Monday, 22 November 2010
Tears Of The Saints
There are many prodigal sons
On our city streets they run
Searching for shelter
There are homes broken down
People’s hopes have fallen to the ground
From failures
This is an emergency!
There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home
There are schools full of hatred
Even churches have forsaken
Love and mercy
May we see this generation
In it’s state of desperation
For Your glory
This is an emergency!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
And all Your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home
Words & Music by Leeland Dayton Mooring and Jack Anthony Mooring / © 2006 Meaux Mercy (BMI) / Meaux Jeaux (SESAC)
Behind the Song:
Leeland Mooring says it was a Sunday afternoon during a quiet devotional time that he sensed what he calls a presence of God. “I was playing piano, just worshiping, and I asked in prayer, ‘God, just give me your heart for the lost.’” It was a hope to feel the longing God feels for people struggling to find their way. “And then I started crying—it was as if God gave me a little glimpse of his heart,” Leeland continues. “‘Tears of the Saints’ came out, and it’s about how for every person who is out there lost there is probably about five people praying for them.” More, the track illuminates the vision the band has for its ministry. “We want to see kids saved,” the songwriter affirms. “What’s awesome about this song live, is how it touches people,” bassist Jake Holtz adds. “The Lord is just blessing people. You can see change coming across their faces. It’s nothing we’re doing. God’s just working through us with this song.”
Monday, 18 October 2010
Unforgiven
This Metallica song has been in and out of my head for a few years now. From what I can gather, the song charts the memories of an old man, who has regretted being controlled as a child, and conforming as a young man/adult. I suppose to a certain extent, we all try to please others, and sometimes do not show what we really think or know. I know that I have been guilty of this. We do not want to offend, we want to please.
Those who exert unhealthy control or influence over the lives of others, also are in danger of ruining their own lives as well. They will probably be unforgiven by their victims, even though God teaches us to forgive. Forgiving a tormentor can be hard,and maybe humanly impossible. You do read stories though of people who have forgiven some pretty horrendous things that have been done to them. At the end of the day though, it is God who has the power to forgive, and He will forgive anyone who truly turns to Him. This may often go against our perceived sense of fair play, but God is God and we are not.
There is no reason why anyone should remain unforgiven, we all have the chance to enter into a loving relationship with our saving heavenly Father.
This does not take away though, the fact that this is a cracking good song!
New blood joins this earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules
With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on he's known
A vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take away
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
They dedicate their lives
To running all of his
He tries to please them all
This bitter man he is
Throughout his life the same
He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer cares
The old man then prepares
To die regretfully
That old man here is me
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee unforgiven
Those who exert unhealthy control or influence over the lives of others, also are in danger of ruining their own lives as well. They will probably be unforgiven by their victims, even though God teaches us to forgive. Forgiving a tormentor can be hard,and maybe humanly impossible. You do read stories though of people who have forgiven some pretty horrendous things that have been done to them. At the end of the day though, it is God who has the power to forgive, and He will forgive anyone who truly turns to Him. This may often go against our perceived sense of fair play, but God is God and we are not.
There is no reason why anyone should remain unforgiven, we all have the chance to enter into a loving relationship with our saving heavenly Father.
This does not take away though, the fact that this is a cracking good song!
New blood joins this earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules
With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on he's known
A vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take away
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
They dedicate their lives
To running all of his
He tries to please them all
This bitter man he is
Throughout his life the same
He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer cares
The old man then prepares
To die regretfully
That old man here is me
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee unforgiven
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Brothers In Arms
This is the title track from the album by Dire Straits. The songs has been going around my head for a few months now. There is no "commentary" on the song that I wish to develop this time. The song,and the album, were however instrumental in helping me through a very hard time in April 1986. I think the reason for the song now being in my head, is the fact that I am now nearly older than my Dad was when he died in that month.
The whole album just seemed to me at the time to fit my mood. This song spoke to me as at the time I felt that I had brothers in arms. One was the person of Jesus Christ, as my faith was strengthened not tested in this difficult period. The other was a very good friend, who was there for me at the time. We shared a lot of time together whilst growing up, some good, some bad, and some ugly! Times change, people change, the bond is still there, maybe not as strong as it once was, but I don't think it will ever be totally broken.
This song goes out to my "brother" in arms.
