|
Post by revmichael on Jul 8, 2009 7:40:32 GMT
Oh! This is new! My own post has been invaded by person/persons unknown and remarks have been left where once only tumbleweed was blowing past on life's breeze. Gerroff my post and do a quote like everyone else does or I'll come round and crush you and show no mercy. In answer though to your obvious inquiry into my thoughts on the longevity of the thanks for what we are about to receive, I'd have to say that thanks offered after consumption would probably be the order of the day, just in case the rations were a little on the meagre side and full bloaterdom was not achieved and then a hearty admonishment could be given rather than gratitudes. As I'm always reminded by Matron, 'if I'm asking for an enema could I speak a little plainer'. Dashed if I can see a problem with my expressiveness, but if you push me, then I'd have to say 'yes'. Stanislav please forgive the Rev - he may be able to construct a long grace but has not yet mastered the art of 'Quoting' Carl, is this place called Quo Ting in China?
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jul 6, 2009 6:55:32 GMT
By thanking God for 'this food' ... 'friends far and near ... and then going on to pray for neighbours ... all those in need etc. etc. world without end, Amen. Thanks - is there any sort of biblical example of that? I'm ready to be told I'm wrong, but I thought in the bible, it was limited to giving thanks for the food. Is widening the thanks and including prayers for the needy of Baptist origin? The reason I ask is that I've not come across the practise, but then I think you're the first Baptist I've ever encountered.
As an aside, years ago, when I was living in London, I knew a then curate who regularly made more food than necessary for his dinner and gave the extra to needy neighbours. As he said, he had more than enough money for his own needs (on a curate's stipend!), so it made sense to share. The only mention of 'grace' that I can think of in the Bible at the moment is when Paul says, 'Give thanks for all things.' Certainly those 'standard' ones that start, 'For what we are about to receive ...' are not in the Bible. Your curate has the right idea. As I have found that I have still kept the half stone that I gained a fortnight ago, I think it would be a good idea if I gave away to the poor half of any meal that I have cooked. It's true that I am a (retired) Baptist Minister but am now an Anglican Layperson - but whether I'm a typical Baptist in another thing. I'm certainly not a typical Anglican.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jul 3, 2009 10:11:26 GMT
There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him. An angel hears his plea and appears to him, "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you." The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules. The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed. Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St Peter. Seeing the suitcase Peter says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!" But the man explains to him that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough, Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through." Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "Why have you brought pavement?!?!"
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jul 3, 2009 10:10:27 GMT
Forgive me for asking, but I'm genuinely intrigued Michael - how do you construct a 'long grace'? By thanking God for 'this food' ... 'friends far and near ... and then going on to pray for neighbours ... all those in need etc. etc. world without end, Amen.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jul 3, 2009 7:31:27 GMT
Our supply clerk at the factory was in a dither. A box had been left on the loading dock with this warning printed on it: "Danger! Do Not Touch!"
Management was called, and we were told to stay clear of the box until it could be analyzed. When the foreman arrived, he donned safety goggles and gloves, and then he carefully opened the box.
Inside were 25 signs that read: Danger! Do Not Touch!
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jul 1, 2009 7:27:55 GMT
Argument
A man was telling his friend that he and his wife had a serious argument the night before. "But it ended," he said, "when she came crawling to me on her hands and knees."
"What did she say?" asked the friend.
The husband replied, "She said, 'Come out from under that bed, you coward!'"
