Advent Hymn: 'To The Stable'

'Calon Lân' is a favourite Welsh hymn tune in chapels and churches across the land, and I wrote the words to this Advent hymn to the tune back in December 2006. It has proved a firm favourite with many folk since then.

I hope you will enjoy it and use it in your worship services this Advent time.

To the Stable 8787 
TUNE: Calon Lân

Hurry down to that small stable,
With star shining bright above,
See the infant in the manger,
Look on Him with eyes of love.
See the face of mother Mary,
Glowing softly in the light,
She has borne the Son of Heaven,
To the world this holy night.

In the fields the shepherds watching,
Heard the angel choir above;
Saw the star that shone so brightly,
Telling all of God’s great love.
Wise men from the east came quickly,
Worshipping the Christ-child there;
Bringing royal gifts a-plenty,
Gold and frankincense and myrrh.

From the darkness of that stable,
From the simple infant birth,
Came the glory of the Father,
Bringing light upon the earth.
Light that all the blind may see,
Light that shines from Christ alone,
Through the grace of God the Father
Can be ours to have and own.
© Colin Gordon-Farleigh, 2006

Israel, the Palestinians, and Hamas

Israel, the Palestinians, and Hamas
My encounter with a pro-Palestinian protester
by Guy Rodgers Executive Director
On September 11^th I was one of the speakers at a news conference and rally in Tampa, Florida. About 30 protesters showed up—a microcosm of the arrogance, ignorance, and anger so prevalent among rabid apologists for radical Islam. One of the young protesters was telling anyone who would listen that Israel was an illegitimate terrorist state and an occupier that was oppressing the Palestinians. I decided to wade in.

As several people looked on, I asked him, “Are you aware that in 1947 the United Nations passed a resolution that created the state of Israel?”  

To his credit, he calmed down and answered, “no, I wasn’t.”

I then asked him, “Are you aware that this same resolution, also called the ‘Partition Resolution,’ created a state for the Arab Palestinians?”

Again he answered, “no, I wasn’t.”

I then asked, “Are you aware that the Arab nations in the region rejected the Partition Resolution, which included a state for the Palestinians, and went to war against Israel in 1948?”

Once again, not surprisingly at this point, he answered, “no.”

I then concluded, “If the Arab nations had accepted the Partition Resolution there would today be a separate state for the Palestinians. Israel is not to blame for this failure and the ongoing propaganda effort aimed at Israel is based either in ignorance or willful deception. You would do well to study the history before throwing yourself into the pro-Palestinian cause.”

We discovered this same ignorance or whitewash of history during our review of 38 public school textbooks that culminated in the ACT! for America Education report titled “Education or Indoctrination? The Treatment of Islam in 6th through 12th Grade American Textbooks.”

The textbooks routinely omitted key, significant historical facts about the creation of Israel—facts without which it’s impossible to understand the nature of the conflict today.

Hamas and the Palestinian Authority refuse to officially recognize Israel’s right to exist. Hamas publicly calls for the destruction of Israel. How can a peace treaty ever be negotiated and honored in good faith by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority so long as they hold to these positions?

Israel is America’s one true, democratic ally in the Middle East. What’s more, it’s on the front line, the “canary in the coal mine,” in the global struggle to repel the threat of radical Islam.

This is why ACT! for America will continue to stand with and support Israel in its legal and rightful struggle to survive—including defending itself against Hamas and the rockets it has rained down on innocent Israeli civilians.

This is why we actively expose the Saudi money machine that has turned many of our colleges and universities into beachheads for rabid pro-Palestinian activism and militant Muslim Students Association chapters. This is why one of our objectives is revisions to public school textbooks so that students will read the true, factual 20th century history of the Middle East and Israel. And this is why we support whatever effort is necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. A nuclear-armed Iran, with its support of Hamas and its proxy army Hezbollah, is categorically unacceptable to Israel, unacceptable for future stability in the Middle East, unacceptable with respect to America’s national security, and unacceptable for world peace.

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ACT for America
P.O. Box 12765
Pensacola, FL 32591
www.actforamerica.org

ACT for America is an issues advocacy organization dedicated to effectively organizing and mobilizing the most powerful grassroots citizen action network in America, a grassroots network committed to informed and coordinated civic action that will lead to public policies that promote America’s national security and the defense of American democratic values against the assault of radical Islam. We are only as strong as our supporters, and your volunteer and financial support is essential to our success. Thank you for helping us make America safer and more secure. 

A Hymn for Advent: 'Guiding Star'

Here is a simple Advent song which is well-suited to All-Age-Worship. I hope you like it and will include it in your forthcoming Advent celebration services.

Guiding Star   5556
TUNE: Starlight

May the guiding star
Lead us all the way;
To the stable bare,
Where baby Jesus lay.

See it brightly glow
In the midnight sky;
God has let us know
His love in manger lie.

Brilliant and bright,
In the sky above,
Telling of God’s Light,
It tells us of God’s love.

Children all around,
Praise the Lord today;
For God’s guiding star
Has led them all the way. 
© 2010 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Slim Whitman sings 'The Valley of Tears'

I have been a Slim Whitman fan for about 55 years, and had the pleasure and privilege of seeing him perform at his very last UK concert in Norwich, England, a few years ago.

