Isaiah 37 (résumé): Jerusalem’s deliverance foretold

Isaiah 37 tells us about how King Hezekiah seeking God’s help through the prophet Isaiah after the King of Assyria had lashed out “to ridicule the living God”. Isaiah told Hezekiah not to fear the blasphemy because God had things under control and that the king of Assyria would go home and there be killed. Hezekiah placed Sennacherib’s insulting letter before God and prayed: “O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God”! Then Isaiah spoke the words of the Lord: “You have lifted your eyes in pride against the Holy One of Israel… you have heaped insults on the Lord… you rage against me but I will put my hook in your nose… for out of Jerusalem will come a remnant… he (Sennacherib) will not enter this city… then the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians… and when Sennacherib was in the temple of his god his sons came and killed him”.

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Isaiah 36 (résumé): Sennacherib threatens Jerusalem

 Isaiah 36 registers the invasion of Judah by king Sennacherib of Assyria in 701 BC. Sennacherib “attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them”, and his field commander challenges King Hezekiah of Judah questioning his and Jerusalem’s “strategy and military strength” as well as questioning Jerusalem’s dependance on Egyptian support which he ridicules as being like a “splintered reed of a staff” which you certainly can’t lean on! Then the field commander jests that Sennacherib’s army is on a divine mission to defeat Judah and that Judah’s god doesn’t stand a chance! Then in a clear scare mongering tactic the commander speaks loudly in the language of the people banding about the Assyrian threats and humiliation. “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you!… don’t listen to Hezekiah… make peace with me… how can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” And Hezekiah’s leaders despaired! 

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Half-way there!

I have completed the first half of the Book of Isaiah covering the first 33 chapters of its 66 total. This means I have now written the résumé of 60% of the Bible. The Book of Isaiah, the largest prophetic book in the Bible, is a collection of prophetic sayings about a variety of topics such as divine judgement, messianic hope and the holiness of God.

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Isaiah 35 (résumé): Joy of the Redeemed

Isaiah 35 is an extremely joyful chapter of restoration and healing! A barren desert is transformed into a lush productive paradise! “The wilderness will rejoice and blossom… it will burst into bloom… they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God… strengthen the feeble… be strong and do not fear… the eyes of the blind will be opened and the deaf will hear… water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert… there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness… no lion will be there or any ferocious beast…. but only the redeemed will walk there and the ransomed of the Lord will return and enter Zion with singing!”

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Isaiah 35 (résumé): Joy of the Redeemed

Isaiah 35 is an extremely joyful chapter of restoration and healing! A barren desert is transformed into a lush productive paradise! “The wilderness will rejoice and blossom… it will burst into bloom… they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God… strengthen the feeble… be strong and do not fear… the eyes of the blind will be opened and the deaf will hear… water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert… there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness… no lion will be there or any ferocious beast…. but only the redeemed will walk there and the ransomed of the Lord will return and enter Zion with singing!”

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Isaiah 34 (résumé): Judgement against the Nations

Isaiah 34 decrees God’s apocalyptic judgement on all nations focusing on Edom as a symbolic representative of these nations. For God is to ruthlessly and aggressively devastate the nations. “The Lord is angry with all nations… he will destroy them… their dead bodies will send up a stench… all the stars will be dissolved… it will be a great slaughter in Edom… the land will be drenched with blood… it is a day of God’s vengeance and retribution… the desert owl and the screech owl will possess it… she will become a haunt for jackals… the falcons will gather each with its mate… they will possess the land for ever and dwell there from generation to generation”.

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Isaiah 33 (résumé): Distress & Help

Isaiah 33 is a declaration of God’s judgement on the destroyer Assyria: “Woe to you, O destroyer… you will be destroyed!” Then God’s people are encouraged to cry to God for his grace: “Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress”. God then promises “to fill Zion with justice and righteousness… He will be the sure foundation for your times… Now will I arise, says the Lord. Now will I be exalted… your eyes will see the king in his beauty… Look upon Zion… a peaceful abode… its stakes will never be pulled up… the Lord is our judge, lawgiver and king!”

