By which I mean it is now Sunday...oops late again
To comment on the week
Last Sunday we had the rehearsal for the Cd...it really was fun although I think most of us were a little horse at the end, in that the voices were sore not that we had grown four legs and pulling carts. It really was good fun, even if we did have to re-record two hymns at the end. All we need do now is set the Saturday for the full recording. Orders are starting to come in :)
Had my mums Birthday bash on Tuesday night. That was good, our Geoff and his wife were home from the US of A, must do something about going to visit if we can, but lots of issues in the way of that. However we were all sitting in a pub, 11 of us all in all, only missing two people really, but believe they would have enjoyed the night.
Next morning uuugh...was I glad that I had taken the day off work..3 orange juices and 1 glass of larger...killed me, it was 7.30pm before I felt almost human.
Work is still there so looks like I will still be in a job over the Christmas period and into next year. However I must admit I find it difficult to get enthused at the moment.
AM preaching twice today the first is on Genesis 36...have a read and you will see the problem! and to might it is Matthew 26 and as we are dealing with the last supper it will also be a communion service. Do not for see any issues but one never knows.
so that is it..Christmas is coming,lots of activity already being planned for next year and this year bowing out slowly ..first time for a long time. Wonder what it is all leading upto????
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Commitment.....just what is it
The following is an item written by Bishop J C Ryle of Liverpool and applies to all sorts of commitment....just had to share
The True Church
by The Bishop J.C. RYLE D.D. (First Bishop of Liverpool)
Where is this one true Church? What is this one true Church like? What are the marks by which this one true Church may be known? You may well ask such questions. The one true Church is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus. It is made up of all God's elect - of all converted men and women - of all true Christians. In whomsoever we can discern the election of God the Father, the sprinkling of the blood of God the Son, the sanctifying work of God the Spirit, in that person we see a member of Christ's true Church.
It is a Church in which all the members have the same marks. They are all born again of the Spirit: they all possess "repentance towards God, faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ", and holiness of life and conversation. They all hate sin, and they all love Christ. They worship differently, and after various fashions; some worship with a form of prayer, and some with none; some worship kneeling, and some standing; but they all worship with one heart. They are all led by one Spirit; they all build upon one foundation; they all draw their religion from one single book - that is the Bible. They are all joined to one great centre - that is Jesus Christ. They all, even now, can say with one heart, "Hallelujah"; and they can all respond with one heart and voice, "Amen and Amen".
It is a Church which is dependent upon no ministers upon earth, however much it values those who preach the Gospel to is members. The life of its members does not hang upon Church membership, and Baptism, and the Lord's Supper - although they highly value these things, when they are to be had. But it has only one Great Head - one Shepherd, one chief Bishop - and that is Jesus Christ. He alone, by His Spirit, admits the members of this Church, though ministers may show the door. Till He opens the door no man on earth can open it - neither bishops nor presbyters, nor convocations, nor synods. Once let a man repent and believe the Gospel, and that moment he becomes a member of this Church. Like the penitent thief, he may have no opportunity of being baptised; but he has that which is far better than any water-baptism - the baptism of the Spirit. He may not be able to receive the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper; but he eats Christ's body and drinks Christ's blood by faith every day he lives, and no minister on earth can prevent him. He may be excommunicated by ordained men, and cut off from the outward ordinances of the professing Church; but all the ordained men in the world cannot shut him out of the true Church. It is a Church whose existence does not depend on forms, ceremonies, cathedrals, churches, chapels, pulpits, fonts, vestments, organs, endowments, money, kings, governments, magistrates, or any act of favour whatsoever from the hand of man. It has often lived on and continued when all these things have been taken from it; it has often been driven into the wilderness or into dens and caves of the earth, by those who ought to have been its friends. Its existence depends on nothing but the presence of Christ and Spirit, and they being ever with it, the Church cannot die.
