View From The Manse

St James’ Minister, Peter Webster, writes

 

 

Dear Folks,

 

Guinny our motorhome is no longer with us. She suffered a serious clutch and gearbox fault while at the Rockness Festival on Loch Ness and was reluctantly beyond economic repair. She will be fixed though as the garage owner’s son in law was interested in buying her and hopefully he will have as much pleasure as we have.

 

As a result of this we went on to ebay and bid for another van. To our surprise our bid won and we now have a Ford Transit motorhome. We have yet to name it (suggestions welcome.)

 

It is different in many ways with a totally new layout inside and is diesel rather than petrol. We have had one night away last Friday and it looks like we are back in business. Changes will have to be made in how we do things but then that just mirrors life where often plans have to be revised and new solutions found.

 

But change can be a positive experience if we want it to be. It stimulates thought and can bring us alive. Think of the changes in the disciples’ lives and how many of them felt so strongly that the change was right for them, that they were willing to die believing that. Change is a challenge but don’t fear it face it

 

God Bless You All

Peter.

 

 

 

In May, St James’ Minister, Peter Webster, wrote

 

Dear Folks,

 

Many of you will have seen our cat, Sasha, around Rosefield Place. She I quite distinctive as she has only three legs due to an accident. She often accompanies me across to the Church and sits outside till I come back out. Last Saturday she could be found outside the hall door while the Spring Fayre was on.

 

She doesn’t come in to the hall or church. I wonder why that is ?  Perhaps she somehow feels unwelcome and fears that if she came in she would quickly be chased out. Perhaps she is naturally apprehensive about the unknown. Somehow I don’t think it is the latter as like most cats she is incredibly curious. What is it that keeps people outside the Church ? Are they not curious about what happens there ? Do they feel that they would not be welcome? I know they would be welcome because you are a friendly congregation.

 

However often the difficulty is that to come alone is difficult. Maybe you have a friend or neighbour who only needs an invite to come with you to let them experience the fellowship of our church family. Remember that’s how the disciple Peter came to know Jesus. His brother Andrew brought him along. If you believe that coming together in worship is an important part of our faith then keep an eye open for others who may just need a word from you to share what you have

 

 

In April, St James’ Minister, Peter Webster, wrote

Dear Folks,

 

As I write this there is a strong gusty wind blowing and the trees are being bent over. Because they are not covered in leaves the wind passes through and they soon return to their upright position.

 

It is often said one has to bend with the wind. It makes life easier and causes less friction in relationships.

 

As Christians that might not be good advice. It would mean a compromise of our beliefs so as to not upset the world’s views. It would mean we accept being pushed from the centre of life to being of only minor importance.

 

Often God’s Spirit is compared to a wind. We must let this wind drive us along into the heart of every matter, challenging the injustices of life, fighting for the oppressed and upholding the worth of every human being.

 

When we let God blow us along we don’t know where we will be taken. This though is what makes life exiting and if God is with us, what do we have to fear.

 

God Bless You All

Peter 

 

 

In March, St James’ Minister, Peter Webster, wrote

 

 

Dear Folks,

 

I don’t know if you like quiz programmes on TV but I do. I am also part of a team that meet sometimes to take part in a pub quiz. We just enjoy the fun of the night. No, that’s not right. We want to win.

 

We are all very competitive and strive to reach into our memories for answers. We have had success but I recommend you don’t say the words ‘One Tomato’ in our presence. That is the name of our greatest rivals.

 

No matter how much one knows there are always a number of facts that are new to us. One of our regular phrases is “I didn’t know that but I won’t forget it”. We try to learn something from each quiz. This week’s nugget of knowledge came from the question “where do Panama Hats come from?”. The not so obvious answer is Ecuador. Maybe that is news to you.

 

It made me think how wonderful life is because we are always exposed to new ideas and facts. Each new day is a potential learning experience. I have also found that the longer I live, I find I learn more and more about the wonder of God’s creation and I hope I never tire of this opportunity to grow. What have you learned today ?

 

God Bless You All

Peter 

 

 

 

In January, St James’ Minister, Peter Webster, wrote

 

Dear Folks,

 

2010 has arrived and no doubt somebody around you has said the immortal words ‘I hope it’s a better year than last year. Somehow at the turn of the year we have the habit of  remembering the bad bits of the past. If we must look back then let’s try to recall the good bits. The laughs we had, the amazing experiences, the cheerful family occasions. I would be surprised if you cannot find some of these.

So what of this new year. Let us try to make some good memories for us to recall in a year’s time. Let us have a positive attitude to life. Remember the sun is always shining each new day even if a few clouds make it invisible to us. Faith removes the clouds and lets us smile in the sunshine of God’s love. It is always there for us. Have a great 2010. Let’s build it together with God.

Happy New Year, God Bless You All

 

In December, St James’ Minister, Peter Webster, wrote

Recently I was raking up the leaves from the back garden. I was very pleased with the finished result as the grass was now visible and free to grow healthily next year un-choked by the leaves. Next morning I was less pleased to see that once again the grass was covered in leaves.  There are many tasks in life that need repeated over and over and over again. It can become boring tedious and indeed annoying. Christmas can sometimes seem like a task. We say thank goodness it only comes once a year.

But think for a moment. This is a time to thank god for his expression of love to us in entering this world in the person of Jesus.

If it is a task we have missed the meaning. If we get the meaning the ‘I wish it could be Christmas every day,’ would be our song. Remembering how God loves each and every one of us always.

Have a great Christmas (now and every day)

God’s Blessing be with you all

Peter

 

 

In November, St James’ Minister, Peter Webster, wrote

It was said to me recently that I have never mentioned my bowling in view from the Manse. Well I’ll remedy that now. Bowls is a relatively straightforward game. The aim is to get your bowls closer to the Jack (that’s a little white ball that has been rolled up the green) than your opponents bowls. Only two things are required and that is to use the correct weight and aim in the right direction (taking into account that your bowls will run in a curved line and not straight). That seems simple enough, only two things to do.

The problems come with stepping on to the green. There might be a wind, or it might be damp underfoot and therefore can change throughout the game as it dries out. The grass might have just been cut and your bowls will run faster than the day before. The only answer to all these problems is to play more and get a feel for the game. Practice makes perfect as they say (well better anyway)

Christianity is relatively straightforward. Only two things required. Believe in Jesus Christ and follow his example. The aim is to direct your life to become an expression of the perfect love of God. The problems come by being distracted from our aim by the demands of the world around us, or the seeming need to earn more, own more, gain status, and by letting ourselves become controlled by these.

The answer comes by getting back to focussing on what it means to try to live like Jesus and as we practice that more and more we become more perfect (well better anyway). Let’s practice together. God Bless You All.

Peter

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