Memories of a Corsham Lad : Snippets of Binder Twine

I have noticed that whenever I post a blog entry under the heading 'Memory Lane', and write about some of the instances of my childhood, growing up in Corsham in the late 1940's and through the 1950's, then my readership increases noticeably. I guess that means that you like sharing other people's memories as much as I do. I have now started to collect all of these memories, together with some new, as yet unpublished, ones, to grace the pages of a slim volume under the heading Snippets of Binder Twine. I hope to be able to release the volume later this year, probably about September, under the Voice Publications imprint. Watch this space!

In the meantime here's a few thoughts to be going on with:

Can you remember:

• Looking over the wall at the start of the road to Biddestone, to see the ducks on the farm pond.


• Feeding the horses after climbing onto the five-bar gate at the entrance to the field at the top of Priory street, now and for many years a large housing estate.


• Scrumping apples from Sawbridge's orchard, entered by climbing the high wall down the lane which ran down to the woods from the High Street (I've forgotten the name of it, but it was almost opposite the road which led up towards Alexander Terrace, past the public toilets).


• Walking down to Squitter's Lane to go 'nutting'.


• Being amazed by the bluebells that grew in such abundance in the copse on the right-hand side of the road leading to Biddestone.


• Drinking frothy coffee in Corsham's very own Coffee Bar in the late 1950's, named 'The Beanstalk', which led your parents and those of a certain age to forecast that the whole thing would destroy the very structures of Society as it then was, with teenagers getting too much freedom.


• Jumble Sales in the Town Hall, climbing up the stone steps to buy someone else's rubbish!


• Spending evenings at the Youth Club in Priory Street, under the watchful eye of Miss Reynolds.


• Wednesday evening Rock 'n Roll dances in the half-light of the Community Centre.

If you can remember all or most of these then I guess you must be in my age-group; but if you might have once remembered them, but have now long-forgotten, then I guess that you must be a couple of decades older! Either way, I hope that I've triggered the grey matter into a moment of excitement today.

Amazing love; amazing grace . . .

One of the all-time favourite hymns that is sung all around the world is John Newton's hymn Amazing Grace. The story behind the hymn is now legend, its connection to the slave trade and the realisation of that trade's offensiveness in God's eyes being well-known.

Sometimes it's good to read the words slowly through, out loud, experiencing the emotion that John Newton must have felt as he was inspired to write them down.

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I'm found;

Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fear relieved.

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

We have already come.

'Twas grace that brought us safe thus far,

And grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures.

And when this heart and flesh shall fail

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess within the veil

A life of health and peace.

When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we first begun.

Verses 4 & 5 are not generally sung any more, the popular version being verses 1 to 3 together with the last verse, shown here in italics, which was in fact not written by John Newton but, I believe, by Harriet Beecher Stowe in her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin.

However, whichever version you prefer, or even if you prefer to join the two together, it's a beautiful hymn that tells of the wonderful grace of God towards mankind; not only wonderful grace, but also overwhelming love towards His creation. So great is that love that He died in order that we might live. Spend an hour or so thinking about that!

How incredible God is the display of His love towards us.

Alone with my thoughts

Sometimes a guy just needs a quiet moment alone.

.

More Memories of a Corsham Lad

When I was growing up in the 1950's, an important facet of life for most children that I knew was attending local church services, and it was no different for me. The family background from a religious aspect is a very mixed one, and is a mixture of Jewish and Gentile blood, the Jewish blood being passed down through my paternal grandmother whose father emigrated firstly from Germany to Poland, and then to Alsace, my grandmother finally finding her way to the UK.

My father was raised in Llanbedrgoch in Anglesey, and attended the Wesleyan Chapel, whilst my mother, a cockney born in Kensil Rise, London, was raised as a Baptist. My parents started going out with each other when they were both sixteen, and married a few years later. A few years into their marriage they moved from the Bournemouth area where they then were, to live in the Bath area, and whilst there they attended a Baptist church together. Soon after they moved to Corsham in Wiltshire where my father had bought The Wine Lodge, a wine merchants that had been established since the late 1700's. They became members of St Bartholomew's C of E church, situated at the end of Church Street, adjacent to Corsham Court. Accordingly, it was to this church that we children were sent three times every Sunday; to the morning service (Matins); the evening service (Evensong); and Sunday School in the afternoon. It was also at St Bart's that I sang in the choir as a youngster. I have many happy memories of times spent at services in that church, although by and large I was never fully content from a spiritual point of view.

Together with my sister Norah I would go on a Tuesday evening to a chapel club for youngsters which was held at the Congregational Chapel, tucked out of sight behind the Pickwick Papers at the 'High Street' end of Pickwick Road, although this was very much frowned upon by my father. We went as long as we could keep it a secret from him, but ultimately were told to stop. Nevertheless, the times spent there were great, and certainly spiritually rewarding. We probably learned more about spiritual matters and about Jesus Christ in the short time that we went there than we did in years of attending St Bart's. Perhaps that was because we were going to somewhere of our own choice rather than somewhere we were sent --- who knows?

Those days are far off now, writing as I do some fifty to sixty years on, but the memories still please as I recall them. Just like everything else, it is the things like this that serve to shape us into the people that we become as adults. The things that we learned as children remain with us for ever, even if the ability to recall them might eventually pose a bit of a problem. Faces and images from the past come flooding to the fore as various people and places are remembered, and in the latter years of life provide much comfort and a sense of belonging.

