Jerusalem - William Blake

Jerusalem - William Blake

William Blake’s splendid and stirring hymn “Jerusalem”

“And did those feet in ancient time, 
Walk upon England's mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On England's pleasant pastures seen!”

It was always a mystery, singing it at school, wondering as we sang… “And did those feet in Ancient Times walk upon England’s mountains green?” Well…Did they? But I finally understood a few years ago. Blake was asking four rhetorical questions, questioning a popular myth. (There was a myth going around during the time of Blake, some believed Jesus visited England as a boy.) William Blake’s amazing response was – Jerusalem!.

Unfortunately all through my school days and even attending churches – It would seem – No one actually understood the kind of treasure this hymn represents.…So many still don’t know the meaning of William Blake’s profound poem or implications!.The poem turned into the stirring and marvelous anthem and hymn by Sir Hubert Parry, is still speaking to those who want to build Jerusalem – But Blake’s poem is for mobilizing the Church to do the works God prepared for those who love Him. Blake underneath the poem writes scripture “Would to God that all the Lord’s people were Prophets” Numbers 11:29

William Blake’s poem puts the rhetorical question, 4 times – Did Jesus visit England’s green and pleasant land? And in the last line writes – “And was Jerusalem built here, Among these dark Satanic Mills?” The answer is obviously – No! But then William Blake, a Non-Conformist Christian, concerned about all the social injustice and exploitation of the poor – gives the inspiring response in the next lines – In other words it is a prophetic call to all God’s people to be the hands and feet of Jesus in England – The true church, the body of Christ to walk upon England’s mountains green making a difference, bringing heaven to earth. In the light of Church history – With the likes of the Wesleys, Charles Spurgeon, George Muller, General Booth and many, many others….we can see Jesus did make a difference to England through His people……But if we fast forward to 1973 and listen to “Jerusalem” played by the band, Emerson Lake and Palmer – Would you believe their version got banned by the BBC in 1973! but what about today? How far have things drifted? But the call to build Jerusalem – still goes forth and will be answered by those who will understand!

And did those feet in ancient time, 
Walk upon England's mountains green: 
And was the holy Lamb of God, 
On England's pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine, 
Shine forth upon our clouded hills? 
And was Jerusalem builded here, 
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold: 
Bring me my Arrows of desire: 
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold: 
Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight, 
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand: 
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In England's green & pleasant Land.

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 Artwork - © Peter N Millward 

Vision of the Bonsai Church

Vision of the Bonsai Church

.........At that point in the middle of the redwood forest, Chris had a vision. Now, when I say vision, it wasn't anything otherworldly. Jesus didn’t appear in a blinding light. An angel didn't show up dressed like a warrior with a scroll in his hands. This was all in Chris’s mind - one of his powerful spiritual insights. In the vision, Chris was on a guided tour of a popular megachurch campus. The pastor, excited about his wonderful church, was leading Chris around, showing him the facility and commenting on all the great things that God was doing there. When the pastor got to the sanctuary and opened the doors, Chris was shocked at what he saw. The pews were packed out, but in each seat, instead of a person there was a bonsai tree - thousands of bonsai trees. Each little tree represented a member of the church. The staff, all paid professionals, were running around frantically pouring tiny thimbles of water into them. Other staff were trimming the bonsais with pruning shears, making sure they all looked alike and stayed the size they were. There seemed to be a lot of twisting and manipulating going on in an effort to maintain them.  It was obvious that the staff was way overworked, exhausted, and stressed. 

When Chris stepped out of the building and looked back, the whole church was a massive greenhouse for growing bonsais. Above it was a sign that read, “The Bonsai Church.”  Chris realized the bonsai trees were so completely dependent on the greenhouse environment, the professional clergy feeding them and tending them, that they would not survive if taken outside of the greenhouse. They were tiny and being kept that way. All growth revolved around church programs and activities.  Outside of the greenhouse, the bonsais had little or no impact on the environment. Instead, the environment impacted them negatively.  Many wilted and died, unable to withstand the brutal climate - winds, storms, heat, fires.  On the other hand, the mature redwoods that Chris was experiencing in the forest actually created their own climate by the power of being what they were meant to be.  

There are reasons why redwoods impact environments instead of environments impacting them. It doesn't just happen. 

First redwoods are relational. As forests, they thrive in community with roots that go down deep and intertwine with the other redwoods for extra strength. Being connected is vital to other redwoods for extra strength. Being connected is vital to their survival. When storms hit, they support and anchor one another. Why do you think they live to be thousands of years old?  A bonsai’s roots, however, are shallow because they are in the pot all the time and can’t  get connected to anything on a deeper level. In fact, bonsai roots are trimmed so they won’t break out of the pot. Sunday pews have defined their community.  Let’s go to church sing some songs, hear a sermon, hug some folks, and go home…..and oh, don't forget to tithe.   Bonsai trees’ shallow root system keeps them in a dwarfed shape. It’s the religious system versus an authentic relationship with Jesus. The latter allows God to occupy our lives 24/7 and move into deeper relationship with others, which challenges the issues in our lives.   While going to church is important, church won’t sustain you. 

From the book by author Max Davis - When Jesus was a Green Eyed Brunette

Christian Education - Resuscitating the Canary"

Christian Education - Resuscitating the Canary 

(At the Coal face of Education)

"Wiktionary - An allusion to caged canaries (birds) that miners would carry down into the mine tunnels with them. If dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide collected in the mine, the gases would kill the canary before killing the miners, thus providing a warning to exit the tunnels immediately."

