Salvation Sound - October 2006

Posted on October 7, 2006

Where is the village we once knew?

Cottages, long since demolished, shops that once we patronised, vanished forever in the dust of time. Orchards, trees, gone now, felled in the cause of progress. Fields that were once massed with cowslips in spring and meadows where once we gathered 'quaker' grass. Farms have gone - places of trade, crafts and skills. The blacksmith, the wheelwright, the carpenter, the cobbler, the baker, the corn mill.

Such is progress; mechanisation has taken over, the harvest is gathered 'quickly' in, enormous machines clear the fields and in no time at all the ploughs are turning up the stubble ready for the next round of cultivation; but of one thing we can be certain, and that is God's promise that each season will come in it's turn, and we will celebrate that feeling of fulfilment with praise and thanksgiving as we sing...

'This is the field, the world below,
In which the sower, came to sow;
Jesus, the wheat, Satan, the tares;
For so the word of God declares.'

So the year rolls on and Autumn is come upon us - whether you are seventeen or seventy, you do not grow old by living a number of years. People grow old because they desert their ideals. Years give you wrinkles but to give up the enthusiasm for life wrinkles your soul.

"You are as young as your faith,
As old as your doubt,
As young as, your self-confidence,
As old as your fear;
As young as your hope,
As old as your despair."

Whatever the season is that you reader are in - try to see the beauty of each day around you - and if like me you like to look back on the old characters and the old village scenes, just remember that we each have our part to play in making today's history.

"Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word to you?
Can you say tonight, in parting
With the day that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does the man whose hopes were fading
Now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day or use it? Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness ? Or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber,
Do you think that God will say,
"You have earned one more tomorrow
By the work you did today."

Good News Bible...Ephesians 5: 15-17 & 20.

"So pay close attention to how you live. Don't live like ignorant men, but like wise men. Make good use of every opportunity you get, because these are bad days. Don't be fools then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do. Always give thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Welcome

We extend a warm welcome to the new officers Lt.Cols. Brian and Dorothy Knightley who will be over-seeing the Corps in Eaton Bray. They have a wealth of experience at their fingertips, Brian holds the Order of the Founder, which is a high accolade in the Salvation Army.

We trust that their stay here will be rewarding, and that the Lord will bless their ministry to us, as we recognise that we are all members of His family. May we also be supportive of them in whatever way we can as they take on this responsibility.

Source: Focus, October 2006