Gone Fishing . . . Memories of a Corsham lad.

Well, to tell the truth, I don't go fishing any more, and haven't done for many more years than I care to think about, but I certainly did when I was a boy growing up in Corsham. I recall that when I was around eleven or twelve I made my own fishing pole from a four foot long bamboo garden cane, some cut of and bent over safety pins which I taped on for the eyes, and an authentic fishing reel, also taped on to prevent it falling off.

Armed with this piece of creative engineering, off I would walk to Reybridge, which is near to the National Trust village of Lacock, a distance I guess of about five miles, and there I would spend the greater part of a Saturday --- or a weekday if it was school holidays --- throwing my float and baited hook at the water with great gusto. I'm not certain whether I was trying to knock the fish out by my efforts or what, but I was certainly an energetic fisherman!

Above is a photo of the very bridge that I used to fish from

On rare occasions I even managed to hook a fish, although landing it was a completely different kettle of --- yes you've got it 'fish'. I recall one particular occasion when I was fishing from the bridge and hooked a fish about six or seven inches in length. It was well and truly hooked, but I struck so enthusiastically that the weight of the fish carried it up and over my head, finally freeing it from the hook and releasing it into the water on the other side of the bridge!!!

You've probably gathered that I was never what you might call a successful fisherman, but I nevertheless enjoyed the experience of a day spent by the river, even though it was mostly spent teaching reluctant worms to swim. That particular stretch of the River Avon provided some good pastoral scenery, and I have very fond memories of some happy days spent along the river banks or simply on the bridge itself. The waters seemed to teem with a wide variety of fish, including some large pike which could often be seen basking close to the bank on a warm Summer day. Sandwich lunches, warm orange juice, and an apple, made up my food for the day; all meant to be eaten about 1 o'clock but, typical of a boy, usually well and truly scoffed by about 10.30 in the morning, meaning that the rest of the day would see the birth of a few hunger pangs, although somehow, when you are a young boy on an adventure, they never seemed to matter very much.

I remember trudging back to Corsham at the end of the day, often as dusk was beginning to fall, extremely tired and hungry, but ecstatically happy. In those far off days that make up the distant scene in my memory, it was generally perfectly safe for a lad to travel a few miles from home and stay out all day, even though things like mobile phones hadn't been invented, even if they had been imagined, as they probably had in the pages of The Eagle.

Nowadays such a trip would be unthinkable for most parents to allow, for their is a constant fear of attack or abduction, and whether real or imagined it is certainly enough to put the brake on such activities for the average boy. That is, even if they should want to follow such harmless and healthy pursuits in these days of bedroom-closeted, computer- game-playing, youngsters.

I Think I Saw an Angel

I Think I saw an Angel

One day, when I was walking,
When all the sky was blue,
And all the world was bustling,
So many things to do,
I saw a choir of angels
Passing overhead;
Or was it just a fancy
Of my beating heart instead?

I’m sure I heard a whirring,
The sound of angel wings;
I’m sure I heard the chorus
An angelic choir brings.
I’m sure I saw a shadow,
Passing overhead;
Or was it just a fancy
Of my beating heart instead?

I’ll never know for certain
What happened on that day;
And I’ll never know for sure
If an angel came my way.
If it was an angel’s wings
Passing overhead;
Or only just a fancy
Of my beating heart instead.
© Colin Gordon-Farleigh, January 2006

Let the words of my mouth ... Psalm 19:14

Today I'd like to share this meditation that came from my friend Joanne Lowe today, with you. Whenever I read or hear this verse it reminds me of Bony-M, the group that put this passage of Scripture in the Hit Parade many years ago. I love this verse because it is a complete prayer in itself, and a prayer that we would each do well to pray and adhere to every day of our lives.

ARE THEY ACCEPTABLE

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19: 14 - King James Version

We think that nobody knows the things we are thinking or the words that we whisper. However, Jesus knows everything! He can see into our hearts and see the things we keep hidden from people. He knows what we are thinking and He hears the words that we whisper so softly that nobody else can hear. Are our words and our thoughts acceptable to Jesus? Do they bring joy to His heart or do they bring sadness to His heart?

We read in the Bible “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23: 7a). Are our hearts filled with criticism, sarcasm, unforgiveness and judgment for others or are they filled with unconditional love, forgiveness and compassion for people? Do our families and friends see Jesus in our smiles and hear Him in our words when we talk? Are we drawing them closer to Jesus or are we turning them away from Him by our hateful actions and words?

Heavenly Father, search our hearts and if there is anything that is displeasing to You and hurts You, please forgive us and cleanse our hearts of those hateful things that bring shame and disgrace to You. May we be children that bring joy and happiness to You instead of children that hurt You and make You sad. Thank You for loving us unconditionally and for being a God of mercy, grace, compassion and forgiveness. Thank You for the gift of Your beloved Son, Jesus.

Amen.

Joanne Lowe
January 22, 2009

joannelowe8@cox.net
www.fromtheheartofjesus.blogspot.com

A Picture Worth 1000 Words!

I loved this picture when I saw it.
It's so simple and so expressive, especially to anyone who either has or has had a teenager in the home!

