tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-222685692012-02-01T21:43:40.393ZWhile women weep, as they do now, <b>I'll fight</b>;<br> while children go hungry, as they do now, <b>I'll fight</b>;<br> While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, <b>I'll fight</b>;<br> while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets,<br> while there remains one dark soul without the light of god, <b>I'll fight</b>,<br> <b>I'll fight till the very end!</b><br> <i>William Booth</i>caldjrnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-68804584475613257012008-08-10T15:45:00.000+01:002008-08-10T15:46:00.590+01:00

Hi - just incase your reader doesn't self adjust, the new rss address for the new Rous Family website/blog is http://houseofrous.viviti.com/entries.atom. put that in your listing and miss nothing! See you at the new site

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-85331494221617342008-08-07T22:08:00.004+01:002008-08-07T22:24:54.712+01:00

I am pleased to reveal to you now our new family website/blog. Been testing (read playing) the new web creator package from the guys at viviti.com for a little while now both for this site and for Catch the Fire too. That one will go live shortly, but ready with the family one first. The address is http://houseofrous.viviti.com. It contains a blog, resource sharing pages, daily Bible reading,

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-40146071764634642492008-08-07T19:56:00.002+01:002008-08-07T20:26:06.241+01:00

Read this in a devotional today. Reminded me about how its the little, simple things of this world that God uses more than the big flash actions:Sometimes I think God looks at the little boy with the loaves instead of the grown man with the fancy plans. He looks at the woman with the perfume bottle rather than the spiritual leader hosting the lunch. He looks at the boy with the sling rather than

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-1267028729053167612008-08-06T21:32:00.002+01:002008-08-06T22:02:41.775+01:00

Many of you will know that today we had a kind of interview as part of our continuing process to training to be full-time ministers (Officers) in The Salvation Army. Having jumped through a number of expected hoops willingly, and having completed our application forms, we were then told the system has been upgraded (posh word for changed!) and we would need to complete a new set of application

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-12832652389307790542008-08-06T20:50:00.002+01:002008-08-06T21:30:10.104+01:00

Last Sunday, it was my privilege to share the Word of God at our home Corps of Glenrothes Salvation Army. We love being able to preach/lead worship wherever, but theres something special about sharing with your own folk. Anyway, I was led by an email devotional to turn to Isaiah 55 so I did! Its an amazing chapter and I found myself preparing a step by step (expositional if you want a big word

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-81867493491151255662008-07-30T11:52:00.003+01:002008-07-30T11:54:18.084+01:00

Missed one blog off the last update. Alex "Aldakila" Thomson from Erskine Salvation Army writes over at Wonderings of a life wandererSorry Alex - didn't mean to miss you off! (Should add Alex hasn't chased me to do this!!!)

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-84224798666898108122008-07-27T14:29:00.004+01:002008-07-27T21:49:41.453+01:00

Its been ages since I sorted the list of blogs detailed over on the right of this blog. My list of reading in Google Reader has changed many times and yet I haven't updated my links so sorry about that. As a result, this seems like a radical change but reflects about 6 months worth of changes!!Anyway, first and foremost, some people have to go. So taking their leave are:Olwyn Mathie (Olly is a

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-27146001588965773622008-07-26T21:43:00.002+01:002008-07-26T22:25:18.466+01:00

So much is going on I need/want to blog about but have been spurred on tonight to blog some stuff from my catching up on Google Reader. Here's a summary of my thoughts together with links as appropriate:1) SPCKA while back, I wrote about the demise of the chain of bookshops formerly operated by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. To summarise, they were taken over/sold onto the

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-27596312540530525972008-07-18T07:00:00.001+01:002008-07-18T07:00:02.635+01:00

Yes, today, 18 July 2008, my first born - Kathryn Rosie Alice Rous - turns 3. I know...3! It doesn't seem possible that 3 years ago today she was this small:I had such a steep learning curve with Kathryn. I had never changed a nappy in my life let alone try to dress/undress a tiny wriggling human! And as for tights....But we survived those first months and I wouldn't have had it any other way.In

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-2550824197354068612008-07-10T22:44:00.004+01:002008-07-11T00:13:34.810+01:00

For the second part of our busy Sunday, we headed through to Edinburgh to meet up with good friends, and officers at Edinburgh Gorgie Corps, Iain & Alison Hudson, with their 2 children Amy and William. They were at Perth before and have known C-A a long time. Iain and I are from the same division but a slight age gap meant we never really met in the same groups back in the glories of London South

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-25664282185498493522008-07-10T22:23:00.002+01:002008-07-10T22:38:38.728+01:00

