Ten years on . . .

This morning I was presented with the gift of a new Study Bible by my church to mark ten years service as their Minister. I remember the feelings that I had when I first preached as Minister, way back on the first Sunday in September 198, which seems a lifetime away now. Since then we've travelled the journey to the Cross together, had lots of 'highs' and a few 'lows', but we have bonded as family in Christ. What more could I ask?

It's been such a privilege to be able to share the lives of my people, and be with them in the times when they needed support and comfort, and to be able to lead them on their spiritual journey.

Now for the rest of my ife, every time that I dip into this new Bible I shall be reminded that it has been given with love, and be reminded too of all of the people whom it has been my privilege to serve and point towards the everlasting kingdom.

A Poem for Christmas

A Carolling!

A carolling! a carolling!
Hot toddy, snow and holly;
Mistletoe and mince pies,
A time for being jolly!

A carolling! A carolling!
Sing of the Saviour’s birth;
Of angels and of shepherds,
Of peace on all the Earth.

A carolling! A carolling!
The songs so full of joy.
Sing of the heavenly choir
That praised the infant boy.

A carolling! A carolling!
Sing of the guiding star;
Of shepherds and of wise men
Of how they journeyed far.

A carolling! A carolling!
Sing of that glorious day
When God came down to Earth
A baby in the hay.

A carolling! A carolling!
A story of God’s love:
The Christ child in the manger,
Who came from up above.

A carolling! A carolling!
From that crude manger bare,
His travelled to the cross,
He hung and suffered there.

A carolling! A carolling!
His death ordained to be;
He bled upon that cross,
And died for you and me.

A carolling! A carolling!
Our Saviour, brother, friend;
Destined soon to rule
That Kingdom without end.

A carolling! A carolling!
Our song will never end,
Till everyone on Earth
Knows Jesus Christ as friend.
© Colin Gordon-Farleigh, December 2005

Elf 'n Safety

I remember as a child aged about 10 years old, I was in hospital for several weeks with appendicitis. The hospital was about 12 miles from my home and, with far fewer cars on the roads then, visitors were fairly infrequent. My sojourn in the Ward included the whole of Christmas, and how well I remember the underwater scene that the nurses created throughout the Ward, with blue mesh net hung across the upper reaches to suggest the surface of the sea, silver fish scattered across it, and even a life-size diver in full diving-suit emerging from a papier machéI rock formation, built to look like the entrance to an underwater cave.

Things were very different then in hospitals. The Ward was run by Matron, and the nurses made sure that they didn’t incur her wrath! Children were not allowed on the Wards as visitors, and I recall the occasion when my sister was brought down by my mother and made to stand outside the Ward looking at me through a window. Visiting times were very strict indeed, and Matron was always around to ensure that nobody overstayed. I think that, generally speaking, visitors were considered somewhat of a nuisance really, because they upset the nursing routine. If a visitor dared to sit on a bed then Matron’s wrath would be poured out upon them from a great height, albeit through the Ward Sister. Rules were in place to be strictly obeyed, and obeyed they were.

How times were changed a few years later! The pendulum swung in the opposite direction. In many hospitals visitors of all ages were admitted with little or no check upon them. As the visitors considered it was their right to be there anyway, any nursing staff who queried their suitability would often get an abusive retort in return. Hence, relatives and friends would often turn up to visit with colds or other infections, bringing their herms onto the Ward to share with everyone. People sat on beds and large numbers would gather around the patient, often laughing and joking so loudly that they were disruptive.

Due to the various policy decisions made by Government over the years, people pushed their ’rights’ forward and their ’responsibilities’ were placed as far back as to often become an irrelevance. Matrons had long been consigned to the annals of hospital history books, and in throwing out the bath water the baby had gone as well, metaphorically speaking. Cleanliness on the Wards was left to the often underpaid staff of contract cleaning companies whose prime concern was how to increase their profits from the contract. The results soon spoke for themselves. Dirtier and dirtier Wards, unchanged bed-linen, reports of cockroach and rat infestations, and, of course, the superbugs such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile.Patients might well go into hospital for a relatively minor procedure and come out with a major superbug problem. So major in many instances, that they would die from it.

Change was obviously necessary, and so in our hospitals today there are bottles of gel for patients to swab their hands with both prior and after visiting. Visiting times are more strict on many Wards and patients limited to no more than two visitors at a time. Once again there is talk of reintroducing Matrons. Cleaning, by and large, is still done by contract cleaning companies who are in the business of maximising profits, and so the Wards are still not as clean as they should be, although many are better than they were.

It was long the habit of visitors to bring flowers to cheer up their hospitalised friends and relations, but this is often frowned upon by many hospitals today. The reason for this is often given as being that the flowers use up oxygen on the Wards. It was customary for flowers to be removed from patients’ bedsides at night in the past, but now they can be banned altogether for reasons of Elf ‘n Safety. I can appreciate the problems that vases of flowers might pose in terms of the danger of their being knocked over and so on, but the banning of another item brought in to give a little cheer to the patient baffles me completely, and that is the ban placed by some hospitals, or at least by some Wards, on ‘Get Well’ cards.