Created By God

I Challenge Rowan Atkinson

Last year, on November 17th, I published a post regarding what I and many others regarded as blasphemy by Rowan Atkinson., who chose to mock Jesus Christ by misquoting Holy Scripture for the purposes of what he considered were humorous. This is what I said in the opening paragraphs:

On Saturday last, 15th November, the TV viewing public were 'treated' to the sight of comedian Rowan Atkinson dressed up as a vicar and blaspheming, using the Bible as a prop and misrepresenting Scripture. As a result of the text of his so-called humorous broadcast I charge him with outrageous blasphemy. He contravened the rules laid down by Ofcom in the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, which state :
2.1 Generally accepted standards must be applied to the contents of television and radio services so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material.
4.2 The religious views and beliefs of those belonging to a particular religion or religious denomination must not be subject to abusive treatment.
5.7 Views and facts must not be misrepresented.

As a result of registering my complaint, I received a letter a few days ago from OFCOM, the Watchdog concerned in dealing with the hundreds of complaints in this instance, and in it they gave their ruling that the broadcast was perfectly acceptable because it is recognised that Atkinson dresses as a priest and misquotes Scripture as part of his act.

This does not make it right in any way of course.

I challenge Rowan Atkinson to appear on national television dressed in the robes of an Imam and misquoting from the Qur'an in order to elicit laughs. Somehow I don't think that he would dare to do this, any more than the BBC would dare to show it! According to a report in the Press, Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General, has suggested that the corporation needs to treat Islam more sensitively than Christianity, which I guess disproves any theories about 'all things being equal'. To most observant Christians this fact will come as no surprise whatsoever, of course, for it has long been the norm for Christians and Christianity to be poked fun at in an assortment of so-called 'comedy' programmes.

However, I still throw down the gauntlet to both parties.

Atheist Bus Advertising Campaign

There's always a silver lining to things that might otherwise seem grim, and the wording used in the latest anti-God campaign by British atheists, led of course by self-seeking Richard Dorkings (sic), is no exception. Up to now the definition of atheism according to the Concise Oxford Dictionary is 'the theory or belief that God does not exist.' By definition it follows that an atheist is someone who practises atheism, or in other words, someone who believes that God does not exist. After all, 'The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1 NAS)

Interesting then, isn't it, that the current anti-God campaign that has been launched, with advertisements on 800 buses in the UK, state their belief in a different manner. The advertisements state that THERE'S PROBABLY NO GOD. The use of the word 'probably' indicates that after decades of posturing that there is NO GOD, they now have to admit in this campaign that they might be completely wrong, and that the best they can claim is that there is PROBABLY NO GOD. This is, of course, a completely different stance, and one which would indicate the need to re-define the meaning of atheism in the dictionaries so that it reads, 'the theory or belief that God may not exist.'

Praise the Lord for this change in their understanding. There's hope for them even yet!

Of course, Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of every repentant sinner, and that includes atheists just as much as anyone else. Thankfully the God whom they choose to deny is a forgiving God, and the path to reconciliation is open to everyone who chooses to believe in, and accept, Jesus Christ as their Saviour, acknowledging Him as their Lord.

There is one particularly good thing about this campaign, although I hardly think that Dawkins and his assorted cronies intended it, and that is that the advertisements draw people's attention to the whole question of God, and in many instances will help to strengthen the faith of some who are weaker in the faith than others.

The strange thing is that these people who are so opposed to religion in general, and to God in particular, together form a sect whose beliefs are as fervent as any other sect on the planet. They seek to proselytise, converting people to their point of view, stating that it is the only sensible viewpoint to hold. And all the time it helps to make the leaders like Richard Dawkins wealthier as more and more people buy his fictional books which he passes off as factual.

Of course, he's perfectly entitled to his own opinions, just as we all are, but when he tries to ram them down the throats of others, regardless of the offence that it might cause, then it's a different issue altogether.

Growing Old Gracefully!

To commemorate her 69th birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favourite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'.

Here are the lyrics she used:

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillac’s and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favourite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favourite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.

Humour? Well I rather liked this . . .

WIFE FROM HELL . . .

A police officer pulls over a speeding car and says to the driver, "I clocked you driving at 80 miles per hour, sir."

The driver says, "Gee, officer I had it on cruise control at 60, perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating." Without looking up from her knitting the wife says: "Now don't be silly dear, you know that this car doesn't have cruise control."

As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, "Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once?" The wife smiles demurely and says, "You should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did."

As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, "Dammit, woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?"

The officer frowns and says, "I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic £75 fine." The driver says, "Yeah, well, you see officer, I had it on, but took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket." The wife says, "Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving."

As the police officer is writing out the third ticket the driver turns to his wife and barks, "WHY DON'T YOU PLEASE SHUT UP?"

The officer looks over at the woman and asks, "Does your husband always talk to you this way?"

I love this part . . .

The wife responds, "Only when he's been drinking."

Zimbabwe: The Latest News

I continue to keep a close watch on Zimbabwe, holding that beleaguered nation and its people in my prayers. I continue to pray for the removal of the tyrant Mugabe and his henchmen, and that they may be brought to trial for their crimes against the people of Zimbabwe. Whilst the people face shorter and shorter life-expectancy, the elderly pariah, Mugabe, continues to live in luxurious surroundings with no shortage of anything that his demented mind desires. How does he do it? How does he cling on to power, despite the will of the people to see him and his evil band of thugs removed from office (and preferably from the face of the earth)? The answer is simple. So much of the leadership in Africa is corrupt, and for the leaders of other African nations to stand firm against Mugabe might just focus on the corruption in their own back yards.