On Sunday, our first 'specialling' engagement of the day was back at Cowdenbeath Salvation Army. It was a pleasure to join with this small yet faithful group of Gods people to share in worship with them. It was Carol-Anne's turn this time and she preached on the calling of the first disciples as recorded in Matthew 4:18-20. As Kathryn needed the toilet just at the wrong moment (!!!), I got to

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-80209032541094049722008-06-16T09:00:00.000+01:002008-06-16T07:13:33.217+01:00

Here's the text and MP3 audio from our worship last Sunday at Cowdenbeath Salvation Army. The theme was "Be Strong" and was based mainly on the song "Be Strong in the grace of the Lord" (SA Song Book 679) but also used Luke 12:35-40; Titus 3:1-8 and Jeremiah 16:19-21.The recording starts with our Call to Worship in the first few verses of Psalm 149. It then moves to a drama featuring a person

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-41059926842825800892008-06-15T21:56:00.003+01:002008-06-15T22:01:59.920+01:00

first of an ad-hoc series: What fab quote has Kathryn come out with recently. Well, here's her latest one which is quite logical really but funny when you hear it:I was a baby when I was little...more another time

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-24712483513354390132008-06-15T09:09:00.001+01:002008-06-15T09:12:09.466+01:00

Daddys little princesses! How lucky am I.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-82398490577901802552008-06-15T08:20:00.004+01:002008-06-15T08:58:23.087+01:00

Following on from yesterdays post, here's a wee video taken by C-A while she was on the big swing thing with Hannah. It was H's first swing experience.Meant to add we finished our day together with a lovely tea of minted lamb escalopes with wedges and green beans with homemade mintsauce. Then, once the kids were in bed, C-A and I tucked into some Strawberries from Cairnie Farm with dips of

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-38764687437707483482008-06-14T21:15:00.013+01:002008-06-14T22:08:46.384+01:00

For the first time in ages, I was off on a Saturday and had a clear diary, as did Carol-Anne and the girls. So,"Family Rous" decided that we would just spend the day together as a family. We do spend as much time together as a family as we possibly can, but a whole day just for ourselves is a rare thing. So we vowed to keep promises to each other and have a special day.We had a lazy-ish

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-74792186647297954272008-06-12T20:37:00.003+01:002008-06-12T20:48:49.964+01:00

Came across this site just now: thehungersite.com - Basically, if you click on the button shown, a unit of food is given to a starving child somewhere in the world and it's paid for by corporate sponsers. There are also links to help with Breast Cancer treatment; Child Health; Literacy; Rainforest; Animal Health. You can help even more by shopping through any of the corporate sponsers and a

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-51215812372011751492008-06-11T22:17:00.004+01:002008-06-11T22:44:01.999+01:00

photo credit:U02CDHLast Tuesday (was it really over a week ago?!), we headed to The Salvation Army's East Scotland Divisional headquarters in Edinburgh for our latest Candidates Interview in our process to return to training for full time service (officership) in TSA. This interview was being chaired by the man what knows - the Territorial Candidates Officer(TCO) for the UK Salvation Army. Its

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-89847672222107270022008-06-11T20:24:00.004+01:002008-06-11T22:13:55.539+01:00

This is one of the many posts I've been trying to get round to for ages!A little while ago, I mentioned the forthcoming CD from Commissioners Keith & Pauline Banks. Well, I've had it a few weeks now and want to take a little while to review it here. Members of TSA who read this blog may have seen formal reviews in "The Salvationist" which were great reviews - what i have to say is very similar

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-83131549023511666802008-06-02T20:53:00.002+01:002008-06-02T20:56:53.320+01:00

Just a quick update to tell you we have our next Candidates Interview tomorrow (Tuesday) at 2pm. In addition to the DHQ team, the Territorial Candidates Officer will be in attendance. The officer in this role has come into post in the last year and is therefore different to the person we met last year who was keen to move things onwards and put the past behind us now. We hope and pray for some

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-38545276697777347632008-06-02T20:06:00.003+01:002008-06-02T20:53:21.200+01:00

Yesterday, Carol-Anne, Kathryn, Hannah and I headed off to the picturesque village of Meigle which is kind of between Perth and Dundee. Our destination - the Belmont Centre. Our mission - to take up the invitation kindly offered by Captains Matthew & Debbie Bennett (Peterhead SA) to lead worship at their Youth Group retreat. The group - "Driven" - meets every Sunday after the evening meeting

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-26169342910108660072008-05-27T14:05:00.003+01:002008-05-27T14:14:50.238+01:00

Like many of you, I've been following The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus for some time and am loving the cartoons coming from the pen of Jon Birch. Its great too that he allows free usage of them - something that has been put to great use for Catch the Fire! But i've also been picking up on the cartoons from Dave Walker, who writes and draws for the Church Times. Unfortunately, he does

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-56090322018963742282008-05-23T22:03:00.002+01:002008-05-23T22:14:34.013+01:00

Rick Warren says:It is impossible to do everything people want you to do. You have just enough time to do God's will. If you can't get it all done, it means you're trying to do more than God intended for you to do or, possibly that you're watching too much television. Purpose-driven living leads to a simpler lifestyle and a saner schedule.So, we've got 4 big things in an 8 day period coming up

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-6515696182686304162008-05-16T18:06:00.001+01:002008-05-16T18:06:11.830+01:00

Love you DaddyOriginally uploaded by caldjrPlease excuse the self indulgence, but how lucky am I to have such a cute daughter. (rhetorical question - no answer required!!!)

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-86088508547910191352008-05-11T16:35:00.002+01:002008-05-11T16:38:43.608+01:00

Check the CtF blog for news of the next meeting on June 5th.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-39763987968281559512008-05-11T13:55:00.002+01:002008-05-11T16:16:14.405+01:00

Slightly belatedly, here's my thoughts on the Roots conference last weekend.In the week prior to going, we had to ask a question of the Roots team. We'd been browsing the event guide on the website, and noticed that the evening celebrations would finish at 9:30, but the creche finished at 9. Now, we're not the type of parents who want our kids looked after all the time and its great to share in

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-35704839755029461942008-04-10T22:13:00.000+01:002008-04-10T22:13:11.723+01:00

Bible Basics Words - PronunciationEver wondered if you've pronounced that awkward word right when reading the Bible. Check this site out for phonetic versions of the words and an audio version too - its great. Doesn't have all awkward words but its a great help nevertheless.(not on commission and not responsible for the site in any way.)

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-42590820787966146222008-04-06T20:17:00.003+01:002008-04-06T20:21:38.383+01:00

Check out the Catch the Fire blog for some resources that we used last Thursday. They're grrrreat! and free!! :)

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-34453042670151631042008-03-10T22:02:00.002Z2008-03-10T22:55:47.993Z

Had a bit of a week of it last week - so much so that I haven't had proper time to write about it. Probably not a bad thing as I can write now in a reflective mode rather than in the state I was in!!!Monday ... not a bad day. met our Health Visitor - did a few jobs in the house - had some good family time.Tuesday ... family time mixed with decorating - Kathryn played up a bit - by tea time

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-16457019722992014592008-03-09T20:48:00.003Z2008-03-09T20:59:12.194Z

Many of you reading this will know already, but Friday saw the Promotion to Glory of Nicola Garnham - Salvation Army officer at Raynes Park Corps and tutor at TSA's William Booth College. Nicola, with her husband Phil, were on college when I was there and I never left a lesson from either of them without having been encouraged and uplifted. Both of them, in equal measure, always lived out what

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-84165891898668290842008-03-01T22:36:00.003Z2008-03-01T22:56:52.645Z

We had a very lucky escape this week. Since Hannah was born, there's been a strange smell developing in our lounge. Now, plenty of jokes come to mind involving new baby and bodily functions, but it wasn't that kind of smell.We had three bunches of flowers plus the display from Church last Sunday and we were beginning to just think we had a strange smelling flower. We'd got rid of the lilies as

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-46907588534082860502008-03-01T22:28:00.002Z2008-03-01T22:35:02.584Z

After much to-ing and fro-ing over the last year, it has now become possible to advertise the position of Centre Manager at The Salvation Army's Skinnergate Resettlement Unit which is the Unit the Furniture Re-Use Project I manage is linked with. So basically, here's the chance to be my boss!! Check out the advert on The Salvation Army's website and if you fit the bill and fancy a challenge,

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-43809287894190309602008-02-28T12:15:00.006Z2008-02-28T12:23:05.281Z

Catch the Fire returns Next Thursday with a focus on The Salvation Army's Self Denial Missionary Appeal. The evening will be a bit different to normal as we will not be singing any songs. But we'll have various thoughts, games, readings and so on to focus our minds on the countries detailed for this year. So for something a bit different, come along next Thursday from 7pm. More details on the

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-677619398502374512008-02-27T21:40:00.003Z2008-02-27T21:58:27.800Z

Carol-Anne and I have been greatly blessed by the support of Commissioners Keith and Pauline Banks. For those who don't know, until December when they retired, Keith and Pauline were the Territorial Commanders Representatives in Scotland. They have had a lifetime of service as Salvation Army Officers which has taken them around the world and back again. They have a wonderful passion for God

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-70261189238972325382008-02-25T10:28:00.001Z2008-02-25T10:28:02.085Z

080224 4 Originally uploaded by caldjr These are the days you can get away with so much with new babys that will only come back to haunt on 18th birthdays!!!! Perhaps then, the message on the bib won't be so freely said!!!!

