BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views
compiled by Frank McClelland for the
Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
252nd Edition – July 20, 2025
REV. JAMES McCLELLAND
We received a totally unexpected phone call last Thursday – my younger, and only, brother died. He was 83 and, apart from normal age-related issues, seemed to be in good health when I spoke with him a few days ago. James served the Lord faithfully for sixty-five years.
Shortly after becoming a Christian, he was called into the Free Presbyterian Church ministry, and was placed as a student minister in Sandown Road, Belfast. Upon ordination he was called to the new church in Kilkeel where, for several years, he supervised a church building program as well as the spiritual needs of the people.
Next was a move to Londonderry and another major building project. James, for many years was technical director of the Free Presbyterian radio ministry, “Let The Bible Speak,” and started up a studio for Christian films including “Much More Than This” – the history of the Toronto Church.
The last number of years he did a very popular Sunday hymn sing program on BBC Foyle Radio. Our sympathy goes out to his wife June and their seven children and extended family. Many thanks to those who sent prayerful regards. They are appreciated.
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW
One of the least pleasant of life’s experiences is death. The Bible describes it as “the last great enemy.” [I Corinthians 15:26]. People do not like to think about making a will, or anything that reminds them about death. But one stark reality faces us all and that is, we are a dying people. Every person is going to die, unless the Lord comes or calls. Every family will lay to rest some beloved member in death.
Death is a certainty. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment’ [Hebrews 9:27].
““Death passed upon all men for that all have sinned” [Romans 5:12]. But it seems as if many people bury their heads inall men for that all have sinned” [Romans 5:12]. But it seems as if many people bury their heads in the sand and try and hide from death. But you cannot, and you dare not.
Every man, woman, and child you meet, now in the health and strength of life, is going to die. Everyone of them, sooner or later, will occupy a coffin. The great imperative is, are they ready to move from this life to the afterlife?
Henry Ward Beecher described the 23rd. Psalm as “a nightingale . . .that has filled the whole world with its melodious joy that has charmed more griefs than all the philosophy of the world” mainly due to its core where David speaks of travelling through the “Valley of the shadow of death.”
There are only two classes of people in the world – the saved and the lost. The saved are sinners who have turned to Christ and are transformed by the grace of God. The lost are those who continually reject God’s mercy. The saved are therefore prepared for the eventuality of death and entry into heaven and the afterlife. The lost, because of their rejection of the Gospel of Christ, are therefore unprepared and will face the horrors of the judgment.
Only the saved can speak of the “valley of the shadow of death” as David does. Walking suggests a calm passageway. As a young boy on the way home from school I had to pass a farm that had an obstreperous rooster. I had to run to escape its attacks. I was scared stiff of that creature.
David speaks of going through the valley signifying its completeness. It has its beginning – birth and ending – death. There is its contentment. It is a valley, not a mountain wild, bare and inhospitable.
It is a “shadow.” The shadow of a dog cannot bite, nor the shadow of a serpent sting. The “sting” of death has been removed by Christ. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?” [I Corinthians 15:55].
The believer can say with David, “I will fear no evil” [v4]. Many evils are still in this present wicked world, but the child of God does not fear them, nor the fear of death.
The reason for this comfort is that we are led by “the Lord” the Great Shepherd. He came from Heaven, paid the sacrifice for our sins, rose from the dead, returned to Heaven, and will lead us to His home.
“Let not your heart be troubled” …”I go to prepare a place for you” [John 14:1,2].
