Faith in a Changed World Antony Mugford

Prologue

In March 2020 the United Kingdom was affected as the whole world was struck with Coronavirus pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China.

Countries were affected in every way of life as lockdowns were advised and imposed, meaning that normal life could not continue. Business, travel, and family life were severely curtailed with impact on so many activities that were just taken for granted.

All expressions of Faith ceased in the traditional rituals and formats; impacting greatly on shared fellowship. Fortunately technolo gy was available, and expanded, that allowed some virtual contact during social distancing. New expressions of Faith service blossomed not only to the individual, regional, national and, indeed, international congregations but, perhaps more importantly, also to the many new contacts within the wider communities.

The world-wide Salvation Army took virtual reality to its heart. Majors Antony and Fiona Mugford, the Commanding Officers of Guisborough Citadel, UK grasped this opportunity with daily ministry to both the Corps Fellowship and a much wider community via Facebook, YouTube and Zoom; reaching many hundreds of people, not only locally but nationally and internationally. Each Sunday, and other special Christian occasions, online services were also produced.

Even as restrictions eased this ministry has continued.

This booklet is a collection of those daily “letters" shared to an audience that remarkably grew exponentially; thus contacting, and helping, many hundreds of people during the Coronavirus lockdown and since. What an opportunity of witness these ‘letters’ proved to be! Although initially it was never expected that this period would be so extended. We can only hope and pray that the short-term benefit will lead to a longer-term commitment and blessing.

David White

Each Sunday, rather than having another reading, Majors Antony and Fiona lead online worship, Together in Worship.

These services are all added to the Guisborough Salvation Army Church Youtube channel and are all still available on: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvu76j4HqGWe9B2cDXK6tvA

Good morning everyone, welcome to the first day of October. Really? How did that happen?

We've spent the month of September looking at various songs and hymns; now that we're back to normal, the daily thoughts will return as before. Did I say normal?

I was intending to make this new October start sitting in my living room in Guisborough; but no, because of Hurricane Ian I'm still in the USA. Our postponed flight is this evening, so here's my thought from a settee in Kissimmee.

I wondered whether to write about the storms of life... No.

Perhaps I should write about delays and disappointments... Again, no. This evening (it's 23:31, where for you in the UK, fast asleep as I write, it's 04:31) I looked at all the suitcases, the mound of clothes, souvenirs, and other 'stuff', and I though 'Baggage.' How have we got so much stuff ?

Fiona quipped, "Did we come for a month?"

Well, we certainly brought sufficient. We came prepared for almost every eventuality and, I must confess, we carried more than we needed.

Did I really need that pair of shoes, those shorts?

Maybe you're the disciplined person who can holiday with the minimum of clothing; or else you cart your entire wardrobe around the world 'just in case', and then wonder why your case is so full, so heavy. With hindsight we might realise that we were burdened with too much stuff; but many of us do it every year.

When will we learn to travel a little lighter?

Are you a light traveller across the years? Or are you burdened 'with a load of care', as the song says. Another song asks 'Are we weak and heavy laden...?' I'm going to guess that a great many of us are on life's travels with a little more baggage than we need; we're holding on to conversations, our own regretted actions and activities, people who are good at pulling us down. We might ask why on earth we carry it, and then remember the offer of Jesus to lift our burdens: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11 v 28)

Oh, what a sense of peace when we carry everything to God in prayer - leaving it with him, of course. Thank God that we can offload our burdens onto him, share them with him, or realise that even in praying about things the burden grows lighter. Never carry a weight by yourself. Talk to Jesus and find rest.

See you on Monday when we're back home! God bless you �

Good morning everyone!

Well, we're back; we made it home safely to the United Kingdom after being 'detained' in a foreign land by an extraordinary hurricane with the very ordinary name of Ian. (Who thinks of these names?).

We were buffeted by wind and rain, but not as badly as people on the coast. There are people who are living with devastation that's far more serious than a couple of days waiting for a new flight home. We think of them �

But now we're back from that Magic Kingdom where a certain mouse is all-important. It's a strange place in a way, for there are lots of fantasy worlds to fill your mind and imagination: cartoon worlds, superheroes and villains; film and music too. It's all an opportunity for escapism and being part of something fictional that's made to look real. Whether it's Cinderella's castle, or the shops in Harry Potter's Diagon Alley or a whole area that makes you think Star Wars is set in a real pace, it's all designed to transport you to your 'happy place' and briefly give you a few days of being somewhere different.

It's what we all do when we go on holiday, I guess: a few days sunning ourselves on a beach, walking in the hills, exploring a Mediterranean market place or cruising the fords. It's real just for a week or two, and then it's back to our own bed (always more comfortable), our daily work, the humdrum routine of our life, family, and shopping at Morrisons.

Could we live in the 'Magic Kingdom' of our holiday destinations? Possibly not, if we're honest. We prefer the familiar, the substantial, the real.

The Bible speaks of a Kingdom that is far from 'magic'; in fact the overall impression and description of it is that it's more real than our own.

CS Lewis the author of the Narnia books and a very deep and serious Christian writer, said, "If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world."

Is that not true of us all? We were indeed made, created, and are invited to another world, a Kingdom in fact.

When I was a teenager I heard a sermon on a verse I'd never read until that point, and it made a great impression on me:

'For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.' (Colossians 1 v 13)

That kingdom, that place, that way of life and faith where we belong to Christ is certainly not magic; it's far from being a mere holiday destination and it's most definitely not a thing of our imagination. We are citizens of that kingdom even now as we wait for it's full arrival. To belong to Jesus is to belong in 'another world' where we are loved, redeemed, welcomed and blessed. And now we are there, we never want to come back!

Have a lovely day everyone. God bless you �

Hello everyone, we hope this week has got off to a good start for you.

I love the autumn. I love the cooling down, the change of colours in the trees. As I have got older however, what I don't like so much is how quickly everything changes. Our long, hot summer is but a memory; the springtime before it has faded and people are saying already, 'Where has this year gone?' Change is inevitable, but who speeded it up?

The seemingly sudden arrival of dark nights could be added to the astonishing changes in our country: The new prime minister, with all that political upheaval; the passing of the Queen and the outpouring of national grief coupled with our getting used to King Charles III, not to mention the global situations that affect us daily. The world is simply not the same!

And for most of us, of course, there are changes in our communities, our families, our own personal circumstances. Whether known by friends or colleagues, or whether the changes are behind closed doors or even within our minds to be experienced or endured privately, we can all say, 'The world is simply not the same.'

And some of us find that difficult.

It's not just that we don't like change - some change is good, is necessary, exciting even! It's just that with other changes we lose our structures, our foundations. Where is the familiar, the certain, the reassuring 'sameness' that comforts us? We perhaps begin to appreciate those things more that have not changed, and hold them closer.

A Salvation Army officer colleague once told me of a prayer he heard prayed in a meeting, that began: "We thank you that you are a God who is always changing..." "No, no, no!" said my friend to me; "God is not like that."

He was correct. Can you imagine a God who was unpredictable, capricious, whose ways were hidden?

I always think of the song 'Great is thy faithfulness', one of the best I think, with that reassuring line: 'All I have needed thy hand hath provided...'

How can we believe that? Simply because we can also sing, 'Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with thee...'