These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you'll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you'll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms
Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though we were hurt so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms
There's so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones
Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms
The whole album just seemed to me at the time to fit my mood. This song spoke to me as at the time I felt that I had brothers in arms. One was the person of Jesus Christ, as my faith was strengthened not tested in this difficult period. The other was a very good friend, who was there for me at the time. We shared a lot of time together whilst growing up, some good, some bad, and some ugly! Times change, people change, the bond is still there, maybe not as strong as it once was, but I don't think it will ever be totally broken.
This song goes out to my "brother" in arms.
These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you'll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you'll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms
Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though we were hurt so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms
There's so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones
Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Snowdonia (IV)
There is already a link on this blog to the Centre For Alternative Technology, so full information on that can be found there. Had yet another enjoyable and informative visit there.
Meirion Mill is now a retail outlet selling in the main lambswool products, plus the usual touristy stuff. It is reasonably priced and worth a visit.
On our way home we went via Wrexham to visit some friends. On route we called in at Rhug Farm, mainly to use thge toilets, but found a very good farm shop. The strawberry ice lollies contained pieces of fruit. They also have a herd of bison in a field, the young looked really cute.
Our final stop was at Erddig, an National Trust run house and gardens just outside Wrexham. It is somewhere I have been meaning to go for some years, but this was the first time. The house displays both "upstairs" and "downstairs" and has loads to see. We were short for time, so a repeat longer visit is deinately in the offing.
Links:
www.meirionmill.co.uk
www.rhug.co.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Meirion Mill is now a retail outlet selling in the main lambswool products, plus the usual touristy stuff. It is reasonably priced and worth a visit.
On our way home we went via Wrexham to visit some friends. On route we called in at Rhug Farm, mainly to use thge toilets, but found a very good farm shop. The strawberry ice lollies contained pieces of fruit. They also have a herd of bison in a field, the young looked really cute.
Our final stop was at Erddig, an National Trust run house and gardens just outside Wrexham. It is somewhere I have been meaning to go for some years, but this was the first time. The house displays both "upstairs" and "downstairs" and has loads to see. We were short for time, so a repeat longer visit is deinately in the offing.
Links:
www.meirionmill.co.uk
www.rhug.co.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Friday, 27 August 2010
Snowdonia (III)
Those that know me, know that three of my leisure pursuits are country drives, football, and hill walking. I managed to find time to enulge in all three whilst away.
After visiting Criccieth Castle, and before dropping back down to Barmouth, I managed to detour onto the Llyn Peninsular for a scenic drive. Well it would have been if the clouds were not down below the hills! I enjoyed it anyway, but to quote my eldest son "misty, misty, boring, misty!"
The football was an Welsh Alliance match between Barmouth & Dyffren United and Llanwrst United. It ended all square at one all. Not a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination, but the scenery was.
We took a family walk up the mountain opposite the guest house to find Blue Lake. This is an old quarry lake, reached via a small cave. It is a bowl like area surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs. A very quiet and awe inspiring place.
The other walk I did, whilst the others were relaxing on Barmouth beach. From the town centre there are paths straight up the mountains above, which go onto a range that runs for twenty or so miles north. The first area of land given to the National Trust is one of those smaller hills. A half hour walk on will take you to Panorama Hill. This is my favourite spot in the country, and I go there as often as I can. The views are out to sea, or up the Mawddach and aover to Cadair Idris.
After visiting Criccieth Castle, and before dropping back down to Barmouth, I managed to detour onto the Llyn Peninsular for a scenic drive. Well it would have been if the clouds were not down below the hills! I enjoyed it anyway, but to quote my eldest son "misty, misty, boring, misty!"
The football was an Welsh Alliance match between Barmouth & Dyffren United and Llanwrst United. It ended all square at one all. Not a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination, but the scenery was.
We took a family walk up the mountain opposite the guest house to find Blue Lake. This is an old quarry lake, reached via a small cave. It is a bowl like area surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs. A very quiet and awe inspiring place.
The other walk I did, whilst the others were relaxing on Barmouth beach. From the town centre there are paths straight up the mountains above, which go onto a range that runs for twenty or so miles north. The first area of land given to the National Trust is one of those smaller hills. A half hour walk on will take you to Panorama Hill. This is my favourite spot in the country, and I go there as often as I can. The views are out to sea, or up the Mawddach and aover to Cadair Idris.
Snowdonia (II)
There are a few things that always spring to mind when you talk about Wales and visits, and I do not mean the rain!! Castles and little trains, we visited two of each.
The Talyllyn Railway runs from Towyn on the coast to Nant Gwernol up in the mountains. It is a good example of a preserved working line, which used to carry slate from the mines down to the coast for shipping. A little known fact about this railway, is the the author of the Thomas The Tank Engine stories, was a frequent visitor, and based some of his mountain railway stories on the line, and used some of their engines as the models for his.
The Fairbourne Railway again dates from the 19th century, but this one was built to carry bricks to the new development of Fairbourne, from the mainline down the stretch of beach that was having new houses constructed by it. I personally did not enjoy this one as much, but the boys loved it, so that's the main point I suppose.
Both Harlech Castle and Criccieth Castle are awesome buildings. Both were built or strengthened by the English to repress the Welsh. Both are imposing sights to see as you aproach them, they both sit on top of rocky out crops. Harlech was built on the coast, but the sea is now a few miles away! You only really appreciate this, when you look down from the top, and see all the flat land around it.
Links:
www.talyllyn.co.uk
www.fairbournerailway.com
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
The Talyllyn Railway runs from Towyn on the coast to Nant Gwernol up in the mountains. It is a good example of a preserved working line, which used to carry slate from the mines down to the coast for shipping. A little known fact about this railway, is the the author of the Thomas The Tank Engine stories, was a frequent visitor, and based some of his mountain railway stories on the line, and used some of their engines as the models for his.
The Fairbourne Railway again dates from the 19th century, but this one was built to carry bricks to the new development of Fairbourne, from the mainline down the stretch of beach that was having new houses constructed by it. I personally did not enjoy this one as much, but the boys loved it, so that's the main point I suppose.
Both Harlech Castle and Criccieth Castle are awesome buildings. Both were built or strengthened by the English to repress the Welsh. Both are imposing sights to see as you aproach them, they both sit on top of rocky out crops. Harlech was built on the coast, but the sea is now a few miles away! You only really appreciate this, when you look down from the top, and see all the flat land around it.
Links:
www.talyllyn.co.uk
www.fairbournerailway.com
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Snowdonia (I)
As a family we had a very enjoyable week earlier this month. We stayed at the Einion House, a guesthouse in the small village of Friog, which is on the south side of the Mawddach estuary and at the edge of the Cadair Idris range of mountains. The next few posts will summarise where we visited, in case anyone is interested.
On the way up we called in at Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine, which is just off the A44 near to Aberystwyth. This mine has been restored over the years, and is a good example of an industry in mid Wales which had it's hey day between 1850 and 1870.
Whilst then driving up the coast, we came across the Dyfi Osprey Project at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve. This site is run by the local wildlife trust. A pair of ospreys have made a nest there this year, but did not lay any eggs. There is hope that they will breed next year. Camera footage of the birds was avaialbe as well as binoculars trained on the nest.
Corris Craft Centre is a what it says really, but worth a call in. Crafts include wooden toys, leather, candles etc. It is also the home to an underground tour of some caves, based on the King Arthur legend.
A lot of the time we spent over in Barmouth, which is a town we love. We managed to get onto the beach every day, and paddled or swam most days. One day was even warm enough for me to venture in and have a proper swim.
Links:
www.einionhouse.co.uk
www.silverminetours.co.uk
www.wildlifetrustswales.org
On the way up we called in at Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine, which is just off the A44 near to Aberystwyth. This mine has been restored over the years, and is a good example of an industry in mid Wales which had it's hey day between 1850 and 1870.
Whilst then driving up the coast, we came across the Dyfi Osprey Project at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve. This site is run by the local wildlife trust. A pair of ospreys have made a nest there this year, but did not lay any eggs. There is hope that they will breed next year. Camera footage of the birds was avaialbe as well as binoculars trained on the nest.
Corris Craft Centre is a what it says really, but worth a call in. Crafts include wooden toys, leather, candles etc. It is also the home to an underground tour of some caves, based on the King Arthur legend.
A lot of the time we spent over in Barmouth, which is a town we love. We managed to get onto the beach every day, and paddled or swam most days. One day was even warm enough for me to venture in and have a proper swim.
Links:
www.einionhouse.co.uk
www.silverminetours.co.uk
www.wildlifetrustswales.org
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