This is the Church to which the Scriptural titles of present honour and privilege, and the promises of future glory especially belong; this is the body of Christ; this is the Bride; this is the Lamb's Wife; this is the flock of Christ; this is the household of faith and the family of God, this is God's building, God's foundation, and the temple of the Holy Ghost. This is the Church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven; this is the royal priesthood, the chosen generation, the peculiar people, the purchased possession, the habitation of God, the light of the world, the salt and the wheat of the earth; this is the "Holy Catholic Church" of the Apostles' Creed; this is the "One Catholic and Apostolic Church" of the Nicene Creed; this is that Church to which the Lord Jesus promises "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", and to which He says, "I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world". (Matt. 16:18; 28:20).
This is the only Church which possesses true unity. Its members are entirely agreed on all the weightier matters of religion, for they are all taught by one Spirit. About God, and Christ, and the Spirit, and sin, and their own hearts, and faith, and repentance and the necessity of holiness, and the value of the Bible, and the importance of prayer, and the resurrection, and judgment to come - about all these points they are of one mind. Take three or four of them, strangers to one another, from the remotest corners of the earth; examine them separately on these points; you will find them all of one judgment.
This is the only Church which possesses true sanctity. Its members are all holy. They are not merely holy by profession, holy in name, and holy in the judgment of charity; they are all holy in act, and deed, and reality, and life, and truth. They are all more or less conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. No unholy man belongs to this Church.
This is the only Church which is truly catholic. It is not the Church of any one nation or people: its members are to be found in every part of the world where the Gospel is received and believed. It is not contained within the limits of any one country, or pent up within the pale of any particular forms or outward government. In it there is no difference between Jew and Greek, black man and white, Episcopalian and Presbyterian - but faith in Christ is all. Its members will be gathered from north, and south, and east, and west, in the last day, and will be of every name and tongue - but all one in Jesus Christ.
This is the only Church which is truly apostolic. It is built on the foundation laid by the Apostles, and holds the doctrines which they preached. The two grand objects at which its members aim, are apostolic faith and apostolic practice; and they consider the man who talks of following the Apostles without possessing these two things to be no better than sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
This a the only Church which is certain to endure unto the end. Nothing can altogether overthrow and destroy it. Its members may be persecuted, oppressed, imprisoned, beaten, beheaded, burned; but the true church is never altogether extinguished; it rises again from its afflictions; it lives on through fire and water. When crushed in one land it springs up in another.
The Pharaohs, the Herods, the Neros, the Bloody Marys, have laboured in vain to put down this church: they slay their thousands, and then pass away and go to their place. The true Church outlives them all and sees them buried each in their turn. It is an anvil that has broken many a hammer in this world, and will break many a hammer still; it is a bush which is always burning and yet is not consumed.
This is the only Church of which no one member can perish. Once enrolled in the lists of this Church, sinners are safe for eternity; they are never cast away. The election of God the Father, the continual intercession of God the Son, the daily renewing and sanctifying power of God the Holy Ghost, surround and fence them in like a garden enclosed. Not one bone of Christ's mystical body shall ever be broken; not one lamb of Christ's flock shall ever be plucked out of His hand.
This is the Church which does the work of Christ upon earth. Its members are a little flock, and few in number, compared with the children of the world: one or two here, and two or three there - few in this district and a few in that. But these are they who shake the universe; these are they who change the fortunes of kingdoms by their prayers; these are they who are the active workers for spreading the knowledge of pure religion and undefiled; these are the lifeblood of a country, the shield, the defence, the stay, and the support of any nation to which they belong.
This is the Church which shall be truly glorious at the end. When all earthly glory is passed away then shall this church be presented without spot before God the Father's throne. Thrones, principalities, and powers upon earth shall come to nothing; dignities and offices, and endowments shall all pass away; but the Church of the first-born shall shine as the stars at the last, and be presented with joy before the Father's throne, in the day of Christ's appearing. When the Lord's jewels are made up, and the manifestation of the sons of God takes place, episcopacy, and presbyterianism, and congre-gationalism will not be mentioned; one Church only will be named, and that is the Church of the elect.
