iChristian | Category Archive

The throne of grace

May 14, 2020 by Steve 3 Comments

The throne of grace

(Henry Law, “Family Prayers”)

Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, Heaven and earth are full of Your glory! Blessing and honor and glory and power be to You, O Father of mercies, O God of all grace and love.

We thank You, that, as vile and sin-soiled as we are–we may come into Your immediate presence, and hold this converse with You, and commune with You concerning all our concerns, all our sins, and fears, and hopes and desires.

We are astonished that we, poor sinners on earth, may speak directly to You–our great and glorious God, on Your throne in the Heaven of heavens! How wondrous the thought that our poor breathings may fly on the wings of faith, and have instant access to the ears of Your grace!

We thank You that, in the multitude of Your tender mercies and the riches of Your pitiful compassion, You have been pleased to erect this throne of grace before which we now most humbly bow. We bless You that here, free grace reigns. We bless You that, at all times and in all places, we have open access to You through the blood of Your dear Son.

We bless You that the veil is open, and that in His great name we may ever approach and find You . . .
ready to hear,
waiting to be gracious,
arrayed in smiles of love,
bidding us to touch the scepter of Your sovereign mercy,
inviting us to pour out every need and desire of our hearts,
and promising to give more than we can ask or think.

Grant, oh grant, that we may be wholly consecrated to You. May we, in spirit, soar far above earth. May our hearts be fast barred against admission of worldly thoughts or cares. Send Your peace, passing all understanding, as a flood into our anxious minds. May our meditations of You be sweet. May we drink deeply of the refreshing streams proceeding out of Your throne. May we feast on the heaven-sent manna of Your precious Word, and thus gather strength for the upward race.

Hear us, answer us, bless us we pray. All we ask is in Jesus’ name, and for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

“Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

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The supplies of His grace and mercy are unexhausted and exhaustless!

May 13, 2020 by Steve 1 Comment

The supplies of His grace and mercy are unexhausted and exhaustless!

(Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

“Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” Psalm 34:9

Myriads of leaves clothe the forest,
myriads of flowers bespangle the meadow,
myriads of insects dance in the sunbeams,
myriads of birds sing in the woodlands,
myriads of fish swim in stream and ocean,
myriads of stars glitter in the nightly sky–
and every leaf is as perfect in form,
every flower is as beautiful in colors,
every living creature is fashioned with such skill, and
every burning star is guided through space with as much care–
as if it engrossed the entire attention of God, and there was not another but itself within the bounds of His universe!

The number of objects our hearts can hold, or our arms embrace, or our eyes watch–is limited; confined within a narrow range–they are small at the largest, and few at the most.

It is not so with Him who is mighty to save, abundant in goodness and truth. The supplies of His grace and mercy are unexhausted and exhaustless! Their type shines in that SUN which for six thousand years has shed its light . . .
on seas and continents,
on crowded cities and lonely solitudes,
on burning deserts and fields of ice,
on palaces and cottages,
on ragged beggars and sceptered kings,
on all countries and classes of men.
And with fires fed we know not how, the sun shines today as bright as ever–his eye not dim, nor his natural strength abated!

And as this is but an image, and a faint image, of God–then well may his servant assure us, that there shall be no lack to those who fear Him. None–neither for the body nor the soul; neither for time nor eternity!

“My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:19

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7-8

“In the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus!” Ephesians 2:7

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Look up today, O parched plant!

May 12, 2020 by Steve 3 Comments

Look up today, O parched plant!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26

Here is sovereign grace, “I will send down showers.” Is this not sovereign, divine mercy–for who can say, “I will send down showers,” except God? There is only one voice which can speak to the clouds, and bid them beget the rain. “Who sends down the rain upon the earth? Who scatters the showers upon the green herb? Do not I, the Lord?”
Grace is the gift of God–and is not to be created by man.

It is also needed grace. What would the ground do without showers? You may break the clods, you may sow your seeds–but what can you do without the rain? As absolutely needful is the divine blessing. In vain you labor, until God bestows the plenteous shower, and sends salvation down.

Then, it is plenteous grace. “I will send down showers.” It does not say, “I will send them drops,” but “showers.” So it is with grace. If God gives a blessing, He usually gives it in such a measure that there is not room enough to receive it. Plenteous grace! Ah! we need plenteous grace . . .
to keep us humble,
to make us prayerful,
to make us holy,
to make us zealous,
to preserve us through this life,
and at last to land us in Heaven!
We cannot do without saturating showers of grace.

Again, it is seasonable grace. “I will send down showers in season.”
What is your season this morning?
Is it the season of drought? Then that is the season for showers.
Is it a season of great heaviness and black clouds? Then that is the season for showers.
“As your days–so shall your strength be.”

And here is a varied grace. “I will give you showers of blessing.” The word is in the plural. All kinds of blessings God will send. All God’s blessings go together, like links in a golden chain. If He gives converting grace–He will also give comforting grace. He will send “showers of blessing.”

Look up today, O parched plant, and open your leaves and flowers for a heavenly watering!

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☀️ #33 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Xel-Ha, Cozumel, Mexico”🇲🇽(2016)

May 11, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Yay…It’s Sarah’s Birthday!!! I wonder if it’ll be memorable?! 🤣

Good morning WordPress family! Are you up for some ‘River Tubing’ today? We‘ve never tried this before and after our kayaking yesterday we thought it would be a relaxing way to gently float downstream ensconced in the lush landscapes and soothing sun ☀️ Well here goes…

Our initial thoughts were this excursion really wasn’t for us as it sounds like a big park where you have to find all of the events yourselves (that’s not our strong point as we both have sight problems). We are much better with a tour guide who we can follow than to be left alone and get lost…But we really wanted to try ‘River Tubing’ so let’s do this! 😀

It was an 8 hour excursion and when it took 2 hours to get to Xel-Ha (a seriously bumpy boat and a mostly smooth coach) we thought “If it’s 2 hours here and 2 hours back, surely not even we can get too far lost in 4 hours?! Lol famous last words” 🤣

Welcome to Xel-Ha…

An exciting adventure awaits you at the sacred Mayan paradise, Xel-Ha. In this natural lagoon, which was sacred to the Mayans, you can experience some fabulous snorkeling in a natural tropical aquarium, viewing an amazing variety of multi-colored fish and tropical marine life in beautiful clear waters. Upon arrival, your guide will escort you through the park for an orientation, then you are on your own to enjoy time to swim, walk the jungle paths, stroll the beach, relax in a lounge chair,or snorkel at this beautiful lagoon.

Xel-Ha offers a collection of coves, caves, inlets and lagoons. Both the Caribbean Sea and the network of underground rivers and springs feed this area, filling the lagoon with both salt water and fresh water. This sometimes gives an almost 3-D viewing of the alluring coral formation and the myriad of tropical colored fish.

an amazing panorama of the whole lagoon at the mexican

Leaving the coach and making our way to the lockers and changing rooms Sarah managed to take this stupendous panorama. It’s a beautiful place

Sarah said “There is no way i’m swimming in there!! I don’t mind the crystal clear sea but no way will you get me in there” “That’s ok my love you don’t have to swim when your river tubing anyway, so we can just relax and enjoy. We just need to remember where the changing rooms are when the guide leads us so we have a reference point”.

Shortly after, the guide stopped and said to meet him in 4 hours back at the main entrance so we can get the coach back. I said “Oh, the entrance is miles away as we’ve been walking for a while and i have no idea where it is, lol But here are the changing rooms so i’ll wait right here for you”. I like to be the pack donkey on all of our tours and i carry the towels, sun cream and other stuff and if Sarah goes swimming, i carry her insulin pump etc. This works really well for me as i don’t really like swimming…I don’t think i’ve been swimming at all since going blind 16 years ago!

Yay, Sarah’s here so let’s try and figure out where things are…😕

a panorama taken on one side of the river and looking over to the other side. The river running left to right

Oooo another panorama from Sarah! Well at least we’d found the river again, so if we follow it up hill we should find where the river tubing starts?! This sounded like a good plan until the multi direction trails didn’t follow the river. After walking for quite a while in the scorching sun, we somehow managed to find the bag check-in for the river tubing, yay thanks Sarah! 😀

Sarah had to now unplug her insulin pump and put it in my backpack, and after a quick blood test (ouch, her blood sugar was good) i hesitantly handed in my backpack. As we havn’t got a GoPro or anything (really wish we had one after all of these trips) we had to hand in our iPhones too, so i knew we wouldn’t get many photos of the day, sorry! 😢

Right, let’s go ‘River Tubing’…

We entered another locker room and most of the people in front of us were putting on flippers and snorkelling gear, i said “Oh, i’m not dressed for any of this, i didn’t think you had to put all of the gear on. I thought it was just the river tubing up here?” “Don’t panic we are only here for the river tubing but you can also (if you want) do snorkelling etc” “Excellent, thanks”. Sarah is fantastic at sorting things out . “I’ll sit in the rear hole and you sit in the front hole as i will weigh the back down and it will look like a speedboat”. 🤣

After we laughed loads as we had many attempts of climbing aboard, we were ready!

The Mangroves…

“Wow those branches are low” i said while ducking even more although i was practically lying down. It was my first experience of mangroves and as we had no outboard engine we were using the branches and the sides to propel ourselves forward. As it looked exactly like the old Tarzan films i’d watched as a kid, i was picturing (in my mind) a crocodile (or 10) sliding in from the side and tactically stalking us ready for the barrel roll! Nevermind the flesh eating lizards sat on the branches waiting for dinner to float by, lol.

As my mind was racing but our river tube wasn’t going anywhere fast, i focused on all of the laughter going on around us. There were lots of us slowly getting to grips with how to manage this new speedboat. Sarah said “Wow there is a tiny baby strapped to the front of that woman in one of the other boats so it can’t be that hard, lol!”. After about 10 minutes we cleared the mangroves and the beautiful landscape unfolded before our eyes! 😀

a panorama taken on one side of the river and looking over to the other side. The river running left to right

There wasn’t much current and the river didn’t slope much, so our progress was slow…But wow, the feeling of floating downstream through this film set landscape with my arms around my lovely wife Sarah was beautiful ❤️

After a while the river tubers were thinning out and there were only a few of us left, this made it even more blissful and quiet.

Then…

Time was passing by easily, and we quickly realised there wasn’t anyone around and the river had got quite wide (with our eyesight anyway) and we were alone! The river tube wasn’t moving, even our hand paddling had little effect. I suddenly felt a burst of speed as Sarah had sat up and put her legs in the water and was kicking her feet (like the flintstones). Suddenly she whipped her feet back up and said “i think a fish (or octopus) has just tried to grab my leg?!” “Oh no that’s not good” i said as the ‘Master of obvious”. Then she said “No wait there, my trainer laces had come undone whilst under the water and started stroking my leg, lol!” “Ok” i said “We need a action plan”

Our predicament…

We were floating alone, the river banks were getting wider and wider and we knew it joined up with the Caribbean sea at some point. We couldn’t hear anyone and we were thinking we’d maybe already passed the exit of the river tubing and we were floating out into the sea. The midday sun was scorching and we knew it was time to act.

We’d passed a huge board (see below) whilst walking up to get the river tubes that displayed all of the fish/sharks that live in the water, and as it’s fresh water going to sea water the fish grow much bigger. I’m glad i couldn’t see what was on the board!

Knowing all of this, and knowing i havn’t swam since going blind…I knew now was the time to “Man Up” and lay down my life for my wife and save her! 💪🏼

The plan…

I said to Sarah “I’m going to jump in the river and grab hold of the back of the river tube and then stretch out and kick my legs like a snorkeler and pretend to be an outboard motor, and you can sit up front and be the navigator and try and get us back (or anywhere we can get off)”. “Right sounds like a plan…Let’s do this”.

I jumped in and instantly regretted it. I thought i could still swim in my head but my body didn’t have the same idea. After coughing up loads of water and nearly drowning through lack of swimming ability…I slowly adapted and grabbed hold of the river tube.

At least we were now gaining speed and heading in what we thought was the right direction. After what seemed like 10 weeks (it was more like 10 minutes) Sarah said (I still can’t see anywhere to get off the bank and it all still looks the same…But there are a few rocks sticking out of the water where we can hopefully stop and rest whilst regrouping and updating our plan.

The rocks…

Yay, we made it to the rocks…Oh wait a minute, wow these rocks are super slippy (i was like Scooby Doo slipping on a banana skin) ! Sarah was already on top of one of the rocks and looking to see where we could go next and if there was a way out of this crocodile and Piranha infested water. Just as i’d steadied myself and caught my breath (i was exhausted) Sarah slipped backwards…😨

All i heard was a loud thud and a “Aagghhh” noise from Sarah “Sarah, are you alright?” I knew we were surrounded by so many pointy rocks and if she’d slipped and hit her head on one of those rocks…It was curtains. We had no phones or anything out here and no way of calling out as we can’t hear anyone or see anyone. So when i heard “It’s ok i just slipped” from my warrior wife…I felt so relieved. I said “What was the loud thud sound? Are you ok?” “Yeah i missed the more pointed rocks and just hit my back on the other rock. I’m ok though”. I let out a huge sigh (just like our Boxer dog Bruce used to make).

