Author: Kenneth

Remembrance Sunday

Psalm 90 New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn people back to dust,
    saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4 A thousand years in your sight
    are like a day that has just gone by,
    or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
    they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
    but by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger
    and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
    we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
    or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
    Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
    that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
    your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
    establish the work of our hands for us—
    yes, establish the work of our hands.

I stand Amazed

This hymn, which is also known as How Marvelous or My Savior’s Love, was written by Charles Gabriel.

Charles Hutchinson Gabriel was born in 1856 Iowa.  From a young age he showed a talent and love for music.  In 1912 he moved to Chicago to work for Homer Rodeheaver’s publishing company.

Gabriel married Fannie Woodhouse, but later the marriage ended in divorce.  Together the couple had one child.  Later, he married Amelia Moore and they had a child.

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He edited gospel song books and contributed numerous hymns to various publications.  He is credited with writing between 7,000-8,000 hymns and songs in his life.  Many approached him to write the melody for their words.  Some of his hymns include His Eye is on the Sparrow, O That Will Be Glory, Send the Light, Will the Circle be Unbroken, The Old Rugged Cross, Crown Him with Many Crowns, and Away in a Manger. 

The inspiration for I Stand Amazed in the Presence is not known, but Gabriel wrote both the words and melody for the song.  However, reading the lyrics, one can imagine how the passion of Christ found in the gospels vividly revealed itself to Gabriel as he penned the lyrics of the hymn.

The hymn first appeared in the 1905 E.O. Excell’s collection, Praises.  Rev. Carlton R. Young, editor of The United Methodist Hymnal, notes: “This song of gratitude and praise for the atoning death of Jesus is a personal and Adventist interpretation of Luke’s account of Jesus’ sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, a portion of the passion narrative not included in the other Gospels.”

Gabriel died on September 14, 1932 in Hollywood, California.

The song has been contemporized for modern audiences by Christian performer, Chris Tomlin.  His version is known as “I Stand Amazed”

Divine Providence and Sovereignty

The idea reflects the belief that God orchestrates events for our good, and what He intends for us cannot be missed or taken away.

  • Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
  • Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

These verses affirm that God’s plans are purposeful and personal—what’s meant for you will arrive in His perfect timing.

⏳ Divine Timing and Waiting

Sometimes we feel like opportunities pass us by, but Scripture encourages patience and trust.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
  • Isaiah 60:22 – “When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”

This reminds us that delays aren’t denials—they may be divine redirections.

🛡️ God’s Protection and Guidance

The phrase also implies that if something isn’t for you, it won’t stay—because God protects you from what isn’t meant to be.

  • Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

💡 Summary

In biblical terms, “What’s for you will never go past you” is a comforting reminder that:

  • God’s plans are intentional and tailored to you.
  • You won’t miss what’s truly meant for you.
  • Trusting in divine timing is an act of faith.
  • Rejection or delay may be protection or preparation.

Devotion time

Some of you may know that I attend The Salvation Army and sing in the local choir ( in the Army they are referred to as Songsters).

For as long as I care to remember it has been customary either during or at close of practice. The devotional period is usually about ten minutes and consist of a thought/bible reading and prayer

Our practice is on a Thursday night and last nights thought was about “When you think someone doesn’t care they actually do”

Here is the words and music of two retired Generals John Gowans and John Larsson of The Salvation Army.

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.
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.

2. 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.

Dedicating our love to others

Romans 12:1-2 New International Version – UK 

A living sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

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There is only one way I can think of, of dedicating our love to others and that is by letting it ‘Shine through Christ’

Joy knowing the Lord

Romans 5:1-8

1 We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. 3 And we also have joy with our troubles because we know that these troubles produce patience. 4 And patience produces character, and character produces hope. 5 And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. God gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given See the source imageto us. 6 Christ died for us while we were still weak. We were living against God, but at the right time, Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good man someone might possibly die. 8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners. In this way God shows his great love for us.

I first heard and sang ‘Joy because of you’ about 36 – 37 years ago at The Salvation Army Divisional music camp , unfortunately I am unable to provide the words to the song but I hope you can make them out as you listen. As the song and bible passage suggests they are not just a passage and song of joy but also of testimony and praise.

Seeking Wisdom

Proverbs 1 New Living Translation

Wisdom Shouts in the Streets

20 Wisdom shouts in the streets.
    She cries out in the public square.
21 She calls to the crowds along the main street,
    to those gathered in front of the city gate:
22 “How long, you simpletons,
    will you insist on being simpleminded?
How long will you mockers relish your mocking?
    How long will you fools hate knowledge?
23 Come and listen to my counsel.
I’ll share my heart with you
    and make you wise.

Do you have/have had a wise friend or member of your family you could trust? Many years ago I had a Christian grandmother who was very wise in many ways .

She was the sort of person where you could come to her in confidence with your problem and she would listen and give good guidance.

After giving you her guidance, she always used to say something along the lines “It’s up to you now to decide what to do”. She also said Pray about it!

My grandmother was the sort of Christian who didn’t just help members of the family with problems. She also had friends inside and outside church who relied on my Gran to help them with their problems as well.

When she died at over 100, naturally she was a loss to the family. In fact my gran was held such high regard by other people that when it came the day of the funeral there was standing room only in the Salvation Army hall

If you have a wise friend or member of family – Church family you can trust and you have any problems share it with them and of course The Lord himself.

How do you do your Devotions?

Yes that’s the title of today’s post, ‘How do you do your Devotions?’

Most people take a reading from a small book such as ‘ Our Daily Bread’ or ‘The word for Today’. Myself being musical minded find great comfort in in Devotional Christian music.

The other night for example I put you tube on through the app on my TV and just listened to a few pieces. The first one being one of by all time favourites because I’m not just musical minded, I love brass bands as well.

This video featured New York Staff Band united with Britain’s famous Black Dyke Band playing I’ll walk with God with great feeling and blessing.

I really did feel Gods presence come through in that piece.

I'll walk with god 
From this day on
His helping hand I'll lean upon
This is my prayer my humble plea
May the lord be ever with me

There is no death though eyes grow dim
There is no fear when I'm near to him
I'll lean on him forever 
And he'll forsake me never

He will not fail me as long as my faith is strong
What ever road I may walk alone

I'll walk with god 
I'll take his hand
I'll talk with god he'll understand
I'll pray to him
Each day to him

And he'll hear the words that I say
His hand will guide my throne and rod
And I'll never walk alone
While I walk with god