Carol Purves

This wall, as some of you will know, goes from the east coast of northern England to the west. Built by the Romans, it was either meant to keep the Scots in, or the English out! Very little is left now but the route can still be followed.

As I was travelling from Carlisle to Newcastle last week I drove along what is known as the Military Road. A few years ago I walked along the wall (84 miles) with my two cousins, taking about nine days. We weren’t in a rush.

I also plan this year or next to fly over it in a helicopter. I love this part of history and marvel that the Romans were here and had such an influence on us, so long ago.

Carol

How do we survive in Britain now that Christianity is no longer revered? The Psalmist had the same question. Those who thrive on tearing down others seem to prosper. By the last times though they get their ‘come-uppance.’

Hollywood has latched on to this theme. They depict victory for the under-dog over the oppressor. Success due to pride and ruthlessness never lasts, but their downfall does comes in God’s good time, which will not be our timing. We need to hang in there and have faith.

Carol

I planted the seeds in trays a few weeks ago. Faithfully I watered them, gave them plenty of light and finally left them outside more and more to become acclimatized to the natural temperature. Now that the weather is warmer and free of frost I can plant them into the garden.

Each year this miracle happens and seeds and plants grew. It is not by human effort, we do the minimum amount of work. Because it does occur every year in our gardens and the field, it is still a source of wonderment. We should not grow complacent or unobservant. The Maker of everything causes this to happen, therefore we should give Him our thanks that He does provide ‘our daily food.’

Carol

Two of us had a most enjoyable visit to this museum which shows how Cordite (a mixture of guncotton and nitro-glycerine) was made to go into the shells which were used in the 1st World War.

An area of 12 miles was taken over by the government and local women and girls recruited to work in the factory. It was dangerous work working with explosives which coloured their skin yellow and affected their health.

At the height of production there were 125 miles of narrow gauge track and 34 engines driven by their own coal-fired power station. Two townships were built to house the employees.

The name of the museum was taken from Sir Arthur  Conan Doyle’s comment that the mixture was kneaded into a sort of devil’s porridge. This excellent museum tells of the work with information about the two world wars.

Carol

I read that for the Easter period there will be an evangelistic message on the London buses. ‘Look, I am coming soon’ is one of them. I hope that people will not use this to comment on late buses, but will think deeply.

Haggai 2:6 says I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations and the desired of all nations will come and I will fill this house with glory.’

Assuredly, He is coming.

Carol

Last Tuesday I went a complicated way to say what is put so clearly in this verse – Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Carol

Like many of us I’ve read the Bible a fair amount, but of course, I’ve not counted the individual words. But someone has.

I’m informed by a reliable source (though I don’t remember where now) that the words Do not fear appear 370 times in the whole of the Bible. the word peace is seen 88 times in the New Testament , in every book except 1 John and the word  rejoice appears 70 times also in the New Testament.

These three words seem to sum up the Christian faith. It sounds pretty good to me.

Carol

The other morning I went to a coffee morning organised through a member of a local church. While I was there I met a number of people I didn’t know. Some were her neighbours or relatives. One was the mother of her daughter’s friend and another a teacher at the local school. These were all connections of the hostess.

I reflected on the different connections we all have during our lives and looking back on my life I have forgotten many of my acquaintances and others I cannot recall their names.

How great it is that God remembers all our names and everything about us. We will never be forgotten by Him.

Carol

A few of us were discussing the happenings of what we now call Easter Week. We thought about how Jesus cleared the temple of the money changers and those buying and selling and cheating the people.

Our discussion turned to whether our righteous anger is justified. Our anger can be uncontrolled. Too often we get angry and use the excuse that it is righteous. It is not for us to dish out judgement; judgement is for God.

Carol

For those of you who follow the doings of these meeting, we met again last Saturday. Our theme was ‘New Life.’ There were many different approaches to this theme; in fact every contribution took a different aspect.

One lovely contribution took the life cycle of a tree, from the small seedling in the ground through to full growth, to being felled and on to becoming fashioned as the cross of Jesus. Yet another wrote about the new life of a new day. One exposition was based on the hymn ‘The King of Love my Shepherd is.’

A poem was written using daffodils as marching warriors, a very original and stimulating thought.  Another most apt poem was quoted from memory, a special and memorable rendition.

One member read from her book ,based on John 10:10 using the thought  This life of mine is Your life.

I wish you were all able to join us.

Carol