One might think, perhaps, that eighteen years would be time enough to develop a sense of identity. After all, we had never been anything other than British. In front of the Post Office, Police Station, District Commissioners Office, Customs Office and Immigration Office, at the railway station and both the primary and secondary schools, it was the Union Jack that stirred languidly in the tropical sun. On occasions of civil solemnity it was 'God save our Gracious King' that was sung, low, slow and meaningful. Memories from more than half a century ago remain vivid. Of the dignitaries of our little Rhodesian border town standing stiffly, a little awkwardly to attention as they sang, and as a boy I wondered at the power of a monarch so far distant.
Our money bore his likeness, his head was printed on our postage stamps. He was our sovereign leader, he was the King. The very word resonated with a power and pride that evidently all the adults felt and was ingrained in us from birth.
This little bit of Africa, with other bits adjoining and scattered over the continent, bringing civilization, peace and progress to the continent, was under the control of that one man, the king, whose power extended over much of the world beyond Africa too. And over it all, the king, the king, was potentate. Primarily he was the great benefactor, bringing blessings in a varied multitude of ways, to tribes and nations all over the globe. And because there were always those who made trouble, the king was always the one to keep the peace, providing the security we felt, being British and benefactors to the world and all who wished to live in peace to make the best they could out of life. It never occurred to us that anyone would want it any other way.
This put a burden of tremendous responsibility on our King, but being King, he commended, and deserved, the loyalty, effort and energy of all decent, right-minded people to direct the running of the world in the best way possible.
So we took off our hats and stood to attention, proud and wondering and ready to follow our elders to do whatever was necessary, directed by our king. It was a feeling we inherited from our earliest childhood. It stirred the blood and we felt that it was good; good for our country, good for everybody. So our hearts were in it when we said, and sang and shouted: "Long Live the King!"
1932 CANADA "King George V" 3 Cents (Deep Red) Stamp (#197)
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Blessed Relief From Eczema
Blessed relief from Eczema came for our grandson Chris when he was ten.
Your heart could hardly bear watching him. Scratch, scratch, scratch. Tummy, legs, arms, face, back, neck - there was hardly a spot on his body which was not affected. This had gone on since he was two. Every type of medicine you could image was tried. Emollient creams were a daily routine. DiproBase twice a day and again at school if the itching overwhelmed him.
Tepid baths with Oilatum poured into the water daily. Occasionally he would go on steriods but his Mum worried about their thinning affect on his skin, so she used them sparingly. Night times were difficult as he couldn't sleep well. To help him he had a air-conditioner running, and was allowed to listen to the radio, read and watch some TV shows until he fell asleep. They say children grow in their sleep. This would explain why he never grew fast.
He was small and thin, with arms like sticks. Yet despite the misery the eczema caused him, his Mum encouraged him to live as normal a life as possible. He was bright and did well at school, but suffered the odd looks and remarks from other children as a result of his obvious skin condition.
We are a praying family and we always prayed for Chris, that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ would heal him. It was difficult though, because although we are taught to believe for healing, Chris' eczema remained with him. What was a miracle though was the way he lived his life. He was a surprisingly cheerful boy whose sense of humour was easily tickled.
Despite being small, the prognosis of his bone density was good. There was plenty of room for growth.
Caring people would stop whoever was with Chris in the street and suggest a treatment that had worked for them. Unfortunately, there was no blessed relief from eczema for Chris.
Then one day his Mum was pointed to an internet site.
The result was a visit to a Doctor who practices in both South Africa and the UK and who specialized in dermitology. He had a lot of success with eczema.
Later he told us that his first look at Chris had resulted in him feeling that Chris' recovery from eczema would be slow. In fact, Chris responded so well to the treatment that the effect on his skin was almost immediately noticeable. He's been eczema free for more than a year now and manages his own treatment. At last he has got blessed relief from Eczema.
He has to apply the cream prescription once a day. A lot of his eczema problem was down to the fact that the scratching broke his skin which in turn caused a low grade infection. Treating this was the first step to his recovery.
The Doctor's name is Dr. Aron. There is no affiliation to him other than he being my grandson's doctor. If anyone else is suffering from this awful itchiness than it is very worthwhile contacting this Doctor. Perhaps for them too, it would be an opportunity of getting blessed relief from eczema.
PS. I apologise for any adsense ads which are offensive. I have done what I know to do to get rid of them but have not had success. I will continue to try.
Your heart could hardly bear watching him. Scratch, scratch, scratch. Tummy, legs, arms, face, back, neck - there was hardly a spot on his body which was not affected. This had gone on since he was two. Every type of medicine you could image was tried. Emollient creams were a daily routine. DiproBase twice a day and again at school if the itching overwhelmed him.
Tepid baths with Oilatum poured into the water daily. Occasionally he would go on steriods but his Mum worried about their thinning affect on his skin, so she used them sparingly. Night times were difficult as he couldn't sleep well. To help him he had a air-conditioner running, and was allowed to listen to the radio, read and watch some TV shows until he fell asleep. They say children grow in their sleep. This would explain why he never grew fast.