Just then i spotted a slight movement out of the corner of my blurry eyes “What’s that Sarah?” i said while pointing downwards near her feet. “Wow, it’s a snorkeler” “That means we can’t be too far away now…Or it means there are some massive fish, sharks, octopus or crocodiles around here”. Just after saying this the snorkeler had gone and it was time for us to carry on and hopefully find base camp.

Sarah was sat firmly on the front of the river tube and i was hanging on for dear life while trying to get a nice solid and consistent thrust from the back. Sarah was expertly navigating from the front and when she said “right a little” i twisted and kicked until the river tube turned to the right,, we are getting the hang of this, lol.

My thoughts quickly returned to “Any minute now i could get savaged by any of the mutated creatures in here, and they would start on Sarah next! But then Sarah said “I think i can see a way out of here?! It looks like there are long steps on the right bank and we could climb out onto land. “Wow, let’s go” I said whilst trying not to drown as i was getting really tired now. 😰

“Yes, just a little further. It looks like we can pull up here alongside these steps”. We finally hit the steps and Sarah climbed out. The steps were really long but only went a couple of steps into the water, so when i grabbed hold of the first step my legs flew underneath and tried to drag me under. Thankfully i had jus enough energy to hang on and throw my leg over and onto the steps (i’m sure Sarah didn’t have this struggle, lol). Pulling the river tube up onto land, we sat back on the steps and thought for a moment about what just happened?! We also knew that Sarah hadn’t done a blood test for quite a while and hasn’t got her insulin pump attached, so her blood sugar could be anything.

As we sat on the steps totally thankful we’d made it out of the water, i looked down directly into the water right next to the steps…”What are they?” I was pointing at what looked to me like a fleet of black stealth submarines taking cover next to the steps. I know my eyes are really poor but if i can make something out…It must be massive, lol! Sarah said “They are fish (i think) and they are massive! “I was just right there a minute ago” i said not quite believing how close they were…But we’ve made it out of the infested waters. Now we might have the same challenge (but on land) as we try and figure out where we are??

The next stage…

We were just pulling the river tube further inland, when…”Is that music i can hear?” i said as i was trying to clear my ears of water “Yes it is” Sarah said “It’s coming from over there”. Sarah took my arm and we started walking towards the sound. Almost instantly the trail opened out and we were standing at the bag check-in desk! “No way” we both said at the same time, i said “It’s not possible that we’re here, we’d gone miles into nowhere! Is the Bermuda Triangle near here?” 😁

After i got my backpack and Sarah had her insulin pump connected, she quickly did a test and her blood sugar was perfect! 😀 We found the changing rooms and when we were all changed we headed for the inclusive lunch.

As we only had to follow our noses (it wasn’t far at all) Sarah found a table in the sun and we sat down. “Woah” i said “How did that quickly turn into a ‘Blind Sightseers’ dramatic adventure?” “I know, but how amazing how we ended up right back here! Anyway, let’s get you a burger…You’ve earned it” 🍔

After a lovely burger and an ice cold bottle of water, we started walking around to see if we could find anything else. Don’t worry, we stayed on the larger trails and we kept other people in earshot.

Sarah stood in front of the a panorama taken on one side of the river and looking over to the other side. The river running left to right

Sarah’s Sunglasses…

As Sarah also has sight problems…She has a pair of Oakley sunglasses with a particular polarised lens (normal lenses don’t help her eyesight) but like the photo above shows…They are gone!! 😢 We have no idea when (or where) they had gone missing, we only know they are gone. I handed Sarah my own but they only had normal lenses and were not any good for navigation etc…But they did help stop the glare from the hot sun. ☀️

Sarah stood in front of the amazing landscape of the river going into the sea with rolling hills all a round

You’ll never guess what we found next??? Yay, a zip line…

Sarah said “Wow a zip line, i’ve never had a go on one of these. It looks amazing and i can’t believe we’ve found it”. What…Can i really say no?! 🤣

Sarah sat on a zip line seat going left to right with a big smile on her face

Wow, the action never stops, lol! Sarah must have had spinach for lunch as she seems to have more energy than Popeye and the Duracell bunny combined…I just wanted to sleep, lol! But how can you stop when that smile burns hotter than the sun! 😀 ☀️

And finally…Yay , she’s not a machine!

Sarah lying in a hammock which is tied to some trees

It’s time to start heading back…

After one more ice cold drink we asked the server which way the main entrance was, she pointed in the general direction and we thanked her. We started walking and talking about the day we’d had and how amazing the place was even though it’s not quite over yet. “We’ll defo remember this place” i said (we talk about this day all of the time). Arriving at the main entrance area Sarah said “There is a photo kiosk over there, let’s ask and see if they have any photos of us?” I said a little confused “I didn’t know they were taking photos but it would be great if they have any of us river tubing etc”.

The photos…

Sarah was not happy after speaking to the man as he had just dismissed her saying “If you didn’t scan your armband before each event then we can’t find you on the system” Sarah had told him that we were both registered blind and we weren’t told about scanning for photos and we certainly can’t see it. Sarah continued “We will buy any of the photos you have of us as we really want to remember the day”. The man was having none of it and walked away. Sarah started walking back to me when she saw another man stand behind the kiosk. She returned and said the same to him…He was really helpful and understood our problem, he continued to search the whole day, looking through thousands of images to see if he could find any shots of us…

Then he saw Sarah on the zip line. “Yes we’ll have it” Sarah said, she waited a while longer for him to search some more. The coach was arriving any minute too and we were running out of time fast. He frantically started searching but he couldn’t find anymore photos. “Ok” Sarah said “Can i buy it here?” He said no and that she had to go over the courtyard to have it put in a sleeve and then she can buy it. Sarah came and grabbed me as she knew i’d be worried as it’s been taking longer than expected. “Where are your sunglasses (my sunglasses)” i said “Oh man, don’t say i’ve put them down somewhere and i’ve lost them too?”

After buying the photo (see the fantastic zip line shot of Sarah above) Sarah was adamant (she wasn’t losing 2 pairs of sunglasses today) and blitz between all of the counters she’d been at…Nothing. Then she asked the man and he started searching all around…Nothing. Then just as everyone had given up, the man had found them in lost property where one of the staff had put them. Phew! 😀

We also managed to get back to the coach in the nick of time and now we can relax for a couple of hours as we return to the ship.

In the coffee port…

As it was Sarah’s birthday she ordered an amazing chocolate, waffle, ice cream coffee dream cake…Sarah had a tiny taste with a tea spoon (as she’s diabetic) so it was left for me to step up to the plate, man up (again) and try to enjoy this delicious coffee cake thingy! It’s tough sometimes being the husband of a T1D (Type 1 Diabetic) I’ll give it my best shot! 🤣

plate fo fresh fruit on a table top in front of a view outside across the ocean

We had a lovely evening meal and as always Sarah had the lovely cheese board to finish. I think that’s what the photo below is showing?!

Fance cheese and biscuits for Sarahs birthday

Finally we finished off this amazing, challenging, exhausting, conquering and blessed day with (yes you’ve guessed it) Sarah’s special sugar free Mojito and i had a BBC.

Me on the left with arms around sarah and both smiling at the camera with braided hair and a cocktal in hand

Thank you so much for celebrating Sarah’s birthday with us, it’s a day we’ll never forget (and haven’t). 😀

The ‘Blind Sightseers’ are not finished yet…💪🏼

⬅ Previous Day 🌴 Next Day ➡

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Barrier Reef, Costa Maya, Diabetes, Diabetic, Honduras, Kayak, Kayaking, Mayan Treasures, Mexico, Roatan, Shore Excursions, T1D, Thomson Cruses, Thomson Excursions

What trash does it appear!

May 9, 2020 by Steve 1 Comment

What trash does it appear!

(Mary Winslow)

“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever!” 1 John 2:17

What a brittle thing is all the glory, wealth, and honor of this vain world! How empty, and what trash does it appear! And yet men sell their souls to grasp it, and at last pass away from it and find it all a phantom. How unceasing is Satan in forever bringing it before our eyes, in some form or other! What is all the pomp and wealth and rank of this poor fleeting world, in contrast with the glory that shall soon be revealed in all those who love His appearing?

“The spirit of the world is eating out the very heart and life of true godliness!” George Everard

“Refined worldliness is the present snare of the Church of God!” Horatius Bonar

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?
Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God!” James 4:4

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Discontent!

May 8, 2020 by Steve 3 Comments

Discontent!

(Arthur Pink, “Comfort for Christians”)

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11

Contentment is the being satisfied with the sovereign dispensations of God’s providence. It is the opposite of murmuring, which is the spirit of rebellion–the clay saying to the Potter, “Why have You made me thus?” Instead of complaining at his lot–a contented man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than they are.

Discontent! Was there ever a time when there was so much discontent and restlessness in the world, as there is today? We very much doubt it. Despite our boasted progress, the vast increase of wealth, the time and money expended daily in pleasure–discontent is everywhere! No class is exempt. Everything is in a state of flux, and almost everybody is dissatisfied. Many even among God’s own people are affected with the evil spirit of this age.

Contentment! Is such a thing realizable, or is it nothing more than a beautiful ideal, a mere dream of the poet? Is it attainable on earth, or is it restricted to the inhabitants of Heaven? If feasible here and now–may it be retained, or are a few brief moments or hours of contentment the most that we may expect in this life?

The force of Paul’s statement will be better appreciated, if his condition and circumstances at the time he made it, are kept in mind. When the apostle wrote the words, he was not luxuriating in a special suite in the Emperor’s palace–but was in prison “in chains”. The contentment which Paul enjoyed, was not the result of congenial and comfortable surroundings. Most people suppose that contentment is impossible, unless one can have the desires of the carnal heart gratified. A prison is the last place to which they would go, if they were seeking a contented man. This much, then, is clear–contentment comes from within and not without; it must be sought from God, not in creature comforts.

Now, there is a vast difference between precept and practice, between the ideal and the realization. But in the case of Paul, contentment was an actual experience! It was something he had learned in the school of Christian experience.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said–Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

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God is too kind to punish the ungodly!

May 7, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

God is too kind to punish the ungodly!

(A.W. Tozer)

God’s justice stands forever against the unrepentant sinner in utter severity!

The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions! It hushes their fears and allows them to practice all kinds of iniquity–while damnation draws every day nearer, and the command to repent goes unregarded. As responsible moral beings, we dare not so trifle with our eternal future!

“On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot!” Psalm 11:6

“Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them!” Isaiah 3:11

“They always heap up their sins to the limit. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost!” 1 Thessalonians 2:16

“They called to the mountains and the rocks: Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:16-17

“He, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb!” Revelation 14:10

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A subtle leaven which the heart is always ready to receive!

May 6, 2020 by Steve 1 Comment

A subtle leaven which the heart is always ready to receive!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Luke” 1858)

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees–which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be made known.” Luke 12:1-2

The first thing that demands our attention in these verses, is Christ’s warning against hypocrisy.

This is a warning of which the importance can never be overrated. It was delivered by our Lord more than once, during His earthly ministry. It was intended to be a standing caution to His whole church in every age, and in every part of the world.

It was meant to remind us that the principles of the Pharisees are deeply ingrained in human nature–and that Christians should be always on their guard against them. Hypocrisy is a subtle leaven which the heart is always ready to receive! It is a leaven which once received into the heart, infects the whole character of a man’s Christianity. Of this leaven, says our Lord, in words that should often ring in our ears–of this leaven, beware!

Let us ever nail this caution in our memories, and bind it on our hearts. The plague is around us on every side! The danger is at all times. What is the essence of Romanism, and formalism, and ceremonialism? What is it all, but the leaven of the Pharisees under one shape or another? The Pharisees are not extinct! Pharisaism lives still.

If we would not become Pharisees–then let us cultivate a ‘heart religion’. Let us realize daily that the God with whom we have to do, looks far below the outward surface of our profession, and that He measures us by the state of our hearts. Let us be real and true in our Christianity. Let us abhor all part-acting, and affectation, and semblance of devotion–put on for public occasions, but not really felt within.

Our hypocrisy may deceive man, and get us the reputation of being very religious–but it cannot deceive God. “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be made known.”

Whatever we are in religion–let us never wear a cloak or a mask of religion.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account!” Hebrews 4:13

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I desire that this may be the text at my funeral

May 5, 2020 by Steve 2 Comments

“The Aged Christian’s Final Farewell to the World and its Vanities” John Whitson, 1558-1629)

I desire that this may be the text at my funeral: Psalm 42:2, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

Oh! when shall I ascend to the eternal throne of blessedness, where no comforts are lacking?

When shall I be covered with the glorious robe of immortality, and shine in the brightness of my Redeemer’s innocence?

When shall I behold the lovely face of my Lord and dwell in the courts of His holy temple, where . . .
all tears shall be wiped away from my eyes,
all sorrows removed from my heart,
and all sins and spots are done away?

Where I shall exchange the dross of this world, for true and durable riches!

Where, instead of these earthly riches which moth and rust corrupt–I shall enjoy the heavenly riches of perfect peace and good conscience, never to be lost!

