Red Arrows air show.

I just happened to hear the other day that the Red Arrows were about to pay an annual visit to Fowey (pronounced Foy) on Thursday evening. The local farmers of Polruan open their fields to visitors for a small donation to the charity box. From this superb vantage point it is possible to view the most incredible display by what I unashamedly claim are the very best pilots in the world.

Nine red jet planes come into view and from that moment on delight the crowds of onlookers with a display that truly amazes all that are there.

It seemed that every vantage point was filled with adoring fans of this most amazing team. The incredibly accurate and perfectly timed display left us all thrilled and full of pride that our lads are capable of such skillful flying. One friend even said that it was one of the most emotional experience that she had ever experienced. But it was only a few aeroplanes! 

Or was it??????

This was a display of working at the limit of his ability and thrilling an audience that is in need of great encouragement in days when everything else seems to be so sterile. I am sure that if the concept of a display team was suggested today that there would be so many different objections for some perfectly valid reasons but also for totally trite reasons also that there would never be a Red Arrows team today.

We are so grateful to our forefathers who started this wonderful Great British institution and long may it continue!

Well done the RAF I am proud of you!

Do I love Looe?

I have a problem when my Christian friends tell me that I must love Looe because I am really not too sure what they mean by that! There is much about the town that is very pleasant but do I love it?

There is much about the hustle and bustle of people but is that something that i should love?

There are also many things about Looe that are quite unlovely, there is drunkeness and violence on the street especially on Friday and Saturday nights. That is ugly and quite unlovely. 

Seagulls!!! Do I need to say more when the thieving and violent birds are swooping ripping food out of our children's hands?

There are so many things that enter into the equation and so it is worth considering some of the things that are good about Looe . It is said that every picture tells a story and so here are some Looe snaps that try to put into perspective what my thoughts are:

Reflections in the lifeboat station window. A time to reflect!

New Years Eve fireworks are a good reminder that we need not only to reflect but to celebrate and look forward.

The warning light on the Banjo Pier reminds me that a right direction is needed however old we might be. The seagull is simply a reminder that the enemy is always in attendance!

Not the prettiest table or the best china cup but the coffee within is superb from the best coffee shop in town! Larssons if you want to know. We all need something that wets our appetite.

Grotty steps can never take the beauty out of the flowers however hard they try. A reminder that we all live in a fallen world that can never take the beauty of the Saviour from us.

The Banjo pier, a dangerous walk if you do not watch where you are going. One step off the path and disaster, how this speaks of life!

Lovely sunshine, coffee (French) feet up and a relaxing time taking in the beauty of the view. Who said life is a drag?

People enjoying themselves and worshipping the sun, pity that it is not the Son!

Carnival time and the band is out gladdening the hearts of the people. The gospel clarion call needs to be made loud and clear.

"The heavens declare the glory of God" very loudly. Psalm 19:1

The stage is set for man to display his ability, all need to consider the works of God.

Each to his/her own dwelling place which reminds me of the place in eternity being made just for me>

The bridge that was built to unite two divided towns reminding me of the need of the gospel which unites man to God.

A calm and peaceful setting, peace with God is accomplished for us in Jesus Christ.

Reflect on these things.

There is much to love about Looe but there are also the things that are difficult: The seagulls, the brawling drunkeness, the noise but that is simply due to people having fun. In have decided that Looe brings fun to many people, it is the place of holidays and memories but most of all it is home to us and as such I am more than happy to belong. 

Do I love it?

I suppose I probably do but I need something to fulfill me and then I will not only live here but will truly belong. Looe needs a gospel presence it is the gospel that will make the difference but how can that happen?

They need a preacher but who is willing to go?

The Two Shall Become One.

You may be wondering what the title has to do with this particular bridge. The bridge was built in 1853 with much opposition. The residents on both sides of the water did not want a bridge simply because the river separated to groups of people who hated each other. At that time there was Looe which was situated on the East bank of the river and Port Bigham on the West. Looe was the larger but poorer community but had the sunshine whereas Port Bigham was more wealthy but was largely in the shade.

It may be of interest to you to discover that I learned this vital information at the regular Male Voice Choir concert in the Lifeboat Station. Tonight's guest choir was the Polperro Fishermen's Choir who were excellent and well worth going to hear. 

Local choirs are an excellent way of learning something of the history of the locality and tonight's concert was in no way an exception. As the MC was telling of the meaning and reason for one particular song he was telling of the hatred that there was between the Eastern and Western communities. This caused my mind to wander to issues in the world with the problems in Israel and Palestine etc.  There is clear hatred from one side to the other but can there be a uniting factor???

For Looe that is where the bridge came in!

