Irish stars were Shining ……..A memoir

                                          Stars in my eyes 

It was the first night of innocent ignorance. 

The start of a week long rookie crew member with fishermen in the cold late September nights, chasing the “silver darlings”( herring fish to we erudite beginners ) 

As we chugged from the calm sheltered harbour under a canopy of a glittering sky I was reminded of  Vincent Van Gogh and the Paul Simon song :-  

“Starry Starry Night, paint your palette blue and grey.” 

 The silhouette of the South County Down  town in Northern Ireland became smaller until it faded into the darkness as if someone slowly used a dimmer switch. I felt elated as we came to the fishing ground. Cries and banter could be heard from other boats.The acoustics needed no amplifier. It was a city at sea, lights bobbing on the larger boats lighting up the deckhands preparing to drive further out to sea. 

                                    Into the deep   

We shot the net which to me was about 30feet, (approximately 9 meters.) The sea and wind had freshened and a dark curtain had closed over the  stars.  The cold spray and wind were like a tattooist’s needle on my face. In the forecastle the pan sizzled with rashers of bacon and a loaf for help yourself slices, best hot snack I devoured in a long time. We grabbed a few hours sleep before the hauling the net. I could feel the waves beginning to toss the boat up down side to side, I felt we were in for a rough few hours. I wasn’t wrong. 

Two men at the side hauling the net, Two the other shaking the catch and storing the net. Skipper at the wheel, yelling feisty orders keeping us concentrated on our job and rotating our positions. It was heavy hauling the net, my side got snagged on the bottom. A pair of stronger arms took the rope waited until the boat dipped in a trough and used the lift in the waves and a strong haul released it. The fish were still coming in on the net but something was wrong. 

                                       Unwanted guest 

Another boat came out of the dark, they had obviously shot their net over ours and they were getting too close 

Skipper was yelling instructions to them to release their ropes an steer starboard to unwind their nets but they were inexperienced and made a few gaffes before freeing the nets. I don’t know if they cut their nets but the “White Heather” drifted away from us to safety we never saw them again. Nets in and emptied we rode to harbour on the crest of the waves. Last boat in;  daylight brought relaxation. Just to empty the catch of fish on to harbour and wait for a buyer. 

There were only a few more nights left of my bucket list adventures. 

On leaving my crewmen I was a wiser man with tired muscles and a greater respect for the seamen who harvest the unpredictable  seas. 

                

                        A lesson learned

The lessons were  memorable, but it turned my thoughts to the fishermen who were in the middle of the sea of Galilee when a ferocious storm blew up, and it seemed to be the perfect storm *which would not be uncommon with being pretty much surrounded my mountains but they would have no rescuers, no life boats. To the disciples it seemed hopeless. Wind howled, sails  ripped, water washing over the sides of their fishing craft it was a ferocious storm. However, Jesus was not surprised, was he testing their trust in Him ? I am sure Matthew relating the true miracles of Jesus was also to reinforce the reasons why people ought to trust in Him as the Son of God. What amazes me is Jesus commands the wind and the waves to be still and “Immediately the wind dropped and waves becalmed: I cannot imagine how that would have felt, instantly no wind, no waves. The clouds retreated , the stars displayed the glory of their creator. 

Wow !Truly the master of earth and sky, as the song says :-“ Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea, or demons or men, or whatever it be. No Waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and sky. They all will sweetly obey his will ……PEACE BE STILL “  or …… ……..  :—

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count you many blessings name them one by one and it will SURPRISE you what the Lord has done”

 “Never let the presence of a storm cause you to doubt the presence of God”.     (UCB  quote) 

 A calming reminder to all who are experiencing turmoil during the ongoing challenges we face each day.   

                                              “ Peace be still !.. and immediately…!!

*Mark 4 v 36-41  Matthew 8v 23-27   Luke 8 v 22-25

                          

  One Mans  Loneliness 

Wakened by the incessant din of bird cries, he slid into his home made shoes and swung out of his hammock.

