'Storybook Journey' : the new CD by Siobhán Owen

     As I write, I'm listening to the beautiful sound of young Adelaide-based songstress, Siobhán Owen. Her new album, Storybook Journey, arrived in my post yesterday. What a joy to listen to such a pure and faultless voice.

     Of course I have already got favourites, although I suspect that I will add more to the list as I listen further. 
     I can thoroughly recommend the CD to all of you, so I hope that you rush to order your copy today so that you can enjoy it as much as I am doing right now.

Jim Whitman sings 'Lover's Lies'

The warm, smooth voice of Jim Whitman always adds a little something special to the day. Play this song, enjoy it and then download it so that you can play it over again whenever you want!

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Forget About the Past'

FORGET ABOUT THE PAST

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18, 19 (King James Version)

     One of the most vicious attacks that satan launches against us is when he reminds us of our past.  For several months after I was saved, satan did his best to convince me that God did not forgive my sins and Jesus didn’t love me.  I allowed satan to keep me in bondage even though I had been forgiven.

     One day, God spoke to my heart and said “Joanne, who are you going to believe, satan or Me?  I told You that I have forgiven you and that I would never hold your sins against you again.  My Son has set you free through the blood He shed for you on the cross.  You are not in bondage to satan any longer”.

     We need to forget about the past and concentrate on serving Jesus.  We can’t do anything about the past but we can do something about the way we live today and tomorrow.  Don’t let satan lie to you and keep you from serving Jesus.  The blood of Jesus has covered every sin you have ever committed.

     If you have been living in the past, stop it!  Concentrate on serving Jesus and making Him happy.  If ever someone deserves to be happy, it is Jesus.  He alone is worthy to be praised and adored.  Jesus loves you so much that He died for you on the cross.  Worthy is the Lamb of God!

     Heavenly Father, thank You for your faithfulness to forgive us.  We love You and we appreciate all that You do for us.  Thank You for loving us and for caring about us.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 27, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Hungry and Thirsty for Love'

HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR LOVE

“They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.  Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.  Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.”

Psalm 107:4-6 (King James Version)

     There are many people who are hurting and don’t believe that anyone loves them.  Are you hungry and thirsty for love?  One of the definitions for thirsty in Webster’s Dictionary is “having a strong desire”.  Do you have a strong desire for someone to love you?  There is someone who loves you and His name is Jesus.

     This is one of my favourite verses in the Bible.  “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).  It doesn’t matter what we have done or if we are young or old or rich or poor, Jesus loves us.

     I am sixty nine years old but it wasn’t until August 14, 1980, the day that I invited Jesus into my heart to be my personal Saviour that anyone told me that I was loved.  Jesus was the first one to say to me “I love you, Joanne”.  Not only did He say “I love you, Joanne”, He also died on the cross for my sins.

     If you are hungry and thirsty for love, run into the arms of Jesus.  He is waiting for you with His arms open wide.  He will hold you close and tell you that He loves you and He will never leave you, not even for one minute.  Our family and friends love us but no one loves us like Jesus loves us.  We have a loving Saviour.

     Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins on the cross.  Jesus, thank You for dying for me.  I love You with all my heart.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 26, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

New 'Hymn for Today' : 'Worthy'

Here is a brand new hymn as my choice for 'Hymn for Today' with music composed by Greg Scheer and words by Colin Gordon-Farleigh. I hope you will use it in your worship services and enjoy praising God through it.

Worthy  6767 

 Raise your hands, lift your voice,

Let your heart and soul rejoice;

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

for He’s worthy to be praised!

He is worthy to be praised!

He is worthy to be praised!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

for He’s worthy to be praised!

He is Lord, He is king,

To His feet your burdens bring;

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

for He’s worthy to be praised!

He is worthy to be praised! . . .

He is prince, He is peace,

He will make all conflict cease;

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

for He’s worthy to be praised!

He is worthy to be praised! . . .

He is Spirit, He is love,

He’s our almighty God above;

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

for He’s worthy to be praised!

He is worthy to be praised!

© 2011:  Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Happy Birthday!

Here's a fun way to say "Happy Birthday" to all of your friends! If it's your birthday today then treat this as a birthday wish especially for you!

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Peace and Joy'

PEACE AND JOY

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

Isaiah 26:3, 4 (King James Version)

     I am in the middle of a very difficult situation and there are times during the day when I get anxious.  However, the times when I start to get discouraged and anxious I immediately turn my thoughts to Jesus.  Our precious Saviour is able to do anything and I can trust Him.  Jesus has proven Himself to be faithful.

     Helen Howarth Lemmel wrote one of my favorite hymns “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”.  I love the words in this beautiful hymn.  “His Word shall not fail you-He promised; Believe Him and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!”  Are you telling others about Jesus?

     Not only does Jesus keep us in perfect peace and we can trust Him, He also gives us joy.  “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).  I dearly love my family and friends but I have joy in my heart in the presence of Jesus.

     Jesus, thank You for giving me joy and peace and for dying on the cross for me.  I love You with all of my heart and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Indeed, You are worthy to be praised and adored.  All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God! 

     Precious Heavenly Father, Your love for us overwhelms me.  You love us so much that one day You opened Your heart to us and sent Your beloved Son to be tortured, cursed and abused and die on a cross of horror for our sins.  Thank You so much for loving me and for adopting me into Your family.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 25, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

http://joannelowe.weebly.com/

Getting away from the rain!

With the amount of rain forecast and the amount that has already dropped this morning, soaking me when I went out with my little dog Sam, we may need to book places on board for the next cruise as soon as all of the animals have all disembarked!

A 'Hymn for Today' : 'Let Your Heart Give Thanks!'

Let Your Heart Give Thanks!   10.10.10.10.

TUNE: Field

Let your heart give thanks and your voice give praise,

Let us praise God for all His loving ways;

Let’s sing and worship with a joyful song,

Let us praise Him now and the whole day long!

Live out your lives in service every day,

Following Jesus who’s the one true Way;

Worship the Saviour with a joyful song,

We’ll sing his praises now and all day long!

Now and forever, and throughout your days,

Let your lives be lived as a song of praise;

Then when He calls you to your home in heaven,

You’ll be with Jesus, saved, redeemed, forgiven!

So give thanks to God, praise His holy name,

Let your days be His, and your nights the same;

Let us praise our God for his loving ways,

Let your heart give thanks, let your voice give praise!

© 2011 :  Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Whatcha doin'?

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Our Words'

OUR WORDS

“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)

     The words that we say to people are very important because our words can encourage people or they can discourage people.  Have you ever had someone say cruel and sarcastic words to you?  That person might as well have taken a gun and shot you or stabbed you in the heart with a knife.

     We read in the Bible “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).  Are the words we are saying to our family and friends encouraging words or are they discouraging words?

     This is one of my favourite verses in the Bible.  “So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved” (Isaiah 41:7).   We need to encourage each other.

     When I was in school the other students were very cruel to me.  They told me that I was fat and ugly and that I would never amount to anything.  I believed them and I tried to commit suicide twice.  I am so thankful that God saved me and didn’t let me die.  Please be careful what words you say to people.

     Heavenly Father, God of all comfort, thank You for the many times You have comforted me and dried my tears with Your tender loving kisses.  I love You so much, dear Father, and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 24, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

Great Christian Quotes for Today

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'The Truth'

THE TRUTH

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32 (King James Version)

     What is the truth?  The truth is that Jesus loves us.  He loved us as much yesterday as He does today and He will love us as much tomorrow as He does today.  There is nothing we can ever do that would make Jesus stop loving us.  If that were true, He would never have allowed them to crucify Him for our sins.

     We read in the Bible “The LORD  hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).  Jesus doesn’t lie.  If He tells us He loves us, we can believe it.  What a tender and loving Saviour we are privileged to know and have!