There you have it; a great, unchanging truth for a changed, confused and confusing world. We have a God who has clearly said, "I am the Lord, I do not change." (Malachi 3 v 6).

We have his unchanging word, the Bible, that is all-sufficient, wholly trustworthy, his gift to us. What more secure foundation for life than the rock of God's truth that we build our lives upon.

Remember the rest of the verse I began quoting: 'Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not, As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.' A great, constant truth for today's world. God bless you �

Amidweek greeting to you all. We hope you're well.

Yesterday I was transported back in time; over 17 years to be exact. Yes, until 2005 I was the chaplain in a Salvation Army care home for older people. In those days we called them Eventide Homes. I loved it. I was chaplain to the staff as well. I led prayers and Sunday meetings, some funerals of course, but I have to say it was a really joyful, uplifting time. I was also the activities organiser. That was great fun! It was a real community of people.

So, yesterday. Well, I have been asked to take a monthly service at Gracelands Care Home here in Guisborough, and yesterday was my first time. I gathered largeprint song books, settled on my harvest theme and chose two songs that would be familiar: All Things Bright and Beautiful and We Plough the Fields and Scatter.

And there they were when I arrived, arrayed in a lounge, every armchair filled with an expectant worshipper. And we sang together, my goodness how they could sing! I had taken an armful of songbooks but it wasn't enough and some didn't have a book. Some couldn't see well enough anyway but that didn't stop them singing! Verse by verse they sang, mostly word perfect except for that always-obscure third verse that nobody can remember.

And I thought to myself, these had been churchgoers. They nodded in agreement when I spoke of God's faithfulness; they recited confidently the Lord's Prayer. My goodness, there are some churches today with a smaller and quieter congregation! And here I was with a new fellowship, worshipping once again for the first time perhaps since taking up residence in the home. And I wondered.

These lovely people knew the songs, recited the prayer, because they had been taught years ago. Maybe they sang in church, perhaps like many of us they sang hymns in school sitting cross-legged in short trousers on the school hall floor. And I wondered.

Do children know the hymns today? What spiritual truths will sustain them through to old age? Sometimes these truths return to older people, even after a lifetime of leaving them aside, but what of those who never learn them?

Is our town, our country not poorer for the fact that children do not know about Jesus well enough? God promises this to those who know him through life:

"I will be your God throughout your lifetime until your hair is white with age.

I made you, and I will care for you.

I will carry you along and save you." (Isaiah 46 v 4)

I thank God for the children who come to our Sunday School. They participate in our morning service too, singing the same songs we do. I am certain that this will remain with them, sustaining them through life, returning to them at various times.

Thank God for his promise to be with us in our 'eventide years'; but pray also for our children that they might hear about and know Jesus for themselves too.

God bless you �

Hello everyone from Major Antony and Major Fiona.

There was a weather alert on my phone the other day for Guisborough, for high winds and possible damage! I laughed at that, seeing that last week we'd been threatened by a hurricane whilst on holiday! I know that many of you had watched the news about it and seen the devastation caused by 'Ian'. You may also have seen that the previous week, 'Fiona' was lurking in the Caribbean, causing damage to Puerto Rico. (Fancy calling a hurricane 'Fiona'! I didn't mention it too many times � � ) Anyway...

In the area we were staying we didn't get much of the damage seen on the coast but something impressed me greatly. Although Ian was an unusually strong hurricane, and we were also on 'tornado watch', there was no panic, no last minute rushing around, no recriminations when it was all over. The scale of the damage was terrible but what plans could be made, certainly were.

The news was full of advice: stock up on water, buy lots of food, make sure your first aid kit is full (!) Businesses and homeowners boarded up windows and doors.

And here's what amazed me: every school was closed and re-purposed as a shelter, a refuge. Even we were told that we were welcome to stay in our accommodation or go to a local shelter. Transportation was provided to get there, and the day after the hurricane had passed, all buses were taken out of normal service in order to transport those who had sought refuge back to their homes. It was preparation to the extreme! It was all organised, and even the clear up operation of branches and debris was underway early the very next morning. In some places you would have thought no hurricane had ever happened.

Even though there was much damage, the preparations in advance, I am sure, saved lives and property; protected people better and got things back to normal sooner than had the council merely reacted afterwards. I was impressed by the information given and the provision of shelter, all following a detailed advance plan.

"You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word" writes the Psalmist in Psalm 119 v 114. That's a plan!

Faith is not reactionary, it doesn't merely respond to the difficulties of life, it's not a remedy or a repair. Faith is an attitude of preparedness, a life of knowing who and what we believe so that when 'the storm may roar without (outside) me, my heart may low be laid,' we can be assured and confident: 'but God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?'

We are realistic of course, we don't sail through life without being buffeted, but we do have a refuge, a shelter, a hiding place even, in God. And the pre-prepared plan is all there in the Bible. Trust him, trust his word. Ensure that your life is 'hidden with Christ in God,' (Colossians 3 v 3) and you will know his peace.

God bless you �

Happy Friday everyone!

We're at the end of a working week, but whether you are employed or not, the likelihood is that you have written things down. It could be a shopping list, it might be a letter or card, it might even be an essay!

Sometimes we write words with the intention that others will read, sometimes they are not intended even to be seen again. Can you imagine if, in two hundred years’ time someone found them? What would people make of them?

I was interested to read that some graffiti has been found in a church in Alnwick. People over the centuries had been in the tower and scratched pictures and words into the lead. There are people's names and drawings of what they were wearing. There are even outlines of shoes. There are pictures of ships with sails and little flags, drawn as the artist watched the ships just out to sea. These, scratched in lead, are a fascinating insight into the past.

But some 'messages' go back further: Archaeologists have found dozens of ancient clay tablets in middle eastern countries that are no more interesting than shopping lists and business receipts. But they are fascinating records from history, never intended for anyone to read but which give lots of information to historians.

I was amused to read also of a stone carving from Hadrian's Wall that contained an insult. One man disliked another so much that he took the time to carve two words deeply into the stone. One word was the disliked man's name, the other an obscenity. The offended man must have intended it to be seen by his enemy, but did he consider that 1700 years later his words would amuse others?

Words - and pictures too - reveal a lot more than just the initial meaning. They give a glimpse into someone's personality, into the world they lived in, their thoughts and feelings. A bit of themselves has been left behind.

St Paul made an interesting observation about the people in a church in Corinth. He suggested that their lives - presumably, their character, their testimony of faith, their simple devotion to Christ - were a kind 'letter' to others. He was saying that the fact there was a church in Corinth was a human letter of confirmation that his ministry was successful, but the principle is this: we can be influential just through who we are; we can be messages to others who we might never meet, never know.

Paul wrote: "You are a letter written not with pen and ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." (2 Corinthians 3 v 3)

That's a compliment: he's saying that their faith is there to be seen, to be read about by others; and who knows who was going to ‘read’ their lives, their testimony of faith?

That's a challenge I guess. Like the creators of the interesting graffiti in the church or the insulting carving at Hadrian's wall, we might never know who will see our lives. But we can also be encouraged to know that the good things we say and do, the people we try to be as we follow Jesus, will have an influence on others. It's what we pray for and sometimes we might wonder if our life, or the work of our church, really does have an effect.

