Thank you!

I've just checked and, with only 14 votes (at time of typing!) I have reached the Top 18 list for my blog/interview! A big "Thank you" to all who have taken the trouble to go to

http://bloginterviewer.com/politics/the-crazyrev-page-c-brian-ross

and support me!

However, it's early in the month and, already, there are those with far more votes. I suspect that they have got lots of folk who, having bookmarked the voting site, keep returning every 24 hours or so! Even 3/4 votes per week, from each of 30 people would give me between 450 and 500 votes over a period of a month (the counter is reset to Zero at the beginning of each month!). That might not be enough to get me to the No.1 position, but should keep me in the Top 5!

If you think that it would be good to have a specifically, and unashamedly, Christian blog receiving that kind of recognition - and having the number of hits increased, as a result - then please become one of those 30 people who will vote for me 3/4 times per week.

Thank you! :-)

A wee break!

I forgot to mention that my dear wife and I plan to head off tomorrow morning to the beautiful town of Elgin, for a wee break. As we will be taking our caravan, it is unlikely that we will have any internet access (unless we find a McDonald's!) so no more posts until next Wednesday. However, do keep checking - just in case - and do remember to go to the link on the left-hand side-bar and vote for my interview: every twenty-four hours, if you can be bothered!!

Another shot at fame!!!

Some weeks ago, I was invited to provide an online interview, because "someone" had recommended this blog to bloginterviewer.com

There is, apparently, a prize available for the blog that receives the most votes, each month. Please copy, and paste, the URL that is shown in the sidebar, and give me your vote - I understand that anyone may do so every day!

Any cash prize that I may win will be donated to Release International, and Open Doors - two of the organisations that my wife and I support in their work with the persecuted church.

Thank you.

Be srue to raed tihs!

Resraechres at Cmabirgde Uinvrestiy fnuod taht the odrer ltteers are wtitren in deson't mttaer as lnog as the frist and lsat ltteres are in the rghit palce. Yul'ol be albe to raed the wrods croerctly no mtater how jubmled the ltetres are. It semes taht yuor barin dosne't raed ecah lteter but sees the wohle wrod at ocne.

This little gem of information comes from the well-known "Ripley's Believe it or Not Souvenir Guidebook", and many will have read it before. By the way, in case anyone didn't quite get it, it makes the point that as long as the first and last letters of a word are in their correct places, our brains can make sense of what comes between them, however mixed-up those other letters are.

In the great book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, given to His servant, John there is a fourfold reference to Almighty God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - as "the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (22:13 - cf. 1:8, 11; 21:6). Disciples of Jesus may take great comfort (the word really means 'strength') that we follow a Saviour Who is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, and Who makes sense of all that comes between - all the mixed-up, confusing, seemingly illogical, circumstances of this earthly life.

The old illustration was of a tapestry which, when looked at from the wrong side (the back), is a confused jumble of ends of threads, of every colour and hue, that makes absolutely no sense; but that, when viewed from the correct side (the front) is a beautiful picture that brings joy and delight to the beholder. In this life, we see only the back of the tapestry. Only in Glory will the believer see the finished picture - and rejoice that our great God really did know what He was doing, even if His plan wasn't always clear to us!

The Long Silence.

This is a well-known piece of work, but I haven't seen it anywhere for some time. I came across my copy this evening, while searching for something else, and decided that it was worth giving it an airing. No comment - it speaks for itself.

At the end of time, billions of people were seated on a great plain before God's throne. Most shrank back from the brilliant light before them; but some groups, near the front, talked heatedly - not cringing with shame, but with belligerence.

"Can God judge us? How can He know about suffering?", snapped a pert young brunette. She ripped open a sleeve to reveal a tattooed number from a Nazi concentration camp. "We endured terror ... beatings ... torture ... death!"

In another group, a Negro boy lowered his collar. "What about this?" he demanded, showing an ugly rope-burn. "Lynched, for no crime but being black!"