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Isaiah 32 (résumé): The Kingdom of Righteousness

Isaiah 32 promises a future king and kingdom: “a king will reign in righteousness… a shelter from the wind… like streams in the desert… no longer will the fool be called noble… the scoundrel’s methods are wicked… but the noble man makes noble plans”. Then Isaiah warns against complacency because coming disaster will change the women’s easy lives… because the grape harvest will fail… citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland for ever… till the Spirit is poured out from on high… justice will dwell in the desert… the fruit of righteousness will be peace… my people will live in peaceful dwelling-places… how blessed you will be!”

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Isaiah 31 (résumé): Woe to those who rely on Egypt

Isaiah 31 warns Judah against trusting Egypt’s power as a solution to its defence against Assyria. “Woe to those who go down to Egypt… who trust in their multitude of chariots… Egyptians are men not God!… the Lord will protect Judah like a lion and like hovering birds God will shield Jerusalem… so return to God… because Assyria will fall by the sword… declares the Lord whose fire is in Zion”. 

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Isaiah 31 (résumé): Woe to those who rely on Egypt

Isaiah 31 warns Judah against trusting Egypt’s power as a solution to its defence against Assyria. “Woe to those who go down to Egypt… who trust in their multitude of chariots… Egyptians are men not God!… the Lord will protect Judah like a lion and like hovering birds God will shield Jerusalem… so return to God… because Assyria will fall by the sword… declares the Lord whose fire is in Zion”. 

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Isaiah 30 (résumé): Woe to the obstinate nation

Isaiah 30 rebukes Judah for seeking an alliance with Egypt which God says will be futile. The result will be that “everyone will be put to shame… because Egypt is an unprofitable nation… which is utterly useless”. Isaiah goes on to say that the people are rebellious “unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction… and their rejection of God’s message is like a high wall which is cracked and bulging”. So God points to the solution which is “repentance and rest in salvation… because in quietness and trust is your strength”. For “the Lord longs to be gracious… when you cry for help… and throw away your images like a menstrual cloth… then your cattle will graze in broad meadows… and the Lord will bind up the bruises of his people”. The chapter concludes prophesying that “the Lord will shatter Assyria… with his sceptre he will strike them down… with raging anger and consuming fire”.

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Isaiah 29 (résumé): Woe to David’s City

Isaiah 29 prophecies God’s judgement on Jerusalem which is called “Ariel” which means ‘Lion of God’ – i.e. as the capital of the tribe of Judah. God communicates through Isaiah that Jerusalem/Ariel with be besieged and “brought low, you will speak from the ground”. However God says that he will deliver Judah from this enemy and “your enemies will become like fine dust”. But God goes on to call the Judeans spiritually blind and drunk unable to understand divine revelation because “he has sealed your eyes and covered your heads”. He goes on to say that the people are hypocrites who “come near me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me”. Then the chapter concludes predicting future restoration when “in that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll… and the eyes of the blind will see… no longer will Jacob be ashamed… and they will keep my name holy”.

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Isaiah 28 (résumé): Woe to Ephraim

Initially in chapter 28 judgement is predicted for the proud wreath of “drunkards of Ephraim” (northern kingdom) with the impending destruction at the hands of the Assyrians. “That wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, will be trampled underfoot.” So too, Isaiah continues, the southern kingdom of Judah’s priests and prophets, who “stagger from wine and reel from beer”, will also be judged by God. For “with foreign lips and strange (Assyrian) tongues God will speak to this people.” So they would “fall backward, be injured and snared and captured.” For the rulers in Jerusalem have made “a covenant with death” (political godless alliances) so “an overwhelming scourge will sweep them”, and when this scourge sweeps by “you will be beaten down by it.” God promises, however, to “lay a stone in Zion, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; and who trusts will never be dismayed,” and these will survive the impending judgement. Then concluding Isaiah compares God with a wise farmer who knows when to plant and reap. “All this comes from the Lord Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.”

