General Chat

I believe the following

The scriptures were written by Christians in a Roman world and to try to become accepted blamed the Jews rather than the Romans for Jesus's death. Just look what happened at the deaths of Paul and Peter, purely Roman decisions.

Having read about Pilate I believe he was a strong, cruel ruler who would have made his own mind up and not pampered to the Jews, although in some aspects he worked with the high priests.

Jesus was seen as a threat to the Roman rule as well as the Jews. In Roman texts Jesus is accused of sedition so therefore punishment would be execution.

Judea was alive with people preaching and starting up groups to overthrow Roman rule. Many were put to death by the Romans, as far as Rome was concerned Jesus was just another troublesome Jew to be got rid of.

There were factions trying to overthrow Roman rule in many areas of the then Roman world - Romans were overstretched and they didn't like there being any leaders or factions and were ruthless at putting down insurrections. Jesus and later on,his Christian followers, were perceived to come into this category.

Hello all

Just read back and am I the only one who remembers singing the beautiful old hymn
I Will Sing the Wondrous Story??? I looked on youtube and it's there sung to the Hyfrydol tune that I remember so well from many years ago. I'll be singing it all day!!

Bright but with a chilly Autumnal breeze this morning. Weeding in garden is calling me.

Happy Tuesday blessings to everyone looking in today.

I find myself also overwhelmed by all the topics Cynthia.

Thank you for the prayers and the beautiful hymns which
bring back memories for me also x

I am so pleased that things are improving for you and
you're family Vera x

My thoughts and prayers for those who are lonely and in need
of comfort and support.

Pat, something that's always puzzled me is it is extremely unlikely that the
Disciples wrote it all down as it was happening. So, they wrote it down later from memory. Jesus never wrote anything. All his quotes in the Gospels are in red ink.
These are drawn from memory by his followers.These scriptures were hid then relocated, some times edited. So what we read and try and understand 2000 years
later is a translation of a version. The responsibility of the translators has been immense.Our perception of of what we read is equally a huge responsibility.
I read last year that The Pope was intending to rephrase The Lords Prayer.
If they can alter that, what can't they do.?

The disciples did not write it down, but nor did I write down what someone said to me 50 years ago, but I still have a very exact memory. If something is important, and one assumes nothing was more important than the words of Jesus, then one would remember and retell them as accurately as possible? ( that's leaving aside any divine intervention).

How we translate and interpret is another matter though. As we all know on here what is said can often be misinterpreted or 'not read properly'.

quote "The translation task is not simple. To find the exact meaning in modern English of those ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek terms, phrases, and sentences is very challenging. Sometimes the original words have no exact counterpart in English, so several English words may be required to reproduce the precise meaning."

Scholars proficient in the ancient languages can but do their best, how the rest of us read it is down to our own interpretation. :-)

Personally I try not to pigeonhole God based on what may be a frail human's reading of the 'intent' behind the words ( that of course means I have my own interpretation, which may well not be the orthodox one lol) .

Good morning :-)

Just wondering if I should come in and then go out again?? :-S :-S :-D

Where to start...… ? How lovely to hear that all is well with you and yours Vera - the sun will shine brighter today <3

It seems as though you are on your own for remembering that hymn Kandj, but it was worthwhile :-D

Not all versions have the words of Jesus printed in red David - those that are, are called Red Letter Editions, I think we have one somewhere.

Thank you for all your contributions friends...…..can't wait to see what tomorrow brings on here! :-D


I have come across some hermits, whose way of life is spent mainly in silence. I would like to share some of their thoughts over the next few days but, firstly, what is a hermit?

Wiki tell us……
A hermit, or eremite, is a person who lives in seclusion from society, usually for religious reasons. Hermits are a part of several sections of Christianity, and the concept is found in other religions as well.

The Roundhouse Hermitage

‘We are Franciscan hermits living a life of prayer, simplicity and silence. Our hermitage is on the edge of Bodmin Moor close to the River Camel. Our way of life is, for the most part, 'hidden' but we are not in hiding and welcome all visitors.’

For today: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.- St. Matthew 6:6

God’s first language is silence – Thomas Keating.

http://roundhousehermitage.co.uk/


Cx :-)

The Council of Nicea (sp) was summoned so that Bishops

could get in harmony concerning Christianity, wasn't easy then,

isn't always easy 1700 years later.

Hello all

Interesting reading about the Hermits way of Life.

Many years ago I used to regularly visit Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire. It's an amazing spiritual/tranquil home to Cistercian Monks set in several acres of beautiful land and it also had a Hermit who lived separately by himself in the woods. I have seen this man who welcomed a chat and clearly valued his quiet prayer time with God, I'd forgotten all about this, until Cynthia has jogged my memory with today's post.