I believe it can, even if we don't know immediately who has been inspired. Be encouraged today, know that, as the Bible reminds us, 'your labour in the Lord is not in vain.' (1 Corinthians 15 v 58).

God bless you, �

Hello everyone; after a whole month of songs and hymns in Song September, we are back with our weekly offering on Song Saturday. For quite a few months now we have taken a hymn or gospel song from tomorrow’s Together in Worship video on YouTube and looked a little more closely at it.

This weekend we start our worship with O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing My Great Redeemer’s Praise. Oh, I like this one! If you want a good rousing hymn to lift the spirit and express your testimony, then this is the one! It’s a shame that there are only 4 verses in our book; perhaps one day I’ll look out the other 14! That would soon test the band’s stamina! I really do not know what it was about Charles Wesley, his hymns were always great epics of poetry that have needed serious editing in order not to exhaust the congregations! Here’s one of those verses we don’t sing – I really can’t think why; the Methodists still sing it!

See all your sins on Jesus laid:

The Lamb of God was slain; His soul was once an offering made That all may Heaven gain.

Another difference between us and the Methodists is the tune we use. In my research I discovered the tune was originally called ‘Expectation’ and was composed by someone called SL Armitage, about whom we know nothing. The story that I heard when we were the Officers at Grimsby Citadel was that the Founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth, once visited the Corps, heard the soldiers singing this tune that was new to him, and on liking it so much decided to rename the tune 'Grimsby' – which is what we in the SA have called it ever since! So, there you go, an interesting factoid to interest your friends with!

That aside, what amazing words Wesley wrote. They were actually penned on the eleventh anniversary of his conversion and reveal that he had lost none of his initial fervour. Nothing of the excitement of coming to know Jesus had left him: literally, if he could have used other languages and other tongues besides his own to praise God, he would have used them! Yes, this is a rousing tune with inspirational lyrics; but isn’t the experience of salvation to be coveted, the fervour to be kept going, the fire of the Spirit to be stoked up! It’s not for nothing that when reading aloud the final verse, Salvationists have traditionally, and with great meaning, interspersed the words with ‘Hallelujahs’!

It reminds us of that scene in Heaven that John saw:

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.” (Revelation 5 v 11)’ What a sight, what a sound!

O for a thousand tongues to sing My great redeemer's praise; The glories of my God and king, The triumphs of His grace!

2. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad The honours of Thy name.

3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease; 'Tis music in the sinner's ears; 'Tis life and health and peace.

4. He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood avails for me.

Join us tomorrow for this great hymn, and others too, in Together in Worship, here from 8am. God bless you, �

Good morning everyone, welcome to a new week.

How was your weekend? We hope it was good and this coming week will be full of blessing.

I got up this morning to see the full moon above the houses behind ours. It was still bright and clear, and I can guess that at its height in the night it will have been very bright indeed.

I was talking to an older relative yesterday who was reminiscing how, every time she sees a full moon, she is transported back to her bedroom as a four year old. She remembers seeing a full moon which, to her childlike eyes, seemed to fill the window and almost touch the glass.

The moon certainly is very evocative. There's a romance about this seemingly mysterious light that waxes and wanes; this cold light with its strange markings. It's no wonder humans have always wondered what it is, who it is indeed.

Many have worshipped the moon, perhaps as a goddess; but even in more enlightened times people have thought the moon has an effect on us. Like its gravitational pull on the tides people have often said the moon affects people's minds! I remember working in a Salvation Army hostel and staff would often comment on the rise in bad or unusual behaviour of some of the residents when there was a full moon! I'm not sure I ever believed it, to be honest.

From bad behaviour we could turn to love. Does the moon influence that? There are dozens of songs and pieces of music that reflect that idea, from Debussy's Clair de Lune, through Glenn Miller's Moonlight Serenade right to the beautiful Under the Moon of Love by Showaddywaddy � , we have been influenced romantically by the moon.

Does the moon really have such personal influence, for good or bad? It all seems a bit spurious to me, and highly subjective and unreliable. Moonlight may be soft but can it be relied upon?

Faith demands something a little more solid, more consistent and trustworthy. Faith is never blind, it doesn't rely on feelings nor questionable signs in the sky. If we need light on a situation we look to the creator not the creation; we look to what he has said in his all-sufficient, unchanging word rather than the coming and going of moonlight (or any other changeable influence).

The Psalmist was confident when he wrote, 'Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.' (Psalm 119 v 105)

The light of that word is indeed constant, reliable, wholly trustworthy - and countless people have found it's light to be more than sufficient.

The Bible is God's gift, it is the light we need. God bless you �

I read something the other day that truly fascinated me. It was about trees. Whether it's a walk in the woods or just looking at the large trees next to our house, I just appreciate them, their size, the thought of how old some of them are, and of course their beauty.

The changing seasons show different aspects of their life: bare branches, then buds followed by dense leaves that turn gold and red, then fall (hopefully not too much into our garden!) Some of these trees could tell a story or two!

Science has been interested in trees, and tells us how important they are to the planet, to the environment, to life on earth indeed. Every child can tell you that a tree takes in carbon dioxide and 'breathes out' oxygen. 'Plant more trees' environmentalists tell us; and that's a most useful thing to do. We are concerned when we hear of rainforests being cleared but we are glad when we know that wood and paper comes from sustainable sources and that 'for every tree cut down another (or two) is planted.'

So, what did I read that fascinated me?

It was a report that said scientists at a university in the United States have discovered that as the climate is changing, where there is an increase in carbon dioxide, trees are getting bigger! In fact, tree trunk volumes are getting up to 30% bigger. As CO2 rises, the trees are responding. The claim is that trees seem to be helping to mitigate the effects of climate change, shielding the environment against some of the results of global warming. Scientists are saying that it's further evidence that trees are vital in the issue of climate change.

Now, nobody is going to suggest for a minute that the trees are consciously deciding to act! But these new studies are saying that there's a natural response to harmful influences, that nature itself has within itself an ability to respond, to adapt.

And I thought, as I read the article, how amazing creation is; not simply because it's, well, amazing, but because it reflects and encapsulates a creativity, almost a plan. We who believe in a Creator God are not surprised! Not in the least.

Why would creation itself not reflect the wisdom and providence of the Creator? We are called to be stewards of the world and challenged indeed to care for our environment, but can we not also believe that nature itself in its beauty and majesty also has within itself a God-designed ability to react and to respond?

Surely, it's not just perceived beauty that reminds us of the Creator, but also the science of ecology and botany, that we are still discovering, that will lead us to praise God for his wonderful works and come to know him more.

"Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature." (Romans 1 v 20)

The proof of God is all around us. In nature we see him and are called, invited, to find out more and come to know him.

God bless you �

Hello everyone from Major Antony and Major Fiona.

Morning all!

How's your memory? One of the blessings of growing older is that you possess something that the younger generations don't have: memories. We might lose other things but memories increase and remain, even if, sadly, some people begin to regress into their past memories.

But what a blessing! To have years upon which to look back; and beyond that we have the preserved memories of our forebears to examine and discuss.

Yesterday at our Golden Years over sixties club (of which I am now officially a member!) we had an excellent talk by a gentleman who took us back in time as he shared the history of an ancient small town near to Guisborough called Skelton. It's perhaps a large village now, with modern estates, but he showed us maps and photos that showed how small it once was, with an old church, a village green, and, can you believe it, its own moated castle!