Instead of these false and flattering honors, I shall enjoy everlasting glory, and be admitted into the fellowship of my Redeemer to reign with Him in His glorious kingdom!

Instead of vain and momentary pleasures, I shall be filled with fullness of joy and be ravished with those delights which neither eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man to conceive!

Instead of this dark and cloudy knowledge, I shall have my heart enlightened with the beams of the true light!

Instead of this feeble strength, I shall be endowed with the might of angels!

Instead of this transitory health, I shall enjoy a powerful and immortal vigor!

Instead of this fading beauty, I shall be adorned with the loveliness of Christ’s spouse!

Instead of long life, I shall be crowned with life eternal!

We shall sing, Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God almighty! Heaven and Earth are full of your glory. Glory be to You, O Lord, most High.

And now, as the deer pants for the water-brooks, so longs my soul after You, O God!
O that I had wings like a dove, that I might fly away and be at rest!
For whom have I in Heaven but You–and who is there upon earth that I desire but You?
My heart and my strength fail me, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever!

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The sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be . . .

May 4, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

The sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be . . .

(Charles Spurgeon)

“O that we would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to men.” Psalm 107:8

If we complained less and praised more–we would be happier, and God would be more glorified.

Let us daily praise God for common mercies. They are common as we frequently call them, and yet so priceless, that when deprived of them–we imagine that we are ready to perish! Let us bless God . . .
for the eyes with which we behold the sun;
for the health and strength to walk abroad;
for the bread we eat;
for the clothing we wear;
for public and religious liberty;
for friends and family associations; and
for countless other comforts and blessings.

Let us praise Him, in fact, for everything which we receive from His bounteous hand; for we deserve little, and yet are most plenteously endowed.

But beloved, the sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be of redeeming love! God’s redeeming acts towards His chosen people, are forever the favorite themes of their praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of thanksgiving.

We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, and uplifted from the depth of sin in which we were naturally plunged.

We have been led to the cross of Christ, and our shackles of guilt have been broken off.

We are no longer slaves of sin–but children of the living God.

We shall shortly be presented before the eternal throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.

Shall we not unceasingly give thanks to the Lord our Redeemer?

Child of God, can you be silent?

Awake, awake, O inheritors of eternal glory, and cry out with David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me–bless His holy name!”

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You are absolutely beautiful, My beloved!

May 3, 2020 by Steve 1 Comment

You are absolutely beautiful, My beloved!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“You are absolutely beautiful, My beloved! There is no spot in you!” Song of Solomon 4:7

The Lord’s admiration of His Church is very astonishing, and His description of her beauty is very glowing. She is not merely beautiful–but “absolutely beautiful.” He views her in Himself, washed in His sin-atoning blood, and clothed in His meritorious righteousness–thus He considers her to be full of loveliness and beauty. No wonder that such is the case–since it is but His own perfect excellency that He admires; for the holiness, glory, and perfection of His Church–are His own glorious garments on the back of His own well-beloved spouse!

Nor is the Church barely lovely, she is superlatively so. Her Lord styles her the “most beautiful of women.” Song of Solomon 1:8

She has a real worth and excellence which cannot be rivaled by all the nobility and royalty of the world. If Jesus could exchange His elect bride for all the angels in Heaven–He would not, for He puts her first and foremost, “most beautiful of women.” She far outshines the stars!

Nor is this an opinion which He is ashamed of, for He invites all men to hear it. He sets a “behold” before it, a special note of exclamation, inviting and arresting attention. “Behold! How beautiful you are, My beloved, how beautiful!” (Song of Solomon 4:1). His opinion He publishes abroad even now, and one day from the throne of His glory He will avow the truth of it before the assembled universe. “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with Me!” will be His solemn affirmation of the loveliness of His elect!

“Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless!”Ephesians 5:25-27

“The king is enthralled by your beauty!” Psalm 45:11

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Extremely derogatory to human pride!

May 2, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Extremely derogatory to human pride!

(Stephen Tyng, “Christ is All”)

“In his pride, the wicked does not seek God; in all his thoughts, there is no room for God!” Psalm 10:4

Sin has entirely perverted the nature of man.

The carnal mind is opposed to God in its . . .
judgments,
tastes,
desires,
pursuits.

God demands that guilty man . . .
   sacrifice his own imaginary independence,
   renounce his own fancied excellence, and
   acknowledge his personal unworthiness,
before he can be received into the family of God.

Such demands seem extremely derogatory to human pride. For this reason, multitudes reject all the offers of the Gospel, and treat with contempt those who yield to the invitations which they themselves despise, and submit to the motives which they renounce, as deluded and degraded people.

“The day is coming when your pride will be brought low and the Lord alone will be exalted.” Isaiah 2:11

“The Lord Almighty has done it to destroy your pride and show His contempt for all human greatness.” Isaiah 23:9

“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5

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This makes us prize the gospel, embrace the Savior, and fly to His cross!

May 1, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

This makes us prize the gospel, embrace the Savior, and fly to His cross!

(Letters of John Berridge, 1716-1793)

Dear Sir,
In November I gathered strength enough to preach, and through mercy have continued preaching ever since. For the last month I have shared with my neighbors in a bad cold, which has kept me wheezing and coughing, and pulled me down, but not laid me up.

Oh, how needful is the furnace, both to reveal our dross, and to purge it away! How little do we know of ourselves, of the pride, sensuality, and idolatry of our hearts–until the Lord lays us on a bed of suffering, and searches all our inward parts with His candles. My heart, I knew, was bad enough, but I scarcely thought there was half the baseness in it which I find, and yet I know not half its plague!

How sweet is the mercy of God, and how rich is the grace of Jesus–when we have had an awful peep into our hearts! This makes us prize the gospel, embrace the Savior, and fly to His cross! At times I am so overwhelmed with the filth and mire of my nature, that I can scarcely look through it unto Jesus. And when he has put on a little of his eye-salve, and scoured the scales off my eyes–I stand amazed to think that He can touch such a leper! And yet where the sun shines clear for a season, and my dung-hill is covered with snow, I forget my leprosy, or become a leper only in notion. I think it perhaps, but do not feel it, nor am I humbled by it. What a heap of absurd contradiction is man!

After an affliction, I think I can say with David: It is good for me to have been afflicted. I can see and feel some profit attending it. Indeed, I never grow really wiser or better, unless when I am baptized both with the Holy Spirit and with fire. If the Dove comes without a furnace, my heart is soon lifted up; pride steals in, and Heaven’s blessed beams turn everything sour within me! We learn nothing truly of ourselves, or of grace, but in a furnace.

The heaviest afflictions on this side of Hell are less, far less than my iniquities have deserved! Oh, boundless grace! The chastening rod of a reconciled Father, might have been the flaming sword of an avenging Judge! I might now have been weeping and wailing with devils and damned spirits in Hell! I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him. It is of His mercy alone, that I am not consumed!

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All that we see within is foul, ugly and grim!

April 30, 2020 by Steve 2 Comments

All that we see within is foul, ugly, and grim!

(Frank Hall)

“You are complete in Him!” Colossians 2:10

Oh desponding Christian, is not your grief caused by looking within yourself? Is not that miserable feeling of failure and disappointment, caused by your strange fixation upon your hollow heart of iniquity? You look within, hoping to find something good, something pure, something precious, something clean–but what do you see? Nothing but sin! To stare into one’s self–is to stare into a bottomless pit of despair and hopelessness! “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked!” Jeremiah 17:9

Will we ever learn this? There is nothing within us to give us hope, rest, or peace. Have we ever found anything within us that gave us joy? Of course not! Then why do we continue to stare into the darkness? All that we see within is foul, ugly, and grim! One glance within ought to sicken us. We would sooner find diamonds in a dunghill or roses growing in a sewer–than find goodness dwelling within!

In ourselves we are sinful, guilty, and vile! But bless God forever!
Our standing before God is not in ourselves; it’s in Christ! He is . . .
our Salvation,
our Righteousness,
our Hope,
our Holiness, and
our Acceptance with God!

Change the direction of your gaze–and look up! Stop staring into the empty void of your heart–and fix your eyes upon Jesus your Lord, in whom all fullness dwells. Our hope is not within, but without, seated at the right hand of the Father! Lift up your head that is bowed down with guilt and shame! Behold Christ your Savior! Behold your glorious Redeemer! Bid sorrow goodbye and fear depart! Rejoice, for “You are complete in Him!”

Believers are perfect in Christ. To be complete in Christ is to be perfect in Christ. Perfect is not something that we will be, or strive to be–but something that we are right now, by virtue of our eternal union with God’s darling Son.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are, by the free grace of God, complete in Christ our Savior!
We lack nothing!
All that He is–we are in Him!
All that He has–we have in Him!
All that He has done–we’ve done in Him!
We possess the infinite fullness of eternal life and everlasting salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord!

We are completely righteous in Him!
We are completely holy in Him!
We are completely forgiven in Him!
We are completely accepted in Him!
We are completely, everlastingly, perfectly sinless in Him!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!” Hebrews 12:2

“For every look at SELF–take ten looks at CHRIST!” – Robert Murray M’Cheyne

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☀️ #21 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Relaxing, Reflecting & Coughing!!”🌊

April 29, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Sarah & i were feeling really run down, tired and a little concerned about what the rest of our dream holiday had in store for us. But now we had a few days at sea, so we decided to get out there and enjoy the time we had left. 🙂

Sarah looking out to sea

⇧ Sarah relaxing and reflecting ⇧

During our time at sea, Sarah & i loved standing and looking out over the vast ocean. It seemed to put perspective on how majestic and awesome our God is. Also how small we were in comparison and yet he loves each one of us…amazing! 🙂

Shopping…

Handbags on ship

There’s nothing like being surrounded by handbags to put a smile on Sarah’s face! 🙂

Of all the places…i never thought i’d be in a handbag store, on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. But we have just spent the night in a hospital in the middle of the Atlantic ocean! 😀 Sarah seems to find these shops wherever we go… and if it helps her relax, i’ll be right there with her!

Another fave spot…

Sarah on deck

Each day we’d find our way up to this spot and just look out over the pool deck and take in the full panoramic view of blue. There was always a live band playing, giving a great atmosphere and a hot-plate thingy where i could get a fresh burger…Mmmm burgers! 🍔🍔

Hair salon…

Hair salon

After Sarahs last trip to the hair salon she was really pleased with the way the stylist had cut and styled her hair around her eye…. but the hospital adventure had kind of ruined it. So i thought she might like to relax and get it done again. Whilst waiting in the waiting room i took this shot through the window ….That’s the best view i’ve ever seen from a hair salon! 😀

The evening restaurants…

So far i havn’t said much about our evening meals. For the first few days we really struggled with the buffet restaurants, as the food was placed in big trays under a glass cover with really long fork/tongs to pick up the food. Sarah had no idea what she was picking up as it was just too far away for her to focus and the waiters didn’t understand we couldn’t see properly, which caused a few problems!

At home we try to stay away from self service/buffet style places …not because we are too snooty, lol …but because we simply can’t find anything e.g plates, food, cutlery, where to pay, which causes too much stress and makes us wish we hadn’t gone out at all!

After a few days we decided to try the “Orion Restaurant” which was waiter service. On entrance the waiter asked if we’d like to share a table or sit by yourselves. Sarah said “Sharing is fine with us” (I thought is it really… 😦 The waiter then escorted us to an empty 8 seater table. After he passed us our menus (which we had no chance of reading) our table soon filled up with people. After friendly hello’s Sarah said to the lady next to her “I don’t want to be a nuisance…but we are both registered blind and so can’t read the menus. Would you be able to read it to us?” After the confused look on all of their faces (my imagination from the body language) the lady said “Of course, but i’d never have guessed that either of you had sight problems”. (My thought was “You need to be on this side of my eyes to understand the problem :(“) After we’d heard the menu, Sarah whispered “This works perfectly for us…we get the menu read out, and we get to meet lots of different lovely people” 🙂

Shortly after…we heard the people sitting opposite us say “Did you hear the “Code Alpha” last night?” The others replied “Yes we did, it woke us up…it was after 1am!!” “Yeah i know and there was no need to call it around the whole ship”.

I said “Sorry…that was us.” “It was you two! what happened?” Sarah showed her bruised and bandaged wrists (from where the drips had been attached) and explained everything that happened. We heard this same complaint for the next few evenings…. and even some different, elaborate explanations of what had happened (even one story where Sarah was said to have died and been taken off the boat by helicopter in a silver bullet coffin????.)

We also heard that quite a few people had complained to reception about the 1am code alpha (because they thought it was a call to abandon ship) and how they felt they shouldn’t have been disturbed in the middle of the night!!

The Cough…

If you can remember…on Day 8 there were a couple of people in the hospital waiting room with deep growly coughs. Well today…Sarah’s got it too !! 😦 This deep booming growly cough (reminds me of the Rockford Fosgate subs in the boot of my old custom Nova) is giving Sarah lots of chest pain, a sore throat and a pounding head. We’ve noticed the unique sound of this cough around the ship as we’ve been exploring! ….As if Sarah didn’t have enough on her plate with no sleep, uncontrollable blood sugar, one eye closed and exhaustion…she now has this nasty cough 😦

Keep smiling… 😀

I have no idea how she does it. But no matter what’s going on…Sarah has a lovely beaming/contagious smile on her face that blesses all who see her 😀

Sarah reflection

The Azores…

After about 4 (or is it 5?) sleepless nights (i’ve lost count) we were looking forwards to arriving at the Azores. Sarah was especially looking forwards to getting off the ship and onto solid ground and having the freedom to explore another fantastic island! You just can’t keep this warrior princess down! 😀

Yippee land ahoy!!!

