The Late Revd Jackie Ross N the FIRST FEW MINUTES of 13Th March 2002, Our Denomination Lost One Iof Its Finest Ministers - the Revd Jackie Ross from Lochcarron
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Issue 84 April 2002 The Magazine of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in Scotland The Late Revd Jackie Ross N THE FIRST FEW MINUTES of 13th March 2002, our denomination lost one Iof its finest ministers - the Revd Jackie Ross from Lochcarron. He had been pastor there for over 31 years. He is probably best known for his international aid work to third world nations heading up the Blythswood organisation. He married Miss Elma Sutherland from Inverness in 1970 and they had five children, Philip, Sarah, Lois, Jeremy, Jason. The funeral took place in Dingwall where Jackie attended school and lived for some years with his mother, sisters and brothers before marrying. We publish below his last letter, which was distributed at the funeral. My Last Letter Highfield, Croft Road, CONTENTS Lochcarron, Scotland, 1V54 8YA Page 9 March 2002 Fearing a Call from God 3 Dear friend, My life is almost at an end. By the time A Tribute to Revd J W Ross 5 that you read this, I will be in heaven. In these Book Review on Psalms Only 7 last days, I have been convinced that I was not always plain enough with people during my life. LivingTruth in a Fallen World 14 We all need Christ; without him, we will perish. Yet, it can be difficult even to ask your own Progress at King’s View 20 family, "Are you really trusting in Christ?" At this [Continued on centre pages, 12 and 13] The APC News - No 84 Page 1 April 2002 Subscriptions & Renewals Publication Details for APC News ‘The APC News’ The APC News is published is published 9 times per year 9 times per year, beginning with the in the months of August/September issue. The cost is £7 per year including postage January/February March April Note for Congregations May/June Congregations please note that the July minimum charge for bulk copies of August/September APC News to congregations is £20. This October is the minimum amount for 10 copies or November more, and should be December considered as a donation to the APC News Fund. 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Other articles may require the permission of the authors. Name...................................................... Address.................................................... Editor: Revd Donald C Macaskill ................................................................. 238 Arbroath Road, Dundee DD4 7SB ................................................................. Tel 01382 451798 E-mail: Postcode.........……..... [email protected] Tel No.................…… The APC News - No 84 Page 2 April 2002 EDITORIAL Fearing a Call from God! SUPPOSE ALL CHRISTIANS this city” [Acts 18:9]. In the case of experience fear at some time or Peter walking on the water, Peter Ianother. Even the strongest wanted confirmation that it was believer has fear - even when ‘called’ Jesus who was calling him “Lord if it by God to some great work. The is You, command me to come to you promises of God do not eliminate on the water” [Mat 14:28]. Peter fear from our hearts. received assurance for Jesus said When Moses was called to “Come”. But Peter could not go and deliver the Israelites he tried continue to walk on the water, hard to avoid the call. He gave as because he began to fear. many excuses as he could, so much Our ability to serve God and so that “the anger of the Lord was obey His call, depends so much on kindled against Moses” [Exod 4:14]. our faith. The fear we have is It is said that in the Bible because we think everything there are 366 commands to ‘fear depends on us. Our fear is because not’. One for every day of the year - we are not seeing God’s power and even a leap year! And most of these strength and are focusing on our occasions was after a promise and own capabilities. No wonder we sink. a call from God! John Ortberg tells of an Gideon is another good occasion when he came across a example. He wrestled with God after street fight outside a bar. Three being called to deliver Israel from rough looking guys were beating up the Midianites. In fact Gideon a youngster. It was so awful he felt needed four ‘signs’ before he felt he had to do something. He was strong enough to obey [Jud 6:17, filled with fear as he moved towards 6:37, 6:39, 7:10]. the three toughs. They moved Despite all the promises God towards him! But all of a sudden gave David that he would be king of they reversed. It surprised Ortberg, Israel, there were times when he still until he turned round and saw one of feared Saul and ran away from him. the biggest and brawniest men he Jeremiah and Ezekiel were both ever saw in his life coming out of the called by God but both feared and bar and moving towards the men. trembled. He was the bouncer! Ortberg felt In the New Testament it is strengthened and gave chase to the no different. Paul was afraid in men. He realised that he gained Corinth so much so that God visited confidence and strength because he him with the words “Do not be knew the strength of person who was afraid...for I have many people in ‘behind’ him. The APC News - No 84 Page 3 April 2002 Ortberg tells us that if he Philippians to think on the things just believed that God and all His that are good and beautiful, and the supernatural strength was behind Colossians to set their affections on him 24 hours every day, what a things above where Christ is, so that difference that would make to his they would be strengthened. faith. At the end of the day, it all We emphasise again, it is in comes down to our faith - or rather, the things that God calls us to do where our faith is placed. that we must not be afraid of, and Fear prevents many a take courage and go in His strength. Christian from doing what he could - To have positive Biblical thinking and what God calls him to do. Fear is like this is not to say that we do the result of looking to ourselves foolish things. We never have a instead of God. warrant to do what is sinful or Psychologists tell us that unwise - or what is nothing but our people with a strong sense of their own fleshly desires. As every own abilities are much more Christian is called by God to serve resilient in risky situations and are Him to the best of his abilities, we able to cope much more easily. must use all the talents and Instead of being filled with fear, they opportunities God puts in our path. have a confidence that often carries Fear, more than anything them through. If that is true, how else, prevents God’s people from much more ought Christians who doing the things God wants them to have all the strength of the Godhead do. Satan makes them afraid and behind them, be able to obey the they begin to think of all the command of God to go into all the excuses. Our image of God, is far too world with the gospel? often, very small, instead of very big. Paul could say, under Our God is the Creator of the Divine inspiration “I can do all heavens and the earth. If we think of things through Christ who Him as small and powerless, then strengthens me” [Phil 4:13]. Where we will be filled with foreboding and is our confidence and hope placed? uncertainty. But if we realise He has Where are we looking for strength? a plan to redeem the nations, Our mind-set determines our through His people’s witness, then confidence, hope and strength. we will have confidence. If our mind is stayed and We are not called to work focused on the Lord, then we can do for God, we are called to work with everything He asks of us. But if our God. He will be with us in all that we mind-set is on our own abilities and do for Him - even to the end of the strength, then we will not even world. The promise Jesus gave to attempt great things for God. All the His disciples “lo I am with you people in Scripture and in history, always” is dependent on their going who did great things, had their “into all the world” and preaching minds set on God. Paul calls the the gospel [Mat 28:19]. • The APC News - No 84 Page 4 April 2002 A Tribute to the late Revd John Walter Ross, Lochcarron (29.2.36 –13.3.02) By the Revd Alexander Murray HE FIRST THING IS, to guidance which he had heard Mr perhaps, realise that “Jackie” Macfarlane speak - related to his Thas, in fact, died.