One high street runs through it, and those of us who are familiar with its modern appearance could see how much smaller it once was, with far fewer buildings. I was particularly fascinated with an old photograph that showed a horse and carriage along with an early motor car, together with a group of people, long gone. Who were they, what family have they left behind who perhaps still have descendants living there?

I love local history, especially the facts and information that reveal why things are as they are today. Sadly of course, we look back and regret some things that are no longer there. For example, a big 1877 Methodist chapel, closed and repurposed because the congregation is far too small for it.

What can we learn from history? Maybe we might see where a wrong decision was made, or perhaps its just how things have developed. But if history can teach and encourage us to make better decisions, that's good.

Sometimes even in the Bible we are encouraged to 'forget the former things', and some might misuse that advice to suggest we should never look back, never take with us things we consider 'old-fashioned' or outdated. I think that's an unwise way of thinking to be honest. Moving forward without the wisdom of the past is like building without a foundation, and God does challenge us to remember: A chap called Asaph writes,

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds." (Psalm 77 v 11 12)

History, meditating on what God has done for us, has provided in the past, even commanded in days gone by, is not something to consign to a previous generation and forget. God, the same yesterday, today and forever, calls us to remember and learn, to be inspired and even directed by what he has done previously. Our future can be better if we don't forget the wisdom of the past.

God bless you �

Hello everyone, we hope you’re all well this morning.

Let’s talk about haircuts. Well, why not? We all have a style, a preference. We see a particular haircut and perhaps we like it on someone else, so we ask for it for ourselves. It all depends on taste and perhaps courage. Have you ever had a radical change and gone overnight from one style to another? I did that once. I went from a very ordinary side parting to what the barber in the mid 90’s called a ‘Gazza Cut.’ Yes, for a while I had a short spiky fringe just like Paul Gascoigne the footballer.

Short hair, especially at the side is all the rage nowadays; it’s the modern style. I remember as a teenager in the 70s hair was all over the place! It was long, over the ears and collar and always needed a good brush. But times have moved on…

Or have they?

Who is to say that one day men will be growing their hair again?

We think we have moved forwards, but I was reading the other day that today’s hairstyles for boys are basically a return to the hair styles of the pre-war generation, in fact they are almost military!

There really isn’t anything new under the sun is there?

We think everything today is all about progress, leaving the past behind, doing everything new. And yes, there is a lot of change, but how much, like haircuts, is a return to or a revision of the old?

Fashions come round again. I wonder if we’ll see flares making a comeback.

We look at behaviour, moral issues, religious faith. Is progress all in one direction? Some might celebrate the decline in churchgoing, the leaving behind of ‘religion.’

It does concern many people that church congregations in many places are dwindling, and church buildings are closing.

There is some wonderful news however, in that there are churches that thrive and grow; they are vibrant and welcoming. Interestingly they are not just the modern charismatic ones, congregations in Cathedrals are ‘on the up’ as people return to that style of worship.

Is churchgoing really going to end completely? Or might we see a return, a revival indeed. The church has always gone through lean times and then more fruitful generations; O that we would see that in our day.

As we look back at previous decades of larger congregations we might pray, in the words of Scripture, ‘I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known.’ (Habakkuk 3 v 2)

Pray for a renewal in God’s people, revival in the community, a returning to God. May he bless and grow the church.

God bless you, �

Good morning everyone.

Well, we've made it to another Friday, but yesterday was, for some, a momentous day! You may not be a fan of Freddie Mercury but they released a 'new' song that was actually recorded in 1988 and has never seen the light of day.

It's rather bleak but beautiful. t's haunting and sad. It's called Face it Alone, and contains these words: Your life is your own You're in charge of yourself Master of your home In the end, in the end You have to face it all alone.

Hmmm, knowing that Freddie at this time was battling terminal illness I think we can guess what he's referring to, but keeping that in mind I can see how some people in life do feel that way in all kinds of situations and circumstances. Do you feel you're facing things alone?

Yesterday I left the house and immediately encountered two people discussing The Lord's My Shepherdhow random was that? Later I met one person after another who stopped to chat, people from different walks of life; in fact there was almost a queue! Thinking about it, it made me glad that even a few kind words can lift the spirits and brighten the day.

But there are moments, hours, days when we are alone in our thoughts and our situation. We might be by ourselves in the house, or we might be facing circumstances or thoughts alone, things we feel we cannot share.

Firstly, I might offer this thought: if you are facing difficult thoughts and feelings, please find someone you can trust, who might be able to share that burden. Major Fiona and I are always available.

Secondly I would offer God's promise that might contradict Freddie's lyrics. Yes, there might be things, even ultimate things, that will be a deeply individual experience, but we are never alone with God by our side and with his promise: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13 v 5)

You know, if God says a thing twice, you know he means it! You are not alone, you do not have to face it all alone. There are people who love you, and a Heavenly Father who cares for you deeply. You have his promise; he will always be there.

Do you sometimes feel that no one truly knows you, And that no one understands or really cares?

Through his people, God himself is close beside you, And through them he plans to answer all your prayers.

Ours is not a distant God, remote, unfeeling, Who is careless of our loneliness and pain, Through the ministry of men he gives his healing, In their dedicated hands brings hope again.

Chorus

Someone cares, someone cares, Someone knows your deepest need, your burden shares; Someone cares, someone cares, God himself will hear the whisper of your prayers.

Hello everyone, welcome to what I hope will be a peaceful day.

It’s Song Saturday, the day we take a hymn, song, or chorus from tomorrow’s Together in Worship, and briefly look deeper into what it might mean. Of course, we all come to these songs from different perspectives, but I hope what I write will be helpful to you, from my perspective.

I want to start by saying ‘What a mess!’ This isn’t a political comment but isn’t our country in a bit of a pickle! It doesn’t matter where your politics lies to be honest, we’re all affected by what I am going to describe as ‘confusion.’ Yes, that’s the word for it: confusion. I say no more than that, other than to say that tomorrow’s choice of a simple prayer chorus aptly contains the word ‘confusion.’

I believe that real faith is grounded in experience, not ignoring or downplaying ‘real life.’ Faith recognises that we live in a real world, but then offers comfort and assurance. Our chorus tomorrow reminds us that in prayer there’s a respite, a rest in the presence of God.

Prayer gently lifts me was written by Salvation Army Colonel Hal Beckett, who wrote it when he and his wife led our Churches in Iceland and the Faeroe Islands. He was also experienced in missionary work in China between 1917 and 1924 when he started a number of churches there along with children’s homes. Very sadly, after some wonderful progress, the Communists eventually expelled The Salvation Army and all work ceased. How devastating that must have been for them, all that work coming to nothing. But the Colonel was a man of faith, and his chorus shows that, despite the turmoil, he experienced God’s peace through prayer.

The Bible tells us that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 13 v 33)

If there are times of questioning, moments of doubt, seasons of uncertainty, the answer that so many have discovered, is to spend time simply resting in the presence of God.

These words will always help.

Prayer gently lifts me to highest Heaven, From earth's confusion to Jesus' breast; My sin and weakness, my doubt and sorrow, Are lost forever in sweetest rest.

God bless you with his peace today.