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☀️ #19 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Goodbye Caribbean…hello massive ocean…”🌊

April 27, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Goodbye Caribbean…hello massive ocean…

After another amazing day in the Caribbean(which was now about an hour away), we thought we’d try and relax with a spot of sunbathing. This meant trying the almost impossible task of finding not 1…but 2, empty sun loungers.

A view of the ocean from the rear of the ship, overlooking the sunbathing area at the bottom of the shot

Fantastic! We found 2 together, no way. But…pretty much after placing our towels onto the sun loungers, Sarah’s “Paradigm” insulin pump started alarming!!

“That’s not the usual alarm” I said as Sarah was trying to read the tiny screen in the super bright sun. “I can’t quite make out what it’s saying, but it’s not something i’ve seen before, i need to go back to the cabin and use the magnifier”. The pump continued it’s piercing alarm all the way to the cabin!

Back in the cabin..

Once back, and using our video magnifier, the error message on the screen said “A button has been continually pressed for more than three minutes. to clear press ESC, then ACT”.

Sarah said “That’s weird, my pump’s been nowhere near anything that would press the buttons, but it sounds easy enough, i can finally stop this annoying alarm”. After hearing a few clicks, then a few more, the pump was still alarming. “It’s not working” “What do you mean, are the buttons not responding?”. “No, it won’t clear the error message, can you have a go”. I tried, and still nothing except the error message and the alarm!

We both knew we didn’t have long as the pump has now stopped delivering insulin, as Sarah needs a continual small dose, as not only does Sarah have type 1, but a brittle form, and she is also slightly allergic to insulin!

After taking the battery out, waiting 10 minutes before replacing…the alarm and message were still there! After trying it again, I said “Should we take it to the doctors in the hospital on Deck 3?” “They won’t know anything about insulin pumps, it’s specialised equipment, which is why it’s carefully monitored, and finely tuned by the diabetic clinic”. After a few more desperate tries to cancel the alarm, and running out of options, we had no choice, and headed down to deck 3.

The Hospital…

Reaching the bottom of the stairs to Deck 3, we were greeted with a couple of corridors and lots of doors. We could hear voices coming from an open door on the right, so we headed there. We found the doctor who was sounding very concerned whilst talking to a couple of very poorly sounding people, who had deep growly coughs. I said “Let’s wait out here”. A man dressed in a white suit approached us and asked if we were ok? After explaining what had happened, he looked at the pump, took it, and asked us to wait in the waiting room.

He returned with the doctor(a female with quite an aggressive manner), she explained that the pump was broken, and we needed to get a new one. But for now she needed to work out how much insulin Sarah’s body ran on. We said the pump gives a small amount of Humalog every 1-2 hours continuously, but all of the information is programmed in the pump that has now locked itself. This didn’t impress her! Between us, we had to try and calculate how much insulin Sarah took each day, by adding up the dosage at meal times, and adding a little more to compensate for the pumps continuous injections in the background.

After a couple more hours of stressful calculations, the doctor gave Sarah some old school syringes and told us to keep a record of insulin taken, time of insulin taken and food eaten etc. We returned to our cabin worried about how we were going to cope for the rest of the holiday, and did we have enough Humalog insulin in the fridge, as the hospital on-board didn’t use it, or stock it.

The Phone Call…

We went up to reception on Deck 8(lots of stairs, lol) to see if we could phone Medtronic(the makers of the insulin pump) as they are an American company, and would still be open. We couldn’t phone the UK diabetic clinic as they were 5 hours in front, and it would be about midnight!

After a long drawn out discussion with the receptionist, asking if there was a way to call out from a ship, as we have a medical disaster, as Sarah knows her body reacts badly to injections etc, and really does need the continued small amounts 24 hours a day. So we really needed to call Medtronic to see if there is any way of saving the pump! Eventually we managed to phone Medtronic, and after a £52 phone call…he told us “the pump was broken!!”. Sarah has been on an insulin pump for about 15 years, and they have never broken. But 1 hour from Antigua, sailing at sea for 5 days…it breaks! 😦

Trying to relax…

As the realisation was setting in of trying to manage with injections, and Sarah’s blood sugar was still on the rise after the first injection. We were getting a little worried on how this was all going to play out. We decided to stay in the room and just figure out a game plan for the rest of the holiday. We then managed to figure out how to turn on the TV, i thought a film might help Sarah try and relax after the trauma of the day.

After a while when Sarah spoke again, i instantly knew we were in trouble! The slightly slurring sound of Sarah’s voice told me her blood sugar had suddenly shot down and it was very low! “Oh no,” i said as i jumped into survival mode. Sarah was still conscious so i knew i had a little time. I went straight to the fridge and got the bottle of orange lucozade that usually works if Sarah is still able to drink.

After about 10 minutes Sarah was slipping away, so i ran to my bag and got the Gluco Gel and squirted it into Sarahs mouth. Gluco gel is fantastic and absorbs into gums etc, and after a while(a nervous while) Sarah was back with us. “Phew” i said as relief was pulling me out of survival mode. Sarah said “I’ve had a hypo havn’t i?! These injections really aren’t going to work, my body just goes erratic and messes up”.

After a sleepless night of trying to stabilise a yo-yoing blood sugar, we were not really enjoying our first day at sea. But we decided to go and have a nice strong coffee at our fave place, as we’ve probably got another sleepless night tonight too. I said “It’s hard to imagine that not even a day ago we were riding on horseback across that beautiful beach”. 🙂

Sarah has to check her blood sugar every 2 hours, day and night, for the rest of the holiday, as without the pumps continuous feed, we are left with just fast acting insulin, and lots of prayers.

This is becoming quite an adventure!!!

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🐾 Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 26 – “Motivation”

April 27, 2020 by Steve 3 Comments

Bruce upto his chest in snow

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!

Maybe i’ve pushed too far this time?!

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Christ’s sympathy!

April 27, 2020 by Steve 2 Comments

Christ’s sympathy!

(Octavius Winslow, “The Tears of Christ”)

“Jesus wept!” John 11:35

The Creator of all worlds, the Author of all beings, the Upholder of the universe–raining tears of human woe and sympathy upon a grave!

Oh, there lives not a being in the universe who can enter into our bereavements with the sympathy, the support, and the soothing of Christ!

They were tears of sympathy. His heart was touched, deeply touched, with sympathy for the sorrow of others. He wept because the mourning sisters wept. He mingled His tears with theirs.

This is true sympathy, “weeping with those who weep,” making their sorrow our own. How really our Lord does this with His people. So completely is He our Surety–that He takes our sins and infirmities, our trials and sorrows upon Himself, as if they were all and entirely His own. Our sins were so completely laid upon Him–that not one remains charged to the account of those who believe in Jesus.

Our present griefs are so entirely absorbed in Him, that,
softened by His love,
soothed by His sympathy,
supported by His grace–
the trial is welcome,
the affliction is sweet, and
the rod of a Father’s chastening, buds and blossoms into delectable fruit.

Bereaved mourner, the sympathy of Christ is yours! The same Savior who wept at the grave of Bethany, now shares your grief. Do not imagine that your sorrow is isolated, or that your tears are forbidden or unseen. You have a merciful and faithful High Priest who is touched with your present calamity.

There exists no sympathy . . .
so real,
so perceptive,
so deep,
so tender,
so sanctifying–
as Christ’s sympathy.

If your heavenly Father has seen it wise and good to remove from you the spring of human pity–it is but that He may draw you closer beneath the wing of Jesus’ compassion, presence and love.

O child of sorrow, will not this suffice, that you possess Christ’s sympathy–as immeasurable and exhaustless as the ocean–as exquisite and changeless as His being! Yield your heart to His rich compassion!

Will Jesus be regardless of what I feel, and the sorrows under which I groan? Oh no! The sigh that bursts in secret from my heart is not secret to Him; the tear that is my food day and night and drops unperceived and unknown–is known and remembered by Him!

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses!” Hebrews 4:14-15

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.” Psalm 56:8

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☀️ #18 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “St Johns, Antigua”🇦🇬

April 26, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

After another early start(and you’ve guessed it) a bacon roll, we headed off the ship. The shore excursion lady was at the bottom of the gangway steps, and she showed us where to join the queue. Well i say queue, there were only about 8 of us in total. I thought “I think we may have over reached on this one. Maybe it’s going to be too difficult, and really not suited for the blind”.

We were then led towards the minibus. We were told they’d saved us the 2 seats in the front next to the driver, i said “Sweet”, and climbed aboard. I really didn’t expect what happened next…the driver turned on his CD player which started playing Ed Sheeran “Thinking out loud” and he started singing as i tapped away on my legs to the beat. His voice was incredible, it was like we were having our own concert in the front of the minibus, whilst driving around paradise. Quite a surreal moment. After more fantastic singing to Tarrus Riley’s “She’s Royal”, he pulled up at Fort James Beach where we were to start our horse ride.

Welcome to Paradise…

We left the minibus and were instantly greeted with a stunning view of porcelain palm fringed sands, and stilted turquoise waters of Fort James beach, also we received a further warm welcome by the “Horseman(sorry, i forgot his name)”. 🙂

St John beach with a palm tree on the left and a life guard seat on the right

St John beach 2

Photo of the horse instructor walking across the beautiful beach

⇧ The horseman strolling along the beautiful beach ⇧

A couple of horses on the left walking across the amazing beach

⇧ Horses being led to the sea to cool off ⇧

The Horse Ride…

Once everyone was fitted with a protective hat, it was time to line up and meet the horses. He asked for experienced riders first, then one at a time they mounted the horses. It was about this time i started to get a little nervous. I was saying to Sarah “How do we get up there? Are there steps? Which foot do i put forward first? Are the horses big enough to carry me?”

The horseman was out of earshot, but i think he could see my face, he said “Don’t worry, i have a couple of special horses for you two”. This put my mind a little more at ease. Sarah mounted first on the horse named “Sunshine”, what a perfect horse for her! 🙂 Then i mounted easily with the excellent help from horseman onto the horse named “Little Man”,

After a short tutorial on how to hold(and use) the reins, it was time to move on out! We had only walked along next to a road for about a minute, and i’d just got used to the weird motion of rocking side to side whilst not being able to see the ground or the horse in front. When…a huge commotion…Lots of shouting from horseman, and the horses. I thought(at first) it sounded like a car had hit one of the horses. I pulled back on the reins as i saw Sarah(who was in front of me) appear at my side, Yay my horse stopped! 🙂 We found out at the end, that a car got too close and spooked a few of the horses, so no one(or horses) were hurt.

My plan was to take my Samsung WB550 compact camera with me to take photos & video whilst on the horse, but that was soon foiled when i got onto the horse, and my shorts were pulled tight around my pocket, so it had seal it shut. I didn’t want to try and move, as i thought the horse might mistaken my movements and start galloping off!. I did eventually get an opportunity when my foot suddenly got smacked out of the stirrup by an aloe vera plant(it got a few of us), and as my leg was free i quickly grabbed my camera! 🙂 Note to self, next time take my other camera with a neck strap! 🙂

The horseman who was overseeing us said “Welcome to Sandhaven Beach”…

A photo of the back of my horses head with a beautiful seacape all around

⇧ “Little Man” taking me on a beautiful journey 🙂 ⇧

Photo of Sarah on her horse riding across stunning beach landscape with my orange shirt at the bottom as i took the photo over my shoulder

⇧ Sarah on “Sunshine” & in sunshine, along Sandhaven beach ⇧

Sarah on her horse looking inland as she rides across the stunning beach

Sarah looking out to sea as she rides along the stunning Sandhaven beach

⇧ Sarah ensconced in Sunshine! 🙂 ⇧

Words completely fail me when i try and describe the feeling of riding in paradise. The sound of the waves, the feel of the hot sun with the cool breeze, the movement(and sound) of the horse, topped off with the amazing panorama. We really didn’t want to leave our new fave place on earth!! 🙂

We left Sandhaven beach and headed back to Fort James beach. We’d been riding for around 1½ hours, and just before we finished, the man asked for my cameras so he could take a photo of us on our horses.

My horse “little Man” was busy eating grass, i think he had my appetite! 🙂

Photo of me9left and Sarah(right) sat on top of our horses. My horse is eating grass

⇧ “Little Man & “Sunshine” ⇧

Once off the horses, we were given a bottle of water each as they prepared for stage 2. Stage 2 gave the chance for the experienced riders to ride faster(or gallop as i’m told), and the chance to ride bareback into the water. Sarah and another lady paired up together to do this.

