It was great to sleep in a little. Norma and Dennis are great hosts. Norma prepared a wonderful breakfast, with the best Black Pudding I have tasted. We relaxed a while, then attended Church with Norma.
We walked to the Church. I have never been to a Brethren service before, but I was immediately taken by the beautiful Christ like atmosphere and warmth of the fellowship of people who had actually near filled the Church building for this the first of two services we attended, one which immediately followed the other.
The first service was more traditional for the Brethren. Someone starts it off with a welcome from a seat within the congregation, but after that the service depends on the free and unanticipated participation of those present. On the belief and trust that the Lord prompts those to participate, someone might feel led to pray, to suggest a meaningful song with explanation, to sing or to even just sit quietly. It was also a communion service, so at the appropriate time we participated in communion, and with further singing the service came to a close after an hour. The singing was hearty, and the songs really spoke to my own heart. I was personally greatly blessed and moved in my heart during the service, especially the song 'Take my life and let it be, consecreated Lord, to Thee'.
We broke for tea/coffee and the fellowship of people was swelled by a larger, younger crowd for the second service. There were dozens of lovely children, and the strength of the congregation seems to be in the 20-40 age group which is unusual in many churches these days. A young man opened and led the service through. He was a gifted and Godly young guy, and we were blessed just by his leadership, humour and ministry. The songs again were excellent. The congregation sang with great devotion, some being good old songs of the Church such as 'Rock of Ages' (to a tune written by a member of the church) to more modern songs that were new to Julie and I.
Again I found myself deeply moved and blessed, and so glad we timed our visit to Edinburgh with the opportunity to share the church services with Norma and Dennis. The Pastor preached on 'God, our Rock' - hence the importance and value of the song 'Rock of Ages'. He used the three sub points that God our Rock is Great; is Active and is Reliable. It was a very well prepared message, and the Lord used it to bring enormous blessing and meaning. It certainly did for me. The song of course was written by Augustus Toplady who lived between 1740 and 1778. He lived in Somerset (not far from the village of Wells where we had visited) and was caught out one day in a violent storm while walking around a rocky cliff face. He took refuge from the storm in the crevice of the rock face, and being a musician he became suddenly inspired about God who is our Rock, and who provides for us a place of safety and security in the Salvation He offers through faith in Jesus Christ. So he scribbled out the words of inspiration:
''Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood (a reference to the wounds of Christ at His Crucifixion)
From Thy wounded side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from its guilt and power
Rock of ages cleft for me, hide me now my refuge be'.
We finished the service again with the song, which was sung with enormous power and meaning.
Incredibly we met a Sri Lankan couple who belong to the church. They provide the music for the first service. I mentioned that we have a lovely Sri Lankan lady who works on our team at Headquarters back in Sydney (Shantini), and it turns out that not only are these people friends, but also related and haven't heard from each other since 1984.
Shantini, if you are reading this, I gave them your email address - hope you don't mind.
It was just great to spend a relaxing day at 'home'. I have sat on the computer all afternoon and amused myself. It is now 5:30pm, and outside it is raining with a vengeance, just bucketing down. How much more rain can there be?
We have a free day tomorrow, then Tuesday we hit the road for St Andrews.
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3 comments:
Hi Julie and Kelvin
Starting to rust yet? At least you will be clean and there will be no dust!
Scotland can be cold - enjoy the crispness. Give our love to Norma and Dennis. We stayed with them at Shona and Craigs a couple of yeras ago -we were there for Olivia's birthday.
Dawn is exhausted from just reading about the trip - she has to have a break!
Enjoy your days off - the only problem is you are now used to the long days and you will get out of the habit.
Keep safe
Love Dawn and Malcolm
Hello Kel and Julie,
I have been catching up with your amazing adventures over the last couple of nights with Julia. You are both truely inspiring with your physical and spiritual strength under challenging conditions.
Winter conditions are thinning out the Saturday riders and we are down to the die hards. We look forward to Julie joining us given her incredible form!
We are hopefully going to exchange on our new house in Constitution Hill this week and would like to have you over once we get settled. Keep powering on, stay safe Love Andrew and Julia
Hi Dawn and Mal - Great to hear from you. Actually, I think we could rust - there has been rain virtually everyday for nearly three weeks now. Predictions are for more rain as we head further north. We leave Norma and Dennis's tomorrow morning - its been a very lovely stay. Thanks for the note. Love K & J
Hi Andrew and Julia - it is so nice to hear from you both. I must say that despite doing over 2200k in training over these past 4 weeks, I don't feel any fitter for the bike - I think we carry a daily weariness that never has a chance to recover. I keep saying to Julie that she is good enough now to sit on the back of the pack. It may take some convincing from Geoff in his usual charming fashion to help her make the leap from bike rider to cyclist in the pack! although I carry more weight, I find it hard to stay with her now on the flat roads! Thanks for your thoughts - we would feel greatly privileged to share a meal in your new home. Glad its all come together for you both. Stay in touch...love from Kelvin and Julie (PS I have lost more than 8kg in weight!)
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