Author Archive: Jon

THE MYSTERY OF GOOD AND EVIL – by Colin Tomlinson

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Greedily she gorged without restraint
And knew not eating death.
John Milton – Paradise Lost

Blaise Pascal, the renowned 17th Century mathematician and physicist, when considering what we call original sin, wrote the following:

“But for this mystery, the most incomprehensible of all, we remain incomprehensible to ourselves.”

This booklet attempts to answer some of the issues that we are faced with — after the first man and women disobediently ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
We know that, despite the command, they ate — and death came. We also know that the tree in itself was not evil, for all things were good, as we read in the first chapter of the book.
We know too that the apostle Peter wrote that Jesus Christ was hanged on a tree.
What do all these things mean, and how can we connect them to the issues, ‘good and bad’, that we face today?

Product Details:
Author: Colin Tomlinson
Dimensions: A5 – 205 mm x 145 mm
Weight: approx. 89 gms
Pages: 52

HEAVENLY AIRWAYS – by Cheryl Botha

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I dedicate these devotionals to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who carried me through a very difficult time in my life. My eldest son Darryn suffered for twelve years and was very ill.
He was diagnosed with a fatal Blood Cancer,  unless a bone Marrow Donor was found. The Holy Spirit inspired me to start a WhatsApp group of Prayer Warriors.
We prayed together and called on the Lord to intervene and it became a means of sharing, prayer requests and encouraging each other. We kept each other updated, wept and pleaded, and claimed the Word of the Lord. My special thanks and sincere gratitude go to this special prayer group whom the Lord Himself called into existence.
They were born out of trials and tribulations, heartache and tears. I posted daily readings and updates using WhatsApp and this little book is evidence of them.

Be still and know I am God – Psalm 46:10

Product Details:
Author: Cheryl Botha
Dimensions: A5 – 210 mm x 150 mm
Weight: approx. 139 gms
Pages: 105

A MATTER OF WORDS – by Colin Tomlinson

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In 2015 the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta was celebrated. One of the few surviving copies of the document was to go on display during the year of the anniversary at a museum at Renmin University in Beijing, China, but the exhibit was abruptly moved to the British ambassador’s residence with no proper reason or explanation given.

What is the Magna Carta?

Magna Carta, which means ‘The Great Charter’, is one of the most important documents in history, as it established the principle that everyone is subject to the law, even the king, and guarantees the rights of individuals, the right to justice and the right to a fair trial. The Document was first authorised in June 1215 at Runnymede, on the River Thames near Windsor, and was signed by King John of England.
The Magna Carta and all that inspired its drafting and signing is surely the fruit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as it crossed borders and spread into foreign lands (as England initially was). The words of the document point to the freedom of the individual under the laws of the individual’s whole community, and the words are inscribed for all to see and read. This booklet points to that freedom.

Product Details:
Author: Colin Tomlinson
Dimensions: A5 – 210 mm x 150 mm
Weight: approx. 92 gms
Pages: 48

FAREWELL TO VIRGINIA ROSS

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FAREWELL TO
AN AMAZING WOMAN

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7

VIRGINIA ROSS
20 October 1920 – 2 February 2021

Virginia Ross was born in Philadelphia in the USA in 1920. She heard the Gospel for the first time when she was 18 years old, and chose to go to Bible School and into the ministry instead of college, much to the dismay of her family!
After serving the Lord for 10 years in the States she left for Africa.
On board ship she met Archie, her future husband, and they were married 18 months later in Northern Rhodesia, where together they served the Lord for 18 years.
During that time the Lord blessed them with four children, and in 1967 they moved to Southern Rhodesia to a place called Bulawayo (The Place of Blood).
In 1981 they moved to Johannesburg South Africa and finally immigrated to America in 1991, having spent a total of 42 years in Africa.
Sadly, in 1996 Archie suffered a stroke and never walked again. After caring for him for 6 years they moved back to South Africa and settled in Cape Town, where 3 years later Archie entered into the prescence of the Lord.
Virginia then moved into a retirement home where she became very active in visiting, counselling and speaking and befriending those who wanted to hear her life story and to know more about her Saviour. During this time she had her book published.