The daily routine was past the boring stage as he placed a few twigs on the white embers exhaled with a whistle until the fire glow burst into life. Breakfast,fresh mango and salty fish. All the necessary living equipment had been salvaged from the wreckage of the ship, now only the broken hulk visible at low tide. Another notch on the tree meant the time was now two years and one hundred and five days. Fortunately the island home had all the basics, clean water, plenty fire wood and a variety of food.  

He had moved away from the beach with its palm trees and hot sand and now set up camp amongst the feral cats where he felt safer from the nocturnal vermin. He talked and sung songs to keep the voice muscles working. He was alone and he was beginning to give up hope. Loneliness  had taken hold of his psyche. Alone the tears flowed alone the hope of being rescued. The words of his school days poem haunted him.

            “Alone, alone, all all alone 

              Alone on a wide wide sea

               And never a saint took pity on 

                My soul in agony.”

Who said it ? His memory was fading, it was about an ancient sailor becalmed for weeks on an ocean somewhere, that was all he could remember.*

He was missing the small black dot breaking the trajectory of the horizon line. 

So many disappointing efforts to attract attention. So many times rebuilding the fire on the hill. Hope filled his heart as the image grew larger and rescue was closer than before. The scene of the small boat digging into the waves filled him with a mix of joy and foreboding. Could he communicate with these people?  Angst began penetrating his mind. In the rescue craft his fears were  allayed, they were a friendly crew. 

* Rime of the Ancient Mariner 

As he gazed back at the island he couldn’t  help but feel sad to see the melange of stuff he had worked so hard to make and adapt during his time marooned on his island home.

 However …………… most of us will have read or seen one of the many the Robinson  Cruso variances on the same genres. Films like Tom Hanks in “Cast Away” even Matt Damon in an out of this world “The Martian” left behind on Mars or listen to Radio 4 “Desert Island Discs”with Lauren Laverne and  all other Robinsonesk variations. 

It is over 300 years since Daniel Defoe penned the story which were said to be inspired by the experiences of Alexander Selkirk, a Scott who voluntary asked to be left off on an uninhabited island and spent 4 years isolated before being picked up by a passing ship.

Loneliness, in all its  forms and experiences,  is a struggle many of us will have to face in today’s society with COVID 19 effecting many more folks. Having to self isolate has had physical and mental challenges for all of us. 

In typing these comments I have no quick fix answer except at time of writing there is a spec on the horizon which handled cautiously could get us rescued from the pandemic. 

Is the cure in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy? Is it a matter of doing something different in our daily routine? 

All I can speak of is that it may “ Lower our self esteem, leaving us with a feeling of being unworthy of attention”or ask ourselves “How can I be happy when  I am lonely” all leading to possible mental health attacks 

Consider these suggestions given to me:- 

1. Realise we are not alone.

2. Change the things we can.

3. Get more involved: phone a friend.

4. Avoid comparing ourselves to others.

5. Take mobile phone breaks and 

 6  Stay away from social media.

As one who is acquainted with the Bible reading and prayer for daily help, many encouragements can be found in God’s storehouse.

Many of those mentioned as heroes of the faith were prone to times of loneliness. 

How did it affect Joseph, thrown into a black hole, alone in slavery. Or Elijah cowered down in a cave thinking he was the only worshiper of God left. Alone in a haze of doubt. 

Elisha dying of an incurable illness. Alone in an infirmity.

David had a time when he was mentally drained. Alone, out of control.

Job, alone in his sufferings with no comfort from those closest to him.

John the Baptist in prison wrestling with questions in his loneliness and doubt. “ Are you the Christ or should we look for another?  ( Luke 7 v 20)

Above all is the loneliness and pain of our Lord. Hanging on a rough wooden cross deserted by his disciples and even His father, who turned away from His son as the filth of our sin was being paid for.

