Happy Christmas

One of the Christmas hits that I remember from my formative years is Mary's Boy Child by Boney M. Whereas it has all the hallmarks of 1970's cheese all over it, it does contain the simple gospel truths of Christmas. I hope you all have a very Happy Christmas.

Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord Lyrics

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.

Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible said,
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

While shepherds watch their flocks by night,
they see a bright new shining star,
they hear a choir sing a song,
the music seemed to come from afar.

Hark, now hear the angels sing,
a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore
because of Christmas Day.

For a moment the world was aglow, all the bells rang out
there were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
"let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace".

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day
Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

For a moment the world was aglow, all the bells rang out
there were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
"let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace".

And then they found a little nook,
in a stable all for lord
and then a manger, goldened up
Mary's little boy was born.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day
Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

For a moment the world was aglow, all the bells rang out
there were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
"let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace".



Oh my Lord, You sent your son to save us
Oh my Lord, Your very self you gave us
Oh my Lord, That sin may not enslave us
And love may reign once more

Oh my Lord, when in the crib they found Him
Oh my Lord, A golden halo crowned Him
Oh my Lord, They gathered all around Him
To see him and adore (this day will live forever)

Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
They had begun to doubt you
Oh my Lord (He is a personation)
what did they know about you
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
they were lost without you
they needed you so bad(the light was shining on him)

Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
with the child's adoration
Oh my Lord (He is a personation)
there came great jubilation
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
and full of admiration
they realized what they had (until the sun falls from the sky)

Oh my Lord (Oh praise the Lord)

Fairytale Of New York

Whereas the words of this one are not necessarily full of Christmas cheer, I have always loved this song. The emotion put into it by both Shane McGowan and Kirsty McCall is immense. Enjoy The Pogues...

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Three days to Christmas, so three very different Christmas songs for you. I will start with Bruce Springsteen and his excellent E Street Band. Have always loved this version of the song, especially the saxophone solo. Enjoy...

Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord

Traditionally the season of Advent has been used by Christians to prepare themselves for Christmas, by listening to God in a deeper way than normal. Must admit I have always struggled to do this. It is based on the time of preparation in the gospel story used by John the Baptist to prepare Israel for the coming of Jesus. The Flow blog of a friend of mine used this song a few weeks ago, and it has stayed with me since. It is taken from the 1973 film version of Godspell. The film now looks very dated, and was set in contemporary New York City, but the words are as apt today as when first used two thousand years ago.

Silent Night (Again)

Following on from yesterday's post, here is another different version of Silent Night, this time by Joe Satriani. Very different to The Dickies, but as good in it's own way.

Silent Night

This may come as a surprise, but despite being a Christian I have major problems with Christmas Carols. This is probably due to the fact that they are played everywhere, from adverts to shopping centres, or badly sung by carol singers out to make a few bob. In other words they have become commercialised, and no one listens to them properly. I do not go to carol services anymore, for this reason. I am probably wrong in this respect, but hey it's my life!

Just occasionally a version of a traditional carol jumps up and does grab my attention. The version below came out quite a few years ago now, but I have only just come across it. To me it sounds fresh and original, not tired and past it.

Enjoy The Dickies rendition of Silent Night.

Not The Nine O'Clock News

I have just been glancing at the Christmas double issue of the Radio Times, and see that there is a 30th anniversary programme on. In my opinion this was one of the best satire shows ever made. The clip below is my favourite of their songs, and is called I Believe. It may look dated now, but still had me in stitches....enjoy

Hurt

Originally recorded by Nine Inch Nails, the version below is by Johnny Cash. This was posted on the Rock Refuge forum, and I found it very moving, just watch the emotion in his face in the video. His wife died soon after this was recorded, and he died broken hearted not that much later.

I think we all share his emotions at times, I know I do. I feel that things disappear, family and friends, and circumstances change. Sometimes I wish that I did not hurt the way I do, about things I can not change, or had no influence over at the time either. I believe that God does heal the hurt, but for me at least it is taking time. We need to be ready to let God heal, and to hand over the hurt totally, not clinging on to bits of it.

"Hurt"

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real
The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

[Chorus:]
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

[Chorus:]
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way

Blessed be Your Name

This is an amazing song of worship and praise. It is very easy to sing in one sense, but very hard to mean the words at times. When things are going well, God is great. When we are struggling, it is not so easy to say God you are wonderful! He is though, God is great all the time, and sometimes I need to be reminded of that. Even when things feel crap to me, I'm a lot better off than a heck of a lot of other people. So thank you for everything God!

Blessed be Your Name by Matt Redman

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

Tranquillity Base

I'm a firm believer that we all have a place on this earth which could be called our tranquillity base. For some it is just a place to feel at ease and escape from the rat race. For others it may be a place where for whatever reason they feel more connected to god. For lets face it, it is God who provides us with the tranquillity if only we let Him.

For me, the place where I more often than not, feel the most at ease, is on the top of Panorama Hill just outside Barmouth. It is not the tallest hill there by any means, but has this great view up the Mawddach Estuary one way with the slopes of southern Snowdonia going up each side, including the peak of Cader Idris. The other way is a sweeping view of the estuary mouth into Cardigan Bay, and the sands of Fairbourne.

I don't know why but for the last twenty years this place has held special memories for me. Sometimes of walks with the family, but more often of times of solitude. I have sat up there for a couple of hours once, and not seen another person, with just the sound of the birds and the wind for company. It is times like this, that I often feel close to, and hear from God.

Using my tranquillity base and the river analogy, God is the river. The river is deep, and it touches my life like the river touches the sand, ie God washes all over me. When I need to loose the frown on my face, I need to go back to my boat on the river, ie back into the presence of God. In reality, although having a tranquillity base is good, we can encounter the life giving water of God wherever we are, whenever we cry out to Him for it.

The words below are from the Styx song Boat On The River. The clip is taken from a concert in Budokan in 1982. A rarity in that Tommy Shaw has short hair. Also features the late great John Panozzo on percussion.