Sarah bareback riding

Sarah said “I was sat trying to balance without a saddle, when suddenly i was thrown back as one of my legs was pulled up. I looked down to see that the horse had taken a liking to one of my bright yellow laces, and was pulling on it as though it was spaghetti! 🙂

Once stage 2 was over, we had about 45 minutes before the singing taxi arrived. “No way, does this mean you get to swim in paradise again?!” i said as Sarah was already half way down the beach!! 🙂

The Swim…

Sarah running towards the empty sea

⇧ Sarah excited to be the only one in the beautiful sea ⇧

Sarah submerged in the turquoise sea. The whole sea is empty apart from Sarah

⇧ What a way to relax! 🙂 ⇧

Sarah walking towards me from out of the sea after her swim

Sarah portrait St John

⇧ I think Sarah enjoyed her swim! 🙂 ⇧

The taxi ride was just as fun. The drivers stunning voice carried us all the way back to the ship.

Back on the ship…

We now had to say goodbye to the Caribbean. 😦 We took our usual sofa’s in the coffee port, and with coffee’s in hand, we watched the island slowly disappear. We both agreed that this was our fave place of the trip, and the horse ride was our best experience so far!!

Our new friend…

On returning to our cabin, the steward had created a folded towel turtle, and used my hat as the shell, fantastic!! 🙂

Folded turtle from towels with my hat as the shell

Our Route 4 2day…

This afternoon Thomson Dream sails to Horta, Portugal, we’ll arrive on Sunday late morning, after 5 leisurely days at sea. having travelled 2,173 nautical miles, at an average speed of 16 knots.

⬅ Previous Day 🌴 Next Day ➡

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🐾 Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 25 – “Rest Again”

April 26, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!

Wow yet another week in lockdown has passed already…Time flies when your boxercised!

It’s time to rest yet again, and we can spend this time pampering, sleeping, eating, playing and most of all posing for a good portrait…Very important and it keeps the treats rolling in from the humans who now have some nice photos of their stupendous furry angel! 😀

Also let’s think once again about rest and sleep. It’s vitally important to take a day of rest to give your body a chance to heal, it helps to de-stress, and also helps our minds focus…On FOOD, lol! 🍔

Fun Quote…“A well trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will just make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it.”

🎶 Remember our happy singalong…”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, I’ll be watching you.”

⬅ Previous Day 🐾 Next Day ➡

🐾 Begin Boxercise class from Day 1 🐾

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☀️ #17 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Basseterre, St Kitts”🇰🇳

April 26, 2020 by Steve 2 Comments

Our excursion today “St Kitts Scenic Railway” didn’t start until 11am, so we had a more relaxed breakfast at Lido’s on Deck 9. Then another lovely coffee at the Coffee Port on Deck 8. Now we had sustenance, it was down to Deck 4 and off the ship to enjoy what today had in store for us?! 🙂

Welcome to St Kitts…

Once an illustrious sugar colony, it now focusses its efforts on being a tropical paradise. A seductive blend of blonde sandss, and duck egg blue seas.

Once we slowly navigated down the gangway steps, we looked up to see a view of the beautiful bay.

The Caribbean never failed to surprise us, even when we thought we had seen the most beautiful places, the next place would leave us awe-struck with it’s breathtaking landscapes!

A panorama taken from the dock pier overlooking the amazing span of volcano hills with the vivid blu sea in front

⇧ Sarah’s Panorama of St Kitts ⇧

As i was taking a photo of Sarah, a nice lady came over and asked if we would like her to take one of us both together? “Oh yes please, that would be so kind of you”. The photo she took is probably my fave photo of the trip! 🙂

Me on the left in my bright orange shirt hugging Sarah on the right with the beautiful panorama of volcanic hills and blue sea behind us

⇧ Sarah & i at St Kitts ⇧

Showing my excitement, and love for the Caribbean. Sarah chose(and bought) me an amazingly bright and colourful Caribbean shirt, 🙂

Excursion Details – St Kitts Scenic Railway…

First up, board a tour bus for a drive along the south coast. Important landmarks lie around every corner here.

Second, hop on a train at the “Needs-Must” station, and St Kitts light railway takes you on a 3 hour tour of the islands best bits. You’ll chug over ravines over 300 feet deep, circle mount Liamuga volcano, take a sneak peak at the islands black sand beaches, and soak up the jaw dropping views over lush sugar cain fields,

The Bus…

Another soothing air conditioned bus ride. Our tour guide was fantastic, and told us all about the Economy, history(some grusome battles), and the monkeys! She said “Around 100,000 monkeys live in the tree covered hills, and they steal our fruit etc. So if you want to take one with you, it will help us greatly!”.

View from the bus at St Kitts

⇧ A view from the bus window ⇧

The Train…

We got off the bus at the “Needs-Must” station. The hot sun felt lovely as we waited for the train. We had no idea what to expect, and looking at the small narrow train tracks, we expected a little open top fun train, or something like.

Then…this large double decker monster pulled up. “Wow, i didn’t expect that! It’s really tall, and doesn’t look wide enough to take the height”. I said as we climbed the stairs to the upper deck of the 1st carriage. “Yes! We get to sit at the front too! Unbelievable”.

As the train pulled away, the tour guide told us that the train will sway(strongly) side to side, so it’s best to stay seated, but if you want to stand then keep hold of the rail above the seats. She wasn’t joking!! It was the craziest train i’d ever been on, and i thought there is no way i can take photos whilst being violently thrown around!

But…as usual, i didn’t let that stop me! My Nikkor lens has VR(Vibration Reduction) on it, so i’ll test it out. I really didn’t expect to have any photos from this amazing, unforgettable train ride, but was surprised when a few turned out not too blurry!

We started off travelling through vivid green fields flanked by volcanos.

St Kitts 1

St Kitts 2

Then just as a lady asked us if we wanted a “Pina Colada”, we saw the first of many beautiful curved bays, with the sea crashing into the shore.

St Kitts 3

Sarah & i just kept saying “Wow, this is Amazing! How did we get here, it’s like a dream”. The beautiful hot sun shining down, a lovely cool breeze flowing through the train, and a Pina Colada in hand. Some of my fave things are Coconut, Banana and Pineapple, and this drink had them all! Mmmmm. 🙂

St Kitts Train

Then as the train curled its way through the lush landscape, a 3 part harmony choir started singing. The ladies would come up to our deck and sing some beautiful songs as part of the trip. The voices were fantastic, and brought even more sunshine to this incredible journey. 🙂

As the singers finished, we heard a horn next to us, so we all started waving at the people on the fun bus! 🙂

St Kitts Bus

We were then treated to another stunning bay!

St Kitts 7

St Kitts 6

St Kitts 5

St Kitts 4

After passing through more sugarcane fields, the lady brought us a piece of sugarcane with spices. Wow, it was the nicest sweet thing i’d ever tasted! I always talk about this sugarcane everywhere i go.

Sarah St Kitts Train

⇧ Sarah sat at the front of the train! ⇧

St Kitts Volcano

The tour guide then said “On your left you will make out the bridge we will be travelling over shortly”. I heard Sarah say “No way, the train isn’t going to make it over that, it looks too small and rickety. Steve, if you could see it, you’d be saying the same!!”.

Train Bridge 1

Train bridge 2

Yes i would! After seeing this photo, i could tell exactly why Sarah was getting worried! 🙂

After the bridge, we travelled back towards the end of the journey. But not before we were blessed, by what is now my favourite church building.

St Kitts Church

This fantastic train ride came to an end back at “Needs-Must” station, where the bus was ready to take us back to the ship. But before we boarded, we still had a short time to look around the shops at the dock.

I bought another Caribbean shirt(blue one) so i could keep up with the vibrant colours surrounding us from all angles! Sarah even plaited my hair too! 🙂

My Platt Blue Caribbean Shirt

⇧ My quiet blue shirt ⇧

Tomorrow will be our last Caribbean island, before we are at sea for 5 days crossing the atlantic for the Azores.

We’ve booked a horse ride across the beach etc, so i’m a little nervous. But at least the horse isn’t blind(i hope) and will lead the way! Either way, i’m sure it’ll be another unforgettable experience! This holiday has been full of them! 🙂

Our Route 4 2day…

This evening Thomson Dream travels to St Johns, Antigua. We’ll arrive tomorrow morning having travelled 61 nautical miles, at an average speed of 4 knots.

Wow, Did you enjoy this trip as much as we did? Did you have a fave part?

⬅ Previous Day 🌴 Next Day ➡

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Growing in grace

April 26, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Growing in grace

(Thomas Moor, “Counsels and Thoughts for the Spiritual Life of Believers” 1882)

Remember that among your chief thoughts of the Lord Jesus, one must ever have a prominent place: that He is ever looking down upon you and watching you with tenderest love, and ordering all things for your good.

Sometimes it is spiritual medicine, at other times it is spiritual nourishment–but at all times it is spiritual good, and just what is best for you. He sees and knows just what is best for each day and hour. So, always when you think of Him, think of Him as thus looking down upon you and ever caring for you.

The Holy Spirit is ever leading us to think of Christ and to live for Christ and continually to look to Christ.

The natural mind makes self the center, and self the end.
The spiritual mind makes Christ the center, and Christ the end.
The more we seek Christ, and the less we seek self–the more we please Him.

Christ is the source and end both of grace on earth and glory in Heaven.
Grace in the heart, is glory in its beginnings.
Glory in Heaven, is grace in its full consummation.

Growing in grace is living more upon Christ, and living more for Christ, and growing more like Christ.

To learn of Christ and live upon Christ, is the highest experience of the soul here or hereafter!

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📜 Precious Proverbs: Vomit

April 26, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Proverbs 26:11 (ESV)

Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

My Thoughts 💭

Wow, what an amazing word picture! Some of these proverbs just stick in your mind and heart (especially if you’ve had a dog.) It’s just so accurate and so full of His Wisdom that you can’t help but fall on your knees and ask once again for forgiveness.

🙏 Prayer 4 2day!

Loving Saviour, i don’t deserve the smallest of your mercies, and yet you continue to love, sustain and bless me in immeasurable ways!

Your love is blind to all of my faults, and ugly sides. I pray that You would work through me to love others compassionately and patiently. Amen.

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☀️ #16 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Philipsburg, St Maarten”🇸🇽

April 25, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

After a quick bacon roll from Lido’s on Deck 9, Sarah & i found our way off the ship, and to the shore excursion point.

St Maarten Island Tour…(excursion details)

Flying under two flags, St Maarten has got something of a split personality. But despite being one half Dutch and the other French, its whole is as Caribbean as it gets. And on this trip you’ll get to see both sides of this two-faced island, with your guide giving you snippets of history as you go

You’ll travel from Philipsburg(Dutch capital) to Marigot(French capital) passing through dinky villages hardly touched by time. Once you reach Marigot, you have some free time to explore this four street-wide city. All patisseries, pavement cafés and designer boutiques, it’s easy to see why it’s known as the French Riviera of the Caribbean.

The Dutch Side…

Our tour started with a drive around the beautiful Dutch side of the island, the air conditioned bus was perfect on this hot day. The guide pretty much told us that this was the place for the profligates. Casinos, night clubs, fast food outlets etc. I instantly thought of Mathew 23 “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean”. Not quite in context, but you get the idea! 🙂

I know i keep going on about the vivid colours, i still can’t put into words how stunning they are, i couldn’t get my camera to do them justice! The Colours will be the main thing i remember about the caribbean! 🙂

Lookout Point, Simpson Bay Lagoon…

The driver/tour guide said he’d stop the bus for about 5 minutes so we could take some photos of the bay. “Excellent”, i thought as Sarah & i followed a man with a DSLR who was leaving in a hurry off the bus. I thought “if he is so keen to get off, then it must be a beautiful bay”. But as soon as he had moved to the edge of the cliff, he started saying “Why did he stop here? This is horrible, and a building site! There were much nicer places where he should’ve stopped”.

I ignored his complaining and started taking photos of the scenery i couldn’t see anyway, as i wanted to see what he was talking about when i zoomed in at home after the holiday. I still can’t make out the detail, but what i can see looks beautiful!, and well worth stopping for! 🙂

Photo taken of Lookout Point, Simpson Bay Lagoon.jpeg

Lookout Point, Simpson Bay Lagoon.jpeg

St Maarten Bay 4

St Maarten Bay

⇧ Lookout Point – Simpson Bay Lagoon ⇧

The French Side…

Moving seamlessly from the Dutch side of the island to the French side, Sarah started to feel a little more at home as the guide said “You won’t find any Burger King, KFC, casino’s etc. You’ll find cafe’s, restaurants, small independent market stores etc”.

After more fascinating history of the island, we pulled into Marigot(French capital), and now had 45 minutes to have a look around!

Marigot…

After leaving the bus, we headed straight for the open space where we found another lovely bay

St Maarten Bay 5

⇧ Marigot bay ⇧

After standing a moment to absorb the beauty, it was over to the market to see what we could find.

The smell of the locals cooking on the market was amazing, but Sarah had found a sweet little craft stall. The lady created items from the coral found off the shores St Maarten. “Oooooh, i could have a necklace made from St Maarten”. I knew that to mean “i’m getting one, i just don’t know which one yet?!” 🙂

close up photo of Sarah's neckolace she bought fromm a market stall in Marigot, St Maarten

⇧ Sarah’s St Maartens Coral Necklace ⇧

Sarah really was starting to feel at home here, but we had to get back to the bus! We enjoyed our stop in Marigot, and we said we’d love to spend a week here to investigate more! 🙂

Back On The Ship…

After finishing the island tour, we went back to the ship to get some lunch. We had a few hours before the ship sails away, so we decided to see if we could find a beach!