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-78722598043013355432008-02-25T10:26:00.001Z2008-02-25T10:26:39.033Z

080224 7 Originally uploaded by caldjr Thanks to a Stephanie (Lazytown) dressing up set, I now have a vision of the potential of wayward university years ahead!!!!

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-58624252138733811372008-02-20T17:01:00.004Z2008-02-20T20:57:40.323Z

At 23:48 yesterday (Tuesday 19th) Hannah Lauren Rous came into this world weighing in 7 pounds 8.5 ounces and measuring 51 cms long. It all happened a bit quick as at 5pm contractions were kind of going but about 20 minutes apart. We got to Forth Park Hospital just before 9pm by which time we were at 4 minutes. Just short of three hours later, and another life was begun. So now its 3 against

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-7917778511971109542008-02-15T22:14:00.007Z2008-02-15T22:40:31.550Z

Mum phoned today to let me know that the Christian Bookshop I used to work for in Canterbury is closing at the end of this month. Did a bit of web digging and found a really sorry tale that I will briefly share with you here.The SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge) passed ownership of its bookshops to the SSG (Society of St Stephen the Great) back in October 2006. The SSG is a

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-9361244215237309092008-02-10T22:17:00.000Z2008-02-10T22:40:02.813Z

Okay, so I was heading to bed when Carol-Anne read the last post and said: "you could have mentioned that I built baby's bouncer chair". So, not one to be labelled as unresponsive, here's picture proof of what Carol-Anne did in order to keep Kathryn away from me while I was trying to build her bike! This is the chair that Carol-Anne chose a while back to buy for our second child and before we

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-79513767221239551342008-02-10T22:02:00.001Z2008-02-10T22:16:16.411Z

...That subject can be put to so many days so far in 2008 but I guess those words be on the lips of many of you too. Lots to write about as I said and whilst i've caught up on a number of things today and done a load of jobs in the house, still I have a long way to go. Anyway, here's a couple of pics to prove i've been doing something today.Kathryn got on her swing the other day (maybe the other

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-61354540678109385602008-02-10T14:56:00.000Z2008-02-10T15:04:59.454Z

Sorry, I've kind of been absent without leave from blogging for a wee while. Had loads to blog about and not much time to sit down with a PC and write. Hopefully getting some time today to catch up on stuff like this so will get the chance to write about at least some of the things I wanted/needed to say. Just at this point though, I am busy trying to get the house sorted ready for Baby Rous

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-8361308494114776862008-01-10T20:31:00.000Z2008-01-10T20:43:39.391Z

Was chatting with Iain Hudson the other day and he cheekily asked how old I would be this year. I had to think (too many numbers to count!) and discovered it wasn't such a cheeky question after all. Told him I would turn 35 in August and Iain grabbed a Bible and looked up Psalm 35. You see, for a while now, Iain has taken a Psalm a year according to his age. So, this is mine ... kind of

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-60671857903498743932007-12-31T18:59:00.000Z2007-12-31T19:04:04.755Z

Just a quick post to wish you every blessing for 2008.Who knows what the year will bring, but we trust in God's provision throughout.Love and prayersDan, Carol-Anne, Kathryn and Bump (7 weeks to go!)xxx

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-87459838574106011682007-12-30T13:07:00.001Z2007-12-30T13:18:56.914Z

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-49173762952054977812007-12-25T22:31:00.000Z2007-12-25T22:37:02.464Z

Hey there. Just a quick post to say that I hope all readers of this blog had a really happy and Peace-filled Christmas. We had a great time on Christmas Eve at Church. Catch the Fire went really well with about 45-50 people there representing about a 40/60 split on Corps/non-Corps folk which is great and just what CtF is about - providing another entry point to the Corps. Will post more

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-12637520125468816802007-12-17T11:06:00.001Z2007-12-17T11:07:15.061Z

Even Colder Originally uploaded by caldjr I was wrong. I admit it. Yesterday was not cold. Today however, is CCCCOOOOLLLLDDDDD! (Yes that does say minus 14!)

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-13212555736505398562007-12-16T15:12:00.001Z2007-12-16T15:12:24.262Z

071216 COLD Originally uploaded by caldjr Half ten on a Sunday morning. Time to head off to Church. Car iced up (knew it would be though - it was frozen at 7pm last night!) Switched car on and, outside our house in the middle of Glenrothes, it told me with no word of a lie that it was minus 8 degrees celcius. MINUS EIGHT! Now can I describe that as being cold please?!

