General Chat

BananaNaNa. Bit late for me, but will have another look tomorrow.

My first thoughts are that Goliath was slain by a stone (Verse 50). But the Philstines, a distance away would not have believed he was dead. They would have hoped he was just stunned.

So, to emphasise his death, David took Goliath's sword and decapitated him. And stood on him. Those who watched from afar would have no doubt their champion was dead

All through the Bible, each truth is proved over and over - so that it is beyond any reasonable human doubt.

Yes, looking at what I wrote late last night seems right this morning too (note - I am a morning person and brain is like scrambled egg after dark :-))

Goliath represented the enemy of God (or good). He was the champion not only of the Philistines, but of the "prince of this world", none other that Satan. Had he not been so severely defeated by David (the direct ancestor of Joseph, father of Jesus), David's colleagues would have been attacked and possibly routed.

But the absolute shock of the total defeat of Goliath sent the Philistines into total disarray and removed the great threat to the people of God.

To say something twice is often thought a fault. In scripture, it is very often done on purpose. And it always emphasises something important. If it is worth saying once, it is worth saying twice. "Verily" is usually followed by Jesus with another "verily" for example - if he was saying something particularly important.

Good morning everyone....... :-)



An interesting question to begin the day - thank you BananaNaNa. The question of 'what actually killed Goliath - stone or sword?' has been around for a very long time and, like many bible stories, has been discussed and dissected countless times. The end result always seems to be the same - the triumph of good over evil.


A short prayer for today:


Hold my Hand in Weakness

Lord God, you are my strength. Hold my hand in my weakness and teach my heart to fly. With you, there's nothing to fear, nothing to worry about. Hold me tight in your embrace, so that I can be stronger than the challenges in my life. Amen.


Wishing you all a peaceful day.... Cx :-)

Good morning everyone - if anyone is around...... :-S :-D

We have a family funeral today. Our son's father-in-law was, sadly, found dead in bed ten days ago so naturally, we are going to support them as much as we can.


A thought for today:

Complainingly I told myself,
“This cross was too heavy to wear!”
And I wondered discontentedly
Why God gave it to me to bear.

I looked with envy at others
Whose crosses seemed lighter than mine,
And wished that I could change my cross
For one of a lighter design.

Then in a dream I beheld the cross
I impulsively wanted to wear ...
It was fashioned of pearls and diamonds,
And gems that are precious and rare.

And when I hung it around my neck,
The weight of the jewels and the gold
Was much too heavy and cumbersome
For my small, slender neck to hold.

So I tossed it aside, and before my eyes
Was a cross of rose-red flowers;
And I said with delight as I put it on,
"This cross I can wear for hours."

For it was so dainty and fragile,
So lovely and light and thin;
But I had forgotten about the thorns
That started to pierce my skin.

Then in a dream I saw my cross ...
Rugged and old and plain;
The clumsy old cross I had looked upon
With discontent and disdain.

And at last I knew that God had made
This special cross for me;
For God in His great wisdom
Knew what I before could not see ...

That often the loveliest Cross
Are the heaviest crosses to bear;
For only God is wise enough
To choose the cross each can wear.

So never complain about your cross,
For your cross has been blessed;
God made it just for you to wear
And remember ... God knows best.

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~


Hope everyone has a peaceful day. Cx :-)

Unusual to have to go so far back to find Christian thread. But no response to lovely post by Cynthia yesterday and BananaNana not responded to answers to her question about David and Goliath :-S Hope our answers were what she expected.

Anyway, my thought for the day is a seasonal verse by Christina Rossetti. I know almost nothing about the pre-Raphaelite brotherhood, but am working my was through a biography of one of their members who kept a detailed diary. This poet was a friend of Ruskin and brothers Dante and William Rosetti, Morris, Burne Jones etc etc ad infinitum.

Dante had just got married (1861)and then almost as suddenly lost his young wife and moved to Chelsea. But it is the ladies attached to the pre-Raphealites that are catching my eye - Mary Severn and Dante's sister Christina (1830-1894). Here is one beautiful and seasonal verse Christina penned:

"What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man
I would do my part;
Yet what can I give him -
Give my heart."

Christina comes across in these diaries I am reading as the loveliest of women. She is still only 33 (got as far as 1864) and looks much younger. But she already has that most contrite and beautiful of possessions - a deep love for her Maker :-) :-)

Edit. Posted at about same time, Cynthia. Thankyou for verse this morning. Hope funeral goes well.

ps. Last night (after midnight) I was thinking of death of Stan Stennet (88). And my thoughts turned to his friend Wyn Calvin in Cardiff (have met them both recently). So I dropped a message to Wyn (who is now 87 himself) and went to bed. This morning I opened my post and there was a lovely message from Wyn, thanking me for my thoughts. Sent 20 minutes after my email!!!!

Thanks Cynthia for the HSR words, so kind of you to post each day. Much appreciated
I hope all goes as well as it can be at your family funeral today. Sending prayerful support to you all right now on so sad a day.

John, your posting made for interesting reading..... how do you find the time to read and absorb such deep literature? Thanks for sharing.