We hope that you’ll join us for Together in Worship here tomorrow from 8am.

God bless you �

Welcome to Monday!

There's so much going on in the news at the moment that I find myself sometimes just ignoring some of it; there's too much to process! But on top of all the vitally important things, I have been puzzled at the discussion that the media thinks is very important: Crowns.

Yes, 7 months before the King's coronation some people are much exercised about which crown must be used, which diamonds should be allowed and should they return to other countries. What about the ivory in the sceptre or the oil for anointing that apparently is made from some animal fluid? Some are saying that the coronation should be shorter in length, that the Lords should merely wear lounge suits and even that the Queen Consort shouldn't have to bow to the King ... Well the list goes on as the coronation becomes a disagreement between those who want to keep the profound symbolism of the traditional ceremony and those who want it all stripped down to the minimum.

The history of crowns is actually fascinating. Charles will be crowned with St Edward's crown, then he'll change to the Imperial State Crown - the one we are familiar with at the State Opening of Parliament. Even the ones who want to pare down the other aspects of the coronation are wanting to keep the crowns; and quite right too! They are the symbols of majesty and authority, of power and honour. One can imagine them being ways of making a King look magnificent, almost more than human, in ancient times. Nowadays of course it's all symbolic.

It's interesting how crowns are written about when it comes to the Lord Jesus. We easily call him 'King of kings', and we read verses like this one that describes Christ as he returns in Glory:

"His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns." (Revelation 19 v 12)

Many crowns? Well, not literally. It's a way of describing the majesty of Jesus many times over. After all, he is worthy 'to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing.' (Revelation 5 v 12). We wouldn't expect or want a reduced coronation when Jesus returns! Full honours will be given.

But there are other crowns. You and I will be crowned too! Oh yes, the Bible speaks of a crown of life, a crown of righteousness, a crown of glory, a crown of rejoicing and an incorruptible crown, gifts of grace and honour in Christ's kingdom, crowns that we will cast before Him, 'lost in wonder, love and praise.'

Yes, we expect a wonderful coronation for our king Charles III, but how much greater the honour, majesty and power that belongs to our King of kings, worthy of all praise.

Majesty, worship His Majesty: Unto Jesus be all glory, honour, and praise. Majesty, kingdom authority, Flow from His throne unto His own, His anthems raise.

So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King. Majesty, worship HIs Majesty, Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings.

God bless you �

Hello everyone from Major Antony and Major Fiona Welcome to today's thought.

We are constantly reminded about the cost of living going up. The Media like the words 'crisis' and 'emergency'. If those words reflect that solutions must be found and action taken, then fine; but if such words imply there's no hope, then I think it's not very helpful, or indeed, accurate.

One thing I was impressed by during the pandemic was the local offers of help that were publicised: groups and individuals offered to shop for people, get prescriptions, etc. Now as the weather turns colder, and our gas and electricity bills are rising, other offers of help are becoming known. Businesses and other groups are offering warm spaces where people can come if they wish. Obviously the idea is for them to be warm and use less fuel at home for an hour or two, but there's the added benefit of being together with other people too. One might call it a warmth of fellowship.

Many of you will know that we have a coffee morning every Monday. We have started to publicise it as a 'Warm Space' because that's what it always has been. The tea and coffee is free, the bacon buns are amazing! (But not free!) And the warmth of being together is worth experiencing. If you're in or around Guisborough, why not pop down on a Monday morning? We'd love to meet you.

Our midweek gatherings: the coffee morning, the Golden Years over sixties club and the four days a week toddler group, are all expressions of something that is very valuable. Our Christian fellowship, meeting on a Sunday for worship, or meeting on other occasions as well, or even experienced when 'two or three are gathered together', is 'warm fellowship' at its best. There really is nothing like a welcoming Christian family that meets together in love.

St Paul writes, "...all of you should be of one mind. Sympathise with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude." (1 Peter 3 v 8)

No family is perfect, but what warmth of welcome there is, what a lovely spirit of togetherness we have. It's God himself who draws us together in welcome and unity.

If you are part of The Salvation Army church, or if you have your own church family, thank God for it, pray for it. Perhaps you'd like a 'Warm space'. Why not come along, you'll be made most welcome, and it might be just what you're looking for!

God bless you �

Morning all!

Is it morning? Really time to get up?

I had to check I hadn't read the clock incorrectly because it was so dark! Well, it was 6:15; but here I am, sat with my coffee at 7:05, and it's still dark! There's a hint of dark navy blue in the sky but my goodness what a difference from the bright sunny mornings we had just a few weeks ago.

We look ahead to a brief respite when the clocks go back an hour, but then there's the prospect of both breakfast and tea being had whilst it's dark outside.

That's why that word beginning with C is so important... Go on then, I'll write it: Christmas! Christmas, that time of lights and colour that used to last from Christmas Eve for 12 days, but now seems to last from the middle of October when the first Christmas adverts appear and Garden Centres get their Christmas stock on the shelves. Come on, admit it; you love it all!

I have a theory. Christmas, with its light and colour, seems to start earlier because people want the light. They don't like the dark, the gloom, the cold, and so anything that brightens up an evening is to be welcomed. Why wait for December when you can brighten up November too? I think we can understand that.

We don't like the dark and so we light the lights. Life can sometimes feel dark. Some of us experience a kind of personal darkness, whether through ill health, depression, needs that we can't meet. Sometimes we keep our darkness to ourselves and put on that sunny smile, all the while wishing the light would dawn...

Is there a light? Is there the prospect of a dawn when sometimes we feel it's all still night?

I've just looked up and the skies above Guisborough have lightened considerably. I don't think there has ever been a day on this earth when the sun didn't rise. There may be clouds, but the sun is still there. And faith holds on to one simple and dependable truth: God is here. The light of Christ shines even on the darkest days, the days when for a while there seems to be little prospect of light. But trust him, expect him, look for him. He will appear.

I read yesterday that depression is where you care about nothing, and anxiety is where you care about everything!

Two different experiences are familiar to many, but in the darkness of those days when our minds are burdened, simply take hold of the truth that God's light is there, even when dimly seen.

John writes, from his experience of knowing Jesus, that "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1 v 5)

The darkness will always give way to light. The darkest night always ends with the dawn of a new day. With Jesus, there's always hope, always life, always light.

God bless you today �

Good morning everyone.

This week I had the misfortune to experience what most people experience at one time or another: waiting for someone who doesn’t turn up, or for something that never happens. It might be being stood up by a date, waiting for a parcel that’s not delivered, or a contractor who never arrives, it’s frustrating! Well, I waited, and I waited for the requested workman to arrive.

“He’ll be here in a moment,” I thought to myself. He wasn’t.

“Maybe he’ll phone and say he’s running late,” I told myself. He didn’t.

I discovered the next day that the contractor had misunderstood the request and planned to come the next day. “So that explains it,” I thought. But it didn’t help the situation or redeem the time I’d lost. Oh well, it’s all put down to experience, and there are worse things happening in the world than a workman not arriving.

It's frustrating though.