This is the true Church to which a man must belong, if he would be saved. Till you belong to this, you are nothing better than a lost soul. You may have the form, the husk, the skin, and the shell of religion, but you have not got the substance and the life. Yes; you may have countless outward privileges: you may enjoy great light, and knowledge - but if you do not belong to the body of Christ, your light, and knowledge, and privileges, will not save your soul. Alas, for the ignorance that prevails on this point! Men fancy if they join this Church or that Church, and become communicants, and go through certain forms, that all must be right with their souls. It is an utter delusion: it is a gross mistake. All were not Israel who were called Israel, and all are not members of Christ's body who profess themselves Christians. Take notice, you may be a staunch Episcopalian, or Presbyterian, or Congregationalist, or Baptist, or Methodist, or Plymouth brother - and yet not belong to the true Church. And if you do not, it will be better at the last if you had never been born.
The True Church
by The Bishop J.C. RYLE D.D. (First Bishop of Liverpool)
Where is this one true Church? What is this one true Church like? What are the marks by which this one true Church may be known? You may well ask such questions. The one true Church is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus. It is made up of all God's elect - of all converted men and women - of all true Christians. In whomsoever we can discern the election of God the Father, the sprinkling of the blood of God the Son, the sanctifying work of God the Spirit, in that person we see a member of Christ's true Church.
It is a Church in which all the members have the same marks. They are all born again of the Spirit: they all possess "repentance towards God, faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ", and holiness of life and conversation. They all hate sin, and they all love Christ. They worship differently, and after various fashions; some worship with a form of prayer, and some with none; some worship kneeling, and some standing; but they all worship with one heart. They are all led by one Spirit; they all build upon one foundation; they all draw their religion from one single book - that is the Bible. They are all joined to one great centre - that is Jesus Christ. They all, even now, can say with one heart, "Hallelujah"; and they can all respond with one heart and voice, "Amen and Amen".
It is a Church which is dependent upon no ministers upon earth, however much it values those who preach the Gospel to is members. The life of its members does not hang upon Church membership, and Baptism, and the Lord's Supper - although they highly value these things, when they are to be had. But it has only one Great Head - one Shepherd, one chief Bishop - and that is Jesus Christ. He alone, by His Spirit, admits the members of this Church, though ministers may show the door. Till He opens the door no man on earth can open it - neither bishops nor presbyters, nor convocations, nor synods. Once let a man repent and believe the Gospel, and that moment he becomes a member of this Church. Like the penitent thief, he may have no opportunity of being baptised; but he has that which is far better than any water-baptism - the baptism of the Spirit. He may not be able to receive the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper; but he eats Christ's body and drinks Christ's blood by faith every day he lives, and no minister on earth can prevent him. He may be excommunicated by ordained men, and cut off from the outward ordinances of the professing Church; but all the ordained men in the world cannot shut him out of the true Church. It is a Church whose existence does not depend on forms, ceremonies, cathedrals, churches, chapels, pulpits, fonts, vestments, organs, endowments, money, kings, governments, magistrates, or any act of favour whatsoever from the hand of man. It has often lived on and continued when all these things have been taken from it; it has often been driven into the wilderness or into dens and caves of the earth, by those who ought to have been its friends. Its existence depends on nothing but the presence of Christ and Spirit, and they being ever with it, the Church cannot die.
This is the Church to which the Scriptural titles of present honour and privilege, and the promises of future glory especially belong; this is the body of Christ; this is the Bride; this is the Lamb's Wife; this is the flock of Christ; this is the household of faith and the family of God, this is God's building, God's foundation, and the temple of the Holy Ghost. This is the Church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven; this is the royal priesthood, the chosen generation, the peculiar people, the purchased possession, the habitation of God, the light of the world, the salt and the wheat of the earth; this is the "Holy Catholic Church" of the Apostles' Creed; this is the "One Catholic and Apostolic Church" of the Nicene Creed; this is that Church to which the Lord Jesus promises "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", and to which He says, "I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world". (Matt. 16:18; 28:20).
