Polmont Old
Parish Church - Scotland
Parish Church - Scotland
Jerome's Jottings
Polmont Old Parish Church
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
Among the plethora of gods available for worship by the Romans, was the god, Janus. Janus was the god of transition and change. In this way, Janus was associated with the changing of seasons and the transitional phases in human life. Janus was ordinarily depicted or represented as one head with two faces, each looking in the opposite direction to the other. Janus was also regarded as a figure that represented time: one face looks to the past, the other to the future. It is from this god that we have inherited the name for the first month of the year, January.
Looking Back
In looking back, there is much that we can rejoice over. The church continues to grow in numbers, but especially in faith and in unity. The social value of the church is growing - it is feeling at one with its community, and vice versa. Witness the Burn’s Night, the concerts, the Polmont Clean Up Day, the revival of the Baby Group, amongst others. Oh yes, there have been differences of opinion and difficulties, but the journey has been worth-while and we are all the stronger for facing challenges honestly.
Looking Forward
Looking forward. It is in this direction that we are called, as God’s people, to focus our attention. Yes, to look back, take stock and give thanks, is worthwhile. But too often we stay in that state of looking back and it is not where we are called to be. God speaks to us:
“So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5: 15 - 17.
God’s Plan
These verses, amongst others, make it clear that God has a plan for each of us. That life is not meaningless, but full of the expectancy that God has for each of us. Potential to fulfil, good to be done, foolishness to be refrained from and the fullness of life grasped. There is a wonderful image in the last book of the Narnia series by C S Lewis, called ‘The Last Battle’. The battle has been fought, the victory won, and Aslan, the Christ-figure, calls out to those who are true to Him this victory cry, “Onwards and Upwards”. Ours is not the past; we are called to the Future, where He is.
Polmont Old in 2008
There are many things that the church is looking forward to this year. The most immediate of these is the Stewardship Campaign. This is gathering momentum and there is more about this in the magazine. There is the Batonka Project, a plan and an opportunity to help some of the poorest and most needy people in Africa. There is the plan to twin Polmont Old with a Presbyterian Church in Harare. So we have much to look forward to as a church.
As the people of God, I would urge us to look upward to Him who gives us hope and strength; look forward to the plans that God has for us; and walk with confident steps in the power of God’s Spirit along the road He sets before us.
Jerome
Polmont Old Parish Church
ONWARDS AND UPWARDSAmong the plethora of gods available for worship by the Romans, was the god, Janus. Janus was the god of transition and change. In this way, Janus was associated with the changing of seasons and the transitional phases in human life. Janus was ordinarily depicted or represented as one head with two faces, each looking in the opposite direction to the other. Janus was also regarded as a figure that represented time: one face looks to the past, the other to the future. It is from this god that we have inherited the name for the first month of the year, January.
Looking Back
In looking back, there is much that we can rejoice over. The church continues to grow in numbers, but especially in faith and in unity. The social value of the church is growing - it is feeling at one with its community, and vice versa. Witness the Burn’s Night, the concerts, the Polmont Clean Up Day, the revival of the Baby Group, amongst others. Oh yes, there have been differences of opinion and difficulties, but the journey has been worth-while and we are all the stronger for facing challenges honestly.
Looking Forward
Looking forward. It is in this direction that we are called, as God’s people, to focus our attention. Yes, to look back, take stock and give thanks, is worthwhile. But too often we stay in that state of looking back and it is not where we are called to be. God speaks to us:
“So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5: 15 - 17.
God’s Plan
These verses, amongst others, make it clear that God has a plan for each of us. That life is not meaningless, but full of the expectancy that God has for each of us. Potential to fulfil, good to be done, foolishness to be refrained from and the fullness of life grasped. There is a wonderful image in the last book of the Narnia series by C S Lewis, called ‘The Last Battle’. The battle has been fought, the victory won, and Aslan, the Christ-figure, calls out to those who are true to Him this victory cry, “Onwards and Upwards”. Ours is not the past; we are called to the Future, where He is.
Polmont Old in 2008
There are many things that the church is looking forward to this year. The most immediate of these is the Stewardship Campaign. This is gathering momentum and there is more about this in the magazine. There is the Batonka Project, a plan and an opportunity to help some of the poorest and most needy people in Africa. There is the plan to twin Polmont Old with a Presbyterian Church in Harare. So we have much to look forward to as a church.
As the people of God, I would urge us to look upward to Him who gives us hope and strength; look forward to the plans that God has for us; and walk with confident steps in the power of God’s Spirit along the road He sets before us.
Jerome
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