LAND OF MY HEART – Love letters from Africa.

She drove her own car, used a cell phone and was very active on the computer, corresponding with people all over the world by email, and even had a strong following on Facebook.
On 20th October 2020, Virginia reached the milestone birthday of 100 years old! The local newspaper took up her story and published an article highlighting her amazing life.
When asked for her secret for longevity, she replied:

Oh, there’s no secret, all you have to do is keep breathing!

Virginia loved to hear the story of Charles E. Fuller, a preacher who announced that the following week he would speak on the subject of Heaven. A few days later he received a letter from a man who was very ill, and this is what he wrote:

Next Sunday you are to talk about Heaven. I am interested in that land, because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for over 55 years. I did not buy it. It was given to me without money and without price.
But the Donor purchased it for me at tremendous price and sacrifice. I am not holding it for speculation since the title is non-transferable. It is not a vacant lot. For more than half a century I have been sending materials out of which the greatest Architect and Builder of the Universe has been building a home for me which will never need to be remodelled nor repaired because it will suit me perfectly and will never grow old.
Termites can never undermine its foundations because they rest on the Rock of Ages. Fire can never destroy it. Floods can never wash it away. There are no locks and door bolts on any door.
My dwelling is almost completed and is ready for me to enter.
It will be a place where I can abide in eternal peace without fear of being ejected.
I became acquainted with the best Friend I ever had more than 55 years ago, and I hold His promise in writing never to forsake me or to leave me. That He would be with me through the valley of shadows and I would never lose my way.
I have proved that promise over and over, because I have been through many a valley of shadows and He has NEVER left me or forsaken me.
I hope to hear your sermon on Heaven next Sunday, but I cannot give you assurance that I will be there, because my ticket to Heaven has no date marked on it, and there is no return coupon attached, nor is there a baggage allowance.
Yes, I am ready to go! If I’m not there on Sunday, you’ll know where I am, and I shall meet you there some day.

There is no doubt that Virginia has had her ticket to Heaven for over 82 years, and during that time, she too has sent an enormous quantity of building materials on ahead. The fact that Jesus went ahead to prepare a place for her in Heaven became a reality in her life, proved over and over by her life’s work to love and serve her Saviour, who also promised never to leave her or forsake her.

  • She is not coming back!
  • We shall meet her again, there, someday!
  • A wonderful woman indeed.
  • We shall miss her terribly.

The verse of Scripture quoted above, reminds us all to remember those who taught the Scriptures to us, and for us to imitate their faith in our daily lives, and more importantly, to consider the outcome of their way of life.

We, who knew her personally, can only praise God and be thankful for the life of Mrs Ross. Let her life and testimony spur us on to spread the message of the wonderful gift of Salvation freely offered to all who will take Jesus at His word.

Aches and pains wrought havoc with her for many years, as many of you are aware, and yet the smile and warmth in her face and in her eyes told a different story which was one of love and great concern for the person visiting and sitting in front of her whilst she listened intently to what was being said, before dispensing words of great wisdom which came from one who had spent a lifetime getting to know Jesus and learning to love Him.

Every single person who came to visit her left with a better understanding of what God wanted in their lives, such was the warmth and love that permeated every fibre of her being.

At very least, they left with lots to think about!

  • Where would we all be if we did not know and serve the Lord? was one of her constant reminders to persevere, no matter what happens in life.
  • What choice do we have? Was another.
  • This earth on which we live is not our final resting place, it is our testing place! Was another.
  • God has prepared a place for us in Heaven-and what a wonderful place that will be. Yet another.
  • With, God does not make mistakes! Taking centre stage, because she believed it with all her heart.

Another amazing quality Mrs Ross possessed was to be relevant and current. She was at home when talking to and counselling young people, just as she was when dealing with those who were older.
I have heard countless people, both young and old, say just how much they loved her and valued her advice.

Even though our hearts ache, we can rejoice, knowing that she is where she wants to be and that she is with the Person she learnt to love so many years ago.
We have been enriched beyond measure for having known Mrs Ross and we are truly thankful and grateful for her life and for her testimony.
This is the prayer Virginia prayed every morning on waking, let us imitate her and pray likewise.

