Lest We Forget

                                              In commemoration of the Great War.

 It was over 100 years ago that 750,000 young men volunteered to defend their King and Country. Sadly 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 either. In their naivety, they were even given leave from their jobs, some being told, ‘it would be a nice little holiday.’

Unlike today, all those 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 11^th month of 1918 and more than sixteen million young men lost their lives.

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.  People are still killing each other. So many stories of terrible tragedies. What can we say?

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 may have changed, but when it comes to our final hour has it? Over 100 years ago I believe when those young men lay dying in agony they would have prayed to God. And as it says Acts 2 : 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.

Other inspirations can be read in ‘On Earth as it is in Heaven’  by Julie Prentice                                                                                                                               

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Revelations

Listening to the news recently they had been discussing the progression of technology in the UK. I had felt a bit shocked, as if the story was to be believed it sounded as if we have embraced it with all abandonment! They then pictured lots of little robots scurrying around doing various different tasks. Kind of cute from a Disneyland point of view but then they said they are looking at ways of replacing the human workforce with robots and it seems they are prepared to go to great lengths to get the British public on board with this!

Thinking about it, having a robot doing some of my cleaning sounds quite appealing, also the use of technology for artificial limbs is great. But sitting down having a cup of tea and a nice heart to heart with one - that I cannot imagine. Neither the idea that people should spend their time pursuing leisurely activities rather than work, apparently the way forward is to get these robots to take over so that we can spend our time doing….. Exactly what?

 To me this sounds more like the book of revelation and the end times!

If you are of a working age and don’t work you don’t earn and having no money kind of restricts your options don’t you think?  I can’t imagine the government giving handouts to everyone in the UK to sit at home pursuing leisurely activities while robots do the work, unless they are going to pay all of our tax and national insurance contributions!

Will this be one step to far?

My mum bless her, constantly likes to reminisce about ‘The good old days,’ but what was good about them?  Getting up in the middle of the night and charging down to an air raid shelter while some unknown person dropped bombs on you seemed terrifying to me.

 ‘Well people seemed much nicer then and we all stuck together,’ argued Mum.

She may have a point there, out in the city the other day I noticed a lot of people seemed rather more stuck to their mobiles than anything else. I have to confess I don’t like to leave the house without mine either, I think mobiles are good, but there is good and bad in everything so is this creating an anti-social society? Is it restricting us rather than liberating us? Appallingly, in one hi-tech country an experiment proved robots very successful with the elderly as they proved very good company. How sad is that?

Well Mother Teresa said the worst problem in the world was not starvation. It was loneliness.

We need to take time out for each other. Every person needs to feel valued.

You feel so much better about yourself when you do something nice for somebody else rather than yourself

And we all need a special someone don’t we?

Hopefully not a robot! 

 Jesus said, 'I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So do not be troubled or afraid.'        John 14:27

Other inspirations can be read in ‘On Earth as it is in Heaven’ by Julie Prentice £8.99.                 Follow us on twitter JulieJules07 

On face book page Beauty & Belief