Let’s take heart my fellow traveller, we are never alone, never unloved, never deserted. Consider ; 

David : “ When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy” Psalm 94v 19

Job: “Then I would have this consolation, my joy in unrelenting pain , that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. Job 6v 10

Musicians in the temple who wrote most comforting words in Psalms 42 & 43.

The New Testament disciples and the early church went through horrendous treatment and torture for the new Way. You will scan through Saint Paul and his sufferings through to the Apostle John and his banishment to an island. 

 On our desert place these treasures may be helpful by reading and meditating on them.

 

I reiterate, not only Covid 19 can effect mental health. Speak to a close friend. If necessary contact a professional for help.

I know sharing is helping me. 

    

Two Tickets to Tobermory Isle of Mull

 
  

 

            





             Two Tickets To Tobermory
What was in this oversize wicker hamper ? I was leaning to the side like the leaning tower of Pisa to help me take the weight at my side. It felt like  a rhinoceros could be in it.  "Head for the Guards Van."
 I could hardly hear my Dad over the incessant din of Glasgow's Central Station. "Train for Oban?" The stoker seemed to ignore us but without turning from piling coal "Aye" was the brisk reply. The pungent smell of train grease and  burning coal remains a captured memory to this day. The steam was slowly hissing from the funnel when we hoisted the hideous hamper with it's secrets into place. We run up the carriages, found one empty,twisted the brass handle and grabbing the poles and rods from me. We sat at the windows on the dark cushioned bench seats across from one another. As the guard waved his flag the iron horse blasted it's goodbye whistle. Soon the ratadada,ratadada,ratadada rhythm of wheel on rail carried us northwest.
It was c1952 I was in my early teens. My hands  were still red and wrinkled from the Rhino but I soon forgot them as we both tucked into homemade sandwiches and hot tea.
At Oban it was de'ja'vu. Running,doubling up hands, then my call, "change hands"as we limped from the railway station around the bay toward the ferry dock. 

 


As we rested I glanced up at McCaig's Folly as it was known then. It overlooked the bay. I knew it took John McCaig five years to build the unfinished home for his family and then he run out of money. He left money in his will to have it completed by his family but they never did. Was that the Folly? 
I had work to do, which was no laughing matter but my Dad had that sense of bonhomie he knew it was tough on me but we made it. Destination Tobermory,I felt like a frontiersman heading for the unknown.  
The hamper was loaded by dock hands along with other cargo. This included a small herd of cattle to be dropped off at Salen on the way. It was not long before the Luftwaffe seagulls attacked the last of our food. Time to take cover.
The bay was surreal,I felt we had just sailed over the Spanish galleon reputed to have sunk while taking shelter following their Armada routed in1588. A fisher man's row of homes overlooked the bay,a few fishing boats in the harbour and repair garage at the end of the sea front where Dad had words. I never saw where the Rhino went.We must have walked for miles passing Loch Frisa on the quiet country road leading to the hamlet of Dervaig. Thankfully the campsite was in view, overlooking Loch Torr.
We were met by my dad's friend, his gleaming silver 500cc Triumph motor bike and...... the Rhino. I was quick to open the hamper which revealed a cornucopia of tinned foods, cups plates, pots,potatoes,waders, wellington boots,fishing bags and a very large Bell tent with guy ropes, pegs and a mallet. Now I understood why the burden was so great.
I am reminded of the countless amount of baggage we carry around with us causing depression,anxiety,guilt complexes all sorts of mental illnesses. 
There may be some who have decided to amputate God from their lives, but I find great comfort from knowing that the love of God abides in me and I pray exudes from me. Don't let your burden kill you,or your past/present follies deter you. Reach out to the Father who knows and appreciates your situation.

Keep right on to the end of the road
Keep right on to the end
If the way be long 
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on round the bend
Though your tired and weary
Still journey on
Till you come to your happy abode
Where all you love 
And been dreaming of
Will be there 
at the end of the road.
                                        Sir Harry Lauder 

Thanks for taking the time to read this rather long Blog.   