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jul 1, 2009 6:57:22 GMT
I agree with you about lack of respect. The same thing could apply to those who 'light up' in a public place or make a long, loud phone call in a railway carriage without asking if other minded. These are not only disrespectful of the feelings of others but annoying. Some while ago I had to endure a commuter journey to London (where all the office workers are generally quiet) and an American with a very loud voice gave his instructions to his colleagues and periodically shouted, 'Go kiss ass.' He sounded very, very important (no doubt in his own mind) but that isn't how we thought of him. This may amuse you Michael. Many years ago I was on a training course in Norwich and, along with a dozen or so other colleagues was staying in a hotel. As we had nothing to do in the evenings the ale flowed freely and breakfast the following morning tended to be a sombre affair with whispered comments of 'Pass the butter' and such like. One morning to our horror we found that we had been joined by a coach load of American tourists doing the Cathedrals of England. They spoke at a volume normally only required by teachers at a comprehensive school or a regimental drill sergeant After some time one of my colleagues suddenly clutched his throat, yelled Arrrggghhhh and fell to the floor, the whole room went silent. At that point he got up said 'Thats better' and sat down again. Breakfast once again became a hushed affair with whispered conversations and glances toward our end of the room. The coach party departed fairly soon afterward. Thanks Paul. The daughter of a friend of mine has married an American and they live in LA. Last time she was here I asked her what it is like living in LA and she said the thing that she notices most is that everyone is so very, very LOUD. But the same think can happen here between someone from e.g. Surrey and a Yorkshire man. People say that we southerners are snooty; but we're not, we are just reserved. But I will try falling on the floor in agony the next time an American speaks very loudly. On the other hand a quiet voice does not mean that a person is miserable. When we were on a fishing boat in the Maldives in February one of the other eight passengers was a Swedish man who said very little and seldom smiled. He just said, 'We say little; we just carry on with our task of raping and pillaging!' He had a very, very keen sense of humour.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 29, 2009 6:58:56 GMT
Carl I agree with you on this one - I would expect the man to at least ask if you minded.
I would be most uncomfortable if that happened to me - only because if nothing else - the lack of respect for those 'strangers' around the table.
That said, if he'd had the courtesy to ask if I minded then I would prob have said 'go ahead' and just let him. It's the lack of respect for others that would have got up my nose.
xxx I agree with you about lack of respect. The same thing could apply to those who 'light up' in a public place or make a long, loud phone call in a railway carriage without asking if other minded. These are not only disrespectful of the feelings of others but annoying. Some while ago I had to endure a commuter journey to London (where all the office workers are generally quiet) and an American with a very loud voice gave his instructions to his colleagues and periodically shouted, 'Go kiss ass.' He sounded very, very important (no doubt in his own mind) but that isn't how we thought of him.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 19, 2009 6:30:15 GMT
It's these contradictions in the Bible that make me smile whenever fundamentalists claim to believe everything that's written in the Book! It's also quite a serious matter - one Christian organisation I know of nearly schismed over just this matter - there was a motion that, "The .... believes absolutely in the Word of the Book" or some such. It's not even an academic organisation, but a fellowship one. I also smile when asked to pray, "In the words our Lord taught us." Surely if He taught us the words we'd all use the same ones (and they wouldn't be in English, either 1662 version or modern). Glen (Firmly on the side of Trespasses) Many of these 'differences' have come about because of different translations - particularly modernized ones. In the church where my wife and I now worship we have a modern language version of the Lord's prayer but I have in my mind the language of the Authorized Version of the Bible. I tend to say, 'give us this day our daily bread' while everyone else says, 'Give us today our daily bread.' There is no difference in the meaning and both are quite obvious. Often 'contradictions' come about because of the emphasis being made or the purpose for which the words were written. An example of this is found in Galatians. In the Authorized (King James Version) verse 2 of chapter 6 says, 'Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ' while in verse 5 of the same chapter Paul writes, 'Every man shall bear his own burden.' When the context is looked at it is obvious that verse 2 is telling Christians to help each other but in verse 5 he is emphasizing the fact that despite that, we are all still responsible for our own actions.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 17, 2009 6:42:50 GMT
Yes Mobbs, life is (to some extent) what you make it. Some while ago when I was worried because we had a water leak in the kitchen and I had a bad result from tests about my prostate and my kidneys. I was lying in bed mulling it all over when suddenly it came to me that I was in reasonably good health for my age and I had a roof over my head and a warm bed - but huge numbers of people in the world do not have the benefit of these luxuries. Never-the-less, I do feel for those of your are really ill and pray that you will be given the grace and strength to cope and also that God will bring healing.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 15, 2009 6:54:53 GMT
I'm s sorry to hear about your friend and trust that the days your friend have left may be fruitful to her and provide good memories for her family and friends. It must be terrible to have to make decisions on what can be done to get the best for your friend and what things can help her loved ones cope with their sorrow and their 'goodbye process.' Photos can be a good thing to have to aid the memory when a loved one has gone.
