Three pounds of haggis!

We’re a sentimental bunch at the best of times – us Scots… and a wee bit morose at the worst of times.  But there was something apt that Bill McLaren was buried on Burns Day.  Especially in light of one of his many memorable and colourful phrases – watch the video, you’ll get it!

We’ve missed Bill McLaren’s rugby commentaries for several years now, but I, for one, will never forget him.  His voice introduced me to rugby, as I watched Scotland internationals on TV.  In fact, he provided more than commentary on the game, he entertained, enthralled and educated.  My love of rugby owes much to this man from Hawick.

As part of his preparation for big matches he prepared ‘big sheets’ crammed with facts about every player.  I’ve adopted the concept of ‘big sheets’, but not the format – and that’s an entry for another time and place.

One of the most remarkable things about Bill McLaren’s commentaries was his sense of balance – he didn’t offer his opinions, he didn’t criticise players or officials, he wasn’t (too) partisan; yet he was always passionate and enthusiastic.

He seemed like a thoroughly decent man.

So farewell to the voice of rugby – the privilege was all ours (although I’m sure he’d disagree).

Haiti, transformation and the safety of my cheque book

“As long as there are people, Christ will walk on earth as your neighbour, as the one through whom God calls you, speaks to you, makes demands on you.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

As I noted in an earlier post, I’ve been thinking about Haiti – how we should respond and what our response would mean.

First of all, I think that there is an imperative that we do actually respond – in cash and in prayer.  We should meet the immediate humanitarian needs that arise from the impact of the earthquake, which has hit an already poor country.  And while there is an inevitable feeling of helplessness (“Can my few quid make a difference?”), we should follow Mother Teresa’s guidance:

“If you can’t feed 100 people, then feed just one.”

BUT (and, if you read this blog regularly, you knew there was a ‘but’ coming!) there has to be more than just a cash commitment in the face of catastrophe.  I liked what Jim Gordon said about working out theological response in the community of faith.

My thinking has taken me down the track of engagement: deep, long‑term, community‑to-community, transformative engagement.  For a long time now I’ve argued that churches, my church, should get involved with one or two projects and embrace them.  I’m talking about getting to know the people and the faces, about making connections that are informed by personal contact, not just by satellite technology. 

I’m talking about giving to help, and learning in the process.  This type of transformative engagement will encompass social, economic, moral and spiritual dimensions – for both giver and receiver.

It’s too easy, in my view, to wait for the next disaster to come along, then respond and forget.  We need to be involved in a deep and enduring way.  As an example, Tony Campolo has been involved in Haiti for many years.  Are we – am I – willing to get so close, to establish long-term commitments with all of the associated frustrations and disappointments?  Or will I hide behind the safety of my cheque book?

Birthday Girl

Rachel... just 17!

Hope - the beauty that can come from ashes

I came across a short film (20 minutes) called "The Butterfly Circus" through Michael Hyatt's blog.  It seemed to link to my earlier post.  It's well worth watching.

The persistence of hope

Like everyone else, I’ve been thinking a lot about the situation in Haiti – and I’ll write about it later.  In the meantime…

Yesterday we were informed that the Haitian government had called off the rescue efforts.  This is an understandable, rational decision to have reached.  But 11 hours later a 24-year old man was pulled from the rubble (you can find the BBC story here).

This raises questions for me – questions that challenge my rational mind.  Why would the families, and rescue crews, hold out any hope of finding someone alive after all this time.  From previous disasters of this kind, the evidence would clearly indicate that we are way past the point where a human could survive.  Yet, miraculously, they are!

The challenge?  How do you make a decision that eliminates hope for those who haven’t found their loved ones?  How do you choose between the slim prospects of finding any more survivors and beginning the tasks of clearing rubble, providing immediate aid and rebuilding?  Such decisions must be agonising to make – we should pray for those who are faced with these impossible choices.

Thinking about... football shirts

Last night I caught the last 20 minutes of the Everton/ Manchester City game.  I don't support either team, but I've got mixed feelings about Man City at the moment.  They used to be regarded as the team that real Mancunians supported, and were more true to their roots than their city rivals United.  Now they're owned by a billionaire who seems to be intent on spending obscene sums of money to achieve success - but I digress.

What struck me was the strip that City were wearing - it's their third kit for this season.  I really like it.