Oh, to be but emptier, lowlier,
Mean, unnoticed and unknown.
Unto God a vessel holier,
Filled with Christ and Christ alone.
Naught of earth to cloud the Glory,
Naught of self the light to dim,
Telling forth the wondrous story,
Broken, emptied and filled with Him.

To end off this tribute to Mrs Ross, I would like to reproduce a poem dedicated to her in 1991 by her husband Archie.

Darling,
This little poem comes to you with a heart full of love for the most wonderful woman in the world. It is our RUBY anniversary (our fortieth) and I don’t forget that you are to me:

“THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN (WHOSE) PRICE IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES.”

I’ve lived with a virtuous woman,
I’ve seen her virtuous heart,
I’ve watched her virtues blossom,
Even when we’re apart.
The leaves of her tree haven’t withered,
Ever green through the passing years.
From the fruit of her lips I’ve gathered,
Sweet produce of prayers and tears.
I’ve noted her care for others,
And rejoiced as she gave her all,
I’ve thrilled at her heart that mothers
Each child who is prone to fall.
I’ve sung as I’ve restfully seen her
Bring praise to her Master on high,
While others wished that they’d been her,
And I’ve called, “Whose more favoured than I?”
Yes I’m glad, O so glad, that God’s favour,
Has bonded us two into ONE,
And for decades I’ve known such sweet savour,
Yet I feel it has only begun.
I love you with all my heart,
Archie

MY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE – 2020

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To my dear friends and Family,
My Christmas Message comes to you with thankfulness for your love and fellowship throughout 2020.
Our weather report on Monday forecast sleet with a hint of snow, which did not materialize.
It remains cold, wet and windy, which accurately describes England at this time of year.
And what a year we have all had!
Our bags were packed ready to fly to South Africa and Zimbabwe early in the year, when we received news that our flights had been cancelled due to the Virus.

Rather stunned, we waited for news that the skies would open to allow us to resume normal life. We are still waiting!!
In the meantime, we have witnessed great hardship by those who have lost their jobs as a result of the worldwide ‘lock down’ imposed. Businesses have gone under and many economies have almost collapsed.
We have also witnessed great sadness, as many have succumbed to the ravages of poverty, infection and disease. Taking all of this into consideration, how does one even begin to spread joy and Christmas Cheer to those so badly affected? This is a question I have pondered for some weeks, until today.
I have decided to use whatever means available to spread the Good News that this time of year should be used to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Truthfully, there is really nothing more important to celebrate!
Never since time began, did such a monumentally important event take place.
Let us embrace this Christmas Season, and let it be a solemn reminder that the One who was born in Bethlehem is soon to return to this earth in power and great glory.
Despite the fact that the commercialization of the Saviour’s birth by merchants is overwhelming, we should discreetly use this season for proclaiming the wonderful news of the Gospel.
So seize the opportunity this month offers!!
Jesus told us that in His Father’s House there are many mansions, waiting for those who trust in Him.
We could be caught up at any moment to meet Him in the air.
This Blessed Hope, causes this earth, with all its problems, to lose its attraction.
It purifies our lives and motivates us to win the lost over to the Gospel because we believe the time is short.
May His joy be our strength in the coming year until He returns to take us to be with Him evermore.
May that glorious day come soon!
In setting our affection on things above instead of on this world, it is helpful to remember the words of David, where he said:

In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm16:11).

Such a hope gives strength to serve our Lord with great courage and joyfulness.
With much love and gratefulness to you all.

PADKOS – 9 March

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PadkosA SPECIFIC PURPOSE

 

Matthew 9:36-37, 10:1

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.”

And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease. KJV

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” NIV

Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. NIV

I am convinced that the older I get the worse my memory becomes and the reason for telling you is, I thought I’d be clever and recite all the names of the 12 disciples before reading them in verse 2 of chapter 10, and to my surprise I could only remember the names of 11 of them. I used to be able to recite all the names having learned them as a child in school, but no amount of mental gymnastics and memory jogging would bring the name of Lebbaeus to my mind. I had completely forgotten about him, and yet he was one of the Apostles, so here are all the names, just in-case you too have forgotten them!