 


 

"Three Returns to Drymen" CHILDHOOD MEMORIES PART 2

                                       continued............................

                                                    

Brilliantine intrigued me. His battered soft hat was never off his head. He slept on it. His creased jacket draped around him, and a well used pipe balanced in his mouth. 
"Why do they call you Brilliantine?" I asked. For the first time he raised his hat to reveal his bald head. "Digger says I used so much Brylcreem to slick back my hair that it fell out, he quipped,"axle grease" he called it. "Brilliantine is another name for Brylcreem" He squashed his battered chapeau back on to his white cranium.
"You can call me BAL-AN-TINE, that's my real name" 

We all sat on the grassy Endrick river bank as a warm zenith breeze brushed past us. I watched Ballantine as he patched his  fishing wader with what looked like a kit to repair bike punctures. His wet sock suspended on a post in the sun drying. I noticed a scar on his foot.
"Did you cut your foot" I asked. "No, snake bite! I got it in the jungle" 
"Gulp! you were in the jungle?" "Yep, I was lying covered in my camouflaged coat as the Japanese soldiers went past me,the snake crawled over me and sunk its fangs into my foot. I grabbed it ,tied it  in a knot and lobbed it at the Japs" 
He stuck a crow feather in my hair," now your camo is in place go and hide in the grass, we wont see you"
I could hear the guffaws from Digger and Daddy beside us.
Daddy, said not to listen to him,he was in the Navy!!
       
                                                              
         Oh, the innocence of the child. Nevertheless, it did not stop me crawling on a reconnaissance mission with feather and twigs in my hair. Rabbits be afraid, be very afraid.

Digger was a very interesting character. I will tell you about him in my next Blog.  

Make someone laugh to day.            It's good medicine.
   
 Lets all try and throw off our camouflage and be true witnesses for Jesus in this changing Christmas.                                                          

"Three Returns to Drymen" REFLECTION OF CHILDHOOD.

"Don't sit over the wheels, it's too bumpy" good advice from my Dad. I was on my inaugural fishing trip.
He had been to this river many times with his two compatriots, now I was to be one of the "men" quite an   
honour for a six year old.  Laden with my little kit bag  and landing net I jumped from the  metal step 
stumbling, just staying upright, the smell of diesel fumes fresh around the bus.
 Digger, Brilliantine, Jock, (Dad) and me had arrived in Drymen (pronounced, Drimin)

First sight of the River Endrick situated at the south of Loch Lomond was one which I still remember today. Deep, slow moving, dark tea coloured water gliding around a bend. Sandy beaches gouged out by the flow.
Digger in his low base voice broke the silence "Time to drum up" with quiet agreement we gathered wood, lit a fire and set the black tin into the burning fire. Tin mugs were topped  up as night fell. The aroma of fire, food and tea, lingered on as Digger,the ever comic raconteur held court.

                                                    

Dad appeared out of the dusk with half moon shaped corrugated metal  and put together a shelter and bed for me.I fell asleep quickly as the three comrades set off for a place to ply their sport.     

I woke with a frisson of fear that made me yell in the darkness. Where was everyone? where was my daddy?  I was terrified and alone.
Out of a dark place I felt a pair of strong supportive arms enfold me and I felt the peace of security and safety.
                                                       
 I have been to many dark places in my life since that night. This is not uncommon to us all.
As you read this memory, are you in a "dark place" Do you feel there is no way through?
So many of us are slaves to illness, depression, fears of the future, guilt, financial uncertainty.
You know your own situation.

I HAVE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO FEEL THE UNFAILING ARMS OUTSTRETCHED TO COMFORT YOU.   EXPERIENCE GOD'S COMPANY. YOU ARE NEVER ALONE.
HIS ARMS ARE NEVER FURTHER AWAY FROM YOUR WHISPERED PRAYER.

