Random Thoughts

Savour

2012-03-08T00:00:00.000Z

I thought about saying all sorts of fancy stuff here
but instead i'll just say the Holy Bible contains
some of the most beautiful poetry ever.

I was looking at Psalm 60 a while ago and read these words.

Psalm 60:3-4
You have shewn your people hard things —
you have made us drink the wine of astonishment.
You have given a banner to those who fear you,
that it may be displayed because of the truth.
Selah (chew it over, savour it)

this song was born.

The Wine Of Astonishment
Come taste the wine of astonishment.
Ponder afresh what God’s done.
Savour each sip, and with trembling lip,
Come praise Him for Jesus His Son.
come kneel in humble amazement,

speaking aloud as you do,
praise to the King, yes, joyfully sing,
sing Him the song that is new

Come taste the wine of astonishment.
Ponder afresh what God’s done.
Savour each sip, and with trembling lip,
Come praise Him for Jesus His Son.
linger awhile in His presence,
soak up His goodness and Love
let it permeate through, ever fibre anew,
sweet nectar that comes from above.

hear it here

Leap

2012-02-05T17:01:00.001Z

Way back in 1968 a chap called Graham Pulleyblank, (he later changed his name to Lee Graham) sang a song called "Little Arrows" which became a hit in the UK, reaching Number 2 in the charts.
In the United States the song reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 11 on the country chart.

It sold over three million copies worldwide and was awarded a gold disc.

"Little Arrows" tells of the pain of falling in love, based I suppose, on the idea of eros who in Greek mythology is the god of love, or his Roman counterpart Cupid ("desire") shooting his arrows willy nilly.

Lee also released several others including "It's All Happening", "King of the Whole Wide World", "Here Comes the Rain", "Good Morning", "Helena" and "Every Road Leads Back to You"

I remember someone once telling me 'keep your feet on the ground', 'you should not spiritualise everything' and 'you can be too Heavenly minded to be any earthly good'.

I also remember the words my mam wrote in the Bible she gave me when I was 12 - 'look for the beauty of Jesus in all things'

Proverbs 3:6 says
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

Well I just can't help but look for the spiritual connection in things.

Sooo

Firstly, God is Love. 1 John 4:8
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

“Little Arrows” - falling in love is one thing but Loving is another. John 14:23
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

"It's All Happening" - In the beginning Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
and John1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

"King of the Whole Wide World" - One day soon the whole world will acknowledge His Kingship. Isaiah 45:22-24
“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, ‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, And all shall be ashamed Who are incensed against Him.

"Here Comes the Rain" Holy Spirit rain, don’t put your umbrella up. Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.

"Good Morning" – His Love never fails – like Manna it’s new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-25
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

"Helena" - mother of Constantine the first Christian Emperor of Rome

"Every Road Leads Back to You" - in the end every knee will bow before Him, Phillipians 2:9-11
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

so what has all this got to do with Leap

Well….

2012 is in fact a \ / year.

February is the month in which St. Valentines day is celebrated (14th) (including the cherubs with their arrows)

And last but not least the singer Graham Pulleyblank as was, is known as Leapy Lee

The Quest

2012-01-09T23:32:00.000Z

The Heavens Declare His Glory
Psalm 19:1-6 (NIV)
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

Just in case you missed
the rainbow in His tears,
the gentle whisper of His voice
calming now your fears
and just in case you missed
the flowers every spring,
or blossom on the trees
and many birds that sing.
The thunderous sound of waterfalls,
the gurgle of the brook,
the stillness of a lake,
or pond in leafy nook.
The beauty of a meadow
jam packed with summer flowers,
buzzing of the insects,
filling daylight hours
and then come the night,
moonlight shows the way,
for owls and moths and fox cubs,
who in a clearing play.
There's a universe filled with objects,
some seen with naked eye,
medium, large and small,
spread across the sky.
The vastness of space,
just so you can see,
reflected in the Heavens,
how awesome, Gods glory.