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St John’s Festival

They have started getting things ready early for the St John’s Festival this year on June 24th and there are streamers all over the central main streets of Patos. This is the main Patos festival of the year with 5 nights of all night music and dancing in the town centre.

Did you know that the vast majority of people in Brazil call Liz ‘Betinha’ (pronounced Beteenya)?

Sacha led last night’s communion service and Pastor Rafael preached. We received Sister Analice into fellowship and a young woman called Bianca gave a word of testimony. It was a lovely service.

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St John’s Festival

They have started getting things ready early for the St John’s Festival this year on June 24th and there are streamers all over the central main streets of Patos. This is the main Patos festival of the year with 5 nights of all night music and dancing in the town centre.

Did you know that the vast majority of people in Brazil call Liz ‘Betinha’ (pronounced Beteenya)?

Sacha led last night’s communion service and Pastor Rafael preached. We received Sister Analice into fellowship and a young woman called Bianca gave a word of testimony. It was a lovely service.

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Preaching the Gospel

 Last night I went to lead the monthly Communion Service at Green Pastures and I preached on ‘He that is without sin throw the first stone’ from John 8 as I continue through John’s Gospel week by week. The service was excellent with a good number present.

I saw 2 Burrowing Owls there together with many young toads and a tree frog. 

Extremely heavy rain has been falling on the coast in João Pessoa and Recife causing havoc. 6 people have been killed as a result in Recife and the main water supplies have been interrupted in João Pessoa as the pumping system has been inundated. 

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Green Pastures

I went to Green Pastures yesterday and saw Cattle Egrets, Picui Ground Doves and Blue-black Grassquits. I will be back there preaching the Gospel later on.

Sadly QPR ended the season with another defeat away to Ipswich 3 x 0. This means we ended the season in 15th place out of 24 which is the same as last season. This season we won 16 games, drew 10 and lost 20.

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Isaiah 27 (résumé): Deliverance of Israel

Isaiah 27 concludes the Apocalypse section of chapters 24 to 27 pointing to God’s victory over evil represented by the Leviathan: “He will slay the monster of the sea.” Then comes the vineyard, representing Israel, which is “fruitful… I the Lord watch over it… I water it continually… guard it day and night… Israel will bud, blossom and fill all the world with fruit.” However reference is then made to Israel’s suffering for its sin resulting in the removal of their pagan altars: “No Asherah Poles or incense altars will be left standing”. Then Israel will be regathered for worship in Jerusalem: “Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain.”

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Isaiah 27 (résumé): Deliverance of Israel

Isaiah 27 concludes the Apocalypse section of chapters 24 to 27 pointing to God’s victory over evil represented by the Leviathan: “He will slay the monster of the sea.” Then comes the vineyard, representing Israel, which is “fruitful… I the Lord watch over it… I water it continually… guard it day and night… Israel will bud, blossom and fill all the world with fruit.” However reference is then made to Israel’s suffering for its sin resulting in the removal of their pagan altars: “No Asherah Poles or incense altars will be left standing”. Then Israel will be regathered for worship in Jerusalem: “Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain.”

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Isaiah 26 (résumé): A song of praise

Isaiah 26 is a song of praise to God because in God believers are safe in “a strong city; God makes salvation his walls and ramparts.” “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast , because he trusts in you.” Isaiah goes on to talk about how “my soul yearns for you in the night,” and he believes in God’s righteous judgement. Then Isaiah does on to affirm life after death in God which is rare in the old testament. He says: “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.” Then Isaiah concludes the chapter encouraging the faithful to wait for God’s judgement to pass “until his wrath has passed by”.

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Isaiah 25 (résumé): Praise to the Lord!

Isaiah 25 is a prophetic celebration of God’s victory over death: “He will swallow up death forever and wipe away the tears from all faces”. The chapter starts exalting God for his faithfulness and for God having been a refuge for the poor and needy… a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. It then goes on to foretell a messianic banquet: “A feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine… and God will swallow up death forever.” And those who trust in God will be glad and rejoice in his salvation… “surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.”