In another crowd there was a schoolgirl with sullen eyes, pregnant after having been raped. "Why should I suffer?" she murmured. "It wasn't my fault." Far out across the plain were hundreds of such groups. each had a complaint against God for the evil and suffering He had permitted in the world.

How lucky God was to live in Heaven, where all was sweetness and light; where there was no weeping or fear; no hunger or hatred. What did God know of all that man had been forced to endure in this world? "For God leads a pretty sheltered life", they said.

So each of these groups sent forth their leader - chosen because he had suffered the most. A Jew, a Negro, a person from Hiroshima, a horribly deformed arthritic, a thalidomide child. In the centre of the vast plain, they consulted with each other. At last, they were ready to present their case. It was rather clever!

Before God could be qualified to be their Judge, He must endure what they had endured. Their decision was that God should be sentenced to live on earth as a Man.

Let Him be born a Jew. Let the legitimacy of His conception be doubted. Give Him a work, so difficult that even His family will think that He is out of His mind.

Let Him be betrayed by His closest friends. Let Him face false charges; be tried by a prejudiced jury, and convicted by a cowardly judge. Let Him be tortured.

At the last, let Him see what it means to be terribly alone. Then let Him die in such a way that there can be no doubt about His death. Let there be a great host of witnesses to verify it.

As each leader announced his portion of the sentence, loud murmers of approval went up from the throng of assembed people. Then when the last had finished pronouncing sentence, there was a long silence. No one uttered a sound; no one moved.

For, suddenly, all knew that God had already served His sentence!

Good-bye!

This coming Sunday is my last at Calderhead-Erskine Parish Church (Shotts and Allanton) - at least for the time being - as a new minister is to be inducted (settled in, for those unfamiliar with the terminology of Presbyterianism!) on Thursday, 11th. I am truly delighted for both the congregation and Allan Brown, the new minister, and trust that God will use them in great ways to further His Kingdom in both locations. Of course, from a very selfish, personal, point of view, I wish that the vacancy had lasted just a little longer!! I am certainly going to miss many of the folks whom I have got to know so well, over the months that I have been privileged to spend with them.

However, I am reminded of something that I said on my last Sunday as the incumbent in Bellshill: St.Andrew's over thirty years ago. I pointed out that although I knew people who preferred to say 'Cheerio' when leaving someone, on the basis that 'Goodbye' was too final, the latter word is actually a much better one to use when making our farewells. That's because it is a corruption of the phrase "God be with you" - and I could think of no better wish to make than that. That's why, albeit with moist eyes, I will be saying 'Goodbye' to the folk in Shotts and Allanton. I will be commending them to the loving care of a gracious God.

So 'Goodbye' may well have an air of finality about it - but it can be the finality of wishing the greatest blessing upon those whom we love. On Sunday past, one of the ladies in Shotts handed me a sheet of paper with some words printed thereon. I reproduce them, here, (slightly amended!) in the hope that they might speak to someone's heart, and be used to draw them into the Presence of the One in Whose care I will be leaving my friends in Shotts and in Allanton.

"If the devil were to write his version of the 'Beatitudes', they would go something like this:

1. I am happy with those who claim to be Christians, but who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend even an hour, once a week, with their fellow-Christians - they are my best workers.
2. I am happy with those Christians who wait to be asked, and expect to be thanked - I can use them.
3. I am happy with the touchy, who stop going to church over some trivial incident - they are my missionaries.
4. I am happy with the trouble-makers - they shall be called my children.
5. I am happy with the complainers - they always have my ear.
6. I am happy with those who are bored with the minister's mannerisms and mistakes - for they get nothing out of his sermons. (Mind you, I have heard some 'sermons' out of which not even Paul could have got anything worthwhile!)
7. I am happy with the church member who expects to be invited to his/her own church - for (s)he is part of the problem instead of being part of the solution.
8. I am happy with those who gossip - for they shall cause strife and divisions that please me.
9. I am happy with those who are easily offended - for they will soon get angry, and quit.
10. I am happy with those who do not give their tithes and offerings to carry on God's work - for they are my helpers.
11. I am happy with those who profess to love God, but who hate their brother and sister - for they shall be with me forever.
12. I am happy with you who, when you read this, think that it applies only to other people, and never to you - I've got you, too!"