Human rights have continued to deteriorate drastically in Zimbabwe again this year. In addition to the indirect denial of such basic human rights as food and clean water, health care and education, the last few months has been marked with the shootings of illegal diamond miners by the police and army, the arrest of more than seventy people at trade union protests, the detention of Woman of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members after peaceful protests and the systematic targeting and detention of human rights defenders.

Zimbabweans are suffering through a devastating economic and human rights crisis as millions struggle to survive. Despite a recent political agreement, for thousands of Zimbabweans, politics remains less important than food.

As a Christian I cannot stand by and do nothing at all. Despite the distance geographically, prayer does not recognise distance, and so I implore you to join in prayer for Zimbabwe and its people on a daily basis. Pray for the removal of the political canker that is personified by Mugabe and his despotic rule, and pray for the strengthening and recovery of the people whose suffering is so unbearably great.

A Holy War

I wonder why so much of the Media aims its criticism in the current war situation against Israel, when so little is made of the fact that Hamas has been targeting Israel with rockets for the past sight years. After all, if your neighbour had been throwing stones at your windows for the past eight years would you not retaliate? I guess that the answer is that if your neighbour was part of the Islamic jihad movement then if you dared to retaliate it would be you that would be seen to be the aggressor.

Make no mistake, the current situation in Gaza is most definitely part of a global movement towards the Islamification of the entire world. the terrorist organisation Hamas' avowed intent as part of this is to deal with what they refer to as 'the Saturday People' first of all and then turn their attention to 'the Sunday People'. In other words, the annihilation of the Jews is a primary objective with a similar fate promised for Christians upon the primary objective being realised.

With the influx into most countries of large numbers of Muslims, many of whom are Islamic extremists, it seems that the host countries bend over backwards to accommodate their viewpoint at any cost, claiming that anyone who dares to broach opposition in any form is a racist, or is guilty of religious persecution. In the West it is not politically correct to criticize Muslims or Islam in any way whatsoever, yet there is no objection to the Islamic world's vilification of the host country and its way of life. Hence we have seen in Britain --- that nation that was once referred to as GREAT Britain --- a series of hate-filled Islamic Clerics who have focused their attention on the destruction of Western Civilization and anything that stands in the way of Global Islamification.

Nobody can condone the deaths of innocent civilians, especially children, in any war situation, but Hamas is a war-machine that considers the deaths of its own people, irrespective of age, as being simply a cost attributable to achieving the 'Primary' objective, i.e. the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish people. Find this difficult to believe? Question then why Hezbollah is now starting to attack Israel in the North of the country. Hamas claims that god is on their side. If that is the case then I wonder why their casualties are so great whilst Israeli casualties are so few?

Make no mistake, what is happening to the Jewish nation today can happen to the Christian nations tomorrow. It is not simply a localised conflict, nor does it only involve Israel and Gaza. It is a Holy War. Ignore it at your peril.

Something to bring a smile to your face!

Nothing brightens our day quite like finding something as cute as this little charmer! I hope it brings a smile to your face, the same as it did to mine when I first found it.

Hope in Jesus

A new post from Joanne Lowe

Here's today's post from Joanne Lowe with words of wisdom that we could all learn from. I get a meditation from her every day. You can too, if you log on to subscribe on her site.

CHANGE MY HEART

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Jeremiah 17: 9, 10 (King James Version)

Have you ever noticed that many times we pray for God to change other people’s hearts rather than asking Him to change our own hearts? One of my pastors used to say in his sermons “If you will concentrate on keeping your own heart right with God, you won’t have time to criticize and judge someone else.” My pastor was so right. It is a full time job making sure that my own heart is pleasing to God.

Instead of praying for God to change people’s hearts, let’s ask Him to change our own hearts. We should ask God to let the people we are praying for feel the unconditional love, mercy, grace and compassion He has for them. Until people feel in their hearts that they are loved, they will never change. They can know that they are loved with their intellect but it is only when they feel it in their hearts that they will believe it. We can’t change people. Only Jesus can change a person’s heart and life.

We need to live our lives in such a way that others will see the difference that Jesus can make in a heart and life. We must love our families and friends to Jesus not only by our words, but especially by our actions. We can tell them that we love them but it is only as we prove it to them by our actions that they will believe us. Are you loving others to Jesus by your words and by your actions? Are you asking Jesus to change your heart by making it tender, forgiving and understanding?

Joanne Lowe
January 10, 2009
joannelowe8@cox.net
www.fromtheheartofjesus.blogspot.com

'It was the best of times' : Memories of home, farming and Collie dogs

'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.'

Charles Dickens, (1812 - 1870) Opening lines from A Tale of Two Cities

This morning I was reminded of the opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities, that great literary classic by Charles Dickens, one of our all-time best story-tellers. I was thinking about the house in which I grew up. Perhaps the somewhat tenuous link comes about because in Dicken's classic tale, our heroine, Lucy Manette, discovers that her father whom she believed to be dead is, in fact, still alive. She goes to meet him at the home of the Defarges, Monsieur Defarges having been Dr Manette's servant prior to his incarceration. The Defarges own a wine shop, and it is this that is the link, for my father's wine shop, The Wine Lodge, was on the ground floor front of the large house where I grew up.