Take me down to my boat on the river
I need to go down, I need to come down
Take me back to my boat on the river
And I won't cry out any more
Time stands still as I gaze In her waters
She eases me down, touching me gently
With the waters that flow past my boat on the river
So I won't cry out anymore

Oh the river is deep
The river it touches my life like the waves on the sand
And all roads lead to Tranquillity Base
Where the frown on my face disappears
Take me back to my boat on the river
And I won't cry out anymore

Oh the river is wide
The river it touches my life like the waves on the sand
And all roads lead to Tranquillity Base
Where the frown on my face disappears
Take me back to my boat on the river
And I won't cry out anymore
And I won't cry out anymore
And I won't cry out anymore

Goal A Long Time Coming

Last Saturday was a momentous day, my first open play goal, rather than penalty, since I left school. That was 30 years ago before you ask. To be fair, I was only on the pitch due to injuries, but hey, you still have to take the chances. Below is the match report as written by David Gate, that appears on our bit of the League's page on the F.A.Full Time website. I know I shouldn't really be bigging this up, but 30 years is a long wait, at that rate the next one will be when I'm 77!

Unbeaten Trinity welcomed Diamonds to Newlands for a windswept encounter and found themselves trailing midway through the first half to a long ball that the back four let bounce before the Diamonds attacker found a lob finish to take the lead. Trinity restored the parity 10 minutes later with Ian Britten converting a penalty after being brought down in the box after a long spell of Trinity possession and chances.

At the break Trinity were forced into two half time changes after the brave Andy Walsh had received a volley to the head in the first half and was clearly concussed and had to be taken to hospital by the goal scorer Ian Britten.

With two of Trinity's influential players leaving the match they were replaced with the Colossus that is Tim Isles and Martin 'Torres' Lovegrove (AKA Granddad). The changes didn't appear to hinder Trinity and they grabbed the lead half way through the second half with a good move turned in by the unfortunate defender who was sliding in to win the ball and inadvertently turned it into his own net. Diamonds however kept trying to find a way through and managed just that with lone striker Aaron Hart taking his opportunity well. Minutes later Trinity had a chance to restore the lead after the ref gave a soft penalty for handball which Gatesy stepped up to take, striking it too close to the keeper who got down well for a strong save.

That disappoint did not deter them however and after a series of chances managed to get the goal; Jay Barrett putting the ball into the box for 'One Touch' Granddad to turn the ball in with a deft finish with the outside of his boot. Trinity thought they were going to hold on to the win but it was not to be; one final long ball fell nicely for Aaron Hart to take his chance and finish well earning a draw for his team and whilst leaving Trinity, still unbeaten, ruing their missed chances.

Lest We Forget.....

With all that is going on in our busy lives, it is often easy to forget the sacrifices made on our behalf by men and women defending our liberty. Whilst the following clip is initially centred on the first world war, it is equally apt to present day conflicts. It also makes reference to the fact that those in the first world war thought that they were fighting the war to end all wars, and that we as humans are still making a complete mess of things.

But the past is just the same - and war's a bloody game...
Have you forgotten yet?...
Look down, and swear by the slain of the war that you'll never forget..
Siegfried Sassoon March 1919

The following clip is The Green Fields Of France performed by The Fureys.

Take The Long Way Home

This song by Supertramp has been buzzing round my head for a few weeks now. I know that there is no obvious connection between Christianity and the lyrics, but the title and some of the words are hitting at me from a different direction.

There are times when I feel that I am taking the long way home. Home in this instance referring to being in the presence of God. I know where home is, and I know the way to get there. So why do I so often wonder off in totally the wrong direction? I know that when I am at home, that things will feel safer and better. I am not saying that being in a living relationship with God is a cure for suffering and hardship, it's a long way from that. What I am saying though, is that being in the presence of God, and living life His way, is a whole lot easier than trying to do it my way.

The song sort of refers to this in the first verse. Lines about how when things are going well, and when you are popular, life seems to be no effort and all your own achievements. It is when we think like this we are taking the long way home.

When we take family and friends for granted, and assume that they will fall into whatever our plans are, we are taking the long way home.

When we get seduced by the city lights and all that they entail, we are taking the long way home.

When we are acting out our lives, by pretending to be different people in different situations, we are taking the long way home.

When it is all over and we have ignored what God has wanted us to do, we haven't taken the long way home, we have taken the wrong way home, and will not be where we want to be.

I have often been challenged by God by the words of secular songs, and this has really got me thinking. I want to be home, and not be taking the long way there. I hope to see you there.

Take The Long Way Home

So you think you're a Romeo
playing a part in a picture-show
Take the long way home
Take the long way home

Cos you're the joke of the neighborhood
Why should you care if you're feeling good
Take the long way home
Take the long way home

But there are times that you feel you're part of the scenery
all the greenery is comin' down, boy
And then your wife seems to think you're part of the
furniture oh, it's peculiar, she used to be so nice.

When lonely days turn to lonely nights
you take a trip to the city lights
And take the long way home
Take the long way home

You never see what you want to see
Forever playing to the gallery
You take the long way home
Take the long way home

And when you're up on the stage, it's so unbelievable,
unforgettable, how they adore you,
But then your wife seems to think you're losing your sanity,
oh, calamity, is there no way out?

Does it feel that you life's become a catastrophe?
Oh, it has to be for you to grow, boy.
When you look through the years and see what you could
have been oh, what might have been,
if you'd had more time.

So, when the day comes to settle down,
Who's to blame if you're not around?
You took the long way home
You took the long way home...........

The clip below is Roger Hodgson, who wrote the song and co-founded the band, performing it in Montreal in 2006.

To Hell With The Devil

As it is Halloween today, I thought a nice bit of Stryper might help re-balance the equilibrium a bit!

TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL

Speak of the devil
He's no friend of mine
To turn from him is what we have in mind
Just a liar and a thief
The word tells us so
We like to let him know
Where he can go

(chorus)
To hell with the devil
To hell with the devil

When things are going wrong
You know who to blame
He will always live up to his name
He's never been the answer
There's a better way
We are here to rock you
And to say...

(chorus)

Cornwall (IV)

This last week being half term, we have enjoyed another break in Cornwall. Travelled down on Monday morning, came back Tuesday afternoon. When we were down in August the weather one day was atrocious. Dartmoor Zoo gave us a free family pass to be used within three months, allied to the fact that the Eden Project give an annual pass for gift aiding. This meant we had two free family passes to use, hence the trip. Stayed overnight in a Premier Inn in St.Austell.

Dartmoor Zoo was misty and damp, but a lot better weather wise than last time. Again the close up experience of being next to lions, bears, tigers and wolves was awesome. You really get a sense of the power of these animals.

The Eden Project was a better experience for me this time round, on the grounds that I was not feeling ill this time. Again the place is incredible, and is definitely better experienced earlier in the day, before the crowds get there. The colour and layout of the plants is breath taking as well.