His Quest is that we should spend eternity with Him.
but the choice is ours.
a song to finish
hear it here
Oh how I love to praise You
Oh how I love Your Name
Oh how I love to praise You
You’re every day the same
The Heavens reflect Your Glory
The Earth cries out in praise
You’ve told Creations story
Oh God the Ancient of Days
Chorus
I’ll forever praise You
Tell of what You’ve done
How You bought the Vict’ry
Through Jesus Christ Your Son
Chorus
When at last in Glory

Your lovely face I see

I’ll still tell the story

Of what you’ve done for me

Chorus

Gifts of the Heart

2011-12-24T12:48:00.001Z

It’s Christmas Eve. and excited children all over the world wait in anticipation of opening their gifts in the morning and some will hope that the gift they bought their friends and relatives will be unwrapped to cries of ‘Just what I’ve always wanted,’

Many homes will have a brightly lit Christmas
tree with an Angel on the top each branch
trimmed with baubles and tinsel, colourfully
wrapped gifts of all shapes and sizes neatly
arranged around its base, There are those of
course who for whatever reason do not
celebrate the birth of Jesus but the Gift of
the Christ child is for everyone even those
who do not celebrate.

This Gift was not found under a tree. (the tree featured thirty three years later) nor wrapped in fancy gift wrap. (just strips of cloth) no tinsel, no streamers, no balloons or party poppers but there was the biggest proclamation you could ever imagine,
an Angel of God accompanied by others from Heavens’ Army appeared to some frightened shepherds who were going about their business tending sheep.

Of course it’s only fitting for a shepherd to know when a lamb has been born. and what a way to announce it. Can you imagine the sight. They were of course afraid at first and the Angel said 'Fear not I bring you glad tidings of great Joy'

Later three Wise Men following the brightest star there’s ever been. called to pay homage.each bringing a gift from the heart. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
Jesus is Gods’ triple gift of the heart to mankind,
Love Joy and Peace

but in order to get the full benefit of a gift you have to unwrap it.

Hundreds of years before the Messiahs birth Isaiah wrote

Isaiah 9:6-8
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The ZEAL of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

The gift of Love

John 3:16 says
’For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that every one who believes in him shall not be lost, but should have eternal life.’

1 John 4:10 says
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

and 1 John 4:8 says
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

The gift of Joy

John 15:10-12 says
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you

The gift of Peace
Luke 2:12-14
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

John 14:26-27
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Jesus is of course The Prince of Peace
May you be so richly blessed as you unwrap Gods’ gift anew this Christmas.
May Love, Joy and Peace be yours in abundance.

Biiiiig hug

Two songs for Christmas
Please click to hear
1. Sing Out Hallelujah
2. Just A Stable In Bethlehem

Nine Donkeys

2011-11-05T20:53:00.001Z

Donkeys are special.
There are at least 140 references to Donkeys in the Bible. Some refer to a single Donkey and others to several. 61000 was the biggest number I spotted.

These donkeys caught my attention.

1. Freddie, Scarboroughs gentle and friendly award winning beach donkey.


2. Lively Laddie who lived up to his name for many years giving rides on Blackpool Beach and was, until his death at age 62, a contender for the 'oldest living donkey' title.
I suppose you could say he lived for Donkeys years.

3. Abrahams Donkey
He rode it when he went to the place God had told him to sacrifice Isaac.
Genesis 22:7-8 Isaac spoke to Abraham his dad and said, “My father!”
Abraham replied, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”

4. Josephs brothers Donkeys.
They opened the sacks of grain to feed the donkeys only to find the things Joseph had hidden so that they had to return.
Genesis 43:18 Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.”

5. Your neighbours Donkey.
Donkeys are mentioned in Gods commandments.
Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.”

6. Korahs Donkeys.
Korah led a rebellion against Moses
Numbers16:15 Then Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.”

7. Balems donkey.
Instead of being surprised he strikes up a conversation with his Donkey.
Which one’s the ass?
Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

8. Kish’s Donkeys.
In the ninth book of the Bible chapter nine we read about some lost donkeys.
1 Samuel 9:5 When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us return, lest my father cease caring about the donkeys and become worried about us.”

9. Jesus’ Donkey
Zechariah 9:9
[The Coming King] “ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
Matthew 21:2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me”.

A poem to finish
The Donkey
-
I'm lying here resting now.
Although it's been a busy day.
I walked into the City.
You should here what People say.

They lined the Street
As I walked along.
And for once I didn't mind.
Being sat upon.
-
   They were talking excitedly.
   Jostling and pushing.
   Craning their necks,
   As if we were rushing.
-
They laid a carpet for us to walk,
Yes, Olive leaves they spread.
Hosanna, Hosanna, they shouted out loud.
It's Jesus, it's Jesus, They said.
-
Well another day done, and I can rest.
But today I'll never forget.
For Jesus the King sat on my back.
It's been the best day yet.