             
                                                               
 

ROLLING OUT THE BARREL

               

                               Annie Edson Taylor

                           Conquers Niagara Falls

" A 63year old woman travels over the falls in  a barrel ........and lives to tell the tale."

 When planning a birthday celebration, a ride in a barrel over Niagara Falls is probably the furthest from peoples minds.

On 24th October 1901 in an attempt to avoid poverty, Annie took the risk and became the first person to travel over N. America's most celebrated waterfall in a barrel.
Thousands gathered, for twenty minutes the barrel bobbed in the mist,then over it went. 
It reappeared and out she came, a bit bedraggled but alive.

Shaken and Stirred

A cat was sent over first, picture is of both on tour.

 Life is full of risks, we can't avoid them, some of choice others by habit.
Continue to say prayers for those Christian's who live with risks twenty four seven.
Those who show extreme devotion to express a Love which surrounds all peoples of the world.
 The persecuted church workers are not adrenaline junkies, they are driven by a call to obey the great commission to carry the good news of a life changing "WAY" 
 
In today's society we can chose to take the outward physical risks of hobbies or more demanding sports.
In business we carry out Risk Assessments in strategic planning and health and safety in an attempt to reduce risks.  

However,for many the emotional risks of speaking out what we believe God's Word means to us, can result  in being ostracised by work colleagues and friends because of their Christian beliefs'. 
For  many, the changing attitudes of society and the stance on our Bible based convictions may create the risk of being old fashioned.
I am sure you can add many more risks.

Thanks for reading, feel free to comment. 

"When you pass through the waters I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you"
                                                                         Isaiah 43v 2

 

Three lessons from "Hacksaw Ridge"

One of the top ten films awarded by the American Film Institute in 2016 was "Hacksaw Ridge"

 directed by Mel Gibson of "Braveheart" and "The Passion of Christ" fame.

 The true World War11 drama set during the battle of Okinawa tells the story of Desmond Doss. Desmond was a Conscientious Objector who signed up to save lives, rather than take them. He was a Combat Medic and a Christian.

He refused to carry or use firearms or weapons of any kind.  Desmond went to battle with his Bible in his back pack. I won't spoil the film for you, but for me three things stood out as a disciple of Christ. There my be some scenes which the squeamish my like to look away.

The Call 

We ought never underestimate the training of children who come to our early years Sunday School classes in teaching them God's Word and all of the years that follow. As adults we are a not passed learning and sharing the difference our Faith effects the way we live as disciples of Jesus. This is training is for action: when God calls us  into service.
Lets give a pat on the back to all those teachers and leaders who answer God's call to serve in this way.
Of course there are children and adults who never have, or get any religious teaching. For what ever reason it be, it is God, by his Holy Spirit which can change their  lives. It is our responsibility to show and share with them the Love of God through our actions to them.    

The Courage

"I lost all my friends at school. Now that I've begun to walk my talk, they make fun of me"
Rachel Scott's journal entries showed her disappointment that the very people to whom she wanted to show Christ's love turned away from her. But she wouldn't give in."I'm not going to apologise for speaking the name of Jesus, I will take it"
Rachel was a student at Columbine High School in Colorado the day two students opened fire in the school. One gunman asked her if she still believed in God. She looked him in the eye and said yes she still believed. He asked her why,but he didn't let her answer before killing her.


The Cost
I feel challenged in that if I was called to give up my life for Jesus sake, would I have the courage to give all for my Lord. As the persecuted believers around the world are being horrifically treated around the world daily, their courage under fire makes me feel ashamed. Their extreme devotion burns into my heart and deserves my regular prayers. If it played such a large part in the life of Jesus and the many times He encouraged us to do it,then we have to believe it works.
Why should I cower under a blanket of embarrassment to speak of Jesus?
I take courage from martyrs' present and past for my call,courage and past costs.