We really don’t like waiting do we; and sometimes it can cause quite a bit of consternation. Like the time I was conducting a wedding. It was either my very first or only the second, I can’t remember now, and the bride was late. I don’t mean a minute late. I don’t mean ‘traditionally late’, ‘fashionably late’, I mean late late. I remember walking to the front and announcing the lateness of the bride, and the look on the groom’s face betrayed a fear she really was not coming at all! Well, of course she arrived and a lovely wedding it was too!

We do like things on time, understandably so; but we do learn to be patient. We do have to learn the ability to trust, to have faith. And in the realms of faith indeed, that can be a difficult lesson to learn. We believe God answers prayer, we try to ask in faith believing that his answer will come, but are we perhaps a little too quick to believe God has said no? It was a revelation to me as a young Christian to be told that God sometimes says “Wait!” The cynic might suggest that is a ‘cop out’, but I think it’s part of the process of answered prayer to be asked to exercise faith. There’s a lovely verse in Ecclesiastes 3 that reminds us that ‘God makes all things beautiful in his time.’ Is that not reassuring? Is it not true that sometimes there is a better time for an answer than the time we assume?

The Psalmist cries out, “How long, O Lord?” We might wonder when God is going to answer our personal prayer. The whole church might look at the world, thinking of Jesus’ promise to come again, and then wonder, “When? Has he forgotten?”

A reassuring verse is this: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3 v 9) That explains why the return of Jesus is not as quick as people thought, but it also shows us that there is often a reason for a delayed answer to any prayer that we may not have thought about, but which shows the wisdom and perfect timing of God. The important thing is this: he hasn’t forgotten, he hasn’t ignored the prayer, it’s just that he has a better time, or even a better answer than we might have considered. Have faith. Trust him to give his answer, and above all believe that ‘all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.’ (Romans 8). God bless you �

Hello everyone, on this Friday morning.

Scrolling through the online newspaper earlier I saw a photograph that suddenly made me stop and take notice. It was of two men greeting one another. Nothing extraordinary, nothing newsworthy perhaps. Except that it was a picture of the King and a Ukrainian diplomat who was 'presenting his credentials' to His Majesty at the Palace.

What was remarkable about this picture? Well it was the fact that it was the King and not the Queen who was pictured. We've all seen many pictures of Queen Elizabeth with various officials, guests political leaders all bowing or taking her hand as she smiled at them. But this photograph of King Charles in that role, that very unremarkable role, suddenly underlined the huge change we've seen.

What highlighted that change even more was the newspaper reproducing the photograph of the late Queen greeting the now suddenly previous Prime Minister at Balmoral just two days before she passed away; and in those two photographs there was an almost shocking reminder of just how things have changed.

But it's not the change in itself, of course, it's the turmoil that is accompanying it all. Change is a part of life, for good and bad, but we might suggest that it's all a bit much now! Some of us might agree with King David's longing for some peace:

I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

7 I would flee far away and stay in the desert;

8 I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."

Or to use more secular words: "Stop the world, I want to get off !"

Of course, we look back over the years and we do realise that as a week might be a long time in politics, things do change, settle down, even improve.

The Bible doesn't specify what the tumultuous issue was, but these words are familiar: "We will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46 v 2,3)

The Bible is always realistic. It never plays down the storm, the difficulty, the distress. It offers no zen-like tranquility that numbs us to the reality of our personal storm, or even national confusion! What it does offer is 'a river whose streams make glad the city of God.' (v 4) In other words, a resource of calm refreshment that flows from God.

"We will not fear" is our decision, our determined response because we know that whatever happens "God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved."

Today, in amongst the turmoil, the change, the uncertainty, "Be still....." Know that he is God. That's something that will never change.

God bless you �

Hello everyone, welcome to this week’s Song Saturday.

Each week, the day before we watch our Together in Worship video, I take a song or hymn and feature it briefly. It might even be just a simple chorus that helps us in prayer or to express our testimony. This week, a robust hymn: a challenge, an encouragement which perhaps might mean as much today as when it was first written, indeed perhaps even more so!

In my brief study of religious revivals, I have often found myself feeling rather envious of the experience of the churches involved – huge crowds, packed churches, vast numbers of people coming to faith in Jesus and communities transformed. The Salvation Army has its roots in revivalism and at one time was opening new Corps and filling them with converts at a spectacular rate. In the words of William Booth, I would want to pray, “Lord do it again, do it again!”

Oh, I have mused, how much easier it would have been to preach to willing crowds, how much easier to be a Christian when churches were filled, and the Holy Spirit was moving. And yet, even in those times, it was felt necessary to write such a song as Stand up, Stand up for Jesus. It’s a song that encourages a bold, confident faith in the face of opposition, danger and criticism. Its inspiration is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that tells Christians oppressed by Roman culture and heathen society to ‘Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes..’ (6 v 11)

In the twenty second century Christian faith, belief, morals and standards are under attack and subject to erosion like never before. Often the attack is from outside, but tragically some of the opponents of the Gospel are within our own ranks. Should we not therefore be bold, confident and assertive as we restate our faith and recommit to what the Bible teaches and what the Spirit says?

Let this song strengthen our resolve to confirm that we are on the Lord’s side today.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross! Lift high his royal banner, It must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory his army he shall lead Till every foe is vanquished, And Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey; Forth to the mighty conflict in this his glorious day. Ye that are men now serve him against unnumbered foes; Let courage rise with danger and strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in his strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you, Ye dare not trust your own. Put on salvation armour, And watching unto prayer, Where duty calls or danger, Be never wanting there.

4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The strife will not be long; This day the noise of battle, The next the victor's song. To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be, He with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.

Good morning everyone, wherever you are!

It's good to start the week together. Greetings from Lancashire. Yes, we journeyed here but to be quite honest I don't remember most of the journey. I wasn't feeling too well and I slept a lot of the time... Don't worry, Fiona was driving!

It's sad really because I usually enjoy that drive. It's not just the West Lancashire destination that makes for a good journey, it's the sights on the way.

We pass a rural garden centre that has camels in the field!

We drive high on treeless, crag gy moors.

We drive through a section of motorway surrounded by hills. We pass the wonderful, welcoming sign that tells us we've entered the beautiful and historic ancient county of Lancashire!

But I missed it all! I never saw it.

Even after we'd stopped for fish and chips in a small picturesque market town, I'd closed my eyes again before we'd even left the grey stone high street.

Oh it was nice to arrive, but I missed the blessings of the journey through closing my eyes.

It's a common cliche that life is a journey. We believe there's a wonderful destination promised to those who want it, of course, but do we appreciate the journey? There may be those who are so focused on the destination they have no interest in the journey; there are those so focused on duty they miss the scenery, that beautiful 'river of God's grace'. In fact some might miss the many blessings that come each day.

Sometimes the blessings that come are not in the main activities of the day. There may be hard work to engage in, a burden to carry, a time of illness, a season of sorrow; but here and there, like a short-lived view on a long journey, comes a blessing that lifts the spirit; a moment of laughter, a conversation with a friend.

But the most neglected blessings, given but sometimes ignored, come from God himself who draws near in moments of quietness or prayer, in times when we think of him.

The Bible assures us that 'Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.' (Lamentations 3 v 22 23)

On your journey today, don't close your eyes to the views! Look around and see the evidence, small though it might sometimes be, that shows his blessings are renewed, his grace is available, his love surrounds you, and his joy is within you.