The ‘Get Well Soon’ card wit its cheery message has long been accepted as a way of cheering up friends and family unfortunate enough to be in hospital. Some time ago there were reports in the Press about a man who had sent his elderly aunt one of these cards when she was in hospital, only to find it conspicuous by its absence when he went to visit her. Enquiring about its whereabouts he was informed that cards were not allowed on Elf ‘n Safety grounds. Further enquiry elicited the information that they posed a problem of clutter for the cleaners.

Finally I now understand why there are often items of rubbish underneath a patients bed — it’s because there are ‘Get Well Soon’ cards on their lockers!

Earlier this year, parents visiting Birmingham's Children's Hospital were advised to bring new soft toys in factory- sealed boxes to prevent the spread of superbugs. The guidance stemmed from concerns that toy fabric is a breeding ground for the Superbugs. However, after the children have had the toys with them in hospital there is no ban on them taking the toys home, despite the fact that they have been around in an environment where superbugs often abound. Surely the Elf ‘n Safety gremlins have scored a home-goal there!

Jesus Christ --- The Light of the world

A GREAT LIGHT

Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-7 and Matthew 4:12-17

‘The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them’ (Isaiah 9:2)

In this passage the Prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of the Messiah. He speaks of a child that is both a child of hope and a child of light, foretelling that this child would be the light of the world who would lead people out of darkness and into the light. In order to understand these verses it is necessary for us to place them into their larger context, and to do that we need to consider the previous two chapters.

In these chapters we learn how God is going to judge king Ahaz for not trusting the Lord. Just as happens today, many of the people chose to follow the king rather than trust in the Lord, and the result when that situation arises is discipline and destruction. In the world today, notably the Western world, people have turned away from God in their droves, preferring to trust in their own judgment. Usury, immorality, self-centredness and greed have caused nations that once were Christian to turn their backs on God, and even, as is the case with both the UK and USA, to promote anti-Christian policies. How long can we expect that God will accept such a situation?

Certainly, there are many signs that God is saying that ‘Enough is enough.’ The downturn in the economy has plunged our nations into crisis to the point that, having failed to stave of Recession, the Government are now speaking of attempting to stave of a Depression. Daily, we are hearing about increasing numbers of people losing their jobs, about increasing financial burdens on families and of the spectre of home repossessions. Having barely got over the shock of major banking institutions collapsing both here and in the USA, only this week we have heard that Woolworths and MFI have both been put into Receivership. It must seem to some people that the world as they know it is collapsing around their ears, whilst those in power are powerless to stop the collapse.

It has long been said that the wealthier people become then the more they come to rely on themselves rather than on God. Relying on oneself means putting oneself in the centre, whereas we should always put God in the centre, letting our world revolve around Him. The result when a nation becomes full of self-centred people is that God is cast to one side as though He is an irrelevance. History has proven that when such a thing happens then God takes action, and I believe that the current problems that we are experiencing as a nation are a reflection of God’s anger.

Constantly Christians, and therefore Christianity, are coming under increasing attack with blasphemy such as that recently broadcast by Rowan Atkinson as part of the Prince of Wales’ 60th birthday celebration being largely ignored. Anyone who dares to complain is regarded as an oddity, but then again, whenever Christians are portrayed in a ‘faith’ role in the media, particularly on television which is largely responsible for the mindset of the general public, they are usually portrayed as weirdo’s. In Cardiff, ‘Borders’ bookshop have invited a man to give a public reading of his blasphemous poetry on 11th December, and earlier the same day he will do the same at the Assembly Ty Howel building at the request of militant atheists. Fortunately a protest is being mounted by a prominent Christian group, but guess who will be portrayed as the ‘baddies’ in any resultant media coverage.

Every year the PC brigade manage to come out with an increasing amount of propaganda aimed at removing all traces of Christianity from Christmas. For example, if when the post office ask you if you want Christmas stamps this year they will supply you with the ‘Pantomime’ range of stamps. If you want religious stamps then you must ask for them specifically. Many people are unaware of this, and so I wonder how long it will be before the Post office refuse to create any new religious stamps on the grounds that nobody wants them.

People could be forgiven in the face of all that is happening if they felt that they had no hope. Yet the real answer is that God has given us all the hope that is in Jesus Christ. He is both the Hope of the World and the Light of the World.

For the people who followed king Ahaz and trusted in the Assyrians rather than in God, the result was that God’s judgement fell on them, but fortunately, in the middle of this judgment hope is found for those who chose to turn to God and trust in Him. In Isaiah 7:14 we read, Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. The ultimate fulfilment of this prophecy is the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, who is our hope.