To read the original Beatitudes, spoken by the Lord Jesus, please go to Matthew 5:3-12. They are well worth applying to oneself!

The "Robin Hood" tax

Although not usually one for "mass e-mailings", there are occasional situations in which I feel that a cause is particularly worthwhile. The attached video clip will, I trust, encourage many to sign up on the website

http://www.avaaz.org/en/robin_hood/?cl=482386303&v=5427

You may already have received an e-mail from me but, if not, please use this opportunity to become involved. As far as I know, this is for UK residents only but, if you live outwith the UK, why not contact Avaaz (a reputable organisation) to find out what, if anything, is happening in your own country!!

And now for the video. Please click on the link! Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYtNwmXKIvM

The Parable of the Sower!

After a couple of fairly 'heavy' posts, time for something a little lighter (although the heavier material does seem to increase the traffic to the blog - quite considerably!).

It was many years ago, now - some time in the mid-80s - when the whole family were at the annual Keswick Convention . The girls were still very young and, for the special 'family service' folk had been invited to make a presentation. As we sat in our little trailer-tent, I came up with the following. It was sung by mum and dad, as daughters acted it out. Oh, to have a video-recording!!! The tune is "Tell me the story of Jesus". (See Matthew 13:1ff for the original!).

Jesus, one day, at the lakeside sat down to teach.
All of the folk who had gathered, He longed to reach.
He in a boat, the crowd on the shore;
As He did tell the tale of the sower.

"Once there was one who went out to sow all his seed.
A harvest was what he was wanting to meet his need.
But, as he scattered, lo, he did find
Seed fell all over, blown by the wind.

Some of it fell on the pathway, where it did lie
'Til it was eaten by birds that swooped from the sky.
Some fell on rocks, and sprouted so well;
But, when the sun came, frizzled and fell.

Other seed fell among thorns that soon choked the plants;
But the rest fell on the good soil as he did want.
And there it yielded plenty of corn:
Thirty, sixty, a hundred-fold, filling his barns."

Jesus then told His disciples what this tale meant:
"The seed is theWord of the Kingdom, to each of us sent.
Some just reject it; some take it in;
'Though not all continue, the Kingdom to win."

So, we ask you to consider - which soil are you;
As you keep each of these pictures plainly in view?
Hear Jesus' words; respond to His call;
Grow by His Spirit strong, true, and tall.

The Pope, and the Equality Bill

Someone has said that there are none so intolerant as those who would seek tolerance for themselves!

As one who would class himself as conservative evangelical in his theology, and who is firmly wedded to the Reformed Christian faith, I congratulate the Pontiff of the Church of Rome for his comments on further restrictions of the rights of Christians in the U.K., through the terms of the Equality Bill. The supporters of the current government's attempts to provide increasing 'rights' for certain minority groups within our society, e.g. homosexuals and lesbians, seem to forget that the majority also have their 'rights' in civil law. I fail, utterly, to understand why any group of people should be forced to accept into their number, anyone who does not share their core beliefs and values. Would Stonewall wish to have me, with my totally heterosexual lifestyle; my personal disgust at the unproductive and perverse activities of homosexuals; and my strong Christian beliefs; as an employee? Would they trust me not to seek every opportunity to propagate my (to them) unacceptable views and practices? Somehow, I suspect that the reality would be resoundingly negative! Yet, if the Bill had progressed as Harriet Harman wished, churches and other Christian organisations would have been compelled to employ those who not only disagree with, but also actively oppose, their particular beliefs.