Enjoy your day, wherever it takes you! God bless you �

No doubt as you sit reading this, you are surrounded by memories. There may be photographs of people, or objects bought in faraway places. Today you might hear a song that transports you back to somewhere else, or in conversation you'll remember a friend.

Memories are precious; and there are so many of them!

We've been sorting through memories this week. A house is basically a repository of life's experiences, relationships, arrivals and destinations. We look at things left behind by others and wonder 'why did they keep that?' We might cherish the shared memory or be reminded of something long forgotten. Some memories mean nothing to us or have no value. Some are embarrassing! I came across a set of photos yesterday as my mother shared them with me. Oh my goodness: the long hair, the moustache! Was that a good look, even if it was 1993? No, I'm not going to share it with you!

Even walking into the high street yesterday brought back memories. How things have changed! Maybe for the best, perhaps not so. We are sorry to lose old favourites but glad of improvement, innovation.

I look at my experience of 60 years and like all of you I am so grateful for memories in my mind as well as some of the clutter I've collected over the years. I'm not proud of those memories that still make me cringe, bring a sigh of regret, a twinge of guilt. Oh, if I could go back to a certain occasion, a particular date (or a number of them) and make a different decision, take a different path, say a different word...

We can't enjoy all our memories; we take no pleasure in remembering every past experience, but there is something we can do: we can prevent those memories spoiling today, affecting us negatively with regret. Why should 'All the memories of deeds gone by rise within me and (God's) power defy.'?

The truth that frees us is that God forgives all those who come to him, releasing us from the hold that these now-forgiven memories have on us.

'Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me.' (Psalm 25 v 7)

That's what David the shepherd boy turned King wrote. Who knows what those sins were? What we do know is that he sought and found forgiveness. He prayed 'Remember me, not my sins.'

That's a prayer we might all pray, and the answer is when we confess them to God, come to the Cross, that God indeed remembers sins no more.

God bless you �

Hello everybody, from Major Antony and Major Fiona.

Amidweek greeting to you all.

One of the joys of Facebook (other social media platforms are also available) is the sharing of holiday 'snaps' with our willing and eager followers.

Some of us are more than happy to share our 320 photos because many Facebook friends tell us "we love to see your photos!"

Well, an old friend of mine, currently in the US has shared not 200, not even 100, but 6 photos. Just 6 photos of his visit to Graceland, the home of the late Elvis Presley that is now part residence, part museum, part shrine to the greatest influence on entertainment (arguably) in the last 70 years. And I want to tell you that I am envious. In the words of another late rock star who said "Before Elvis there was nothing", John Lennon: I'm a Jealous Guy. Oh, I'd love to go to Graceland; kitsch, tacky and reverently commercialised though it may be!

I want to see that white porticoed mansion, the 70s decor, the Jungle Room. I want to see the 1950s pink Cadillac, the array of white bejewelled jumpsuits. I want to see Elvis's own jet aeroplane on the car park! I want to be in that place which has been literally preserved as 1977 with an almost certain expectation that Elvis himself could stride around the corner at any moment.

Except for one thing: his grave is there. My friend made a photo of it in one of his 6.

Ah, this shrine, this cult of Elvis, almost a religion with a building, music and adoring followers is focused on a man no longer here. Don't get me wrong, I love Elvis's music second only to Queen, but there's nothing in it for your soul to rely on. Elvis, Freddie, John and countless others receive adulation; and human nature means that if we don't worship dead singers we all worship something, but not one person, not one thing, is worthy except Jesus Christ.

He's not dead. These words are from his lips: "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore." (Revelation 1 v 18) Graceland is just a house. Music is just music.

Jesus, however, is all in all. He's our King, worthy of glory, honour and praise. There is no grave where we honour him for he is alive! And even Elvis knew that!

He himself sang How Great Thou Art in his 1970s concerts; and knowing for himself that Christ is risen he sang:

And he walks with me and he talks with me, And he tells me I am his own; And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known. And no shrine is needed, no photos required: he lives within my heart.

God bless you �

If you don't want to read about Christmas yet, stop reading now! �

Morning all! Yesterday we went to a garden centre for the sole reason of taking my mother out for lunch. The fact that this was also the place for an excellent annual Christmas display had nothing to do with it at all. Nothing. Honest.

But we had a good look around, and oh dear, were we disappointed. The independent garden centre has been taken over by a national chain, and their corporate design has reduced the creativity and extent of what the previous owners used to do. It showed and others have complained.

Yes, there were baubles and Santas and trees and lights but it was displayed without the previous artistic imagination. It wasn't the same, but I wouldn't go to the same extent with my disappointment by saying, as one online review stated: "Christmas will be grim this year!"

Hmmm, Christmas depends on decorations in October? My mother, whose entire festive display will consist of 'tree x1' and 'mantelpiece garland x1' was amazed at how much 'stuff' was for sale and kept asking if people really bought it all. Well yes, our own house will be well-decorated but Christmas would be very empty - grim indeed - if it depended on baubles for sale in October.

Here in Guisborough the band is well-prepared as usual for its carolling. The publicity for the annual toy appeal will soon be out, the advent worship, carol services, concerts and nativity-themed messy church will soon be fully-organised as what is in mind will be finalised. The preparations to 'welcome Christ the newborn King' on not-so-far-away December 25th are beginning.

Yes, we might be bemused at garden centres that mix Halloween displays and premature Christmas displays, but that's just commercial preparedness. There will be Salvation Army bands playing carols in November!

Nothing will happen at the last minute; and perhaps we might say that in the event of the first Christmas it was the same. It was all planned. It might have seemed unexpected, Mary and Joseph had to react to circumstances, difficulties and seemingly last-minute events but the 'main event', has been described in a carol like this:

See amid the winter's snow, Born for us on earth below, See the tender Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years.

Oh yes, well-prepared indeed. St Paul wrote, 'But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.' (Galatians 4 v 4)

It was all planned beforehand all prepared for in advance. A garden centre decked with boughs of holly in October is very late in comparison! The question isn't whether we're getting ready to welcome Christmas of course, but whether our hearts are open today, for 'where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.'

God bless you today �

Welcome to Friday, almost the end of the week's journeying, both actual and metaphorical.

We've travelled a bit over this past week, and we've experienced what a lot of motorists experience on the roads: unexplained traffic signals. Have you been there? You're driving down the motorway and suddenly the speed limit changes. It might be on one of the overhead signs, where three lanes are directed to go at 60. Or it might be a series of metal signs placed at intervals at the side proclaiming 30. Why, you wonder...

Last night we were told to go 40 on a long stretch of road with absolutely no evidence of the cause. No 'workforce in the road', no machinery, no loss of a lane, and no cones. Oh, those cones! How many times have we seen cones stretching before us and then as suddenly as they appeared, they disappeared with seemingly no reason for them being there in the first place!

The other one we saw recently was information of an 'incident' on the road. Oh dear, you fear for an accident or something of that nature, you slow down, and then suddenly you're back to normal with no sight nor evidence of any such occurrence.

Cones, speed limits, diversions even; they vex the average driver, especially when we don't always see the reason. There are times of course when the evidence is there as we pass the workforce in the road, but there are those times we assume that somewhere something is justifying the delay, though we cannot see it.