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-21722678695828894702007-11-28T21:30:00.000Z2007-11-28T22:03:12.513Z

December - the month containing Christmas - the time of peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind - the celebration of the birth of our Saviour and Lord - a time to reflect.So why is my diary soooooo full!? Was getting a bit fed up tonight. Many things building up in the "must be done by Christmas" list. Band practice had overrun a tad and we have a short turn around to enable me to get home

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-24679164852107703062007-11-17T17:01:00.000Z2007-11-17T17:20:41.143Z

Apart from commenting on a few other peoples blogs, I've been a bit quiet about the recent Salvation Army Congress held in Glasgow. In summary - i enjoyed some bits and didn't enjoy others.One of the main issues that has been raised about it is that there was once again this desire from the leadership for a polished performance. Strangely, the one musical act that most people are saying they

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-65291301790910924962007-11-09T15:47:00.000Z2007-11-09T16:05:20.773Z

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-16958333250861906312007-11-09T14:04:00.001Z2007-11-09T14:07:58.462Z

Check out the Catch the Fire blog for more information

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-43771653477242802442007-11-07T20:42:00.000Z2007-11-07T20:50:10.965Z

Just a quick post......really excited about this coming Sunday. Three of the youngsters from the Youth Club at Glenrothes Salvation Army are going to enrolled as Junior Soldiers. They were among the group that went to the Summer School and came back so fired up it is amazing, encouraging and challenging (tad frightening too if i'm honest!). Anyway, these three - Calum, Rachel and Sarah, will

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-13781331588086707762007-11-07T20:22:00.000Z2007-11-07T20:27:19.424Z

I have loads to blog about just at the moment, but lacking time to put fingers to keyboard. However, I need to blog this. If you haven't heard already (and I guess most of you will have) there is a call to prayer on behalf of the International leader of The Salvation Army. This isn't a time for politics - this is a time for prayer for a man of God. Please read the post below and pray for

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-998556860718307362007-11-02T21:58:00.001Z2007-11-02T22:00:41.786Z

Check out the Catch the Fire blog for a brief review of last nights session plus, more importantly, some more resources for free download.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-75711695448849120892007-10-29T19:29:00.001Z2007-10-29T19:34:02.370Z

Blogged on this site a short while ago and actually did more than that - I submitted a photo to be ipop'd! And here's the result. Well worth it I say. Check out more at ipopart.co.uk(PS Thanks to Thomas for taking the original pic)

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-71986475276797638602007-10-25T17:01:00.000+01:002007-10-25T17:34:46.905+01:00

Had a visit to the midwife today - just a general check up at 23 weeks. All seems to be well with Baby Rous and we even got to hear the heartbeat. Just as well really because that's what we told Kathryn would be happening so she said all the way to the doctors "listen to baby, listen to baby etc etc"!Anyway, being the sharing kind of people we are, thought we'd share this recording with you.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-42004535929155905592007-10-15T22:05:00.000+01:002007-10-15T22:14:32.454+01:00

On Sunday morning, we headed off to Maddiston Salvation Army (between Livingston and Falkirk) where we were to lead Sunday morning Worship. (The crest pictured is from the back of the platform at Maddiston). Our good friends Bert and Pat Kidd have recently been appointed as Lieutenants there and we were more than happy to help them out as they enjoyed a well earned holiday. The Corps is small

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-49884255386966168652007-10-15T21:27:00.000+01:002007-10-15T22:00:20.338+01:00

After work on Saturday, we headed through to Bellshill (again!!) to meet up with all the usual crew there, plus their guests for the weekend - Croydon Salvation Army Band. Having grown up and worked in the London South East Division, this Corps was from my patch so I was keen to go through and support them especially as they were going to a Corps where I have a number of friends. One other link

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-24623229562072013052007-10-12T21:39:00.000+01:002007-10-12T21:49:33.309+01:00

Don't often do plugs/adverts for things but this is just great and I can think of at least two people who will be straight on line to check these sites!iPopwear and iPopart are two sites we've come across through one of C-A's many baby magazines! The first has a small range of baby wear with iPod and iPhone graphics on. Sweet ... and not too expensive either!The second site is just even cooler.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-37140403367907179382007-10-12T19:46:00.000+01:002007-10-12T21:32:27.074+01:00

Hello again! Sorry its been a while but we've been getting ourselves back to some kind of normality here. Had a good couple of weeks here including a fab family weekend last weekend - more of that later - lets work backwards!Last night was our latest Catch the Fire. It was also the first outing of our newly formed Youth Club Worship Group. Suffice to say it was a fantastic evening - God

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-62494854337933774552007-10-01T13:38:00.001+01:002007-10-01T13:38:22.263+01:00

This is just awesome. You will know that the last few weeks have been less than good for us and things got even worse at Church on Sunday but least said about that the better.Anyway, this video was sent to me by Alison @ Gorgie SA and was just what I needed to see today. It sums up the struggle we all have in life but gives the fantastic reminder that Jesus will overcome in the end. I knew that

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-26990196208135440572007-09-26T09:42:00.001+01:002007-09-26T09:58:55.075+01:00