By all means, let us have equality where it is reasonable and sensible. But I am so grateful to those members of the House of Lords who, through common-sense and integrity, ensured that the minority cannot force the majority to accept their beliefs and practices. And, from a dyed-in-the-wool protestant, thanks to the Pope for speaking out on my behalf.

The Offering

A long time ago (relatively speaking!) I published a post on the difference - in Christian terms - between an offering and a collection! It's still in the archives, but you would have to go back a bit if you wanted to read it (well worth the effort, wrote he, modestly!).

In the clearing-up that brought to light a folder that I had 'mislaid', is this 'offering in verse'. It's one that I had dated, so I know that it goes back to June, 1982. The copy I found is subscribed "Disciple", so I suspect that it may have been published in a church magazine!

The Offering

A widow came into the Temple, one day;
Two mites she did put in the plate.
A paltry wee sum - just a farthing, we're told -
As, quickly, she passed through the gate.

There were others, that day, put their offerings in;
Silver coins, even golden ones too.
How slowly, and grandly, they dropped their coins in;
Making sure it was all in plain view!

But a Man Who was standing outside on the street
Watched with interest - and insight as well.
For He was concerned, not with what they put in,
But with what was kept back for themselves!

For He was the Lord, the Messiah Himself,
And the widow's mite made Him so glad;
For He knew that the sum, be it ever so small,
Was the giving of all that she had.

He stands, even now, watching you, watching me,
Bring the gifts symbolising our love.
Do we make His heart glad; or do we make Him sad
As He gazes on us from above?

And His wish, you must know, is for more than our cash:
It's our lives that He wants most of all.
So don't fob the Lord off with a spare coin, or note;
But before Him, in gratitude, fall.

Then your offering will be, as the Scriptures exhort,
Your whole life, as a sacrifice given.
And the Saviour, Himself, on that glorious Day,
Will receive you, with joy, in His heaven.

If you aren't familiar with it, you'll find the original in Mark 12:41-44

Jesus is Lord

From time to time, I have shared some of my own poetic endeavours. The piece that follows was written about 1977, while I was minister at Bellshill: St.Andrew's Parish Church. We had been experiencing some vandalism at the Church Hall, and I had decided to sit in my car in the adjacent car-park to keep an eye on things. Ex-Beatle, Paul McCartney, had recently brought out his hit number "Mull of Kintyre" and, as I sat there humming the melody, words began to form in my mind. The Youth Fellowship sung them some months later, at a Worship Service but, as far as I can recall, they have not been used on any other occasion!

Chorus:
Jesus is Lord!
O let the sound echo all over the world,
'til all of the people know
Jesus is Lord.

1. Sing out His praises, and shout out His Name;
tell of the love of the Saviour Who came.
Came to redeem us, and save us from sin
if we'll open our hearts, and let Jesus come in.

Chorus

2. Lord of creation, and Giver of light;
He is the One Who brings hope to our night.
Died there, at Calvary, on man's cruel tree
so that sin might be conquered, and sinners set free.

Chorus

3. Just as He promised, He rose from the grave;
First-fruit of all those whom He'd come to save.
Then He ascended to heaven above
that His Spirit might fill us with power and with love.

Chorus

4. Soon He's returning, our Lord and our King;
all of the ransomed to Glory He'll bring;
to live there, forever, the Scriptures record -
that's your future if, in your life, Jesus is Lord.

Chorus

Catch-up video!!

Once again, the Christian organisation Damaris has kindly provided a series of brief videos for Advent. They started on Monday - while I was still offline - so we start with No.4. Be blessed.

I have now realised that Damaris (clever folk that they are!) are automatically changing the video clip each day. I will try to keep this post at the top - but I am not as clever as they are!! Do log in every day throughout the Advent season to watch and listen. You know that it beats the average Advent calendar (and it is completely free of calories!!!)

