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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”

Anyway, back to our theme for the month. I like this theme. Its not the first time I’ve written about it, nor do I expect it to be the last. When it comes to thinking about spiritual things too often we miss the point because we’re trying to find the esoteric, or the hidden meaning. Too often we’re looking for an extra ordinary sign or miracle from God to help us believe. The thing is, it seldom happens that way. God is discovered in the ordinary everyday things of life. Jesus used the every day household diet of bread and wine to describe his presence. He took the ordinary and turned it into an extra-ordinary symbol of his presence.

The important thing to understand about God in the ordinary is that it often involves struggle and a great deal of soul searching and no doubt even a crisis of faith. It is as we live our lives through difficult situations, be it unemployment or a moral dilemma that we come to recognise where God is to be found.

I think we need to understand that having faith brings with it many unsolved questions. Reading Philip Yancey’s book “Reaching for the Invisible God” I was impressed with his chapter entitled ” Mystery of the Ordinary” In this chapter he quotes the 18th American Century Quaker Trueblood, ” If a man wishes to avoid the disturbing affects of paradoxes, the best advice is for him to leave the Christian faith alone.” In other words if your not up for living with holy tension don’t begin to follow Jesus. He continually asks us to do the impossible. To love our enemies, to turn the other check. He tells us we have to follow him, then he says, but you didn’t choose me, I chose you. Yes sometimes its confusing, and there is an intellectual struggling with faith as much as there is a moral struggle. Yet we find ourselves drawn into the life and love of Jesus of Nazareth and in the words of Luther we end up saying ‘ Here I stand I can do no other” If if i’m frustrated, even if its difficult, even if I don’t seem to fit into my church at the moment. The dye is cast. I guess its summed up for me in the words of a Bob Dylan song ” I’m Pressing On” Its as we press on through the ordinary we discover there is no ordinary, what was our ordinary, was also our pathway into the Kingdom. have a listen to Regina MCrary’s version of this song. Its absolutely inspiring. When she tells her story , it puts this song into context.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I came across this quote by Reinhold Neibuhr, ” nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime: therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good, makes complete sense in any immediate context of history: therefore we must be saved by grace. Nothing we do however virtuous can be accomplished alone: therefore we must be saved by love.” Now there is an interesting idea! Is it not out of the bounty of God’s grace that we are saved. So lets just keep pressing on with faith, hope and love in our hearts living through the ordinary times.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jennie McClure joining the band for their encore singing “The Cat” just added to the quirky arrangement that involved Marcus Ford and Martin Foster playing off each other. In all it was a marvellous evening and if you get a chance to attend the next concert don’t miss it.

Marcus has performed all over the world including Germany, Italy, Switzerland and in recent years has made fours trips to China playing. His band The Ritz Trio have been resident musicians on the Former Royal Yacht Britannia for over a decade and will be providing their usual hugely entertaining programme of swing, Latin as well as some more popular tunes. Other musicians taking part include vocalists Erica Bonnar and Jennie McClure, Bert Craig (drums) and Trudie Ford (violin).

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

Talking about tuning in if you can’t get down to St As tomorrow morning tune in on the internet www.standonline.org.uk It’s going to be a fantastic service. You’ll be amazed at some of the people you’ll see. I believe there are also a lot of free hugs being handed out. There is also young Tejay who is getting baptised and I believe there are a bunch of lions going to be hanging around the service.

The church is buzzing just now with the Valley FM Radio presenters in and out every hour and of course everyone is getting ready for the big day next Friday.

Back in the 60s I was unashamedly known as a Christian at school and I think I probably came over as a bit seriously minded Perhaps Sam felt that I’d appreciate the biblical sentiments in Dylan’s songs. However he got the message, he knew Dylan believed ” The Times Were Changing”

Tonight listening to the programme I was reminded of the power and influence of music. I have no doubt that Dylan changed the mindset of my generation or as some people believe he was a prophetic figure raging against the evils of capitalism and mindless state organised violence. The truth is I think people projected that description on to Dylan and i also think he found it a heavy burden to carry.

I recalled how good the feeling was in those days to be young and feel you can and need to make a difference in the world . I’m sure that many young people still have these same feelings and I hope those of us who are getting older never pour cold water over their enthusiasm. The greatest quality to bring about change in any organisation is enthusiasm. Yes I know we need many more qualities no doubt, but enthusiasm releases then potential of others to bring about change. I believe the Church needs to display such confidence to the world around. Our confidence in the Gospel can surely bring about change, when we allow ourselves to become the agents of change.

As a young Christian I truly believed that that we could change the world. Looking back however I can also see that I often missed the point that Dylan was singing about. I was more interested in talking about faith rather than putting faith into action. Its interesting to see how musicians have been used over the years to raise awareness that finally brings about change. Many years were to pass before another musician by the name of Bob would challenge me to move from merely talking about gospel charity to begin to be pro-active in bringing about gospel change through social action. Geldof in the mid 80s talking about the Ethiopian famine challenged me to do more. I think this evening was a reminder to me that each one of us can be the change but we need to step up to the plate and take on board the challenges.

As I write it is the eve of another General Assembly in Edinburgh. Over the next week many words will be spoken, but the greatest example of all will be that which is displayed in deeds of love. Proclamation Gospel is only ratified in the life and example of believers. It is my prayer that as the church meets for fellowship and encouragement and also to disentangle some very difficult points of view that we don’t miss this point. Lets make sure that we don’t mistake talking about things as being the same as actually doing things.

Here’s a song Iain Jamieson and myself wrote a few years ago while thinking about the challenges facing Christians inside and outside the church. How can we be relevant and faithful. Click on the orange title and you’ll hear the song.

01 feel Shut Out

Feel shut in
And I feel shut out
Give up
Can’t say now
And I won’t say when
Lonely

And its funny how the busiest life
Can feel so dammed empty
And I tell you now this empty soul heart is aching

For you let your children
Walk away from your door
For everyone that walked
There is a million more
You talk of your programmes visions and dreams
And I just want to scream

Have you room for love
Have you space for me
For I’m not like you you see
Don’t want no walls around me
Break them down

Feel kicked in
And I feel kicked out
Hurting
Can’t Forgive
Can you forgive
Sorry

And its funny how the busiest life
Can feel so dammed empty
And I tell you now this empty soul is aching

For you let your children
Walk away from your door
For everyone that walked
There is a million more
You talk of your programmes visions and dreams
And I just want to scream

Have you room for love
Have you space for me
For I’m not like you you see
Don’t want no walls around me
Break them down

I feel talked out
And I feel talked down
Useless
I can’t get by
Its all a front
Help me

And its funny how the busiest life
Can feel so dammed empty
And I tell you now this empty soul is aching

For you let your children
Walk away from your door
For everyone that walked
There is a million more
You talk of your programmes
Visions and dreams
And I just want to scream

Have you room for love
Have you space for me
For I’m not like you you see
Don’t want no walls around me
Break them down

Copyright Bogle/Jamieson

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Back to last night, the great thing is that Paul Dougal one of the members of We See Lights,( who also played a tune with his dad and uncle), hopes to head out to Tanzania this Summer as a member of the first Vine Trust work party in Africa. Paul he’s such an adventurer a true trailblazer. And yes of course we all like the Smiths my great granny was a Smith. Hence I always eat a Granny Smith when I get the chance!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It was you.
You were lost.
But now you’ve been found
Its quite amazing the things you discover
About yourself
In the Resurrection garden
Looking at stones.
Turning
Rolling
Changing