"Judging by how things are in most places - it looks like business as usual, or trying to…..but it would appear over the last 50 or so years - For all the truck loads of message tapes, books, dvds, conferences, seminars, worship bands, technology, celebrities etc  - it looks pretty much like many churches developed a system which devoted itself to tucking itself up on a bed of comfort and ease…

A church system creating generations of Bonsai Christians more dependent on leaders and pastors than standing up on their own two feet of faith and reaching their full stature in Jesus Christ.  That will be hitting the bullseye for some of you reading this... because we all know places and churches run exactly like this..but there is no such thing as Christianity by proxy in the Kingdom God..   we all are called to seek God for the plans and callings He has for each of our lives. We are all called to hold the line…...and it would appear desperately few really are holding the line, and will be fewer still as the older generation of Christians pass on.

And the word for the “Church” today is - Repent - The Church belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only!  We only have to read through the book of Revelation to realise how serious the Lord takes this.

Going by what has happened the last 50 yrs one thing is for sure the church cannot go on sleepwalking into a future pretending everything is fine  - will it be fine in say 10 - 20yrs time? are we going to be like selfish King Hezekiah - when the prophet spoke of a future generation taken into captivity?.     The king was reassured bad things wouldn't happen in his lifetime. I wonder how King Hezekiah feels now looking from eternity? 

Our children, and grandchildren will not thank us for being too nice, timid, tame, too at home and comfortable, friendly with the world...to make a difference for Jesus Christ in our generation. 

What built great nations 200 years ago or more was built on the foundation of Christian education embedded in the worldview, laws and fabric of those nations…..and it was built on the back of martyrs who fearlessly translated the Bible and the faithful who obeyed it - we are kidding ourselves if we think we are equal to their faith back then  - their faith went through the fire and turned the world upside down…. What does our faith do exactly today? Is it too late? 

And if anyone thinks this is extreme...I doubt very much Jesus Christ would agree…..I rather think He would like it to stay in the minds and hearts of all who read this…..

As Leonard Ravenhill once wrote, "Five minutes inside eternity and we will wish that we had sacrificed more, wept more, grieved more, loved and prayed more, and given more." 
and that dear friends is exactly why I write this…….. Has the canary snuffed it? Is it on life support?   Who do you think is the canary? Take a look in the mirror - and you may see "

Prayer and Intercession for Germany - Jesus Christ is Lord!

© Peter N Millward

Click image or Link for Prints and Posters

Prayer and Intercession for Germany - Jesus Christ is Lord!

A picture for Germany and a call to prayer - The picture shows the nation of Germany pictured as a giant map that intercessors are holding up in fervent prayer and shaking....praying according to God's will shall bring answers - "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."  Hebrews 5:7

The picture is in 3 parts - 

• The Christians on the earth below united in  praying and Interceding for Germany.  
• Areas for Prayer - Seven Mountains of Influence in the World  - Media, Family, Education, Government, Religion, Business, Arts and Entertainment.
• The heavenly places where Spiritual Warfare is waged - The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4   "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  Ephesians 6:12

Prayer moves the Hand that moves the world and the spiritual warfare generated through faithful people surrounding Germany in prayer will shake the heavenlies and the principalities and powers of darkness.  There is no neutral ground today - True Christians must take up spiritual arms and take their place in the line and wield the authority they have in Jesus Name, waging spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness ranged against God's will *- it will bring a shaking in the heavenlies and on the earth below in Germany. Pulling down strongholds!

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Prayer Moves the Hand That Moves the World

by John A. Wallace

There is an eye that never sleeps

Beneath the wing of the night;

There is an ear that never shuts

When sink the beams of light.

There is an arm that never tires

When human strength gives way;

There is a love that never fails

When earthly loves decay.

That eye is fixed on seraph throngs;

That arm upholds the sky;

That ear is filled with angel songs;

That love is throned on high.

But there's a power which man can wield,

When mortal aid is vain,

That eye, that arm, that love to reach,

That listening ear to gain.

That power is prayer, which soars on high,

Through Jesus, to the throne,

And moves the hand which moves the world,

To bring salvation down.

UK NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

© Peter N Millward) 

Posters and Cards available at the link

UK NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER - The Potter’s Wheel

The Lord said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. Jeremiah 18:6 .......then how much more the Lord can say this to every other nation on the face of the earth...including the UK.

Are we not clay taken up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay" (Ps. 40:1-2 and for centuries had foundations centred on the Word of God and Christ.

The political turmoil which has engulfed the UK Parliament is a symptom of a much deeper problem - what we really need as a nation is to return to the Lord Himself.....and we would find the answers.

And in case anyone doesnt know or remember what a nation looks like centred on the Word of God.........

King George VI called for a National Day of Prayer in May 1940, when British troops were trapped at Dunkirk, about to be annihilated. People queued to get into Westminster Abbey so they could fall to their knees and pray. the population in millions went to local churches and chapels which were so full that congregations had to stand in churchyards or pour out onto the street. And the King made a broadcast to the nation, urging people to repent and turn to the Lord. A storm arose over Dunkirk which grounded the Luftwaffe, and the English Channel became a sea of tranquility which allowed hundreds of boats, large and small to rescue 336,000 soldiers. And so the miracle was sent by God, and the multitudes gave thanks and praise for their deliverance.