I'm glad we don't see life from God's perspective all the time, knowing the complexity of life, of decisions and changing circumstances. In our individual worlds, on our personal journey, we sometimes think we have things mapped out but suddenly comes a diversion, a limit to what we're doing, an obstacle. Often we might not see what's happening or understand why there's a change.

That's where trust comes in. We don't see the reason for the cones, and sometimes we see no reason for an unanswered prayer or a change of plan. What seemed reasonable to us suddenly alters and the new plan seems unnecessary or unwanted.

On the A19 or the M1 the seemingly useless cones or reduced speed limit will have a justification even if we don't perceive it as we rush past in that one moment of a day. Similarly, in our brief journey in life, from our limited viewpoint, the unexplained changes we experience are seen or even planned by the One who has a greater perspective than us, who can 'declare the end from the beginning,' (Isaiah 46 v 10)

It's for us to trust, to have faith in his purposes, plans and judgments.

The Bible says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.' (Proverbs 3 v 5 6)

Have some cones appeared on your journey? A slowing down for no apparent reason? An unexpected diversion? The song says, 'He knows the way he taketh.' Faith says 'and I will walk with him'.

God bless you �

Hello everyone from Major Antony and Major Fiona.

Hello everyone, and welcome to Song Saturday.

Usually, we feature a song or hymn that you can hear in Sunday’s Together in Worship, but there isn’t a video this weekend. However, there is a meeting at The Salvation Army in Guisborough, and if you’re within travelling distance you are more than welcome to join us! Our opening hymn tomorrow will be For All the Saints.

I love this hymn, it’s a good, majestic hymn that is quite at home in a Citadel as much as a Cathedral. It’s for All Saints Day, of course, which is this coming Tuesday, 1st November. The old name for the Day is All Hallows. Sadly, in my view, this joyful celebration is overshadowed by All Hallows’ Eve the night before; or as people know it, Hallowe’en.

What has degenerated into the Americanised, pumpkin and costume-filled trick or treat evening, is originally the total opposite of the joyful Christian festival that celebrates life, goodness, and the people who have left an example of joyful service in the Church. Hallowe’en is about death and darkness; that’s worth avoiding, not honouring!

Our featured hymn was written by William How who was a Bishop in the Church of England. He served as a Rector in East London from 1879 and as Bishop of Wakefield from 1888. He was known as the "poor man's bishop" because he was well known for his work among the poor in the London slums and among the factory workers in West Yorkshire. Interestingly he was on friendly terms with his near neighbour, General Booth, and even preached to a Salvation Army congregation in Stoke Newington.

It’s a real celebration of those who have gone before; people who lived, suffered, and died for Jesus with a strong, determined, and victorious faith. In a world where fear and defeat are so prevalent, it’s good to be inspired by a hymn that speaks of ultimate victory, especially when we look at the final verse that encourages us to look up to see the dawning of the day when Jesus returns. How ends every verse with a repeated ‘Hallelujah!’ I wonder if he was inspired by those Salvationist saints!

The Bible reveals what Saint John saw in Heaven:

“There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.” (Revelation 7 v 9)

These are the saints. We will be among them, Hallelujah indeed!

For all the saints who from their labours rest, Who thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight; Thou in the darkness drear their one true light, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, And win, with them, the victor's crown of gold, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, Steals on the ear the distant triumph song, And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day: The saints triumphant rise in bright array; The King of Glory passes on his way, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God bless you � Join us for worship in Guisborough if you can.

Good morning everyone!

It’s the end of a month and the start of a working week! It’s the birthday of our oldest son, and it’s Hallowe’en. Except that whilst we celebrate a birthday, we have never celebrated Hallowe’en. It’s not our ‘thing’, as it were.

Actually, that’s not true. If you’re over a certain age you might remember Hallowe’en as being slightly different to how it’s ‘done’ nowadays. Instead of pumpkins, in the mid-1970s I remember getting a swede and ruining my Mum’s cutlery trying to hack out the middle so I could put in a small candle. Ah, the smell of burnt swede �

I’m not really sure why we did it; but that’s about it as far as Hallowe’en was concerned. There was no trick or treating, though I do remember a social evening at the Army. It was a Tramps Supper, and we did bob for apples; there was nothing more sinister than that, but I have to say that nowadays I don’t think you’d get away with having a kids’ party where you went dressed as a homeless person!

With everything nowadays things have become commercialised; but also, more extreme. The imagery of Hallowe’en has become more horrific, ‘darker’ and even more violent. Just look at shop windows. It’s not just ‘ghoulies and ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties’ that we subject our children to! There’s almost a knife crime in every display! Yes, things have got a bit dark now. Death and violence are sanitised in plastic and pretend cobwebs.

Perhaps it’s a reaction to the growing darkness in our world; a bit of a mockery of it all in futile selfdefence. Laugh at the darkness and we protect ourselves? Hmmm, I don’t think so. Is it not better to shine a light?

When Jesus told his disciples, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5 v 14) I hardly think he had Hallowe’en in mind, but the principle is there of taking the light of love and life into everyday life; it’s about bringing hope and joy into a culture where sometimes people find life difficult.

There was a famous preacher in the nineteenth century called Charles Spurgeon. He said something I like: “The Bible is not the light of the world; it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians. You are the light of the world.”

This means that we should be what the world longs for: joy, and peace, love and light. On a day when ‘horror’ is celebrated to a greater or lesser extent, we pray that the church – actually, us – will be known for the opposite.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding, Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding, Sheddeth his light, chaseth the horrors of night, Saints with his mercy surrounding.

We hope you have a bright, cheerful and light-filled day!

God bless you, �

Index of Bible Verses - October 2022

Psalm 25 v 7 25th

Psalm 46 v 2 21st

Psalm 77 v 11 12th Psalm 119 v 114 6th

Psalm 119 v 105 10th

Proverbs 3 v 5 28th

Isaiah 46 v 4 5th

Lamentations 3 v 22 24th

Habakkuk 3 v 2 13th Malachi 3 v 6 4th

Matthew 5 v 14 31st Matthew 11 v 28 1st

Romans 1 v 20 11th

1 Corinthians 14 v 33 15th

2 Corinthians 3 v 3 7th

Galatians 4 v 4 27th

Ephesians 6 v 11 22nd Colossians 1 v 13 3rd

Hebrews 13 v 5 14th

1 Peter 3 v 8 18th

2 Peter 3 v 9 20th

1 John 1 v 5 19th

Revelation 1 v 18 26th Revelation 5 v 11 8th Revelation 7 v 9 29th Revelation 19 v 12 17th

Originally from Blackpool and Bristol, Majors Antony and Fiona Mugford, with 34 years experience as Salvation Army Officers, have served mainly as Corps Officers (church leaders), but also have experience of working in homeless services and in elderly care.

Fiona is also a qualified staff nurse working in hospice care in Newcastle and Stockton, and in 2019 Antony completed a Masters Degree in Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies.

They have three adult sons and one grandson; having been Corps Officers here in Guisborough since July 2014.

Guisborough

Guisborough is a market town with a cobbled high street, Westgate, on the northern edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, England with a population of about 18,000.

The Salvation Army commenced initially in 1879 but the Corps (church) was officially opened in May 1880 by Captain Martha Malthouse. Since when the Corps has served the town of Guisborough and the surrounding area with Christian worship, outreach and compassion.