17th century Baptists weren't much into singing; they weren't even keen on metrical psalms or, indeed, anything liturgical written after the Bible.  Benjamin Keach liked singing it seems (though what he wrote made the worst of contemporary praise songs look good) and became embroiled in a long and sophisticated theological debate with one Isaac Marlow over the legitimacy not merely of singing, but of using 'pre-printed formes'.  Mr Marlow was of the opinion that singing was an inner experience, that at most one person might be permitted to sing aloud, provided his (it must be a 'he') faith was certain and his theology sound as a pound, and he wasn't reading from a book...

So he'd approve of this coming Sunday evening we we aren't singing at all in our service... though whether he'd approve of my other musical choices I very much doubt!  We will end with a recording of a convicts' choir singing a celtic-style blessing...

One of our overseas young people yesterday returned from a two week visit home with this gift for me.  I've never before seen commerical gifts for the pastor (though I've had one or two 'pastor' Christmas cards) and I was really touched by his thoughtfulness.  I think it's a intriguing comment on how 'pastors' are viewed in another country/culture.

One of the delights of serving the church I do is that there are always visitors.  Sometimes people on holiday, sometimes people visiting relatives, sometimes people studying, sometimes people in Glasgow on business.   From time to time someone visits who connects us together in surprising ways, as was the case today when the parents of a friend of mine visited, who happen through other connections to be well known by some of our folk.

Another delight is the diversity.  Our 'All Together' slot today was interactive finding out what our age range was (0 - >90 but not saying what!), how long people had been coming for (0 - >50 years) and who had been coming all their life (only three of the 60 or so present).  We shared our countries of birth, if beyond the UK, and lands we'd worked in other than where we born, including the UK (hence to Waleans (Welsh) could list both Scotland and England!).  It was fascinating and affirming to be reminded of who we are.

The world is small, and beautiful, and held in God's arms.  It is lovely to meet people who we know or who know of us, it is lovely to celebrate our diversity.  In moments like this I sense just a glimpse of what heaven might be like, at least if I was allowed to design it!

Here in Scotland the schools are back from tomorrow - only a fortnight or so after the last of the English schools closed for summer.  This means my 'year' has been strangely short - starting last year's academic year in England and starting this one in Scotland.

Special thoughts today are with S and C who will start school this week and B who transfers to secondary education.  It is also a time when Masters students complete their courses (universities use broadly the same academic years north and south of the border - just to add to the fun) so we will be saying farewell to come of our overseas folk who have completed their studies and return home, notably A and S.

In every ending is a new beginning, in every beginning an ending.  There is a mystery in all of this; sometimes we emphasise one or the other but each is part of the other and it is good to remind myself of this.

A busy few weeks as it is my turn to lead the joint evening services for three consecutive Sundays - something I'm really looking forward to and hope others will find enjoyable and helpful.  New year, new beginnings and same old same old... sounds good to me.

Having driven around 800 miles in the last couple of days I have read a lot of motorway signs, notably the 'matrix' signs that now appear bearing assorted messages.

Somewhere between Gretna and Carlise is one that reads

AVOID DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING

I like the way this self contradicts - you have to be distracted in order to read it.  So what other daft signs did I see?

OBSERVE SPEED LIMIT

WATCH YOUR SPEED

I know what these two mean, but as they stand thay are a tad daft, 'oh look there's a speed limit' or 'oh look I'm doing 70.'  I thought you were supposed to watch the road but still.

DON'T DRIVE TIRED

I drive a car myself...

COMPLY WITH RED X

This one confused me momentarily because I thought of Redex a product I used to add to petrol every now and then to care for the A-series engine in my first Metro.  Of course it meant, if there is a red X above the lane you are in don't drive in it, it's closed.  No lane was closed but just in case...

THINK BUS OR TRAIN

Why?

Some were less amusing

DON'T DRINK WHILE DRIVING

DON'T RESET SATNAV WHILE DRIVING

SOFT TYRES WASTE FUEL

BE A COURTEOUS DRIVER

Jx 15 MILES 14 MINS

And some thankfully wrong

CONJESTION J8 30MINS DELAY

The two I didn't see which always amuse were

SLOW WORKFORCE IN ROAD

Usually replaced these days with

WORKFORCE IN ROAD-SLOW

What's a road-slow?

Anyone else seen any daft or amusing signs?