Wednesday the 1st of May 2013 is a day of note at Christian Focus Publications for seventy years ago our Managing Director and co-founder William Mackenzie was born. Yesterday we celebrated early with cake, a very robust singing of Happy Birthday, best wishes from friends, family and colleagues and a specially commissioned song. Yes, you read that right – a song by Colin Buchanan, 7 times Golden Guitar winner, Australian T.V. Presenter, and Christian author. He was challenged to write a poem by one of the staff at Christian Focus, Derry Brebner and as usual went the extra mile, composed a song, made an mp3 recording – and here it is. Colin is a good friend of William’s, respects him highly but isn’t afraid to make a joke at the M.D.s expense! Enjoy.
[sc_embed_player fileurl="cmsfiles/imported/contentImages/Willies-70th-Song.mp3"] Willie's 70th Song
Here are a few photos of William Mackenzie through the years.
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Not only did we have a special song, but we had poetry too. Dale Ralph Davis and his wife Barbara sent along the following poem to help commemorate the special ocassion.
Ode to William on his 70th Birthday
Threescore and ten years ago—so runs the rumour—
heaven disclosed its own sense of humour
at the birth of a child neither peelie-wally nor sad,
in fact, a right robust and likely mischievous lad
born in ’43, in the midst of a war and hence
he’s kept things in a muckle big stir ever since,
and, although we rejoice he has been an object of grace
there are some traits neither heaven—nor Carine—can efface,
so here he is with rosy cheeks and a nature that’s new
and yet he may harbour hidden and devious plans for the future of you!
For surely he has a most lovable yet fearsome quirk
--Scots call it a ‘gliff’—of helping others find work
(if only Obama had William he wouldn’t be so solemn
for then unemployment would no longer be a problem)
and yet one has to admit: though he may allow you neither repose nor rest,
when it comes to taskmasters, he’s one of the best!
So…may your step not falter, may your hand stay steady
for whatever task the Lord says is ready
and we join with a host of others—otherwise, we’d be daft—
in wishing you more success in the Lord’s calling and craft.