     Don’t believe satan when he tells you that Jesus doesn’t love you because satan is a liar.  Even now, satan tries to make me believe that Jesus doesn’t love me.  However, I know that Jesus does love me because I know the heart of Jesus.  Not only does Jesus give love, He is love.  Thank You, Jesus, for loving me.

     The next time you feel discouraged, lonely and are heartbroken and grieving or feel like nobody loves you, remember Jesus loves you so much that He walked that long lonely road to Calvary and suffered excruciating pain for you.  Our precious Saviour has already proved to you how much He loves you.

     Have you surrendered your life in full time service to Jesus?  I urge you to give Jesus your heart and your life.  Remember, the level of our service to Him depends on our level of love for Him.  How much do you love Jesus and what are you doing for Him?

Joanne Lowe

September 23, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Great Christian Quotes from VoiceArt

A hymn for the communion Service: 'Light of Life'

Light of Life CM

TUNE: Richmond

Lord Jesus now, O light of life,

Fill me with joy anew;

For I would feign remember Thee,

And praise and thank Thee too.

Gathered around Thy table here,

To take the bread and wine;

Recalling that great sacrifice,

That brought the gift divine.

We eat the bread and drink the wine,

Repentant in our heart,

We rest within your perfect peace,

A new beginning start.

And when at last we turn aside,

Redeemed, restored, refreshed,

May we remember, evermore,

This sacred moment blessed.

© 2006 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'What Should I Do'

WHAT SHOULD I DO

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Acts 10:38 (King James Version)

     I think there have probably been times in all of our lives when we have been in situations and have asked ourselves “What should I do”.  The answer to that question is very simple.  We should do what Jesus would do.  We should go about doing good.  We need to let people see and hear the love of Jesus in us.

     There are many people who are in bondage to satan and the only way they will be set free is by inviting Jesus into their heart to be their personal Saviour.  Unless these people see the difference that Jesus can make in a life by the way we live, they are going to wonder why they should accept Him as their Saviour.

     One day every Christian is going to stand before a Holy God and give an account of how he or she lived for Jesus.  How tragic it would be if someone, perhaps a loved one, didn’t accept Jesus as Saviour because that person didn’t see the difference that Jesus made in our life.  May God help us to live for Jesus.

     Heavenly Father, please search our heart and if there is anything that hurts You, I pray that You would reveal it to us so that we may repent and confess our sin and ask forgiveness.  How thankful I am that You will forgive us and will never remind us of it again.  Please help us to do good as Jesus did good.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 21, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

'Belonging' : A great anti-bullying message!

There is pain in Ricky's eyes when there should be smiles, which is sad. Bullying takes so many forms, and so often mental bullying is the worst thing for a child with a good heart, which he clearly has. It takes a special kind of person to say out loud what Ricky is saying here. I admire his courage.

This is a message which deserves to be seen by as many people as possible, so please 'like' it and share it with your friends on Facebook.

A Bundle of Songs by Colin Gordon-Farleigh & Greg Scheer

Here's a whole bundle of my songs on Youtube for you to check out and enjoy! Just copy and paste the following URLs on your laptop or PC to find out which ones they are. I hope you enjoy them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxtybMIHSc&feature=share&list=ULrQxtybMIHSc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7lEaMHErIQ&feature=share&list=ULs7lEaMHErIQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poy1XXYd52c&feature=share&list=ULpoy1XXYd52c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVp-DCZkVFc&feature=share&list=ULmVp-DCZkVFc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0LWfSA2NwI&feature=share&list=ULQ0LWfSA2NwI

My Hymn for Today: 'In the Beginning'

In the Beginning    CM

TUNE: Abergele

In the beginning was the Word,

And the Word was with God;

In the beginning He was there,

And this Word is our Lord.

Through Him has everything been made,

In Him is life and light;

He brings us to the bright new day,

And banishes the night.

The Word became the living flesh,

And dwelt upon the earth:

He came to rescue us from sin,

And grant us second birth.

