Wild Horses (Beneath the Raging Moon) - Byron J Bryce

Great song, great news!
I'm pleased to announce that my song, Wild Horses (Beneath a Raging Moon), sung by Byron J Bryce, is moving up the ReverbNation Country Chart, and getting increasingly noticed on YouTube. Please help to give it another big push in the right direction by sharing it with your friends. Thank you! You can download the song from iTunes, Amazon or CD Baby.

"Abinger Road" --- New CD from Hayley Oliver & the Hayley Oliver Band

Like most folk, I love getting presents, especially when the present arrives unexpectedly!
This morning I received a fabulous present from my good friend Hayley Oliver, and I'm enjoying listening to it as I write this post. The gift that the mailman brought this morning was the new CD from Hayley Oliver & the Hayley Oliver Band, "Abinger Road" which, just like previous releases from both Hayley and the band, demonstrates just how Country Music should sound. I LOVE it!

You can buy it for yourself by following this link. 

Here's a taste of what Hayley Oliver & the Band sound like from a previous CD:

Children's Exam Results : A Nun Grading Papers

The following landed in my email inbox this morning, and so I thought that I would share it with you to start your day with a smile.

A Nun Grading Papers 

     Can you imagine the nun sitting at her desk grading these papers, all the while trying to keep a straight face and maintain her composure!  Pay special attention to the wording and spelling.  If you know the Bible even a little, then you'll find this hilarious!
     It comes from a Catholic Elementary School test. 

The children were asked questions about both the Old and the New Testaments, and the following statements are the answers they gave. The statements have not been amended or corrected, and any incorrect spellings have been left in.

1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.

2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH'S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS. 

4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.

5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONGMAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH. 

6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES. 

7. MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD, WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.

8. THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.

10. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY. 

11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.

12. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.

13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.

14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.

15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA. 
16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.

17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION. 

18. ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD. 

19. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE ALSO EXPLAINED A MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE.

20. IT WAS A MIRICLE WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND MANAGED TO GET THE TOMBSTONE OFF THE ENTRANCE. 

21. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.

22. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.

23. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.

24. ST. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY, WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE. 

25. CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE. THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.

Aren't Children great!!

We must never forget: "9/11 Remembered"

9/11 Remembered

Close your eyes and try to keep out the dust;
Close your ears and try to keep out the sounds;
Close your mind and try to keep out the pain.

What now? Now that the years are passing,
and the ground no longer blossoms red?

What now? Now that the cloying dust has turned
into a vast bouquet of concrete roses?

What now? Now that the mind, in relaxed moments,
recalls the awful sounds of people screaming,
people crying,
--- of people dying?
What now?

Are all the lessons learned?
Has hatred turned to love?

Or is the world the same, despite the rhetoric
that it was changed for ever on that day?

So many questions. So many questions.

Yet still no answers from the growing shroud
that covers all the mounting dead.

Still no answers from the bleating throng
who find their solace in the world instead.

Still no peace exists 'tween man and man,
nor ever will as long as hate exists.

So on this day, when we recall the horror
of that day when life was changed,
let us make a stand for peace,
a stand for love,
a stand for Christ;

and in His name, pray to our God above
that our world will change again.
Yet let this change be one that turns on love.

© Copyright 2009 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

My 'Hymn for Today' : "Here I Am Lord"

Here I Am Lord 7777   

TUNE: Innocents

Come, Lord Jesus, to my heart,

Willing, I would, play my part;

Here I am Lord, here for Thee,

Come, Lord Jesus, let it be.

I will serve Thee here below,

Arms wide open, eyes aglow;

Here I am Lord, here for Thee,

Come, Lord Jesus, let it be.

Thou hast healed my sinful heart,

Cleansed my soul, set me apart;

Here I am Lord, here for Thee,

Come, Lord Jesus, let it be.

Willing, give my life to Thee,

Now Thy light my blind eyes see;

Here I am Lord, here for Thee,

Come, Lord Jesus, let it be.

© 2006 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Funeral Poems: "Softly" by Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Softly

Softly the leaves of memory fall,
Gently I gather and treasure them all.

Unseen, unheard,
You are always near,
So missed, so loved, so very dear.