For me, as a growing child, it was often the best of times but also the worst of times; the former because the most major decisions that I had to make, apart from schooldays, involved deciding whether to stay in and play or go out and play; the latter because we were not allowed to have friends in to play in the house, and this meant that staying in would mean transporting myself in my imagination to one of a myriad destinations --- just so long as I was quiet!

Outside play was marvellous, for the world was my oyster, with hundreds of acres of parkland and wooded areas laying beyond the back of the house, together with its own lake. In those days it was quite safe for children to go out and play in the fields, provided that the owners had no objections. There were some fields that we were not allowed into, but generally speaking most of the land was available provided that it was treated with respect and care. So these fields became magic places, transformed by childish imagination into far-off parts of the globe according to the need of the game. With my friends I would climb trees, run through the woods, make dens, and explore as far afield as possible. I knew the trees and the hiding places, the meadows and cornfields, and, it seemed, almost every square inch of the land, and I loved it. The area belonged to the Methuen family who owned Corsham Court, and the land, Park Farm, was tenanted by Jack Vowles, a hard-working tenant farmer who served the land well. I spent many hundreds of happy hours at Park Farm, helping out wherever I was needed and allowed, and those times are firmly imprinted in my memory still.

I recall the time that a new dog --- a border collie --- arrived on the farm. It was my first experience of such a beautiful creature, and when Mr Vowles told me, in response to my questioning it being penned, that it was a 'working dog' whose task was to bring in the cows for miking, I couldn't believe it. In fact I didn't believe it! That's why, in order to test the statement, I opened the pen door and told the dog to "Go, fetch!" Of course it responded, much to my amazement, and then to my consternation, especially when a short while later I saw the cows being herded in for milking by the dog! The problem was that it was almost two hours too early! I decided that it might be better if I went quietly home, and so I did, hoping that Mr Vowles would forget that I had been there that day, although this was a vain hope of course, as I was to discover a few days later. I guess, looking back with the benefit of experience, that my sudden absence pretty well proved my guilt in the matter, but I also suspect that Jack Vowles had to smile at the incident in retrospect!

The lake and surrounding woodland was out of bounds, watched over by the game-keeper who seemed to have a sixth sense whenever boys were near. Despite this I would sometimes creep into the woods and go down by the water's edge, hoping to see some of the fish. The lake was stocked with carp, some of which were reputed to be huge, but also had many other fish which had arrived over the years, probably carried as eggs on the feet of ducks and swans from other waters. Amongst them were pike, and one in particular had the reputation of being able to take ducks and even small dogs who ventured out into the lake for a swim, it being the last thing they ever did. I suspect that most of the stories were exaggerated tales in reality, but they certainly managed to conjure up a somewhat scary image in the mind of small children. The lake was a dangerous place, with weed growing in abundance, reaching close to the surface. Later, when I was about twelve, I used to go out with friends from the Court in a flat-bottomed row-boat, and it was sometimes a little too easy to get the oars entangled with weed in some parts of the lake. I remember one summer when there were French visitors to the Court and I used to take them to the lake for a row. My memory of the two small boys is almost too hazy to recall, but I remember the young woman in charge of them far more. She was probably about seventeen, although I, then aged about thirteen, thought she was a real grown up, although this never stopped me having a crush on her! Aah! The innocence of youth, certainly in that distant scene.

Summer holidays would be spent, in large degree, working in the fields at haymaking time, helping to gather in the harvest. It was a period of long days, hard work, and great happiness. I was treated well by the other workers, and remember especially the times when we would relax in the shade of the trailer with our 'bait' --- our lunch of bread and cheese, and perhaps an apple, all of which would be washed down either with cold tea or cider. Returning to the farm at the end of the day, twilight beginning to fall, we would be given an ice-cold draught from the large barrel near the back door of the farmhouse, which contained water into which barley had been shovelled. It was always cold and always refreshing. I have no idea whether any other ingredient was added, but it was just another great part of a wonderfully magical part of my childhood. I loved working on the farm, especially so because Jack Vowles had a fierce reputation, and could not be bothered by time-wasting children around the place. This told me that I was allowed to go because it was recognised that I would work rather than be a nuisance --- despite the affair with the border collie!

REVIVE ME, O LORD!

"Many have an idyllic and sweet idea of revival. And they pray to this end. But our prayer should be to expose sin and lies, first in our own hearts and then in the churches. To pray for a great conviction of sin and that man would crumble and surrender at the terrifying presence of a Holy God. Then they would find the sweet, rapturous joy of being at peace with their God!... Do you still want revival? We must pray and PREACH to this end. If we are silent, or silenced, many in the churches will perish." - Jeri Woods.

How easy it is to pray that the Lord will revive His Church, casting our eyes towards all those people whom we personally consider need reviving the most. How easy it is to point the finger at others as we consider just why thy Church is in the state that it is in. Of course the problem is easily recognised, because the whole problem of the back-slidden is the same as that of the unsaved --- the problem of sin in their lives. Change that and you change everything. Fix that problem and the solution is plainly seen.

Yet surely the problem when we look at the sin in people's lives is that we do so all too often from an outside viewpoint, considering that, because we are praying so fervently for REVIVAL, and for the SALVATION of others, that we must be pretty good, and pretty sin-free! Yet the truth is such a long way from this in reality.

