BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
242nd Edition – May 1, 2025
HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY
To all the ladies we wish a happy Mothers’ Day. Despite all the vaunted claims of men, the old statement, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world” is not far from the truth.
William Ross Wallace also wrote,
“Woman, how divine your mission,
Here upon our natal sod,
Keep – Oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.”
Every person has had a mother, most of whom have hearts of love for their children. Once a mother, always a mother, even to her adult children. They are an unsurpassed blessing to their families. May this be a happy day for all mothers. May the Lord answer your many prayers for your children.
PRAY FOR DR. STEPHEN POLLOCK
Dr. Pollock is the pastor of our church in Malvern, Pa. He also has the time-consuming and very responsible job as Clerk of Presbytery. A medical doctor in his former vocation, he now needs medical help to deal with a serious health issue. Added to that, his mother passed away recently. Fortunately, he was able to visit her in Northern Ireland before she died.
We sympathize with Dr. Pollock at this difficult time. Pray also for our elder, George Robinson, whose 99-year-old father passed away recently, after a life spent in faithful service for the Lord.
Apart from Dr. Pollock, several ministers are currently suffering from health problems. These include John Armstrong. (Antrim), Reggie Cranston (Port Hope), Thomas Martin (Comber), and Samuel Murray (Portavogie). Each of
these would appreciate the prayers of God’s people.
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak” [Romans 15:1].
THE MINISTERS’ WEEK OF PRAYER
The Free Presbyterian Church has always been regarded as a family of congregations. But with the vastness of North America, it is not easy to maintain the family spirit. The bi-annual weeks of prayer for ministers and elders are so important.
The spring week of prayer will be hosted this week by our church in Greenville, SC. In any given church, the devil’s main attack is on the pastor. If he can get him down, the congregation will suffer too. Let us therefore pray for our men that the Lord will meet with them and strengthen them.
THE WINTER IS PAST
After a fairly severe winter with its snow and ice, it is nice to see the signs of spring again. As it says, “The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle (dove) is heard in our land” [Song 2:12].
In Canada the Lord gives us seasons and each of those teaches us something about life. Spring reminds us of birth, summer of growth, autumn of harvest, and winter of death. There is a time to sow, a time to grow, a time to reap, and a time to die.
In winter everywhere is covered in a white carpet of snow and ice, and we wonder how can the grass, and other plants, recover? But they do, and it is delightful to now see the grass turn green again and the trees get a new coat of foliage.
In the seasons of life there are happy days, but there are also sad and difficult days. The Psalmist said, “It is good that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes” [Psalm 119:71].
Hence, in the trials of life, don’t give up. There will be good days ahead and the brown grass of our affliction will soon turn green again. For the Christian there lies ahead the greater glory and splendour of heaven. And as we joyfully look at the changing seasons, both practical and spiritual, let us not forget the greatness of our Creator and the Sustainer of all things, and the comfort of knowing that He is also our Redeemer.
“Thank you, Lord for saving my soul,
Thank you, Lord for making me whole.
Thank you, Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.”
[Mr. and Mrs. Seth Sykes].