A good two days, despite the amount of milage involved. Roll on the next time!

P.R.A.T.S. XI

For those who do not know the world of P.R.A.T.S. here is a slide show of the most recent event, as compiled by RockinJock666. They are a great night out with some lovely people. I may even be lurking in there somewhere....

Happy Birthday

Nuff said really, but feeling very nostalgic today. Times like these are when you realise that the number of close family you have left is pretty small really. I do have loads of good friends though, so thanks to you all who have stuck by me through thick and thin.

Nostalgia in tune time as well, with the lovely Clare Grogan and Altered Images from 1981.

Boys Don't Sing

Saw this series when it was first shown, and also watched the updated documentary the other night. An awesome display at the Schools Prom in the Royal Albert Hall by the Lancaster School Choir from Leicester. They had no singing history until Gareth Malone went in as part of a BBC2 documentary, and instigated the choir. Against initial opposition, the results speak for themselves.

Anything is possible with perseverance and prayer....

Hells Bells

Don't know if any of you have come across this lot, but worth checking out if you get the chance. They played a pub in Cheltenham last night, and I went with a mate, even though not nec my favourite type of rock. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

They have been called the country's leading ACDC tribute band. Others may beg to differ, but my mate endorsed that label. The lead singer is bald and looks late 40's to early 50's the other four look late teens to early 20's with long hair.

They also act as their own support band, doing the opening 40 minute set as Hell Razers playing cover versions of loads of classic rock tracks. Included Toto, Iron Maiden, Guns n Roses, Thunder, to name a few. Main ACDC set was just over an hour. Good night out and lots of fun.

Cornwall (III)

Now for the last instalment of our week in Cornwall.

Geevor Tin Mine is set on the northern tip of the peninsula, and face straight off the cliffs onto the Atlantic Ocean. It could be a bit wet and wind swept I'd imagine, but was reasonably ok when we were there. It is the country's largest preserved mining site, and has been preserved as it was at it's closure in 1986. It is a fascinating place to visit, and gives an insight into how tin was mined both historicaly, and up to the time it closed. The underground tour, is of a mine started about two hundred years ago, and going through the narrow and low tunnels gives a real impression of how hard it would have been working there. The shift managers room, I think it was called, really effected me in a way that I did not understand for a while. As I said earlier the preservation is based on 1986. This room showed plans and newspapers from the period on his desk. It was only a bit later that the penny dropped as to why I was feeling emotional. 1986 was the year my father died, he was a self employed quantity surveyor, and his office was so very similar to that of the shift managers! Whereas the plans were for mining tunnels, not the M25 intersection, they were on the same type of paper, and the desk and bookcases were laid out in a similar fashion.

Trengwainton Garden is a National Trust controlled garden just outside Penzance. The house itself, is privately owned and not open to the public. The gardens are narrow, but fairly extensive. The walled kitchen gardens were my highlight. The location of the gardens, and it's climate, enable tender exotic plants to be grown here, which will not survive elsewhere on the British mainland.

The Eden Project is a masterwork of recycling an old industrial site. A former quarry has been turned into a superb site of botanical beauty. The biodomes contain plants from all over the world, and are stunningly laid out. The information panels are some of the most user friendly I have come accross. There are features on recyling as a whole as well, which fit in nicely with the overall effect.

Overall we had a good week away, and would definately visit the far west of Cornwall again.

Links to some of the places visited:

Geevor Tin Mine www.geevor.com/

Trengwainton Gardens www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trengwaintongarden

Eden Project www.edenproject.com/

Cornwall (II)

Moving on with a summary of the places we visited. We went back to the National Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, nine years after our last visit. The place has been done up a bit over the years, with some added features including a woodland walk, and an otters enclosure. The sanctuary as the name suggests is a place where rescued seals are taken, with a view to releasing them back into the wild when strong enough. Those that are too badly hurt for release are usually kept there as well.

The west end of Cornwall is home to two of the UK's more historic communications sites. Future World @ Goonhilly is an inter active site exploring the history, the present, and the future of communications. Part of the site is still used by BT for communications work. It is home to loads of stelite aerials, including Arthur. Arthur was built in 1961 to track the Telstar satelite, and it is where the first transatlantic television pictures were received.

St.Michael's Mount is both a small harbour village, and a large house within the former monastry and castle. It is approached by causeway from Marazion, or by boat. We walked one way, and took the boat back. Before the advent of the railway from London to Penzance, the harbour was the main harbour in the area. Although now it is just a few cottages. The main building itself, at the top of a very steep climb, was built as a sister monastry to Mont Saint Michel in France. After the disolvement by King Henry VIII it becme a private residence for the St.Aubyn family. There are some stunning views from the top, and the house is definately worth a visit.

Slightly further down the coast from Goonhilly is Porthcurno Telegraph Museum. It was from the beach at Porthcurno that the under sea telegraph cables were laid from England to the rest of the world. The museum covers the local area in WWII, as the site was a target for bombing, stories of the cable ships which laid the cables under the oceans, and many artefacts from the industry which are housed in the tunnells built to protect the site in WWII.

The eldest boy and myself, did Porthcurno and Lands End by ourselves, as the youngest bboy was poorly for a day. Lands End was not as tacky and touristy as I was imagining. You pay for the car park, again cheaper than I expected, but the various attractions cost extra. If all you want to do is say you have been there, and look out to sea, then it is free, after parking. We decided to walk along the coast path to Sennen Cove in the light rain. Once we got there, we dropped into the village to look at the lifeboat house. This is whn I explained to him why I wanted to go there. Back in 1985 four boys from one of our local villages back home were drowned at Lands End whilst on a school trip. Although I did not know any of them personally, I had met one of them before. He was the nephew of one of my father's friends, and as such the cousin of two of my friends. Some of their friends and relatives in 1986 did a sponsored walk from the village to Lands End to raise money for a new lifeboat. This was named The Four Boys, and although it is no longer in service, I wanted to make the trip there. We were told that there was a small memorial garden to them at Lands End, so once we got back there we searched for it in the by now pouring rain. When looking at the memorial plaque, I found myself incredibaly moved.

