Hitherto Has the Lord Helped Us

***”Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”-1 Samuel 7:12
 
The word “hitherto” seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet, “hitherto the Lord hath helped!” Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honour, in dishonour, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, “hitherto hath the Lord helped us!” We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves; even so look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there no birds in yonder branches singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received “hitherto.”
 
But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes “hitherto,” he is not yet at the end, there is still a distance to be traversed. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over now? No! there is more yet-awakening in Jesu’s likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fulness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise thy “Ebenezer,” for-
 
He who hath helped thee hitherto
Will help thee all thy journey through.
 
When read in heaven’s light how glorious and marvellous a prospect will thy “hitherto” unfold to thy grateful eye!

C.H. Spurgeon

Long road for Fenny’s songbook

INSPIRATIONAL: Fenny West

By nick byrne newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk

THE Lightning Seeds famously sung about 30 years of hurt and one Croydon based poet-soul writer knows exactly what they meant.

For 57-year-old Fenny West, it has taken exactly that length of time before his work made it into the public domain.

Yet after plenty of hard work, the Nigerian ex-pat is now celebrating the publication of Sing a New Song, a hymn book containing 101 songs and poems.

“I have been writing for most of my life, but to no avail,” he admitted.

“But for the grace of God I might not have pulled through.

“He taught me to persevere and to carry on despite the many stumbling blocks and people telling me I had gone past it.”

Problems saw the born-again Christian swap South Norwood for Dublin in 1980 for eight years, with nothing to live on except £50 a week from a friend back home.

But rather than see the period as a hindrance, Fenny saw the move as a “blessing from God”.

He said: “That period, when I couldn’t find work, deepened my relationship with God.

“I also made a lot of friends over there, some that I go back and see. God gave me the experience to be able to write songs to encourage other people, as well as myself.”

When not writing, Fenny is inspiring school kids as a supply teacher for several schools around Croydon, having obtained a CertEd qualification at Croydon College.

In the new year, Fenny is looking for volunteers to help out with a series of free launch events throughout London to celebrate the publication of the book.

Anyone interested in hosting the event or volunteering their services can contact Fenny at fennywest@yahoo.com.

http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/news/Long-road-Fenny-s-songbook/article-3012058-detail/article.html

Book Description

Sing a New Song is a Book of over 101 Songs & poems Fenny has written.

The themes covered include:

Praise, worship, faith, Prayer, inspiration, songwriting and ideal for any motivational speaker, Ministers of the Gospel craving excellence in their delivery, literature teacher, songwriting workshop/seminar co-ordinator, musician looking for a good song, card manufacturer, those desirous to make their card with a poem of their choice; those who have suffered a setback in their calling and simply looking for good inspiration to fulfil their destiny.

Do you have a vision that has suffered setbacks or taking long to bear fruit or under severe attack? If so this book is for you. Do you know of anyone who needs encouragement with regards to their vision, calling or assignment in life? If so why not bless them with a copy of this book.

The seed you sow will come back and bless you one day

Author Biography

Fenny is a teacher, singer/songwriter, motivational speaker, guitarist, artist and a contributor to many websites as an inspirational writer and has led and assisted worship leading in churches and in small group settings in England and Ireland and has organised concerts in which he featured as the main artiste or one of the artistes. He has five albums of songs composed so far. (All things are Possible. Rise to a New Dimension, Don’t Date Devils, Christ Has Risen, Sing the Psalms and Sing a New Song) His albums come as gift sets with a framed poem to match the album. He has also written some musicals with his songs.