He was small and thin, with arms like sticks. Yet despite the misery the eczema caused him, his Mum encouraged him to live as normal a life as possible. He was bright and did well at school, but suffered the odd looks and remarks from other children as a result of his obvious skin condition.
We are a praying family and we always prayed for Chris, that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ would heal him. It was difficult though, because although we are taught to believe for healing, Chris' eczema remained with him. What was a miracle though was the way he lived his life. He was a surprisingly cheerful boy whose sense of humour was easily tickled.
Despite being small, the prognosis of his bone density was good. There was plenty of room for growth.
Caring people would stop whoever was with Chris in the street and suggest a treatment that had worked for them. Unfortunately, there was no blessed relief from eczema for Chris.
Then one day his Mum was pointed to an internet site.
The result was a visit to a Doctor who practices in both South Africa and the UK and who specialized in dermitology. He had a lot of success with eczema.
Later he told us that his first look at Chris had resulted in him feeling that Chris' recovery from eczema would be slow. In fact, Chris responded so well to the treatment that the effect on his skin was almost immediately noticeable. He's been eczema free for more than a year now and manages his own treatment. At last he has got blessed relief from Eczema.
He has to apply the cream prescription once a day. A lot of his eczema problem was down to the fact that the scratching broke his skin which in turn caused a low grade infection. Treating this was the first step to his recovery.
The Doctor's name is Dr. Aron. There is no affiliation to him other than he being my grandson's doctor. If anyone else is suffering from this awful itchiness than it is very worthwhile contacting this Doctor. Perhaps for them too, it would be an opportunity of getting blessed relief from eczema.
PS. I apologise for any adsense ads which are offensive. I have done what I know to do to get rid of them but have not had success. I will continue to try.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
A pebble on a beach
We've just got back from a camping weekend at Weymouth in the UK. It was a lovely spot, especially since the weather held all w/e.
Our 11 year old grandson had been given a ring by his aunt. He was really pleased about this. In order to make sure he didn't lose it, he put it with his socks and tennis ball with the rest of our beach luggage, never dreaming somebody was going to move it all.
At the end of the day, he went to look for it. There was nothing there. No tennis ball, no ring, no socks. All the luggage had been packed into whatever carry bag was available and taken down to the water line.
He came back to the waters edge and asked me if I would help him look. Look for a ring on a pebble beach where we had been sitting and walking around! All I could think of was that God knew about the sand on the seashore so he must know where my grandson's ring was. I told him this and said he needed to pray. We looked around unsuccessfully for a while and then made our way back to where he had originally put it.
People were getting ready to leave. I asked them to check when they got back home to see if the ring had been put into their luggage while my grandson continued to look around where we were standing. And do you know - he found the ring. A few feet forward of where it originally was, but there nevertheless. On a pebble on a beach.
Don't give up on prayer or faith or hope. He is able. He kept His promise about Jesus and He shows people that He cares.
Our 11 year old grandson had been given a ring by his aunt. He was really pleased about this. In order to make sure he didn't lose it, he put it with his socks and tennis ball with the rest of our beach luggage, never dreaming somebody was going to move it all.
At the end of the day, he went to look for it. There was nothing there. No tennis ball, no ring, no socks. All the luggage had been packed into whatever carry bag was available and taken down to the water line.
He came back to the waters edge and asked me if I would help him look. Look for a ring on a pebble beach where we had been sitting and walking around! All I could think of was that God knew about the sand on the seashore so he must know where my grandson's ring was. I told him this and said he needed to pray. We looked around unsuccessfully for a while and then made our way back to where he had originally put it.
People were getting ready to leave. I asked them to check when they got back home to see if the ring had been put into their luggage while my grandson continued to look around where we were standing. And do you know - he found the ring. A few feet forward of where it originally was, but there nevertheless. On a pebble on a beach.
Don't give up on prayer or faith or hope. He is able. He kept His promise about Jesus and He shows people that He cares.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Who Inherits The Kingdom Of God?
We do His commandments. This is the first step towards inheriting the Kingdom.
And His commandments are not difficult or harmful. We confess Christ, because He is God's anointed Holy One. Even today. He is the Way to eternal life.
How many are the martyrs who have stood for the faith of Christ. Their voices are still heard today, because they preached the same message the early apostles preached. 'Jesus Christ is Lord of All' Every man will confess Him to the Glory of God the Father.
That is a goal and an aim which is worth going for.
And His commandments are not difficult or harmful. We confess Christ, because He is God's anointed Holy One. Even today. He is the Way to eternal life.
How many are the martyrs who have stood for the faith of Christ. Their voices are still heard today, because they preached the same message the early apostles preached. 'Jesus Christ is Lord of All' Every man will confess Him to the Glory of God the Father.
That is a goal and an aim which is worth going for.
