Month: July 2020

Our refuge and strength

Covid 19 has spread it’s gloomy shadow over the whole earth in these last few months bringing sickness and death in every place. It is also causing economic collapse in countries, in industry and most worryingly in individual homes. Yet so many are working hard to stop it’s effects and it’s spread particularly those in health services and caring professions across the world!

Where is God may well be the cry of many troubled and fearful hearts?

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble” was the cry of the Psalmist.
(Psalm 46:1)

“The LORD upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down”. (Psalm:145:14)

“The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth”.
(Psalm:145:18)

In the silence of our empty streets particularly in ‘locked down’ towns and cities surely the right thing to  do is “Be still, and know that He is God”. (Psalm 46:10)

But the best thing is to know with absolute confidence that the Lord Jesus His beloved Son is risen and with us always. He will save and welcome into his eternal Kingdom all who turn to him and trust in him.

‘….to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God‘. (John 1:12)

A BLAST FROM THE PAST!

THIS WAS WRITTEN  OCTOBER 2010  – following my final trip to Eastern Europe

After the first presentation of the CHOOSE LIFE drugs programme a teenage girl cries, ‘Can such  a thing be in our school!’ – the first of many conversations both short and long with those whom we had the privilege of meeting.

Eighteen presentations to around 3,000 students  including two in Young Offenders Units

A Sunday morning church service – a Gospel Concert in the home of some believers and also an adult male prison.

Over two thousand miles on  the road and six hundred on a big North Sea Ferry wrapped up what were seventeen busy and we hope, fruitful days.

Paul the New Testament Missionary wrote – ‘Conduct yourselves with wisdom towards outsiders, making the most of every opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned as it were with salt so you may know how you should respond to each person’.

That’s what we’ve tried to do!

Leaving for the last time,

Like closing a well loved and well worn door

But this time never to be reopened – at least  not this side of Heaven

How to say ‘Goodbye’ – but not for the last time

 As the old philosopher said,

“Those who love the Lord never say ‘Goodbye’ for the last time”

Narrow the circle of travel – pull in the horns

Don’t head for the distance, just  some local shore

Dreams tumble – people move on

The King is building his Kingdom

In spite of our weakness and sin.

Thanks to all those who listened,

Thanks for all those who heard,

The one’s and two’s whose lives were changed

By simply believing His Word.