This is the only Church which possesses true unity. Its members are entirely agreed on all the weightier matters of religion, for they are all taught by one Spirit. About God, and Christ, and the Spirit, and sin, and their own hearts, and faith, and repentance and the necessity of holiness, and the value of the Bible, and the importance of prayer, and the resurrection, and judgment to come - about all these points they are of one mind. Take three or four of them, strangers to one another, from the remotest corners of the earth; examine them separately on these points; you will find them all of one judgment.
This is the only Church which possesses true sanctity. Its members are all holy. They are not merely holy by profession, holy in name, and holy in the judgment of charity; they are all holy in act, and deed, and reality, and life, and truth. They are all more or less conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. No unholy man belongs to this Church.
This is the only Church which is truly catholic. It is not the Church of any one nation or people: its members are to be found in every part of the world where the Gospel is received and believed. It is not contained within the limits of any one country, or pent up within the pale of any particular forms or outward government. In it there is no difference between Jew and Greek, black man and white, Episcopalian and Presbyterian - but faith in Christ is all. Its members will be gathered from north, and south, and east, and west, in the last day, and will be of every name and tongue - but all one in Jesus Christ.
This is the only Church which is truly apostolic. It is built on the foundation laid by the Apostles, and holds the doctrines which they preached. The two grand objects at which its members aim, are apostolic faith and apostolic practice; and they consider the man who talks of following the Apostles without possessing these two things to be no better than sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
This a the only Church which is certain to endure unto the end. Nothing can altogether overthrow and destroy it. Its members may be persecuted, oppressed, imprisoned, beaten, beheaded, burned; but the true church is never altogether extinguished; it rises again from its afflictions; it lives on through fire and water. When crushed in one land it springs up in another.
The Pharaohs, the Herods, the Neros, the Bloody Marys, have laboured in vain to put down this church: they slay their thousands, and then pass away and go to their place. The true Church outlives them all and sees them buried each in their turn. It is an anvil that has broken many a hammer in this world, and will break many a hammer still; it is a bush which is always burning and yet is not consumed.
This is the only Church of which no one member can perish. Once enrolled in the lists of this Church, sinners are safe for eternity; they are never cast away. The election of God the Father, the continual intercession of God the Son, the daily renewing and sanctifying power of God the Holy Ghost, surround and fence them in like a garden enclosed. Not one bone of Christ's mystical body shall ever be broken; not one lamb of Christ's flock shall ever be plucked out of His hand.
This is the Church which does the work of Christ upon earth. Its members are a little flock, and few in number, compared with the children of the world: one or two here, and two or three there - few in this district and a few in that. But these are they who shake the universe; these are they who change the fortunes of kingdoms by their prayers; these are they who are the active workers for spreading the knowledge of pure religion and undefiled; these are the lifeblood of a country, the shield, the defence, the stay, and the support of any nation to which they belong.
This is the Church which shall be truly glorious at the end. When all earthly glory is passed away then shall this church be presented without spot before God the Father's throne. Thrones, principalities, and powers upon earth shall come to nothing; dignities and offices, and endowments shall all pass away; but the Church of the first-born shall shine as the stars at the last, and be presented with joy before the Father's throne, in the day of Christ's appearing. When the Lord's jewels are made up, and the manifestation of the sons of God takes place, episcopacy, and presbyterianism, and congre-gationalism will not be mentioned; one Church only will be named, and that is the Church of the elect.
