Bridges – Matthew McKinnon's Blog

2025 Another stage started on Life’s Journey.

IT’S BEEN A BUSY START!

This year we spent the first day of January with family and friends at Skelmorlie on the Clyde coast, at the home of my son Allan and wife Jacqui. The best of cuisine in the best of company. On the second day of January we met again at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for ‘The Messiah’ presentation by the Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus – absolutely beautiful and inspiring! To finish the day we had a tour around the centre of Glasgow to see the ‘Christmas lights’ before they were dismantled for another year! The following sunny but frosty day we made a visit to my daughter and son-in-law at Gartmore, and finally at the end of that first week we met with friends for our annual church day of prayer. Whew, yes a busy start! Photos follow.

A peaceful New Year;s Day with family and friends.

Winter by Robert Burns
The wintry west extends his blast,

Other special big events so far this year, included a trip to hospital with my wife who was having the first of two cataracts removed from her eyes. Thankfully she is already seeing much clearer and sharper in the one eye as a result. Also, we received news that our grand-daughter Lindsey and husband Jamie had presented us with another new great-grandson named Finn. Mother and child both well and now at home.

On a sadder note we have said our farewells on this earth to a number of our older family members and friends during the last few weeks. But we await with hope a reunion in a day to come in the presence of our risen and exalted Lord Jesus Christ.

A VISIT TO THE ROBERT BURNS MEMORIAL IN ALLOWAY, SCOTLAND

Here in Scotland, just exactly one month after Christmas, on the 25 January we celebrate Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns and his amazing poetical works. So since the weather turned a bit milder this week, we used our National Trust Cards to visit the thatched cottage where Robert Burns was born in Alloway, and the nearby Burns Museum and coffee shop. It’s well worth a visit if you haven’t been, or haven’t been for a while. Here are some photos, and a couple of short excerpts from two of his best known poems.

‘Tam o Shanter’ by Robert Burns ‘But pleasures are like poppies spread: You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or like the snow fall on the river,
A moment white – then melts forever

‘To a Mouse’ by Robert Burns

But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best-laid schemes o’ mice and men
Gang aft a-gley, And lea’e us nought but grief and pain, For promised joy!

I love so many of Burn’s poems and songs, but perhaps my favourite is ‘The Cotters Saturday night‘ which gives such a great picture into family life for many here in Scotland away back in the eighteenth century. I have recorded my recitation of it on You Tube and you can listen to it here if you wish. https://youtu.be/2DJf4xWGZdg?si=huyDHOFIDWMY0lPK

I have seldom if ever, heard anyone quote the words of Robert Burns as he faced death, but in 1781 when that seemed imminent he wrote these words.

O Thou unknown, Almighty Cause of all my hopes and fears, in whose dread presence, ere an hour, Perhaps I must appear. If I have wandered in those paths Of life I aught to shun; As something loudly in my breast Remonstrates I have done.

The last verse says:

Where with intention I have erred, No other plea I have, But thou art good; and goodness still delighteth to forgive.

Sad to read of his uncertainty regarding his final eternal destiny, when it is possible to be sure! When we go on a journey we invariably have everything organised to the last detail, and particularly our final hotel/Guest House accommodation. Yet on our journey through life, thoughts of our final destination are often completely ignored. Our morning Bible reading today was from Matthew 7:13,14. where Jesus says
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’ Jesus is the Gate! (John 10.9) and Jesus is the Way (John 14:6)

So in our current uncertain and unpredictable world where none of us knows what a day may bring, I would ask you, do you know the road you are on? and have you thought of your final destination? In the bible the Apostle John writing to Christians in his first letter says ‘And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.’ (1 John 5:11,12)

Time to check it out?

Until next time – I wish you God’s blessing wherever you are.

Matthew

Memorable Moments: A Year Through My Lens

If you are a subscriber to my blog you will know that every year at this time I like to look back on the year’s photographs, and set out some of my favourites, sometimes because I love the photo and at other times just for the special memory, and other memories they invoke! In these three photos below I hope you catch what I mean.

The above are not great photos, in the first two the boat was moving and I was ‘happed up’ with a life jacket. On this cool sunny day without a breath of wind, sailing off the coast of Tiree I felt it was one of these ‘time stands still’ moments when you feel over awed by the breath-taking beauty of it all! Since then, when I look at this photo I think of a similar moment on a boat on the sea of Galilee, just after dawn, when the boatman cut the engine and we floated in quietness on the still blue sea, when the sky and sea seemed to merge. Not surprisingly thoughts of the man who walked on these waters came to mind, and a chorus we sang as kids. Yea, beautiful. I know many of you will have had similar moments when confronted by the beauty of God’s creation.

The Chorus: By blue Galilee Jesus walked of old; By blue Galilee wondrous things He told. Saviour, still my teacher be, showing wondrous things to me, as of old by Galilee blue Galilee.

Now here is a selection of other photos that give us pleasure as my wife and I look over them together

A January walk in the park with Grand daughter, and greatgrand children

There is always a sense of excitement and activity as winter draws to a close and Spring is on the near horizon. Garden tools checked, greenhouse cleaned again, seeds bought, saved seeds checked, propagators and greenhouse cleaned, tube heater check along with it’s timer control. Finally glass cleaned and floor disinfected. I’m smiling, it’s all go now!

