CORNWALL 2011 (1)

Earlier this month we had yet another great family holiday for a week in Cornwall. We stayed in a small village called Wheal Rose just outside Redruth. The Goonearl Cottage Guest House was an ideal place for a base. Amazing breakfasts, with most of the produce from the immediate locality. The family suite was the best we have encountered, with two large rooms and spacious bathroom.

On the way down we stopped off at the Eden Project again.  This place never ceases to amaze all of us, as each time you visit something is different.  The only slight downside, was the new viewing platform being closed due to high temperatures and humidity.

Our first full day there was spent up in Newquay, about 20 miles north of where we stayed.  The afternoon was spent on the vast expanse of Fistral Beach, enjoying the sand, safe bathing, and rock pools.  The morning was spent looking round Newquay Zoo.  This is yet another good example of a small zoo which clearly looks after their animals.  There is no cramping of space, with all creatures having plenty of space and enrichment.  My personal favourites here were the Eurasian Lynx and the Fossa.

The second day was spent west of base, in fact the morning was as far west as we could go, Lands End.  We ignored the tourist themed areas, and after finding the memorial stone to the four boys from Stoke Poges who drowned there in 1985, one of whom was known to me, we went on a walk.  We walked down to Sennen Cove and back.  For a while the lifeboat at Sennen Cove was named The Lost Boys and was partly funded by a sponsored walk from Stoke Poges to Lands End.

The afternoon was spent at Godreavy beach just east of Hayle.  The point is one end of St.Ives Bay which includes three miles of sandy beaches.  The north side of the point has rocky coves a long way down, which are home to seals.  Again hours of fun playing on the beach and rock pooling.

City Of Hope

Following on from the Vigilante post, this is another offering for uncertain times. I have no idea whatsoever as to whether the author of these words is a Christian or not, but to me the lyrics convey a lot of what many people are thinking or hoping for at the moment. 
I too am praying that God will shine His light into our world a bit brighter at present, and give people reason to re-believe, both in Him and in hope for their cities.

The song is performed by the band Journey.

People waiting for some kind of sign from above,
Lost in the shadows of doubt, need a message of love,
Nothing is certain in uncertain times,
Hard to see beyond the greed and the crime,
Oh, the faithful refuse to give up,
Homeless and hungry survive just enough,
Learn to smile through it all,
They are blessed from above

Never stop believin,
Change will come

There's a city of hope beyond our fears,
Where miracles happen,
Where truth can be heard,
Don't you wanna go to the city of hope

On the edge of the world, across oceans of blue,
It's a place where a dream has a chance to come true,
Don't be fooled by illusions, or falling from grace,
Make your own destiny
Find your own place,
Where the streets beat the last things of trouble over own play

Never stop believ'n,
Change will come

There's a city of hope beyond our fears,
Where miracles happen,
Where truth can be heard,
Don't you wanna go to the city of hope

Founded on faith,
Connecting us all,
A network of love to answer the call,
Yeah, that's where I am from
The city of hope

I hear them whisper, "Sendin a prayer,"
A cry to the spirit where they no longer wonder

Never stop believin,
Change will come

There's a city of hope beyond our fears,
Where miracles happen,
Where truth can be heard,
Don't you wanna go to the city of hope

Psalm 33

Psalm 33

1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
5 He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

6 The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
7 He assigned the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let the whole world fear the Lord,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command.

10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
and thwarts all their schemes.
11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken.

12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.

13 The Lord looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
14 From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.
15 He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.
16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
for all its strength, it cannot save you.

18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
19 He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine.

20 We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone.

Vigilante

At the time of writing this there is much talk of vigilante groups defending their neighbourhoods from the threat of attack by groups of rioters. I am not going to go into the rights or wrongs of what the rioters claim to be their grievances, but in my mind they are outweighed by sheer criminality.

The song Vigilante was recorded by Magnum, as seems to be apt at the moment, which is why I am posting on it.

I personally believe though, that we should not be looking for a vigilante to act on our behalf, but that we should leave it to God on the day of judgement.

Racing in the shadows pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying
And the children try to sleep
Just another promise they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the borders
Got the people running scared
Standing on the corner never got things done
If you leave your front door open
You'll be the foolish one
No misunderstanding no honour among thieves
It's a sorry situation
When a gun is all you need
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Racing in the shadows pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying
And the children try to sleep
Just another promise they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the borders
Got the people running scared
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Vigilante vigilante man
Vigilante call the vigilante man

I Refuse

I Refuse is a song by Josh Wilson with very challenging lyrics. I think that most of us would aspire to the sentiments contained in them, though they are by far easier to say than to act out.

I just pray that God will melt our hearts to refuse to just pay "lip service" to the problems around us.

I Refuse lyrics
Songwriters: Benjamin Glover;Joshua David Wilson

Sometimes I
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not

This world needs God
But it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse
'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, oh God

So, if You say move
It's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back
And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged
To wait another day, to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I refuse
I refuse

Wild Angels

Magnum are a band I have heard of for years, but to my shame never really given much of a listen to. I am in the process of changing this. Wild Angels is a recent single, which had quite a bit of airplay on Planet Rock earlier this year.

I would not pretend to know what the lyrics are about, and do not want to make a guess either. I find the song to be both catchy and singable.

Like a lot of songs there does appear to be a sense of longing, or searching within the lyrics. We all are searching for something to satisfy that inner yearning. For me it is my Christian faith that sustains in the time of trouble, or bewilderment.

Enjoy what I think is a truly cracking song, the clip below was recorded in Southampton in April this year.

Nobody's leaving this world tonight
The way I'm feeling, we'll be all right
So many people, going nowhere
The poor forsaken, nobody cares

I wonder what you're thinking
I don't know where you are
Can't stop my heart from sinking
Before it gets too far

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Diamonds fall like rain
Nobody told you why, baby
Isn't that a shame?

The room is empty, the city sleeps
We pass by gently, and shadows creep
But come tomorrow, there's no relief
And I'm still looking in disbelief

I wonder what you're thinking
I don't know where you are
Can't stop my heart from sinking
Before it gets too far

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Thunder in the air
Don't let it make you cry, baby
You won't have a prayer

Something out of nothing, tell me if I'm right
Stranded here forever, take me home tonight
Maybe let it happen, keep it in your mind
Maybe there's no answer, don't get left behind

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Diamonds fall like rain
Nobody told you why, baby
Isn't that a shame?

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Thunder in the air
Don't let it make you cry, baby
You won't have a prayer

Clarence Clemons RIP

Just a short posting of a track in tribute to the great man, who died recently. I had the joy of seeing him perform at Wembley many moons ago as part of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Enjoy Junglelands, performed live in Hyde Park in 2009.....