John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811–1875) was an Irish Anglican clergyman and one of the most prolific hymnwriters of the 19th century. He wrote around 300 hymns, many of which remain in use today.
📍 Background
Born in St Columb’s, Londonderry
Educated at Trinity College, Dublin
Served in several clerical posts in Ireland and England
Later became Rector of St Nicolas’ Church, Guildford
Died after a tragic fall while inspecting church rebuilding work in 1875
✍️ His Hymns
Some of his best‑known hymns include:
Fight the Good Fight with All Thy Might
O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness
On Our Way Rejoicing
Sing to the Lord a Joyful Song
His writing is known for its joyful, uplifting tone and strong sense of the church year — something that aligns beautifully with your interest in Advent, remembrance, and devotional themes.
🧭 Why the Name Confusion?
“Mansell” and “Monsell” are often mixed up because:
The names sound similar
Older printed sources sometimes used inconsistent spellings
Handwritten parish records can be ambiguous
But all authoritative sources confirm Monsell as the correct spelling.
John Gowans (1934–2012) served as the 16th General of The Salvation Army from 1999 to 2002. Born in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, he grew up in a Salvation Army family and eventually became one of the movement’s most influential leaders and creative voices.
✍️ His Creative Legacy
Gowans is especially remembered for his partnership with John Larsson, with whom he co‑wrote ten full-length Salvation Army musicals—works that shaped the worship and culture of the Army for decades. These include:
Take-Over Bid (1967)
Hosea (1969)
Jesus Folk (1972)
Spirit (1973)
Glory (1975)
White Rose (1977)
The Blood of the Lamb (1978)
Son of Man (1983)
Man Mark II (1985)
The Meeting (1990)
These musicals blended theology, storytelling, and accessible music in a way that resonated deeply with Salvationists worldwide.
📚 Writing and Spiritual Voice
Gowans also wrote the beloved “O Lord!” prayer-poem books, which many Salvationists still use devotionally. His writing style—simple, honest, and deeply human—mirrors the reflective tone you often appreciate in hymn stories and devotional writing.
🌍 Leadership and Ministry
Before becoming General, Gowans served in a wide range of appointments across the UK, France, and the USA. His leadership was marked by warmth, creativity, and a strong pastoral heart.
It’s that time of year again when we think of the homeless people especially at night when the temperature drops very low, very often to freezing or below.
Let us spare a thought for those who will not be able to afford a Christmas dinner as we sit down to ours on Christmas day .
I also admire those volunteers from many organisations such as The Salvation Army who give up their day to cater not just for the homeless but for the old and people on their own.
Matthew 25:34-40 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
Non-Christians claim that Christmas trees are a religious symbol of Christmas. Is a Christmas tree really a religious symbol of Christmas equal to a Nativity scene?
It depends on how religious symbol is defined. If it means anything to which religious significance can be attached, then yes, because many Christians have attached religious significance to the Christmas tree (e.g., the Tree of Life, both in Eden and on Calvary). But if a religious symbol of a holiday is considered a tangible object intrinsically attached to that holiday, and without which the holiday wouldn’t be the same, then no, because the celebration of Christmas does not require Christmas trees. Christmas trees are a decoration that Christians incorporated into their celebration of the holiday over the centuries. They did not become widespread in the English-speaking world until German relatives of the British royal family brought the custom to Great Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries. Christians justified the custom on religious grounds by explaining that the evergreen tree can symbolize eternal life. Even today in many traditionally Catholic countries, far more emphasis is placed on the much older Christian custom of erecting Nativity scenes, a tradition attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). In short, although Christmas trees are a beloved custom in much of the English-speaking world, they are not necessary to the celebration of the holiday and are not nearly as symbolic of the holiday as the crèche. If it is agreed that a religious symbol should be understood to mean a tangible object intrinsically attached to that holiday, then Christmas trees are to Christmas what dreidels are to Hanukkah—a beloved custom but not a religious symbol.
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree How lovely are thy branches O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree How lovely are thy branches
Your boughs so green in summertime Stay bravely green in wintertime O tannenbaum, o Christmas tree How lovely are thy branches
Let us all remember In our gift giving and our merriment With our family and friends and loved ones The real and true meaning of Christmas The birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ
O tannenbaum, o tannenbaum How lovely are, are thy branches O tannenbaum, o tannenbaum How lovely are, how lovely are thy branches
The pillars all please faithfully Our trust in God unchangedly O tannenbaum, o tannenbaum How love, lovely are thy branches
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen Ha ha ha ha
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Today is the first Sunday in advent ‘The Candle of Hope’
Isn’t it strange how at the lead up to Christmas you start to see adverts for donations to several charities whilst at the other end of the spectrum you see a house decorated like the one above.
Though having said that there used to be a person who lived in a nearby village to me decorated his house at Christmas to raise money for a ward in the local hospital.
11For 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.
I have this tune on a recent CD I bought it’s a piano arrangement and I love the tune but being a musician when i looked up these words it made the tune a lot more meaningful.
As Jeremiah tells us God has plans for each of us we just need to pray for him to show and teach us the way to enable us do what he says.
In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me everyday
As You’re teaching me Your way,
That you do just what You say in Your time.
In Your time, in Your time,
You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
With its winter and its spring,
May I fathom everything in Your time.
There’s a time, there’s a time
Both for sowing and for reaping there’s a time.
Time for losing, time for gain,
Time for joy and time for pain,
Every purpose under heaven has a time.
There are times, there are days,
Weeks and months we cannot understand God’s ways.
If for years we fail to scan
What is his eternal plan,
We’ll remember that He can, all the time.
Lo, Jesus came heralded by a star and so, each year candles flicker and sweet carols rise. What an infinitely small view man takes of this cosmic happening and Spiritual intrusion! God came to earth. The Creator became a creature. The Prince of Peace became a pauper. The Word of God a speechless child. King […]
I am saved from my self destructive patterns of the past! I am saved from condemnation! I am saved from shame! I am saved from the penalty of ALL of my sin! Thank You Jesus, WE ARE SAVED!
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.
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