Outlaw Radio has a large collection of hard to find, out of print songs in its library. All songs are original recordings. And this is just one of them. If there is a song that you have been looking for and have yet to find, send me a request cause there is a chance that I have it. Thanks,
Snoop Diddy
Program Director at Outlaw Radio.

'Working Man' sung by Andy Martin

Here's a great iconic song sung by Andy Martin, who renders what I consider to be one of the best performances of this great song that I have ever heard.

Autumn Days

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

I hope that you all have a great time over the holiday period.

May your day be richly blessed.

Slim Whitman sings "So Close to Heaven"

Here's a beautiful song from the master yodeller, Slim Whitman. I've been a fan of Slim's since I was about 14 years old, and his voice has given me such a lot of pleasure over the years. What an amazing talent! I cannot understand what is taken those in authority so long to elect Slim to the Country Music Hall of Fame. After all these years and all of his hits, coupled with a massive following around the world, what more proof is needed of his eligibility?

Israeli Occupation of Arab Land?

Quotes for Thanksgiving Day

Next Thursday, 22nd November, is Thanksgiving Day, and I shall be thinking of all of my friends who will be celebrating the occasion and enjoying a great holiday time. 

We should always give thanks. It's God's will, and it's really good for us. Here are a couple of quotes that you might find useful as you give thanks on the day:

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ G.K. Chesterton

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." ~ Meister Eckhart

“A sensible thanksgiving for mercies received is a mighty prayer in the Spirit of God. It prevails with Him unspeakably.” ~ John Bunyan

“A thankful heart cannot be cynical.” ~ A.W. Tozer

"Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint. I can choose to be grateful when I am criticized, even when my heart still responds in bitterness. I can choose to speak about goodness and beauty, even when my inner eye still looks for someone to accuse or something to call ugly." ~ Henri Nouwen

"When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.  Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?"  ~ G.K. Chesterton

“The careless soul receives the Father's gifts as if it were a way things had of dropping into his hand yet is he ever complaining, as if someone were accountable for the checks which meet him at every turn. For the good that comes to him, he gives no thanks—who is there to thank? At the disappointments that befall him he grumbles—there must be someone to blame!” ~ George MacDonoald

"I thank Thee first because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my purse they did not take my life; third, although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed." ~ Matthew Henry

"Receive every day as a resurrection from death, as a new enjoyment of life; meet every rising sun with such sentiments of God's goodness, as if you had seen it, and all things, new-created upon your account: and under the sense of so great a blessing, let your joyful heart praise and magnify so good and glorious a Creator."  ~ William Law

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~ Paul, the Apostle: I Thessalonians 5: 16–18

"We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?" ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Amazing Clouds

Nature is truly amazing, and these photographs help to prove the point. The photo above shows the rare cloud formation is known as a 'Skypunch.'  

Cumulonimbus or Thunderhead Cloud 

Thunderstorm Rainbow in Alberta, Canada.

Gospel Hymn: 'Standing Room Only'

Standing Room Only
TUNE: Glory

There’s standing room only in Heaven,
As the whole world worships the King;
In glory, with all sins forgiven,
Their worshipful praises they sing!
And Satan’s lost his pow’r,
No more the earth to rule;
He’s lost his grip on man,
He only plays the fool!

Sing worship and praises to Jesus,
As you stand in the light of the Son;
In glory, with your sins forgiven,
The battle now finally won!
And Satan’s lost his pow’r,  . . .

By God’s grace you have your salvation,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Restored and completely forgiven,
Join angels to praise great ‘I AM’!
And Satan’s lost his pow’r,  . . .

There’s standing room only in Heaven,
Join the throng that worships the King;
In glory, with your sins forgiven,
Let your praise and worship loud ring!
And Satan’s lost his pow’r,  . . .
© 2007 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh 

Chuck Longmayne sings 'We All Need Our Heroes'

Check out the Youtube video of this great Country song by Chuck Longmayne. Just like the title of the song says, we all need our heroes.

Shirley Lange sings 'Lead Me Back Home'

Here is a great Christian song written by Canadian songwriter Jacqueline Kellock and sung by Shirley Lange. The album was produced by John Thiel in Horizon Studios, Alberta. You can purchase and download it from CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon.

'Vieille Femme africaine': Un poème de la Collection africaine

Vieille Femme Africaine

Dans le miroir de l'arrière-vue je vous vois;
votre réflexion silencieuse
lentement passant derrière ma voiture.
Les os temps-usés de votre corps
chiffon-enveloppé,
penchant, et légèrement faussé
par âge et expérience:
la colonne vertébrale a voûté, grotesquement,
le cou a tiré vers le bas
par la suspension émoussé claire
du crucifix du cuivre,
suspendu par sa chaîne lourde.
Mobilité constante,
battre
sur vos poitrines vides,
sucé sec de leur vitalité
par les lèvres sans fin, passionnées.
Votre stable, battre la démarche
un pense-bête vague de votre
retrait distant, fier.
© 2006: Colin Gordon-Farleigh
Du livre 'Fragments de Monde', a publié par Publications de la Voix, 2006

'Old African Woman' : A poem from the African Collection

Old African Woman

In the rear-view mirror I see you;

your silent reflection

slowly passing behind my car.