Just as God set aside a believing remnant who turned their backs on the Assyrians and trusted God, so today there is a remnant of believing Christians who refuse to be swayed by popular conceptions. This remnant is set apart by the presence of God, the fear of God, and the truth of God.

By the close of Isaiah chapter 8, the Israelites have been brought to their knees, and we are told in verse 21 that they are so famished that they will be enraged and curse their king and their God as they face upward. Verse 22 continues the picture of despair, Then they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be driven away into darkness.

Despite all of this, Isaiah prophecies that God will provide hope for them, turning the devastated areas of Zebulun and Naphtali, situated in Galilee in Northern Israel, glorious: ‘The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.’ The light would come to that land because God chose Galilee as the land where Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, would live.

The darkness of which Isaiah spoke is both external and internal, the former because of the destruction wrought by the Assyrian army, and the latter as a result of that destruction's impact upon the people which caused the inner darkness of despair.

In chapter 9, Isaiah elaborates upon the coming light that God will give to dispel the darkness, and in 9:6 we are told that this great light will come through a child, For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest upon His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, mighty God, Eternal Father, prince of Peace. The hope that we have is underlined by the prophecy in verse 7, There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace.

In Matthew chapter 4 we find the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy when Jesus, hearing that his cousin John had been taken into custody, withdrew into Galilee and leaving Nazareth, settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali (4:13). Verse 17 tells us that From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Just as Isaiah had prophesied around 700 years previously, Jesus began His ministry in Galilee. The Light had come!

Today that same Light is with us, calling people to repentance and salvation. Looking at the spiritual state of our nations it is easy to understand how people believe that only a miracle can turn things around, and of course they are right. It does need a miracle. But then, God is in the business of miracles!

People are world-weary; tired of the uphill struggle to make sense of all that is going on in the world, whether it be the economic downturn and the devastating effects on their lives or the world-terrorism threat posed by Islamic extremists. Yet in amongst all of this world-weariness God has provided a solution — a safe haven in the midst of all the storms.

Jesus is calling out today, just as He has done for two thousand years, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, 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.”

He is God’s miracle.
Amen

New Singer : New Song!

This week I added a new singer to the Sheer Joy Music stable, Lisa Winwood. You can check her out and listen to her singing on her website and I think you'll agree with her band of fans that she has a great voice. I'm looking forward to recording her in the New Year. You'll notice from the photo of Lisa above, that not only does she sound good but she looks good as well!

Not only do we have a new singer but when I got up and turned the computer on early this morning --- (by 'early' I mean when most were still fast asleep!) --- I found a new song waiting for me from my songwriting partner Greg Scheer. It's called 'Candle in the Window', and Greg rates it as being 'a hit waiting to happen'. Take a look at the words and music and listen to the tune on his musicblog. Hope you like it! Why not leave a comment on either my site or Greg's and let us know what you think.

Time for a change this Christmas

Usually at this time of the year I'm frantically trying to write addresses on envelopes for the couple of hundred Christmas Cards that I have sent each year for many years now. I have to admit that it is a somewhat onerous task, and I have wondered over the past few years at the sense of it, at least as far as the volume of cards that I send out.

I guess that the whole issue is one of the money involved, not so much in terms of the cost of the cards themselves, because I always purchase them in the January Sales when they are reduced to a fraction of their original cost, but certainly in terms of the ever-increasing cost of postage. Even this is not my prime consideration either, for the whole subject of the matter revolves more about the manner in which the said amount of money is being spent. When I think of how much more I could do by spending the money where it matters in very real terms then I am led to the conclusion more and more that I need to cut my card list down to a fraction of its current length.

One charity that I support, and intend through Voice Ministries to support financially from January 2009 onward, is India Village Ministries. A few years ago the founders of IVM, Suresh and Roja Vemulapalli, came to Runcorn, stayed with me for a few days and addressed the congregation of St John's, which is the church that I'm privileged to be the Minister of. I have since followed their progress with great interest, especially the work that they have done in building an orphanage to afford a real home to 50 children, and which was completed very recently. The photo above is of the almost completed building.

This year IVM brought out a Gift List for people to spend their money on this Christmas which I am going to support rather than spending money on lots of postages and unnecessary gifts. There is a whole range of things that will make a tremendous difference in the lives of under-privileged children, and I'm sure that many of the over-privileged people on my Christmas List will happily forego their card or gift if they know that such children are getting the benefit from it.