As always HSR words touched me, so meaningful,
thank you Cynthia :-)..my thoughts are with you all
at this sad time.

John you amaze me at times with your need to find out
about certain things and the literature you read :-)..a dog
with a bone comes to mind..I'm a bit like that myself at times :-D :-)

Emma :-)

Emma and kandj :-) :-)

I wish it were true (absorption of literature) :-) I must admit I do like to go into depth on certain Bible passages, particularly if I am preaching on said passage. Though I do lean very heavily on commentators, hoping I have understood passage at least partially. My two favourite commentators are both from 18th century - Matthew Henry and John Gill. One an Anglican, the other a Baptist. They explain every verse thoroughly, compare with other verses, and explain things in very simple (if old-fashioned) language. Henry and Gill must claim any credit for any slight success I have 3 centuries later, I fear. All they get from me that is unique is up-to-date examples from managing supermarkets in London and elsewhere and reading newspapers and talking to people.

I have not read a book (apart from being, like John Wesley, a man of "only one Book") for over 10 years. And it is hard work. But I want to write something next summer, and these 3 books are part of my necessary research. So you are likely to get more boring snippets from these pre-Raphaelite diaries in next couple of weeks.

At end of 1866, my diarist met a man called Hepworth Dixon - who had just visited Longfellow and Brigham Young in America. Dixon tells my diarist poet that he advised Brigham Young "to migrate with his followers en masse to the Holy Land, if they be again disturbed." No idea why the Mormons were "disturbed" in 1866, but someone might know.

Getting dark at 3.30 here (very gloomy day). At least it means in only 4 weeks time the nights will quickly start to shorten
:-) :-)

Ooooo I do like that one by HSR, Cynthia.

Good and quick answer to the question of David, John.

Some of us read but sometimes get caught up in the trivia of the day and so don't post.

Good morning everyone :-)


Thankfully, everything went off well yesterday at the funeral. Our granddaughter read a poem and she did it beautifully, with both expression and meaning. It took me back to when she was learning to read - how time flies!


Some words for many of us today:


Slow me down Lord

Slow me down,Lord!
Ease the pounding of my heart
By the quieting of my mind.
Steady my harried pace
With a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, admidst the confusions of my day,
The calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tensions of my nerves
With the soothing music of the sighing streams
That live in my memory.
Help me to know
The magical restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art
Of taking minute vacations of slowing down to look at a flower;
To chat with an old friend or to make a new one;
To pat a stray dog,
To watch a spider build a web;
To smile at a child;
Or to read a few lines from a good book.

Remind me each day
That the race is not always to the swift;
That there is more to life than increasing its speed.
Let me look upward
Into the branches of the towering oak
And know that it grew slowly and well.

Slow me down, Lord,
And inspire me to send my roots deep
Into the soil of life’s enduring values
That I may grow toward the stars
Of my great destiny.

Wilfred A. Peterson



Cx :-)

Oh dear Cynthia. I presented this poem for our church monthly magazine. At the time I was feeling far from well and struggling to work and do the million and one jobs at home at the time (November 2001) The words "spoke to me" and I felt the need to share them with our church family. I used the words prayerfully too but I was unprepared to have a heart attack and needed triple bypass operation in Jan 2002.

On the Coronary Care Unit I felt God had heard my words and acted accordingly but not what I had expected or wanted! Be careful what you wish for,it just might come true.

Good morning all........... :-)


Oh my goodness kandj! I am certainly glad you made a full recovery - what a shock that must have been to you and your family. I am guilty of overdoing things at times but, I do try to pace myself. I will heed your warning - thank you. :-)


A lighter thought for today :

When ...?

When did you change the flowers, God,
And put more blossoms near my front door?
When did the weeds become flower-like, too,
And the pansies start smiling galore?

When did the clouds become fluffier
And the sky become bluer, too?
When did the stars become brighter at night,
And fresher ... the new morning dew?

When did street noises become music-like,
And night owls become Gabriel s horn?
When did the birds first sound like a choir?
And sing Hallelujah each morn?

When did my house turn into a home,
And my children's laughter ... a bell?
When did fresh air become sweetly perfumed,
And the daisies first start to tell?

When did my neighbors all start to smile,
And say, "Hi there! How are you?"
When did the mailman start petting my dog,
And my dog start liking him, too?

When did I see how handsome the man,
Who lived in the house next door?
Or how beautiful ... his lovely wife,
That I had not noticed before?

When did the old folk, who lived down the block,
Start smiling and waving to me?
When did the children from ‘cross the street,
First bring me their treasures to see?

When did heaven move into my grasp,
And my whole earthly world change, too?
I know! I know! Dear Lord ...
That's when ... I first met You!

~ Virginia Ellis ~


Enjoy your day my friends..... Cx :-)

kandj

What a coincidence. I have never read these lovely words that Cynthia gives us each morning before - so all fresh and new to me.

I got a shock the same time as you (2001). I was in a car accident on a remote country road late at night and car finished upside down in a ditch. I was fine, but I was trapped and I could smell the car burning. And I was so afraid of dying that way.