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Isaiah 24 (résumé): The Lord’s devastation of the earth

 Isaiah 24 is often described as Isaiah’s apocalypse! For it describes a future devastation of the earth by God: “The Lord is going to lay waste the earth… and the devastation will affect all groups and classes equally… the earth will be totally plundered… a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt… cities lie desolate… terror and pit and snare await you O people of the earth… the earth reels like a drunkard… so heavy is the guilt of its rebellion… in that day the Lord will punish… kings will be herded like prisoners bound in a dungeon.”  

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General Conference

This month of May we will be holding our annual General Conference, as we do every May, when our pastors and leaders gather together to discuss the work of the Lord, to give new ministers probationary status etc. Please pray for this Conference on the 22nd and 23rd of May in João Pessoa on the coast. Please pray for all decision making. We have some delicate issues to handle.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible Study and lawyer Murilo brought an excellent study on 1 John 5:1-12. Granddaughter Beatriz (Bia) led the worship accompanied by Davi.

Last month this blog was read 42,345 times. This is the largest monthly readership ever. Our thanks and greetings to one and all. Please add your comments with your name.

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InTouch #105

The bi-annual EAB magazine “InTouch” #edition 105 for May 2026 has just been published online on the EAB website at www.eabrazil.org. The hard copies will soon be with everyone by regular post. Our thanks go to editor Marian Rashleigh and graphic  designer Dave Flowers.

Our daughter Lynn, her husband Hutan and their children John David and Amanda have gone to São Paulo for an English language conference from their Cultura Inglesa language school. 

I have finished one third of the Book of Isaiah. That is 22 of the 66 chapters. This is part of my project to write a résumé of the whole Bible. This means I have now completed 59% of the chapters of the Bible.

The Life Squad (Pastor Rafael and Iara) evangelized the Patos Men’s Prison yesterday and 2 decisions were made for Christ.

I have started reading a new book again given to me by my granddaughter Louisa. It is called ‘One Day’ written by David Nicholls. 

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Isaiah 23 (résumé): A prophecy about Tyre

Isaiah 23 is a prophecy of the destruction of Tyre which was a commercial giant: “Wail, O ships of Tarshish! For Tyre is destroyed and left without house or harbour.” This destruction of Tyre is God’s work in response to their arrogant pride: “Who planned this against Tyre?… The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring low the pride of all glory and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.” Isaiah then says that Tyre will be silenced for 70 years prior to returning to trading: “Tyre will be forgotten for 70 years… at the end of 70 years she will return to her hire as a prostitute and will ply her trade… yet her profit and earnings will be set apart for the Lord”.

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Isaiah 22 (résumé): A prophecy about Jerusalem

Isaiah 22 is an oracle predicting judgement on Jerusalem for lack of repentance and condemns people for self-trust as opposed to trust in God. It also proclaims the replacement of the proud steward Shebna by Eliakim. “The Lord, the Lord Almighty has a day of tumult and trampling and terror in the Valley of Vision, a day of battering down walls and of crying out to the mountains… you saw that the City of David had many breaches in its defences… you built a reservoir between the two walls but you did not look to the one who made it… the Lord called you on that day to weep and to wail… till your dying day this sin will not be atoned for.” Then the Lord says to Shebna the steward in charge of the palace: “The Lord is about to hurl you away you mighty man… you will die you disgrace to your master’s house!… I will depose you from office… I will summon my servant Eliakim and clothe him with your robe… and he will be a father to those in Jerusalem… I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David… the Lord has spoken.”