Get a taste of the song at:

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=DGD6PLNX

The Book is available at the following websites:

Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/

 Books unlimited

 http://www.booksunlimited.ie/Books/West-Fenny/Sing-a-New-Song/9781453503256.htm

http://www.flipkart.com/search-books?query=Fenny+&from=all

Book page: www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk/SingaNewSong.html

Author page: www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk/FennyWest.html

Chapters of the Book with sample poems, songs or article link

1. Praise (prs)

Born to Blaze His Praise

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/born-to-blaze-his-praise-t4436.htm?highlight=born+to+blaze

Sing a New Song

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-videos-f22/sing-a-new-song-fenny-west-t2791.htm?highlight=sing+a+new+++song

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/sing-new-song-2-audio-t4480.htm?highlight=sing+a+new+++song

2. Worship, Giving(wor)

May Your Glory Be Seen ( song)

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/praise-worship-f25/may-your-glory-be-seen-t1520.htm?highlight=my+your+glory+be+seen

3. Thanks (Th)

Born to Give Glory ( Poem)

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/born-to-give-glory-to-god-t4052.htm?highlight=i+will+give+thanks

4. Holy Spirit (HS)

The Power of the Sprit works ( Bible Study)

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/discussion-on-bible-f19/the-power-of-the-spirit-works-t3033.htm?highlight=come+holy+spirit

5. Prayer (pra)

Come, Holy Spirit ( prayer)

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/prayers-for-you-f17/come-holy-spirit-t3131.htm?highlight=come+holy+spirit

Lord, Be It  New Year and a New Beginning

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/lord-be-it-a-new-beginning-prayer-new-year-t3792.htm?highlight=new+beginning

6. Faith & Trust (F & T)

Stand Up to Face Your Goliath

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/praise-worship-f25/stand-up-to-face-your-goliath-t3100.htm?highlight=face+your+goliath

David and Goliath

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/david-and-goliath-t4220.htm?highlight=face+your+goliath

All things are Possible ( Video)

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/praise-worship-f25/all-things-are-possible-t4481.htm?highlight=all+things+are+possible

7. Love (lov)

Beloved, Beautiful, Beyond Compare

http://www.voicesnet.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=complove;action=display;num=1196635856

Love is from Above

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/love-is-from-above-t4367.htm#9144

8. Evangelism(Ev)/Testimony/outreach

Come to the Cross

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/seekers-shore-f37/come-to-the-cross-t3922.htm?highlight=come+to+the+cross

Knowing God

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/seekers-shore-f37/the-great-divine-connection-t3425.htm?highlight=divine+direction

9.  New Creation Realities

Reformation to regeneration ( Poem /Song)

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/seekers-shore-f37/reformation-is-not-regeneration-t2862.htm?highlight=reformation+to+regeneration

10. Spiritual Warfare (swf ),

Pull Down the Strongholds

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/pull-down-the-strongholds-spiritual-warefare-t595.htm?highlight=spiritual+warfare

11. Word (wd)

Let’s Go Treasure-hunting

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/let-us-go-treasure-hunting-word-t3793.htm#7944

Your Word, a Storehouse of Treasure

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/your-word-a-storehouse-of-treasure-t1661.htm#3306

12. Prophetic (pro),

It’s a New Day, a New Year and New Beginning

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/prayers-for-you-f17/it-is-a-new-day-new-year-and-a-new-beginning-t1059.htm?highlight=new+beginning

13. Heaven, second coming (Eternity hvn)

He’s Coming

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/praise-worship-f25/hes-coming-t3623.htm?highlight=he+s+coming

14. Chapter 14 Easter/Resurrection(Eas)

It’s Time to Cross Over

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/seekers-shore-f37/it-s-time-to-cross-over-t3912.htm?highlight=it+s+time+for+a+new+beginnig

15. Divine Direction (dd)

Divine Illumination ( Prayer)

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/prayers-for-you-f17/divine-illumination-t3662.htm?highlight=divine+direction

16. The Church (BDY)

Unity of the Body Brings Glory

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/christian-poetry-f33/unity-in-the-body-brings-glory-t4540.htm?highlight=body+of+christ

17. Closing Song/benediction (ben)

Peace from the Prince of Peace

http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/praise-worship-f25/hes-coming-t3623.htm?highlight=he+s+coming