Harvest

2011-09-30T23:53:00.000+01:00

As a child I used to watch the effect the wind had as it blew through the long eared Wheat and Barley fields causing waves as it went.
Even now whenever it’s breezy I look for the same effect.
Barley has a short growing time and is often the dominant arable crop in the north and west of Britain where growing conditions are most difficult and less favourable.
Like wheat it can be ground to make flour used in the production of bread. Winter Barley is usually used for animal feed whilst the Spring sown variety is used in the production of beer and food.
Barley Harvest in the UK falls in July for winter Barley sown in the preceding Autumn (fall) and August for Spring sowings.
Whenever I think of Harvest I remember the beautiful book of Ruth whose story begins at a time when famine struck and a man named Elimelek from Bethlehem together with his wife (Naomi) and their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion went to live for a while in the country of Moab.
Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons who married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left alone.
On hearing the famine was over she upped and left with her daughters-in-law to head back home for Judah but on the journey she had a change of heart.
‘Go back’ she said to both girls but Ruth wouldn’t saying those beautiful words ‘Your people will be my people and your God my God’.
don’t you just love it….
When they get back it’s Barley Harvest time and Ruth asks her Mother-in-law if she can go gleaning and it turns out that she goes gleaning in the field of Boaz a close relative of Elimelek.
Listen it gets better.
Boaz sees her and asks his men who she is, they tell him that she asked if she can glean and she’s been there for ages. Well when he hears about the way Ruth has stayed to look after her Ma-in-Law he’s really impressed so he tells his men to drop a few ears here and there and then he says “if she picks from among the sheaves don’t stop her.”
it gets better…..
Boaz says to her kindly like ‘come over here and have some bread and dip it in wine vinegar.’ he even gave her some roasted grain to eat.
Do you think he’s smitten yet?
Well she stays close to the women in Boaz’s fields until the wheat harvest is finished too.
One day Naomi says to her I must find a home for you where you will be well provided for. Boaz is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”
She did as she was told and during the night something startles him and he wakes up,
“Who are you?” He asks,
“I am your servant Ruth,” she replies. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer of our family.”
don’t you just love it….
It turns out that there’s a closer relative than Boaz so he has to sort that out first.
‘Although it is true that I am a Kinsman-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your kinsman-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”
well morning comes and Boaz goes up to the town gate and sat down there just as the kinsman-redeemer he had mentioned came along.
Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he did. Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and asked them to sit down too.
Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.”
So the Kinsman-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal. (old custom)
Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son named Obed who was the father of Jesse the father of David who defeated the Giant and became King.
isn’t it beautiful?
but there’s more
thirty generations or so later comes another Kinsman-REDEEMER from Bethlehem
His name is Jesus. The Christ.
The book of Ruth is not very long, only four chapters so it doesn’t take that long to read.
be extra blessed as you take time out to read it.

9/11

2011-09-05T18:10:00.001+01:00

September 11th 2011
Please observe one minutes silence in memory of 9/11 2001

…………………………………………………………..............…………
Coming Home
I remember as part of my management training I would take charge of various shops up and down the country whilst their manager was on holiday. On my return journey home I remember the elation as I saw the stone walled embankment on the approach to Bradford Railway Station.

There is no place like home.

Home is where the heart is.

Jesus promised He would prepare a place for us in His Fathers house.

What a homecoming it will be.

AUGUST August

2011-08-25T10:26:00.000+01:00

Yesterday August 24th was our 43rd Wedding Anniversary.
Me and my truelove have been together 43 years…… certainly an August achievement.

It was a very different world way back in 1968 and for us about to start a new life together it was daunting but exciting too.

We have seen good times and bad, sad times and glad.
poor times and rich times, together in sickness and health.

I love my lass……

August poppies as (I call them) are in full bloom again this year and much to my delight they have appeared in the wall top.

I don’t suppose that they belong there but well…….

So this is my first blog in the CW Blog chain and to finish off,
a song to the most August person ever…….

Majestic and Mighty, Ancient of Days.
Righteous and just, in all of your ways,
Loving and kind, in all that you do.
I want to tell you how much I love you.

You gave up your Riches, You counted them nought.
On Calvary's cruel cross, my freedom You bought,
You suffered and died, but You rose again,
And through that I'm yours, forever Amen.

Majestic and Mighty Ancient of Days.
Righteous and just, in all of your ways,
Loving and kind, in all that you do.
I want to tell you how much I love you.

I'll tell of your goodness, all of my days.
And with all that I am, Your great name I'll praise.
I'll never forget, how you took my place,
And one day soon, I'm gonna look on your face.

