One of the books my supervisor recommended I read was "What's so amazing about Grace?" by Phillip Yancey. What with him being off sick, I thought I'd get it read.
The basic tenet of the book is what grace is and why only Christians can dispense it. Well, having now read this book, I think I already know what grace is, but Yancey, I feel, didn't really answer why only Christians can dispense it.
There were a lot of examples from his own experience of what grace looks like and "ungrace" as he termed it. That said, the examples weren't ones I could easily relate to. Either they were too specific experiences, such as his white southern American upbringing, or I didn't agree with his take on events, such as his gay friend and how Yancey dealt with it. Personally, the ultimate conclusion of the events around his relationship with his friend made me wonder just how graceful Yancey had been.
I found the book laboured many points, basically saying the same thing over and over, with little extra detail. I also felt it was very political, despite Yancey saying, in effect, that religion and politics shouldn't mix. Many of the examples of how the "world" perceives Christians and the church looked to me not the world's view, by America. Again, this took the message into areas I have no experience or, really, any knowledge of.
Yancey takes about loving the sinner, not the sin and I applaud that. But everytime Jesus forgave someone - showing his grace - he also told them to go and sin no more. Yancey's definition of grace did not mention that. I think that was too simplistic a view.
Having read the book, I don't know any more about grace than I did before. In fact, if that was my introduction and I wasn't as sure of what grace means to me, I would have felt really inadequate. Also, I didn't feel challenged at all reading it. All the other books I've read so far during the CFA have challenged me to a greater or lesser extent. This washed over me.
I know many people love this book but, frankly, the hours I've spent reading it I will never get back!!!
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Monday, 2 February 2009
Buckhaven
As I mentioned in an earlier post (here, as part of my CFA I am to visit 3 or 4 churches and write a review on them.
Yesterday my husband and I went to Buckhaven Parish church. It's an older church (mid 1800s), with some re-modelling looking to have been done in the 1970s. It is part of a linked charge with East Wemyss, so that will pose an other set of challenges for the minister.
The welcome was really positive. All on the door said good morning and ensured we got orders of service and hymn books. They still use CH4 and Songs of God's People, but Buckhaven is a fairly deprived town and there almost certainly won't be money to replace them. Nothing wrong with that, though.
At the start and end of the service, the bible is brought in and taken out from the church. During those times the congregation stands. The order of service did note this, so we weren't in the dark as to what was going on. Personally, I don't mind if the bible stays in the church all the time or is brought in and out to mark the service, but I do think there should be some ceremony to it. My home church leaves it in and my placement church take it in and out, but with no ceremony, so it you were visiting you probably wouldn't notice.
Unfortunately, there were no children or young people in the congregation. My husband and I were the youngest. I'd guess, apart from the minister and deacon, the congregation were 60+. It was predominately female and there were about 70 people at the service.
The minister and deacon shared the service, with the minister doing the readings and prayers and the deacon the sermon. The service is the same as at East Wemyss, except for there is a children's address there, I later established.
At the beginning of the service, the minister welcomed everyone to the service and invited us all to say good morning to those around us. At that point, everyone shook hands etc. This despite they had all already greeted each other. It was a little unexpected, but I thought it said a lot about the church. Very friendly - we were not left out. My husband did feel it a little out of his comfort zone, but he's a little stuffy when it comes to those things!!!
The general style of the service was very much like a "standard" Church of Scotland service (if there is such a thing). The theme of the service was us all having a unique part to play in the kingdom of God. Mmmh - some of what the deacon said sounded like the sermon was for me as much as the congregation. I've had that a couple of times since I've been to the enquirers' conference!!!
Immediately after the service, the lady sitting in front of me turned round and told me what a lovely voice I have. I was somewhat taken aback by that as I can't hold a tune in a bucket!!! I'm also not very graceful in accepting complements, though I did thank her profusely (admittedly in a slightly shocked state). My husband commented later on I should have told her digital hearing aids are available from the NHS (cheeky man)!!!
After the service there were teas and coffees. Not many people stay for coffees as the service finishes at 12:15 at least and many people want to get home for lunch. In saying that, they feel it is important to offer them. I found that added to my impression of the friendliness of the church.
No balance, if I had moved to Buckhaven and was looking for a new church, I would certainly visit Buckhaven Parish Church again.
Yesterday my husband and I went to Buckhaven Parish church. It's an older church (mid 1800s), with some re-modelling looking to have been done in the 1970s. It is part of a linked charge with East Wemyss, so that will pose an other set of challenges for the minister.
The welcome was really positive. All on the door said good morning and ensured we got orders of service and hymn books. They still use CH4 and Songs of God's People, but Buckhaven is a fairly deprived town and there almost certainly won't be money to replace them. Nothing wrong with that, though.
At the start and end of the service, the bible is brought in and taken out from the church. During those times the congregation stands. The order of service did note this, so we weren't in the dark as to what was going on. Personally, I don't mind if the bible stays in the church all the time or is brought in and out to mark the service, but I do think there should be some ceremony to it. My home church leaves it in and my placement church take it in and out, but with no ceremony, so it you were visiting you probably wouldn't notice.
