Beautiful Arran

This is the view where I go fishing in  Irvine Bay, Scotland.

Dip with a nip - Charity event to raise funds for Malcolm Sargent house, children's cancer vacation home.

Oxford

While in the London region I went and preached in Cornerstone Church. Had a great time , It was like a mini UN. There are over 20 languages spoken there, Got a very good response.  

Off to London

Had my eye on this tree for some time.

Tasmanian  chainsaw massacre.

Wood in my backyard

Boat without engines.

Twin Yamahas

I had a month at home in November. Had some face surgery and had to rest up after this. 

Then one day I thought I would go get some fire wood in my boat at Irvine harbor.

When I started the main engine I heard a small unhelpful burrrr coming from the old 

20hp Chrysler outboard. This was the spline from the gearbox stripping the spline in the

 crankshaft of the engine. Fortunately my auxiliary motor eventually started and I got back

 to the ramp.

I have a friend who has a 15hp Yamaha , so I tried this out but the water pump does not work.

Tomorrow I am off to London for nearly two weeks for my SPUC work. 

Will work on the outboard when I get back.

Leafleting for SPUC in Ayr.

Last week I was leafleting in Ayr with our mis-certification of abortion leaflets with a friend from church.Please see following for details : https://www.spuc.org.uk/about/evangelicals/2013autumn

Here I am outside the first house I bought in Scotland ( 1986 )  leafleting

Special prayer request

This afternoon I was at an outreach meeting called " Broken Chains". I sat next to a Christian friend at the meal. He told me he is going to see a 20 year old young lady tonight who is contemplating an abortion. Please pray that she chooses life.

I am recovering from my surgery and will not be at the UN next week as planned.

Surgery done.

Off to hospital tomorrow

At 2.30pm tomorrow I am off to see a plastic surgon , not for a face lift , but to have a mole removed from my lefy cheek. They will do a biopsy to ensure it is not nasty.

Glasgow midwives court case.

Connie Wood & Mary Doogan

A message from my boss in London.

7 November 2014

Connie Wood and Mary Doogan are experienced, long-serving midwifery sisters.

They refuse to take part in abortions or to tell others that they should do abortions.

But their employer regards abortion as part of the job of a labour ward midwife (I know this sounds crazy – but that's how it is), and Connie and Mary have been told they must play their part in abortions.

Now their employer, the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, which runs their hospital, has taken the matter to the Supreme Court.

The hearing takes place just a few days from now.If the midwives lose - and still refuse to take part in abortions - they risk losing their jobs.These midwives must feel like the whole world is against them.But that’s not true.

Well wishers, just like you, from every corner of Britain have shown how much they care - through their donations, their prayers, and their warm words of encouragement for Mary and Connie.

I know the midwives’ case may not be new to you. But today I am writing to ask if you would read the FULL story. You’d be doing a tremendous favor to these midwives, and to the generations of midwives still to come. Connie and Mary only want to bring babies safely into the world – happy and healthy.

This is the job they signed up for. I hate having to ask again.  Will you help them stay?

Another way you can help (it’s not money).  The midwives’ court battle will only happen once.This is our big chance to defend Mary and Connie’s right not to oversee abortions – and I’m sure you’re glad to have been a part of it.  So I’m wondering: do you know anyone else who’d be interested in helping?

The case is well under way. And the time to act is now. If someone you know would be grateful to hear about it, please send their email address to me personally at johnsmeaton@spuc.org.uk.

I promise they won’t be bombarded with messages. They’ll receive a polite approach inviting them to read more about the midwives’ story.  We won’t pass their details on to anyone else.

Anyone who believes in these midwives can stand up for them.

Right now, this is the best way to help them.

Yours in the defence of life,

John Smeaton

Two oldies at the UN.

Me and Jeanne in conf room 1.
Boring arguments going on just now.

Nice speech by new Nuncio of Holy See

Statement of H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
at the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Third Committee, Agenda Item 68 (b and c): Human Rights
New York, 29 October 2014

Madam Chair,

I would like to thank the various Special Rapporteurs and Special Mandate holders for their
reports and work during the past year. Today’s discussion brings to light a great number of
serious challenges to human rights around the world, and reminds us of the need to rebuild
trust in the human rights system in upholding fundamental human rights.
The right to life as enshrined in natural law and protected by international human rights laws
lies at the foundation of all human rights. The Holy See reaffirms that all life must be fully
protected in all its stages from conception until natural death.

