Salvation Sound - November 2006

Posted on November 8, 2006

Nostalgia......From the fields of memory.....

I spent today with an old friend from my childhood; and our time was taken up with reminiscences from our early days; we then progressed to school days, recalling teachers and friends with whom we had lost touch; and so it was our thoughts travelled on, to work days and weddings, to houses, homes, and children, finally to those we had loved and lost.

"When my back is too old to bend;
When my knees are too old to kneel;
When my hands are too old to tend
And fingers far too old to feel;
When my ears will not hear again
Leaves moving, nor the sound of rain;
When my eyes are too old to see
The apple orchard's ecstasy,
O Memory, stay young with me.!"

The moment we are born into this world we set out on a journey. Sometimes our journey will be exciting, sometimes sad - but hopefully never without purpose.

Jewish people recall their heritage when they keep the feast of the passover, recalling their freedom from slavery, we can read of their journey in the book of Exodus, in the old testament of the bible. Think also of the missionary journeys of Paul, the biggest crisis of his life took place as he was walking to Damascus from Jerusalem. It happened when the Saviour appeared to him. "Who art thou, Lord" he said; the answer came, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest."

This was the moment of Paul's conversion to Christianity. The whole purpose of his life was now permanently changed. Acts.9. 1-31.

I believe that life is not just a series of accidents. God is in control. Often it takes times of tragedy to remind us what really matters in life. We tend to grow overly concerned with the non essential, unimportant things, but when life is reduced to the essentials it is then we recall that life itself is enough reason to praise God. He intends that we joyfully take each season as it comes. Whatever our age, He imparts what we need to be all that we can be. His presence can make each step along the way one of strength and beauty.

"When we cannot see our way,
Let us trust and still obey;
He who bids us forward go,
Cannot fail the way to show."

Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal

We extend our grateful thanks to all who gave so willingly to help us to raise the £3,600 collected in this area, all of which goes to support the 'Army's social work in the U.K. Thank you, too, all those people who gave their time to go door to door collecting, we could not do it without you.

Source: Focus, November 2006