Least We Forget.

Today we are reminded of the Great War. It was 100 years ago today that 750,000 young men volunteered to defend their King and Country. It later transpired that 250,000 of them were not even old enough, in the euphoria to sign up many of them had lied about their ages, they were just boys, barely 15 years old who thought it would be a great way to see a bit of the world, believing that it would all be over in six months. Those who were old enough didn’t know much better, in their naivety, they were even given leave from their jobs, some being told, ‘it would be a nice little holiday.’

Unlike today, 100 years ago news did not travel fast, it was not until they had crossed the channel that the facts began to emerge and as the red hot shrapnel plummeted down on them and the  gas attacks blinded them did the truth  and full horror of what they had been led into emerge.  

It was only in their latter years that some were able to bear their souls and the burdens of their hearts to tell their tales. A film clip of a veteran now passed on,  shed a tear as he shared how his friend with major body parts missing, in shock had asked him for a cigarette, by the time he had taken two puffs he was dead- like a puff of smoke he was gone. Life expectancy was short; if you lasted more than six weeks you were classed as lucky.

The Great War which these young volunteers anticipated was to last no more than six months actually lasted 1560 days. The ceasefire took place on the 11^th Hour of the 11^th day of the 11th month in 1918, and more than sixteen million lives were lost in the conflict.

Looking at life today, I think we like to feel things are better, but in a way the world is still at war. News travels much faster nowadays and listening to the news sadly it seems we have not moved on that greatly. In Iraq, Libya, Syria Egypt Israel and Palestine people are still killing each other and then in July there was the terrible plane crash. 298 passengers and crew on a Malaysian airline were shot down as they flew over the Ukraine. What terrible tragedies. What can we say?

This was the question I posed to our writers group at our last meeting. What can you say to those who have lost their loved ones? People who are hurting become angry and they will look for somebody to blame, sadly when all else fails many will blame it on God. Even those who say they don’t believe in God will blame God. Yes with regards to faith times have changed, but when it comes to our final hour has it? 100 years ago I believe when those young men lay dying in agony they would have prayed to God. And as it says in Acts 2 verse 21

‘Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

So today I say, to all those who suffer and mourn I pray you will find your faith. it is a fact that many people when in times of trouble will pray, so give it a try, call upon the name of the Lord. I pray that through these terrible tragedies although loved ones may be gone, you will meet them again. 

As that old song goes, ‘We’ll meet again don’t know where don’t know when but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.’

A dedication to my beloved Grandad, who although long gone, fought and survived the Great War.

Yours Truly

Julie

P.S Two ladies from our writers group felt they would like to say something too. I hope it will comfort you.:-

Trace the Rainbow through the Rain

Never lose sight of the rainbow
For it is God's promise to you.
Though dark clouds may threaten your skyline
God's rainbow will surely break through.
If ever you feel life is hopeless,
and your living seems in vain.
That is the time to trace the rainbow through the rain.
Never lose sight of the rainbow
as you wend your way through life.
Perhaps you feel tired and weary,
with many troubles and strife.
Though you try to keep cheerful,
you're battling so much pain
This is the time to trace the rainbow through the rain.
Never lose sight of the rainbow 
though friends may come and go.
It seems that life's too busy
to spend time with those we know.
Perhaps you've lost a loved one
and life won't be the same.
That is the time to trace the rainbow through the rain.
Never lose sight of the rainbow,
though dark clouds may hide it from view.
Keep looking for that rainbow
that's out there for me and for you.
One day you're going to find it ,
and all pain will turn to gain.
And you'll be so glad you traced God's rainbow in the rain.                 
 ....... Renne

  

My child there are things so cruel and crippling - things that will befall you because this world is fallen. So far from perfect - so far, far from my original plan when I set the world in motion all those thousands of years ago . Then there was no commotion, no evil notion but now my child there is difficulty, pain and shame but that is why I came. To bear them all. To shoulder the cruelest tragedies that struck at your heart and mine. 

When you feel you can no longer go on - I My child am there. There in the fog of disillusionment - there when the pain stabs your heart and tears at your soul. You were never meant to walk alone. I bear you up in my hands. I hold you tight and help you fight - fight against the terrifying fright. Just stretch out your hand - if you can - and find mine. I will take the wounds...wrap your soul in My unquenchable love...carry you through the darkest valley. So reach out your hand and take mine.