Well, "anonymous" has finally got in touch but I cannot put their comment on in full as it contains language that is not appropriate to a Christian blog - sorry "anonymous". Let me emphasise something here - I am opting to not publish the full comments from "anonymous" simply because of the language contained within - not because I have anything to hide or anything I may be ashamed off. I

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-48023029168470749302007-09-20T22:20:00.001+01:002007-09-20T22:30:04.639+01:00

You may notice that comment moderation has been enabled. This is due to some comments from someone who is hiding behind an anonymous name tag - these comments have been deleted. This 'anonymous' person is happy enough to drag up events of over 5 years ago but not happy enough to identify themselves. This 'anonymous' person calls for public repentance. Well anonymous, I am sorry that I am

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-74203725911754533102007-09-19T18:24:00.000+01:002007-09-19T18:32:05.537+01:00

My right hand man, Don, sent me this. Makes a very challenging illustration of what is still sadly a reality in so many places. Have copied the main part of the article below. Please read and please do not let this happen in your Church.-------------------------------------------------One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God’s call and

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-61510537030190459062007-09-18T17:31:00.000+01:002007-09-18T17:35:48.474+01:00

Had the joy of our second scan today - bit early (we're 18wks and 1 day!) but all is well. Baby was really wriggling around but the midwife managed to see all she needed to see. We agreed to have a student doctor and a student midwife in so got an even more detailed scan so they could be trained. The only thing they didn't get trained on was the sex of the baby because we still don't want to

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-38628516003396689872007-09-17T22:04:00.001+01:002007-09-17T22:15:37.889+01:00

Tomorrow (September 18th), its mine and Carol-Anne's 3rd Wedding Anniversary. So much has happened in the 6 years since we first met and space won't allow me to go into it all. Suffice to say its been fantastic - I don't know how someone like me ended up with someone as wonderful as Carol-Anne but i did so there. Now of course, we have Kathryn and will be further swelled by our next addition

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-13912330173954921982007-09-17T21:56:00.001+01:002007-09-18T18:26:52.500+01:00

Its my mum's birthday today. Annoyingly i can't find a pic of her on the computer i'm currently working on (that sounds really pretentious - we've only got 2 computers!!). Just wanted to publicly wish her a very happy **nd birthday! Thanks mum for everything!Update - found a pic now!!!!

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-28987240624850309492007-09-17T21:39:00.001+01:002007-09-17T21:40:17.573+01:00

Just to say that a number of updates have happened over at the Catch the Fire blog. Check it out if you've got a few minutes. Cheers.(NB More updates from me soon!)

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-67582589042936688552007-09-05T13:30:00.000+01:002007-09-05T13:55:13.416+01:00

At the risk of upsetting Chris who is still on holiday and missing out on all this good stuff! :) Youth Club stepped up again last night. Got the band together gain for the first half of the evening and they continue to be really up for it. Had a great sing through "Blessed be Your Name", "Praise Him you heavens", "Wonderful, so Wonderful", "Shackles/Lord reign in me" plus a couple more. I'm

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-70166657431225677112007-08-29T13:09:00.001+01:002007-08-29T13:32:36.589+01:00

Thought I was getting out of Youth Club last night. Its not that I don't like it but could have just done with the night it. Carol-Anne went to Tuesday Club to find that the power was off at the Corps. Their club continued as it was still light and they could function ok without power but it wasn't an option for Youth Club so it was to be cancelled. Half an hour before, I got a text to say

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-48245250907357255122007-08-18T18:01:00.001+01:002007-08-18T18:20:42.765+01:00

Gala 2007 - Marquee 1Originally uploaded by caldjr Just dried off after helping out at TSA's stand at this years Glenrothes Gala. This was the first time for a few years that Glenrothes SA had a presence at the Gala and we were very pleased to be part of it even though it rained on and off (mainly on) from the time we arrived to set up at 9:30am to when we left at 3:30pm. These events are

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-70596665230456545872007-08-17T18:32:00.000+01:002007-08-17T18:38:52.230+01:00

Nearly time for holiday - we're off on Sunday after Church. As I said before, not planning much for the week apart from trying to catch up with some friends. Do hope to get some time to read this book ......that I discovered through my blogging friend Johnny Laird and via facebook (there's even a group for people with this book!).Really excited about the future of blogging for Churches although

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-43658396182897624312007-08-15T12:19:00.000+01:002007-08-15T12:33:27.539+01:00

been a bit quiet on the blog since the announcement of the future new addition to the Rous Clan so sorry about that. Like many other people I am balancing the call of Facebook over everything else (including stuff i'm meant to be doing!) and have also had a really busy time of things of late. The latter has led to both Carol-Anne and I being really tired and run-down and so a few things have

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-79459618903095283622007-08-11T22:03:00.000+01:002007-08-11T22:15:51.660+01:00

