MIZPAH

Rainbow over Broughshane, N.I.




The Lord keep watch between me and thee while we are absent one from the other. Genesis 31:49

Go thou thy way and I go mine, apart, yet not afar;
Only a thin veil hangs between the pathways where we are.
And “God keep watch ‘tween thee and me,” this is my prayer.
He looks thy way, He looketh mine, and keeps us near.

I know not where thy way may lie, or which way mine will be …
If mine will lead through parching sands, and thine beside the sea.
Yet “God keep watch ‘tween thee and me,” so never fear;
He holds thy hand, He claspeth mine, and keeps us near.

Should wealth and fame perchance be thine, and my lot lowly be …
Or you be sad and sorrowful, and glory be for me,
Yet “God keep watch ‘tween thee and me,” both in His care:
One arm round thee and one round me will keep us near.

I sigh sometimes to see thy face, but since this may not be,
I’ll leave thee to the care of Him who cares for thee and me.
“I’ll keep you both beneath my wings,” this comforts, dear:
One wing o’er thee, and one o’er me, so we are near.

And though our paths be separate, and thy way is not mine,
Yet coming to the mercy-seat, my soul shall meet with thine …
And “God keep watch ‘tween thee and me,” I’ll whisper there:
He blesses thee, he blesses me, and we are near.

Ethie and his Daddy

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

You shall not take the name
of the Lord your God in vain:
for the Lord will not hold him guiltless
who takes his name in vain.

Q.53 Which is the third commandment?

A.53 The third commandment is, You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

2nd August 2009

Elie at door of church

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to your name,
O Most High;
To declare your steadfast love
in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute
and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
Psalm 95:1-3


Q.52 What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A.52 The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, - his propriety in us, - and the zeal He has to his own worship.
Scripture:
1Peter 1:17,18, Ezekiel 14:6-8, 1 Corinthians 10:21,22

31st July 2009

LIFE IN THE EMERALD ISLE
The 11th and 12th bonfires and Orange Parades are over for another year. I had a good laugh on Saturday night when midnight struck and it was time to light the bonfire. It was raining a bit and it took them almost an hour to get the thing lit. This is a tradition that has been going on for a million years, and it’s not like it never rains here. Yet no-one thought to bring along anything to light a fire with??!! Only in Northern Ireland! I don’t have photos of it but the fire was probably at least 10 meters by 10 meters and the height of a house. Because the 12th day was Sunday this year, all the parades were on Monday. It has lots of bands - flute bands, accordion bands (you'd love them Mum), pipe bands, drums, and all the Loyal Orange Lodge fellas marching. Quite a sight to see! We had a lovely day sitting in the sun and watching things go by. I’m a bit fuzzy on the history, but it all goes back to King Billy (William of Orange) I think. Unfortunately there was some trouble and violence at some of the parades especially in Belfast. We saw none of that though fortunately.



Teaching them to observe everything
I have commanded you.
Matthew 18:20
Q.50 What is required in the second commandment?
A.50 The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God has appointed in his word.
Also: Deuteronomy 12:32


Therefore since we are God’s offspring,
we should not think that the divine being
is like gold or silver or stone –
an image made by man’s design and skill.

Acts 17:29
Q.51 What is forbidden in the second commandment?
A.51 The second commandment forbids the worship of God by images,
or any other way not appointed in his Word.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT:
THE OBJECT OF WORSHIP

"You shall worship the Lord your God
And him only shall you serve."
Matthew 4:10
Q.46 What is required in the first commandment?
A.46 The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.
Also: 1 Chronicles 28:9


When I think of my Father’s eternal design,
By which His resources are mine;
When I think of the wealth in the heavenly mint
On which I may draw without stint;
When I think what my Father is planning to do,
There’s NOTHIN TOO GOOD to be TRUE!

26th May 2009

THE MORAL LAW

For truly,
I say to you,
until heaven and earth
pass away,
not an iota,
not a dot,
will pass from the Law
until all is accomplished.
Matthew 5:18

Q.44 What does the preface to the Ten Commandments teach?
The preface to the Ten Commandments
teaches us, that because God is the Lord, and
our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are
bound to keep all his commandments.

Also Matthew 5:17-20


Hello children!

Here’s a chorus for you to learn about reading the Bible.

Lots of love,
Papa and Ahma

The best book to read is the BIBLE
The best book to read is the BIBLE
If you read it every day
It will help you on your way,
Oh, the best book to read is the BIBLE

Family Letter - 19th May 2009

I am the Lord your God,
who has brought you
out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage.
Exodus 20:2


Q.43 What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?

A.43 The preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words, “I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.


Hello children!

How are you today? I’m sorry Harry and Georgie and Lucy and Ethan have been sick. We are well here in Tamworth.

Did you know I had a letter from Buckingham Palace today? It's about your Great-grandpa White. He was a soldier in Burma in the war and he was very brave.

Here’s a poem about Christopher Robin going to Buckingham Palace.

Lots of love,
Papa and Ahma


Buckingham Palace


They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
Alice is marrying one of the guard.
"A soldier's life is terrible hard,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We saw a guard in a sentry-box.
"One of the sergeants looks after their socks,"
Says Alice.


They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We looked for the King, but he never came.
"Well, God take care of him, all the same,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
They've great big parties inside the grounds.
"I wouldn't be King for a hundred pounds,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
A face looked out, but it wasn't the King's.
"He's much too busy a-signing things,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
"Do you think the King knows all about me?"
"Sure to, dear, but it's time for tea,"
Says Alice.

-- A. A. Milne