This is the true Church to which a man must belong, if he would be saved. Till you belong to this, you are nothing better than a lost soul. You may have the form, the husk, the skin, and the shell of religion, but you have not got the substance and the life. Yes; you may have countless outward privileges: you may enjoy great light, and knowledge - but if you do not belong to the body of Christ, your light, and knowledge, and privileges, will not save your soul. Alas, for the ignorance that prevails on this point! Men fancy if they join this Church or that Church, and become communicants, and go through certain forms, that all must be right with their souls. It is an utter delusion: it is a gross mistake. All were not Israel who were called Israel, and all are not members of Christ's body who profess themselves Christians. Take notice, you may be a staunch Episcopalian, or Presbyterian, or Congregationalist, or Baptist, or Methodist, or Plymouth brother - and yet not belong to the true Church. And if you do not, it will be better at the last if you had never been born.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
a little bit of this, a little bit of that
Hi All:
Not really sure who reads this but post anyway...
What is there to say...not a great deal. It's my wifes Birthday today (Sat 20th)and we are officially the same age...although she looks far better than I do. It is strange to think I we have been together longer than I lived at home with my Parents. Something to think about when it comes to deciding who is important in your life.
Been a good week was off for two days as my eldest Daughter and her Partner visited for an early Christmas visit. She has to work Boxing day and can not get home mid-December. Wonderful of tiring time.
Went looking for the elusive Camera and cheque books last week..talk about seek and ye shall find..Not much seeking was needed and , not a bad guess, they were both roughly where I thought they would be...e.g in the house :) so watch out for the photos they are coming....some time.
Oh and my wee church is having a sing-a-long service this Sunday evening. It should be fun we are going to make a CD of the songs we sing from Sacred Songs and Solo's and this Sunday night we are having a rehearsal. No sermon to prepare but as each song comes from Scripture we will have the appropriate reading and I will give a thought on each one. These are quite interesting services to run and can mean a lot to members of the congregation. it also gives me a chance to concentrate on the following week as I am speaking both Morning and Evening and the evening service is a communion service.
Still need to submit work to the course. am now behind, story of my life but have cleared the decks in other areas so hopefully can catch up. Work work work work work...must learn to say no one day.
It is now that time of year, dark night and dark mornings, the only time i get to see daylight is when I am at work...I do dislike this time of year always tired....
Would you believe we are nearly ready for Christmas..must be a world record but yeah except for immediate family shopping all done, only food and odds and ends to get.
Christmas is a reminder though of just how long we have had the chance of being in the family. I wrote earlier that my wife and I had been together longer than I had lived at home with my Parents, but how long have you been a member of Gods family. That is another question and when I ask that of myself it is longer than I have been married and longer than I lived at the family home, and once my family have departed this world and when we are finally called home, then it will just be another transition from one family to another, I do pray that those that read this are also members of that heavenly family, it is good when a family is reunited.
Not really sure who reads this but post anyway...
What is there to say...not a great deal. It's my wifes Birthday today (Sat 20th)and we are officially the same age...although she looks far better than I do. It is strange to think I we have been together longer than I lived at home with my Parents. Something to think about when it comes to deciding who is important in your life.
Been a good week was off for two days as my eldest Daughter and her Partner visited for an early Christmas visit. She has to work Boxing day and can not get home mid-December. Wonderful of tiring time.
Went looking for the elusive Camera and cheque books last week..talk about seek and ye shall find..Not much seeking was needed and , not a bad guess, they were both roughly where I thought they would be...e.g in the house :) so watch out for the photos they are coming....some time.
Oh and my wee church is having a sing-a-long service this Sunday evening. It should be fun we are going to make a CD of the songs we sing from Sacred Songs and Solo's and this Sunday night we are having a rehearsal. No sermon to prepare but as each song comes from Scripture we will have the appropriate reading and I will give a thought on each one. These are quite interesting services to run and can mean a lot to members of the congregation. it also gives me a chance to concentrate on the following week as I am speaking both Morning and Evening and the evening service is a communion service.
Still need to submit work to the course. am now behind, story of my life but have cleared the decks in other areas so hopefully can catch up. Work work work work work...must learn to say no one day.
It is now that time of year, dark night and dark mornings, the only time i get to see daylight is when I am at work...I do dislike this time of year always tired....
