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

With Love to My Fellow Writers

For those of you who were unable to attend the last meeting at my house in Taverham but would like a peek  at what took place here is what we got up to.
We opened with prayer and a word from Ephesians 4:2-3
'Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort through the bond of peace.'
I think if we write with this in mind all will go well for us, we are called to comfort and inspire a hurting world in the name of Jesus.
For a task for the meeting I felt led to share a photograph taken in the 50's of a young couple on a motor scooter. (Unbeknown to the writers it was a picture of my Mum and Dad in their youth) I felt it would be a good insight for us to see the different ways it affected the creative writing juices of each person.
The result provided very interesting, from a story of a day at the seaside, a first date, a trip following a period of sickness to a beautiful poem which just oozed from the depths of a hurt buried deep within that could only be healed by Him.
We then had a group discussion as to  what each of us had been doing and the ideas we felt were bubbling up. We shared thoughts to help encourage each other and I asked the group to write down ideas to bring to the next meeting as to what topics they felt they would like covered in the future.
As writers I think we all doubt from time to time, we doubt our abilities and even worse; how once in print we doubt and worry what will other people think?
So we concluded with a word from John 20:27
'Do not be unbelieving, but believing.'  
In the story of Thomas, Thomas expressed his doubts when the disciples told him they had seen Jesus.
Was this wrong of Thomas? Should he have just kept quiet?
The Lord knows our thoughts, He loves an honest heart as much as He loves a seeking soul and when Thomas doubted Jesus turned up. He did not disqualify him.
Your doubts will not disqualify you either,
Believe it, and praise God when you receive it.
Bless you
Yours Truly

Julie

Next meeting at Taverham Monday 17th March 10.30 a.m

Life Lessons

We were having our writers meeting and I had been given a label from an item of clothing. The exercise was to write something about it. Looking at the tag the word ‘indigo’ jumped out at me and as I looked at the string attached to it I was struck by the colours. Red and yellow and pink and green: the colours of the rainbow.

Life has been quite colourful lately. Daughter’s departure to York to start Uni in September, I have to admit was met with trepidation, but for all my concerns I feel blessed that she has good people around her and is enjoying her course. Then in October we had Son’s trip to hospital. That was a completely different colour, but to be honest it gave us a glimpse of another side of life. It made us aware of how precious life is and as individuals when vulnerable just how precious we each are to God. Let me share;-

My son came home from work with toothache; he described it as ‘being hit round the face with a shovel’ and said he was going to bed which was very unusual for him. Dosed up with painkillers he managed to eat and sleep that night. A visit to the dentist the next day revealed a mystery, there was nothing untoward and they could not understand why he was in so much pain. To cut a long story short by the next day son’s lip looked as if he had a quadruple dose of botox: making his lip far from attractive, look more like a beak! And by now his cheeks had become quite puffy. The doctor checking his vitals said despite his appearance he seemed healthy. It must be his teeth and because of health and safety regulations suggested we revisit the dentist. I felt we were going round and round in circles! Four days later Son was in so much pain the medication given seemed to have no effect and I noticed his eyes had started to look quite bruised.

As I mother I felt his pain alongside my own anguish as to what the problem was. All that was left was to continue to pray. I felt my son was losing his faith. ‘Where is God? I can’t stand this pain anymore!’ was his anguished cry. At this I felt my resolve rise up. ‘Enough is enough! I am pulling Heaven down to Earth right now in the name of Jesus.’

Suddenly there was like a deadly hush, then a stillness filled the room with what I can only describe as peace. Peace descended upon us right there and I suddenly recalled the words ‘be still and know that I am God.’  I looked at my son; I could tell he felt it too. ‘The pain has gone’ he said. 'Praise God!' I replied.

Downstairs listening to a CD and drinking tea I suddenly heard a bit of a clatter. It was Son he was showered and dressed and said God had spoken, he was not to be a defeatist. However, I still felt unsettled, something told me this battle was not yet won and in the early hours of the morning I was proved right. The pain was back with a vengeance and I was worried Son would take too many painkillers, he had three hours to wait for his next dose which I knew to him would seem like a life time so I said I would keep him company for a while. It was then a funny thing happened, it seemed like only a few minutes had passed when my son started pleading again but in actual fact three hours had passed! Both of us were amazed!

After Son took the medication Hubby felt an urgency to get him to the hospital. We expected a long wait due to the Friday night revelers, but it proved not to be the case, yes, there was a long wait but it was filled with the elderly, apparently they couldn’t get through on the help desk! What is our country coming too?

Seven hours later much to our surprise Son was admitted. I gave a sigh of relief and as Son settled in his bed he even said, ‘You can’t put a price on your health.’

I pondered on this as we drove home. I know the enemy is out to rob and steal and to keep us away from God; obviously because God wants the complete opposite for us, He wants us to have our best life; to be happy and whole; to savour it and experience it with Him. I also believe He turns all things around for the good if we will just trust Him.

 So if I have learnt one lesson from this experience it is that life is not always predictable. It has also taught me something more about the character of our Heavenly Father; although He is always faithful He is not predictable either. He is life itself, like the different colours of the rainbow and the different facets of a diamond there are many different facets to God. As we walk through life He wants us to share and savour some of those many different colours of life together, so that He can bring out the best in us, to make our character more like His.

Why?

Because I believe it brings us closer. Heaven can come to Earth. There is nothing like being in the Presence of God.

 We need it.

 He knows it.

One touch from Heaven is all it takes to change a life.

I felt my Spirit stir and say,

‘You paint a pretty picture!’   

Yours Truly

Julie.

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 facebook page Beauty & Belief