This is Good News

My hope for the church is that it would become the very heartbeat of the community. Just as in the past the River Clyde provided jobs, security and upheld Glasgow's economy, how refreshing it would be if the church could adopt the same role. Imagine a city where various churches opened shops, coffee houses and bookstores, providing jobs and boosting the economy. Imagine a Glasgow that couldn't survive without the involvement of the Church - where Christian love of the city meant investment of time and money. The possibilities are endless.

There will always be people who take the benefits of the river for granted and who fail to truly understand, but when everything those people put their hope and faith in fails, God's provision will remain. The question is whether or not they realise at that point.

The Song we sing over Glasgow

I posted yesterday about the importance of singing in the midst of difficulty. I believe this is important at a personal and corporate level. I have a real heart for the city of Glasgow. All too often it is easy to look around and see all the negatives, get frustrated and lose hope. I believe we need to sing two songs - one which recognises the reality and one which speaks prophetically about the future.






Although the bell no longer rings...a day is coming when it will be heard again
Although the bird no longer flies...a day is coming when it will soar
Although the tree no longer grows...a day is coming when it will stand tall
Although the fish no longer swims...a day is coming when the river will be full of life
Let Glasgow Flourish!

Never Let Go

At church tonight we were talking about the importance of praising God in the difficult times. The times when he seems distant and you feel alone. Thats where I was tonight...tired, down, full of doubts and generally not feeling it. Part of me just wanted to run away.

And from no where God whispered some lines from a Matt Redman song called Never Let Go...

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

I believe that the song is about hope. Sometimes hope is the only thing that keeps us going. The hope that God hears our cry and will deliver us from the difficult situations we end up in. The only thing we can do is keep Going!