The time-worn bones of your body

rag-wrapped,

bent, and slightly warped

by age and experience:

spine hunched, grotesquely,

neck pulled downward

by the dull-bright hanging

of the brass crucifix,

suspended by its heavy chain.

Constant mobility,

beating

on your empty breasts,

sucked dry of their vitality

by endless, eager lips.

Your steady, shuffling gait

a vague reminder of your

distant, proud withdrawal.

© 2006 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

From the book Fragments of Earth, published by Voice Publications, 2006

'Help Me' : A new Hymn for Today

Help Me    LM

TUNE: Melcombe

When I’m afraid and lost from sight,

Help me to face the darkest night:

Lord, hold my hand within Your own,

Teach me Your ways, till I’m full-grown.

If I should stumble on my way,

Help me to see the breaking day;

When life appears as one long night,

Show me Your everlasting Light.

Help me, O Lord, to understand,

To live the life that You have planned;

To walk within Your sacred ways,

To know the joy of saving grace.

Help me O Lord, yes, even me,

That I from every sin might flee;

Then, with my life on earth complete,

Help me to worship at Your feet.

© 2006 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

'Born to be a Soldier' sung by Gary Cordice, is released today by Sheer Joy Music

Today is the day! 'Born to be a Soldier' is a great song, written and sung by Gary Cordice is officially released by Sheer Joy Music.  
Gary says of this song:

"The song was originally written for a musical I had been writing for a while looking at colonial conflicts in the Caribbean involving British soldiers during the reign of King George the Third, but then later on reflection having been a member of the TA Royal Green Jackets and then later with the Royal Signals it naturally lent itself to being a song that would pay tribute to all serving soldiers both home and abroad. In a larger sense we meet soldier’s everyday. I watched my mother and father work tirelessly to raise us eight children relentlessly, other single parents raising up their children on their own, people who still hope when it seems all hope is gone, the platoon leader determined to get his men home safe. Life is full of challenges and it’s the determined, the consistent, the weak who won’t give in, the strong who know how to sacrifice. It’s about the soldier in all of us that is not ready to sleep."

Please help to notch up the Youtube hits by going to http://youtu.be/YCkNUDDkq7M as this will introduce the song to a much wider audience.

Sales of the song will help Military Charities.

Jim Whitman - Sings 'Don't Make Me Go To Bed and I'll Be Good'

Country Music star, Jim Whitman, sings this beautiful song and does it justice, which is just what we have all come to expect from this great star.

Some Muslims celebrate Hurricane Sandy’s destruction

On 9/11, many Muslims around the world celebrated the destruction of the World Trade Center.

Today, some Muslims are celebrating the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. While this of course is not representative of all Muslims, it is sad nonetheless. When natural disasters strike the Muslim world, America is there to help.

Here’s one example of Muslims celebrating.

A Muslim man posted the following question on a popular Islamic website:

"Should we celebrate and be happy watching the Hurricane destroy several states in the US, or should we sympathize with our fellow human beings?"

Sheik and Dr. Nasser Alomar issued a lengthy response at http://www.elmokhalestv.com/index/details/id/43779.

Here are some excerpts from that response, translated into English:

We and Allah should be happy and we should celebrate for what has come against the prideful tyrants. America is the leader of oppression and tyranny throughout this century and it uses its money to oppress the Muslim people and Muslim nations from the far East to the far West… Why shouldn't we celebrate when the prophet Muhammad said: "Oh Allah force your might on those who harm us." Shouldn't we celebrate and be happy when Allah answer the prayers of the oppressed?… The wind that is destroying America is a blessing from Allah, we should be thankful and be happy "to God belongs the order before and after; and on that day the believers shall rejoice, in the help of Allah;- Allah helps whom He will, and He is mighty, merciful.-" Quran: AR-Room 30:4-5

More Great Christian Quotes!

"I've got The Father on my side, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit and 2/3 of the angels. What do you think I'm going to do? Sit down and cry?" 
- Leonard Ravenhill

"Two things will get you to leap out of yourselves into the promises of God today. One is purity, and the other is FAITH, which is kindled more and more BY PURITY."
- Smith Wigglesworth

"God has always sought a humble people. He can use no other...
There is always much need of heart preperation, in humility and separation, before God can consistently come. The depth of any revival will be determined exactly by the spirit of repentance that is obtained. In fact this is key to every true revival born of God."
- Frank Bartleman ('Azusa Street').

"The weakness of so many modern Christians is that they feel too much at home in the world."
- A.W.Tozer

"Men study to profit in this world, but won't study under prophets who tell them to flee the world."
- G.A. Jarquin

"The first word out of Jesus' mouth was "Repent!" So why does the church preach so differently from Jesus today?"
- Andrew Strom

Gary Cordice : 'Born to be a Soldier'

Almost Release Day! 

Keep on watching and get ready to share the great video to go with this song, written and sung by Gary Cordice, which will be released on the SJM label on 5th November!