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Isaiah 21 (résumé): Prophecies against Babylon, Edom and Arabia

Isaiah 21 has 3 prophetic oracles against Babylon, Edom and Arabia predicting divine judgement upon them which involves their destruction. First of all comes Babylon: “I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused… Babylon has fallen… all the images of their gods lie shattered on the ground… O my people, crushed on the threshing-floor… I tell you what I have heard from the Lord Almighty.” Secondly comes the oracle against Edom: “Watchman, what is left of the night… he replies – Morning is coming but also the night.” Finally comes the oracle concerning Arabia: “They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle… the survivors will be few… the Lord has spoken.”

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Isaiah 19 (résumé): A prophecy about Egypt

Isaiah 19 is an oracle about Egypt which predicts God’s judgement on Egypt through civil strife with Egyptian against Egyptian, brother against brother, neighbour against neighbour, city against city and kingdom against kingdom. Egypt will suffer economic failure with the drying up of the River Nile: “The river bed will be parched and dry…. the canals will stink… the fields along the Nile will be parched… the fishermen will be without work”. Also Egypt’s leaders will be failures: The officials of Zoan have become fools… the Lord has poured into them a spirit of dizziness… in that day the Egyptians will be like women and the land of Judah will bring terror to the Egyptians. But eventually Egypt will turn to the Lord and in that day the Egyptians, Assyrians and Israel will worship together.

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Isaiah 18 (résumé): A prophecy against Cush

This prophecy is against Cush which is south of Egypt in what today is Sudan and Ethiopia. It warns Cush “which sends envoys by sea in papyrus boats” to wait for God’s timing. “Go, swift messengers, to a people tall and smooth-skinned… when a trumpet sounds you will hear it… I will remain quiet and look on… he will cut off the shoots with pruning knives… at that time gifts will be brought to the Lord Almighty from a people feared far and wide.”

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Isaiah 17 (résumé): An oracle against Damascus

 Isaiah 17 is an oracle against Damascus which includes condemnation of Israel (Ephraim) allied to Syria. The oracle also states that idolatry is worthless before God and so is all human strength. “See Damascus will no longer be a city… the fortified cities will disappear from Ephraim… in that day the glory of Jacob will fade… in that day men will look to their maker… they will not look to their handmade altars or Asherah poles… and all will be desolation… you have forgotten God your saviour… therefore the harvest will be as nothing… in the evening sudden terror and before the morning they are gone!”

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Isaiah 16 (résumé): Send lambs as tribute

Isaiah 16 continues the prophecy against Moab which was started in the previous chapter. “Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab… the oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.” Reference is made to Moabite pride: “We have heard of Moab’s pride… her pride and her insolence… therefore the Moabites wail… lament and grieve… the fields of Heshbon wither… O Heshbon I drench you with tears… my heart laments for Moab like a harp… within 3 years Moab’s splendour and all her many people will be despised, and her survivors will be very few and feeble.”

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Isaiah 15 (résumé): A Prophecy against Moab

This chapter is an oracle against Moab: “Ar in Moab is ruined and destroyed in a night… Kir in Moab is destroyed in a night… every head is shaved and every beard cut off… in the streets they wear sackcloth… my heart cries out over Moab… they lament their destruction… the waters of Nimrim are dried up and the grass withered… nothing green is left… their wailing reaches as far as Eglaim… and Dimon’s waters are full of blood!”

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Isaiah 15 (résumé): A Prophecy against Moab

This chapter is an oracle against Moab: “Ar in Moab is ruined and destroyed in a night… Kir in Moab is destroyed in a night… every head is shaved and every beard cut off… in the streets they wear sackcloth… my heart cries out over Moab… they lament their destruction… the waters of Nimrim are dried up and the grass withered… nothing green is left… their wailing reaches as far as Eglaim… and Dimon’s waters are full of blood!”

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Isaiah 14 (résumé): The Lord will have compassion on Jacob

Isaiah 14 promises the restoration of post-Babylonic Israel: “Once again God will chose Israel and will settle them in their own land… and the house of Israel will possess the nations… and rule over their oppressors.” The chapter then features a mocking taunt-chant concerning the fall of the Babylonian king: “How the oppressor has come to an end… the grave below is all astir to meet you at your coming… all your pomp has been brought down to the grave… with maggots on top of you and worms beneath… you said you would make yourself like the most high but you are brought down to the depths of the pit… like a corpse trampled under foot… I will sweep Babylon with the broom of destruction.”