I get very worried when, otherwise good-meaning people, talk about prayer as if it was a magic procedure that we can go through and get the answers we needed. It isn't like that in Christian experience or teaching. Many very good people suffer all kinds of misfortune and 'rogues' get away 'Scott free.'
Whatever the case, we all send our good wishes and love (and some of us prayer for you and your friend too).
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 11, 2009 6:31:30 GMT
If I'm visiting someone - particularly if they are ill - I always ask, 'Do you mind if I now pray for you?' Of course, if they say 'No' - and I always try to respect their wishes - then I can pray for them when I get home. I always try to make it clear that just because I'm a minister (even a retired one - and now a layperson in the church of England) that my prayers are no more valid than anyone else's.
And Beau, you remind me of a Christian Guest House we went to many years ago. Naturally the owner said Grace before meals - but as he started to serve the food he reminded his guests of 2 Peter 3:3, 'Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers.'
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 9, 2009 6:58:10 GMT
When we are out at a meal like that my wife often whispers to me, 'Say your own.' We do not believe it is right to cause any embarrassment to anyone over our religious beliefs. If the whole table are fellow Christians then someone usually asks, 'Who's going to say grace?' and one of us does (it is not assumed that it would be me - if I was the only minister present). Whoever says grace does so in a quiet voice so as not to cause embarrassment to anyone else, nor to draw attention to ourselves as though we were something special.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 6, 2009 11:10:19 GMT
or is it because they play with matches? Strick-a-light, do they allow children to play with matches round your way?
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 6, 2009 6:49:56 GMT
"They say kids brighten the home - that's because they never turn the lights off."
(Pastor Tim)
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 2, 2009 7:02:36 GMT
Glad you feel better ctghost.
|
|
|
Su Bo
Jun 2, 2009 7:01:21 GMT
Post by revmichael on Jun 2, 2009 7:01:21 GMT
- and make sure you have a good rest. Fame in not more important than health.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on Jun 1, 2009 6:50:27 GMT
Plan for the future because that's where you are going to spend the rest of your life
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on May 26, 2009 9:32:31 GMT
Many happy wotsits, Michael and congratulations on the latest grandson.
I shall try to remember to listen to Radio Berkshire tomorrow morning although it's a shame it was pre-recorded as we could have shared a beverage in the newly re-opened bit of our canteen restaurant. Yes, I enjoyed that cup of coffee and chat. I do enjoy meeting beautiful and charming ladies of the opposite sex. They didn't use the pre-recorded bit in the news as that was done before our local MP resigned, so that took over. But Andrew Peach interviewed me in Bracknell Town Centre about the development and history of Bracknell. One of my little jobs is as Chairman of the Bracknell Forest Society.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on May 26, 2009 9:29:40 GMT
Happy birthday Michael, I may let you win Scrabble today. love Yorkiexxxx Thanks Singing lady. I don't think I have ever come nearer to winning against you than 100 points. We had a great day. Joshua Thomas (9lb 3 1/2 oz) was born the day before and then he came to a 74th birthday celebration for me in a pub (when he was 17 hours old). He had previously been on his first shopping adventure to Sainsbury's. That lad certainly knows how to live. Everything is fine. I had my lovely wife, her dad two of my children, a son-in-law and three grandsons to help me celebrate my birthday. I also had a phone call from one of my New Zealand sons and an email from the other one out that. Also my eldest daughter spoke to me on the phone. Thank you all for your greetings. I'm sorry I didn't have opportunity to reply yesterday.
|
|