"Dear friends do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering ,as though something strange were happening to you"   1 Peter 4: 12

Papyrus to ipad

Original Letter on Papyrus 3rd Century BCE

I suppose it is well known that the ancient Chinese sent messages of greetings to friends and to convey information of importance. 

The early Egyptians used Papyrus to communicate  a variety of instruction, commands and  throughout their land.

What a revolution in the mid 16th Century the printing press made to the greeting card market.   

We now in the 21st Century have cards for everything. Birthdays,Get well cards, thanks cards, not to mention Christmas and New Year cards and the list goes on.

Sending cards is not a bad thing even if it does become a bit of labour before Christmas time.

Many take great comfort in receiving cards during loneliness. So I am not knocking sending them.

Along came social media sites,allowing sending greetings with the click of a button. No effort and no stamps! Progress has come a long way. 

The downside is that it can be a cover up for not putting the saved time to good use.

 Anyone have friends or family you have had a disagreement with,or of those elderly neighbours, those who are lonely and depressed or are in hospital?  

I would suggest that we use our modern cell phones to brighten up their Christmas and OUR OWN. There is a blessing in using our time in giving and forgiving. 

Visiting with them is even better, chatting face to face -- no substitute for a cupa and a smile. 

Choose stress wisely

I don't think we will ever get rid of stress, controlling it is the difficult part. countless publications and courses are available. Prioritising, identifying stressors,  making lists of life plans, talking to a friend or family,the Internal and External factors,the coping advice is endless.We are also told that stress is
a good thing, maximising our potential.

It's a well known fact that life has lots of opportunities to live a life free of some hassle. Opportunities which cover just one area of life.

We can decide what is important and what is not worth bothering about. 

Just take complaining for instance. Life seldom goes the way we want it. So why make ourselves ill by cultivating stressful situations. Why not choose our complaining about situations and people wisely ? If not we will complain about everything and everybody.

Why not listen to some advice from God's Word. Take a quiet moment and think what The Psalmist says about meditation in Psalm 19v14:

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer"

The Phoney Pony

It was a long siege,10 years and still the invaders couldn't break the fortified city of Troy. This Greek mythological story unfolded into an ingenious counterfeit trick.
Pretending to leave the area, the enemy built a large wooden horse. Inside the horse were 30 elite soldiers,two spying through the head. After some time when Troy felt sure the enemy had left, they wheeled the horse into the city to celebrate their victory. At night  the soldiers climbed out,and opened the gates allowing the waiting army to rush in and capture the city.

I know what you are saying. We've heard the story before. Deceit, falsehood, trickery and subterfuge, all the strategy and dirty ploys of warfare.

What of the most crafty and eternally crushing war which we humans' and disciples of our Lord Jesus are facing every moment of our lives. A war for our souls.
I have been severely wounded by the enemy on many occasions but thanks to the God of "Amazing Grace" my wounds have been healed and welcomed back into the battle once again.

Beware of the schemes of Satan who is at war with us. "Be strong in the Lord ....put on the full armour of the Lord"  read Ephesians chapter 6.  The battle is won through the work of Jesus but the strategy of Satan is to continue fighting until his final destruction, we are besieged by him and he will attack our weakest points.

Hey, don't be disheartened, we are on the VICTORY side.        Satan is a Phony Pony.  

Until the next time............... thanks for reading this Blog: yours prayerfully.

 

The Washing Machine with Attitude

Each year in my business career I was called in for a performance review.   

So I got to thinking about my own Spiritual performance, how to check my progress on :-

LOVE - JOY - PEACE - PATIENCE - KINDNESS - GOODNESS - FAITHFULNESS -GENTLENESS - SELF CONTROL. 

My head started to spin like a washing machine. 

Where do I start ? So many things going round in my head.

 I decided to take them one by one and dissect them, break them down, and let God's Spirit speak to me. Immediately one word came into my psyche:   ATTITUDE !!  

What was my attitude to the Apostle Paul who compiled the list for discipleship. 

 Discipleship is about learning how we can have the correct mindset. 

