banking, journalism and parliament. To find it in the institution of the church should be no surprise. To have it highlighted this week, by the Prime Minister of Ireland, challenging the authority and the integrity of the Vatican, with reference to the continued cover up of child abuse allegations, is indeed a first and has been welcomed by most people including senior Roman Catholic leaders in Ireland.

The Government Report which caused the PM to speak out, said the Vatican’s actions: Can only be described as unsupportive in relation to the civil authorities. An Irish newspaper reported on the topic as follows, “The 431-page report, launched this week by the ministers for justice and children, examined allegations made against 19 priests in the diocese between 1996 and 2000. Bishop Magee, who resigned last year, was an extremely powerful figure not only in the Irish church but also in Rome, where he had been a private secretary to three popes, including John Paul I and John Paul II. The report follows other damning reports in other dioceses that found a culture of cover-up and denial in the church hierarchy. The inquiry, led by judge Yvonne Murphy, said the fact that some child sexual abuse allegations were not reported to police was the diocese’s “greatest failure”. There were 15 cases between 1996 and 2005 which “very clearly” should have been reported. Yet police were not told about nine cases.”

How this will play out for the Roman Church will be interesting to see. The challenge of living godly and circumspect lives seems to be a challenge for ministers and leaders regardless of their denomination. You have the Roman Catholics at one end of the spectrum then you have the tele-evangelist at the other, and many shades in between.

In many ways the church is a microcosm of society. It is for this very reason that the Reformation took place in Europe in the 16th century. However the legacy of the Reformation is the idea that the church always needs to see itself in transition. We are a people on a journey being changed and honed by the Spirit of God. If we remain static we become stagnant and open to corruptive ideas and practices.

“Ecclesia Reformata Semper Reformanda Secundum Verbum Dei, was the motto of the reformers, meaning this: “The Church Reformed, and Always Reforming According to the Word of God.” In other words the church as an institution can never be allowed to become complacent.
All institution be they Presbyterian or Roman Catholic need to be open to scrutiny and be accountable.

This is the reason why many of us in the Church of Scotland believe that we need to always have a yearly General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It allows us to bring the church to account. It is also the reason why the Church of Scotland has a Moderator for one year. This is also part of the checks and balances of power. It is believed that no one person should hold power and retain power for any length of time. This of course doesn’t sit well with the media and media advisors who seek to influence those who want the church to have a good public image. They argue that the church needs a figure or a face that is recognised and is able to communicate well with the various media formats that are around in todays world. Many others think that a well organised local church connecting with people at grassroots is the most effective and biblical model. When power is centralised too much the seeds of corruption start to grow. I believe this is what a decentralised local media is the greatest defender of democracy, be it internet blogging or the local free paper.

Going back to the Church of Scotland and the role of a yearly moderator. The danger is that the permanent secretaries of the Church Councils can end up with this power. It is for this reason that Conveners of Councils need to be the ones who lead the Councils in their strategy. It is not the role of the staff to set policy or strategy and council secretaries need to be aware of not over stepping the mark. Council members also need to be more attune to their responsibilities. A weak convener and an ill informed Council can lead the church into all kinds of problematic areas. In the past we have many examples of such behaviour. So while the presbyterian system has its merits in practice it has its great pitfalls. It is within Councils that cover ups in the church of Scotland can happen. The Irish criticism of the Vatican surely is a wake up call to all religious institutions to take seriously the need to be continually reforming.

I thought it was a good question and it got me thinking. We’ve lost the moral compass because we’ve removed faith from the public arena. Morality has become a private affair indeed in our secular society our morality slogan is promoted by the Nike Sports Company ” Just Do It” Do what feels good to you at the time. When questioned about your past actions you can always rewrite the history of what you did, is that not what our politicians and leaders do?

This particular case has highlighted it would appear organised corruption among journalists and police officers. A couple of years ago it was corruption among MPs and bankers. The interesting thing is in the year that we celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible,( the one book that has changed the world for good), no one yet has mentioned that even the Bible has been taken over by Rupert Murdoch. Yes he owns the company the prints the NIV. Mmmm do you think there might be a conflict of interest ?

For me there is just something so wrong with the commercialisation of “Christian Aids to Devotion”. We have a whole industry built up around sacred music, Christian discipleship and the lists goes on. Murdoch’s control of the NIV is just one example. here is the question will we ever be able to get back to a less commercialised Christianity? I’d love to think we could. I wonder if the internet could be part of the answer . just remember that so many things can be produced at a local level with an amazing professionalism that couldn’t have happened ten years ago. Anyway what I was wanting to say was perhaps the decline in moral standards reflects a society that has decided to write its own bible and we are now beginning to see the effects.