Notes from the Manse
Cornerstone No . 184 , page 2
Dear Friends , What have you made of 2017 so far ? As part of the Scots Kirk community I hope you share with me the expectation of great things and good opportunities for service ahead of us in this New Year . In the letter to the Philippians , we read of Paul and Timothy ’ s thanksgiving and their hopes for all the “ saints ”, the Christian believers in Philippi . Their letter is a reflection on Christ ’ s humility and our living relationship with Him . Paul encourages the church to continue what God has already begun in us ; to look forward , to press onwards , work together and at all times , to
That ’ s an old Scottish folk saying which you may have also heard before . Whether the sentiment is true or not it is part of the way many of us were brought up to think about things and accept our lot in life ― even the hardships ! It ’ s how my Dad expressed himself to me when speaking of his cancer diagnosis . Of course , whilst we give respect to the view , especially if it helps the individual face difficult personal circumstances over which we have little or no control , we know it is not the whole story ! When we read the scriptures we also discover and understand that as faithful people of God we are partners with Christ in this world . We are part of His Body and the community of believers , the church . Having faith brings a more engaging less passive perspective on the stuff of life . Again , as Paul writes , then we have work to do and service to give . Sometimes we ’ re tempted to see the church as being here to meet our needs . When it doesn ’ t do that then we can feel hard done by , a little disgruntled and quite put out ! However , a church that suits me is more than likely a church missing its essential purpose and mission . God ’ s gift of faith and our place within a fellowship of faith is given with others . The church exists to worship and praise God and to serve the needs of others , particularly , by loving and serving those beyond its walls , those to whom , as we read in our Bibles , Jesus comes alongside , befriending and loving the poor and the broken , the hurting and the lost , and that includes you , me and our neighbour and the stranger next door ! Can we turn ourselves inside out and find a deeper purpose in doing so ? Are we able to see beyond ourselves and look to serve the needs of others ? The Scots