Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery but today is a Gift, that’s why it is called “the present”!

Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.Your faithfulness continues through all generations;

I came across an old chap on social media this week who was quoting the above saying, it was new to me so really made me laugh. I decided to use the words in this month’s blog! The photos above are a personal picture of ‘yesterday, today and the future’ illustrating our growing family over a period of 127 years. I’m sure many could show a similar set of photos representing their family! And doesn’t holding a new baby often cause one to exclaim, ‘I wonder what the future holds for this child?’

History – Libraries of course hold volumes of books that have been written on the history of our changing world over the last century. That however pales into insigificance, volume-wise, when we consider the advent of the computer. According to ChatGPT (Intelligent Design) humanity now produces more information in a single day than was produced in an entire century in the past. Total recorded information is estimated to double every few years, and covers every subject imaginable. Our recent visit to the Transport museum and this month’s visit to the Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Museum could be considered by some to be a waste of time, as you can find it all on the internet. But nothing I believe beats things that stimulate our five senses; touch, taste, hearing, sight and smell.

Now here are some photos of our recent visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a visit we always find to be a great way to spend an afternoon, and admission is free! Most of the exhibits I enjoy, but find the work of artists, and sculptors particularly amazing. Too many photos to show, but here is a sample.

But when the sunshines!…..well, my wife and I like to get out together at least one day a week, over and above things like cutting the grass, tidying the garden and getting the greenhouse ready for the expected new season. The following photos are of our recent activities including photos taken during our visit to the beautiful Greenbank NTS (National Trust for Scotland) Gardens.

Reflection: I’ve been mentioning something of the wonders of our computer age and the advancement of AI, but as you get older it’s difficult to cope at times with all these ‘newfangled ideas’ that are constantly being pushed forward, especially in the world of technology. Of course we recognise the many many blessings they have brought in terms of medicine, transport, mobility, home comforts and ease of communication with family and friends. Yes we are truly blessed.

It’s apparent however that human hearts haven’t changed, as we watch and listen to our daily news bulletins. Do you ever feel just like switching the TV off? Wars and more wars, cheating public figures, in politics, business, and the entertainment world, and to be truthful in every other aspect of life. We also witness the daily toll of people from all backgrounds coming before our courts, and our prison system groaning under overload capacity. Oh, and then there is you and me, who get things terribly wrong far too often!

The most famous painting in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery is by far Salvador Dali’s painting entitled ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’ where he dramatically contrasts the Jesus of Galilee, with Jesus the man on a cross. Why, we may well ask, did Jesus who taught the multitudes around the shores of Galilee and beyond, end his life in agony, humiliation, shame and mockery on a cross? All he taught regarding the things of God, and the coming Kingdom were so often accompanied by his miracles. You will remember how he fed the hungry, healed the sick, made the lame to walk, gave sight to the blind, calmed the sea and raised the dead. A reading of John’s Gospel provides the answer to the ‘why’ question, and as we approach Easter I’m sure you would be blessed if you read it for yourself. John finishes his writing of that Gospel with these words ‘Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.‘ At our Church in Glasgow we have been studying John’s Gospel together at our morning services for many weeks, why not listen to one? I recommend last week’s talk which you can hear by logging on to the website. – http://www.greenviewchurch.co.uk

On Sunday we read the Biblical account of Jesus’ death by crucifixion on a Friday all those years ago, but as Jesus followers we remember His promise of the third day, and love to say, ‘Ah, but Sunday’s coming’! …. for on the third day he arose from the grave. So we look forward to Easter Sunday just a few days away and hope you can enjoy the celebration at a Church where you are?

As Easter fast approaches I will finish with the words of a hymn that always touches my heart, you can hear it being sung on You Tube. It goes like this:

Up Calvary’s mountain, one dreadful morn,
Walked Christ my Saviour, weary and worn;
Facing for sinners death on the cross,
That He might save them from endless loss.

Refrain
Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!
Seems I now see Him on Calvary’s tree;
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,
Blind and unheeding-dying for me!

“Father forgive them!” thus did He pray,
E’en while His lifeblood flowed fast away;
Praying for sinners while in such woe
No one but Jesus ever loved so.

Refrain
O how I love Him, Savior and Friend,
How can my praises ever find end!
Through years unnumbered on heaven’s shore,
My tongue shall praise Him forevermore.

Best wishes for Easter wherever you are, and I’m always happy to hear from you

Matthew