Blog on the Learig

  12 August 2026 We went to the V and A in Dundee recently and saw an exhibition of around 28 architectural models of assorted Maggie’s   Centres throughout the country. I remember the one at the gatehouse to the Western General in Glasgow which is probably not there anymore. The centres were conceived by Maggie Jencks who suffered from cancer. She wanted to create a welcoming environment for cancer patients, their families and friends where they could gather together, talk, sit quietly or simply be in a peaceful, unhurried place. Although each centre has been beautifully and distinctively designed by different architects, there is one feature which is common to both – the kitchen table. It is described as ‘the literal and symbolic heart of every Maggie’s Centre’. There are no reception desks, no uniforms, no formality. People are drawn towards the kitchen table where the kettle is always on and people can have a cup of tea and drink at their leisure. It is a deliberat...

  11 August 2026 In acknowledging his failure to walk on water, Peter was able not only   to identify more closely with others whose failures are often more acutely seen than our own, but to acknowledge that it wasn’t his leadership but God’s which was of ultimate significance. Sometimes what we do for others is more like the ministry of Santa Claus. It is a detached generosity in which we remain fully in control. It isn’t borne out of our solidarity with fellow human beings who are all in need of each other and of God. Sometimes we are afraid to step out of the boat onto the stormy seas because we do not believe that God is to be found outside the church just as much as inside. We know he has promised to be with us when we gather in his name and   is uniquely present in Word and Sacrament. But   that doesn’t mean to say that he is not present beyond the kirk walls and in the hearts of those who do not belong to the church. By stepping out into the community ...

  10 August 2026 Peter   and his friends are   trapped in the boat in the midst of a storm. The wind is against them. The boat is in difficulties. What is going to happen next? Jesus sees the troubled boat and comes walking on the water. ‘Take heart, it is I: do not be afraid.’ he says. When Peter asks to walk on the water too. ‘ Come!’ says Jesus. Peter steps out and starts walking on the water. But when he feels the strong wind and sees its effect upon the water, he becomes frightened. He loses faith. He begins to sink. Quite naturally, he prays, ‘ Lord, save me!’ There are two encouraging insights. Firstly, those who are called to participate in the leadership of the church at whatever level need not be discouraged for long if they doubt the power of God to save, heal, help, build, renew. It was true of Peter upon whom Christ built his church. It’s true of us too! Secondly, the true nature of our discipleship is not to be found in a perfect life but a life whi...

  9 August 2026 Isaiah, the prophet,     sets   out God’s vision for a new heaven and a new earth in which his people are described as a delight and harmony will reign   across the earth and   within the animal kingdom! He sets out four primary characteristics, summarized in Raymond Fung’s   book,     ‘The Isaiah Vision’, subtitled, ‘A Strategy for Congregational Evangelism’. It specifies: ·          that children do not die ·          that old people live in dignity ·          that those who build houses live in them ·          that those who plant vineyards eat the fruit The strategy is simple. And most people would agree with it. It’s easy to translate into action and everyone can play their part.   But it’s not an exclusively Christian agenda. It’s one which co...

  8 August 2026 When we were children, my brother and I each had one of Beatrix Potter’s famous tales. I had the ‘Tale of Peter Rabbit’ and he had ‘The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck’. They were beautifully illustrated by the author and very easy to read. Even as children, we noticed the darkness in the tales. Peter Rabbit’s father had been chased by Mr. MacGregor – caught, skinned and baked into a pie for dinner. Jemima Puddle-Duck is lured into a shed by ‘a gentleman with a bushy tale’. She is rescued by a friendly dog but her puppies eat her eggs! As a child, I didn’t like this development. I wanted to deny this reality. Every time we turned the page, I wanted it to be different. But Beatrix Potter’s skill at story-telling is illustrated here. She writes simply but directly. She doesn’t deny reality and that gives her tale depth. When our children were born, my mother gave them Beatrix Potter books over a period of time. Eventually, they collected all twenty-three of her tal...

  7 August 2026 I have an old magic lantern slide which I bought in the museum in Dumfries. It was set into a block of wood which enabled the light to pass through. It is a picture of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers. They sold him into slavery but now he has risen to become ‘the Lord of Egypt’. Joseph was Rachel’s firstborn and Rachel was Jacob’s favourite wife. You remember his Uncle Laban’s deception in giving him Rachel’s older sister, Leah in her place! As a result, Joseph becomes Jacob’s favourite son making the other eleven intensely jealous! Surprisingly, Joseph doesn’t bear any animus towards his brothers. At every stage in his exile, he sees the hand of God at work in his life. He says of his suffering, ‘God has sent me before you to preserve life.’ In the famine, Egypt has food to share. Later on he says, ‘So it was not you who sent me here, but God?’ They are cleared of all responsibility. Reconciliation is only possible when we make a shift like this i...