Pauline in a Yellow Dress doesn’t sound promising. It’s a portrait of a wife, the artist’s own. It was described by the Daily Mail as the ‘Mona Lisa of 1944’. At first this appears a little OTT, yet when beholding it, one becomes captivated with Pauline’s beauty. Even the little dog she holds gazes up to admire her loveliness.
I visited Samlesbury Hall this month. You’d describe it as a Tudor-style Hall with its black and white timbers, whereas it is really 200 years older. It’s a wonderful building and charges no admission to visitors, its owners instead hoping you’ll tarry for a meal in its restaurant or choose to marry in its hall.
On Saturday night I attended the Preston Branch meeting of the Prophetic Witness Movement International, whose chief concern is Christ’s return. The preacher, a Doctor Boreland, had a reassuringly godly Northern Irish accent, as he expounded various passages of his Authorised Version. There were a couple of gospel appeals in the sessions, which I felt were mainly for my benefit; I was unknown to the speakers, I had come without my Bible and was casually attired. We were given special PWMI hymn books which I noted retailed for three shillings or fifteen New Pence.
What do Bony M, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hits of the Sixties and Best of Folk have in common? Answer: I’m sick of them all. Or, more accurately, of their particular CDs in my car. Due to inertia, I seldom change a CD, and generally play it to death, rendering its sounds repellent for the next 2-3 years. I therefore made the wise decision to instead employ radio to slake my musical needs whilst driving. I listen to BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. Both play lovely music yet manage to nark me in equal measure.
I’m a bit busy at the moment, but you’re welcome to look over my shoulder, if you’re interested. Better still, you can pull up a chair and work with me. No, you can’t be all that busy or you wouldn’t be reading this.
You’ll need your bible and a piece of paper, or your laptop, or similar. I’ve got a reporter’s notebook handy, because I’ve been jotting down notes during the week, and I’m on my laptop.
The European Union has been “the greatest dream realised for human beings since the fall of the Western Roman Empire”, said the Archbishop of Canterbury at the start of this month, reports the Church Times. What, not the printing press? The Reformation? Religious freedom? High literacy rates? Huge reductions in infant mortality? I could go on. I’m amazed that Archbishop Welby should believe a capitalist trade bloc is the best thing since sliced bread.
Our gusty singing of Eternal Father Strong to Save to conclude last night’s Bible Study attracted some attention from the neighbours, who came out to greet us as we left the chapel.
Two former church members, who are dear to many, sent me the following as an encouragement to us:
Allow me to make a comment as an encouragement to you and the folks at Martin Top. Reading Numbers 6:22-27 'The Priestly Blessing' - The Lord's instructions to Aaron and his sons, via Moses. Verse 27 finishes the blessing with "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
Part of a devotional reading regarding this passage states:
This date stone is built into the wall of a house in Banff, in North East Scotland. Its text was also the motto of the old Stornoway Town Council which included it on its coat of arms: God’s providence is our inheritance.
01282 540562
pastor@martintop.org.uk
Salem Chapel, Martin Top
Rimington, Clitheroe BB7 4EG
Sunday Worship 10.45am & 6pm