I like it for three reasons:

• the design is crisp and elegant;
• it's a throw back to an earlier era (the black and white background image), appealing to the long lost days of my youth;
• the sponsor's logo doesn't overpower the design.

Sadly, the third bullet point isn't true for their first or second kits!  Maybe more teams should adopt a similar strategy, rather than designing their gear around very large logos.

Just a thought.

Frozen Tay

We've lived in and around Perth for more than 20 years, and I've never seen the river frozen right across - till now!

We spent some time yesterday taking photos, in the snow.  This is a selection that hopefully captures the essence of it.

The last one reminds me of a satellite image - maybe the eastern Med?


The video shows that the ice was still forming, even though the river was flowing quite briskly - I guess, that confirms that it's been a bit chilly around here.

Lucy's Virtual Visit Challenge

I'm happy to accept Lucy's challenge and play.  Here's my space.

The funny thing is that unlike some of those who have commented at Lucy's space, I don't feel that this is too personal to post.  In fact, one of the reasons for playing is to keep me motivated to organise and simplify this working space.

Feel free to join in the challenge.

Silver linings

They say that every cloud has a silver lining - so here are some silver linings related to our current weather situation:

• crisp cold mornings that stimulate the body;
• the amazing quality of light that we have when the sun shines on the snow-clad land;
• the beautiful sunset tonight as the blue sky turn red at the horizon;
• thinking about using the car for short journeys, rather than automatically using it;
• clearing the junk from the garage to get the car into it;
• (to some extent) neighbours helping each other - in some cases getting to know each other;
• and a beautiful photo of our lovely city over at That Hideous Man's place.

(Having said all of that, a wee break in the weather would be most welcome, although the forecast isn't too promising.)

Please feel free to add to this list!

Epiphany thoughts

Maggi Dawn wrote:

"Epiphany is not only the climax of the Christmas story, it’s also the marker of the return to everyday life – being faithful to the vision even though the stars and angels are nothing more than a distant memory."

... which got me thinking that, maybe the only time of year when we collectively (as a society) enter a reflective mood is over the New Year period.  It's surely not a coincidence that this is the time when people make resolutions to change this, that, or the other aspect of their life.  Then, when we get back to "everyday life", the life expectancy of our resolutions and our reflections drops dramatically.  In our busy-ness, we forget so easily, become pre-occupied, or fall back into old habits.

... which got me thinking - when will I next take the time to do a bit of reflecting and reviewing?  How will I build this important activity in to my "everyday life".  Or will my ponderings just melt away - like "snaw aff a dyke" (though not this winter!)

More on 'why'

Interestingly (after yesterday's post) I came across this today:

The one question you should ask now.

More on 'why'

Interestingly (after yesterday's post) I came across this today:

The one question you should ask now.

The importance of purpose

This is an extract from an entry over at Kevin Eikenberry’s blog:

“It seems like Kevin talks about “why” a lot; he talks about the importance of purpose – both looking backwards and forward.”

This struck a chord with me. It seems that in some settings – work, church – people can get a bit nervous or, even, defensive when I talk about vision. Maybe there’s too much association with snappy (or not-so-snappy) slogans.

But the key to planning, and therefore reviewing, any organization or task must relate to its purpose. So maybe I need to focus more on telling the story of ‘why’, or asking the questions that help us all understand ‘why’; rather than trying to convince people of the need for a coherent vision.

Certainly at work, as I continue to adapt to a new role in what we hope will be a new culture, I need to focus on “the importance of purpose”; to deal with “why” more than “how”; to do the thinking and the communicating rather than (micro)managing tasks.

Like all changes, this won’t be easy. But it should make a significant difference, and it will help me to look at things positively, instead of moaning about other people ‘not getting it’.

It’s not exactly a New Year’s Resolution, but I’m happy to be held accountable for my performance as the year progresses.

The importance of purpose

This is an extract from an entry over at Kevin Eikenberry’s blog:

“It seems like Kevin talks about “why” a lot; he talks about the importance of purpose – both looking backwards and forward.”

This struck a chord with me. It seems that in some settings – work, church – people can get a bit nervous or, even, defensive when I talk about vision. Maybe there’s too much association with snappy (or not-so-snappy) slogans.

But the key to planning, and therefore reviewing, any organization or task must relate to its purpose. So maybe I need to focus more on telling the story of ‘why’, or asking the questions that help us all understand ‘why’; rather than trying to convince people of the need for a coherent vision.