Late Spring and Summer we try to get out and about, and we are spoiled for choice, some of these places you may have seen before.

Now for some summer photographs:-

Autumn and Winter photos :-

Many in our world today look ahead with fear and trepidation, which is not surprising considering our news bulletins filled with stories of war, doom and disaster, and considering the war, sorrows and turmoil of the world in 2024.

This reminded me of the poem read by King George Vl in his speech to the nation in 1939 just at the start of the 2nd World War. It was a poem written by Minnie Louise Haskins. Here are the words of the first verse.

Quote: And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year; “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown”. And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way“. So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And he led me towards the hills and the breaking of the day in the lone East. Unquote.

A poem said to be a favourite with the late Queen Elizabeth ll, who is credited as the person who handed it to her dad.

Personally, I have recently been reading words from the book af Acts regarding what the Apostle Peter said to the religious leaders of his day just after the resurrection of Jesus, you can read the whole story in the book of Acts chapter 4. He said
“Jesus is the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12.

These words were behind the inspiration for a new Christian song written and composed by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, which has become one of the favourites of this century. So if you feel the world is becoming increasingly chaotic, and you are in danger of giving up hope, have a read of the words, and check out the song om You Tube and you’ll see why it has become so popular. And may you find new hope and purpose in life, by coming to know this Jesus of whom it speaks.

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

I wish all my readers God’s blessing in 2025

An Irish Getaway: Cairncastle, a Travel Story

My wife and I had been talking about having a short end of summer break before the days shorten and the cold Autumn and Winter weather creeps in. The question though was, where should we go? The answer to that question came with an unexpected invitation from my wife’s cousin Helen, suggesting we come over the Irish Sea for a visit. It had been a long time since we last visited Ireland – the Emerald Isle. So after some thought we signaled yes” and soon the plans for the trip were in place. Would we be leaving a wet and dreich Scotland for the same weather in Northern Ireland we asked ourselves? I’ll let the photographs answer that question! Here is our story. Note – click on images to enlarge!

We left home in Glasgow, Scotland at 8.30am in busy traffic, but after clearing the city we made good progress and arrived at the port of Cairnryan in perfect time for the 12 noon sailing with P and O Ferries. The long-stay free car park was situated close to the terminal building and the check-in process was very easy and straightforward, as all that was required was our booking reference. We were also delighted to learn that the coach, which would take us onto the ferry was staying with us to Larne, so we should leave our luggage on the coach. Great news for Seniors 🙂

Met by our friends at Larne, we were soon at their beautiful ‘Arran View’ bed and breakfast’ at Cairncastle, (arranviewbedandbreakfast.co.uk) and relaxing with a cup of tea, ready for a long catch-up! After an evening meal the sun was still shining, so we enjoyed a guided tour of the local area. Photos below.

In the morning, after a very comfortable night’s sleep and a refreshing breakfast we were ready for one of the world’s great road journeys around the Antrim Coast, with its magnificent views of land and sea, and beautiful quaint villages! Robert (Helen’s husband) was our experienced driver and guide and we had two particular places in mind – Carrick-a-Rede and its spectacular rope bridge, and the famous ‘Giant’s Causeway’ with its large Museum and Visitors’ Centre, and its fascinating rock formations. (See earlier blog re visit to Fingals’ Cave for a similar phenomenon).

It’s good to be busy and its good at times to sit back and relax, so after the previous busy day, that’s just what we did next in the best of surroundings with family and their village friends in Cairncastle. On the Sunday we enjoyed attending Cairncastle Presbyterian Church for their morning service, and this was followed by our wedding anniversary celebration lunch at the beautiful Cairndhu Golf Club restaurant. Throughout the sun continued to shine, and the flowers were blooming in abundance!

Here are some other places of interest that we visited before it was time to head for home.

Oh, and of course, we did talk for a while of ‘Family Trees’ and I was pleased to come home with some photographs of Muriel’s family, complete with names and some more details of family history.

It’s amazing what you can pack into five days, and we were so pleased to have stepped aside from the business of life to see again the wonder of God’s amazing creation. Best of all to spend quality time out, to chat with family and to share life’s experiences and to meet new friends in Church and in the village. I was reminded of the importance of doing this by the words above the entrance to St Cedma’s Church (did you spot them in the photo above?) Teach us to number our days’, or as Psalm 90 v12 says ‘So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom’.

It’s always wise to stop now and then, and take stock of how we are spending our time and ordering our lives. Are there things we need to change, a better use of our time and talents, relationships that need healed or strengthened, and what preparations have we made for the future, our retirement or old age perhaps? However, the text above the entrance to the church most certainly had in mind preparation for our eternal future. People talk casually about heaven, but some years ago I remember a friend asking this question – what makes you think that God will let you into heaven? I thought it sounded a bit cheeky at the time, but on reflection it is a good question to ask ourselves. Here’s a hymn we sung at church on Sunday that I was unfamiliar with, but certainly gives the answer to the question that was asked. Have a listen, it’s evidently quite popular on ‘You-tube’ now by those interested in spiritual songs and music.