1.        Peter 2.      Andrew 3.      James
4.      John 5.      Philip 6.      Bartholomew
7.      Thomas 8.      Matthew 9.      James
10.    LEBBAEUS! 11.     Simon 12.    Judas

Our Saviour had great compassion on the crowds that followed Him everywhere and He realised that He needed to employ the services of the 12 disciples to help reach so great a number, so He called them together and gave them special powers to combat unclean spirits and cast them out of people and to heal all manner of sickness and disease. They were commanded to go only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. In other words, they were sent on a very special undertaking to reach the lost Jews of the House of Israel. They were told not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans. It was to be a special outreach to, what Jesus called, the lost sheep and to tell them first, that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. The message to these lost sheep was that they should repent and accept Jesus the Christ as their Messiah.

If they refused there would be no excuse, because the proclamation regarding the Kingdom of Heaven, was to be made to them exclusively. The Kingdom had drawn very near in the very Person of the King Himself! and Israel must decide to accept Him or reject Him.

The Jews always prided themselves on knowing the prophecies of old as recorded in their own Scriptures and yet they were blinded by their unbelief to passage after passage and Scripture after Scripture telling them of the Saviour and of their coming King. It was as if they were play acting and pretending to err on the side of caution that they, like the Greeks, who required wisdom before they would believe, continually demanded a sign to prove things, and Jesus provided both by the shed load!

And yet they still did not believe, because what they got instead was not what they wanted or expected.

  • They wanted a King who would arrive with great pomp and ceremony, but they got a Man sitting on the back of an ass.
  • They wanted a King who would destroy their enemies, and yet they witnessed their enemies nail Him to a Cross.
  • They wanted a King that would make them wise, and yet they got a King that destroyed the wisdom of the wise.
1 Corinthians 1:18-23
For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. KJV
 For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. NIV

It is interesting what Jesus told the disciples to do. They had to preach saying the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead! and cast out devils, and they were to make no charge whatsoever for their services. If this wasn’t sufficient signs for the Jews, then I do not know what would convince them. Is it any wonder they would be without excuse if they turned their back on their King?

If Jesus Himself could have so much compassion and pity on the lost sheep of the House of Israel, how much more longing should we have for the lost souls around us? We are surrounded by people every day that are heading the way of an unbeliever. We need to pray constantly for opportunities to witness to them before it is too late.

Let me look on the crowd, as my Saviour did,
Till my eyes with tears grow dim;
Let me view with pity the wandering sheep,
And love them for love of Him.

William MacDonald

PADKOS – 4th January

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PadkosJESUS TOOK THE CUP

GETHSEMANE –
a garden on the Mount of Olives

Luke 22:40-42

And when He was at the place, (Gethsemane) He said unto them, “Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast and kneeled and prayed, Saying, “Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done.” KJV

On reaching the place, He said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” NIV

GABBATHA

John 19:13,15-16

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him.” Then he delivered Him unto them to be crucified. KJV

When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).

But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!”  Finally Pilate handed Him over to them to be crucified. NIV

Acts 8:33

In His humiliation justice was denied Him. KJV

 In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. NIV

GOLGOTHA

Mark 15:22,24

And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The Place of a Skull. And when they had crucified Him they parted His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. KJV

They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the Place of the Skull”).  And they crucified Him. Dividing up His clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. NIV

Galatians 3:13

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: For it is written, “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” KJV

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” NIV

I must confess to shedding some tears as I write these words and I hope the truths contained in them touch you like no other, as they have me.

AT GETHSEMANE

  • Jesus knelt and took the cup.
  • The surrendered will of Christ.
  • He knelt before the Father.

AT GABBATHA

  • Jesus stood and wore the Crown and the Cloak.
  • The silent witness of Christ.
  • He stood before the Governor.

AT GOLGOTHA

  • Jesus hung and bore the curse.
  • The Sovereign work of Christ.
  • He hung before the World.