In this regard, my delegation welcomes the reduction in the last two years of the recourse to
the death penalty around the globe. As Pope Francis affirmed before representatives of the
Association of International Penal Law, received in the Vatican last October 23, “it is
impossible to imagine that states today cannot make use of another means than capital
punishment to defend peoples’ lives from an unjust aggression." The Pope also recommends
the abolition of life imprisonment, which he defines as “a hidden death penalty” because, like
the death penalty, it excludes all possibilities of redemption and recuperation. He warned
against “penal populism” that privileges punishment to solve society’s ills, rather than a more
rigorous pursuit of social justice and preventative measures. This is especially important
when it comes to juvenile delinquency and crimes committed by the elderly. Pope Francis
called on all people of goodwill to struggle also to improve prison conditions, out of respect
for the human dignity of prisoners, so many of whom, in so many countries of the world,
have been detained for long periods without trial.

Along with the right to life, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion continues
to face serious challenges around the world. In some regions, violations against religious
freedom have multiplied and intensified in their brutality, in particular against religious
minorities. My delegation insists that these ruthless violations must not only be seen as
violence against ethnic and religious minorities, but first and foremost must be condemned
as blatant violations of fundamental human rights, and must be dealt with accordingly.
In other parts of the world, religious freedom faces legal barriers put by public authorities
and experiences condescending if not outright discriminatory behavior of some in society.
Some authorities seek to restrict religious observance to the private realm and impose legal
obligations that conflict with personal conscience and religious beliefs. Given this misconstrued understanding of religious freedom and similar misconceptions still existing
today, my delegation wishes to note that the struggle for religious freedom was at the origins
of certain nations. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is an inalienable
fundamental human right; thus, it has always been and will always be at the core of the
struggle for the recognition and free exercise of fundamental human rights.
In this context, my delegation welcomes the Interim Report of the Special Rapporteur on
freedom of religion or belief(A/69/261), which, inter alia, identifies measures of “reasonable
accommodation” to overcome discrimination and violation of this fundamental human right
in the workplace. Indeed, a world that truly respects religious freedom must move beyond
mere toleration. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights
instruments explicitly affirm that the right to freedom of religion or belief includes the right
of all to practice their faith alone or in community, in public or private, and the right to
change his or her religion or belief.

In order to address these challenges, we must strengthen the international human rights
system. My delegation hopes that the resolution on Strengthening and enhancing the
effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system (A/RES/68/268) translates
into meaningful reform towards greater observance of treaties (Pacta sunt servanda) and
their faithful and objective, not political or ideological, monitoring.


With lessons learned from our failure to stop massive violations of fundamental human
rights – including and most especially religious freedom- and of international humanitarian
law, the time is for courageous decisions. My delegation looks forward to working with all
delegations during this session to reinvigorate respect and appreciation for fundamental
human rights around the world.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

Nice art at the UN

Sunday - at Church

Got a nice surprise at East 7th St Baptist church on Sunday . Pastor Taylor Field now has a beard.

Breaking news at the UN

Today I heard this lady , Michele, speak up for men & boys. This is the second time in 20 years of 

coming to the UN that anyone has made any positive mention of males of the human species

Michele Solomon of International Organzation for Migration

3rd day at the UN

Here I am first into conf room 1 right on 9am. They say " the early bird catches the worm ". But there are no worms here yet. The plenary is scheduled to start at 10am.

Second day at the UN

Well here I am for the second day at the UN  for this trip.

Today there will be debate on torture,

I will be feeling tortured listening.

Just about to go into the building

Its nice to see the the UN has such realistic goals !!!

At the UN

Well here I am at the UN, listening to a lot of talk on Indigenous peoples.

Christians Against Poverty - CAP

Last night my wife & I went to a fundraising dinner for CAP in Falkirk, SCOTLAND. There were about 90 people there and around £40,000 was raised. Our daughter , Victoria , works for CAP in Bradford. Please see : www.capuk.org.  This is a great organisation.

On Monday I fly to New York for 2 weeks at the UN.

My wife's hand on left , on the right John Kirkby ,founder and International Director of CAP.

The good old NHS ( National Health Service )

Yesterday I arrived early for my appointment to see a plastic surgeon. He was an hour late in seeing me. Also he was not the doctor I thought I would see. I guess everyone had to wait as all appointments were late. Everyone was as quiet as tame rabbits , more used to  the system of delay and lateness than myself who got up after 50 minutes to ask " have I been forgotten about ! ".
The doctor said the mole did not look malignant, but they will know for sure when it is off my cheek and under a microscope.
My appointment , for going under the knife , will be with the surgeon in about 6 weeks. I gave him a summary of my diary , but was told this will no doubt be ignored and I shall have to negotiate a date when I am home with the appointments person.

The mole is the red spot between my mouth and bottom ear lobe.

A personal prayer request

Please pray for me today. At 11.10 am this morning I have an appointment to see a plastic surgeon at Ayr hospital. This is to organize to have a mole removed from my left cheek. See my finger pointing to it. When it is removed they will do a biopsy on it. I may have to shave off my beard for the operation !!

34th Wedding anniversay

Last night I took my wife of 34 years to her favourite restaurant at Dumfries House.

At Christian Friends of Israel

This morning I let the devotions here in Eastbourne at CFI. Photo of Jacob Vice attached , the chief executive of CFI.

Great lunch

Had a great time today , here are two of the five leaders who were my guests. Here is Pastor Michael King and his wife Marjorie.

On Friday this week Pastor Michael will have key hole surgery on his heart to adjust his heart beat. Please pray for a very good outcome with this  operation.

Tomorrow I head off to Eastbourne to meet up with a group called Christian Friends of Israel.

On Friday I travel home. Saturday is my 34th wedding anniversary and I will be taking my wife out to dinner.

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST

Today at 12.30  I am due to host lunch with eight African / Caribbean pastors in London at my Club.
I am hoping some of them will have me preach in their churches or speak at their conferences.
Pray that they will turn up roughly on time and be receptive to doing some pro-life work with me.

One of my heros

This is a statue of Sir Keth Park who led 11 group in the Battle of Britain in 1940. He was in charge of fighter command over London and the south east of England. I walked past this statue today on my way to lunch.

Pastor Ajmal Chaughtai

Add caption

On Sunday evening I had a small celebration dinner with Pastor Ajmal. He has been here for 5 months and just got a five year visa to stay in the UK. He has recieved death threats in Pakistan. Please pray his wife and children shall be able to join him soon in the UK.

A wedding

Today I was at the wedding of Billue& Maggie Munro in my church here in Scotland. I have know Billie 25 years.Please pray for them.

Last week I met two church leaders in the north of Scotland.One has invited me to speak in his Church in Frebruary.

Tomorrow I head down to London for a week. I have various meetings arranged.

Please spare a moment

A colleague of mine has just shared the following information. Please click on the link and vote no.


El Salvador has been experiencing an ongoing and increasingly powerful attack against its constitutional and other legal protections of the right to life for Salvadoran babies in the womb.  This attack involves Amnesty International, Center for Reproductive Rights, and other foreign institutions.

You are asked to help right now in one small way:

Please go to the Salvadoran website below and Vote NO on the question, "Do you agree that abortion should be decriminalized in El Salvador?" It is in Spanish: "Esta usted de acuerdo de que se despenalice el aborto en El Salvador?"   Just click, "No".

http://www.contrapunto.com.sv/opinion/sondeo/sondeos-cp-2014

Week-end before last

Here I am with the other 3 speakers at Penn Free Methodist church. Around 50 attended. They were pro-life.

Tomorrow I am off to Inverness to speak at a SPUC regional meeting and visit a few church leaders.

Robin Haig

I have jusy been to Manchester to visit SPUC's chairman Robin Haig. Some 3 weeks ago Robin was diagnosed with a small bleed to part of his brain. He was in very good spirits and has got his memory back.

Please pray for a full recovery , his left eye does not track so well so he has some double vision.

Urgent prayer request

This afternoon between 3 and 4 pm I shall be meeting 13 church leaders at my Club in London.

Please pray that they all turn up and the Lord grants me favor in their eyes.

This has been arranged by Pastor Michael King ( Jamaican origin ).  I preached in his Church in Croydon on 3 August.Prior to this I had met his wife at the London Christian Resources Exhibition  in mid May of this year.

At Operation Mobilisation prayer meeting

Attended George Verwer's prayer meeting for OM special projects last night . It was very encouraging to see the pro-life literature there.  

My first workshop

Had 14 people come to my first workshop.

SPUC National Conference

It is great to meet up with great pro-life leaders. Here I am with Jim Hughes of Campaign Life Coalition of Canada.