Trust this finds you well wherever you are, and I send best wishes and greetings from Scotland.

Matthew

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A Photo Review – 2023

Here is a review of my photographs at the end of the year, that highlight some of the lovely places and experiences that have been enjoyed. The one shown above is of the local park, where we so often walk. However those shown below are not always because of their great photographic quality, but sometimes just for the memories that they invoke. This year let’s start with Winter and finish with Winter, and in-between show something of the beauty of God’s creation here in Scotland, not only in Winter, but also in Spring, Summer and Autumn.

January and February – the winter months at the beginning of 2023.

A day out to Culzean Castle and gardens in January

A round trip from Glasgow to Dunoon via Loch Lomond, Hell’s Glen and Ardentinny

A good place to visit on a cold day – Glasgow’s Botanical Gardens

Now it’s Spring time and everything is bursting into life!

More Spring flowers:-

Late May, our holiday in and around Tiree

Now on into summer ….

**A visit to Dawyck Botanical Gardens >**

Our garden in summer ….

Day trips to the Firth of Forth Bridges, the Isle of Bute and The Trossachs

Now Autumn is coming on …. with a trip to Inverness and the Moray Coast ….

And lastly at the end of the year we are into Winter once again …

Thank you to all who subscribe to my blog and also to friends far and wide who log-on from time to time. Hopfully you have enjoyed the photographs of our travels in 2023. I often think that we are not getting around as much as we once did, until I start to select photos from the year, and then reaslise I have far too many photos to show!

The ‘card’ above brings our greetings for Christmas and the New Year, and we hope to continue our blogging in 2024 all being well, but until next year I wish you God’s blessing at this festive season! The words of my favourite carol this year, are attached.

Matthew

Visit Scotland in September? say YES!

**Bauchaille Etive Mor at the entrance to Glen Coe**

September is a good month to visit Scotland as the weather is often dry with many sunny days, tho’ perhaps a bit chilly in the mornings! It’s pleasant weather for touring around and since it is the first month of Autumn you see the beauty in the trees as the leaves begin to change colour, but still with lots of flowers in the gardens and hedgerows. This year, the weather has been particularly warm and sunny at the beginning of the month, so we took the opportunity to travel.

Our first trip took us East from Glasgow to the Firth of Forth where the river makes it’s exit into the North Sea, and on whose southern bank sits the city of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. We took a one and one half hour boat trip around the three bridges and Inchcolm Island, and found the historic commentary on board very interesting. Here are some photographs.

Later that week we travelled 200 miles north to visit family and friends along the Moray Coast and were thankful the warm weather seemed to travel with us, as you can see from the photographs.

On the Sunday we met other friends at the morning service in Elgin Baptist Church and later enjoyed a beautiful afternoon sitting at the harbour in Gardenstown.

The five days passed all too quickly and soon we were on our way home. We chose the scenic route via Inverness / Loch Ness, Fort William, Glen Coe and Loch Lomond. We had plenty of stops along the way and made the most of the day. Here are some final photos from our trip.

Well it’s sad in some respects to see the summer coming to an end for yet another year, but every season has its attractions, despite the changing weather patterns! The Autumn colours, the planting of Spring bulbs, winter nights with a good book, or friends and family around the fireside all have their attractions!

Our lives have their seasons too, our childood and teenage years, our early adult life, then middle age and old age! Now that I find myself in the latter category, it is interesting to think back and review all of life’s ups and downs, joys and sorrows, successes and disappointments. Photographs are a great way of doing that. The arrival of children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren are often a sure way to bring a smile to your face.

At the Church we visited in Elgin the pastor asked the question, ‘so what are you looking forward to’? You could expect a hundred and one answers to that question if you were to stop people on the street. but I think ‘seniors’ generally would answer differently from the rest of society. The pastor’s sermon that day was entitled A LIVING HOPE! You can see why from the Bible passage he read quoted below.

Quote – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5 (main points of sermon highlighted)

Compare this with the following quotation from the late atheistic philosopher Bertrand Russell. Quote – “all the labours of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of Man’s achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the débris of a universe in ruins” …….. Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.”

Actually the sermon at Church that Sunday finished with the thought of increasing hope as you get older, which is surely counter cultural, and the antithesis to Mr Bertrand R’s message of doom and despair! The Christian message is based on the historical facts of the life, death and resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ the Son of God, who came to save us from the consequences of our sin, if only we will repent and put our trust in Him as our Saviour. Watch below the late Willie Gilvear from the Gallowgate in Glasgow telling what hope he found in Jesus.

So as you get older what are you hoping for? There is new birth, new hope, an inheritance in heaven and security in life and death available through faith in Jesus Christ. Someone has said, life without Christ leads to a hopeless end, but life in Christ leads to an endless hope!

Not yet a Jesus follower? Why not seize the opportunity and come to Christ now and start a life filled wiith HOPE? Here’s Willie Gilvear ….

Always glad to hear from my readers! Be blessed wherever you are!

Matthew

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