• Our recognition that there is a problem is a blessing.
• Our acceptance that it is a problem caused by sin is a blessing.
• Our understanding that it can be resolved through the prayers of repentant sinners is a blessing.
• When we can recognise, accept, and understand that we are a part of the problem, then that too is a blessing.

In praying for revival the first thing is to lay yourself before God, confessing that you are a sinner, repenting of every bit of sin that stains your life and seeking God's forgiveness. Of course, one of the issues regarding forgiveness is that before we can expect to be forgiven ourselves then we need to ensure that we have forgiven others, and so it is important to search your heart and forgive everyone whom you have ever wronged, no matter how far back in your life you need to go.

Do you want REVIVAL with all of your heart, all of your mind and all of your soul? If you do then you need to understand that it comes at a personal cost. Just as our Lord Jesus Christ gave everything possible in order that all people might be forgiven their sins and be reconciled to God through Him, so we must also be prepared to give everything that we have if we are to truly answer His call to 'Follow Me.'

When Jesus calls you to follow Him, if you choose to respond then it's a call to follow Him to every place, even to the Cross. Not a response that can be made by the faint-hearted or the weak, for to be a true Christian takes great strength, great humility, and great compassion.

He calls you to follow Him:

• Into the darkest places - in order that His light might shine from you.
• To touch the sick - that His healing touch might revive and renew them.
• To reach out to the lonely and the depressed - that your hands, words and compassion, might convey His comfort.
• To seek out the lost - that you might, in His name, bring them home to the fold.
• To proclaim the Gospel of Repentance, Forgiveness and Reconciliation - the same gospel message that God sent Jesus to bring to the world in the beginning.

It's not easy being a Christian. It means far more than going to church once or even twice on a Sunday. It's a 24/7 thing! It means that you have to give up the world but not give up on the world. The burden is a heavy one, being burdened for the lost, yet Jesus will carry the burden for you if you only hand it over to Him. He said: Come to Me, all you who are weary and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11: 28-30)

In order to be a confident Christian we must first learn to accept ourselves for who we are, for only when we can accept ourselves can we be accepted in the fullest sense by others. We need to be confident about who we are and what our purpose is. we need to understand the journey that we are on, the means of travel, the destination and how we can get there. So often we waste time seeking the approval of others, failing in confidence to go on with our journey without their approval that what we are doing, and the manner in which we are doing it, is the best and right way. In her book, Approval Addiction, Joyce Meyer points out the need to first discover, and accept, exactly who you are, helping you to face the fears that bind you to the past, so that you can shake them off once and for all. In her closing words she says this: learn to please God, not people. You have His approval, and that is all you really need.

You want REVIVAL? Well then, get on your knees and confess everything that is wrong in your life, begging God to forgive you. Let REVIVAL start with you, and then see how infectious it can become.

Come, Lord Jesus

Heaven will be filled with voices
Proclaiming the Son of God;
When every person on earth
Walks in the steps He trod.

Angels will be rejoicing,
The heavenly choir will sing,
Then all will know that Jesus
Is worshipped as the King.

Give Him the praise and glory
Until at His feet you bow;
Worship the heavenly Saviour,
O come Lord Jesus, now.
© Colin Gordon-Farleigh, June 2006

Words of Wisdom from 1955!

(USA-style)

• 'I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20.00.
• 'Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long before $2, 000.00 will only buy a used one.
• 'If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous.
• 'Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?
• 'If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.'
• 'When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage.'
• 'I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying DAMN in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every new movie has either HELL or DAMN in it.'
• 'I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.'
• 'Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the President.'
• 'I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.'
• 'It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.'
• 'It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.'
• 'I'm afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.'
• 'Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress.'
• 'The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.'
• 'There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend, it costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel.'
• I can't afford to be sick any more, at $35.00 a day in the hospital it's too rich for my blood.'
• If they think that I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it.'

Feeling Kittenish!

To start the day I'd like to share the following meditation sent to me this morning by Joanne Lowe. Jesus has prepared a home for all of us. All we have to do is to recognise Him for who He is, and, repenting of our sins, claim this gift that He has suffered, died, and been gloriously resurrected, in order to bring to us.

OUR HOME IS WAITING

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”

John 14: 1 - 4 (King James Version)

I have received several emails from people who are in the middle of some very difficult and heartbreaking situations. These dear people are discouraged and they are brokenhearted. Two of the people who emailed me are pastors. One of the pastors is thinking about leaving the church. I pray with all of my heart that the pastor will not give up.

The pastors told me that some of the members of their congregations instead of encouraging them and praying for them are criticizing them and talking about them behind their backs. We need to realize that pastors are human just like we are. They have feelings just like we do. Pastors need to be encouraged just like we need to be encouraged.

One day there will be no more tears because all of our heartaches and sorrows will end when Jesus comes back to take us to our home in Heaven. What a comfort it is to know that our home that Jesus has lovingly decorated for us is waiting for us. Our precious Saviour has promised us that He will come back for us to take us home to the mansions He has prepared for us.

What a glorious day that will be when He returns for us. It is so important that we keep our hearts right with Jesus because we don’t know when He is coming back for us. Are you ready to go if Jesus were to return even as you read this devotion? Have you made your reservation for your mansion in Heaven? It is only by the precious blood of Jesus being applied to our hearts for the forgiveness of our sins that we are saved and assured of a home in Heaven. Please don’t miss out on spending eternity with Jesus. Open the door to your heart and invite the Christ of Calvary into your heart before it is too late!

