General Chat

John why do you keep refering to people as """christians"""?

why not just say,,,,


*****funny but we just never seem to ask that sort of question of people,******

Kay. This is my view, and my view only. If I go to a yoga class, or an evening school French class, we all want to know everything about the other people in our class. How many children, what school etc etc.

I found out that one of my closest Christian friends had had a thyroid problem for all the 6 years I have known him. We talk non-stop. Yet I had no idea. And I thought about the others I am close to, and realised I have no real idea about their private lives either. It just never seems that important. We are just so comfortable in each others company, yet our past lives are not of that much interest. :-D

For a discussion on hymns etc etc, try http://www.christianforums.com/f202/

:-\

I know what John meant Kay.


Apart from not prying into people's past lives, we sometimes tend to go along thinking that those who profess to be Christians have always been Christians but it isn't always necessarily so and it can be an eye-opener at times.


Some of the most interesting Christians I have known have led lives quite contrary to that of a Christian prior to finding faith.


:-D

No thanks Mr Daff.


I like hymns but don't particularly want to chat incessantly on them. ;-)

Has anyone heard a 'good old fashioned honest-to-goodness sermon' in their local church recently?

Depends what you mean by 'good old fashioned honest-to-goodness' sermon Dermot.


We have sermons from the clergy and the lay readers and from the lay readers in training.

They each have their own style.

The vicar is a very down to earth humorous type so we get that sort from him.

The elderly woman lay reader is a bit 'high brow' for some.

The male lay reader is also down to earth with a touch of evangelism

The lady in training I have only heard once but she was good and the content was relevant.

Haven't heard the male in training preach yet.


They don't pick any old subject though. Within the C. of E. there are 'set' bible readings for each Sunday in the year and the sermons are supposed to reflect the message of one of those readings.


If you were meaning 'hellfire and damnation' - nope - that went out many moons ago unless, of course, there are some pentecostalist who still preach like that.


:-D

Cynthia. Very similar to my church. Like the variety myself, though absolutely love a really good sermon.

Dermot. I am assuming you mean a sermon that picks a verse or a short passage and really digs into it enthusiastically. With lots of approving murmurs at appropriate places from the congregation. Many of the Strict Baptist preachers still preach like that and can be absolutely excellent. Every Christmas morning I would attend Holywell Free Evangelical Church in N Wales. Rev John Thackway. 1030 start, sermon an hour long. Come out at 12.30. Feeling very refreshed.

Church almost full, and small children sat all the way through. Not a cough. Rapt attention. Thackway is a wonderful preacher.

Actually, Nicky Gumbell in London is like that - a bit more trendy and certainly not a Strict Baptist background like Rev John Thackway.

And Wappenham Free Evangelical Church near Brackley in Northants provides excellent preaching. :-)

I have been thinking of threads that have been started in opposition to this one.

They have had OP's reported and a very good poster has been "sent off", it appears.

I so hope noone who holds a Christian position was responsible for any of that. We do get teased and taunted in a way that Muslims would never be teased. The satire about stan and the Christmas story would have amused many, but doubt it amused us much.

I think it is better to let a satirical thread run freely and leave it alone. Some on that thread will soon realise they are in a cul-de-sac and will be asking questions about their future :-D

Dermot - our Rector always does a terrific sermon - topical and witty

Had the Christingle services for village schools, always noisy, a full church with lots of excitement from the little ones. Needed to concentrate fully on the candle flames but as in other years thankfully no injuries just a happy annual event....Its getting nearer.......!!

Six sleeps left, kandj :-D :-D

I can never remember all the symbolism attached to those oranges. It is a magical service, isn't it. Even though we have to be close to the fire extinguisher :-)

As you mentioned Yoga:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9753905/Christian-parents-group-to-sue-school-over-yoga-classes.html

How stupid is that?

Sue. I'll be interested what others think about yoga. I can remember a friend telling me that it is excellent for exercise, suppleness and weight loss. But he was concermed that it led to religious meditation at higher levels.

