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Yesterday I came across a poem which appeared in the first Bible to ever be printed in Scotland, in 1576. I love some of the metaphors and similes which are used to describe this book, which to me has been a constant guide throughout life. I read from it every day and endeavour to read through it all in a year. I continue to try and model my life on the principles contained within it, but have to admit to being a failure in adhering 100% to its ideals.

Here is the poem, I hope you enjoy it as much or more than I do.

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Here is the spring where waters flow,

To quench our heart of sin:

Here is the tree where truth doth grow,

To lead our lives therein:

Here is the judge that stints the strife,When men's devices fail:

Here is the bread that feeds the life

That death cannot assail.

The tidings of salvation dear,

Comes to our ears from hence:

The fortress of our faith is here,

And shield of our defence.

Then be not like the swine that hath

A pearl at his desire,

And takes more pleasure from the trough

And wallowing in the mire.

Read not this book in any case,

But with a single eye:

Read not but first desire God's grace,

To understand thereby.

Pray still in faith with this respect,

To bear good fruit therein,

That knowledge may bring this effect,

To mortify your sin.

Then happy you shall be in all your life,

What so to you befalls:

Yes, double happy you shall be,

When God by death you calls.

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Although the end of this poem may seem to be rather morbid to our contemporary world-view, there was a time when many believed, as I do, (call me old-fashioned if you like), that Jesus conquered death when He died to take away our sins and bring all who believe in Him and His sacrifice to an eternal life in Heaven in His presence, to serve and worship Him. He has given me the assurance in my heart and mind that this is the great future that awaits me. There is nothing in this life that brings me greater hope than this. What or who do you believe in? What do you trust in, a successful career, a healthy bank balance, a hope in a nice legacy, a happy and comfortable retirement? Many of these things in the current situation are more than likely to prove to be false hopes, things which a mere 13 to 14 years ago were generally regarded as normal for a large proportion of the population in Europe and the USA! Now we can say we are blessed by God if we have a roof over our heads, can afford to remain warm in the Winter and have employment.

My advice to you is to take nothing for granted, recognize that life is more important than what we own, live in, drive or wear and to recognize that there is a spiritual dimension as well as a material one which is of much greater importance. No man can serve God and money. What choice have you or are you going to make in your life?

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Quotations

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." ~ Joshua 1:8

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ~ Psalm 119:105

It may be a few days too late, but this is the time of year when we take a moment to remember those whose lives have been sacrificed in defending our liberty. When we see the political correctness and similar nonsense going on around us today, it does us good to be reminded that our forebears held free speech and freedom of political and religious opinions to be of paramount importance.

When we look at the fragile situation we now live in with Islam making a take over bid for all the freedom and democracy that we once held so fundamental to our lives particularly in Europe and the USA, people like Geert Wilders in the Netherlands show that they are willing to make a stand and warn us about the dangers of what we may lose. We may not agree with what he says 100%, but the writing is on the wall. He has had to sacrifice his freedom in order to stand up and state some truths which our politicians do not want to hear. He has to live in safe houses and be surrounded by police in huge numbers whenever he ventures out in public.

To our shame and my personal disgust, as British 'freedom' lovers, our previous socialist regime even banned him from coming to Britain last February to give a scheduled speech and presentation in the House of Lords! . On entering Britain he was held in a detention centre (which they don't even do to illegal immigrants!) and sent back to The Netherlands on the next flight. So much for free speech, but then I suppose it's not usually permissible under Communism.

Anyway, now I've unseated myself from my high horse, I want to feature a poem which many of you may have read, "In Flander's Fields" by John McCrae.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Inspiration for the poem — In Flanders Fields

During the Second Battle of Ypres a Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2 May, 1915 by an exploding shell. He was a friend of the Canadian military doctor Major John McCrae.

John was asked to conduct the burial service owing to the chaplain being called away on duty elsewhere. It is believed that later that evening John began the draft for his famous poem 'In Flanders Fields'.

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The second poem I want to feature is by Bob Dylan which has Christian lyrics, basically saying that we each have the choice in life to serve either God or the Devil. In these days of relativistic thinking, where our morals and ethics are seen in shades of grey, the lyrics of this song paint things in black and white, which is how the Ten Commandments and God's laws are presented in the Bible. This is not a very popular idea. Owing to the fallen nature of man we all fall short of God's standard, which is perfection, but there is forgiveness available through faith in Jesus and accepting His bearing the punishment for our sin (wrongdoing). In 1 John 1:9 it says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Gotta Serve Somebody by Bob Dylan

You may be an ambassador to England or France
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls