Much has to be done about it

The whole world is appalled at the atrocity committed in Newtown CT on Friday, December the 14th, 2012. Twenty children, six and seven years old, along with six adults, who were their teachers and psychologist, were killed by a young man who used a repeating high-powered rifle to carry out his insane plan. He killed himself as well. Children and their teachers must be protected against mentally deranged persons who satisfy their aggressions by invading schools and murdering students and teachers. People in public places need protection too.

We hear there must be effective laws governing the licensing of firearms, and that massacres must cease. We are told it is a complicated issue to resolve. Definitely so, and it involves not only the control of who owns a gun, but the way in which the minds of people are conditioned into accepting that carrying a gun is simply a way of life. Many people carry a gun, believing it is for their protection. At the slightest provocation, it is used to settle an argument. In Louis L’amour’s Wild West books, arguments were often settled when one or both opponents lay dead in the blood-drenched dusty street. It was an absolute waste of human life. Neither one would ever enjoy another sunny day or benefit others by his God-given talents. Children murdered in their classrooms will never have the satisfaction of graduating from public or high schools, universities or technical schools, developing their musical or sports talents, or of becoming successful in society. Their parents can never enjoy seeing them get married and have their own children.

We’ve experienced other atrocities in schools and have seen similar instances in public places. Not just the guns have to be controlled, which includes their manufacture, importation, sales and the gun clubs to which enthusiastic members belong, but it is necessary to condition the way of thinking of Americans and Canadians, and in fact of all people in our world. At one time, violence was condemned on television. Now it is rampant.

Gunfire is seen in advertisements for the most recent movie releases. It is to be considered an acceptable way of living, or might I change that to say it is accepted as a way to die…in gun blasts and a hail of bullets. Those movies are not born out of intelligent creativity, but from the expectation of moviemakers to make millions by exploiting the public’s insatiable desire to see the most shocking episodes to which they can be exposed. This kind of creativity is not born from intelligence, but from evil thinking. For those who attend movies or enjoy movies at home, there have to programs that are enlightening, to provide ways to spend evenings that will allow times that are unpolluted by violence, enabling everyone to think about life and eternity!

In other ways, young minds are conditioned to accept violence as a way of life and our attention must be given to eliminate those methods. Electronic games, designed to kill one’s opponent, are intriguing to receptive minds. Monster killers and robotic persons with various weapons are the toys designed so children can maneuver them to kill their opponent in one slash. Mind-conditioning methods designed to imagine killing one’s opponent have to be replaced with programs that will challenge minds in constructive ways. Teaching handiwork, music and sports would be an excellent substitute.

Stimulation of a person’s imagination to think of things that are edifying is more honorable than the excitement generated by fighting, or by teaching that violence is acceptable as a way of life. Psychologists remind us that erratic thinking is addictive, and it creates the desire for more of the same, but of increasing violence. A similar example is the feeding of one’s mind on pornography, which leads to the need for satisfaction in reality.

The whole aspect of training healthy minds and controlling gun laws doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems. Everyone must resolve to develop a healthy mind and body, and appreciate all God has given us, and to help others who may not be as fortunate or who would appreciate a helping hand. All that would be better than to spend our time satisfying inappropriate desires and thinking how we should be protecting ourselves. We need to think positively, rather than negatively.

I too, in my piping career, have experienced playing for the funeral of a student who was shot in her classroom.  When my wife and I lived in Winnipeg, Canada, I was asked to pipe at such a memorial service.  A boy smuggled a long gun into the Technical School by hiding it in his pant leg. Innumerable families and friends of bereaved families suffer because society has not cracked down on the causes of atrocities. They will carry their sorrow for life.  We’ll be safer when people are conditioned to think differently about the causes of violence. The answer is not only to consider “guns and their control,” but it involves our complacency and how to rise above it.”

Please visit http://www.sandyhookpromise.org and make the Sandy Hook Promise today.  Promise to honor the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  Promise to do everything you can to encourage and support common sense solutions to make our communities safer from similar acts of violence.

Keith MacDonald, OD
The Church Piper

My faith in God

The Bible tells us that only a fool doesn’t believe in God and fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Scripture advises a person to look around and observe all of creation, for who could have created the world and all that is in it but God, and it is here for us to appreciate and study. If one cannot believe in the Creator, he or she has no excuse for not believing, because God’s existence is apparent from the design of all things in nature.

The subject can be approached from the miracle of reproduction, that is, from the fertilization of an egg cell, which is the union of sperm and egg cells to form the fertilized egg of an embryo destined to grow into an individual, whether an animal or person. All the necessary constituents are present in the embryonic cell that will determine its development “after its own kind.” It is remarkable that parental characteristics are apparent in the individual born from the organized growth of one cell into millions of others. At various stages of growth, anatomical features are formed. Remarkable similarities between offspring and parents result.

Attention can be drawn to the size of a fertilized egg cell, which is smaller than a period on this page. In the cell are all the necessary components that decide the characteristics of a mature person or animal. Chemical constituents are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous, chlorine, potassium, iron, fluorine and iodine in the correct amounts. In addition, enzymes work in conjunction with complicated molecules to carry out reactions impossible in chemical laboratories. Tremendous magnification by electron microscopes enables study that reveals chromosomes containing genes, the keys that carry identifying characteristics of offspring. The wonder of it all is that new life is given even before the birth of a person or animal. Birth is so wonderful that it can be attributed only to God. Our world too, must be appreciated as the work of the Creator.

Just as we have peered through electronic microscopes to learn about the intricacies of reproduction, outer space can also be studied for its great wonders using magnificent telescopes. There, the distances can be so great that they are measured in light years rather than miles. The location of earth in this great outer space is so perfect, making it neither too hot nor cold, that it is ideal for sustaining life. All that is needed has been provided, including air, water, food and shelter, as well as minerals, gas and oil. One can observe the planets and marvel at the originality of their Creator. There are interesting things to observe, such as the rings that encircle Saturn, with its nine moons, one of which travels in the opposite direction to the others. Neptune’s two moons travel in opposite directions while Jupiter, with its twelve moons has eight that travel in one direction and four that travel in the opposite direction. One can assume that our Great and Wonderful Creator has a sense of humor. Why not include such originality, while creating the world and all that is in it?

We continue to elaborate upon Creation because it implies the Creator. Much can be learned about God by studying our world and its contents. It is not logical to disbelieve in God. More likely it is a person’s choice not to believe, because acknowledgement would require reflection upon one’s life and whether or not it is lived in accordance with God’s acceptability. If wrong choices have been made, ones that are sinful, then one would suddenly understand that he or she is separated from God and requires some way to be redeemed. What would be required to make things right? Enough good acts; would that be enough? More than anything, a sinful person needs a Personal Saviour. God provided Jesus, both God and man, willing to take upon Himself the sins of mankind that cause separation, enabling a person to enjoy communion with God, as if binding chains had been removed.

A person can continue to profess disbelief in God by being unobservant of the wonders of nature or reluctant to read. One who doesn’t read is no better off than another who cannot read at all. Scientific books reveal the wonders of God, while the Bible tells the story of God’s love, in that it is personal. One needs to read the Bible to know the love of God assures us that His Spirit is like having a Friend on whom to rely. My faith rests on what the Bible has revealed. I know that ignorant men crucified Jesus, the Son of God, on a cruel cross. Nevertheless, within a few days, two of his friends encountered Him as they walked along a country road. They least expected meeting Jesus because they had witnessed his death on the cross. They were so astounded by His living presence that it was as if their hearts burned within them. He has the power over death just as He has over life, which we observed earlier. I can imagine being one of those two men, in the presence of God. They had forgotten that He had already demonstrated His power over death and life, by having resurrected Lazarus from the grave as well as having restored the Centurion’s daughter to life.

Personal friends of Jesus have written for us to read in the Scripture. A person needs to read about what they experienced. Having been to Israel, even to have crossed the Sea of Galilee in a boat, caused the feeling in me that I had been there when Jesus’ disciples cried out to Him in the midst of a storm, “Master, do you not care if we drown?” His reply was “Ye of little faith, what does it take for you to believe?” Then, He calmed the storm.” They asked one another, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the waves obey Him?” The picture becomes even clearer to me when I play the hymn, “Master, the Tempest is Raging,” on the bagpipes. The song builds until it reaches its climax. Then one hears the Master calling, ”Peace, be still, peace, be still.”

I can tell you what Jesus means to me and who I know God to be, while you can determine for yourselves who God is. With some study and concentration, you will realize the great blessing to know God personally as you Friend, Jesus Christ.

Those who knew Jesus have written much about Him. His friend John wrote, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” John 21: 25

An Amazing Couple of Days

One of our church members arranged a special bus day-trip for anyone interested. On such trips we’ve seen some beautiful sights, not so far away that it would prevent us from returning by four in the afternoon, after leaving at 10:30 in the morning.

This trip was from White Rock to Maple Ridge, BC, to visit Arte Vargas Glass Blowing Inc. The Vargas father and son team demonstrated their specialty of “hand crafted art glass.” Most of us had never witnessed the process of producing a piece of art in blown glass, so this was an experience about which to tell others. Two kilns are heated to 2200 and 1800 degrees F. An oven holds the finished article at 500 degrees and is allowed to cool during the night.

The Vargas team asked our group to suggest an ornament they could make for us. My suggestion was, an angel, and they accepted the challenge with gusto. After many procedures such as shaping the body, adding the head, arms, hands and halo, it was given the finishing touch, which were the wings. The son said, “Every angel must have wings.” When it was finished, it was beautiful in shape, size and color and was immediately placed in the cooling oven. It would be presented for sale the next day and could be shipped to any part of the world. Their web site is, www.aratevargas.com. One can custom order from them or select from hundreds of vases and ornaments they’ve made.

As an optometrist I was anxious about their eyesight because they have to look directly into their kilns which radiate harmful light rays. These can cause “glass-blower’s cataracts.” The father has a filter in his glasses, but his son doesn’t wear glasses. I had to impress upon him that he must wear protective lenses even though they may not contain any power.

After this exciting exhibition of artistry, we drove to Clayburn Village Store and Tea Shop in Abbotsford. This is a 100-year-old general store that at one time sold everything from groceries to dry goods. It was central in a town that manufactured bricks. Today, it specializes in all sorts of candy and at the same time, it’s a Tea Shop where people can satisfy their noon-day hunger. We enjoyed red-pepper soup and a sandwich, topped off by a small piece of coconut cream pie. Our expert bus driver delivered us back to the church by four PM. The trip had been most enjoyable.

Our pipe band practice is on Thursday nights, beginning at seven o’clock, so there still was time to drive there and prepare for the Legion’s Remembrance Day Celebration in November. This definitely made it a full day.

The next day was also very special in that we had tickets for a musical concert in our church. The acoustics are considered so good in the sanctuary that choirs and instrumentalists elect for this church venue. Friday night we were guests at a piano extravaganza, consisting of four seven-foot grand pianos with two duo pianists, namely a father and son team, Alexander and Daniel Tselyakov from Brandon Manitoba and Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann from White Rock, BC. The audience consisted of about 500 enthusiastic classic music lovers and they were not disappointed. The music was wonderful.

The web site for these concerts is, www.whiterockconcerts.com and one may Email either, rickgambrel@gmail.com or gzuk@telus.net to learn more about them.

An Embarrassing Situation

We love it when our pipes are “going like bells” as the saying goes, but it’s with despair when they respond less than perfectly. I’d like to pass along an experience to other soloists to prevent the same thing from happening to you.

I was invited to play for a memorial service in our church, for the processional and recessional. Twice before, I had played for the family, for another memorial service and a wedding. I had two weeks to prepare and I practiced conscientiously, having selected several hymns to lead the family into the service and to play while they were leaving. I planned not to play too long, but have a hymn or two to spare.

I practiced in the church recreation hall and in the local forest and the pipes were sounding well. On the morning of the service, on blowing up my pipes, I was astounded when it was impossible to get air into the bag. It was ten o’clock and at two o’clock the service would begin.

Did I need a new Wee Mac valve, or could the neck of the bag be choking off the air? I replaced the Wee Mac with a Moose valve, which I had in reserve and I tried cutting a flapper valve out of one of my work gloves but the problem still remained. Through constant bending of the neck of the pipe bag, to put the pipes in their case, the leather had become flattened and it adhered to the end of the blow stalk choking it off completely. There was no way of correcting this in the short time before the memorial began and I telephoned the pastor in charge to inform her of my predicament.

To my relief I was assured that predicaments can happen and that I was not to worry. Once corrected, it probably wouldn’t happen again. There would be a next time and I could look forward to the next invitation to play in church. I’m thankful for such compassion.

Since then, I lubricated the inside of the pipe bag in the area of the blow stalk, and also installed an angled pipe in the chanter stalk. I intend to do likewise for the blow stalk, to prevent the bag from ever flattening and sealing it off.

If anyone else has experienced this constant training of the bagpipe’s neck, which causes it to cut off the air from the blow stalk or to the chanter, I would be interested to know how you solved it. I wonder if a deeper throat to the pipe bag’s design would help? I’d be glad to hear from anyone who has had the same experience. If you’ve never had it happen, be sure it never does, because it’s a tough experience, especially when the piper is counted upon to be a part of an important ceremony.

In the meanwhile, here is a video entitled "Epic Bagpipe Malfunction".  I think it represents every piper's worst nightmare.

Improve With Practice

Disciplined practice, while one strives for perfection will reap great rewards. As an example, “Amazing Grace” when played with more expression, will be improved immensely. Its enhancement will be from maintaining constancy of its beat and giving full amount of time to the first beat of each bar. The tune is not to be hurried and the pipes should be exceedingly well tuned and blown to their full tone. The triplets need to be played with more emphasis on the first note of the triplet. Some music shows these three notes as a triplet, and yet they were not originally so. Organ and piano music show then as two eighth notes. Pipers have written them as a triplet. Triplets should be given a slight emphasis on the first note, but in “Amazing Grace” it is more than an emphasis. The first note is to be played as an eighth note and the following two as sixteenth notes. The tune will be much improved. Strict three-four timing must be maintained throughout. Other hymns can be improved similarly. One for example is “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” also written in 3/4 time.

Six-eight marches and slow marches, are composed with two groups of three notes in each bar, and most of them, but not all, are played with more time given to the first note of the three. Often, it is not played long enough. Instead, the third note is improperly given the extra time. Considerable improvement is possible in the playing of these tunes, when the dotted notes are given their proper amount of time. Practice should be spent concentrating on maintaining this strict 6/8 time throughout each tune.

Often, three notes are played as though they were sliding down to the third note instead of being played with emphasis on the first one. Occasionally however, in pieces written in 6/8 time, the first note in a bar is the one that is cut, while the second note is dotted. These should be played distinctly. In so doing, the timing is not interrupted. Grouping of notes into threes also occurs in music written in 9/8, 12/8 and 6/4 time. While it is important to know the correct notes of a piece, their expression depends upon the time given to them. In piping this is of considerable importance because there is no "louder" or "softer," just emphasis in the timing.

Rather than learn a new piece of music while sitting at a table, it will be better to learn it while standing and marching. This is definitely an advantage when practicing the 6/4 piece, “Sands of Kuwait.” With six beats in a bar, each footstep has to be coordinated with a beat, with the piper’s heals coming down on each beat. It takes practice, which is worthwhile, as it produces exactitude. The result is coordination of each piper in the band. This is an excellent tune for marching when it has been practiced with accuracy.

Practice on the chanter or the bagpipes should involve marching as it helps to develop steady timing. Whether it is a march, reel, strathspey or jig, this kind of practicing will develop one’s control on timing and fingering so tunes will not simply get away on a person, but may eventually be speeded up and retain their accuracy.

A tune often played carelessly is “Dark Island,” also written in 3/4 time. Its timing is strict and its beats are like a metronome in a piper’s head. Emphasis is required on the first note in each bar. When they are not emphasized, the time is given erroneously to the second note and it doesn’t sound right. It happens in the seventh bar, and sounds incorrect, like it was played by ear rather than from the music. The song can be found in The Church Piper volume 12B, “More Songs of Scotland.”

Pipers around a table often tend to speed up. This happens because dotted notes are ignored, and a tendency exists to clip other notes. Improvement would be made in expression and constancy of timing, if dotted notes were held and notes were not clipped. Having practiced holding down the time when playing chanters, pipers can learn to listen to one another conscientiously while playing in the band. Playing will be improved tremendously to allow well-tuned pipes to “sing” their melody.

These are just a few considerations a piper can make to improve his or her practice time, and be assured that wise use of practice time will result in enhanced performance.

Summer Kids' Camp

Having heard about Keats Camp, a summer camp for kids, from those responsible for its operation, twenty-five of us took the church bus to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, where we boarded a water ferry. It took about an hour to get to Keats Island which is directly across a narrow strip of water from Gibsons, where “The Beachcombers,” the television program was filmed. We would see the camp and how kids spend their week.

Those in charge, said kids would be happy on the island even if they had to sleep in tents. Instead, numerous cabins provided superior accommodation. Beautifully finished inside, each accommodated 14 neat bunk beds. Skylights illuminated up-to-date washrooms. The workmanship in such fine cabins reflected the love and skill of handy men who contributed freely of their time. We were taken to other buildings too, in which meals were served and gatherings were held. Central outside green space was adequate for games, and a convenient hall complete with sofas, a TV, tables for Ping-Pong and Snooker, provided recreation facilities for the staff. A naval-style flagpole and a large anchor nearby accented the overall nautical theme.

Staff composed of energetic university students motivates the young campers. Permanent staff members include the chairman of the board, camp director and general manager of all operations. The general manager’s responsibilities are considerable, because of the need to make repairs on dwellings and other buildings in the camp complex, neglected for years before the present executive took over. His own house, which is three stories, is being renovated, and will include a new roof. It is a similar situation for the camp director’s house. Presently,  a tarpaulin covers his roof, waiting the date for repairs. Some friends discussed plans to drape a permanent canvas over the Quonset tool shed. The vinyl has been made to size. They are anxious to safeguard the tools and equipment from rust. The time for six or eight men to work together must be coordinated. The same men would like to interest a group to finance buying a tractor-mower, which will cost six thousand dollars.

While looking out the third story window of the general manager’s house, I watched with interest, a group of kids enjoying their water slide. They could have been thirteen or fourteen years old. A long strip of vinyl had been spread down the hill, and a stream of water was running over it. Kids would take a run and slide, either on a piece of plastic or without it. It didn’t seem to matter if they were out of control and collided with one another. Lots of hooting and hollering indicated they were enjoying the activity immensely. From a second story window, I saw a group of kids and their staff member heading down to the docks for a swim. The day was gorgeous, nice and hot, just right for swimming at camp.

A stroll through the tall evergreen trees and over rocks took us down to the docks where campers were swimming. It was obvious they enjoyed it, and so we had to stop and watch their numerous fancy dives. Kids love an audience and they surely performed for one another and for us. There were two powerful motor boats ready for those who would water-ski.

I learned from the general manager, that he draws the plans and figures out materials required for any buildings needed. He orders them from the lumberyard at Gibsons. They don’t have to come from Vancouver. (Groceries too, are ordered from Gibsons.) He and volunteers familiar with building are invited to work together for the construction.

A delicious lunch was served to our group of twenty-five and the camp director told us of the plans they had to improve the camp and how the executive plans to finance them. With 1500 or so campers during the summer and various church groups coming to spend a few days at conventions, along with money regularly subscribed, their huge budget is met. Keats Camp is a great place for kids to spend a week or two in the summer. Here, they can enjoy the great out of doors and be amazed at the mountainous scenery. God’s creation can be appreciated to a far greater extent out there on Keats Island, than anywhere imaginable.

An hour’s ride back to the Ferry Terminal and our bus ride home completed the morning and afternoon. Everyone enjoyed the day immensely and we were home in time for supper.

All on a Sunday

Sunday began early. We arose at six AM, had breakfast and left White Rock BC for Vancouver, to be there for the Provincial Track Meet. Our two grandsons, 10 and 12 years old, would be competing and the first race would begin at 8:30. The younger of the two lads ran first, -in the 800-metre race. He came in second. His opponent, who he had beaten before, had grown since the last race and his legs were just that much longer. He had also become stronger. Consolation for our lad was to be assured that he ran the course faster than he had last year. He was enlightened, and he expects to do well next time, after growing some more. He intends to train every day.



Our older grandson ran in the 1200-metre race. It was exciting to watch. He drew alongside his opponent, challenging him in the last stretch to the finish line and won, but only by a step. After congratulating both of our grandsons, we drove back to White Rock, to attend church service. It was a sunny day and we felt there was much to accomplish.



After lunch, I took my pipes to the forest area and found a clearing in the trail to do some fine-tuning and rehearsing for the birthday party for which I would be playing that afternoon. Something interesting happened. A lady, who had been listening, came over and said she liked the pipes very much and that she had a Scottish background. She said her maiden name was Buchanan. I introduced myself as Dr. MacDonald. She asked, “Are you Dr. Keith MacDonald?” I replied affirmatively, wondering how she would know. Was it because she had seen The Church Piper music books that I published, or that she knew me from the International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers? When she said she had been Judy Buchanan before she was married, I recognized her as having been my brother’s dental assistant after she graduated from High School. She reminded me that my brother, Ken and I, played the pipes for her wedding. That would have been 40 years ago. Her face was familiar. She said that she and Tom now have two daughters, and the dog, which she was taking for a walk in the forest. She lived in a nearby town and was in White Rock for the day, visiting one of her daughters. I guess you’d have to say, “It’s a small world.”



I went home and dressed in my MacDonald Highland outfit, had a quick bite and drove to the birthday party in Surrey. The map gave a very clear route and it wasn’t far to the home where the party would take place.



Being ahead of the scheduled arrival time, I tuned up in preparation for the arrival of the man whose 90th birthday party was to be celebrated. In my strategic spot on the back deck, I got the signal from the kitchen when to begin playing “Happy Birthday.” You can be sure the elderly gentleman and his wife were pleasantly surprised to be piped into the presence of their family and friends. In the spirit of the moment, “Let’s Have a Ceilidh,” was a great welcoming song to be played on the pipes.



A young Highland dancer demonstrated several dances and I continued with a few old familiar Scottish songs such as, “The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen,” “I Belong to Glasgow,” “The Road to the Isles,” and “Scotland the Brave.”



It was a wonderful day for an outdoor party, and everyone was enjoying it immensely, particularly the elderly couple who were originally from Scotland. What an appropriate celebration for one who is 90 years old and still able to enjoy being with his family and friends. It had been a joyous day for me as well, and I would be able to tell my own family and friends all that had transpired that Sunday.

Graduation From High School

Honoring our church youth one evening in June 2012, was a highlight for a small group of beloved young individuals. They could realize how much they are loved as persons and admired for their achievement. Strings of lights decorated the hall and attractive drapes adorned the platform. Delightful music was being played. Graduates were dressed as we seldom see them; in business suits and graduation dresses. Upon introduction, each dignified graduate walked through an archway, then along the room’s length, to be recognized by all and given a welcoming ovation. A colorful program described each one, with the name of the school from which he or she had graduated and their plans for the future.


The occasion celebrated five years during which our young people spent in youth group, from grade eight until graduating from grade twelve. Their youth minister spoke about getting to know them and seeing them mature after grade seven when they entered youth group. They would either be entering the work force immediately, or continuing their education in technology or university. They were advised that although graduation from grade twelve is considered a commendable achievement, it must not be recognized as a total accomplishment. Rather, they are to see it as a continuation of preparing for their future. Until now, character, personality, wisdom and knowledge had developed as the foundation to build their futures and would continue to do so. Their solid Christian principles would be thoroughly tried as they moved into the world and away from guiding influences of their families. He admonished them to retain those Christlike characteristics as they made new friends. Their entire futures would depend upon solidarity of wise choices.


A well- prepared video of the students was enjoyed. Each graduate had been interviewed and asked about his or her plans for the future, besides being asked for an opinion on some subject. Most would be entering a distant college, and not be attending their church as before. One would go to seminary, another to a school of culinary arts, one to study paramedics in preparation for search and rescue, and another would become a nurse. Others had specific plans to prepare for employment, and it would involve years of continual study, probably more years of adapting to the work force afterwards. They could only anticipate arrival at the top of the mountain of success after years of diligent perseverance, just as their young pastor advised.


Those who attended this auspicious occasion cheerfully participated by responding to questions relevant to the graduates’ specific interests outside school. One loved to ride her motor scooter. Another was adept at skate boarding. Participating in sports was popular, while spending summers as camp councilors was another interest. After this interaction, everyone was invited to enjoy a fancy dessert prepared by devoted ladies of the church. From this well-planned evening, our graduates knew they were loved, respected and wished a successful future. I’m sure they knew the people of their church were confident that they would attain their goals and maintain their faith in God as their guide to success.

A Trip to Israel

The opportunity came in April 2012, for a tour of Israel with a group from our church. We were enthusiastic and knew that walking in the extreme heat would require lots of energy. For some, the trip would have been too strenuous. Our tour guide was Ellis Andre, our Senior Pastor, who has been there many times, as well as Andrew Turnbull, our Assistant Pastor. Danny Heifitz, our guide in Israel was familiar with Israel’s history and the Biblical account of Jesus. (He is related to Jascha Heifitz, the famous violinist.)



Where Jesus walked was of interest, particularly the Via Dolorosa, the route taken from the place where He was falsely tried, and made to carry his cross to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where He was crucified. It is a very narrow, stone-paved street. He was buried in a cave, which was provided by Joseph of Aramathea. The Bible tells us that Jesus was unable to carry the heavy cross and stumbled once, because of the severe lashing He had received. We were convinced that the location of the grave was accurate and that it was near the skull-like rock formation, although that was not as significant as knowing that Jesus sacrificed His life for our forgiveness and that He rose again. Mary Magdalene, speaking to Him in the garden, was the first to witness His resurrection.



While in Jerusalem, we visited the upper room, and the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas came with a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the priests and elders, to capture Jesus. We stopped at the home of the high priest, Caiaphas, to visualize the place where Jesus was committed to death. It was the place where three times, Peter denied knowing Him.



The feeling of being where Jesus had been, was apparent when our tour ship stopped in the middle of the Sea of Galilee and our pastor read the account of the storm that caused Jesus’ disciples to cry out in despair, “Master, do you not care if we drown?” We imagined the angry waves tossing their boat around and Jesus calming the storm with the words, “Peace, be still!” We recalled His disciples uttering to one another, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”



It was on the Sea of Galilee that Jesus walked to join His disciples. They thought He was a spirit. Afterwards, Peter desired to go with them in the boat and undertook to walk to it on the water. Because the water was rough, he lost confidence and needed Jesus’ help. Jesus caught him and said, “O thou of little faith, why did you doubt?” The disciples acknowledged His deity, saying, “Of a truth, thou art the Son of God.”



An experience for our group to remember is to have been on the slope of the Mount of Beatitudes where we could look out onto the valley and know it was where Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. Pastor Andrew confidently quoted the entire sermon. We could imagine Jesus teaching His disciples and those with them, that “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven, blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted,” and more.



The city of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee was where Jesus restored to good health, the servant of a Roman Centurion. The servant was “paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” Jesus recognized the Centurion as having considerable faith, and said, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”



In Capernaum, we saw the ruins of Peter’s mother-in-law’s home, where a fine church is located over the site, and raised by pillars so the foundation can be seen easily. The significance is that Jesus frequently visited at this home and at one time, the dear woman had been seriously ill and Jesus cured her. Immediately, she was waiting on her guests.



We visited Tiberius, a fishing village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus recruited His disciples, inviting them, saying, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”



Nazareth was where Jesus was brought up. It is also where He read from the scroll in the synagogue, telling the people that “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” We saw the ruins of His parents’home, which can be seen easily, although the Church of the Annunciation is situated over the site.



St. Anne’s Church is located at the Pool of Bethesda. It is over 1000 years old and has remarkable acoustics. Julie Turnbull sang a hymn and it was beautiful, with the sound reflecting from the walls and ceiling.



To walk where Jesus walked was truly awesome. Our guide, Danny, related much about Jesus. We were shown the country of Israel from North to South, all the while being given a commentary on its history, especially the Roman influence. I shall follow up with a description of our trip from that viewpoint.

Ambitious Young People

                                                                                         Ambitious Young People!




Occasionally, one will attend a concert so fulfilling, that it contrasts with any concert in one’s memory. Last night’s Fountainview Academy’s performance in British Columbia’s White Rock Baptist Church sanctuary was that outstanding. Anyone who attended on Saturday night was talking about it excitedly after church on Sunday morning.



The group consisted of 85 musicians, both vocalists and instrumentalists of highest caliber. They completely filled the stage to overflowing. Gifted and disciplined individuals played violins, cellos, double bass, oboe, tubular bells, French horns, flutes, saxophones, trombones, clarinets, trumpets, a tuba, piano and harpsichord. Combined with the mixed choir, they delivered some unforgettable music. Hymns were animatedly enunciated, and conveyed their sacred messages.



Students and staff wrote all the arrangements and orchestrations. The songs were favourite familiar hymns. Some of the captivating hymns were, “Amazing Grace,” “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” and “Wonderful Words of Life,” accompanied by the fullness of a well balanced, precisely directed symphony orchestra. Softly played, smooth transitions between hymn arrangements made those interludes reverential, spiritual moments, when ovation wasn’t appropriate, while in the latter half of the program, appreciative acknowledgments after each rendition were made by the audience of several hundred.



Music students from  all over the world attend Fountainview Academy. I spoke with several. One young lady was from Minnesota. Others were from Spokane Washington, New Zealand, British Columbia, Norway and Iceland. The Academy is located in Lillooet, BC, amongst beautiful mountainous scenery. Their email address is, music@fountainview.ca Recorded music, entitled, “Steps to Christ in Song,” is available. Their CD’s were selling like hot cakes at the concert.



We were informed that this group of musicians travels considerable distances to perform, one excursion being to the southernmost part of California. I noticed their conveyances included two big buses and a trailer.



The music was both familiar and enjoyable. Personally, I have arranged many hymns in hymnbooks for the bagpipes, which I have shared with pipers  as The Church Piper. I reflect on how lovely it would be if a pipe band of this size could similarly perform  for concerts across North America, playing and singing the great old hymns. Maybe someday one will.

Enjoying the Symphony

A recent afternoon will remain in our good memories. We invited our seven-year-old granddaughter to a symphony concert. She loved the experience, both the symphony and the new methods of transportation. Besides, she is doing well with her piano and Highland dancing lessons.

The symphony concert is called Tea and Crumpets because tea with a cookie is served during the hour before the program begins. Since it starts at three in the afternoon, and we live in White Rock, about three-quarters of an hour from Vancouver, we picked up our granddaughter at her school, at noon, then left the car near the bus stop. Shortly, we were on the bus headed for Vancouver. Julia felt very special to have been given permission to be absent from  school that afternoon.

We transferred to the skytrain for an exciting ride to the inner city. With plenty of time before the concert, we had lunch in Sears. A short walk took us to the old, but beautifully designed and ornate Orpheum Theatre. We enjoyed our cookie and cup of tea. Julia was quite sophisticated, sipping her tea, with her little finger curved in the way stylish English ladies do it when they have afternoon tea.

Julia had the privileged seat beside her grandmother, while I sat twenty seats to the right. There, I could casually observe how our little granddaughter was enjoying the symphony. Afterwards, she told us that she had not realized there would be so many instruments playing together, and that she liked watching the busy conductor. Of course, Pierre Simard is an extraordinarily animated conductor and it was for everyone, entertaining to watch him conduct first one section and than another. When the music required more power, he supplied it. He used more and more energy, even working up a storm  which compelled the music and built it to a crescendo…for more than one selection. Julia would have much to tell her teacher and fellow students the next day at school. She took the program to show them.

Before boarding the skytrain back to the where we would transfer to a bus, we stopped again at Sears, to enjoy a hot chocolate and biscuit. Our return on the crowded skytrain and bus was an eye-opening experience as well for Julia, because she realized there are many people who rely upon this way of getting to work or school. By car, we took Julia home. She would tell her parents and brothers about her great day. Of course, her two brothers were confident that they can anticipate a special day too, with their grandparents; possibly an afternoon of geocaching, one of their favorite pastimes. Grandparents have a special roll familiarizing their grandchildren with things out and around, to build their confidence in being able to do the same eventually, alone.

A Tangled Web

My wife and I spent two evenings watching and listening to the two DVD’s about the sports career of a revered cricketeer, Hansie Cronje. The first was an enactment while the second was of endearing interviews; four hours with his brother, his mother, wife, sister in law, various teammates and authorities.

We were impressed as thousands were, by his objectivity in putting forth his best effort as an enthusiastic player and captain of his team, while leading his team  into world championships, to be revered by his country, South Africa, for his wonderful example of honest to goodness sportsmanship.

He was raised in a stalwart Christian family with principles of right and wrong. Hansie was confronted by bookmakers and enticed by their offer of thousands of dollars, to lose rather than win certain competitions. Either the temptation to have that much money in his pocket, or the inability to admit to his coaches and authorities that he had been bribed prevented him  from reporting the bribery. He kept the secret to himself and though he kept the money, he never threw a game. He always played his best and required his teammates to do likewise. Soon, he was ensnarled in illicit dealings with bookmakers.

We perceived that he responded like most people would, for he believed that by keeping his secret, no one would be affected. Only he and the bookmakers would know. Although he professed to have a personal relationship with God and wanted everyone to perceive him  as honest, he had been dealing with the devil and was in effect lying to God. As the Bible tells us, Satan is like a roaring lion. He walks up and down this earth, seeing whom  he can devour and will strike where persons are vulnerable. In Hansie’s case, it was by way of his unfortunate love of money. Before he knew it, he was ensnared in illicit dealings.

My mother used to tell us that a person weaves a tangled web as he or she intends to deceive. Hansie wove that web as surely as a spider constructs its web. He secretly dealt with the bookkeepers and yet, he wanted to do what was right in the eyes of God. His greed overpowered him, allowing Satan to be in control. The devil was ruining his life. He became irritable and unable to sleep at night.

If Hansie had admitted his dealings to those on the National Board, The Cricket South Africa Staff governing cricket competitions, acknowledging that he had been solicited by bookmakers not to win, he would have saved himself, his teammates and his nation much heartache.

After he admitted that he had accepted money from  bookmakers, even though he had never once purposely lost a game, he felt some release, but not the freedom  he had experienced previously, when he held to his principles of honesty. He decided to admit his dealings to God and ask forgiveness. Knowing God would forgive him, he would make a public declaration to say that he was sincere in his repentance. If God forgave him  the world would too. He asked for God’s help in restoring him  to his former trustworthy self and was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. He began a new life for himself and a new trusting relationship with his dear wife, Beulah. He continued his education by earning a Master’s degree in business and entered a company’s employment. God gave him two more years in which his life was restored and fulfilling.

Hansie was killed in an airplane accident. The cargo plane in which he had hitched a ride, crashed into a mountainside. Although he missed his scheduled flight home because of a snowstorm, he went to his eternal home to be with his Lord. He left this world having given us a wonderful example of a person not unlike any one of us. All of us are prone to human weaknesses, and by Hansie’s example, we can ask God for forgiveness and a new start in life. We may allow our weaknesses to control us, and suffer the consequences. Nevertheless, we are assured that forgiveness and reconciliation is by trusting in God’s love.

Beyond the Sunset

In our Life Group, which is what we call our mid-week Bible Study, each person is given a turn to lead the others in a short devotional and prayer before the study begins. My topic was taken from the hymn, “Beyond the Sunset,” which I arranged for Volume 14 of The Church Piper. The music and its words are beautiful. I was impressed by how the author used his knowledge of Scripture to write poetry.

The beauty of the sky reminded Virgil Brock of Heaven. He reminisced that when our work is ended and day is done, we’ll go to Heaven and be with our Saviour. It will be a day of gladness and eternal joy, free from fears and worries. Christ will guide us to the Father we adore, to be welcomed.

The last verse is dear to us in that we have the eternal hope of being reunited with our loved ones.

Beyond the Sunset, O glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before,
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset forevermore.

Peter wrote of our thankfulness to Christ our Saviour, saying, “An entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:11

We who live in White Rock or South Surrey British Columbia, often walk along the waterfront as the sun is receding beneath the clouds. It is a spectacular sight and we easily imagine that wonderful place we call Heaven, lying just beyond the sinking sun.

At this point in the devotional, I will play several verses of the hymn on my practice chanter while the others read the verses they have been given.

An anonymous author composed a poem with words that fit the theme of Heaven very nicely. It is entitled, “Should You Go First.”

Should you go first and I remain, to walk the road alone,
I’ll live in memory’s garden dear, with happy days we’ve known.
In spring I’ll watch for roses red, and face the lilacs blue
And in early fall when brown leaves fall, I’ll catch a glimpse of you.


Should you go first and I remain, to finish with the scroll,
No lengthening shadows shall creep in to make this life seem droll.
We’ve know so much of happiness, we’ve had our cup of joy
And memory is one gift of God, that death cannot destroy.


Should you go first and I remain, one thing I’d have you do
Is walk slowly down that long lone path, for soon I’ll follow you.
I’ll want to know each step you take, that I may walk the same,
For someday down that lonely road, you’ll hear me call,
Yes, you’ll hear me call your name.


This beautiful poem reminded me of the pathway to Heaven that Jesus described in Matthew 7:13 and 14. He advised His listeners to “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

In John 14:6, Jesus referred to Himself as the gate to Heaven and said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” By this, He meant that to follow Him is the only way to Heaven. Comparatively few will understand this, but believe instead, that there are many ways to Heaven, such as keeping all the commandments and by leading a good life by helping others. Jesus compares this to a broad road that many follow, hoping it will lead to Heaven, but instead, that road leads to their destruction. In other words, it leads to Hell and not to Heaven. We know, like the person in the poem, that nothing enters Heaven by which it may be defiled and that Jesus paid the supreme sacrifice for our sake. Revelation 21:27 tells us, “Nothing impure will ever enter it (Heaven), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” That Lamb is Jesus. “Jesus Paid it All.”

In the hymn, “Beyond the Sunset,” the person promises to walk slowly down that long lone path. That path is the one Jesus described. We are simply to have faith that we are forgiven of all sinfulness that would prevent us from defiling Heaven. Having been justified by His grace, we have the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7

With faith in Jesus, we will meet those dear ones who have gone before, and most likely find them waiting to welcome us home. By taking that same pathway, we will be certain to meet our loved ones who trusted Jesus and went before.

My Admiration for Pipe Bands

I love belonging to a pipe band. The combination of playing my favourite instrument with others and the camaraderie of friends with the same interests have been compelling forces from the time I first joined a pipe band until this day. I love to play with the band either in a parade or just to practice. And, if I should happen to be standing on a street watching a pipe band leading the parade, it’s wonderful to see the pipers and drummers swinging along, gliding simultaneously to the beat, marching neatly, row on row, proud and disciplined, playing Scottish music and honoring their heritage. Even as they pass and all I see is the last row, consisting only of tenor drummers, I enjoy seeing them spinning their drumsticks upwards, wafting the band’s music to the sky, as though it was the sweet fragrance of perfume.

There has always been a deep feeling of friendship in the bands in which I’ve belonged. Older and experienced pipers have graciously passed along their techniques while younger members have responded with enthusiasm. The result has been an improvement in overall performance. Friendship has extended to the occasional Sunday brunch at a hotel, with members and their wives or husbands, and the tailgate picnics after out-of-town parades, which were prepared by the ladies in the band. These enjoyable informal gatherings enabled us to know each other as friends as well as fellow musicians.

What I love mostly, is to play harmony either in the band or with individuals. We were particularly fortunate in our Army and Navy and Air Force Pipe Band in Winnipeg, to have as our pipe major, P/M Ian Conn, an ex-member of the Schotts and Dykehead World Championship Pipe Band. He had a wonderfully keen ear for tuning, and it was because of his special efforts to tune chanters and drones to perfection, that our band was made to sound so well. He was careful to drill the band on its attacks, finishes, accuracy of notes and timing. He admonished us to listen to the piper on either side of us and to the drummers. Indeed, it was a pleasure to play under such dedicated leadership and with conscientious pipers and drummers. After practice, when the pipes were going so well, there was an urge to play just another tune or two for the benefit of anyone who wanted to listen. The tonal quality from such beautifully tuned pipes, steady from the evening’s practice was thrilling -as if the pipes just wanted to be played.

I was fortunate to have had many years of playing along with my Dad, Earl MacDonald and my brother, Ken. The three of us often marched in the same row. Dad would say we were three brothers. That’s how he described the picture taken of us in the Rosebowl Parade in Pasadena.

It was disappointing for P/M Hugh Fraser of the Saskatoon Light Infantry Pipe Band, when we moved from there to Winnipeg Manitoba, for he would have lost three pipers at once. However, for us, we were founding members of The Manitoba Pipes and Drums under P/M Jack Reay’s direction. Our band consistently won the Western Canadian Championship. Ken and I delayed our return to university each fall, to compete as soloists and with the band. Either of us loved to report to our inquiring professors, that our band had been successful once again.

I’ve enjoyed Mondays’ band practices. It’s so beneficial to belong to a band and practice its repertoire, new tunes and medleys. It keeps the pipes in beautiful playing order and ready to play for personal engagements. Consequently, I have had confidence that my pipes would be playing well for morning worship services, weddings, funerals, memorials or piping in a head table. I thoroughly enjoy playing in a pipe band and am thankful for the privilege of being a member.