Okay! Final message on this post! I have now managed to place the Advent videos (reduced in size, but you should be able to access a button at the bottom right, that will give you a full-screen view!) to the side-bar at the left - right above the Ross Clan Badge. The average length is only a minute, so do make use of them.

Apologies!!

Last night, our modem/router died :-( and so we have, temporarily. lost access to the internet. I am posting this from the local Library but, obviously, this is not a convenient place from which to work as I would at home. The new modem has been ordered, but could take up to 10 business days to arrive!! I am hoping that ours will arrive much more quickly than that but, until it does, I am unlikely to be adding posts.

If you are a fairly new visitor, please take time to look over earlier posts (not all are topical!) or, if you have the time, visit www.revcbross.blogspot.com where you will be able to listen to some studio-recorded messages.

Letter published!

After sending the following, last night, my letter (see below) was published in today's Herald newspaper.

Dear Sir,

It was with some dismay - and disappointment - that I read in today's Herald, a letter from Janet Cunningham of Stirling supporting, from a claimed "'veteran' Christian" perspective (although the very term 'Christian' has been sadly devalued over the past decades, so that one is not always certain what an individual means by it!) the production currently available at Glasgow's Tron Theatre, and claiming thatJesus would have approved of it. Is there some form of bias in The Herald that it publishes such a letter, whilst not having published my own of Wednesday - or any other taking the opposite point of view? In the interest of common fairness, I would urge you to now publish my own letter (with a suitable explanation for its tardy appearance) or, at least another one that makes the same points - and that doesn't make the sweeping statement (on a basis that seems to depend more on Ms Cunningham's perceived "new theology" than on any Biblical position that I can recognise) that the Lord Jesus would not have objected to being portrayed as a transexual, and that doesn't believe that the producer should be congratulated.

For your benefit, I append a copy of my earlier letter.

Yours faithfully,

I have acknowledged same, and expressed my thanks. Another letter objecting to the production was also published, together with one rather 'neutral' one.

Disciple of Jesus

I came across the following a good number of years ago. I cannot recall the whole background to it, but it was found, handwritten, tacked on the wall of a young African pastor’s home. It certainly makes challenging reading to anyone who believes themselves to be a follower of the Lord, Jesus the Christ. I have made a few very minor amendments.

My Commitment as a Christian

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.

I’m a disciple of His.

I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed; my present makes sense; my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colourless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognised, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labour by power.

I’m a disciple of Jesus.

My face is set; my gait is fast; my goal is heaven; my road is narrow; my way rough; my companions few, my Guide reliable; my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice; hesitate in the presence of the adversary; negotiate at the table of the enemy; ponder at the pool of popularity; or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, or let up; until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, and preached up, for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus.

I must go ’til He comes; give ’til I drop; preach ’til all know, and work ’til He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem in recognising me – my banner will be clear!

I am a disciple of JESUS.

Jesus said, “Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to Me as `Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey My Father in heaven. On judgement day many will tell Me, `Lord, Lord, we prophesied in Your Name and cast out demons in Your Name and performed many miracles in Your Name.' But I will reply, `I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.’” (Matt.7:21-23)

A Poem

I don’t normally go for ‘blank verse’ when I write one of my occasional poems. However, in the midst of some clearing out of old paperwork, I came across the following that I wrote – according to the sheet on which it was written – on Sept 9th, 1990!

Blood, blood, blood,
Seeping from a back, raw from the flogger’s stripes;
Running in rivulets from thorn-pierced brow;
Pouring from the wounded side into which the Roman spear was thrust.
Blood, blood, blood.

Life, life, life.
For this was not just any common blood,
But precious, redeeming blood;
Blood of Him Who was, and is, the spotless Lamb of God.
Life, life, life.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
How can I return the love You showed
When, on that day, You shed Your blood to give me life?
Accept my life, given over to Your control
In Whose service is perfect freedom.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

The story of Four!