...Sandie 

Other inspirations can be read in ‘On Earth as it is in Heaven’ by Julie Prentice.              Available on Amazon or email  julie.jules2007@hotmail.co.uk for stockists.                          Follow us on twitter JulieJules07 on face book page Beauty & Belief

Because He Loves me

We were drawing to the conclusion of our writers meeting; with Easter almost upon us some of the group had been away so it had transpired into quite an intimate time of telling our stories rather than writing today. We had been discussing a write up which featured a story about one of the writers in our group and mentioned an Angel encounter.

Knowing what I know now, I believe you can have divine encounters, as may some of you. But way back when I was in my twenties the thought of ‘God commanding His angels to guard us and take charge over us’, as promised in Psalm 91 seemed ludicrous. Back then I believed it was all down to me. What would be would be. God and me, well lets just say I never gave Him much thought and I felt sure the feeling was mutual. How wrong can you be?

To tell you my story, I need to take you back to almost 1980. I had been walking home alone, a stupid thing to do I was later to realize but at the time I had been fuming over a situation that I really won’t bore you with, all I will say is that I had been out for the evening and it had not gone well. In those days when I got in a temper I found it best to just leave. Let the fury revolve around in my head; don’t unleash it on anyone else. God forbid it if any one found out anything bothered me!

So there I was stomping through the shopping precinct in the dead of night when I suddenly felt this hand seize me and grab me by the throat. I remember that menacing voice so clearly. ‘Keep your mouth shut or I’ll do you some serious damage!’

What followed was like a nightmare. I don’t know if it was the fear that kicked in but I know I felt a chill run down my spine and I knew at that precise moment if I was to get out of this in one piece I had to keep calm. I felt myself shut down. I somehow had to step out of myself and pretend I was not really there. The whole situation suddenly became quite surreal. I sensed the guy got off on people’s fear, realizing this I tried to make conversation with him and within minutes he had let go of me. As I walked up the road I tried to humor him. Anything to put off the inevitable because I knew without a shadow of a doubt he was not going to just let me go!

As we continued to walk in my desperation I suddenly found myself praying, ‘Please, somebody come, please send someone so I can make a run for it.’  But nobody came and eventually after what seemed like an eternity I accepted that I was not going to get out of this. As his hands grabbed me again I felt my body tense.  ‘This is it,’ I thought.

Suddenly I felt his hand relax. ‘Wait don’t move, somebody’s coming,’ he whispered in my ear.

Did I wait?

I ran and ran and as I rounded the corner by some miracle I saw a policeman.

‘What’s your hurry young lady?’ I heard him say, ‘you rounded that corner like hell was at your heels.’

In my distressed state I just muttered, ‘Something like that,’ I was too shocked to explain; ‘I need a taxi, I want to go home,’ I stammered trying not to break down.

The policeman gave me a knowing look, but said nothing. It was as if he knew what had taken place. Then without taking his eyes off me, he made a kind of gesture with his hand and as he did so like out of nowhere, a taxi appeared.

In my relief I just opened the door and almost flew into the back seat. My only thought was to get home and it wasn’t until our house was in sight that I let my thoughts reel back over the evening. Phew! That was close. That was way too close. Thank goodness for that Policeman! Without him it could have all turned out so differently.

As I approached the front door I found myself pondering, for a Policeman he had looked kind of different, by different I don’t mean weird. It was just he had looked as if he had been from another time. His helmet had looked so large; in fact his uniform had looked like one from years gone by.

I shook my head. It must be the shock; it was making me lose the plot!

Mother nearly had a fit as my tale unfolded and next day dad called the police. Apparently I had had a very lucky escape; mine was not the first attack. But funnily enough there was no mention of any policeman on patrol that night.

Reflecting over this event now, so many years later, reminds me of that saying, ‘Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread.’

 I believe in my case the Angel rushed in and rescued a fool where she should have feared to tread.

I also remember making myself a promise that day.

I may be no Angel but from now on I would be no Fool either!

Why?

Because one touch from Heaven is all it takes to change your life.

Other inspirations can be read in 'On Earth as it is in Heaven' by Julie Prentice. Available on Amazon or email julie.jules 2007@hotmail.co.uk for stockists. Follow us on twitter JulieJules07 on face book page Beauty & Belief