Sarah always says “The holiday hasn’t properly started until our feet are standing on the sand!!” 🙂

After a frustrating hour walking from one end of the dock to the other, trying to find transport to take us to a beach. We started heading back to the ship defeated. When.. suddenly a “Water Taxi” sign appeared! Fantastic, lets go! Eventually we got on-board a very busy(yet cool) boat that took us a short distance across the bay.

After just stepping out of the boat, i heard “Hi Steve and Sarah”. It was Martin, a kind man i sat next too on the plane over to Jamaica. We’d got chatting on the plane about sight loss and coping etc, and he has a Nephew who is suffering at the moment, so i was giving him some resources that may help etc. We Sadi “Hi Martin, are we anywhere near a beach?” He chuckled a little and said “Yeah it’s right here, just walk down this short pier and you won’t miss it” “Fantastic!” “Don’t be long though, you don’t want to miss the ship” Martin said, as he boarded the water taxi.

Great Bay Beach…

Photo of the beach, with a palm tree on the left, and 2 cruise ships on the right

⇧ View of the cruise ships from Great Bay Beach ⇧

The afternoon sun was getting hot now, which must have been why most of the people were inside the bars. But we had been in air conditioning all morning so didn’t mind a bit of sun.

It also meant that, not only did we get to walk on the powder white sands, but Sarah got to swim in the turquoise waters with hardly anyone around! An amazing experience! 🙂

Sarah couldn’t believe she was swimming in paradise, and couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day! 🙂

A full photo of just sea, with Sarah head poking out in the bottom right corner

⇧ Sarah relaxing in paradise ⇧

close up of Sarah walking out of the see,with the water up to her hips. Sarah is wearing her fave spotted puple swimsuit

landscape shot of Sarah walking out of the turquoise sea, onto yellow sands, with sailing ships in the far distance

⇧ Beautiful! ⇧

It really was getting hot now, so we nipped into a small bar for a cold soothing drink. I thought i’d try a Rum & Coke(though i didn’t taste much coke), and Sarah had her fave Mojito.

We had a last walk up and down the beach before boarding the water taxi back to the ship. What an amazing day! This whole holiday has been simply breathtaking for us, and Sarah still can’t believe she got to swim in the beautiful, warm Caribbean sea! 🙂

Towel Folding & Beyond…

You’ve already seen the fantastic towel folded Elephant on Day 1, and each night the cabin steward folded our bed in amazingly straight lines, but he went one step further. We found Sarah’s nightie folded in this fantastic pattern.

a close up shot of the fantastic pattern folded by the cabin steward on Sarah nightie

a photo of the folded bed covers and Sarahs Folded Nightie 2

⇧ Folded nightie and bed, with chocolate mints on pillows ⇧

Our Route 4 2day…

This evening Thomson Dream sails to Basseterre, St Kitts. We’ll arrive tomorrow morning having travelled 59 nautical miles at an average of 4 knots.

Wow, Did you enjoy this trip as much as we did? Did you have a fave part?

⬅ Previous Day 🌴 Next Day ➡

☀️ Start From #1 🏝 Or join the adventure at:

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🐾 Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 24 – “Long Jumps”

April 25, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Bruce leeping away from the camera towards tohe sea with his front legs out stretched

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!

Attention!! Today’s Drill…“Long Jumps”

Let’s paws for a moment (before you start your long jumps) to have an informed discussion about safety. When we prepare to explode into take off, we shift weight back into the large muscles of our back legs and onto the back-leg joints.

This activates our muscles and propels us up and forward like a coiled cobra, the action requires a full range of motion in the back leg joints including the stifle and the hip and tarsal (hock), and of course, activation in all the supporting muscles. When we come to land, our front legs are mobilised, flexing and extending to brake and steady us.

These actions are perfectly natural and it takes more out of our joints than walking or running around on level ground. So the lesson is…Be careful with all of the increased load on your bodies! 🐾

💬 “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Dwight D Eisenhower

🎶 singalong with me…”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, I’ll be watching you.”

⬅ Previous Day 🐾 Next Day ➡

🐾 Begin Boxercise class from Day 1 🐾

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🌻 Sarah’s 2.6 Sunflower Challenge! 🌻

April 25, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Hi wordpress family! My lovely wife Sarah is planning to test her individualistic gardening style & love of sunflowers to raise money for charity. She really needs your loving encouragement and support for this floricultural challenge! Please read all about it below and join me in showing her the wordpress love. 😀

🌻 The 2.6 Sunflower challenge 🌻

As there is no London marathon this year in the UK due to the COVID19 lockdown many charities across the UK have decided to hold the 2.6 challenge to raise much needed funds.

The challenge celebrates the 26 miles that would have been covered by runners in the London marathon on the 26th April this year and I’ve decided to participate to support the amazing work of World Cancer Research Fund by planting 26 sunflower seeds. I’m hoping to grow 26 giant sunflowers to a staggering height of 2.6 metres each…. I will actually be happy if I manage to grow one over 2.6 feet with my unpredictable gardening skills… so this really is a challenge for me.

I will donate £26 to start the event (£1 per sunflower) and ask if you would like to join me by sponsoring a sunflower for yourself and naming it – I will add a label with your chosen name to your sunflower and will give weekly video updates so you can see just how quickly your sunflower is growing.

The first one to reach 2.6 metres will get a special prize… and remember all your kind donations will be going to support World Cancer Research Fund, who fund cancer prevention research to help more people live cancer free lives.

If you’d like to be part of my challenge and have your own sunflower, please click or scan the QR code below and let me know what name you want to give your sunflower in the message box, along with the donation you’d like to make

Together we can grow cancer prevention awareness….. and sunflowers! 🌻

Just open up the camera on your smart phone and point it at the QR code and it’ll take you directly to my fundraising page. Alternatively just click the QR code and it will link through too.

Please give me the incentive to look after the sunflowers properly by sponsoring and naming them….let the growing begin 🌻

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☀️ #15 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Road Town, Tortola BVI”🇻🇬

April 25, 2020 by Steve 3 Comments

Absorbing The Landscapes…

As we were at anchor during our visit to Road Town, with local ship’s tender boats transferring us to, and from the shore. We had a little time to take some photos before we left the ship. It was so calm and peaceful as we stood in front of this beautiful landscape.

A view of the front tip of the boat in front of a beautiful landscape

Me on the left taking a photo of the coastline, whilst a boat enters the image from the right. Also the image has a overkill blue filter

⇧ Sorry…i couldn’t resist the overkill blue filter effect! 🙂 ⇧

A beautiful image of the small islands of Road Town

⇧ The beautiful coastline of Road Town ⇧

A boat leaving its stream from left to right with the coastline behind it

⇧ I listened patiently until the boat that i couldn’t see was hopefully on the right of my shot! 🙂 ⇧

Road Town hillside

⇧ The rolling green hills of Road Town ⇧

After having a fun(bobbing up and down) tender boat ride, we were driven along the coastal road covered in vivid green trees which stroked the tops of brightly coloured bungalows.

The Dolphin Encounter…

We had now arrived at the Prospect Reef Resort where Sarah got into the water to splash around with dolphins that call this place home.

As Sarah’s eye had been closed to keep out infections, we thought it was best to choose the “Dolphin Encounter” instead of the fully immersed “Swim with Dolphins”. We just couldn’t risk it!

I booked the “Dolphin Observer” which didn’t turn out well. Sarah & i were separated and i had no way of knowing which pool she was entering, so i waited on the nearest seats i could find, quietly listening for her name to be called out. Then as i’d hear it, i’d whip out my camera and get some shots. I didn’t hear her name as i was sat at completely the wrong pool. 😦

But all is not lost…i bought the fantastic photos taken by their photographer. Yay! 🙂

Sarah wearing swim suit and life jscket, stood in front of a large surf board promoting the dolphins

⇧ Sarah stood in front of the surf board logo sign ⇧

Sarah had never done anything like this before, she was excited and apprehensive at the same time. But as soon as she got into the water and met her new friend, she was blown away! 🙂

Step 1: Meeting the dolphin…

Sarah on the right touching the dolphins nose

Sarah now looking at the camera with a huge smile on her face, whist still touching the dolphins nose

⇧ Sarah’s first touch of the dolphin ⇧

Step 2: Dancing with the dolphin…

Sarah said as she took hold of both flippers, the dolphin started a funky wiggle dance! 🙂

Sarah stood on the right holding both flippers whilst having a dance with the dolphin

⇧ Sarah dancing with her new friend ⇧

Step 3: The Kiss…

Sarah getting a kiss from the dolphin

⇧ Sarah receiving a kiss on the cheek from the dolphin ⇧

Dolphin totally out of the water half way through a jump

⇧ Dolphin showing its excitement after meeting Sarah! 🙂 ⇧

Once Sarah was dried off and changed, and we collected the photo CD, it was time to catch the bus back and head for Road Towns pretty main street and market.

We had one place in mind(if we could find it) “Sunny Caribbee”. Everybody was talking about this place and the incredible local spices, sauces, coffee, artwork…everything! 🙂

We got off the bus and walked into town. We walked for a while longer, then we did(what we always did) when we got lost on our trip…listen for a broad northern accent! It was only seconds until we found some people from our ship who pointed us in the right direction! 🙂

Sunny Caribbee…

Sunny Caribbee

⇧ Photo of the shop front of Sunny Caribbee ⇧

Sunny Caribbee Hot Spices

⇧ Bottled sauces with fantastic hats! 🙂 ⇧

Once inside the shop we were amazed by the variety and beauty of the products, and how lovely and helpful the ladies were, We just wanted to take everything! Once we saw the sauce bottles with the hats, we just had to get them as presents! 🙂

We were sad to leave Sunny Caribbee, but it was time to head off to the main street market as Sarah had seen some beautifully coloured dresses!

Sarah bought a lovely bright dress, but no photos yet. 😦

After getting lost again in the town, we managed to find directions (yes another northern couple) back to the tender boats. It was another bobbing boat ride back to the ship.

We then took our usual seats in the Coffee Port, while drinking our favourite double espresso macchiato’s, we watched the islands disappear as the ship sailed away.

Our Route 4 2day…

This afternoon Thomson Dream sails to Philipsburg, St Maarten. We’ll arrive tomorrow morning having travelled 92 nautical miles at an average speed of 8 knots.

Wow, Did you enjoy this trip as much as we did? Did you have a fave part?

⬅ Previous Day 🌴 Next Day ➡

☀️ Start From #1 🏝 Or join the adventure at:

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Bring nothing but your sins and miseries!

April 25, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Bring nothing but your sins and miseries!

(Thomas Wilcox)

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” Philippians 3:8-9

When you come to Christ–you must leave behind you:
all your own righteousness,
all your own holiness,
all your own sanctification,
all your own duties,
all your own tears,
all your own repentings, etc.
Oh, this is hard!

You must bring nothing but your sins and miseries to Him. Otherwise, Christ is not fit for you–nor you for Christ!

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📜 Precious Proverbs: The Unreliable Person

April 25, 2020 by Steve 1 Comment

Proverbs 25:19 (NLT)

Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.

My Thoughts 💭

Ouch! We all know how much it hurts when we fail to put our trust in faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, it can really hurt us.

🙏 Prayer 4 2day!

Holy Father, forgive us when we’ve been the unreliable friend, help us to walk in your Spirit and show your steadfast love to others, in Jesus name, amen.

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☀️ #14 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: La Romana, “Dominican Republic”🇩🇴

April 24, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Sarah & i were excited to arrive at La Romana, Dominican Republic, and we were really looking forwards to our shore excursion. After applying strong suntan lotion, deet bands to our wrists and ankles and finishing off with our hats, we went to see if we could find where the excursion actually starts!

Using my knees as suspention, i slowly navigated down the treacherous gangway steps until i reached land. yay! The hot sun was shining, I could hear a local band playing, and then i heard Jo’s voice, she is part of the excursion team. We homed in on her voice and she said that she was coming on the same excursion so we could wait for her and she’ll take us to the coach. Fantastic, we can now relax! 🙂

Sarah s Caribbean Outfit

⇧ My lovely wife Sarah’s beautiful Caribbean outfit! 🙂 ⇧

After a short coach trip, and hearing about the history of the island by the tour guide, we arrived at Casa de Campo,

Roman-styled 5,000-seat amphitheater…

a photo of the circular seating of the Amphitheater left view

Amphitheater centre view

Photo of the circular seating of the Amphitheater right view

Sarah and the steps

⇧ Sarah relaxing in the sun, sat on the amazing steps. ⇧

Me at the amphitheater

⇧ My new hat kept my head nice and cool, thanks Suzanne ⇧

After briefly taking in this fantastic amphitheater, it was a short walk to the lovely fountain.

