Autumn

The mist hovers thick and hazy,
Lazy to unveil the day.
It delays the rays of the golden sun,
While dreams and nightmares drift away.

And Summer wanders into Autumn,
Like a cool and colour filled tide;
And the sunshine glows on the bridge
And comes out the other side.

When I was a boy, we had nature tables,
Conkers, acorns and things we brought.
The teacher's handwriting was nice and neat,
Labelling the lessons the trees taught.

And the trees have the amber sun elaborating
The rough textures of their contoured bark.
And lovers walk through the crisp colours
To cuddle on the bench in the park.

This is Autumn in all its glory,
Colours of scarves and leaves,
A new season and a different story
Of the wind and all it weaves.

Nebulae - Latin for Clouds

I took this photo on Sunday, while out for a walk, just before a sunburst.

The Launch of HMS Duncan 11th October 2010

The bridge of HMS Duncan (D37)

Last week I had the privilege and excitement of seeing the launch of a warship on the Clyde in Scotland.  HMS Duncan was the sixth and final Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer to be launched.  It also may possibly be the last ship to be launched in this way.
The weather was beautiful, with the warm sun shining in the blue sky.  It was mild and there wasn't much breeze.  The anticipation built up as the band played and then various displays went on.  Even the cranes couldn't keep still and were seen moving along their rails and turning around.  In one of the enormous sheds, the hull one of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers was taking shape, but work on it was stopped today for Duncan.
Then at last the time came for the service to start.  Prayers were said by the Chaplain of the Fleet and then we all sang the Naval Hymn, accompanied by the band of the Royal Marines.  After another prayer and the National Anthem, the ship was named by Mrs Marie Ibbotson, wife of Vice Admiral Richard Ibbotson CB DSC Deputy Commander in Chief Fleet.  A few seconds of delay later and the ship gently and quietly slid backwards along the slipway to huge cheers, balloons being launched and a firework display.
Later we watched the tugs racing around her, pushing and pulling and revving their engines loudly whenever they needed to.  Then she was pushed into the dock as the shadows lengthened and the sun began to set.  The crowds began leaving, like a tide going out.  It was the end of an amazing day and the beginning of the life of one of the most modern, state of the art warships ever to be built.

Ready for launch at high tide at 15:47

Balloons ready for launch when the ship starts moving

The hull of one of the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carriers

Some of the many cranes at Govan Shipyard

Tugs pushing and pulling to bring Duncan into dock after the launch

Duncan safely in dock after her launch

You've read the blog, now watch the movie!

The Rescue of the 33 Chilean Miners

I've just read on the news that a thanksgiving service has taken place for the rescue of the 33 Chilean Miners.  Last week, all around the world, live pictures were streamed of the rescue of these 33 miners.  I think it was a fantastic story and it's quite right that we celebrate their rescue.  They were thought to be dead, but found to be alive; they were lost, but then they were found.
As I watched the story unfold and the live pictures from various angles, including underground, I couldn't help but draw parallels with another amazing rescue.  When Jesus Christ came to earth He left everything behind in heaven and took on this mission to rescue us, the human race.  God got involved in our rescue, by sending His one and only Son.  This mission was the most important thing to Him.
At the mine, the Chilean President took the time to be involved and even said that the raw materials are not the most important thing his country has, but the miners – the people.  He also said in an interview that the cost "doesn't matter".
As I watched the Fenix 2 escape pod going down to the depths to rescue another minor, it would be no underestimate to say, this was the only way for them to be saved.  Likewise, with Jesus Christ, He is also the only way to salvation.  Why?  Why not?  What can a person do to get themselves up to the same standard as a Holy God?  The miners couldn't rescue themselves and neither can we.  We all need to take Jesus Christ on as our Lord and Saviour.
One reporter said that the miners were brought up to the "light of life".  When each one emerged there was great rejoicing.  This reminded me of the verse "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10 (New International Version).

Twitter

Recently, I decided to start tweeting again.  I was tweeting The Bible and stopped because I was going too deep and not getting the time to actually make any forward progress through it.  Anyway, hopefully, I'll go through The Bible at a reasonable pace and tweet any points of interest.  Hopefully, I'll be encouraged and so will you.  I'm starting at 1 Samuel, because that's where I'm up to at the moment.