Unfortunately, there were no children or young people in the congregation. My husband and I were the youngest. I'd guess, apart from the minister and deacon, the congregation were 60+. It was predominately female and there were about 70 people at the service.
The minister and deacon shared the service, with the minister doing the readings and prayers and the deacon the sermon. The service is the same as at East Wemyss, except for there is a children's address there, I later established.
At the beginning of the service, the minister welcomed everyone to the service and invited us all to say good morning to those around us. At that point, everyone shook hands etc. This despite they had all already greeted each other. It was a little unexpected, but I thought it said a lot about the church. Very friendly - we were not left out. My husband did feel it a little out of his comfort zone, but he's a little stuffy when it comes to those things!!!
The general style of the service was very much like a "standard" Church of Scotland service (if there is such a thing). The theme of the service was us all having a unique part to play in the kingdom of God. Mmmh - some of what the deacon said sounded like the sermon was for me as much as the congregation. I've had that a couple of times since I've been to the enquirers' conference!!!
Immediately after the service, the lady sitting in front of me turned round and told me what a lovely voice I have. I was somewhat taken aback by that as I can't hold a tune in a bucket!!! I'm also not very graceful in accepting complements, though I did thank her profusely (admittedly in a slightly shocked state). My husband commented later on I should have told her digital hearing aids are available from the NHS (cheeky man)!!!
After the service there were teas and coffees. Not many people stay for coffees as the service finishes at 12:15 at least and many people want to get home for lunch. In saying that, they feel it is important to offer them. I found that added to my impression of the friendliness of the church.
No balance, if I had moved to Buckhaven and was looking for a new church, I would certainly visit Buckhaven Parish Church again.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Making money hand over fist.
I found another interesting article on the BBC today - here. I know there's a desperate shortage of sperm and egg donors and many many people desperate for children, so I can understand why NHS Grampian has gone down this route.
But, the first thing that came in to my mind wasn't how altruistic the gesture is or how important donated sperm and eggs are for research, but how men could get cash per my blog title!!!
But, the first thing that came in to my mind wasn't how altruistic the gesture is or how important donated sperm and eggs are for research, but how men could get cash per my blog title!!!
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Of Otters and Minis
I'm a sucker for a cute animal story. I read this on the BBC newsite. Very cute, especially the photos!
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Sad, Sad, Sad
My husband and I don't watch TV, but there are some programs we miss. Thank God for DVDs and the BBC iplayer!
Last week we finished watching Doctor Who series 4. I love the Doctor. Who else could save the universe with a tardis, sonic screw driver and psychic paper???
David Tennant's made the role his own. For many of us who remember it first time round, Tom Baker was the definitive Doctor. I don't know, in many ways I think David Tennant eclipses him.
I have a friend who is friends with David Tennant's Dad and I keep trying to get her to get me his signature. No joy; she won't ask for her kids! She does remember Sandy MacDonald talking about his struggling actor son. Well, he may be famous now, but the struggle goes on.
The thing that makes me sad, other than realising I cry at the end of series 2 and 4 and can quote verbatim some of the scenes, is on the night we finished the 4th series, I dreamt a sermon, based on the adventures of the Doctor. This is disturbing for many reasons, including:
1. Only children are supposed to dream about TV.
2. I've never preached a sermon in my life.
3. A Doctor Who based sermon!!!
4. I can remember it vividly - I never remember dreams.
Strangely, though, I remember when I was a kid my then minister doing a Doctor Who children's address. I can't remember what the message was, but I remember how cool I thought my minister was for that.
Well, on the back of the dream, I started writing a sermon. All I have to do is find a time when it would be appropriate and bible readings which would tie in with the message of the sermon.
I really need to get out more!!!
Last week we finished watching Doctor Who series 4. I love the Doctor. Who else could save the universe with a tardis, sonic screw driver and psychic paper???
David Tennant's made the role his own. For many of us who remember it first time round, Tom Baker was the definitive Doctor. I don't know, in many ways I think David Tennant eclipses him.
I have a friend who is friends with David Tennant's Dad and I keep trying to get her to get me his signature. No joy; she won't ask for her kids! She does remember Sandy MacDonald talking about his struggling actor son. Well, he may be famous now, but the struggle goes on.
The thing that makes me sad, other than realising I cry at the end of series 2 and 4 and can quote verbatim some of the scenes, is on the night we finished the 4th series, I dreamt a sermon, based on the adventures of the Doctor. This is disturbing for many reasons, including:
1. Only children are supposed to dream about TV.
2. I've never preached a sermon in my life.
3. A Doctor Who based sermon!!!
4. I can remember it vividly - I never remember dreams.
Strangely, though, I remember when I was a kid my then minister doing a Doctor Who children's address. I can't remember what the message was, but I remember how cool I thought my minister was for that.
Well, on the back of the dream, I started writing a sermon. All I have to do is find a time when it would be appropriate and bible readings which would tie in with the message of the sermon.
I really need to get out more!!!
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