Isaiah 45:22

Look unto Me and be ye saved ALL ye ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else. KJV

Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. NIV

IS EDUCATION THE ANSWER?

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IS EDUCATION THE ANSWER?

If I had to choose which topic has captured the headlines for the last few years, I would plump for Education. There isn’t a week that goes by without a Government minister bringing up this topic at every opportunity revealing how the system is failing youngsters and needs to be overhauled.

Within weeks of a new Minister for Education being appointed, there are threats of strike action by unions representing teachers and ancillary staff. The media are quick to pick up on these emotive issues and people from all walks of life are invited to take part in debates and panel discussions during which, everyone has a go at the supposed failings of schools.

The behaviour of children, both in and out of school, is high on the agenda with violence in classrooms taking the number one position. Reports have flooded in regarding assaults on Teachers with one particular incident hitting the headlines recently in which a child wielding a knife murdered his teacher. There was the usual hand-wringing and self-flagellation by the left-wing and do-gooders who insisted that better education was the answer.

One prominent government minister said that he had made it his business to ensure that from now on every school in the land would have lessons to teach students right from wrong! I am not sure which planet he was from because if this is the type of thinking that is going on in high places, we will have to face up to the fact that our leaders and the education system have lost the plot! Those who insist that children need to be better educated need to think again.

Bold headlines in a well-known newspaper tell us of 16-year-old twins from Manchester who, having 28 GCSE’s between them, ran away to join the Islamic warlords. They ran away from a normal life to join the fight which is plunging large parts of the world into anarchy. So much for education!

  • A society that has said in a loud voice that it can and will get along fine without reference to God is now finding that it cannot.
  • A society that has done away with Biblical Christianity and the teaching of Scripture in schools and colleges is now reaping what it has sown.
  • A society that has ignored the Message of the Cross finds life has been replaced with hatred and anger.
  • A society that has no fear of God and the concept of eternal punishment finds it has traded the truth for a lie and embraced great deception in its place.
  • A society whose mothers and fathers have ignored Biblical injunctions on how to raise their children find they are at a loss to know what to do or how to cope.
  • A society that has torn up the rule book of life now lives by rules of its own making.
  • A society that has embraced the new tolerance, which includes behaviour and lifestyles that, up until recently would have been soundly condemned, has brought absolute truth, honesty and integrity crashing down around our heads. They have thrown it into a pot, a cauldron if you like, to be stirred up and mixed together with every conceivable crackpot theory imaginable and then it has, to thunderous applause, dished up this toxic mixture to those professing to be wise and to all who do not want to know, see or hear the truth.

We should hang our heads in shame. We have been given the Rule Book of life by our Creator and we don’t even bother to open it.

CALVARY, O CALVARY!

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CALVARY, O CALVARY!

I know that I shall never see
A scene that matches Calvary;
That rocky, barren, skull-shaped hill
Where incensed crowds with hellish will
Driven by hate’s satanic plan
Contrived to crucify God’s Man.

Other scenes of man’s violent age
Have claimed the floodlights of time’s stage
And marked the depths to which he’ll fall
When self and pride rule over all,
Depths that would make ‘blood, sweat and tears’
Flow on like rivers through the years.

Yet, here’s a scene that crowns them all,
And shows how dreadful was that fall
That marked man’s sin against his God,
And cursed forever earth’s dark sod,
Where wickedness the throng did move
To kill that One whose name is LOVE.

Daily “He went about doing good,”
Feeding the crowds with heaven’s food,
Healing the sick and raising the dead;
While starving sheep to green pastures led.
He removed forever the blind man’s night,
llumined his heart with Shekinah light.

He brought the dead to their loved’s embrace.
He thrilled their hearts with His Words of grace.
The degraded He brought to the feast of Heaven,
And wrote ‘gainst their debt: “Paid and forgiven.”
His very steps spoke: “Love, Joy and Peace”
His Way was God’s Way, it would never cease.

Yet, envy, jealousy, malice and pride,
Were lurking and planning with quickening stride,
To make an end to this Heaven-sent Man,
And they would not pause with their hellish plan,
To ponder the power that in Jesus flowed,
That marked Him off as the Son of God.