Where do I begin ?  Back to basics.  

This is where our Cell groups are vital in taking us back to basics, making sure we grasp the fundamentals and living them out daily.

John Stott in his book "The Living church" states  :  "I do not think it is an exaggeration to say,therefore that small groups, Christian family or fellowship groups are indispensable  for our growth into spiritual maturity"

No matter what we think about groups they build upon our attitudes to how we live our lives.

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude"

( William James   Psychologist/Philosopher)

The hungry eagle that needed more !!!

 Parts of Alaska's ice was  thawing. large chunks of ice flowed on the river toward a large waterfall.

Above a Bald eagle was encircling. Its sharp eyesight spied a dead carrion on a block of ice. 

Down it swept an sunk it's powerful talons( ten times greater than humans) into the prey and began to satisfy it's hunger. 

With the waterfall near, the freezing spray increased to shower the eagle, it continued to enjoy the food. With one eye on the food and one on the approaching edge it spread it's large powerful wings to take off to freedom.......but it discovered that the spray had covered it's talons and frozen them to the ice. 

"More is not always the best" 

I suggest that we are living in one of the most dissatisfied cultures on record. It's not that having lots of things is bad or harmful, it's that our desire to have more is or can be insatiable. 

As  long as we think more will be better, we will never be satisfied.

This crushes our appreciation for life and for our many blessings.

Develop a new appreciation for the blessings you already enjoy.You can spend your life wanting more, always chasing happiness.

"Count your blessings,name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done"

Lonesome Pine

When I looked at this picture it reflected the way I feel occasionally, as many of us do.
 Alone, looking too far ahead, folks like rocks not understanding.
There are times I feel lonely in a crowd.
Being introspective can harm in many ways.
 Feeling sorry for ourselves: the "poor me syndrome" leading to a depressive state of mind.
The remarkable thing is that this tree in the picture is standing alone, surviving all that weather throws at it. 
Its roots are deep and strong to enable it to stand. Too me it is a modern day parable.

All of us have to cope with different challenges in life at one time or another. What helps us to stand?

Many turn to eastern mysticism,  to fortune tellers, daily horoscope's  or worse still they just don't know where to turn.

 Jesus, He whom our mothers sang and spoke of when we were on her knee, still is a living friend.
He says "I will never leave you or forsake you"
I have been trying to learn more of His offers to put down roots which will withstand the storms of life, and know what, it is working!!
I know we have heard all before you say,  but I have found it is all about Jesus. 

                                                Turn your eyes upon Jesus 
                                                 Look in His wonderful face
                                                 and the things of earth
                                                 will grow strangely dim
                                                  In the light of His glory 
                                                  and Grace.


I know I am writing this off the wall, if you feel I am tell me,  I won't mind. 

ESSENTALS

United in worship.

Time again to join us and have a chat around the Bible. I say a chat because that is what we are about.
How relevant is Jesus and His life, and His call to discipleship in this crazy world we live in today.
Why not join us for a time around the ESSENTIALS course.
Call any of our members or myself.

Pick & choose

The chocolate box Jesus 

I Know that many times I choose the easy way to obey God's leading. It resembles picking the bits I like, the bits that are pleasing and easy to believe. God gives us  personal opportunity to follow all flavours of His leading. Often it is in the avoided tastes that the greatest feeling of satisfaction which we call blessings is given.
I am a lazy follower of Jesus.
Any excuse not to attend church or prayer meeting, discussion group or even to give of my time to serve with practical duties around the Church building.
The thing is the less I get involved in this lax attitude the further disconnected I feel.

I don't want to be the "marzipan" in the box (the one left ) so it's time to discard the choices and follow God's call.

  

Thought for a Day

Jesus said:  "Don'tbe troubled. You believe in God,now trust in me"                             

 "I am leaving you a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give you                                          

isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid"

          

                                                                    John 14: 1-27

Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,and I will give you rest.

                                                                     Matthew 11v28