He is the One and Only Lord,

Whose glory we can praise;

He is the Christ, God’s only Son,

He’s life and truth and grace.

Through Him one day we’ll see our God,

When we the Son proclaim;

Then we will worship evermore,

God’s everlasting flame.

© 2011 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Chuck Longmayne sings: 'One Saint at a Time'

Here is a great new Country Gospel song written by song-writing duo Colin Gordon-Farleigh and Greg Scheer, recorded by Chuck Longmayne in Nashville, Tennessee.

'My One Desire' : Rev Colin

In 2006 I recorded an album of Meditations under the title In Praise of Him. There were originally 33 tracks altogether, and then last year, as the album was being re-released, a bonus track of 'King of Kings' was added.

My One Desire is just one of the tracks, which have been described as enhancing your prayer and quiet time and drawing the listener closer to God.

All of the tracks are available to download, either individually or as an album, from CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon.

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Are We Looking?'

ARE WE LOOKING

“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

John 4:35 (King James Version)

     Jesus is telling us in our Scripture verse that people are lost in their sins and they need to be saved now, not in four months.  There are also many Christians who are lonely, discouraged and hurting and they need to be encouraged.  I think if we will be honest all of us have needed to be encouraged.

     Are we looking for people who need Jesus and for people who need to be encouraged?  If so, how hard are we looking?  Being addicted to the television set has taken many people away from serving Jesus.  There are also some people who turn on the television as soon as they get up and it stays on all day.

     How sad that there are people who watch television most of the day instead of looking for those who are lost without Jesus and are hurting and discouraged.  One day, every one of us will stand before a Holy God and give an account of what we did with Jesus.  Are you serving Jesus?  If not, why aren’t you?

     Heavenly Father, I pray that You would impress upon our heart the urgency of telling people about Jesus.  May we dedicate our life, all of our time, our talents and all that we have to serve the One Who loves us so much that He died for our sins.  Help us to make a special effort to encourage our pastors.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 13, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Inequality Practised by The Green Party

Christian ousted from Green Party Group of Councillors 

Published: September 10th, 2012 

• | 
  • Religious Freedom

Christina Summers, a member of Brighton and Hove City Council, has been dismissed from the Green Group over expressing her views on same-sex marriage in a free vote.

The Green Group of councillors announced its decision today (10 September) which was held off until the end of the Green Party conference to avoid negative publicity.

Several Green Councillors called for her dismissal when she voted against a motion in support of the Government’s plans to introduce same-sex marriage at a council meeting in July. 

At the launch of the Party’s disciplinary Inquiry Panel, shortly after the vote, Councillor Summers explained that her decision was based on her Christian convictions, stating “I’m accountable to God above any political party”.

In response to the news of her expulsion, Councillor Summers said:

“I have been waiting for weeks for my colleagues to make a clear and public decision. “They have no idea how much I have been wanting to say to them and how many emails, blogs and tweets from the wider party membership I wanted to refute and respond to. But there is a time to speak and a time to be silent.

“In view of the Green Party's own special interpretation of equality, my expulsion from the Green Group of councillors should not, in the end, come as a surprise.

“Nonetheless, I can't help but feel crestfallen. After at least two intimate years of campaigning and then serving together in administration, my own colleagues, who should know me well by now, have chosen to believe a lie. “Party policy, however vague, is sovereign”.

Councillor Summers is taking advice from the Christian Legal Centre over whether to seek a judicial review of the decision.

Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, said:

“The decision to expel Christina Summers and the shambolic nature of the disciplinary proceedings against her reflect very badly on the Green Party.

“Brighton and Hove was the first council the Greens won. They cannot expect to win any more if they continue to suppress diversity and freedom of expression in this way.

“Councillor Summers’ view of marriage as being the union of a man and a woman is consistent with the teachings of mainstream, historic Christianity. Is the door of the Green Party now closed to Christians?

“The Party has wilted under pressure from its extremist elements and failed to uphold freedom and diversity of opinion at Councillor Summers’ expense”.