His Glory, His Grace and His Words of Love,
All spoke of a realm that’s so far above
The pomp and the pride of the ways of men,
Who walk their brief walk ne’er to come again.
Yet, they spilled His blood on that barren hill,
The blood that’s the seal of His Father’s will.

And since that great day countless thousands look,
To that place where the blinded crowds then forsook
The glorious Saviour, the Treasure of Heaven
Who wrote o’er MY debt both ‘PAID’ and ‘FORGIVEN’
Who makes me His child and brings me safe to His shore
To sing of that skull hill for evermore.

Poem written by: A. M. Ross and used with permission

AFRICA: CONTINENT OF A MILLION MEMORIES

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AFRICA: CONTINENT OF A MILLION MEMORIES

O great land of mystery, of sunshine, of song,
O vast land whose histories to sages belong,
O land where the creatures can roam and feel free,
As their wise Creator ordained them to be.

O land of great beauty, where colour is shed
On the plains of the South like a king’s ornate bed.
O land where the deer and their great cousins graze,
Whose scenes turn to gold ‘neath the wealthy sun’s rays.

Then, as day fades to night, the memories come fast,
Each stirring emotion, all drawn from the past;
Some are exciting, some of them sad,
Some uninviting, some of them glad.

Some memories haunt me, mocking wisdom and will.
Some of them daunt me, some bring a chill;
Some filled with sorrow, and even the years,
No comfort can borrow to dry up my tears.

Some fill with laughter, while some make me think,
And these stay long after to  forge a new link.
A link of connection twixt the old and the new,
A link of affection bringing  light to a few.

A link forged by longing, a link forged by love;
A link to a future in heaven above.
O haunting strange vessel, a pilotless hull,
So, laden with memories, and none of them dull.

O sad and dark heart-land, whose sons bear so long
The scourge of the famine, the *mossie’s death song,
The spear of the tyrant, the power of the beast,
The ravage of raiders both greatest and least.

The vanquishing plagues, the offspring of sin,
Where freedoms are lost that your children can’t win.
I hear your quick jest, I hear your slow groan,
I’m left with your enigma and mystery all on my own.

I smile at your laughter, I mourn o’er your tears,
I’m held in your grasp at the close of my years.
O, Africa, Africa, I’m far from your shore,
Yet, your memories enslave me for evermore.

Your unending contrasts drive me often to think
Of your chain to my heart where you’ve forged such a link,
That I must ever pray ’till my last breath is gone,
That the war for your soul will most surely be won.

Poem written by: A. M. Ross and used with permission.
* mossie = colloquial term for mosquito

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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THE BASIN AND THE TOWEL

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; Rose from supper and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel. John 13:3-5

How sad it is that this lesson is completely lost on so many people.
The last days of Jesus’ ministry here on earth was soiled and stained by jealousy, in-fighting and envy, among His followers.
Jesus knew that His hour had come and that He would soon depart from this world.

He was having a meal with His disciples when Judas decided that he was going to betray Him to the authorities, and yet despite all this Jesus gives us a Master Class in love and humility and begins to wash the feet of the disciples. Can you even begin to imagine the scene?

Here is God, the Creator of all things, manifest in the flesh stooping down so low so that He could wash the filth and dirt off the feet of those who thought they were important enough to curry favour of one sort or another, for their own selfish elevation and edification from the One who was soon to shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary for the remission of sins of the whole world.

And yet, despite what Jesus has done for us, there remains division, envy and strife to this day. Will we ever learn?

If ever we needed an example of how to treat one another, Jesus supplied it.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:14-15

Don’t let this two-point lesson escape and pass you by.

  1. Remember that Jesus humbled Himself and physically washed the feet of the disciples, teaching us humility and how we are to treat others.
  2. Remember that by coming to Jesus and surrendering your life to Him, He will not only wash your feet, but your whole body, inside and out including your mind and by doing so He will present us to God The Father just as if we had never sinned! Can we even begin to imagine what that means?
  3. OH! what a Saviour we have, who deserves Glory and Honour for ever!