Sarah fountain

Sarah fountain 2

I had no idea that Sarah had stopped sitting down and was now walking towards me, but it’s made a lovely photo! lol. 🙂

Another short walk around this beautiful place until we reached the church and river.

St. Stanislaus Church…

Church Dominican Republic

Me walking in front of the Church

⇧ Me walking around wondering what to shoot next! ⇧

Whilst looking at the stunning church, at my 6 o’ clock was the stunning Chavón River. What a beautiful place, and such a blessing to be able to be here.

The Chavón River…

Sarah at the Chavón River

Chavón River Chavón River 2

Just as i finished taking this photo, Sarah said “quick, take a photo of those ladies wearing the beautiful red dresses”. I span round and said “Where are they?” They were about 10 feet directly in front of me(i told you i was blind! lol). But just then they stood either side of Sarah and posed for the photo…

Sarah and the red dresses

Some of you more experienced travellers will probably know what i’m about to say?!!

After the photo the ladies said “Tip…tip”, i was about to say “No, it’s ok you don’t need to tip me for the photo, i’m not that good!”. But then as we realised it was they who wanted a tip for posing for the shot, Jo(our Thomson excursion leader) quickly gave them a tip as we had no change at all. That was a lesson learned for Sarah & i, and we will be a little more discerning next time! I still think it was worth the mix up as the photos are lovely. 🙂

Chavón River 3

At the bottom left of the photo above…you can just make out the paddle boat. That’s where we are heading next! 🙂

Paddle Boats & Palm Trees…

Paddle boats and palm trees

Rambo river

Me on paddle boat

⇧ Me reflecting on God’s beautiful creation ⇧

Sarah paddle boat

⇧ Sarah feeling relaxed in the sun ⇧

Rambo river 2

Sarah on paddle boat

The whole excursion was amazing. I’ve never seen such vibrant colours, breathtaking scenery and a chance to travel along the “Rambo River”.

Back on-board the ship…

We went straight to the ice cold water machine, and then out on deck to get some last shots before we sailed away.

Dominican Republic 2

Dominican Republic 1

Sarah Portrait on board

Wow,what a day! The south east corner of the Dominican Republic. was labelled “The fairest land under heaven” by Columbus. I don’t disasociate myself from his opinion!! 🙂

Our Route 4 2day…

This afternoon the Thomson Dream sails to Road Town, Tortola. We’ll arrive tomorrow afternoon having travelled 277 nautical miles, at an average speed of 14 knots.

Wow, Did you enjoy this trip as much as we did? Did you have a fave part?

⬅ Previous Day 🌴 Next Day ➡

☀️ Start From #1 🏝 Or join the adventure at:

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🐾 Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 23 – “Guess The Face”

April 24, 2020 by Steve 6 Comments

Portrait of Bruce pulling the most crazy face

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!

Attention!! Today’s Drill…“Guess The Face”

This is a great teachable moment…Being the best of the best and the complete stupendous Dog that you are, takes time and effort. However one of the most important aspects(the glue that holds it all together) is…Laughter! One of our main tasks is to make the humans cry with laughter and this can be done by pulling a silly face! 😀

If you are a human reading this…Please look again at the photo of me pulling a silly face and then comment below with what you think i’m thinking? Or what makes you laugh about my face?

I’ll be chewing on a “Jumbone” and waiting for the “ bbrrrriinnggg” of the humans WordPress iPhone apps notification alert sound to read your comments! 😀

💬 “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Dwight D Eisenhower

🎶 singalong with me…”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, I’ll be watching you.”

⬅ Previous Day 🐾 Next Day ➡

🐾 Begin Boxercise class from Day 1 🐾

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In everything give thanks!

April 24, 2020 by Steve 3 Comments

In everything give thanks!

(Thomas Watson, “All Things for Good”)

“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

See what cause the saints have to be frequent in the work of thanksgiving! In this, Christians are defective; though they are much in supplication–yet they are little in thanksgiving. The apostle says. “In everything give thanks!“ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Why so? Because God makes everything work together for our good.

We thank the physician, though he gives us a bitter medicine which makes us nauseated–because it is to make us well. We thank any man who does us a good turn; and shall we not be thankful to God–who makes everything work for good to us?

God loves a thankful Christian! Job thanked God when He took all away: “The Lord has taken away–blessed be the name of the Lord!” Job 1:21. Many will thank God when He gives; Job thanks Him when He takes away, because he knew that God would work good out of it.

We read of saints with harps in their hands–an emblem of praise. Revelation 14:2. Yet we meet many Christians who have tears in their eyes, and complaints in their mouths! But there are few with their harps in their hands–who praise God in affliction.

To be thankful in affliction–is a work peculiar to a saint.
Every bird can sing in spring–but few birds will sing in the dead of winter!
Everyone, almost, can be thankful in prosperity–but a true saint can be thankful in adversity!

Well may we, in the worst that befalls us, have a psalm of thankfulness–because God works all things together for our good. Oh, be much in giving thanks to God!

~ ~ ~ ~

And did the Holy and the Just,
The Sovereign of the skies,
Stoop down to wretchedness and dust,
That guilty worms might rise?

Yes, the Redeemer left His throne,
His radiant throne on high,
(Surprising mercy! love unknown!)
To suffer, bleed, and die!

He took the dying traitor’s place,
And suffered in his stead;
For man (O miracle of grace!)
For man, the Savior bled!

Dear Lord, what heavenly wonders dwell
In Your atoning blood!
By this are sinners snatched from Hell,
And rebels brought to God!

What glad return can I impart
For favors so divine?
O take my all, this worthless heart,
And make it wholly Thine!
Anne Steele, 1859

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📜 Precious Proverbs: Honey

April 24, 2020 by Steve 2 Comments

Proverbs 24:13 (NLT)

My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.

My Thoughts 💭

Each time i read this proverb i think of my lovely wife Sarah. When she has a bad hypo and her blood sugar goes really low (she has type 1 diabetes – T1D), Sarah always has a piece of toast with local honey on the top. Honey is good and it’s definitely sweet to the taste! 😀

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🐾 Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 22 – “Noses”

April 23, 2020 by Steve 8 Comments

Bruce moving in from the left of the picture with a football in his mouth but his nose is nice and clear

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!

Attention!! Today’s Drill…“Noses”

I forgot to mention in post “Seek & Destroy” that whilst you are running with a large ball in your mouth…Always make sure your nose is clear so you can still breathe and not pass out!

Here are a few factoids…

Dogs’ olfactory abilities are anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than humans’. In fact, we have roughly 50 smell receptors compared to the humans measly one.
Our nose can breathe air in and out at the same time.
We have a special scent-detecting organ, called the vomeronasal organ that humans don’t have. This organ helps us detect pheromones secreted by other animals.
Each of our nose prints are unique, like each human’s fingerprint.Flat-faced, short-nosed dogs, such as the Boxer, Pekingese, and Pug, have fewer scent-detecting cells than dogs with longer snouts, like Bloodhounds and German Shepherds. But what we lack in scent-detectors, we gain jaw power and can grip for hours without our big nose getting in the way, lol.

💬 “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Dwight D Eisenhower

🎶 singalong with me…”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, I’ll be watching you.”

⬅ Previous Day 🐾 Next Day ➡

🐾 Begin Boxercise class from Day 1 🐾

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☀️ #11 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Farewell Firenze!”🇮🇹

April 23, 2020 by Steve 7 Comments

Up bright and early, packed and ready to go (well we’d like to stay another week) we found the right bus to Pisa (phew) and got our favourite seats right at the front, Yes! 🙂

Bus ride to Pisa

Arriving at Pisa airport, Francesca (our assistance person) was great. She sorted everything out, then kindly took this photo of Sarah & i in front of the plane as we were first on-board again! 🙂

Sarah and i at Pisa airport

The takeoff was stupendous! I love the acceleration, and i was just as excited throughout the whole journey! The Captain said “We are at 28,000ft, doing 480mph and its -52degrees outside” Wow! 😀

Sun from the airplane

I think God just smiled at me! 🙂

Sarah & i can’t thank you enough for joining us as we travel back through our memories. It’s been fantastic for us as we sit down(with a coffee) and read back through our incredible trips…And to know you are with us(and enjoying) on our journey warms our hearts! 😀

But…This tour of Tuscany was just the beginning!! The fun doesn’t stop here. So grab your coffee(or tea) as the next stop is the Caribbean!! 🌴☀️😎

⬅ Previous Day 🇮🇹 Next Day ➡ 🌴

☀️ Start From #1 🏝 Or join the adventure at:

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The Bible, the Word of God!

April 23, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

The Bible, the Word of God!

(John Mason’s Spiritual Sayings)

The Word of God must be . . .
  nearer to us than our friends,
  dearer to us than our lives,
  sweeter to us than our liberty, and
  pleasanter to us than all earthly comforts.

Take the candle of God’s Word and search the corners of your heart.

We speak to God in prayer.
God speaks to us in His Word.

All arguments against the Word of God are fallacies;
all ideas against the Word are delusions;
all derision against the Word is folly; and
all opposition against the Word is madness.

When God threatens, that’s a time to repent;
when He promises, that’s a time to believe;
when He commands, that’s a time to obey.

If a man believed the threatenings of the Word of God,
he would tremble and fly to the promises for refuge.hrist came out of His Father’s bosom, so
the promises came out of Christ’s riven side.

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📜 Precious Proverbs: A Fool

April 23, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Proverbs 23:9 (ESV)

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

🙏 Prayer 4 2day!

Oh be merciful to me a sinner!

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☀️ #10 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Firenze Extra!”🇮🇹

April 22, 2020 by Steve 1 Comment

Sarah & i started our final full day with the legendary amazing breakfast, then headed out to make the most of our last full day in this beautiful city.

Our plan today was to head East, then travel anti-clockwise until we reach our favourite place (South, by the river Arno) to try and take photos of things we may have missed so far, or from angles different from the norm. Right let’s Go!

East…

Church Tower

Wow, another bell tower, how did i miss this!

a black and white photo of a church

Building wit hroof statues

Pinocchio Workshop

Santa Croce black

North…

Heading North of our hotel, we stopped once again to gaze upon the stunning architecture of the Florence Cathedral and the Palazzo Medici Ricardi…

Christmas Cathedral

Florence Cathedral Bell Tower

Palazzo Medici Riccardi 1

Palazzo Medici Riccardi arches

West…

As we were heading west, i found another statue, but thought i’d take it from a random angle! 🙂

Statue in North Florence

Florence side street building

Sarah found a shop with sunflowers (her favourite flowers)…

Sunflower shop

Firenze archway

South…

Gold anyone!! 🙂

Florentine Gold

Corridor Windows

After spending a while around the river, we headed to probably the most famous and popular square (Piazza della Signoria) to capture some more statues! 🙂

I wasn’t one of the statues, lol. But i was being very still!

Sarah the Medici Lion 2

Firenze Statue 1

Now for probably the most famous statue of all…Michelangelo’s David. Everyone was crowding round and getting the obvious and boring shot of David. So i decided to get a different angle! 🙂

Both Sarah and i had our own favourite statues. I’ll start with Sarah’s.

Sarah’s favourite is “Perseus with the Head of Medusa”.

My favourite is of Cosimo Medici on his horse…

Do you have a favourite statue??

For the final evening we had booked one of only 7 tables at the amazing “Santa Elisabetta” restaurant in the old 6th century tower at our hotel.

Sarah at Santa Elisabetta

I didn’t take anymore photos as i was too excited, and i forgot! 🙂

The experience was sublime. Everything was fantastic and it’ll be a meal we’ll never forget!

We then had a final walk out to see the Florence Cathedral at night, it really stood out against the dark night.

Florence Cathedral at night

Hope you’ve enjoyed being on our little tour today around Florence?!

We have been so blessed this week, not only to be here in this stunning city that’s so rich in history. But being part of an exhibition in the Medici palace still leaves me speechless.

Who’d of thought that after being registered blind 14 years ago, i’d be here in a photography exhibition?!! Thank you Lord for always surprising me, and giving me a gift i just can’t explain!

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🐾 Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 21 – “Long Runs”

April 22, 2020 by Steve 9 Comments

Bruce running towards us with the sea on the right, cliffs on the left and a big sandy beach which is empty in the centre

⇧ Bruce demonstrating a long run ⇧

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!

Attention!! Today’s Drill…“Long Runs”

Since we’ve already got “Short Sprints” in our arsenal, it’s time to stretch out that drill into a “Long Run.”

This can be really difficult during lockdown and it’s vital to keep social distancing as you’ll be running for a long time…So be vigilant, and most of all safe!

I hope you find a place where you can practise this drill because…

A long run burns calories, strengthens/hardens muscles, and tones the body, but more importantly a long run really pushes you to discover your full athletic potential!

🎶 “Don’t let nobody drag your spirit down” – Eric Bibb

⬅ Previous Day 🐾 Next Day ➡

🐾 Begin Boxercise class from Day 1 🐾

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☀️ #9 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “The Photographic Exhibition Pt 2″🇮🇹

April 22, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Oh did i mention…. i’m actually in Italy,Yay!!

Map of Europe with a blue dot on Italy

Well i’m not actually in Italy as i write this, i’m at home on my iMac! But Sarah kept on catching me opening the maps app and taking a screenshot of our location!