David, I have a bible with Jesus words highlighted in red but didn't know that they were call Red Letter Editions, so I have learned something new today and will go and check to see if this is mentioned in my bible copy.

Emma, I keep thinking about your Gt Grandniece Connie and hope that she is keeping well after such a traumatic first few weeks. An upsetting time for you all.

Vera, that's very good news about your husband and brother. Hope it continues.

Sunny smiles to share today with all who need one. Take it gladly and pass it on.

kandj, Connie is doing well thank you although still getting
various tests every so often but not as much as she used to.
She is my great granddaughter by the way lol x

Hoping you are well in yourself and thank you for the smile. :-)

Cynthia your quote from Thomas Keating ( the name of my gt uncle by the way) reminds me of this last line, which seemed to stick from many years ago. ( "Dear Lord and Father of mankind")

"Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.
O still small voice of calm "

Good morning... :-)

Lovely to hear that baby Connie is doing so well now.....sending love to her and her family <3

Not enough still, small voices of calm these days Rambling :-D

I find the lives of religious communities quite fascinating at times, and this Hermitage caught my imagination. Here is today's thought.....


PONDER:
The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do.
(Galileo Galilei)

When we think of ourselves unworthy of God's warmth, care and attention, consider Galileo’s word.


Cx :-)

Has the thread an opinion of Scripture outside of the OT & NT ?

There is a Book of Enoch, Mary's Gospel and others

No idea David, though there was a very interesting programme on one Easter about the Gnostic gospel.

But I always thought how wonderful it would be to go to Israel as an archaeologist and maybe discover something :-) I watch some of the programmes on the subject when I catch them on odd channels.

The Great Pyramid at Giza was 2000 years old at the time of Moses. Today it still

looks very impressive , but its deign was remarkable. If when you have the time

you watch the attached video, it has been found to be genius in its design and

contained within this design are mathematics we have only become aware of in

relatively recent times. The second half of the video is worth your time to watch.

The Revalation if the Pyramids. Worth a watch for the ongoing genius
through mathematics.
The Revalation if the Pyramids. Worth a watch for the ongoing genius
through mathematica.

https://youtu.be/2fS9ixfQ_no

Good morning.... :-)


We have tended to stay within the guidelines of the OT and NT David, but acknowledge the other books which were not included in the final version. The pyramids are an amazing work of art.


From The Hermitage

MORNING MEDITATION:
I arise and face the sunrise, with the wind upon my face;
Know God’s breath divine within me, grounded in this sacred
place.
I arise with the cloak of healing, tempered by my time of rest;
Called to journey with the Spirit, on this sacred, healing quest.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Oooh…..it's quiet round here this morning.... hope everyone is okay. <3


From The Hermitage

MORNING PRAYER:
Lord, as I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks,
Gift me with simple joy.
When my day goes well, may I rejoice.
When it grows difficult, surprise me with
New possibilities.
When life is overwhelming, call me to
Sabbath moments
To restore your Peace and Harmony.



Cx :-)

Good morning Cynthia and other :-D <3

It is said Moses was raised and educated by the Egyptians

therefore he wrote much of the early part of the OT

Thank you for the morning prayer Cynthia.

Have just watched Inside the Vatican which my husband
recorded for me on BBC2 Friday 9pm.
Although I am not a catholic I enjoyed this programme, for
anyone who may be interested it is on again next week.

My prayers for those in hospital and the staff who look after them.

Hello all

Another interesting theme based on the Hermitage this week, Cynthia. Thank you.

David, I personally much prefer the NT readings as I can't always keep up or remember who "begat" whom in the OT.

Emma, apologies. I hope that your Gt Granddaughter Connie keeps doing well.
I have recorded Inside the Vatican and have yet to watch it. There is a second and final part next Friday evening too.

May God's blessings rest upon us all today.

May His peace be with us and His joy fill all our hearts.

Amen.

Good morning :-)

I think there are conflicting thoughts about how much Moses actually wrote David....depends where you get your info from I guess. :-D


I'm glad the small postings from The Hermitage went down well - I may use some n the future - now and again :-D


Today is Harvest Festival at our church and the weather is awful - it's pouring with rain and really grey. Never mind, the loyal, faithful and committed folk will turn up.

TODAY IS HARVEST FESTIVAL…..we thank God for all His goodness to us (including the rain!)

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Eternal God,
you crown the year with your goodness
and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season:
grant that we may use them to your glory,
for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel reading is from Luke – Jesus sends out the 72.

Cx :-)