Off to Fleetwood this morning

Two weeks ago I was on vacation in Yorkshire. We visited our daughter , Victoria who works for Christians Against Poverty. Please see : https://capuk.org/

This evening I am speaking at a Churches Together meeting in Fleetwood near Blackpool. Local SPUC people organised this meeting.

Where my daughter Victoria works.

SPUC Interns

Last Friday  and yesterday afternoon I sent  time with the SPUC summer interns. One is from Nigeria , another from Poland and one from Ireland. I spoke about the work of SPUC Evangelicals as well as may work at the UN.

Myself on right , next to me Rhoslyn Thomas

Off to London again

Today I fly down to London , tomorrow and Monday I am speaking to some interns we have employed for the summer. On Sunday I will be preaching in a church in Surrey.
Back home on Tuesday.

The week after this |I shall have a vacation with my family in Yorkshire.

A good week in London.

Me and Peter Saunders

Had a very busy week in London. Am just off to a SPUC Council meeting today. Yesterday was outside House Of Lords where a Euthanasia Bill was being discussed. See opposite photo at the demo. Peter Saunders heads up the Christian Medical Fellowship in the UK. The Aussie and the Kiwi were sticking together. Also I had dinner with some young people , two of whom were also Kiwis. Probably not many of them left in NZ , most have immigrated !!!!

I have secured one preaching engagement for early August , down in Surrey.

My London office

Today I went and purchased a table and chair , so that I could have a little office where I stay when in London.

Last Friday I had a very good response at my talk in Oxford. This was a Hephzibah group and  they were very considerate. I had a cold and was not in my best form.

Had a quiet day yesterday and today. Plenty of work for next week coming up.

Off to London tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am off to London for several meetings. On Friday I will be chairing the SPUC Evangelicals Committee meeting. Then in the evening I shall be doing a pro-life presentation in Oxford. Expect to be in the London area for 11 days.

The faithful few

Last night around 15 people turned up for my talk on the United Nations.
These were the faithful few who are great prayer supporters for me. May the Lord bless them all.

Speaking tonight in my Church in Scotland

Tonight I shall be speaking at New Prestwick Baptist church , in Ayr , Scotland. I got married here in 1980 , and was converted six weeks later. I attended this church from 1986 until 1990 , and then from 1994 until now. So tonight I shall be speaking on my work at the UN for SPUC. There will be a reference to Psalm 2 as well as Gen.11 : 1 - 9 ( Tower of Babel ). The main theme will be an explanation of the system of co-belligerence as recommended by Francis Schaeffer in the late 1970s  to combat abortion and other evils.

Pray that the hearers would be blessed and continue to give me their prayer support.

Yesterday was glorious weather in Scotland !

A nice catch in my boat.

 Yesterday I was up before 6am , had the boat in the water by 7.30am. The opposite photo shows me heading for home with a nice catch of very nice crabs. Got about 14 good sized ones.

These were boiled up at a very good friends place , Jimmie McInnes. Then after sampling one or two crabs I headed into the local outreach that I help out at.

The next photo shows me at Broken Chains demonstrating how to crack open a crab with a nut cracker. Most people there had never tasted crab before and quite enjoyed the taste. Only one person complained about the mess I made.

That afternoon a lady called Shirley committed her life to Christ. The previous Tuesday Christine also committed her life to Christ. Please pray that these two ladies will grow in their Christian faith.

Broken Chains.

Fathers Day

O Saturday last I received a very strange letter. It had a Guernsey stamp on the envelope along with a post mark saying " Happy Fathers Day".

I carefully open this thinking it to be junk mail, however it was from my daughter Victoria ( and son-in- law Ben ) . This was a wonderful surprise.

Then on Saturday evening I headed out in ma wee boat to Irvine bay and caught 3 mackerel. You can see me burning on in the opposite photo.

Then on Sunday , after church and Broken Chains my other daughter , Rebekah , cooked us all a VERY nice meal.

Last week I was recovering from a few very hard weeks in New York and London.

Tonight I shall set my lobster traps.

Prayer for Israel Conference , London

Well here I am with my small table at the PFI Conference in London again.

Please pray that there would be some interest.

Lunch today

Well this was lunch today with Mayor Jerry Gist and his wife Liz. Jerry in mayor of Jackson , Tennessee and Liz came to the UN with me about 15 years ago , just for one week.

We had a very nice Italian meal and fine fellowship in the Lord.