Certainly at work, as I continue to adapt to a new role in what we hope will be a new culture, I need to focus on “the importance of purpose”; to deal with “why” more than “how”; to do the thinking and the communicating rather than (micro)managing tasks.

Like all changes, this won’t be easy. But it should make a significant difference, and it will help me to look at things positively, instead of moaning about other people ‘not getting it’.

It’s not exactly a New Year’s Resolution, but I’m happy to be held accountable for my performance as the year progresses.

Tuesdays with Morrie

You know you’ve read a good book, when you reach the end of it and you know that it hasn’t finished with you.

That’s what I wrote in my journal, when I finished reading ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom.  It was definitely the best book that I read last year.

I read it on the train to London at the start of our holiday in July, and as I was reading it I had in mind two older men who have had a significant influence in my life.

It’s an autobiographical account of a man re-establishing his relationship with his former college professor – when he realises that the professor is terminally ill.

It’s a book about learning what is important in life :

And which are the important questions?

“As I see it, they have to do with love, responsibility, spirituality, awareness.  And if I were healthy today, those would still be my issues.  They should have been all along.”

Two days after I finished reading it, we received a phone call to tell us that my Dad was in hospital, and as the days and weeks passed I realised that the real poignancy of this book for me was about my relationship with the old man that I was closest to.  I really feel that I was able to change as a result of reading Tuesdays with Morrie – which I can’t say about many other books.

I learned to draw close to my Dad in the short period that remained of his life, to have conversations with him that I would otherwise have shied away form, to get involved in his personal care, to enjoy just sitting in silence with him, and I think that it helped me to deal with his death when it came.

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.”

Funnily enough, I feel that this book still hasn’t finished with me.  It’s a book that I will read again, but not just yet.

Have any books affected you in a similar way?

New traditions at New Year

Since this is the second year that we've done it, I'm calling it a tradition! 

I'm talking about watching Jools Holland's Hootenanny.  I know it's pre-recorded, but there seems to be a really good atmosphere in the TV studio, and the performers all seem to enjoy themselves.  I should acknowledge that I'm a fan of Jools' Rhythm and Blues Orchestra - we saw them several years ago in Perth City Hall and they were fabulous.

So what were the stand out performances for me this year?

I enjoyed Paolo Nuttini's version of 'Lovin Machine'; and the technique and innovation from Rodrigo Y Gabriela; and I quite enjoyed Florence (without the Machine) doing 'My Baby Just Cares For Me'.

I was surprised to find myself enjoying the sartorially suave Mr Dizzee Rascal vs Nirvana.  (I wonder why Mrs Rascal named her son Dizzee?  Does he have siblings called Naughtee and Cheekee?)

But for me the stand out performance of the evening was Ruby Turner singing 'This Train' - check it out!

Do you have any new traditions that you'd like to share? Or, even, traditions that you'd like to introduce to family life?  

Coping with weather - an insight to ...?

By the standards of recent winters, we have had an exceptionally cold and difficult spell of weather to deal with.  For a couple of weeks the temperature has barely been above freezing, and has dropped to -12C in the city.  In addition, we've had several snowfalls, including about 12 inches on Boxing Day, and the forecast for the next few days doesn't indicate any let up in the conditions.

So what?  We live in a northerly country - what do we expect?  Well, listening to the citizens complaining and the pathetic excuses of public services, we expect normal life to carry on without interruption.

Anyway, as I was driving home from work last night it occurred to me that coping with these circumstances was very demanding.  I've spent lots of physical energy clearing snow and ice from the driveway so I can get my car out; but I've also spent lots of mental energy concentrating intensely on driving in fairly poor conditions.  The result - I've been completely knackered by the time I get home each night.

And it struck me that maybe, for once in a decade, I've been given an faint insight to the lives of those who struggle to cope with their environment.  Whether the environment is scorching desert, or involves carrying water for many miles, or surviving as an asylum seeker in this country on benefits of £35 per week, daily living requires all of the physical, mental and emotional energy that people can muster.

I hope that I don't forget this too readily when things get back to normal around here.  Regrettably I suspect that I'll slip back into my comfortable, complacent, middle class, affluent, thoughtless, Western lifestyle all too easily.  

God save me from my self-absorption!