A few of the items in the Catalogue are:

• Sewing machine & accessories: £70 : Code 27
• 5 fruit trees to be planted at Children’s Home: £25 : Code 19
• Bed: £40 each : Code 14
• A Blanket for a child: £13 : Code 15
• Mattress for a bed: £10 : Code 16
• Bed sheets: £4 : Code 17
• Pillow: £5 : Code 18
• Bible for a family in local language: £1.75 each : Code 28

Payment details: Please make your cheque payable to:

India Village Ministries

and post the cheque with a copy of your order form to:
India Village Ministries, POBOX 18485, Kittybrewster, Aberdeen AB24 3XN, Scotland

GIFT AID DECLARATION

IVM is a Charity registered in Scotland. Charity No: SC032158
If you are a tax payer, we are a registered charity and we can claim the tax on your donation if you sign and return the form to:

India Village Ministries, POBOX 18485, Kittybrewster, Aberdeen AB24 3XN, Scotland

I am a registered tax payer in the UK. Please claim gift aid from my donation on this and future occasions.

Name

Address

Signature

If you usually get a card and/or a present from me and don't get one this year, know that the money that would have paid for it will have gone to support a very worthy cause!

Help Wanted: "Here I am Lord; send me."

Today this meditation comes from Joanne Lowe. Is it speaking out to you? There is always work to do for the benefit of the Kingdom, and as the Lord seeks out those willing to help He calls out to us. How pleasing it must be to Him when we don't make excuses about how busy we are or how many things we need to get finished first, but simply stand and say to Him, "Here I am, Lord; send me." Let today be the day that you make the decision to go where He sends you and to be His hands, feet, eyes, mouth and heart.

HELP WANTED!

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
Isaiah 6:8 (King James Version)

A lot of people are trying to find employment. However, it is very hard to find work because instead of companies hiring people, the companies are laying their workers off or letting them go permanently because they don’t have enough money to pay them. If we will look in our hearts, we will see a huge sign with the words “Help Wanted!” We won’t get paid in money for this job. Even better than earning money that will only last for a little while, we will be paid by Jesus Himself with benefits that will last for all eternity.

Many years ago, Jesus said “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Today, He is still saying the same words. It is up to us to answer His call and say to Him “Here am I; send me.” Have you heard the voice of the Lord? One day every one of us will stand before a Holy God and give an account of the way we answered our Saviour’s call. Have you answered Jesus and said “Here am I; send me?” After all that Jesus has done for you, how can you refuse to spread His unconditional love to everyone starting with your own family?

How would you feel if Jesus were to return right now and said to you “Why didn’t you tell your family and friends how much I love them? Don’t you love Me?” I believe you would have to hang your head in shame not only because you didn’t spread His unconditional love but also because you hurt Him. Will you open your heart of compassion right now and say to Jesus “Here am I; send me?” Please don’t keep hurting Jesus. He has suffered enough for you.

Joanne Lowe
December 3, 2008
joannelowe8@cox.net
www.fromtheheartofjesus.blogspot.com

Full Assurance of Faith

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

( Hebrews 10:22)

I'm in God's hands

The first thing I do each day is place myself into God's hands once again, thereby ensuring that I will be walk according to His will for another day. I pray for the opportunity to be a living witness to the love of God shown us through the Living Christ. After all, what other way is there for a Christian to live? Surely, our purpose is to carry out God's will for our lives and to fulfil the Great Commission of sharing the gospel message.

I cannot imagine being without Jesus in my life, for without Him there would be a great emptiness. Every time I sing the hymn 'What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought . . .' it reminds me once again how much it applies to my life. I accepted Jesus into my life way back in September 1969 at a meeting held in the Friend's Meeting House in Bath, which was led by the evangelist Peter Scothern. After my entry into full-time ministry I had the privilege, only a few years ago, of being invited to share my testimony at one of his meetings held in Chester. Just one small step on my journey that I was able to share as part of Peter's journey.

One thing I've have learned over the years is that life is good with Jesus and empty without Him. No matter what else we achieve in this life, if it is without Christ then it's of no real benefit in the long run. I'm convinced that as long as God blesses us with breath then our purpose is indisputably to carry out the work that we are privileged to do for Him. So, as we are bid, I give thanks in all things, and in all things I praise my Lord!

Now that we are moving towards the end of another year I've been looking back at this Blog over the past months. What a variety of things it contains, ranging from international concerns to more local political issues, from the terrible problems that have continued in Zimbabwe to opinions related to the recent election of Barack Obama. I've certainly moved around the Globe a bit! In addition I have done my best to brighten your day, dear reader, with some great photographs.

I have shared news about my songs and music and updated you about the way that The Voice Christian News & Views magazine has grown. It has been blessed to such a great extent over the past year, and continues to expand the readership base on a weekly basis.

Memories have figured in these columns as well, and I have enjoyed sharing a few of them with you. It's interesting to note that whenever I have travelled down Memory Lane on the blog I find that when I check the readership statistics there has always been an increased readership. perhaps, like me, you find such things let you escape from the humdrum of the daily turmoil that is so often our lives in today's troubled world. I guess that I need to give the grey matter a little shove now and then and stir up some more memories!