Came across this from Emerging Grace's blog. Not always a great fan of these things but gave it a whirl and it seems pretty much on the money...This all apparently sets me as an INFJ type - or Confidant/Visionary. This type of people are introspective, caring, sensitive, gentle and complex people that strive for peace and derive satisfaction from helping others. INFJs are highly intuitive,

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-14333485860480527522007-08-09T10:35:00.000+01:002007-08-09T13:08:48.016+01:00

So pleased to finally be able to tell you all that we are expecting a second child - due on 18 February. Just home after our 12wk scan and all is well - baby even behaved nicely for the camera! Kathryn seemed to work things out but a bit bemused. Strangely, she now thinks that everyone has a baby in their tummy!!! But all is well and, most importantly, there's only one baby in there!!!!So,

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-24481954036217010752007-08-08T09:43:00.000+01:002007-08-08T09:47:42.989+01:00

Must have been a slow news day yesterday.....A giant, smiling Lego man was fished out of the sea in the Dutch resort of Zandvoort on Tuesday.Workers at a drinks stall rescued the 2.5-metre (8-foot) tall model with a yellow head and blue torso."We saw something bobbing about in the sea and we decided to take it out of the water," said a stall worker. "It was a life-sized Lego toy."A woman nearby

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-49264379517274368902007-08-06T21:16:00.001+01:002007-08-06T22:06:20.237+01:00

What a weekend we've had! The tale kinda starts at work on Friday when we had a non-stop-manic-yet-still-just-in-control day. It was so mad that the place was a real state so I had a fit of managerial conscience and stayed on an extra hour and a quarter to tidy and sort. My colleague was in on the Saturday and I just didn't feel I could leave the place looking like it did. Left at 5:15 a tad

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-72205122206829346982007-08-02T22:10:00.001+01:002007-08-02T22:16:11.816+01:00

Getting fed up with the weather predicting people. I know its not an easy job but they have satellites and computers and other technical stuff and yet they cannot get a prediction right more than a few hours ahead. The only bit they seem to get accurate is what it is doing at the time they are speaking!! So, this quote I came across today in an email to me is just perfect for my thinking just

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-53349910796582954222007-08-01T20:40:00.000+01:002007-08-01T20:42:56.550+01:00

For those who don't subscribe to the Council of War feed, the podcast of the message God laid on my heart to preach at Glenrothes last Sunday is now available to listen to. You can get the details of how to download it over at Council of War.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-33226191109227822652007-08-01T08:20:00.000+01:002007-08-01T08:24:29.285+01:00

Happy 100th Birthday to the Scouting Association. Had many happy and fulfilling years in the cubs and scouts and helped lead a Scout group for a while too. Long may this worthwhile organisation continue.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-41675208644405030272007-07-29T22:01:00.000+01:002007-07-29T22:13:49.038+01:00

Here’s an idea from Chris’s blog: Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.You will post the answers to the questions (and the questions themselves) on your blog or journal.You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-73691421502096981182007-07-29T20:59:00.000+01:002007-07-29T21:19:15.610+01:00

Sorry - been a while. Lots going on at the mo but not much blog worthy. One thing that is worth a mention is that we had the privilege of leading worship at Glenrothes SA this morning. As our officers, Chris and Dawn, take paternity/maternity leave following the birth of their daughter Amy on Thursday, the leadership is being shared out. Chris had actually asked me, following the last Catch

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-80609170542498537472007-07-21T23:02:00.001+01:002007-07-21T23:15:30.889+01:00

This is the 200th post on Rous Ramblings and I wanted it to be something special. Thankfully that was made extra easy by a photo taken by a friend at today's party. I am blessed with a happy and fulfilled life in service of God and am blessed with a loving caring supporting wife and a gorgeous daughter. All of these add up to an amazing blessing and I praise God for that.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-44701376343337357982007-07-21T22:15:00.001+01:002007-07-22T22:11:00.763+01:00

So, today was the day. It was time to party and celebrate!! Couple of things to celebrate. Firstly, our gorgeous daughter, Kathryn, turned the ripe old age of 2 on Wednesday. Secondly, this was a year to the day since we moved to Glenrothes. So we invited a few family and friends around for a BBQ. Now, a year ago, my staff from work who were helping us move were drained because of the heat.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-30564146970772419682007-07-21T22:13:00.000+01:002007-07-21T22:14:16.911+01:00

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-40422002452416670922007-07-19T21:28:00.000+01:002007-07-19T21:36:32.045+01:00

Just a quick post to say a few things about yesterday. Much was promised but not all went to plan! Arrived at the Hovercraft in Kirkcaldy to see a huuuuuge queue of people and to be told it was a minimum 2hour wait. Now seeing as this hovercraft is just being trialled for 2 weeks, there is no terminal building - just a snaking queue of people outside. Not much fun for anyone but definately not

