Carol Purves

If you go wandering round my website, you will find the second re-print of my book on Gladys Aylward. There are not many changes, so maybe you will not want to buy this but you are sure to have many friends you can recommend it to.

Someone asked why another reprint? Well, all the original books have sold and so have the first reprint. As I travel round lecturing and talking about Gladys I find she still has a great following.

I’m not surprised. she was an intrepid young lady working for the Lord, travelling alone right across Russia to China at a time when travel was difficult, especially for females. She met extreme difficulties on the way, nearly losing her life on more than one occasion.

This book was printed by professional publishers who are my friends and the cover was done by a professional artist who is also my friend.

I obviously have the right friends.

Carol

I have temporarily left the cold shores of Britain to fly ‘across the pond’ to America. Watch this space. I’ll tell you all about it when I return.

Carol

‘In the year Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on the throne, high and exalted.’ Is 6:1 . This is what Isaiah recorded. When I read this story again, I found quite a new take on it.

There are three people in this story, Uzziah, Isaiah and God. Uzziah reigned from 792 to 749 BC, was struck down with leprosy and was leprous until he died. He has been dead for nearly 3 thousand years now.

Likewise Isaiah, was a faithful man of God and prophesied to a number of kings. There are many stories about him in the Bible and a whole book accredited to him. But he too has died.

Only one character in the story is still alive. God. The Lord alone remains. Kings may come and go; prophets die but our God goes on ‘for ever.’

Carol

The concert was free; the chair comfortable; the surroundings beautiful.

I was sitting in my garden with eyes closed. A blackbird perching in the nearest chimney top sang his heart out in praise to God. The late summer leaves were rustling in harmony in the slightest of zephyr breezes. A bee or two hovered and buzzed, extracting the final drops of nectar.

For the second movement I had to listen very hard. A tiny creature or maybe an insect was collecting his lunch.

The final movement was loud and explosive. Starlings gathered along the line of my roof, chattering and screeching their intention to depart. I had to open my eyes. As one bird flew off the roof, another took his place, while those already there shuffled up to let him in. The shuffling continued as no-one was left out.

The last bar of the music was dramatic. As one, every bird flew off in the same direction. But as if to bid me goodbye, there was one last circling of beating wings.

The person I wanted to speak to was on another phone, ‘This is the oily rag speaking for the engine driver’, I was told.

When I spoke to the ‘oily rag.’ in mock humility I said

‘If you’re the oily rag, I’m only a blob of oil.’
Then I realised how important a blob of oil is. Its use was essential in Biblical time. It was often used in their religious observances and David and other kings were anointed with it. Jacob poured oil on the stone where he had been lying when he saw the angels ascending and descending and the widow who Elisha knew, was destitute until the miracle of the jar of continuous oil. Also Jesus condemned the five virgins who didn’t keep their lamps trimmed.

I might only be a blob of oil, but thinking of all this, I feel important.

Carol

On Saturday we had another meeting of Christian writers. Because our group is growing and many come quite a distance, we started in the middle of the day with a snack for those who wanted it. This gave more time to chat and get to know each other better. Being Christian and writers we had a lot to talk about.

The subject ‘Nature’s Music’ meant many excellent pieces of work were produced (mostly poetry). I wish I had space and time to re-print Colin’s poem. It went through the four seasons with a great amount of alliteration. Great fun to read and listen to.

‘If we were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict us?’

That was the challenge we were given one Sunday evening. I reviewed my past week and mentally started listing my ‘good deeds.’ I seemed to add up quite a few and was starting to feel smug.

Than I realised it was not about me; it was about what God wanted me to do, not what I wanted and what I had done. My ‘good works’ were like filthy rags. Looking at it this way, my score wasn’t so good.

It is only by doing His will that my actions will be accepted as ‘gold, silver and precious stones.’ I also realised that I needed to stand up and be counted, so that there is enough evidence against me.

Carol

When my friends visit my house, they see it as a place of welcome for a chat or a meal or a place of refuge from their troubles. When my great nephews and nieces come they are only interested in a garden to play in with a lawn for football. My neighbours are primarily concerned that my weeds do not get out of hand. One house and garden, so many different views.

Like my house and garden, I can be seen in many different ways – friend, confident, aunt, sister, neighbour, family or church member. I am only one person, but others relate to me according to their position.

It is only God who sees the true me. He knows me through and through, good and bad. But the wonder of it is He loves me in spite of my failings, shortcomings, and sin. To Him, I am His child, His heir, His redeemed.

Four days in Edinburgh at Festival time is a treat. The city was heaving with people, rushing from venue to venue. I saw a notice for a Fringe item number 169. Are there really that many events?

As I was staying with my friends, as well as visiting one of the Book Events, we also went to a couple of museums. I really would recommend the Dovecot, with their rug making. It needs to be seen to be believed. Fascinating.

We managed to pull ourselves from the city and visited Monteviot House in the Borders. The gardens were one of the best I have seen in Scotland. So many different ‘rooms’, ranging from the Water Gardens to Inspirational Imagination. We could have spent all day there and taken a picnic as we saw some people doing. Of course, the weather was very hot and sunny. That always helps any day out.

Carol

Great to have survived another birthday. Also means I get presents. One of them this year was a ticket to the Edinburgh Book Festival. My friends took me to hear Jonathan Dimbleby. So interesting. He was not at all as I expected him to be. I thought his stature would be as big as his character.

Nevertheless an exciting hour listening to an orator. He had the audience spell-bound. I learned so much about the Battle of the Atlantic which was what his latest book was about.

The atmosphere at the festival was great. On this particular evening it was a square full of readers and writers, all intent on promoting this great art.

Carol