The important thing for me is that I have had you, dear reader, to share my journey and walk a little of the way with me. There is always enjoyment to be had from the company of fellow travellers, and I've certainly enjoyed yours. I hope that you will continue to walk with me along the way!

Almost a month ago I went to a family dinner which was held at the home of one of my brothers just a few miles from the town where I was born and raised. On the Sunday morning I went off to church with my nephew, travelling several miles to get there for the 2-hour Service. Not feeling like such a long Service my beloved went with my brother and his 4-year old daughter to the Parish Church of St Bartholomew, which is in the town where I grew up. It was my wife's first visit to the church and she commented about it when she returned. It stirred many memories for me! It was as a small boy that I walked amidst the other choirboys to lend my voice in praise. Sometimes we would be asked to sing at weddings too, something for which we would be paid the princely sum of 2/6d (about 12.5 pence in today's currency). Like most small choirboys we used to mess around a bit in the service and get told off for it afterwards, but all in all my memories of those times are good ones.

I guess that it was singing in the choir that helped to nurture my love of singing and music, a love which has never left me and which I retain to this day. I still sing in a choir, something which brings me great enjoyment.

Of course music and singing has been a great part of my life, and is even more so today, whether it be listening for pleasure, singing hymns of praise in church, or composing new tunes, and I cannot contemplate a life without the joy of music.

There are probably three things which define my life, and they are :

• my love of and trust in, God.
• my love of music
• my love of writing

Each is inexorably linked. I have given my life over to God and committed myself to serve Him for ever. One of the ways that I have been able to do this is through my hymn-writing, and another is through the medium of my Christian verse. Hence, in serving Him I have been richly blessed by being able to do what I love so much.

From that evening service in The Friend's Meeting House in Bath over 39 years ago the one thing that has been a constant in my life has been Jesus, and so I can return to my earlier statement and, using the title of the hymn, I can say What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought, since Jesus came into my life.

Damian Green arrest : This smacks of a Police State!

There was a time, when I was a lad, that the police were viewed quite differently from the way that they are today, and the main reason for that was that they behaved differently. For the average law-abiding citizen, (including small boys who only erred slightly), there was great respect for the local policeman. There was certain amount of healthy fear from most small boys, but that was usually because you feared getting caught at at some minor misdemeanour. I remember, for example, one occasion when I was stopped by the local Bobby because my rear cycle light was out. On being questioned I confirmed that it had been working when I left home, but lo and behold! when he unscrewed the light to check it had no battery in it!!! I never pulled that one again, that was for sure! A severe reprimand and a threat to tell my father made certain of it.

Despite occasions like this there was, nevertheless, a healthy respect for the local police, combined with a sense of awe when it came to greater police matters that fell upon our ears. It was a two-way thing as well, for the local Bobby had a friendly respect for the people, including the children, and was a popular figure as he made his rounds. He was a very visible presence on the streets of my home town.

Generally speaking that has changed drastically. Even amongst the most model citizens there is little respect for the police, and perhaps that has much to do with the fact that many people don't feel that they are respected by the police. Cry for help these days and often your cry will either go unheeded altogether or be placed at a very low priority on the list of things that need to be done. Additionally, the lack of respect for the police is as much to do with the fact that they are perceived by many as considering themselves often above the Law that they are supposed to represent, as the rarity of their presence on the streets. To many growing up in today's world the presence of the police is represented only by flashing blue lights and screaming sirens when there are chases going on. In the Media we hear of people being killed by speeding police cars and find the drivers get meagre punishments meted out. Reports of senior police officers caught speeding on motorways and being let off or handed down a petty fine do little to beef up the image either.

Now we have so many new laws that have been introduced over the past decade that give the police unprecedented powers. Laws that purport to be for one purpose are worded loosely enough to be interpreted for other purposes, a classic example being the arrest and detention of Damian Green MP. His real crime was to make public matters of public interest and concern that the Labour hierarchy wanted to keep secret.

The manner of his arrest, the manner in which the raids were carried out, the treatment meted out to Mr Green, and the apathetic excuses that have been, and no doubt will be again, offered in an attempt to justify the actions, all smack of a POLICE STATE.

The police are there to uphold the Law, and the lawmakers are the politicians who are elected to represent the people --- in other words the Government. Damian Green was subjected to an act of political intimidation at the hands of the puppets whose strings were pulled from Westminster. It is a situation that should scream out a wake-up call to every citizen of this country, for next time it could be anyone of us. What it tells us about those who have the responsibility of governing us is that they are more concerned about getting away with things than of being open-handed. When those in power work with a veil of secrecy cloaking their actions then there is a very real cause to believe that we are living in a Police State. This sorry episode demonstrates to all of us that none of those whose task it is to protect us can be really trusted --- not the police hierarchy, nor the civil service mandarins, and especially not the government ministers.