Softly the light from the stars above,

Glinting and twinkling their message of love.

Unseen, unheard,
You are always near,
So missed, so loved, so very dear.

Softly the sound in heaven above,

Silent the words to my whispered love;

Unseen, unheard,
You are always near,
So missed, so loved, so very dear.

© 2013 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

I wrote this earlier this year, for use at funeral services, and it has proven to be very popular. 

My choice for the "Hymn for Today" is "The Spirit's Fire"

The Spirit’s Fire 7676

TUNE: Cara

A mighty wind around us,

Is rushing through this place;

God ‘s Spirit full surrounds us,

Defeating time and space.

The Spirit’s fire consuming,

We burn with faith’s desire;

God’s mighty pow’r upon us,

We blaze with holy fire.

Christ calls on us to serve Him,

To witness to His love;

To love and serve our neighbour,

And praise our God above.

Let’s all proclaim His message,

And be His hands and feet;

When we serve Christ our Saviour,

Our lives are made complete.

© 2011 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Samantha Link sings "Love Alone"

The beautiful Samantha Link sings "Love Alone", the new Celtic song from Colin Gordon-Farleigh and Tony Seeger. The use of the Seraph Harp Guitar, played by composer Tony Seeger, creates a distinctively baroque feel whilst still fitting well into the Celtic mood. The talented Catherine Ashcroft plays whistle, giving this song a hauntingly beautiful sound. The song  is well-matched by the video created by Rose Summer.  Please share it with your friends as much as you can.

Alistair Griffin & Leddra Chapman sing "The One"

I really love this song!
Every now and then a song comes along that I simply cannot hear too many times, and"The One" is certainly one of those songs as far as I'm concerned. Every time it comes on my car radio I turn the sound up and let the music wash over me.

A hymn for use in the Harvest Festival service

We are on the doorstep of September, and it's only a hop, skip and a jump away from Harvest Festival celebrations throughout the land. Check out my Hymn for Harvest on YouTube, and then look at the score and lyrics which you can copy and paste. Let your church join the scores of others in singing this hymn this Harvest Season.

Harvest Time
TUNE: Harvest

See, the land is ripe for harvest,
Look ye upward for your Lord,
He will soon appear in glory,
As He promised in His Word.
He’s returning for the faithful.
For those who know Him true:
Make quite certain you are ready
When He calls out loud for you.
The land is ripe, the land is ripe,
The fields are white as new:
Hasten now to reap the crops,
For the labourers are but few.

We’re told it’s just a twinkling
Of an eye, it is so brief.
He’ll return in clouds of glory
For those with firm belief.
Yes, the land is ripe for harvest,
For the people to go home,
Yes, the land is ripe for harvest,
As He calls us for His own.
The land is ripe, the land is ripe,
The fields are white as new:
Hasten now to reap the crops,
For the labourers are but few.
© 2006 Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Julie Rheaume sings "Runaway"

I'm keeping a close watch on the rising career of singer Julie Rheaume who you can see and here on this YouTube video of Julie singing "Runaway" which is a good rocking  piece of music. Enjoy!

'Hymn for Today' : "Rejoice"

Try singing this beautiful song of praise today to worship the everlasting and almighty God who is our Father in Heaven. Feel free to share it with your friends and sing it during your Worship Service or Assembly, but please report its use to CCLI in the usual way as necessary.

Rejoice   86 86
TUNE: Rejoice

Forever in Your rest, I pray,
Your peace is all to me:
Forever in Your rest I’ll stay,
Since You have set me free.

My life is all I have to give,
All else is naught to Thee:
My Saviour, take me as I am,
Then Yours I’ll ever be.

Forever raise in songs of praise,
My hands, my heart and voice:
Forever Yours, I’ll praise You,
Rejoice, my soul, rejoice!
Rejoice, my soul, rejoice!
© 2006 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh  

Psalm 118:24 --- "This is the day that the Lord has made"

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Another new day to praise God for the blessing of life! Another new day to rejoice in the myriad blessings that it will be filled with. Another new day to be thankful for love and friendship.

Praise the Lord because He is gracious!

