I try to remember to check out the BUS and BUGB websites about once a week just in case there is anything new, important or interesting.  Today is a case in point, and shows that it helps to be a dual-(denomi)nationality church!

From BUS this one about the possibility of pitching for large sums of money for Christian social action projects in a 'Dragon's Den' style event taking place in London - not of direct interest to me or my church but maybe it is for yours...?

From BUGB this one about the possibility of young people 'in relationship with' Baptist churches having the opportunity to sail a tall ship.  I kind of wish I was younger, and still had two fully functional arms, so I could go for this one, but hey, just maybe there is someone reading this who knows someone aged 16-25 who would love this?

Given I have readers in both BUS and BUGB and beyond, it just may be that one of these is useful to someone.

A couple of interesting links this morning. 

For those who bemoan the paucity of some (much?) Baptist preaching then Steve Holmes is worth a quick look see here.  Steve is another ex-pat English Baptist in Scotland, teaching and researching at St Andrews.  Of course, should he worship at the Gathering Place he'd fine we do use decent chunks of scripture week on week... :-)

Sticking with my 'authenticity' theme HT Angela for this little video which should make you smile... and maybe think a little:

Whoo!  I finally learned to embed video!! 

I guess it is a song created from a 'good' place rather than a 'dark' place but even so it recognises the potential for darkness (and of course I could be wrong...).  And even if I'm not wild about the word 'fight' I think I get what they're saying.

Here are the words...

I wanna soar with you up on wings like eagles
But I'll crawl with you too
When the dark and lonely questions come
I wanna stand true
No matter what's new or comes through
I cant stand still
Whatever hits I'll keep making movements to you
I'm running fast and free to you,

Cos your love is the movement and fight in me
I'm running fast and free to you,

Cos you are my home where I wanna be

I wanna float with you, the currents driving me
But I'll paddle hard too
When the waves and rapids overcome
I wanna stand firm
When my mind is weak and my emotions squirm
I must stand true
Whatever hits I'll keep making movements to you
Won’t walk away, I won’t walk away