Some more links to places visited:

National Seal Sanctuary www.sealsanctuary.co.uk

Future World @ Goonhilly wwww.goonhilly.bt.com/

St.Michael's Mount www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk

Porthcurno Telegraph Museum www.porthcurno.org.uk/

Lands End www.landsend-landmark.co.uk

Cornwall (I)

It now seems many moons ago, but we had an excellent family holiday on Cornwall in late July, early August. The drive down was horrendous though, with very heavy rain all the way. It stopped soon after we arrived at our hotel! The M5 was not the easiest place to be that day.

On the way down we called in at Dartmoor Zoological Park. We were unsure about visiting, as the rain was still pouring down, and gushing down in streams as the zoo is on a hill. Very glad we made the effort though, as given a free family pass to use within the next three months to make up for it! A nice gesture, which need not have been made. The zoo is fairly small, with good views of the surrounding countryside. The size of the zoo, did not mean, however, that the animal enclosures were shabby or small. Our highlights were being able to get closer to wolves, tigers, and lions than we have ever been able to be elsewhere.

We were based in Marazion in the west of Cornwall. It is home to St.Michael's Mount. We stayed in a small hotel, Chymorvah, which was once a Victorian family house. I found it a bit too basic for me, with a time restriction for the doors being locked, but apart from that it was very pleasant. A lot of the vegetables were grown in their own garden, and the eggs came from their own chickens.

Two minutes walk away from the hotel was, The Fire Engine. This became my evening haunt for the week. A very friendly "local" pub, as opposed to the very touristy pubs in the town centre. Not sure what this says, but by the third night, the barmaid was pulling my pint as I walked in!

About four miles away is the large town of Penzance, and it's neighbouring village of Newlyn. Newlyn is the largest fishing harbour in England. We spent an hour or so, just wondering around the harbour taking in the sights and smells, of this traditional way of life.

Our stay overlapped with that of some friends of ours by one day. So we met up at the cottage they were staying in, and went to a local cove for some beach time. Rinsey is a typical well hidden cove, at the bottom of a small lane, with parking in a field, followed by a fifteen minute walk down the cliff to the beach. Not touristy at all, with no facilities, but all the better for this. This was one of the very fine days, weather wise, and resulted in sea swimming, and sun burn!

The far west of Cornwall has quite a few ancient ruins dating back to Roman times and earlier. One of these is Chysauster, an ancient stone walled village, between Penzance and St.Ives. This settlement they think was built in the Roman time, though there has been some evidence of Iron Age activity in the form of pottery, no houses from that time have been discovered. I found the place to have a special atmosphere to it, though it is hard to work out why. It did not feel "religious" in any way, but just had something about it.

We then went from the peace and tranquility of Chysauster, to the hustle and bustle of St.Ives. No town centre parking, with all parking at the Leisure Centre, and a ten minute walk into town. The place was heaving both with people and sea gulls! Was not my cup of tea, which was a shame, as I had been looking forward to going there. The harbour is very pretty, which is why I suppose it was busy! We looked in a few art galleries, which I quite enjoyed.

Here are a few links to some of the places mentioned:

Dartmoor Zoological Park www.dartmoorzoo.com
Chymorvah Hotel www.chymorvah.co.uk
The Fire Engine www.fireengineinn.com
Marazion www.marazion.info
Chysauster www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.15238

Where Has August Gone?

August has almost disappeared, and I have achieved absolutely nothing in it at all. The first few days admittedly, were spent on our family holiday in Cornwall. We had a great time, and sometime soon, reports will get posted on here. Came back the first Wednesday, had a few days catching up with family, and odd jobs. On the Monday had our annual get together of my cousins with offspring. This was a good day out, despite the rain.

Driving home on that Monday, started to feel all hot and clammy. Goodbye August! First week felt all hot and then cold, with headaches and the like. Did not call doctors as assumed all they would say is call the swine flu line, knew it was not flu in its strictest sense of the word. At the end of the week, we called out the doctor, who did a home visit. She confirmed not flu, but very bad chest infection. Also had no voice by now. A week later the antibiotics had cleared up the infection, but still no voice. Now on a nasal spray to try to speed up the voice recovery, but really it's a how long is a piece of string situation. Have been given the all clear contagious wise, so have slowly started to do things again. At times it was even too much effort to check the emails, let alone surf the forums.

So it's almost September! School starts again next week. The eldest boy will be starting senior school. Never mind where has August gone - where the heck have the last twelve years gone?

Laser Love

This song by After The Fire has been buzzing round my head for a few months now. It is the title track of the album of the same name from about 1979. The words tell of how God's love searches deep into us, but does not let us go. God's love is like an xray into the depths of our lives, there is nothing that we can hide from Him, but still He loves us all the same. I look upon it as God's laser love is in effect part of our consciences. We know when we have done something wrong, or are about to. We get those pricks in our heads to tell us. God wants us to do things His way, He is separating all the wrong things from the right. He has the right way for us, but still gives us the freewill to choose whether to or not.

Laser Love

Your love is like a laser burning right into my life
You knowing my weaknesses you cut me like a knife
You're separating all the wrong things from the right

It's like a laser laser love

Your love is like an x-ray there is nothing I can hide
You hold me to the light you see what is inside
It's all so clear when it's all there in black and white

Just like a laser laser love

Now and then I think about my life
Think about the way that it used to be
I was just a lonely boy standing in the cold until you sheltered me
Trying to find a way that I could do everything I want
And somehow still be free
Then you came along and told me how it really had to be

It's a laser love
It's a laser love
Just like a laser laser
Just like a laser laser love

Your love is like an optical illusion in a book
There's more than one way you can see it when you took
And when I saw it the world around me shook

Like a laser laser love

Your love is like a laser burning right into my life
You know my weakness you cut me like a knife
You're separating all the wrong things from the right

It's like a laser laser
It's like a laser laser
It's like a laser laser love

The clip below is a video slide show, which features the current line up, who are still touring at events such as Greenbelt. The drummer is the son of the guitarist. The "classic" line up split in the mid 1980's.

Shadow Play

I must admit that the first time I heard this song on the radio a few months ago, I thought it was either Dire Straits or Bruce Springsteen. Turns out it is by Rory Gallagher. Now I must also admit that I did not know too much about him either. At the Last PRATS meeting in Putney, in the customary CD swap lucky dip, I received a Best of Rory Gallagher CD. Some cracking songs on there so thanks to Tina for putting that one in the bag.

