General Chat

You know it sometimes occurs to me that during the 6000 plus

years the OT and NT cover the vast majority of people of

whatever nationality couldn't read or write. Things were handed

down by oral tradition. For the most part it was only politicians

and the Priesthood who could read and write. In the last 200 years

people have become literate and numerate. And those with the

time to read, read fiction.

Good morning :-)

David, I did a quick Google and its interesting to find that, despite all the illiteracy, there were a great many ancient writers of all nationalities - Greek, Roman, Chinese - the list goes on. We are often told in the bible of those who wrote down some of the great stories and, of course, we have the history of the Dead Sea Scrolls. One of the most famous ancient writers, apart from Greek philosophers, was a man named Josephus. I found this :

Flavius Josephus (AD 37-c. 100) Jewish Historian (translated by Paul L. Maier, Professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University)

Jesus (Longer Version)
“About this time lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was the achiever of extraordinary deeds and was a teacher of those who accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. When he was indicted by the principal men among us and Pilate condemned him to be crucified, those who had come to love him originally did not cease to do so; for he appeared to them on the third day restored to life, as the prophets of the Deity had foretold these and countless other marvellous things about him. And the tribe of Christians, so named after him, has not disappeared to this day.”
(Antiquities of the Jews, XVIII, 63, from Josephus: The Essential Writings, pg. 265, translated by Paul L. Maier, Kregel Publications, © 1988)


For today:

Sometimes, Monday can be a hard day. Dreaded on Sunday and fled from on a Friday. Yet why Lord, as Monday could be the beginning of a work adventure, the new challenge of a week filled with potential? So, I pray you would help me to embrace this day.
Let it be a new day and a wonder day. Help me to see not the clouds but the sunrise, not the rain but the ripples of falling drops. Show me the joy of the embrace with loved ones, not the tensions and troubles. Monday need not be the grudge day to be endured but the fun day to be embraced.
This day, help me to turn my eyes towards your Kingdom, of love, hope and new beginnings.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

After reading Cynthia's posting for today, I just wanted to wish everyone who pops in to the Christian thread...... A HAPPY MONDAY.

M aybe this day is not
O ne of your favouites, but
N ever forget that every
D ay you wake up is an
A mazing gift, and it's up to
Y ou to make it count.

I hope whatever you all have planned that it's an enjoyable day for everybody.