Over the past decade this government, many of whom in their early political careers had shady connections to totalitarian policies and political parties, have introduced a variety of draconian and totalitarian measures that often appear to the general public to be more about protecting themselves from prosecution from corruption in office, than about promoting the well-being of the ntion and of the electorate that was responsible for getting them their tickets for the gravy train.

New anti-terror laws were introduced because the laws that already existed were not being applied. Islamic Fundamentalism was given a virtually free hand to flourish in this nation and now, having sown the wind we are reaping the whirlwind, not only here but across the world, as Islamic terrorism increases its grip of fear on nation after nation. Had the laws that were already in place regarding public order been correctly and timeously applied then the terrorists that have been allowed --- and continue to be allowed --- to foment their brand of hatred against any who dare to differ in belief, then we would not be in the situation that exists today.

It is time for common-sense to prevail!

Yes, we need the law to afford protection, but it needs to be administered and upheld by a non-political police administration. One most urgent task is to throw out of the country all who are known to be connected terrorism, and to cease immediately any public benefit towards their families. If, due to their nefarious activities in the country of their origin, they are likely to face imprisonment or even death, then so be it. They are the authors of their own destiny. They know the risks they take when they embark on their acts of outrage, whether it be to act first-hand or to encourage others to perpetrate them.

It's time for change!

What we currently have is not democracy, merely a shadow of what democracy should be.

Book-signing at The Curiosity Bookshop

Yesterday I was invited to a local bookshop to sign copies of my books of Christian Verse and poetry, together with popular local singer Alan Watson who has just recorded his first release on the Sheer Joy Music label. The Cd is called Songs of Worship, and on it Alan has recorded four of my worship songs. This release is a taster for a series of CDs which Alan will record under the same label in 2009.

In the above photograph, Alan is busy signing a copy of Songs of Worship for one of several people who purchased it.


We were joined at the signing by local author Chris Darlington whose new book about Runcorn Football Club and the rise and fall of their Canal Street ground, Gone! But not Forgotten, is due for release in the next couple of weeks. The book will be on sale in the Curiosity Bookshop and is also available direct from the author by emailing him direct.

In the above photograph Rev Colin discusses his work with one of the customers at the signing who purchased both a CD and a book.

All of Rev Colin's books, together with the various Cd's on the Sheer Joy Music label which feature his songwriting, are now available from the Curiosity Bookshop in High Street, Runcorn, or via their website.

The GREATEST American Fraud!

Following on my post earlier today about President-elect Barack Hussein Obama's refusal to offer his birth certificate in order to confirm his legality to be the next US President, I recommend you to watch the following YouTube videos and form your own opinion. The speaker is a very brave man, speaking out as he does despite the massive cover-up attempts that exist in this matter.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1spPrzvYWRI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8b_usFyLHQ

Runcorn's Footbal Club's History : 'Gone! But not Forgotten'

This new book, which records the birth, growth and history of Runcorn's Football Club, will be available in a couple of weeks time, and is a 'must-have' book for everyone interested in the history of the game in Runcorn. The author, Chris Darlington, obviously writes with the passion of one who has been involved first-hand, and he has interviewed countless numbers of people in the process of researching Gone! But not forgotten. There are eleven pages of photographs, some of which portray the team as far back as the 1920's, and all of which add to the general feeling of a Club that was well loved.

From humble beginnings to the final chapter involving the sale of the Canal Street ground for a housing development, here is the story seen through the eyes of supporters. It is well written and well researched, and at £4.95 will make a welcome stocking-filler for many a fan of Runcorn's football past.

If you would like to order an advance copy then you can do so by emailing your details to the author.

A poem of mine has been included on the final page, and I post it here now for you to read:

The Stands are Silent Now

The Stands are silent now.
No more the crowds that cheered
the yellow and the green;
no more the players and the fans
where once our pride had been.
No more the glorious sound
of leather boot on leather ball,
across our hallowed ground.
For now, where once we stood
to watch our heroes play the game,
and cheered them on and on
and watched them win the cup,
the Stands are silent now,
and they’re putting houses up.
© 2008 Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Obama's #1 State Secret? Relatives say that he was born in Mombasa!

I'm sharing this report by World Net Daily with you, for I feel that it cvers an important issue, not only to the citizens of the USA but also to many other countries, including the United Kingdom. The American Constitution clearly states that a person must be born in the USA in order to qualify for the post of President (Article 2, Section 1, no one can be sworn into office as president of the United States without being a natural born citizen). Although it has been stated that Obama was born in Hawaii, it is also recognised that Hawaii has a history of registering births that took place outside of its borders, as a matter of convenience. Some of Barack Obama's relatives in Kenya state that they recall his birth being in Mombasa, and if that is proven to be true then it automatically disqualifies him under the Constitution from taking up the Presidency. All that is necessary to disprove the allegations are for Obama to release a copy of his birth certificate to the Media. The question will then be resolved.