Majestic and Mighty, Ancient of Days.
Righteous and just, in all of your ways,
Loving and kind, in all that you do.
I want to tell you how much I love you.

Copyright Jack Brown © 1998

Listen here

2011-08-25T10:19:00.000+01:00

and 2010

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T17:42:00.000Z

Well Where did 2009 go?

As I look back over the year (I suppose I mean remember cause looking back usually infers longing) I realise as usual there were good times and bad.

What fun it’s been to explore my favourite local places

No. 1 has has got to be the Pennine town of Marsden.

I suppose that is for two reasons one Last Of The Summer Wine TV Comedy Programme was filmed in the area and the other is the River Colne.

So many hills. I just love it.

King David says In

Psalm 121:1-2
A Song Of Ascents
‘I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my strength come from? My strength comes from the Lord the maker of Heaven and Earth.

Where do you go to find your strength?

2009-10-18T20:41:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I mentioned the violinist but before I saw her I listened to a street preacher.

He had a bill board around his neck, a smart one mind you, properly printed, yellow writing on crimson card proclaiming the 'end of the world' and the need to repent.

As he spoke his voice could easily be heard by passers by. He didn't need an amplifier the words rang out across the part of the square he occupied causing people to slow as they passed. One or two would stop to listen further.

I wondered how many lives would be altered by his proclamation.
Was his style of delivery still relevent for today?
Was there still room for an old fashioned preacher?

The answer is of course Yes with a capital Y.

The open Bible in his hand would see to that.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

A thing of beauty.......

2009-10-17T22:35:00.000+01:00

I watched a violinist play outside a cafe today.

The customers were eating and carrying on with their conversations whilst the haunting strains of 'Yesterday' and 'Eleanor Rigby' wafted on the autumn afternoon air.

Before she began to play the young lady checked her backing equipment, tapedeck, amplifier, speakers, music stand and her case to catch the coins passers by would throw. As she readied herself I watched on not knowing what to expect, then she began to play, I could have listened forever.

You see the notes didn't start in the violin...no...they started deep within the violinist and as she weaved and bobbed with each movement a beautiful note was produced.

A thing of beauty is indeed a joy forever.

Beauty and the Beast.

2009-10-16T16:30:00.000+01:00

Looks like it's time to buy bulbs to plant for spring flowering.

There they lie, such beauty, hundreds of them, each variety neatly displayed, their labels showing what they'll look like 'in situ', whilst in the next aisle Christmas decorations cry out for the chance to adorn your living room.

At the front of the shop, displays of grotesque masks, witches hats, broomsticks and other parafinalia are on display, the gaps showing which items are most popular selling just now.

When Halloween, Trick or Treat and Guy Fawkes Night are just a memory the bulbs planted will produce exquisite beauty which will last longer than just a night.

Parrot Plant

2009-10-15T18:15:00.000+01:00

Earlier this year I had a cutting of a 'Parrot Plant' given.

I put it on the computer desk, kind of 'pride of place'.
It responded to the care I gave it and I marvelled at the flowers it produced.

After the flowers died it produced more shoots and is now reasonably 'bushy'.

Several plants in the garden haven't flowered at all this year but the 'Parrot Plant' is once again in full bloom, much to my delight.

Loving Heavenly Father may my heart always be in bloom for You.

Autumn is here

2009-10-14T16:24:00.000+01:00

Well once again it's Autumn (Fall for my American friends) and you can sense the changes all around.
The days are getting shorter and the nights are 'drawing in' or as my dear old dad used to say, 'It gets late early' :).
Gardeners are busy sweeping up dead leaves and cutting back shrubs and Roses.
Bonfires crackle and spark, sending plumes of smoke high in the still evening air.
Shadows get longer as the sun gets lower in the sky.
I overheard a comment on the train this afternoon, the young couple in front were chatting about this and that and as the train pulled into a station she said aloud,
'Isn't it amazing how the dead leaves decay and form a bed for regeneration?'
'Yes' agreed her companion.
I didn't quite hear the rest of the reply because the train started to move off and anyway it's rude to listen to others conversations isn't it?
I wanted to shout out about the Great Artist who paints Autumnal scenes in His special way so's you know He is the Creator.
but I didn't.
'Forgive me Lord when I fail to witness, give me boldness for next time. Amen'.

Devotional type blog

2009-10-14T16:20:00.000+01:00

Thought I'd start a devotional type blog to head up Ways With Words and this is it.

Stay tuned.

Greetings

2009-07-29T21:03:00.000+01:00

Welcome to JayBees Blog.