A lot of us are unsure what part we are to play in this game of life, and often we feel that things don't look the same. Most of us sometimes have to fight conflicting emotions, and maybe feel a little Dr Jekyll and a little Mr Hyde. For my part, I try to rely on my Christian faith to help guide me through life. I know that God has a plan for my life that is infinitely better than anything I could hope for. I just have to trust in His timing, and not to try and force the issue with my own agenda, as that is when things go wrong. This is in my experience easier said than done! I have to keep on trying though.

Shadow Play

In the flinty light, it's midnight,
And stars collide.
Shadows run, in full flight,
To run, seek and hide.
I'm still not sure what part I play,
In this shadow play, this shadow play.
Well, In the half-light, on this mad night,
I hear a voice in time.
Well, I look back, see a half-smile,
Then it's gone from sight.
Tell me, why everyone have changed,
In this shadow play, this shadow play,
I have to find my way,
In this shadow play.

Sounds come crashing,
And I hear laughing,
All those lights just blaze away.
I feel a little strange inside,
A little Dr Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde.

Sounds come crashing,
And I hear laughing,
All those lights just blaze away.
I feel a little strange inside,
A little Dr. Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde.
Yeah.........

Thoughts run wild, free as a child,
Into the night.
Across the screen a thin beam,
Of magic light.

Tell me why things don't look the same,
In this shadow play, this shadow play,
I have to find my way,
In this shadow play.
I have to get away,
In this shadow play,
Well help me find my way,
In this shadow play,
Yeah..........

The clip below was filmed at a concert at Middlesex Polytechnic in January 1979.

Mr Howes - In Memorium

Attended the funeral of Mr Howes today in a standing room only filled Leckhampton Church. The tune to which the coffin was carried in was Changes by David Bowie. This was always played at the last assembly of an academic year, as pupils are about to leave juniors or go up a year. The coffin exited to the theme tune to the Archers. His family gave very moving tributes to him. The service hit just the right tone given the circumstances, and was an emotional occasion.

Rest In Peace Mr Howes.

Mr Howes

My friend and teacher
Really funny

Helicopter enthusiast
Ongoing supporter
Willing to do stuff for you
Enthusiastic with others
Somebody who was there for you


The above poem is reproduced with the permission of the author, my 11 year old son. This was written on Monday morning, moments after the school were told of the tragic death of Mr Howes. He was not only my son's favourite teacher, but in my opinion the most caring teacher I have ever met, either as a pupil or parent. Rest In Peace Mr Howes, I hope that you have now found the peace that you were searching for.

Thunder - More Than A Weather Condition

It is also the name of one of the hardest working, and most under rated bands of the last twenty years. They are just completing their farewell tour. For those old enough to remember, they formed in 1989 out of the ashes of Terraplane. I only got into them about two years ago, and was thinking really must see them some time. When they announced that they were calling it a day, I thought well it's now or never. Saw them at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Friday, with some good friends from the Planet Rock Forum. It was an awesome display of rock at it's best. Thanks guys for the music and the memories.

I have chosen to use a clip of my favourite track, I love you more than rock and roll, as recorded on this tour in Glasgow.

Thanks for letting me go Megan, The title refers to how I feel about you to!!!

Beat It

Regardless of what he may, or may not have done, in his personal life, there can be no dispute that Michael Jackson was a very talented person. In my opinion the Thriller album, was one of a very select few albums, which changed the face of music. The production by Quincey Jones was first class. The video for the title song, changed forever the style and quality of music videos. It marked the first major cross over for a black artist from a select few type audience, to a global market. The musical content of the album was also diverse, from soulful ballads to the power numbers such as Beat It and Thriller. I am proud to say that despite being a rocker at heart, I do have a copy of this album in my collection. A man who has performed with Slash and Eddie Van Halen, to name but two, must have some rock credentials. Also I think the bass playing on quite a few of his records would not be out of place on any rock album.

As a tribute to Michael, I am featuring a clip of Beat It recorded in October 1987 in Japan. Not sure who plays guitar on this version, but Eddie Van Halen played the solo on the album version.

Hysteria

Hysteria is probably the reaction you would get if you asked a fan of classic rock, to listen to country music. A friend of mine recently put this piece of music on Facebook, with a mention to me, as he thought I might like it. His musical tastes are fairly broad, as are mine, but recently he has developed a keen interest in country music. He is putting a fair bit of it on Facebook, trying to change perceptions of it, and highlighting the amazing lyrical contents involved. Country music is also reinventing itself to a wider audience, and is not pure country and western.

Having given this some thought, it would appear to me that much classic rock had it's birth in country type music. Jimi Hendrix covered a Bob Dylan song for starters. A lot of the early classic rock was birthed in the 1960's and early
1970's West coast sound formulated by ex folk singers, and hippies.

The track below is Def Leppard with Taylor Swift at a country music awards night. Apparently Def Leppard were nominated for three country music awards. I do not know what this means for either classic rock or country, but enjoy anyway...

The Last Resort

Heard this song on the radio today, and was moved by it. It is by The Eagles and is taken from the Hotel California album. I am not going to read anything into the words of this one, save to say that one line in my opinion sums up all that has been wrong with the world for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. "We satisfy our endless needs and justify our bloody deeds, in the name of destiny and in the name of God". In my opinion, most people claim to have God on their side to justify their view or stand point. In fact they do have God on their side, but he is on the side of everyone. He has His own plan, but loves us all.

"The Last Resort"

She came from Providence,
the one in Rhode Island
Where the old world shadows hang
heavy in the air
She packed her hopes and dreams
like a refugee
Just as her father came across the sea

She heard about a place people were smilin'
They spoke about the red man's way,
and how they loved the land
And they came from everywhere
to the Great Divide
Seeking a place to stand
or a place to hide

Down in the crowded bars,
out for a good time,
Can't wait to tell you all,
what it's like up there
And they called it paradise
I don't know why
Somebody laid the mountains low
while the town got high

Then the chilly winds blew down
Across the desert
through the canyons of the coast, to
the Malibu
Where the pretty people play,
hungry for power
to light their neon way
and give them things to do

Some rich men came and raped the land,
Nobody caught 'em
Put up a bunch of ugly boxes, and Jesus,
people bought 'em
And they called it paradise
The place to be
They watched the hazy sun, sinking in the sea

You can leave it all behind
and sail to Lahaina
just like the missionaries did, so many years ago
They even brought a neon sign: "Jesus is coming"
Brought the white man's burden down
Brought the white man's reign

Who will provide the grand design?
What is yours and what is mine?
'Cause there is no more new frontier
We have got to make it here

We satisfy our endless needs and
justify our bloody deeds,
in the name of destiny and the name
of God

And you can see them there,
On Sunday morning
They stand up and sing about
what it's like up there
They call it paradise
I don't know why
You call someplace paradise,
kiss it goodbye

Hungry Heart

If I remember rightly this Bruce Springsteen track was on The River album from about 1980/81. That album in my opinion is full of hard hitting socially aware lyrics, complimented by awesome musicianship by the E Street Band.