Good morning :-)



~~~~~~ waves to kandj :-D

Abba Father, we trust You and commit all our works to You today. We surrender even the smallest tasks into Your hands. Help us Holy Spirit, to be attentive to Your still small voice directing our path today.

Let us come boldly before Your great throne and receive the blessings You graciously provide. In Jesus matchless and powerful name we pray, Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Wednesday morning prayer

Lord on this day of the week I recall the strength of the Trinity in my life. Thank you for the strands that hold me safe in the Father, that bring redemption and grace in the Son, and freedom and hope through the Holy Spirit. Thank you for this cord of strength. May I celebrate with the Three that encircle my life! And this day may I give out the love of the Father, the grace of the Son and the freedom of the Holy Spirit in all I do. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning.....on a very special day..... <3


Prayer A for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day

Lord of the nations,
we honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who served.
Grant us similar courage to recognise and restrain evil in our own day,
and may those who lead the nations of the world
work together to defend human liberty,
that we may live peaceably one with another.
This we ask in the name of the Prince of Peace,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.


We will remember them.

Cx :-)

God bless them all, we will remember them.

Good morning :-)

Who could fail to be moved by the coverage of the commemorations of D-Day yesterday? So many poignant stories of heroism, horrendous scenes of battle and humbling pictures of soldiers both past and present. Pass the tissues...…. <3

For today:

Dear Lord,

May Friday be a thoughtful day
When Your Spirit leads my prayer.
I trust each trouble small and wide,
With faith into Your care.
Let Friday always prompt my heart
To stand upon the truth.
Darkness has been overcome
The Earth belongs to You.


Cx :-)

It taught us all a lesson to hear HM The Queen, PM Teresa May

and French President Macron all say THANK YOU to those veterans.

It is interesting to note Angela Merkel has been Chancellor of Germany

longer than Adolph Hitler was,

Good morning :-)

Thanks David, I thought it was also interesting to see Her Majesty rise to her feet to applaud these brave men.

He Is!
When you are the neediest, He is the most sufficient.
When you are completely helpless, He is there to help.
When you feel totally dependent, He is absolutely dependable.
When you are the weakest, He gives you strength.
When you are the most alone, He is always there for you.
When you feel you are the least, He raises you.
When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you.
When it is darkest, He is the only Light you need.
When you feel the least secure, He is your Rock and Fortress.
When you feel humble, He is most gracious.
When you say that you cannot, remember that He can.
He is everything you need.

Cx :-)

King George VI had wanted to be on the Normandy beaches with his PM

Winston Churchill but was talked out of it by Churchill

Good morning :-)


Another interesting fact David. Thank you.

Today is the annual Walk of Witness in our little community - several churches will join together to walk in solidarity - hope the weather holds off... :-D


For today:

The Collect (special prayer)


Almighty and everlasting God,
you have given us your servants grace,
by the confession of a true faith,
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity
and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity:
keep us steadfast in this faith,
that we may evermore be defended from all adversities;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Almighty
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

In the gospel reading for today, Jesus prepares us for the coming of the Holy Spirit.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Pleased to say that the Walk of Witness went really well - several hundred people turned out to walk and hundreds were watching. The weather was glorious :-D

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit - this hymn sort of says it all...…..

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday – the day the Holy Spirit came into the world.
This hymn says it all really……

Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me,
Mold me, fill me,
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.

Cx :-)

Good morning Cynthia and all

I am glad your Walk of Witness went well. I have been googling to see whether these Walks take place in Suffolk as I have never seen them mentioned. There are several, though not in my area, and they all seem to have been on Good Friday this year.

Cynthia’s post today took me back to my schooldays. Our school hymn was Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost which was sung in assembly on the first and last day of term.

Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost
Taught by Thee, we covet most
Of thy gifts at Pentecost
Holy, heavenly love.

Good morning :-)


Hi Vera. Whit Walks are very much a northern occurrence I think and were once very commonplace. Unfortunately, police restrictions have put pay to many but, I think if you can produce enough 'marshals' for traffic restrictions, you are more likely to get the okay. As for the hymn, you have now got me singing......ear plugs may be worn!

For today:

Spirit of wisdom, help us to understand the mystery of your love.
Spirit of right judgment and courage, help us to follow in your steps.
Spirit of knowledge, help us to learn more of you through the scriptures and then to share the good news.
Spirit of reverence, help us to worship you in adoration.
Spirit of justice and mercy, help us to respect others and to respect life.
Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope and love into new action each day. Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence which penetrates all creation. Amen.



Cx :-)

Through the centuries as new lands were found (not that they had ever been lost)

The "finder" would plant his King's flag claiming the nation for him.

But how can you convert all the population of this new land to Christianity ?

more correctly to Catholicism ? Had they any choice ?

Good morning :-)

I don't have the answer to that David, but I love the (not that they had ever been lost) bit! :-D

Maybe the majority of the population were converted? Maybe the ruler imposed it on his people? Maybe someone, somewhere, has the answer?

Last night, a friend popped in.....



You have blessed us, O God,
with the gift of friendship,
the bonding of persons
in a circle of love.
We thank you for such a blessing:
for friends who love us,
who share our sorrows,
who laugh with us in celebration,
who bear our pain,
who need us as we need them,
who weep as we weep,
who hold us when words fail,
and who give us the freedom
to be ourselves.
Bless our friends with health,
wholeness, life, and love.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia. Without any disrespect intended to any of the Churches,

I've already done enough to answer for , I find it remarkable that long after the event

a Council of Bishops can meet discard that and insert that, the result ? Our Bible.

Since then there have been many revisions and translations to get to what we

swear to tell the truth on in a court of law.

And in the 50's a denomination come up with a New World Translation :-S

Aren't they merely modifying the original ?

David, though I am not a fan of changing the accepted prose of the bible ( modernising any manuscript, religious or secular, can lose the poetry of the original imho) but I would guess that changes have sometimes been made because scholars have paid greater attention to the likely interpretation ( relevant to the times) of the original language in which the earliest texts were written?

I do wish myself I was able to read the 'original'.

Good morning :-)


Hello to you both :-D I know what Rose means as the prose can flow quite beautifully at times but, people being people - and the church is no different - they want to 'update' constantly. There is this thing about making the church 'relevant' to younger people, to put the bible into 'everyday' language. Whilst I can understand that to a point, it is interesting to discover that the more traditional language services are becoming popular. Maybe something to do with wanting stability in a crazy old world?

There are various committees whose life work is scouring the scriptures and the various translations and generally tinkering about with things. It gets wearisome when yet another bright spark wants to 'Transform' us. :-D

As for versions of the bible - well, the list is endless...you only have to google 'Bible translations' to see what I mean. There are sites where you can compare chapters and versions and how they are published.

Did you know that the bible has been translated into Klingon, Scouse, Emoji, Rap and various other wacky things? :-D I kid you not. I always advise that people take care when thinking about buying a bible.

ps. The JWs have tinkered with scripture to their own ends.


Am exhausted now! :-D


For today:
Dear God,

You have given me such wonderful blessings. I am rich in so many ways and aware of your love for me. I am so grateful for such lovely friends and family, for their warmth and their love and support. I am blessed by the beauty of your creation that I enjoy each day. And I am so thankful for the grace you have poured into my life, for your truth that guides me, your hope that leads my heart and your love that dwells in my spirit.

I am surely rich
And so thankful.

Amen.

Cx :-)