Today we thought we’d head south towards the river, then curl round and end up North of the hotel at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi to see if last night really was a dream.

The Vasari Corridor….

Sarah owning the Vasari Corridor

Sarah & i really liked the “Vasari Corridor”, but now Sarah won’t let me through as i’m a commoner, lol. Eventually i managed to negotiate a deal, but it meant looking round more shops! 🙂

Sarah s Gold

Sarah looking fluent in Florin! (Italian gold coin)

Sarah at Tiffany s

Sarah at Tiffany’s! 🙂

Sarah by the River Arno

After a while we decided to rest a little and get refreshed ready for more exciting touring. Mmmmmm coffee and cake! 🙂

Cappuccino Cake

Wow, now that was fantastic! Anyway better get back to it! 🙂

It wasn’t long before Sarah found another friend, in the form of a statue.

Sarah and the boar

As we walked past the amazing Florence Cathedral, Sarah noticed and got excited that there was now a Christmas tree & nativity scene.

Me waving at duomo

The Nativity

After being wowed, we took lots of photos to try and get one good enough to possibly make Christmas cards for loved ones.

Now on to the Palazzo Medici Riccardi…

stood in the centre of the road with the palazzo medici riccardi on the left and a bus with its streaming light reflecting in the wet road

We arrived at the palace (left in photo above) and found the exhibition, yay i didn’t dream it! 🙂

As the majority of the artwork displayed was created by blind & partially sighted people, it was really tactile so we got to touch the creations. I’m so used to going to museums etc and not being able to see or touch the art. Thanks artists! 🙂

Me viewing the art

Couple of people touching the art Me touching the Tactile exhibits

As i mentioned yesterday (see Day 5) i was 1 of 3 artists (still not used to being called that) from the UK who exhibited, so i’d like to introduce to you…Ann and her paintings…

Ann and her paintings

And Christina’s photos…

Christina s Works

After a long walk around looking and touching the art, we went out of the back exit where i found an archway, and a huge ring that we kept finding on the outside of buildings, i think for the horses.

Palazzo Medici Riccardi Rear

Horse Ring

We’d had another fantastic day in Florence, and if you remembered on Day 4, i’d topped the evening off with an amazing cherry topped cake…Well this evening it got better still…..

Bistecca alla fiorentina…..

Bistecca alla fiorentina

Just when you thought the evening couldn’t get any better…Sarah & i shared the amazing Florentine steak! We had been told by Grace from our favourite restaurant in the world (Sicily Restaurant) that we couldn’t leave without trying one. Wow, she was right. It was truly magnificent and everything we’d hoped for, although i think Sarah got arm ache from sawing the never ending extra thick meat!! 🙂

We’ve had such a memorable and unbelievable time in Italy, and as this was Thursday, we still had a full day Friday, before we headed home on Saturday. 😀

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The devil’s old delusion!

April 22, 2020 by Steve 23 Comments

The devil’s old delusion!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Luke” 1858)

“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire!” Luke 3

We have, in these verses, a specimen of John the Baptist’s ministry. It is a portion of Scripture which should always be especially interesting to a Christian mind.

We should first mark the holy boldness with which John addresses the multitudes who came to his baptism. He speaks to them as a “brood of vipers!” He saw the rottenness and hypocrisy of the profession which the crowd around him were making, and uses language descriptive of their case.
His head was not turned by popularity.
He did not care who was offended by his words.
The spiritual disease of those before him was desperate, and of long standing–and he knew that desperate diseases need strong remedies!

Well would it be for the Church of Christ, if it possessed more plain speaking ministers in our days–like John the Baptist.

A morbid dislike to strong language;
an excessive fear of giving offence;
a constant flinching from directness and plain speaking–
are, unhappily, too much the characteristics of the modern Christian pulpit.

Uncharitable language is no doubt always to be deprecated. But there is no charity . . .
in flattering unconverted people,
in abstaining from any mention of their vices,
or in applying smooth names to damnable sins!

There are two texts which are too much forgotten by Christian preachers. In one it is written, “Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you.” Luke 6:26. In the other it is written, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men–or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were trying to please men–I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10

We should mark, also–how plainly John speaks to his hearers about HELL and danger!
He tells them that there is a “coming wrath!”
He speaks of “the ax” of God’s judgment–and of unfruitful trees being “thrown into the fire!”

The subject of HELL is always offensive to human nature. The minister who dwells much upon it–must expect to find himself regarded as barbaric, violent, unfeeling and narrow-minded!

Men love to hear “smooth things,” and to be told of peace, and not of danger. Isaiah 30:10

But the subject of Hell is one that ought not to be kept back, if we desire to do good to souls. It is one that our Lord Jesus Christ brought forward frequently in His public teachings. That loving Savior, who spoke so graciously of the way to Heaven–has also used the plainest language about the way to Hell.

Let us beware of being wise above that which is written, and more charitable than Scripture itself. Let the language of John the Baptist be deeply engraved on our hearts. Let us never be ashamed to avow our firm belief, that there is a “coming wrath” for the impenitent; and that it is possible for a man to be lost, as well as to be saved.

To be silent on the subject–is dreadful treachery to men’s souls. It only encourages them to persevere in wickedness, and fosters the devil’s old delusion in their minds, “You shall not surely die!” Genesis 3:4

That minister is surely our best friend–who tells us honestly of danger, and warns us, like John the Baptist, to “flee from the wrath to come!”

Never will a man flee–until he sees that there is real cause to be afraid.
Never will he seek Heaven–until he is convinced that he is on his way to Hell.

The religion in which there is no mention of Hell–is not the religion of John the Baptist, or of our Lord Jesus and His apostles!

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📜 Precious Proverbs: Deep Pit

April 22, 2020 by Steve 2 Comments

Proverbs 22:14 (ESV)

The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.

My Thoughts 💭

Coming from a broken home and being brought up with the life long radiation fallout of this…Love is whatever affection you can grab, and women where objectified. The Lord was certainly angry at me and my lifestyle and being trapped in pit after pit…

But God who is rich in love and mercy reached down and saved me. His Word was a sharp sword that cut straight through my soul and showed me what His true love is, and working through my lovely wife Sarah to show, teach and grow to be a husband fit for a princess! 😀 🙏🏻

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🐾 Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 20 – “Pawly”

April 21, 2020 by Steve 8 Comments

Bruce Poorley

⇧ Bruce feeling sad after his ear operation ✞

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!

Attention!! Today’s Drill…“Pawly”

I wanted to paws and take a little time to talk about accidents, or if you are pushing too hard on your drills…

If you have been to the vets(no idea why they are called this, they haven’t spent anytime in combat) and they have forced you into the “Helmet Of Shame”…DO NOT be cast down, but keep your chops held high!

There are other drills and exercises we can do e.g…

Dancing, Yay! Like yesterdays drill “Bust A Move” don’t be afraid to dance through the storms of life!! 😀

⇧ Bruce dancing in the storm! 😀 ⇧

🎶 “Don’t let nobody drag your spirit down – Eric Bibb

⬅ Previous Day 🐾 Next Day ➡

🐾 Begin Boxercise class from Day 1 🐾

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The way to do good is to amuse people!

April 21, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

The way to do good is to amuse people!

(J.C. Ryle, 1884)

A great change has taken place in the last forty years. A quantity of church work is continually being carried on both by clergymen and laymen, which, however well-meant, can hardly be called Christian–and in reality has a painful tendency to throw true Christian work into the background, if not to throw it entirely out!

No one, for instance, can fail to observe that a large number of professors are spending all their time and strength on church music, church decorations, church programs, and an incessant round of church attractions. Others are equally absorbed in social work, feeding the poor, and improved dwellings for everyone. Others are incessantly getting up popular concerts, secular lectures, and evening recreations. They proclaim everywhere, that the way to do good is to amuse people!

Others are always occupied with secular guilds, and societies, and associations–and think you very wrong and heathenish if you do not join them. Myriads of professors are restlessly busy about such things from one end of the land to the other; and superficial observers are often saying, “What a great deal of church-work there is in these days!”

Now I would not for a moment be supposed to mean that all the things I have just mentioned are wrong and wicked. Yet I doubt whether the present state of things is altogether healthy. I doubt whether the work of the Holy Spirit on hearts and consciences, is not insensibly being left out in the cold and neglected. Amidst the incessant hustle and bustle about matters of entirely secondary importance–I doubt whether the sort of direct spiritual work to which the Apostles wholly gave themselves, receives as much attention as it ought.

It is quite certain that musical services, and church decorations, and concerts, and bazaars, and social work, and the like–will not save souls.

It is equally certain that, without repentance, and faith, and holy living, and practical, self-denying, kindly charity–no one is fit for Heaven. Do these simple, old-fashioned graces fill the place which they ought to do, in the daily proceedings of many so-called church-workers in this day? I confess I doubt it exceedingly.

I certainly see on every side a vast increase of what people call “church-work.” But there is little or no increase of true religion. There undoubtedly is more show and glitter and display. But I extremely doubt whether there is more spiritual reality, and more growth of practical godliness.

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📜 Precious Proverbs: Tongue

April 21, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Proverbs 21:23 (ESV)

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

My Thoughts 💭

Wow, i know all about this one. Who can tame the tongue?! Oh help us Jesus, Amen! 🙏🏻

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🐾 Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 19 – “Bust A Move”

April 20, 2020 by Steve 7 Comments

Bruce looking straight at the camera whilst stood up and looks like he is dancing

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!

Attention!! Today’s Drill…“Bust A Move”

All of us dogs have a very individualistic personality, just like the humans do. While this varies from breed to breed, a lot of us respond to music based on the genre. You all know what i mean, when that songs starts playing and you just have to “Bust A Move!”

Depending on your groove, and how funky your routine…This will leave your human in stitches, they will laugh their heads off! 😀

At this point, i should tell you some benefits of busting a move…

Dancing is a great way to stay combat ready for dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes. It has a wide range of physical and mental benefits including:

Improves condition of your heart and lungs
Increases muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness
Increases aerobic fitness
Improves muscle tone and strength
Helps weight management
Stronger bones(that’s our bones and not the bones you normally chew.)
Better coordination, agility and flexibility
Improved balance and spatial awareness
Greater self-confidence and self-esteem
Better social skills.

💬 “Hit the floor with those groovy paws!” 🎶

⬅ Previous Day 🐾 Next Day ➡

🐾 Begin Boxercise class from Day 1 🐾

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Comfort, safety, strength, holiness!

April 20, 2020 by Steve 0 Comments

Comfort, safety, strength, holiness!

(George Everard, “Talks about Home Life” 1878)

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are.” Hebrews 4:15

There is no comfort, but in Christ’s bosom.

There is no safety, but by Christ’s side.

There is no strength, but in Christ’s arm.

There is no holiness, but in Christ’s footsteps.

Look up and see Christ, the merciful and gracious Savior, bending over you in most tender compassion.
He is very near to you. He marks . . .
each sigh,
each desire,
each tear,
each prayer.
He thinks upon and sympathizes with you.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

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📜 Precious Proverbs: Not Wise

April 20, 2020 by Steve 1 Comment

Proverbs 20:1 (ESV)

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

My Thoughts 💭

Living in England(and probably your country too?), you grow up learning that drinking alcohol isn’t just a pasttime, it’s a national sport and essential to be cool. How deceitful is sin and the world?!

One of my fave quotes is: “I would not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains.” ― William Shakespeare

Let’s thank God today for his Truth and Wisdom that never changes…It changes us! 😀

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🐾 Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 18 – “Parrot Rest”

April 19, 2020 by Steve 1 Comment

Bruce and his fluffy toy Parrot

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…Your fave Boxercise instructor! 😀

Wow yet another week in lockdown has passed already…Time flies when your boxercised!

Please meet my good friend “Parrot”

It’s time to rest yet again, so go and grab your favourite toy of the moment and take a day of well earned rest..With plenty of sleeping! 😀

Also let’s think once again about rest and sleep. It’s vitally important to take a day of rest to give your body a chance to heal, it helps to de-stress, and also helps our minds focus…On FOOD, lol! 🍔

Fun Quote…“A well trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will just make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it.”

🎶 Remember our happy singalong…”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, I’ll be watching you.”

⬅ Previous Day 🐾 Next Day ➡

🐾 Begin Boxercise class from Day 1 🐾

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They are so dear to Him, that He cannot take His eyes off them!

April 19, 2020 by Steve 2 Comments

They are so dear to Him, that He cannot take His eyes off them!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous.
His ears are open unto their cry.” Psalm 34:15

The Lord observes His redeemed people with approval and tender consideration. They are so dear to Him, that He cannot take His eyes off them! He watches each one of them as carefully and intently, as if there were only that one creature in the whole universe!

Thus the Lord’s eyes and ears are both turned upon His saints. His whole mind is occupied with them. If they are slighted by all others–they are never neglected by Him. He hears their cry at once, even as a mother is sure to hear her sick babe. The cry may be broken, plaintive or feeble–yet the Father’s quick ear catches each note of lament or appeal, and He is quick to answer His children’s voice!

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and His ears are attentive to their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12

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Steve’s The BIG 50 For The MS Society

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