This song speaks of the emptiness of a hungry heart. Most peoples ideal when growing up, is to have a good marriage with children, but as the song intimates, it does not always end up this way. Sometimes you can reach the stage, when just jumping in the car and driving anywhere else, seems to be the best solution. I remember once when our eldest boy was still a baby, I had had care of him all day, and he just did not seem to have stopped crying. When my wife got home from work, I just passed him over, got in the car and drove for hours, not really knowing where. Though I did know that I would end up home again a few hours later, when the stress had more or less passed. It was not until that point that I realised why some people could just do the no going back thing. There is also the hungry heart seeking solace in the bottle of beer or spirits, and the casual pick up in the bars or clubs. I have never been there myself, but again I can see how it can happen.

I know that it is a cliche, but everyone has a God shaped hole in their heart, and can only be whole totally when God is allowed to fill that hole. God has always wanted the best for His people, though we often can not, or will not, see this.

Growing up I could not really see myself as married, or with children, despite what I said earlier about most peoples aspirations. God in His goodness has given me both, and I feel so much better for it. It is my opinion though, that if He had not done so, my life would have still been ok, if I allowed my hungry heart to be filled by Him. We all yearn for a place to rest, a place to call home, and not to be alone. God provides all three, and yes some people may be single in a human relationship basis, but with God to fill the hungry heart they are not alone in the true sense of the word.

Hungry Heart

Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack
I went out for a ride and I never went back
Like a river that don't know where it's flowing
I took a wrong turn and I just kept going

CHORUS

Everybody's got a hungry heart
Everybody's got a hungry heart
Lay down your money and you play your part
Everybody's got a hungry heart

I met her in a Kingstown bar
We fell in love I knew it had to end
We took what we had and we ripped it apart
Now here I am down in Kingstown again

CHORUS

Everybody needs a place to rest
Everybody wants to have a home
Don't make no difference what nobody says
Ain't nobody like to be alone

CHORUS

This version was performed life in Toronto in 1984 and feature the original and best line up of the E Street Band.


Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack
I went out for a ride and I never went back
Like a river that don't know where it's flowing
I took a wrong turn and I just kept going

CHORUS
Everybody's got a hungry heart
Everybody's got a hungry heart
Lay down your money and you play your part
Everybody's got a hungry heart

I met her in a Kingstown bar
We fell in love I knew it had to end
We took what we had and we ripped it apart
Now here I am down in Kingstown again

CHORUS

Everybody needs a place to rest
Everybody wants to have a home
Don't make no difference what nobody says
Ain't nobody like to be alone

CHORUS

This version was performed live in 1984 in Toront, and features the best and original line up of the E Street Band.

Telegraph Road

This song has always resonated with me for some reason. It is by a British band, Dire Straits, but appears to be set in the American Midwest, though I may be wrong on that. It appears to be about the birth of a small town, based on one man stopping there and building himself a home. Others join, and a community develops, iron ore is discovered and mined, then comes the war and depression. The man in the song wants to work, but there is none, and slowly it appears that this once thriving community dies on its feet, with businesses closing or moving out.

In this scenario hopelessness and desperation can easily kick in, though he appears to be clinging on to his memories of the past, and a future hope.

The sad thing is, that this type of mass closures appears to be happening again now. Employers large and small are closing worldwide. We do not appear to be learning from past mistakes. In my lifetime alone I can remember at least two similar situations, both in the 1970's, though you could argue that they were in fact one.

It seems almost trite to say that even in the midst of all this that God is in control, but He is. He has a purpose and plan for all of us, the trouble is we often have difficulty either accepting this, or seeing it. Even in the bleakest situation, we have to remember that God loves us, and is in the process of rescuing us.

Telegraph Road

A long time ago came a man on a track
walking thirty miles with a pack on his back
and he put down his load where he thought it was the best
made a home in the wilderness
he built a cabin and a winter store
and he ploughed up the ground by the cold lake shore
and the other travellers came riding down the track
and they never went further, no, they never went back

then came the churches then came the schools
then came the lawyers then came the rules
then came the trains and the trucks with their loads
and the dirty old track was the telegraph road

Then came the mines - then came the ore
then there was the hard times then there was a war
telegraph sang a song about the world outside
telegraph road got so deep and so wide
like a rolling river. . .

And my radio says tonight it's gonna freeze
people driving home from the factories
there's six lanes of traffic
three lanes moving slow. . .

I used to like to go to work but they shut it down
I got a right to go to work but there's no work here to be found
yes and they say we're gonna have to pay what's owed
we're gonna have to reap from some seed that's been sowed
and the birds up on the wires and the telegraph poles
they can always fly away from this rain and this cold
you can hear them singing out their telegraph code
all the way down the telegraph road

You know I'd sooner forget but I remember those nights
when life was just a bet on a race between the lights
you had your head on my shoulder you had your hand in my hair
now you act a little colder like you don't seem to care
but believe in me baby and I'll take you away
from out of this darkness and into the day
from these rivers of headlights these rivers of rain
from the anger that lives on the streets with these names
'cos I've run every red light on memory lane
I've seen desperation explode into flames
and I don't want to see it again. . .

From all of these signs saying sorry but we're closed
all the way down the telegraph road


The version shown below was recorded live in Basel in 1992.

The Servant King

From heaven you came
Helpless babe,
Entered our world,
Your glory veiled:
Not to be served
But to serve,
And give your life
That we might live.

(Chorus)
This is our God,
The servant king,
He calls us now
To follow Him,
To bring our lives
As a daily offering
Of worship to
The Servant King.

There in the garden
Of tears
My heavy load
He chose to bear.
His heart with sorrow
Was torn,
"Yet not my will
But yours" He said.

(Chorus)

Come see his hands
And His feet,
The scars that speak
Of sacrifice,
Hands that flung stars
Into space
To cruel nails
Surrendered.

(Chorus)

So let us learn
How to serve
And in our lives
Enthrone Him.
Each other's needs
To prefer
For it is Christ
We're serving.