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-88985165401566998292007-07-16T20:49:00.000+01:002007-07-16T21:06:25.518+01:00

Loads going on just now - as always!!!Really glad to get C-A back on Friday from junior camp. She really enjoyed herself although was very tired on returning home! I was back at work Saturday and to be honest, really couldn't be bothered. You know you get those days when you know you should be doing stuff but really couldn't care less so you just chill out - that was my Saturday. Sunday was

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-56207496983448018572007-07-13T21:37:00.000+01:002007-07-13T21:44:36.450+01:00

This cartoonist (Kevin Frank) is very clever and very funny. Check his work out here.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-16613012014072768822007-07-13T01:51:00.001+01:002007-07-13T01:54:29.848+01:00

Check here for updates regarding Glenrothes Salvation Army's Informal Worship Evenings.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-88397253923033129682007-07-13T01:28:00.000+01:002007-07-13T21:47:55.598+01:00

The Salvation Army's Fleet Department at its Territorial HQ is a great dept. It looks after all SA vehicles which is quite an undertaking as each officer/officer couple has a car plus there are minibuses, vans etc etc etc. They look after the maintenance contracts, breakdown contracts, fuel card provision, replacement and so much more. So, you'd be forgiven for presuming that they're on the ball.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-48473754740094099782007-07-13T01:11:00.000+01:002007-07-13T01:19:27.163+01:00

Well, here I am with one sleep left til Carol-Anne returns from Junior Camp, and I appear to have survived the week unscathed. Its been an interesting week being the sole carer for Kathryn as well as working but I think we've had a good time. I know I've slept a lot less than usual but thats my own fault for doing lots of stuff. Have tried to avoid spending too much time online and have

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-81793744756382249532007-07-09T22:28:00.000+01:002007-07-09T22:38:21.063+01:00

Readers of the nanalog will have seen a couple of prayers he wrote a wee while ago. Well, Thomas has allowed me to use these prayers by setting music to them. We used one of them (the only one written out!) at Catch the Fire last Thursday and I realised I hadn't shared it on this blog. Its a really challenging prayer called Holy Three and you can see Thomas's original version here. The prayer

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-36595468713140463472007-07-09T21:40:00.000+01:002007-07-09T21:45:00.628+01:00

Going to be a strange week this week. Carol-Anne is away at The Salvation Army (East Scotland Area) Junior Camp. This is a residential week for young people (I think 7-11 year olds) just south of Edinburgh doing all sorts of fun, games and bible teaching. Its the first time we've been apart for a long time and certainly the first time she's been away on her own without Kathryn. Please pray for

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-53219483185705103422007-07-04T10:41:00.000+01:002007-07-04T10:42:48.399+01:00

Thanks to God for the safe release of Alan Johnston this morning.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-25375031312901913202007-07-01T20:42:00.000+01:002007-07-04T10:43:20.138+01:00

Well I have succommed to pressure and gone and set me up on Facebook. If i've asked you to be my friend, please say yes! If I haven't asked you, don't be offended - I probably haven't found you yet! save me the hassle and find me if you want!! I'll say yes - I promise!Should add that I agree with Thomas that Facebook is incredibly addictive and the fact that i should be doing prep for this

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-86647757223044494822007-06-21T20:58:00.000+01:002007-06-21T21:01:40.467+01:00

Click here for more info.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-31731271904029820332007-06-21T11:52:00.001+01:002007-06-21T12:01:49.591+01:00

Please excuse a post from a very proud (in the truest sense of the word) Dad here. Just really pleased of how Kathryn (my nearly 2 year old daughter) is developing. She can now count to 6 unaided and to 10 with a bit of help. Thanks to Dora the Explorer, she can speak a few words in Spanish. And now, as well as loving to sing and play the piano - both of which she is very good at I have to say -

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-48948506932386231072007-06-16T22:18:00.000+01:002007-06-16T22:21:05.349+01:00

This girl has just been on Britain's Got Talent (ITV1) and thankfully, Britain also has sense because she has been voted through to the final. She is 6 years old and this is her first audition song which is simply awesome. If this doesn't make you cry then you are made of stone.

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-22566942504617868072007-06-15T22:41:00.000+01:002007-06-15T22:56:44.218+01:00

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22268569.post-12525924886816271912007-06-15T21:04:00.000+01:002007-06-15T21:52:06.728+01:00

Promised a further blog on the last weekend. This is specifically about our Sunday spent with the Youth Chorus at Luton Salvation Army. Seeing the hall late on Saturday night, I was really impressed. I know we shouldnt be about building great empires and having really flashy buildings, but if we do, and we use all of it for the glory of God and to the benefit of all His people, then I don't have

caldjrnoreply@blogger.com0