Last evening's Scottish news contained an interesting (or bizarre??!) item about a young lad (although he must be at least 18 years old!) from Wishaw who has just changed his name, by deed poll, to - wait for it: Motherwell Football Club!! As the saying goes, "You couldn't make it up!" Apparently he has taken Football Club as a surname, and Motherwell as a personal name!

However, the news piece reminded me of the story about four other people with strange-sounding names. They were Everybody, Somebody, Nobody, and Anybody.

When there was an important job to be done, Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody, in fact, did it! When Nobody did it, Everybody got angry, because it was Somebody's job. Everybody thought Somebody would do it, but Nobody realised that Nobody would do it. So it ended up with Everybody blaming Somebody, when Nobody did what Anybody could have done in the first place!

This is a story, I would suggest, that needs to be understood within the Christian church as much as anywhere else. The most important task of the Church (as the Body of Christ - not any particular fellowship/congregation, or even denomination) is what is often referred to as The Great Commission: "Jesus came and told His disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt.28:18-20).

So that's it! It's good to invite others to our fellowship - assuming that it is one in which the Gospel is preached, fully and clearly. It's better to bring others along - perhaps even arranging to collect them from their homes. But the best thing is to so display Jesus in our daily living, that others will want to come to Him; will ask us how they might do so in a very personal way; and will then become part of a worshipping community where they may be equipped to share the Gospel with yet others!

It's something that, within the Body, Anybody can do. Sadly, Everybody seems to expect that Somebody (else!) will do it. The end result is that Nobody does it.

I think that it was Francis of Assisi who is credited with the advice: "Preach the Gospel at all times - and, when necessary, use words"! Jesus also said,"... let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (att.5:16). Let's preach the Word!

The one that got away!

On Friday evening, The Original Christian Web and New Media Awards event took place in London, England. My personal interest was that The CrazyRev Page was one of the five finalists in the Inspiring Leadership category!!!

I would like to have been able to add that I was also one of the prizewinners but, alas, that was not to be! However, when I checked and discovered that the winner was an Anglican bishop, and the runner-up was the site of the President and vice-President of the Methodist Conference, I felt more at ease! I trust that it is not a case of sour grapes (!) but I find it difficult to believe that these three brothers were solely responsible for their respective blog-sites. They also had the advantage, it would seem, of travelling around the world on official business on behalf of their respective denominations - providing a travelogue (and, I suppose, more of what a blog was originally intended to be) of which I can only dream!

However, I am happy that my provision of comment, from a Biblical perspective, on a fairly wide variety of topics, was considered worthy to be in there at the end. I have only ever thought of this blog as a form of Christian ministry, and have no intention of changing anything merely to receive an award! My only regret is that only the addresses of the winners in each category appear to have been published, as I had hoped for an increase in traffic as a result of my 'finalist placing'!

Of course, personal recommendation is still the best way in which to have this blog made better-known. Please feel free to play your part in publicising it to your own friends, family-members, work colleagues, fellowship/congregation, or whoever! I will certainly be very grateful - and, by the grace of God, someone might be blessed!

Knowing - or not!

A conversation in the Science base of LHS a few days ago, centred around the subject of "Is there anything that [a certain member of the Faculty] doesn't know?". I pointed out that it was impossible to know what we don't know because, as soon as we know what it is that we don't know, we no longer don't know it! Confused? The following work by R.D.Laing may (or not, as the case may be!!) help.

There is something I don't know,
That I am supposed to know.
I don't know what it is I don't know,
And yet am supposed to know,
And I feel stupid if I seem both not to know it,
And not know what it is I don't know!
Therefore, I pretend to know it.
This is nerve-wracking,
Since I don't know what I must pretend to know.

Therefore, I pretend to know everything!

I feel that you know what I am supposed to know,
But you can't tell me what it is
because you don't know that I don't know what it is.