Make this a moment in your life where the lesson of The Basin and the Towel are prominent in your thoughts and in your walk with the Saviour as you share His love with those around you.
Are you willing to do that?

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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LOOKING AT THE CROSS

When I survey the wondrous Cross, what do I see?

I see a Carpenter on a Cross.
Joseph was famous as a carpenter, and the Lord Jesus worked in that carpenter’s shop until He was 30.

  • He made many things, however He never made a cross.
  • But He hung on one.
  • He made many things, but never made a javelin’s shaft.
  • But one was made to pierce His side.
  • He made many things, but He never fashioned a rod to hit men with.
  • But He was hit with one.
  • He made many things and converted to His use many more.
  • He changed a BOAT into a PULPIT from which He preached the Gospel to expectant crowds.
  • He changed a BIER (burial frame) into a CHAIR.
  • He changed a CROSS into an ALTAR on which to offer Himself.
  • He changed that same CROSS into a PLATFORM from which to cry: Look unto Me and be ye saved all ye ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else.
  • He changed the CROSS into a LADDER that would connect Heaven to Earth and Earth to Heaven.

He was many things to all people and as a CARPENTER He stood as:

  • A Physician.
  • A Counsellor.
  • A Prophet.
  • A King.
  • A Teacher.
  • A Gardener.
  • A Priest.

He stood infinitely above and beyond all.
He did with a TREE, what none other has ever or could ever do.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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I have a friend. He was a Carpenter. He made many things, but not a Cross. Yet of all the things He made useful and beautiful He never used any like He used a Cross – I made the cross, and that Cross was not a beautiful thing. No plan and no design. It had no special or pleasing grain. It was cut from the tree by my self-will.

My friend created the tree to be used, but it was abused. So, He became a Carpenter and showed us how to tame the tree.

  • He made exceptional use of a manger – transforming it into a cradle.
  • He made exceptional use of a boat – transforming it into a pulpit.
  • He made exceptional use of a Cross – transforming it into an altar.
  • He made exceptional use of that Cross – He used it to take away Sins.
  • That Cross – was pieced together by my rebellion.
  • That Cross – was put in its place by my wickedness.
  • That Cross – was presented to my Friend by my callous, cold heart.

But He took my gift, a gift devoid of feeling, save the feeling of scorn. My gift full of contempt and disdain for the One who should have been my song and joy.
With consummate skill He took that cross and reshaped it. He changed both its purpose and its place. He took what I made to bring Him death and changed the plot and made a plan to bring me to life.
He took the Cross I had given Him as a means of getting rid of Him, and He made it into the means of reaching me.

  • The Cross – the greatest act of Love the world has ever seen.
  • The Cross – the most recognised Symbol in all the world.
  • The Cross – the most mocked Emblem on this planet.
  • The Cross – AND YET – the most adored Reality on earth.

Beneath the Cross of Jesus, I have decided to take my stand.
Even though beneath its shadow lies a tired and fallen land.
It’s at the foot of the Cross that we find mercy along our way.
It’s at the foot of the Cross we find rest from the burden of the day.
It’s at the foot of the Cross we find its shelter is so sweet,
Because it’s at the foot of the Cross where Love and Justice meet.
I ask for no other place where to see His marvellous Face.
It’s at the foot of the Cross where I find saving Grace.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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Christianity is based on a Book – That book is the Bible.
At its centre is a Person – That Person is Jesus.
 It expresses itself in a Message – That message is the Gospel.
 It authenticates itself in an Experience – That experience is the New Birth.

Christianity stands or falls with the Bible. It is no use saying, as the liberalists or modernists do, that so long as we have Jesus, we do not need an infallibly inspired Bible. That’s about equal to saying that so long as we have sunshine, we don’t need the sun. All we know about Jesus comes from the Bible.

The Bible is uniquely and inerrantly inspired, that is a certainty. The Bible gives us the real truth about God, about man, origins, morals, man’s future, and about our destiny on the other side of the grave.

No other book or set of manuscripts can equal it.

It is the uniquely inspired Word of God, and in it we find:

  • The veracity of our cause.
  • The vitality of our message.
  • The validity of our claims.
  • The reason for our existence.