(Chorus)


HAPPY EASTER

Blue Collar Man

This is another one on the them of the working class man or blue collar man, work ethic. Or put another way, it could be a reflection on the scourge of mass unemployment, mainly from the traditional industries of the western world.

We all want to feel secure, and not be mocked for a perceived lack of self esteem. For most people, one way of having self esteem is to have a job. In this day and age, I believe that this does not necessarily have to be paid for the esteem to be valid. I for one work in both a voluntary capacity, and as the primary carer for our two boys, both of which give me fulfillment. I can see however, that for some the lack of a paid job can cause major dissatisfaction. Being prepared to work long hours for little pay is frowned upon today, but in the past it was generally accepted, as the alternative was no job. As I've said before the sense of community that this generated in say a mining village, is something that I think is missing today.

Trying to keep my mind on a better place is one of the things that motivates me. Paradise can be all that you have heard it to be, and if you close your eyes may be you are already there. As a Christian I believe that we are living in the age between Jesus' first coming, and his return in glory. I believe that we do see glimpses of heaven now, and that we should all play our part to make the here and now a better place.

Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)

Give me a job, give me security
Give me a chance to survive
I'm just a poor soul in the unemployment line
My God, I'm hardly alive
My mother and father, my wife and my friends
I see them laugh in my face
But I've got the power, and I've got the will
I'm not a charity case

I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my eye to the keyhole
If it takes all that to be just what I am
I'm gonna be a blue collar man

Make me an offer that I can't refuse
Make me respectable, man
This is my last time in the unemployment line
So like it or not I'll take those

Long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my back to the wall
If it takes all that to be just what I am
I'm gonna be a blue collar man

Keeping my mind on a better life
When happiness is only a heartbeat away
Paradise, can it be all I heard it was
I close my eyes and maybe I'm already there


This clip is another taken from the Return to Paradise tour:

Friendship Quotations

I will admit at the outset, that this is neither my idea, or my listing. This list was provided by a friend of mine, WMS, on a forum we both use, in response to a thread with this title. I thought that it was so good, that I would incorporate it on here.

A good friend will tell you what you want to hear.
A true friend will always tell the truth.

A good friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A true friend seeks to help you with your problems.

A good friend will be there for you all through school.
A true friend will be there till the day you die.

A good friend will bail you out of prison.
A true friend will be sitting next to you saying
"damn that was fun, but we f**ked up somewhere along the line!".

A good friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A true friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean.

A good friend hates it when you call after they've gone to bed.
A true friend asks you why you took so long to call.

A good friend wonders about your romantic history.
A true friend could blackmail you with it.

A good friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
A true friend calls you after you had a fight.

A good friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A true friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.

A good friend has never seen you cry.
A true friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.

A good friend doesn't know your parents' first names.
A true friend has their phone numbers in his address book.

A good friend expects you to always be there for them.
A true friend expects to always be there for you.

A good friend is someone you enjoy hanging out with.
A [true] friend is someone you need. (Neil Diamond, Heartlight)

BUT!!

A good friend will help you move.
A true friend will help you move a body.

A friend will take your alcohol away when you are drunk
A real friend will say "finish that you know we don't waste"

FAKE FRIENDS: Never ask for food
REAL FRIENDS: are the reason you have no food.

FAKE FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr/Mrs
REAL FRIENDS: Call your parents Dad/Mom

FAKE FRIENDS: bail you out of jail and tell you what you did was wrong.
REAL FRIENDS: Would sit next to you saying "Damn ... we messed up ... but that was fun!"

FAKE FRIENDS: never seen you cry.
REAL FRIENDS: cry with you

FAKE FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
REAL FRIENDS: keep your stuff so long they forget its yours.

FAKE FRIENDS: know a few things about you.
REAL FRIENDS: Could write a book about you with direct quotes from you.

FAKE FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that is what the crowd is doing.
REAL FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds butt that left you.

A good friend will pack you an overnight bag when you're taken to the hospital.
A true friend will clean out your porn collection before your parents arrive to pack your overnight bag.

a friend would lend you their umbrella when its raining
a TRUE friend would take your umbrella and run off shouting "RUN LOSER RUN!"

a good friend will tell you to get off the ground
a best friend will sit with you and say "how much money you recon we could get begging like this?"

A good friend helps you up if you trip
A best friend just stands there laughing because they tripped you

A good friend will lie for you in court if you committed murder.
A true friend will help you bury the body.

Working Class Man

This song as performed by Jimmy Barnes has had a lot of airplay on Planet Rock recently. I must admit that when I first heard it, I assumed it was a Bruce Springsteen track, as it has all his clever blue collar America hallmarks to it.

Is this a way of life that is disappearing from the western world rapidly? Certainly jobs in the pits, docks, steel mills, and car plants have all but vanished both in the U.S. and here. Are the work ethics of the true working class disappearing, I hope not. Ok there are some generalisations here, as hard drinking and smoking do not have a place in my world, but the desire to provide for your family, the forming of close friendships, and a sense of pride in your country, are all worthy ambitions to have. In a time of world economic downturn, it is easy to forget the blue collar man who provided so much for the rest of us.

As Christians we should be aware of any need around us. I appreciate that there is not much on the face of it that as individuals we can do, but the power of prayer is not to be under estimated. Prayer is sometimes looked upon scornfully as meaningless by the world at large, but I believe that God will listen to our cries, and comfort those in need.


Working hard to make a living
Bringing shelter from the rain
A father's son left to carry on
Blue denim in his vein

Oh he's a working class man

Well he's a steel town disciple
He's a legend of his kind
He's running like a cyclone
Across the wild mid western sky

Oh he's a working class man

He believes in God and Elvis
He gets out when he can
He did his time in Vietnam
Still mad at Uncle Sam
he's a simple man
With a heart of gold
In a complicated land

Oh he's a working class man

Well he loves a little woman
Someday he'll make his wife
Saving all the overtime
For the one love of his life
He ain't worried about tomorrow
Cos he just made up his mind
Life's too short for burning bridges
Take it one day at a time

Oh he's a working class man


The clip below was recorded in 1988. I know he's a Scot by birth and an Aussie by nationality, but links in with all blue collar sentiments.

Twenty Years Ago Today

It was twenty years ago today, that I got married. For some reason best known to herself, she says it's called love, she has stuck by me all this time. I know that I could not have got through some of the stuff life has thrown at me over the years without her support. Thanks for everything.

