Kirk Reflections Kirkliston Parish

Kirk Reflections 23rd June 2024.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings this week's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland.

CALM BEFORE... OR AFTER THE STORM?"Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?”"(Mark 4: 38-40 MSG)

This week we’re talking about the wonders of waves and
wavering wonderfully with the wisdom of God’s presence…

Kirk Reflections 19th June 2024.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings this week's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland.

FLOURISHING PALM TREES"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;planted in the house of the Lord,they will flourish in the courts of our God."(Psalm 92: 12-13)



This week, we explore Psalm 92!Here are some thoughts on WHY we gather to worship God by Ian Simkins…“When church is only and event…The sanctuary becomes a theatreThe people become the audienceThe music becomes the entertainmentThe preaching becomes the keynote
But, when Church is the peopleBoth gathered and scattered…The sanctuary, people, music, and preaching becomeVehicles for healing, restoration, equipping, and sending.
The purpose of a car isn’t to fill it with fuel.It’s to go somewhere. Fuel simply helps it get there…
The purpose of church is not to merely fill us with information.It’s to equip us to go somewhere.To live on mission.Wherever we are.
The gathering is profoundly important.But it’s not the whole picture.It’s preperation to live on mission.To bring Heaven to EarthTo push back darkness wherever we encounter it.
Church isn’t a buildingWorship isn’t just musicPrayer isn’t for the expertsMinistry isn’t just for ministersMission isn’t something we add – it is our life.
Church isn’t an event you go to.It’s a family you belong to.
We won’t change the world by only going to church.We’ll change it by being the church.

Kirk Reflections 26th May 2024.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings this week's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland.



BORN AGAINJesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.(JOHN 3: 5-9)

According to Jesus we need to be born again...this baffled Nicodemus.
To be born again is something we Christians often use to talk about someone who had a dramatic change of heart.
But could being ‘born again’ also be a daily transformation that takes
place almost unnoticed if we surrender to Christ’s love and influence?

Kirk Reflections 12th May 2024.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings this week's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland.

RE-PLANTING"Whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers."(PSALM 1: 2-3)

Thomas Merton said, “A tree gives glory to God by being a tree. It ‘consents’ to His creative love. It expresses an idea which is in God’s mind. So the more a tree is like itself, the more it is like Him.”Trees never try to be something else, like wart hogs or sledge hammers. They are content to be trees. But you and I struggle. We can be whoever we want to be, but the less I am in sync with God’s plan, the more hollow I become. 

This week we'll look at how the Psalmist uses the image of tree and tree-planting to encourage us to live in close proximity to Jesus and by doing so live an abundant life!

Kirk Reflections 5th May 2024.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings this week's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland.

LOVE AND FRIENDSHIPGreater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (JOHN 15:13)

Friendship is such a crucial part of the Gospel. Without it, life would be pretty dull. We need (and crave) shared experiences with others for it to come alive.

Just the other day we had a BBQ on the beach at Silver Sands in Aberdour. Whilst the wood was crackling, and we got the burgers ready I thought to myself: would it be as enjoyable without friends?

Growing up, I had an imaginary friend ‘Nga (pronounced
‘Hinga’). We did loads together. Exploring the river next to our house, looking for tadpoles and playing in the garden.

As we grow older it may be that our friendship group shrinks, and we almost lament the idea of a large friendship group. The incredible thing about Christian community, is that we’re never alone. We don’t need imaginary friends, because there are multiple opportunities throughout the week (not only on a Sunday!) where we can gather with brothers and sisters in Christ!

Let us remember: in order to have good friends, we must endeavour TO BE a good friend. And how does one achieve this? By your willingness to lay down your life for ‘em. This is what Jesus did, of course; so are we expected to do the same?

Kirk Reflections 28th April 2024.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings this week's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland.

HOLY SPIRT, HORSES & HEAVENLY GUIDANCE

The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

(ACTS 8: 29-30)



Have you felt the Spirit calling you to do something out of the ordinary?

We see this happen time and time again in the book of Acts. In this week’s reading we’ll look at how Phillip trusted the Holy Spirit to Guide him to baptise the first African Convert.