The two communities did not want it but it was exactly what they needed. The stone was brought down from the moor and the authorities in spite of violent protest built the bridge and the two communities became linked and eventually became one town.

There are still issues between East and West, the West is wealthier and the East is poorer but it does still have the sunshine. The acrimony is gone because a bridge was built. The town is now Looe East and West one people paying taxes to one authority simply because they have been joined together by a bridge. How amazing is that!!

It makes me wonder what bridge is required to bring warring factions together. 

Choirs performing at the lifeboat station are a reminder to me that the summer season has begun but there was also another reminder to me this morning as I walked along the prom. The holiday makers were starting to take up their places on the beach, deck chairs placed and the very British windbreaks corralling families into their own sacred space. 

This was only part of the reminder it was a particular group of people on the beach that caught my interest. They come to Looe faithfully for 3 weeks every year with a specific purpose.

Their purpose is to build a bridge. The bridge is the gospel and so this group of Christian volunteers give of their holiday to try to reach families with the good news that changes an important relationship.

Due to our sin we are on the wrong side of a divide with God. the bible actually tells us that we are all enemies of God and that the situation cannot be changed. We are separated from him and our sin is odious to Him and therefore there is no way that we can do anything about it. 

But just as the authorities made a bridge to unite Looe God has done all that is necessary for the gulf between us and Him to be bridged. For this to be accomplished sin had to be dealt with, God cannot turn a blind eye to it it must be punished. the appropriate punishment for sinners is eternal death. The bridge is a sacrifice made in order to pay the price, naturally there is no one good enough to do this and so God Himself  stepped in. The Lord Jesus Christ who is God the Son became a man but was without sin and so He was able to pay the price by dying in the place of all who will trust Him and turn away from sin and to trust God for salvation.

The beach team are here to declare the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is the bridge that we need to  become united to God.

One of these days in Keswick.

I couldn't resist downloading this photo, it was taken in a moment of weariness after the most amazing drive through Langdale, over the Wrynose and Hardnott passes and then on to Whitehaven for a cheap lunch in Witherspoons (the only place we could find!) We then found our way to Buttermere for rest and photos where this one was snapped.

But how come we are now in the Lake District? 

We are amazingly blessed and have friends beyond compare. In a time of financial uncertainty we find ourselves yet again on holiday. This time we have been invited to join Janet and Duncan with their family for a time at the Keswick convention and for rest and relaxation and of course plenty of coffee. Sadly the convention has taken second place but time with new found friends is much appreciated.

I did go to hear Stuart Townend play a concert and was most impressed by his character and amazingly powerful and good words in the songs that he writes. I was also greatly surprised to fine that he is an older man. I expected a spotty youth and discovered a greying middle aged gentleman. 

I also went to hear Ravi Zachariah preach and was most challenged as to what my future holds. This world needs the church to be far better than it is and I am without excuse if i do not do my bit. I feel challenged at the superficiality of the British church especially when false religion is on the march and are attacking my brothers and sisters all around the globe. We fight and argue over trivialities as Christians are dying for the truth. Ravi thank you for the challenge, Lord make me fit for the work.

The Lord Jesus promised that because He was hated then that would also be true of His friends. sadly the church to which we belong here in the UK is more concerned at having a good time than it is to being faithful to the witness of the unadulterated gospel. we may be mocked for our apparent out of date faith but we are not hated because we are not as forthright with the whole counsel of God as the scripture teaches us to be and so as we enjoy our little gatherings our faithful brothers and sisters are paying for their faith with everything.

Do we even really concern ourselves with the plight of the church abroad or are we so selfish and content that we do not truly care for what they are going through?

Here I am in the most beautiful part of England, it is stunning in every way, i am so privileged to be here and to have the very nature around me singing the praises and glory of my God but yet I forget Him and His people so easily especially within the business of every day life and even more so within the politics of church!

holidays are wonderful things, conferences are inspiring but the Word of God is painful especially what God speaks so loudly. Britain needs a church that is clear in it's message. The church in difficulties needs our church to be truly concerned! God has called us to be faithful in word, worship, prayer and support but 

ARE WE? 

I took this photo outside of the cottage that we are staying in. It reminded me of the situation that the church finds itself in. The globe flower (perhaps Gary you will tell me what it is!?) is a bit like the earth. The bee on the right was busying itself gathering nectar to make sweet honey but it was surrounded by and under attack by many more wasps that wanted to prevent the bee being about it's service to it's fellow bees and also the wider world. The church has the Word of God which is sweeter than honey but the wasps of false religion hate the sweet Word and will do all in their power to prevent truth being declared!