It's amazing to think that we both have friends that have been married, separated, re-married, separated, in that time. I am so lucky to have found the one whom God had intended for me. She says she knew that I was going to ask her to marry me, and that she would say yes, sometime before I actually did. Wish God had told me earlier, would have solved some of the hassle at the time!

Here's to the next twenty years, and more.

Wishing Well

It once seemed to me that wishing wells were everywhere, it is only on reflection years later that I realised that most are where gullible tourists are likely to be. The one that sticks in my mind, is just off the main road from Eton Bridge up to Windsor Castle, it was always full of loose change. Others that I vaguely recall were set in a mock up of fairy glades, castles, ruins, and the like. Why?

There are also traditional habits associated with wishing, such as when you blow out the candles on a birthday cake, or give the Christmas pudding mix a stir, you are told to make a wish. Why?

I do not know the answer to these questions, but I assume that people hope that good things will happen to them, and that a positive wish might enhance their prospects. Though why you should have to throw money into a wishing well to get good luck is beyond me.

Another form of wishing well in my view is the reliance of some on their stars. Here I am no knocking the wisdom of astronomers, or even some astrologers. It is my believe that most, if not all, of the stars in the papers are made up rubbish written by so called astrologers, who are just new age influenced "journalists".

It is good to have wishes and aspirations, and God encourages us to have them. It is also good to take our wishes to Him. I believe that there is more chance of my wishes coming true, if I pray into them and discuss them with God, than if I throw some money into a wishing well. God wants what is best for my life. My wishes may not come to fruition, sometimes we wish for what might not actually be best for us.

I also believe that a lot of people may wish the general wish of love in a peaceful world, but do not expect it to happen, as it appears too big. Nothing is too big for God, though human nature may cause a stumbling block here. If everyone tried just a little bit harder to get on with other people, this may not be a totally unrealistic aim.

I think the key is to trust God with our wishes. I know quite a few people who at the moment are "happy" to chase the wishing wells, star signs, tarot cards and the like for answers, but are still not content. As the song says the only time you are satisfied is with your feet in the wishing well. That to me will never satisfy, my satisfaction is to be found at the feet of Jesus, who died so I might live.

The song Wishing Well was first performed by Free in the late 1960's. The version that follows is by Bad Company, led by Paul Rodgers, with guest guitarist Slash. The Styx connection is that they did an album of cover versions, Big Bang Theory, which included this song.

Wishing Well

Take off your hat, kick off your shoes.
I know you not goin' anywhere.
Running around town singin' your blues.
You know you ain't goin' anywhere.

You've always been a good friend of mine,
But just keep saying farewell.
And the only time that you're satisfied,
Is with your feet in the wishing well.

Throw down your gun, you might shoot yourself.
Or is that what you're tryin' to do?
Put up a fight you believe to be right,
And one day the sun will shine through.

You've always got somethin' to hide.
Somethin' you just can't tell.
And the only time that you're satisfied,
is with your feet in the wishing well.

But I know what you're wishing for.
Love in a peaceful world.
Love in a peaceful world.
Love in a peaceful world.
Love in a peaceful world.

You've always been a good friend of mine,
But you keep saying farewell.
And the only time that you're satisfied,
Is with your feet in the wishing well.

In the wishing well.
In the wishing well.

Everybody's got a dream and they take it to the wishing well.
Everybody's got a dream, hah.
Wishing well.

Crystal Ball

Tell me, tell me where I'm going
I don't know where I've been
Tell me, tell me, won't you tell me
And then tell me again
My heart is breaking, body's aching
And I don't know where to go
Tell me, tell me, won't you tell me
I've just got to know

Crystal ball
There's so many things I've got to know
Crystal ball
There's so many things I need to know
Crystal ball

Does the above sound familiar? I for one would love to have a crystal ball to show me where I'm going, and what's going to happen both when I get there, and on the journey. There are so many things that I think that I need to know, both about future events, and things that have happened in my life and in the lives of those I know.

Would knowing my future calling stop me making mistakes on the way? I very much doubt it. I may know the way from Cheltenham to Slough, but if there is a hold up on the way, I may still make an error in my diversion route. In the same way I could easily make a mistake, if a problem arises, on the journey to the place shown to me in the crystal ball.

Would knowing what was actually said in a conversation between people, not involving me, actually stop me worrying about it? Probably not as well.

As a Christian I believe that God has an ultimate plan for my life, but in His goodness it is not gift wrapped and handed to me on a silver platter. I have to journey to get there, maybe making mistakes along the way. If life was simple and straightforward, I would not learn valuable life lessons along the way. I believe that we were given freewill as a learning tool, which can strengthen us on our journeys, if we are prepared to learn from our mistakes.

God has given me glimpses of what I think is His plan for this part of my life. This has been through various outlets, such as particular passages from the bible coming into my mind, words and pictures being given to me by people praying for me who do not know my circumstances, and by a feeling of peace when praying about certain things. Despite these affirming actions, it is still hard for me to trust God with my future. I find it easier to try to find the way myself, which is why it has taken so long to get anywhere near where I think God wants me to be!

I do not think it is too out of line to say that God should be my crystal ball. He does show me the way, I just have to learn to read the map better for His journey in my life.

The opening lyrics were taken form the Styx song Crystal Ball. The version which follows is another clip from the 1996 Return to Paradise tour.

Summer In The City - Well Cornwall Anyway

Whereas the snow which lay in the Cotswolds this week is pretty to look at, it has been a pain to deal with. Our road was not gritted until yesterday lunchtime, some four days after the snow happened, and a long time after regular sub zero day time temperatures started. It has been a skating rink to drive on, so being more cautious in my old age, I have limited my car use to essentials only. Yes, I've been walking, so I suppose some good has come from it! I have been feeling very cold and as a consequence down this week.

To cheer me up, and to do something constructive, I have booked our Summer holiday. A week in a small hotel in south west Cornwall. It's amazing how doing this one little thing, has brightened up my mood. Celtic heritage sites here I come, not forgetting the beach of course what ever the weather.

Happy New Year

I hope that 2009 is a good year for you all, but whatever it throws at you, I pray that God will guide you through it. I was going to post this Abba track on here today anyway, but have just been on Facebook and seen that my good friend Phil has already done it on there! It seems like ages ago now, and it is, that we first heard this song, and it still reminds me of the hopes and dreams which we had back then as teenagers. May God bless you all.