In my experience, the only reason that anyone, politicians in particular, make a point-blank refusal to comply with such simple requests is that they know that the result of such compliance will bring about their downfall. If Obama's protest that the allegations are patently untrue then he will have no problem in satisfying the growing sea of unease at his current refusal to prove his words against his those of his accusers.

Because of the vast power that is vested in the office of the US President, it's obviously of the utmost importance that a matter such as this, which challenges the Constitution, be resolved.

Under the headline Do You Believe in the Constitution? the WND report reads as follows:

Last Friday, a judge in Hawaii threw out the latest lawsuit seeking public release of Barack Obama's No. 1 state secret—his birth certificate!

In ruling against the challenge, the judge wrote that he found "insufficient evidence to indicate that the public interest supports" release of the document.

Since that judge's ruling, more than 95,000 WorldNetDaily readers have joined you in signing the petition to demand documentation of Barack Obama's eligibility to hold the highest office in the U.S. Nearly 1,000 people an hour have signed the petition. How's that for an expression of public interest?

It's not surprising that WND readers are well-versed in the controversy and understand the stakes. No news organization in the world has done more to get to the bottom of this eligibility question. During the presidential campaign, WND:

• dispatched senior staff reporter Jerome Corsi twice to Hawaii to investigate the matter, including an appeal to the governor.


• hired a battery of private investigators in Hawaii to check every hospital for birth records—to no avail.


• sent Corsi to Kenya where he talked with some of Obama's relatives who clearly recall the birth taking place in Mombasa. (While there, Corsi was detained by Kenyan officials and a press conference he had scheduled was canceled at the last minute at the order of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who has since made clear he has expectations of payback from soon-to-be President Obama.)

Why not log onto the WND website and sign the onlne petition in support of making Obama's birth certificate public.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving Day, surrounded by those you love, and that you both give and receive all that helps to make it a memorable occasion.

Take a moment to reflect . . .

• Sometimes, in all the hustle and bustle of the world around us, it's good to step aside for a moment and just simply take time to reflect on all the beauty of the world that we live in.
• It's so easy to become downhearted when we read of the ugliness of daily living with all of the struggles and the strife that we can sometimes be faced with.
• It's at such times that we need to refresh our souls, and what better way than to step to one side and look around at all that God has made and count our blessings.
• How often we find that there are many more blessings than we ever thought possible, and it's at that moment of realisation that we find also that our souls respond and we are transported to realms of glory from our inner being, heavenward to a moment where we experience God's presence.

I pray that today will be a special day for you, dear reader, and that you will experience a moment in the day with God the Creator of all things.

I was interviewed on the radio . . .

Last Sunday evening I travelled about forty minutes to Leasowe, which is on the Wirral, to be interviewed by Chris Youngman on her radio show Cafe Sunday, which is broadcast each Sunday between 5 and 7 pm on 7Waves Community Radio. Above is a pic of Chris and myself in the Studio having a discussion prior to going on air.

The Recording Studios are fairly new, having only been opened in March this year, and they boast really great up-to-the-minute equipment, with three studios in all. It was a good interview, discussing the various aspects of my work in the ministry, my magazine, my books and my music, and she played several tracks from the various CDs that showcase my worship songs and love songs.

All in all, an enjoyable interview. Thanks, Chris!

SMILE! Jesus loves YOU!

Once again I share with you, dear reader, a meditation from Joanne Lowe. You can get these meditations yourself every day simply by visiting her website and subscribing.

YOU CAN GIVE A SMILE

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3: 6 (King James Version)

For many years I didn’t think there was anything I could do for Jesus. I have been told many times that I can’t carry a tune in a bucket so according to the world I can’t sing. However, when I sing to Jesus, I know it makes Him happy because it comes from my heart. You may not be a singer, a preacher, a teacher or anyone who is in front of the public but if you have invited Jesus into your heart to be your personal Saviour, you can smile at people.

I know that it is impossible to smile all the time because we have so many disappointments, burdens, heartaches and sorrows in our lives. However, if Jesus lives in our hearts we have His joy in our hearts. We could never generate that joy. It is His joy, not our joy that shines on our faces in our smiles. The Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8: 10).

Even in the midst of the hurricanes of life, we can smile at people because we know that Jesus loves us and His joy is our strength. How sad it would be if people didn’t see the joy of having Jesus in our hearts by our smiles and hear His compassion, understanding and unconditional love in our words. You may not feel like being cheerful and smiling and talking to people. However, I’m sure when our precious Saviour was hanging on that cruel cross of horror and excruciating pain that He didn’t feel cheerful or feel like talking to anyone. He certainly didn’t feel like smiling but He still loved us even though we had beat Him beyond recognition, had spat on Him, had cursed Him, had mocked Him and had rejected Him.