Friday, 1 July 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
Review 0f Christopher Guest's 'Best In The Show', 'A Mighty Wind', 'The Spinal Tap' And 'For Your Consideration'
The enjoyment of a film can often be tied into the viewer's expectations. Having an idea of what you are about to watch can help increase the odds of enjoyment, especially if like me, you can´t abandon a film, of any standard or enjoyment level, half way through. So, if you are a fan of films with thumping sound tracks, gunfights, modern special effects, fast cars, beautiful people, exotic locations, golden beaches, stunning scenery, A-List cast and flesh regularly flashed, then the recommendations below are not for you. So despite having removed all the main ingredients of a traditional blockbuster, and having risked losing your attention, I continue unrepentant.
I am here in fact to recommend the ´mockumentary´ and a series of films from this genre's undoubted master: Christopher Guest, who plays varying roles in all 4 of the listed. The ´mockumentary´ for the uninitiated, is a film in the style of a documentary but in which all characters are actors. Guest and his various cohorts, without straying too far off the idea of a character and dialogue driven film, do allow themselves a little more razzmatazz than an actual documentary and in such the appeal is widened. Mixing techniques such as ´interviews´ with ´old footage´ and ´cameras following unaware characters,´ the films are set in a space of time covering a specific event.
These films revolve around likeable, if slightly oddball, characters with slick dialogue. Guest tends to use the same handful of actors who clearly enjoy their roles and revel in the careful silliness of it all and you are drawn into their worlds seamlessly. In keeping with most real-life documentaries, a slushy ending is avoided and there are usually both winners and losers as the ´event´draws to a close. Choosing his subjects carefully, the films delight in both the quirks of the individual characters and by revealing a world hitherto seldom seen. Each Guest fan will have their own favourite, I can recommend all of them, though will take the risk of ranking them for your interest-
Best In Show
: maybe because this was the first I watched and had been given the simple recommendation ´you might quite like it´. Knowing the recommender, I knew what type of film to expect, but that was all. I did like it, very much. The context is a Dog Show.
: maybe because this was the first I watched and had been given the simple recommendation ´you might quite like it´. Knowing the recommender, I knew what type of film to expect, but that was all. I did like it, very much. The context is a Dog Show.
A Mighty Wind
: This was my second Guest film and being new to the role of self-styled film buff, didn´t realize it was the ´a Christopher Guest´ offering until I thought to myself, ´this is similar to that film I enjoyed about the Dog Show´ and checked out the credits. I enjoyed this one too! The context is a reunion show for a once-popular folk band.
This is Spinal Tap
: The first and most acclaimed and quoted of the Guest films. It was inventing the genre – eat your heart out Ricky Gervais! I watched it last and it had got a bit dated for me but still enjoyable and with possibly the best dialogue. The context is a comeback Tour of a Rock Band.
: The first and most acclaimed and quoted of the Guest films. It was inventing the genre – eat your heart out Ricky Gervais! I watched it last and it had got a bit dated for me but still enjoyable and with possibly the best dialogue. The context is a comeback Tour of a Rock Band. For Your Consideration : The most recent of the films and it had the feeling of pro´s performing a familiar routine that they all know is well liked. Might well therefore be the slickest of them all & Ricky Gervais gets a role. The context is a cast of an Oscar- Nominated film awaiting Awards nights.
: The most recent of the films and it had the feeling of pro´s performing a familiar routine that they all know is well liked. Might well therefore be the slickest of them all & Ricky Gervais gets a role. The context is a cast of an Oscar- Nominated film awaiting Awards nights.
Best in Show: The Films of Christopher Guest and Company
by Applause Books
by Applause BooksThursday, 15 April 2010
A Reason To Be Glad
How can anyone complain when the invitation is there to be 'invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb'. It gives great hope for each day and a reason to keep on going on.
Another reason for hope is that our beautiful world was created by God through the Lord Jesus Christ. (A mystery I know, but true none the less. A mystery in the sense that of there being a distinction implied between The Word and God.)
The first daffodils of spring, the blooming of tulips, the snow carpeting the ground giving a completely different landscape to what was before - all beautiful changes and renewal. How great and how good is God. The nations do His will and we're invited to be part of it.
So, to love your neighbour, that is to care about his welfare, perhaps even putting him first, might be the opposite to our inclination, but is nevertheless, the best choice. Especially if it's done that He, through His Son, might receive the honour and the glory.
I need to be reminded about these things. I need to remember them, hope in them and live by them.
There's nothing for sale on this entry because we don't need to pay anything when we call on His name. It's free. What He gives is given to us through His grace.
Another reason for hope is that our beautiful world was created by God through the Lord Jesus Christ. (A mystery I know, but true none the less. A mystery in the sense that of there being a distinction implied between The Word and God.)
The first daffodils of spring, the blooming of tulips, the snow carpeting the ground giving a completely different landscape to what was before - all beautiful changes and renewal. How great and how good is God. The nations do His will and we're invited to be part of it.
So, to love your neighbour, that is to care about his welfare, perhaps even putting him first, might be the opposite to our inclination, but is nevertheless, the best choice. Especially if it's done that He, through His Son, might receive the honour and the glory.
I need to be reminded about these things. I need to remember them, hope in them and live by them.
There's nothing for sale on this entry because we don't need to pay anything when we call on His name. It's free. What He gives is given to us through His grace.
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