Joanne Lowe
January 8, 2009
joannelowe8@cox.net
www.fromtheheartofjesus.blogspot.com

Time to catch up . . .

If it seems that I've been somewhat tardy in posting to the Blog over the past few days then you can put the blame fairly and squarely on my having had the 'flu bug. Not a nice experience, but I have joined many thousands of other 'flu victims' who have succumbed to the bug since Christmas. Definitely not my recommended way of beginning the new year, that's for sure!

This winter has so far been one of the coldest for many years, bringing frost, snow and ice with it in varying degrees, dependant on where you live in the UK. We are fortunate, lying in a bit of a dip where the snow generally passes us by, but we've nevertheless felt the fury of the freezing weather this week with icy roads and pavements, treacherous to people of any age, but especially so for people who are already unsteady on their legs.

Once again I'm reminded how the world has changed as I see elderly people struggling with shopping as they try to maintain their balance on slippery pavements. Growing up in a small town meant that, generally speaking, people knew each other, and when the weather was bad there was usually help on hand for the elderly from someone younger. In those days the winters were almost always fairly harsh, and it was normal to be scrunching your way along pavements coated in frozen slush, created when snow had been trampled, thawed a little and then frozen over in the temperatures which were usually well below freezing. I've written before about bedroom windows in the house with ice on the inside of the pane --- well just imagine the temperatures outside on days like that.

Currently many of our local news/weather reports are accompanied by great photographs depicting the beauty of the snowfalls or the frosts, and beauty it certainly is, but better viewed these days on the TV rather than experiencing the real thing as far as I'm concerned. Mind you, I still think that a walk in the country or through the forest is a fabulous experience provided you are well-protected against the cold. What better way to fully experience nature than by being part of it?

The trouble is that we have become far too comfortable, and many would say, far too soft. As a youngster I put on extra layers of clothing to combat the cold and there was no additional cost to doing so. Nowadays youngsters, often dressed in little more than a pair of flimsy shorts and a footie shirt bearing the colours of their favourite team, will grumble about the cold and want the central heating notched up even higher. The cost of that is tremendous! Here at home the other day I responded to the comment that one of the lads was cold by suggesting he put on a jumper, only to be met with a shocked expression that I should suggest anyone might wear a jumper indoors!

Of course, one of the main problems these days is that along with the concept of being comfortable people are also far more sedentary than they ever were years ago. With snow on the ground --- and preferably still falling --- as children we would be swathed in woollies, warm coats, scarves, gloves and wellington boots, and would rush out to play in the snow, building snowmen, making slides, throwing snowballs, and so on. In other words, we would burn up our excess energy and have great fun. Of course, that was in the days before the 'Elf 'n Safety' wallahs had dug their tenuous claws in with so many silly rules. Nowadays it's considered unsafe to throw snowballs, or to slide on slippery runs made in the snow, or toboggan down hills, or --- , well pretty well anything that might constitute enjoyment! After all, there is a million to one chance that in carrying out one or other of these activities you might cause yourself some damage. You might even be traumatised because another child is better at sliding than you are, or less afraid, or some other silly surmise. These fears are only adult fears of course in a sensible society. Of course you don't want your child to hurt themselves in their play, but accidents happen the world over, despite (and perhaps in many cases, because of) the 'Elf 'n Safety' rules, and these accidents are usually very minor and are part of growing up.

Personally I think that there is far more risk of long-term damage to a child that grows up in the protective cocoon of their bedroom, interacting with the world primarily via a computer screen, than there ever is from getting out with other children to play games, cold weather or not.

Playrooms, Psychology & Memories

As my mind wandered down Memory Lane recently I recalled something from my childhood that I thought I might share with you. To avoid any of you making the obvious observation --- Yes, I did say that my mind wandered, though not that it wandered uncontrollably!

Anyway, back to my childhood. I often felt somewhat lonely, despite coming from a large family, a phenomenon that I gather is not unusual in those circumstances. To counteract this feeling I would often create my own little world from my imagination, conjuring it up whenever I felt the need to do so. One of the ways in which I used to do this was to imagine myself going through a secret door, only large enough for a child to pass through with any ease, which was in the wall at the back of my curtained off wardrobe in the bedroom. The other side of the door I would find myself in a large attic room with little else but bare wooden boards apart from a chair and a few toys, the latter which I had carried in there myself.

Sometimes I would just sit in the chair and look out through the window at the world passing by, although my view was limited because I was in a room immediately above the first floor, although somehow I knew that it was lower down than the attic level in our house. At least I could sit and dream in comfortable solitude. On other occasions I would play with the toys which included an electric train set and a wonderful array of farm animals and machinery. With the latter I could create my own farm layouts, with fields divided either by hedgerows or fencing, and I could steer an assortment of tractors and trailers around them to my heart's content. In many ways I guess that I created a sort of child's Utopia, certainly as far as I was concerned.

Time after time I would retreat to my secret room which was a place where I felt safe and secure, and where I was happy playing. The strangest thing of all though is that many years later, on a visit to my home town when I was on holiday in the UK from Africa, I called at my old home, now an Estate Agents and offices. I asked them if I could look over the house, explaining that it had been my families' home for several decades, and the place where I spent the first twenty-one years of my life. They readily agreed and I explored as much of the house as I was allowed, eventually finding my way up to what had once been my bedroom. The curtained off wardrobe was no longer in the room but I checked out the wall where it had been, carefully searching for any sign that a there had ever been a door there, though I could find none. I recall the strange feeling that what I was searching for was not something created from my imagination but something that had really existed.