The chapter then closes with prophesies against Assyria and the Philistines: “I will crush the Assyrian in my land… his yoke will be taken from my people… do not rejoice all you Philistines… your root I will destroy by famine… melt away all you Philistines… the Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.”

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Linda

People who have stayed in our house will remember Linda who has always helped Liz with the cooking when we have visitors. Well today, aged 72, she is getting married to a brother in the Campina Grande area who is in his 80s. Both of them have recently lost their spouses so they have decided to take the plunge! Please pray for Linda and her new husband Hermes.

Yesterday we did our usual work bringing people into the Care Centre dentist and taking them home again. 

I have just done Pilates! 🏃

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Linda

People who have stayed in our house will remember Linda who has always helped Liz with the cooking when we have visitors. Well today, aged 72, she is getting married to a brother in the Campina Grande area who is in his 80s. Both of them have recently lost their spouses so they have decided to take the plunge! Please pray for Linda and her new husband Hermes.

Yesterday we did our usual work bringing people into the Care Centre dentist and taking them home again. 

I have just done Pilates! 🏃

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Business Meeting

Yesterday morning we held a church business meeting when lawyer Murilo was chosen to be a new assistant pastor and our daughter Sacha was chosen to be a missionary which is the term used for female ministers. Both decisions were unanimous for these two who have been ministering the word in the church for a long time. We also discussed increasing our Gospel tracts distribution and we organized the training of a new emergency committee for untoward eventualities. We also defined all the church ministries leaders for the coming year. It was a very good meeting.

On Saturday 15 young people from Patos went up the mountain to Teixeira for evangelism together with folk from our church there. 9 of them went in the Kombi. The day was a blessing.

Last night Pastor Rafael and I led the service and Sacha preached an excellent sermon on John 5:1-15. I dedicated a baby called Eloah. It was a really blessed service.

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Business Meeting

Yesterday morning we held a church business meeting when lawyer Murilo was chosen to be a new assistant pastor and our daughter Sacha was chosen to be a missionary which is the term used for female ministers. Both decisions were unanimous for these two who have been ministering the word in the church for a long time. We also discussed increasing our Gospel tracts distribution and we organized the training of a new emergency committee for untoward eventualities. We also defined all the church ministries leaders for the coming year. It was a very good meeting.

On Saturday 15 young people from Patos went up the mountain to Teixeira for evangelism together with folk from our church there. 9 of them went in the Kombi. The day was a blessing.

Last night Pastor Rafael and I led the service and Sacha preached an excellent sermon on John 5:1-15. I dedicated a baby called Eloah. It was a really blessed service.

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Business Meeting

Yesterday morning we held a church business meeting when lawyer Murilo was chosen to be a new assistant pastor and our daughter Sacha was chosen to be a missionary which is the term used for female ministers. Both decisions were unanimous for these two who have been ministering the word in the church for a long time. We also discussed increasing our Gospel tracts distribution and we organized the training of a new emergency committee for untoward eventualities. We also defined all the church ministries leaders for the coming year. It was a very good meeting.

On Saturday 15 young people from Patos went up the mountain to Teixeira for evangelism together with folk from our church there. 9 of them went in the Kombi. The day was a blessing.

Last night Pastor Rafael and I led the service and Sacha preached an excellent sermon on John 5:1-15. I dedicated a baby called Eloah. It was a really blessed service.

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Sonata Form

I have been listening to Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony which was my set work for music GCE O level in 1965. My focus was on the sonata form of the first movement with its exposition, development and recapitulation. Those were the days at Quintin School in St. John’s Wood.

QPR sadly lost their last home game of the season to Derby 3 x 2. 😖

Last night I led the service of the Green Pastures Church and preached on John 7:37-38. It was a good service.