You might think “I’m not guilty of crucifying Jesus. I didn’t beat Him or spit on Him, or curse Him, or mock Him or reject Him. I wasn’t there that day.” However, every time we say criticizing and sarcastic words to someone or we are cruel and mean to someone, we are just as guilty as if we were there that day pounding the nails into the hands and the heart of our precious Saviour.

Even in the midst of all of the agony and the suffering that our precious Saviour endured for us, we read in the Bible that His heart was still full of compassion and unconditional love for us. “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23: 33, 34 ).

Are you willing to allow the joy of Jesus to shine on your face in your smile and in your words even when you are discouraged and heartbroken? If Jesus could love us so much while hanging on the old rugged cross, heartbroken, bleeding and beaten beyond recognition that He said “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” how can you and I not give of ourselves and smile for Him?

Remember, the level of your service to Jesus depends on your level of love for Him. Let me repeat this because it is so important “the level of your service to Jesus depends on your level of love for Him”. How much do you love Him and how much are you willing to do for Him? Do you love Him enough to shut off the television and call someone who is lonely, discouraged, and heartbroken and who desperately needs to know that someone cares?

Joanne Lowe
November 25, 2008
joannelowe8@cox.net
www.fromtheheartofjesus.blogspot.com

Emynau Cymraeg/ Welsh Hymns

I often have folk visit my music website looking for any of my hymns which have been translated into Welsh, something that I am always anxious to include. The problem is getting someone with enough time to spare for the task, and whose command of the language is matched by their musical ability, the combination of which results in a really good translation which retains all of the original meaning without distraction from the music. I'm always interested in people who can help in this voluntary task, and their work would ultimately help to provide a collection of new Welsh hymns. If you are interested then why not pay a visit to the Sheer Joy Music site and look through the hymns that are posted there. You can contact me here.

One person who has done a couple of excellent translations for me is Parchedig Olwyn Williams, a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Wales with whom I was at the Theological College in Aberystwyth. Below is her translation of O the Wonder! which is one of the hymns that she has translated, and which she has done an excellent job of. I have included the original English words as well in this post. I hope that you will enjoy singing it in either language, but especially in the Welsh.

O’r Rhyfeddod! 8.7.8.7.
Tôn: Blaenwern Cyf: Olwen Elena Williams

Clywaf d’alwad O! Waredwr,
I dy wasanaethu Di:
Fendigedig Iesu, deuaf
I’th ewyllys, plygaf i.
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Brynwr gwerthfawr ‘rwyf yn rhydd,
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Bodlon yn Dy waith bob dydd.

Drwy fy mywyd, cwsg neu effro,
Ddydd neu nos, O! ysbryd byw
‘Rwyt arweinydd a diddanydd,
Ti yw popeth im fy Nuw.
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Brynwr gwerthfawr ‘rwyf yn rhydd,
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Bodlon yn Dy waith bob dydd.

Teimlaf Di gerllaw yn fythol,
Cerddi gyda mi bob cam,
Yn ddiogel ‘rwyt yn gwarchod,
Cariad mwy na chariad mam.
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Brynwr gwerthfawr ‘rwyf yn rhydd,
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Bodlon yn Dy waith bob dydd.

Ti O! Grist, yw fy ngwaredwr,
Aethost drosof fi I’r Groes,
O! Fab Duw fy mhrynwr dedwydd,
Fe’th addolaf hyd fy oes.
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Brynwr gwerthfawr ‘rwyf yn rhydd,
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Bodlon yn Dy waith bob dydd.
© Colin Gordon-Farleigh, 2006


Oh, the Wonder! 8.7.8.7.
Tune ‘Blaenwern’.

Saviour, now I hear you calling
Me to serve You here below;
Blessed Jesus, I will follow,
Where You lead me I will go.
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Precious Saviour, I am free!
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Purest joy of serving Thee.

In my waking and my sleeping,
At the morn or eventide,
Holy Spirit in this temple,
As my Comforter and Guide.
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Precious Saviour, I am free!
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Purest joy of serving Thee.

Knowing You are always near me,
Walking always by my side,
Ever safely watching o’er me,
Blessed Saviour, friend and guide.
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Precious Saviour, I am free!
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Purest joy of serving Thee.

I acknowledge You as Saviour,
Who hung there upon the tree,
Worship You, my blest Redeemer,
Son of God who died for me.
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Precious Saviour, I am free!
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Purest joy of serving Thee.
© Colin Gordon-Farleigh, 2006

A new CD by Alan Watson

Alan Watson, a great singer who lives in the same town as me, recently signed to record with Sheer Joy Music, and his first CD, Songs of Worship, will be launched on 26th November at The Curiosity Bookshop in Runcorn. Alan will be alongside me as I sign copies of my Award-winning books of Christian verse, and we will play tracks from his CD which features hymns that I have written set to popular hymn tunes, all of which have been beautifully arranged by Sarah Atter, a gifted young musician currently at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

If you are in the area, why not come along and meet us. You'll find a warm welcome there if you do!