The Season of Mists & Mellow Fruitfulness

     In a few days time it will be September, the Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness. It's a time of the year that I really love for its colours and always the promise of something special. I recall many happy times in the past when I have been out in the early morning, walking over fields heavy with dew, mist clinging to me making my clothes damp, the early morning sun pale through it all, as I picked mushrooms to take home for my breakfast. Of course, there were forays into the countryside later in the day too, once the sun was properly up, as I searched, paper-bag or plastic container in hand, for the best blackberries that the hedgerow could yield. How delicious they would be mixed with apples from the tree in the garden and cooked in a pie, the golden pastry beckoning you to have another slice.
     Afternoon walks in the Autumn air would yield a treat of another kind, for scuffing through the woodland walks we would chance upon a Hazel tree laden with nuts. There was always enough to share with the squirrels!
     Autumnal sunsets have a beauty all of their own too, with the golds, reds and russets of the trees and hedgerows reflected in the sunset.
     How much there is to be grateful for! All of this beauty to enjoy and never the need to buy a ticket to go and see it!

My choice for the 'Hymn for Today' : "Freedom"

Here is my choice for the "Hymn for Today" which I hope you will sing in praise and share with your friends.  Feel free to use it in your worship service or school assembly, but please report the use to CCLI in the usual way.

Freedom  77 77
TUNE: Monkland 

Freedom comes through Christ the Lord,
He’s the living, breathing Word;
Broken now the pow’r of sin,
Let the Light come flooding in.

When upon His name we call,
Grace and mercy comes to all;
He has beaten death and grave,
Jesus Christ came down to save.

Reconciled, redeemed, forgiv’n,
We will be with Him in Heav’n;
But, whilst here on earth we stay,
We must serve Him ev’ry day.

Precious freedom wrought with love,
Perfect gift from Christ above;
From the grip of sin set free, 
We must always holy be.

Keep the straight and narrow way,
Walking with Him day by day.
Ev’ry moment serve the Lord,
As he teaches in His Word.
© 2011 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

My choice for the 'Hymn for Today' : "I Will Love You"

I Will Love You

TUNE: Everlasting Love

Jesus, Son of God, the mighty Saviour,

Is waiting at the doorway of your soul;

His arms are open wide in welcome,

Call Him in, His love will make you whole.

Listen now, His voice is gently calling,

Hear the words with which He makes His sacred vow;

I’ll be with you from the start,

In your head and in your heart:

I am calling you to walk beside Me now.

I will love you with a love that’s everlasting,

I will hold you close whenever you feel sad;

I will catch you if you ever fall or stumble,

I will share your joy whenever you are glad.

I’ll be there to answer when you call Me,

I’m inviting you to walk with Me awhile;

I’ll be there right from the start,

In your head and in your heart:

I have come to take your hand and set you free.

I will love you with a love that’s everlasting,

I’ll hold you close whenever you feel sad;

I will catch you if you ever fall or stumble,

I will share your joy whenever you are glad.

I will catch you if you ever fall or stumble,

I will share your joy whenever you are glad.

© 2010 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

"Wild Horses (Beneath A Raging Moon)" sung by Byron J Bryce

      I grew up listening to some of the great Country Music story songs that were around in the 1950's and that was in my mind when I wrote "Wild Horses" originally. The music is by my songwriting partner, Greg Scheer.
      I'm really pleased with the way in which Dave Demay has produced the song at Song City Studios in Nashville, and Byron J Bryce brings it to life.

Samantha Link to release new song on the Sheer Joy Music label

Here is the new cover for the great new Celtic song which Samantha Link has recorded, and which is due for release by Sheer Joy Music  in the next few days. What a pleasure it was to work with such a professional!
"Love Alone"  is composed by Colin Gordon-Farleigh and Tony Seeger, and will be available to download from CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon in a week's time.

The wonder of creation in all of its glory!

A reminder of Spring.

Feeling a little blue? A walk through a bluebell wood will bring joy into your life once more! 

There is nothing like a walk in the forest to help you refocus your life. 

Half-way through August already, and soon it will be September --- a time of mist and mellow fruitfulness. 

There is something magical about sunset reflections on water, as this picture shows so well. 

Florida Keys, and the setting sun displays God's creative beauty perfectly.

What a wonderful world we are blessed with!

God is Always There .....