That really shook me - not the accident bu the fact that I was really scared of death. Not something for a Christian to admit to.

Fortunately, I came quite close to death again in 2003. And this time I was ready and happy, even though a long lists of jobs still to do (and only 57). I am quite well these days, but ever conscious our lives are suspended by a thin and rotting string.

When that string finally breaks, Christians fly back to the ark. We fly to the arms of Jesus. We are best prepared for church worship 24/7 at the feet of the lamb, which is what we are promised. Would that be "heaven" for an unbeliever? Not so sure it would appeal any more to them in the next world than it does in the very transitory "here and now".

I hope you are also well these days, and as thankful for your second chance as me. :-) :-)

There is nothing like serious illness or major surgery to bring us face to face with our living God..... imho.
God is good and after the initial shock and fear I was blessed to have the peace that comes only from Him.

Father's Word

Give me your hand
For pitfalls lie ahead,
Hold tight your grasp
To face the foes you dread.

Each step is new
Uncharted in your mind,
If I can guide
Then let me be your friend.

I travel too
Though slower in my pace,
For I have learned
Speed does not win the race.

Tread where I tread
If you see aught in me,
Let my example then
Your watchword be.

Beware of lies
That tell you black is white,
And be strong willed
When you know wrong from right.

Look for the weak,
So many need your hand,
This journey's not just yours
To seek the promised land.

It'll go so far
Then you are on your own,
Learn while you can
My journey soon is done.

Beware of fools
Who stop you on your way,
They are but sheep
And aimlessly they stray.

Your road is long,
It may be lonely too,
So mark my step
And may God walk with you. written by Terry Funnell.

Many thanks for those lovely words, kandj.

Our thoughts and prayers are needed this morning for the people in Glasgow. Last night, a police helicopter crashed down on a crowded pub apparently - not seen news yet this morning but saw it on another thread.

So may the Lord comfort and bless all those affected by this terrible accident.

Good morning - lovely words from both kandj and John. Our prayers and thoughts are, indeed with those poor people in Glasgow.


I thought a prayer for Saint Andrew's Day would be apt today:


A Prayer for St Andrew’s Day

God, our loving Father,
St Andrew introduced Peter,
the Greek visitors,
& the little boy with loaves & fishes,
to your Son, Jesus Christ.
May we be like him
in sharing friendship and hospitality,
and in faithfulness to Jesus
and his Kingdom of justice,
love & peace.
May our country be a community
in which everyone matters,
everyone has an honoured place,
and the dignity of each is assured
by our faith in you as Father of us all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.



Cx :-)

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone effected by the helicopter crash in Glasgow and all the services who are working so hard to deal with such a tragedy.

breaking news!!!!!


A female priest has been elected as the new bishop for the Anglican diocese of New Westminster that serves the Vancouver area and the Sunshine Coast.

Rev. Melissa Skelton from Seattle, Washington, US, was elected Saturday on the third ballot, with four nominees remaining.

She replaces the diocese's eighth bishop, Michael Ingham, who retired in August after 20 years at the helm.

Skelton is the first female bishop to head the diocese and will be ordained in March.


I never really expected that they would go for a female Bishop ................ and if they had, I was tipping another one of the 4 women in the running!


It will be interesting to hear what is said at OH's church later this morning

Good morning everyone...... :-)


My word Sylvia....Bishop Melissa is going to have quite a job on her hands - not only because she is a woman, but because she is following someone who has been in office for so long!

Mind you, it's going to sound a bit 'odd' to many ears......."We welcome Bishop Melissa to our church this morning".........I imagine she will sign her self + Melissa New Westminster - in the usual format of a bishop's signature??? :-)

Today we have our annual Confirmation Day. There are 3 adults and 20+ children to be confirmed. I think there are also several children from neighbouring churches joining us. It will be extremely busy and, as we have no diocesan bishop at the moment and the suffragan is already booked elsewhere, the confirmation is being done by a retired bishop. These retired folk come in very useful!!


A prayer for today:


A PRAYER FOR LOVE

Teach me to love, Lord, as You love,
Make it unconditional, honest, and kind,
To ask nothing back in return, Lord,
To encompass the whole of mankind.

May I offer my love without speaking,
May it radiate as it shines forth from me,
May it be seen in my face and my eyes, Lord,
May it be simple, sincere, and shame free.

Show me how to forgive, Lord, as You do,
To not burden another with guilt,
To not play the role of the martyr,
To be a rock on which trust may be built.

Make my love for others be greater by far
Than any love that is offered to me,
Led by the Spirit, Inspired of God,
As forgiving as Jesus...and free.


by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis


I'll let you know how it all goes......if I manage to get into church that is! :-)

OH said the news was received with pleasure at the church this morning.

The church representative to Synod reported back on how the day went.


Cyn ................. I'm not sure how she will sign herself

We do have other women Bishops in Canada, as well as in other parts of the world, so I suppose she will follow their example



But the best news of all was that 2 members of the Church committee had been to a meeting with the Dean, and Andrew, their Minister has been confirmed as permanent, instead of temporary ..................... much to the delight of the congregation.