We do not need any more history lessons to show us how mankind has degraded himself under the guise of freedom to do as he pleases.

We have seen enough of Christian virtues being mocked with moral and spiritual safeguards being ripped down at every opportunity.
We have seen enough of whole countries being run by godless despots where even to carry a Bible means imprisonment and torture.
We have seen enough of the sanctity of marriage being despised and attacked, where being a Mother and staying at home to raise God-given miracles in the form of children is sneered at and looked down upon.
We have seen enough of women trying to function like men and where women’s lib, even by their own admission, has taken them down a dreadfully deceptive path where, not only is there no liberty, but they demand to be treated as equals.
I have never understood the cry of women to be treated as equal to men, when the utter shambles the world finds itself in, is as a result of man’s utter stupidity! Why on earth would a woman want to join in?
We have seen enough of cities and towns where it is unsafe to walk and where public parks are no-go areas, where vandalism and violence is rife and where thugs rule streets and entire neighbourhoods.
We have seen enough of politicians who make no profession of Christian beliefs and who even boast of being atheists, leaving us to wonder how it is that those who are supposed to lead us, govern us and set good examples to follow, got into positions of power in the first place.
Has anyone ever asked of our leaders the source of their wisdom and knowhow?
From which fount do they draw their understanding, intelligence and judgments?
We have seen enough of those in high places of authority and leadership with their hands in the till! Where wholesale theft of public funds is considered almost normal, and when found out, there is no remorse, no restitution and no punishment, leaving all of us astounded that those who are supposed to be good examples are anything but.
We are the best educated nation on earth and yet those with the doctorates, degrees and scholarships are the most debauched and superstitious, with millions running after astrologers, clairvoyants and demon-possessed spiritualists, leaving the rest of us to ponder that if it is good enough for them then it must be good enough for us.
What a fiasco!
We have seen enough of our Law Courts, Magistrates and Judges who have turned away from the most basic Biblical principles of crime and punishment and have listened instead to crackpot schools of psychology and appear to be on the side of the criminal rather than the victim.
I am convinced that in each of us there is a very small voice whispering:

  • Enough is enough.
  • There must be something else.
  • This is wrong.
  • We are heading for disaster.
  • Where do we turn to for help and guidance?

The answer is Jesus. Turn to Him whilst you can, because there is coming a day when the luxury of having a choice will be taken away and we will all have to face God, our Creator and give an account of ourselves, and by then it will be too late.

My prayer for all who are struggling to come to terms with what is going on around us is that you will take God at His Word and ask Jesus into your life and determine in your heart to live for Him and Him alone.
Be sure of one thing – Nothing is more urgent! Nothing else matters more!
The earth, as we know it, is NOT our final resting place. We are passing through.
What you do with Jesus determines where you will spend eternity.
We cannot say we have not been warned!

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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THE DANGER OF UNBELIEF

There is no doubt that the Scriptures warn of danger facing those who refuse to believe the Gospel, and it is not pleasant reading!

And He went out from thence, and came into His own country; and His disciples followed Him. And when the sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not His sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. Mark 6:1-6

For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: But the word preached (of hearing) did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest… Hebrews 4:2-3

Those who do not believe in the Gospel of Christ are tossed to and fro like a wave blown by the sea. There is no place to lay their weary souls and they are forever relying on doctrines and belief systems which lead them further from the Creator, with the result that their hearts are hardened and they will not accept the truth when they hear it.

The Scriptures warn against hardening our hearts and pleads with us to keep from sin because a heart of unbelief is like limescale which builds up in water pipes and hardens leading to blockages until eventually no water flows through.
Sin has the same effect on spiritual lives. It begins to hinder our relationship with the Saviour, building up blockages, and before we know it, we are questioning God and the Scriptures and the confidence and joy we once had in our Salvation seeming a distant memory.
If your Spiritual life is not what it used to be, examine what blockages have built up and ask God to help you remove them.

If you hear His voice: Harden not your heart. Hebrews 3:15
The choice is yours.

May God help you make the right one.