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Sonata Form

I have been listening to Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony which was my set work for music GCE O level in 1965. My focus was on the sonata form of the first movement with its exposition, development and recapitulation. Those were the days at Quintin School in St. John’s Wood.

QPR sadly lost their last home game of the season to Derby 3 x 2. 😖

Last night I led the service of the Green Pastures Church and preached on John 7:37-38. It was a good service.

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Sonata Form

I have been listening to Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony which was my set work for music GCE O level in 1965. My focus was on the sonata form of the first movement with its exposition, development and recapitulation. Those were the days at Quintin School in St. John’s Wood.

QPR sadly lost their last home game of the season to Derby 3 x 2. 😖

Last night I led the service of the Green Pastures Church and preached on John 7:37-38. It was a good service.

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Tchaikovsky + Elgar

I have been listening to Tchaikovsky’s 1st piano concerto whilst I did devotional and administrative work. The concerto reminds me of my tropical fish aquarium when I was a boy at Grammar School because I used to listen to it a lot whilst watching the fish. I also listened to Elgar’s Cello Concerto. 

I went to Green Pastures and saw a beautiful large Rufescent Tiger-Heron near the dam. Around the house and dormitories we have scores of birds nesting like the White-throated Seedeater, Red-cowled Cardinal, Campo Troupial, Scaled Dove, Picui Ground Dove, Caatinga Cacholote, Rufous-bellied Thrush etc.

It rained a further 3 mm yesterday at Green Pastures taking this year’s rainfall total up to 626.6 mm. The average annual rainfall is 702 mm. I will be preaching at the Green Pastures church tonight.

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Tchaikovsky + Elgar

I have been listening to Tchaikovsky’s 1st piano concerto whilst I did devotional and administrative work. The concerto reminds me of my tropical fish aquarium when I was a boy at Grammar School because I used to listen to it a lot whilst watching the fish. I also listened to Elgar’s Cello Concerto. 

I went to Green Pastures and saw a beautiful large Rufescent Tiger-Heron near the dam. Around the house and dormitories we have scores of birds nesting like the White-throated Seedeater, Red-cowled Cardinal, Campo Troupial, Scaled Dove, Picui Ground Dove, Caatinga Cacholote, Rufous-bellied Thrush etc.

It rained a further 3 mm yesterday at Green Pastures taking this year’s rainfall total up to 626.6 mm. The average annual rainfall is 702 mm. I will be preaching at the Green Pastures church tonight.

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Tchaikovsky + Elgar

I have been listening to Tchaikovsky’s 1st piano concerto whilst I did devotional and administrative work. The concerto reminds me of my tropical fish aquarium when I was a boy at Grammar School because I used to listen to it a lot whilst watching the fish. I also listened to Elgar’s Cello Concerto. 

I went to Green Pastures and saw a beautiful large Rufescent Tiger-Heron near the dam. Around the house and dormitories we have scores of birds nesting like the White-throated Seedeater, Red-cowled Cardinal, Campo Troupial, Scaled Dove, Picui Ground Dove, Caatinga Cacholote, Rufous-bellied Thrush etc.

It rained a further 3 mm yesterday at Green Pastures taking this year’s rainfall total up to 626.6 mm. The average annual rainfall is 702 mm. I will be preaching at the Green Pastures church tonight.

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Isaiah 13 (résumé): A prophecy against Babylon

Isaiah 13 is an “oracle concerning Babylon” telling of God’s impending judgement on them in “the day of the Lord” because of their arrogant wickedness. He says: “Listen, a noise on the mountains… God is mustering an army for war… to destroy the whole country… wail, for the day of the Lord is near… terror will seize them… see the day of the Lord is coming – a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger… I will punish the world for its evil… whoever is captured will be thrust through… their infants will be dashed to pieces… their wives will be ravished… Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the Babylonians pride, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah… and she will never be inhabited but will be taken over by jackals, hyenas, owls and wild goats”.                                      

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