But I would agree with you that it is stupid for Christian parents to oppose yoga classes. What good will that do? And to sue the school!!!!!!!

Carols by candlight on Sunday in church with hymn singing to the village brass band........ can't wait.
I just love the traditional brass band accompianment, we all can sing our hearts out very loudly. Another packed church event with mince pies to follow. Love the tradition and the magical togetherness of Christmas.

Daughter (whilst pregnant) took classes and many friends my age do to.

Naff all to do with religion just a way to keep muscles stretched and toned.

If you google yoga, it is a central part of several eastern religions.

I agree that what we know as yoga in the west is nothing much to do with religion. Just a very good way to keep body and mind fit.

Just had a look at the American link DS.

Bit of an OTT reaction when all they are doing is exercising!! :-S

The 'suing for the least thing' culture is everywhere isn't it?



Kandj, I haven't been to a Christingle for yonks but remember they were lovely services. Have a feeling that at some time, Health and Safety were brought in because of the candles and that put a lot of churches off holding the service. :-S

Probably it was the same daft boffins who said kids have to wear goggles whilst playing conkers.......I ask you......sheeeeeesh.


I know of a couple of churches who were worried about getting wax on the carpets - but that's easily dealt with isn't it?


John, from what I can remember, the orange is the world; the red ribbon signifies Christ's blood shed for us; the four sticks indicate North, South East and West and the sweets (it used to be nuts and raisins) represent the fruit of the earth - something like that anyway.


I'm sure, if you google, you will find the Christingle hymn where each verse is dedicated to certain parts of the orange.


It's our carol service on Sunday night and the place will be heaving. The church looks good with lots of Christmas trees and decorations. Down the centre aisle, we have tinsel decorated old fashioned lamp poles with lamps swinging on them. Very Victorian and traditional looking.


We also have a prayer Christmas tree, where folk can write a prayer or ask for prayer on a provided label and hang it on one of the branches.


There are candles flickering away on the altar and we also have votive candles which people can light in remembrance of a loved one - or to offer up a prayer if they so wish. It's very popular and you often see someone standing quietly with their head bowed after they have lit a candle.


A local RC church has a nativity crib which is placed outside church and is lit up. It's a beautiful sight. Makes note to self......must drive past in the dark!


Hey ho, yes the big day is nearly here and my son (to whom we are going for lunch) and who has announced on FB that his wife and the children have 'flu. Good timing sunshine!! :-(


Whatever. :-D

John I have practised Yoga for nearly thirty years The primary goal of shamanism was to heal members of the community and act as religious mediators, Yoga originally focused on applying and understanding the world. Its focus later changed to the self. Self-enlightenment became the ultimate goal.

It was not until the sixth century B.C. that the poses and meditation became a critical element. They were implimented by Buddhist teachings.

Modern Yoga
Modern yoga is based on five basic principles that were created by Swami Sivananda.

Proper relaxation
Proper exercise
Proper breathing
Proper diet
Positive thinking and meditation

For me Yoga is all about the benefits to body, mind and spirit, and it works for me. :-D

Paula+ I think it is great to take the best of these different religions. I used to go to George Harrisons Hare Krishna place in Letchmore Heath and used to join in a little with their diet and their meditation. And it was very spiritual. They were always happy to share with me.

Do you remember my thread about the Three Wise Men - the magi (numbering between 2 and infinity, not necessarily 3 men as tradition dictates) who may have been of the Zorastrian faith. If you look at the New Testament closely, you will see signs of different Old Testament faiths (not only Judaism) coming together in the virgin birth of the Messiah, of the house of David, in Bethlehem-Ephrata. Not only the Messiah of the Jews, but also the Gentiles (which I take to mean east as well as west). :-D

Cynthia. Many thanks for orange explanation. Yes, I remember now. We seem to have raisins and marshmallows. I hate to say this, but you need to attend a big C of E or Roman Catholic place to get the full effect. My daughter in Ely Cathedral back in 80's was one of those events that will stick in my mind for ever and beyond. What we call a foretaste - or starter before main course :-D ;-)