You may know what I don't know,
But not that I don't know it, and can't tell you.
So you will have to tell me everything!

The King and the Abbot

In the previous post, I made reference to the old English ballad of king John and the abbot (or bishop, in some versions). It occurs to me that it might not be known to everyone – especially those of a younger generation so, to satisfy the curiosity of any, here it is (in a modernised, and somewhat abbreviated, form).

I’ll tell you a story, a story anon, Of a noble prince, and his name was King John; For he was a prince, and a prince of great might, He held up great wrongs, he put down great right.

I’ll tell you a story, a story so merry, Concerning the Abbot of Canterbury, And of his house-keeping and high renown, Which made him resort to fair London town.

‘How now, father abbot? ’Tis told unto me That thou keepest a far better house than I; And for [thy] house-keeping and high renown, I fear thou hast treason against my crown.’

‘I hope, my liege, that you owe me no grudge For spending of my true-gotten goods:’
‘If thou dost not answer me questions three, Thy head shall be taken from thy body.

‘When I am set so high on my steed, With my crown of gold upon my head, Amongst all my nobility, with joy and much mirth, Thou must tell me to one penny what I am worth.

‘And the next question you must not flout, How long I shall be riding the world about; And the third question thou must not shrink, But tell to me truly what I do think.’

‘O these are hard questions for my shallow wit, For I cannot answer your grace as yet; But if you will give me but three days space, I’ll do my endeavour to answer your grace.’

‘O three days space I will thee give, For that is the longest day thou hast to live. And if thou dost not answer these questions right, Thy head shall be taken from thy body quite.’

And as the shepherd was going to his fold, He spy’d the old abbot come riding along: ‘How now, master abbot? You’re welcome home; What news have you brought from good King John?’

‘Sad news, sad news I have thee to give, For I have but three days space for to live; If I do not answer him questions three, My head will be taken from my body.

‘When he is set so high on his steed, With his crown of gold upon his head, Amongst all his nobility, with joy and much mirth, I must tell him to one penny what he is worth. ‘And the next question I must not flout, How long he shall be riding the world about; And the third question I must not shrink, But tell him truly what he does think.’

‘O master, did you never hear it yet, That a fool may learn a wiseman wit? Lend me but your horse and your apparel, I’ll ride to fair London and answer the quarrel.’

‘Now I am set so high on my steed, With my crown of gold upon my head, Amongst all my nobility, with joy and much mirth, Now tell me to one penny what I am worth.’

‘For thirty pence our Saviour was sold, Amongst the Jews, as you have been told, And nine and twenty’s the worth of thee, For I think thou art one penny worser than he.’

‘And the next question thou mayst not flout; How long I shall be riding the world about.’

‘You must rise with the sun, and ride with the same, Until the next morning he rises again, And then I am sure you will make no doubt But in twenty-four hours you’l ride it about.’

‘And the third question you must not shrink, But tell me truly what I do think.’

‘All that I can do, and ’twill make you merry; For you think I’m the Abbot of Canterbury, But I’m his poor shepherd, as you may see, And am come to beg pardon for he and for me.’

The king he turned him about and did smile, Saying, Thou shalt be the abbot the other while: ‘O no, my grace, there is no such need, For I can neither write nor read.’

‘Then four pounds a week will I give unto thee For this merry jest thou hast told unto me; And tell the old abbot, when thou comest home, Thou hast brought him a pardon from good King John.’

By the way, I have a device that lets me know exactly how many people are accessing this blog on a daily/hourly basis, and how many pages they have viewed. However, I have been discovering that a number of folk have actually set up a ‘feed’ that enables posts to be directed to their e-mail inbox, and saves them from logging on to the blog. As yet, I have not been able to discover a device that will let me know how exactly have taken advantage of this facility. I would be grateful if anyone who has set up a feed (even if accidentally!) would let me know, via a comment ( that will not be displayed!). Many thanks.