Thanks to our friend Darren and his family, we were at the Celtic-Dundee United game on Saturday and had a grand old time. Our nephew loved it. Eight goals and a tremendous atmosphere despite last week's defeat by Juventus. We even got one of these celebrations. My bluenose friends were somewhat perturbed by my visit, but they ought to know about my ecumenical credentials by now.
Two things lingered with me after the game. Firstly, "The Celtic Huddle". Here it is in action from a couple of years ago:
It was a joy to be there and see it happen. And ironic as well, because in the morning I'd been teaching about a different kind of huddling as a vehicle for discipleship. The plan is to try and roll this out in the coming year as a way of making disciples who make disciples. Details of what is involved can be found here.
The second thing that struck me was how often we got to leap to our feet when a goal was scored. The standing was an acknowledgement of excitement at success and the prowess of the players. My colleague Gordon was preaching at the morning service yesterday and one thing he mentioned was the importance of acknowledging God. Instantly a light went on for me about why we stand up in church. It's not just a ritual, or something we have to do. We leap to our feet to acknowledge God: what the Father has done for us in Christ and in sending the Holy Spirit to give us Life. Next time you are in church and the leader says, "Let's stand to worship", why not try leaping to your feet and remembering who God is and what has been done for you. I'll look forward to being part of that excited congregation.
It's a little known fact, but Scotland remains in the running at the semi-final stage of Euro 2012, at least at the website of Peter Ould. By some miracle, I've managed to reach third place in predicting the results of the games to date. After a rubbish start, things have picked up considerably. So, football-savvy readers, what do you predict for Portugal-Spain and Germany-Italy?
Maybe we could do this together and win, for the honour of Scotland. After all, other than the wonderful Homeless World Cup (Scotland holds the title at present, and this year it's held in Mexico) our qualifying abilities for major championships is pretty dire.
I have a severe headache. It comes from a combination of the drumming in Kelvingrove Park at the opening of the West End Festival and the incessant noise from the vuvuzelas which accompanies every World Cup game.
Please, don't let the latter come to any open air events here.
Last night someone suggested we could use them at church. What for? To drown out the preacher? To lead in musical worship? As a cheap fanfare for the King of Kings? I don't think so. My heid is bursting as it is.......
Peter Ould is running a World Cup Competition. It involves predicting the results. You need to register on his site. I predict that my predictions will be, in the main, completely wrong.
Forgive us for failing (again). We'll really try to do better, but can't
promise anything.
God who is always on the side of the depressed and defenceless, can we
please have a go next time?
O, Lord, please let anyone but England win, for we are their neighbours and have to live with them.
Grant to our spouses unfailing patience as we watch the games, and may they supply us with an abundant supply of nibbles and liquid refreshment. Forgive them their inability to appreciate the beautiful game which you have created, and stop up their mouths from moaning about there being nothing else on the telly.
Very early Friday am: GV Boy awakens me. He is in excruciating pain. Long story short: by way of NHS 24, our GP and A & E, he ends up in hospital having surgery on an abscess. He's out today, having had the whole thing cleaned out. Not nice.
In the midst of all that, I managed to fit in the first onsite meeting with the contractors for Building for the Future. I can't quite believe we've reached this stage. This time next year the new facilities should be completed.
Last night, I had the privilege of speaking at the rather excellent dedication service for the new season of the Strathclyde Evangelical Churches Football League. Darren had the vision and did a brilliant job of organising the whole thing, the President and Secretary of the Scottish Amateur Football Association did a very entertaining Q & A, a St Silas' band led the worship songs and one hundred and fifty or so footballers turned up!
Scottish Anglican Network A network in Scotland of Anglican churches and individuals who follow Jesus and are enthusiastic for Him to be known in our communities.
St Thomas' Church, Edinburgh A welcoming community of people in the West of Edinburgh who follow Jesus and who long for others to join them on that journey.
GAFCON UK Helping faithful Anglicans in the British Isles and Europe to proclaim the Gospel to the nations.
Tearfund A Christian charity passionate about ending poverty. I serve on the Scottish Advisory Group.
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