Prince Charles comes to Looe:

Those who know me are fully aware that I am not really a Royalist but I am more of a confused or even compromising Republican. My head, heart and theology prefers a republican standpoint but my pragmatic and skeptical spirit likes the protection that the Royal family have given us form having a President Blair or any of the other recent leaders in complete control over our little island.

I have also been somewhat impressed by the way that the Queen has shown by her tireless efforts just how important her country is to her. She is not a “popularist” with spin doctors glossing over her glaring inconsistencies but she is the Matriarchal figurehead of our Great Britain. She clearly loves her country and her people.

Prince Charles has been pilloried for many years now by almost all of the population. He has gone down in history as a person who talks to his trees and of course as the one who ratted on the “wonderful??” Diana. Those things are part of who he is but what of the man?

I found myself talking to our neighbours as the security cars headed down our road followed by the Royal couple in their big black car. I was surprised that as the car went by with the Prince on the other side of the car, Camilla looked out of her window at us and said “hello!” The wife of the future King spoke to me.

Looe was as ready as was possible for the visit and as they went off towards their first duty at the lifeboat station I felt a blog coming on. If I had bothered (I didn't because my republican belligerence prevented me!) I would have had my camera and could easily have taken many personal photos of the couple, but I rely on using some from Google.

BUT

I was surprised at just how impressed with this short man that I was. To look at him he was ordinary pensioner but he is the King in waiting, the Prince of Wales. He is in our country the second most important person and I suppose one day soon will be the most important.

But he was so ordinary!

There was nothing about him that was special but he was attractive in personality which is certainly testified to by some of the accounts that I hear from those who work for him around Cornwall. He is a well respected man by many.

So what is it that impressed me?

I am always disappointed when I hear the stories presented by our “oh so reliable media!” of his indiscretions in his marriage, with his all embracing theology which has spawned his view that when he becomes king he will be “defender of faith” rather than of “the faith!” But yet he does so much for the country. It was he who challenged the awful architecture that Britain was guilty of in the 70's. The people hated what the architectural geniuses were producing and Charles was our spokesman. It was he who went to the people of Somerset during the floods and publicized their plight. When the politicians saw the criticism about to come their way they very quickly followed suit!

There are many ways in which prince Charles has spoken out for his people against protocol which I find somewhat surprising as a “fallen” republican.

This little older man who is Prince of little old Wales (which is very close to my heart) has impressed me greatly, not because of his power or looks or wealth but because he is genuine and in that he reminds me in a small way of the One who is the prince of Peace, who is perfect in every way and who loves and serves his people magnificently. It is of course Jesus my Saviour of whom I talk.

Who would have thought that a little old man passing by in car could point my thoughts to the King of kings?

Surprisingly on this occasion Prince Charles did!

Inspiration from a funeral!

It is amazing how the bible speaks to you in surprising circumstances. Today we went to the funeral of a friend's mother. The Pastor used Psalm 103 for his reading and text for his message but it caused my mind to wander and to consider just how far the east is from the west because David in this Psalm makes this vitally important point in verse 17:

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgression from us!”

The first amazing truth is that God chooses to take away our transgressions: that is sins to you and I! As I have said many times in this blog: “our personal sin separates us eternally from fellowship with God and that it is by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ that forgiveness is available to all who will repent and trust in Him alone in order that we might come into fellowship with Him.

But how much are we forgiven?

That was a most important question to David because he had sinned much. David had orchestrated the death on a man called Uriah in order that he might cover up the fact that he was having an affair with Uriah's wife and had made her pregnant. That means that David was a murderer and was clearly at odds to God's requirement of holiness. David did repent and sought forgiveness and as is promised in scripture he received it. If you want to see what a painful experience that was for David read Psalm 51.

Sin is forgiven to an amazing extent!

David said that it is forgiven as far as the east is from the west. But how far is that?

We currently live in East Looe which is separated from West Looe by the river. It is not far, in fact it is only the width of the river away, maybe a distance of 30 metres. Is this what David means? Clearly that cannot be the case, that is just a river's width is not a great deal. When we consider David's life as recorded in the bible we also read of an amazing compliment made by God to David! In spite of all of the many mistakes that he made God refers to him as a man after His own heart. According to God David had and amazing relationship with Him.

But how can that be?

The only answer can be that David's sins were completely forgiven and the only way that David can illustrate such a complete forgiveness is to use a measure that is so vast that it is impossible to measure. We can measure the distance from North to West, in fact it is simply half of the distance of the circumference of the earth! That would be a big enough figure for us but God's measure is infinite it is East to West which never ever meets! David's sin was forgiven completely and so is mine but what of yours?

God is an amazing forgiver to all who will repent and trust Him wholly for forgiveness, why not read more of the bible and discover just what forgiveness really means!