Interestingly, although the next door property was much smaller than our house with only one upper floor, the roof-space would have provided an attic area just as I had imagined there to be. Was it all in my imagination or was I somehow transported to an attic room somewhere? Certainly such rooms existed, and one such room was in the building opposite which housed Lloyds Bank. I was friendly with the children who lived there and we sometimes went up into their attic to play, although it was fairly full of the usual junk that gets stored in such places.

The probable answer lies in the last sentence, although who will ever really know for sure?

New Year, 2009

Did you wait up to welcome in the New Year, dear reader? I did, although I have to admit that I went to bed very soon afterwards. The streets around my home were pretty devoid of life, most probably because it was so-o-o-o-o ccccold! Usually several of my neighbours are at their open doors to greet each other at New Year, but not last night, although I'm sure that the thoughts remained the same.

Many years ago, when I lived in Africa, I went to a New Year's Eve party and stayed up the whole night through. We enjoyed a champagne breakfast the following morning, --- great if you like champagne, which I don't --- which rounded off the celebrations. It was a great start to the year, although I have to admit that I would not be quite so perky in the morning these days if I'd been up all night!

As I lay in bed this morning I was thinking about what this new year might bring for me. I feel very positive about it, that's for sure. My first thought is that it's another wonderful gift from God that will allow me to serve Him both in new ways and in the ways in which I already serve Him. Also this year, finally after almost five years of procrastination and trauma, the developers are due to start work on the church of which I am Minister. The Sanctuary had to be closed off several years ago because there was a danger of the ceiling falling in, since when part of it has done so. The work due to commence will see a complete refurbishment of the interior as well as completing work on the roof that will make the building last for the foreseeable future.

It is my prayer that as well as seeing the building strengthened we will see the church itself strengthened, not only by the addition of new members but also in the commitment of those who already belong. As in all churches, and indeed most organisations, most of the work is done by the minority. If everyone worked together to the same extent as the minority what a difference it would make. Burdens would become challenges, and the challenges would be opportunities.

I move into 2009 with great hope regarding my song-writing too. My songwriting partner, Greg Scheer, and I myself, firmly believe that we are on the edge of scoring a hit with one of our songs. Only time will tell, but I do believe that 2009 will be a great year for us. Shortly I will be getting together with our newest singer, Lisa Winwood, to discuss the songs that she will record for her first CD with Sheer Joy Music later in the year. She is a great singer and I think that she'll bring both us and her success in the business. Also on the music front, we are moving closer to recording Charlotte Kerce in Tallahassee. Charlotte is to record sixteen of my hymns, eight of which are co-written with Greg and eight which have well-known tunes with new arrangements by Sarah Atter. Charlotte has a wonderful rich alto voice, and I cannot wait to hear the finished result which is due for release towards the Autumn. Two other new singers will be recording my work this year as well: Alan Watson, who will be recording a CD of my worship songs and also a CD of secular songs, and a young 15 year old soprano, Charlotte Dacia, who will release a Cd of my Advent songs and Carols in time for Christmas. All in all a very exciting year musically speaking. God has so blessed this part of my work, bringing together some fantastically talented people who make up the Sheer Joy Music team. What a blessing!

At the beginning of April, I will be part of a Revival Mission team at a Revival Conference to be held at Moriah Chapel in Loughor, South Wales, which is where the 1904 Welsh Revival broke out under the ministry of Evan Roberts. The latest issue of The Voice Christian News & Views magazine has an article on Evan Roberts and several photos taken at Moriah Chapel when I visited there with Andrew Strom last year. The conference is being organised by Andrew Strom ministries in conjunction with myself, and David Servant of Heaven's family is expected to be one of the speakers. It should be an exciting week which I hope will be blessed by much fruit. Please hold the conference up in your prayers and seek the Lord's blessing on all those involved in presenting the conference plus those whom the Holy Spirit will draw to attend. It is anticipated that people will travel great distances to be there. I will post more details as they come to hand.

All in all an exciting year ahead working for the benefit of God's kingdom. Nationally we need to be very aware of situations that so many people may find themselves in as the economic recession bites even harder. I believe that the current government policies of attempting to spend the way out of recession are completely wrong. You do not deal with austerity by pretending to be rich! One of the prime causes of the economic problems is that for far too long people have been actively encouraged to live far beyond their means. In fact, not to do so has been portrayed as being against the interests of the nation in general. Only a few days ago I read in the Press that the Chancellor was dismayed that people were saving rather than spending. When you consider that this statement was made by the man in charge of the nation's finances it does little to bolster belief in the government!

Whatever 2009 brings I'm sure that there will be many opportunities for the Christian community to be strengthened if only they will take to their knees and pray. What is needed is wholesale repentance and a renewal of commitment. That's what will bring about the change that is needed in our lives. For too long people have been satisfied to be labelled Christian as long as it didn't mean any change to their chosen life-style, yet the point is that truly being a Christian changes the life-style to one in which God, and not self, comes first.

Whatever the year brings for you, dear reader, I pray that it will be a time of blessing in your life and also in the lives of those whom you love.