A voice is heard in Houlah

A voice is heard in Houlah,
weeping and great mourning,
women weeping for their children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.

Bashar al-Assad will now go down in history as a slaughterer of the innocents, as King Herod in New Testament times. Herod's dynasty was eventually removed, as the Assad regime will fail and fall. In some ways one can draw parallels with Rehoboam, in the First Book of Kings, who oppressed the people with harshness and cruelty, caused a rebellion and warfare, and did evil in the sight of God and man.

The cries of the oppressed in Syria have been well documented, but still world leaders refuse to help those in desperate need of medical supplies and protection.

Kofi Annan is so meek and mild that he is ignored.  Like cold and weak coffee, people do not wish to swallow his brand.  It is time to get tough with the Assad assassination machine.

Assad must go, and eventually after more deaths and dreadful, despicable dealings a new regime will be installed.  The house of Assad will fall.

Thomas Watson, Puritan preacher, and Barnston, Essex

Some of my readers may know of Thomas Watson, the great Puritan divine, who wrote wonderful works of biblical theology.  Thomas Watson was active in the 17th century and spent his last years at Barnston, Essex.

He was ejected from the church in the City of London where he ministered in 1662, as were many principled preachers who could not in good conscience subscribe and submit to the Act of Uniformity.  It was the beginning of a new chapter of non-conformity in England.

Last Thursday I spent a very happy afternoon in the Essex countryside around Great Dunmow, The Rodings and The Easters.  The journey from High Roding to Barnston was really lovely on a perfect May day, when the sun shone brightly, the birds sang beautifully, the yellow fields of oil seed rape glowed gloriously, and the warm weather gladdened the heart of man and beast.

The Church of St Andrew at Barnston was rather remote and hard for me to find.

For those who are keen on the history of the church in the Puritan period, this plaque should be of interest.

A memorial plaque inside the church of St Andrew, Barnston, near Great Dunmow, Essex.

Sounds like another form of anti-democratic repression

President Vladimir Putin, the former KGB officer, wishes to shield the Russian people from radical actions. He  apparently supports a very controversial bill which would significantly increase fines for those involved in "unsanctioned protests".

In December 2011 there were mass street protests, by opponents of the re-elected President Putin, which were certainly unsanctioned, in response to perceived election fraud.

It is now feared that the bill, which has gained lower house approval, will prevent and put pressure on the protesters and public opponents who wish to take to the streets to express their grievances.  Fines for unsanctioned protests could be used to curtail free speech, opposition rallies, spontaneous responses to injustice, and democratic practices.  The heavy fines could be a weapon against democratic and spontaneous protest. Yet President Putin maintains that establishing increased fines for unsanctioned protesters "strengthened democracy".

Annie Davies, Evan Roberts and the love song of the Welsh Revival

Annie Davies was a church singer from Maesteg who became well known for her rendition of Here is love vast as the ocean during the 1904 Welsh Revival and the ministry of Evan Roberts.  Annie became the main soloist at meetings led by Evan Roberts.  There were rumours that they were engaged. The handsome Evan Roberts did not marry the lovely singer, but he remained single. It is recorded that congregations were often moved to tears when Annie Davies sang.  This great hymn that she often sang was known as "the love song of the Welsh Revival".  It was in fact written by William Rees.


Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion
 fountains opened deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God's mercy
 flowed the vast and gracious tide,
Grace and love like mighty rivers
 poured incessant from above
Heaven's peace and perfect justice
 kissed a guilty world in love.


My mother in law remembered Evan Roberts, who died in 1951.  She said that he was a very attractive man who had many female admirers.  At one time Evan Roberts was quite a celebrity in South Wales, but he died in obscurity. The newspapers, such as the Western Mail, helped him gain popularity.  But he was a really anointed preacher who drew large crowds and saw many people come to faith and salvation in Christ. My wife's grandmother was in Sunday School in Llanelli during the Welsh Revival and remembered hearing him preach to thousands.

Stoke by Nayland on Ascension Day

On Ascension Day, which fell this year on 17 May, I visited Stoke by Nayland and Polstead in Suffolk. (Please see my blog post yesterday for video details.)

This area is in the Constable Country and close to the River Stour, which runs through Nayland, where one can see a Constable painting (Christ blessing the elements) in the parish church.

I had lunch at the Crown, Stoke by Nayland and then visited the pleasant Church of St Mary at Polstead.

From the churchyard it is possible to see the tower of Stoke by Nayland in the distance to the south.

Prayerwalking today on the third Saturday in May

Come what may, prayerwalking is for me today!  It is the third Saturday in May, so prayerwalking will make my day!

Later this morning I'll be in Dedham, ready and willing to walk to Langham, Stratford St Mary, East Bergholt and back along the River Stour to Dedham, stopping on the way to pray at four churches dedicated to St Mary.

I love to watch football and often this Saturday in May clashes with the Cup Final, but today it is a Wembley match for the Hammers, and Chelsea are in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in Munich. But
I'd rather be out in the Constable Country prayerwalking.  I hope to see the matches on TV later.

Thursday was Ascension Day, and I went out visiting churches in North Essex and Suffolk.  I have recorded my visit to St Mary's at Polstead on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CIZyCf_a5I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewhx_kds8s0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EzvHRlABwo&feature=relmfu

Enjoy.

Yes, we must work harder Mr Pickles...to tackle obesity!

Mr. Eric Pickles has told us that we need to work harder.  I agree with him, a man who looks like he has not missed many meals.  We need to work harder to tackle obesity, which lies at the root of many ailments and therefore costs the National Health Service pounds and pounds sterling.  We need to shed some pounds in weight.  Mr Pickles certainly does.

So we need to work hard to live more healthy lives, to get sufficient exercise, to get off our fat backsides and exercise daily, to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, and avoid obesity.

Yes, we need to work harder.