Would you believe we are nearly ready for Christmas..must be a world record but yeah except for immediate family shopping all done, only food and odds and ends to get.
Christmas is a reminder though of just how long we have had the chance of being in the family. I wrote earlier that my wife and I had been together longer than I had lived at home with my Parents, but how long have you been a member of Gods family. That is another question and when I ask that of myself it is longer than I have been married and longer than I lived at the family home, and once my family have departed this world and when we are finally called home, then it will just be another transition from one family to another, I do pray that those that read this are also members of that heavenly family, it is good when a family is reunited.
Saturday, 13 November 2010
how to put ones foot in it, without even trying
Well an interesting two weeks or so since I last posted: I found out something quite interesting about people. There seems to be a thought that just because people are Married in a specific church, and have their kids baptised in a specific church that they have an automatic right to that church, even to dictate how that church acts and what it does.
You never see them year in year out, they do not attend any church functions, but get a formal bit of paper asking what church they belong to and they write a default denomination and church where they are not known, they even go about calling themselves Christians! and say the church is not "christian" because it will not bow-down to their needs.
The Bible has a lot to say about People like this, that abuse the term Christian and the church. Let us set this straight in our minds. To be a Christian to bask in that name, has several conditions. Firstly one must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, trust on him and in his atoning works for everything, anything less than that dis-allows you the usage of the word Christian.
To be a member of a church you are supposed to attend on a regular basis, e.g weekly although allowance should be made for those that have to work. But going to say a football match or to a party or theater or picture house instead of church, places in my mind an automatic challenge to anyone's claim to be a member of that church. If the church runs extra activities , bible classes or similar then there is an expectation that you as a member of that church will, if at all possible attend such events, you who claim to be Christian are called by God to be a living active part of the body of Christ and that means taking a full part in the workings of that body.
If you are one of those who only go to church for "hatches, matches and dispatches" as my wife tends to describe sections of our local paper, then NO you are not a member of that church or any church and no church is going to recognise you as a member. It really is very simple you are either a part of the Body of Christ or you are not. Just saying you are because you were baptised, married or had your kids baptised, named there, does not cut the mustard with anyone....
Otherwise not a lot to comment on. was going to to finish the second second of the first part of the course I am on today but have to work so that is not going to happen, I have done all the reading but writing...well!
I did get to go as the speaker for a dinner in Sheffield last week, A really good night with, mostly, Christian folk and thoroughly enjoyed the event. It seemed to go well, although I was only meant to speak for 20 mins did the usual Preacher thing and it went on somewhat double the time but no complaints yet and reports back are pleasing. As it was the first time for that type of event I am surprised it went so well.
I was hoping to get some photos to put up, and I have even brought a new camera. Put it away safe, so safe I can not find it now...oops and Christmas is coming.
ah me...back to the drawing board....have a good week all
You never see them year in year out, they do not attend any church functions, but get a formal bit of paper asking what church they belong to and they write a default denomination and church where they are not known, they even go about calling themselves Christians! and say the church is not "christian" because it will not bow-down to their needs.
The Bible has a lot to say about People like this, that abuse the term Christian and the church. Let us set this straight in our minds. To be a Christian to bask in that name, has several conditions. Firstly one must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, trust on him and in his atoning works for everything, anything less than that dis-allows you the usage of the word Christian.
To be a member of a church you are supposed to attend on a regular basis, e.g weekly although allowance should be made for those that have to work. But going to say a football match or to a party or theater or picture house instead of church, places in my mind an automatic challenge to anyone's claim to be a member of that church. If the church runs extra activities , bible classes or similar then there is an expectation that you as a member of that church will, if at all possible attend such events, you who claim to be Christian are called by God to be a living active part of the body of Christ and that means taking a full part in the workings of that body.
If you are one of those who only go to church for "hatches, matches and dispatches" as my wife tends to describe sections of our local paper, then NO you are not a member of that church or any church and no church is going to recognise you as a member. It really is very simple you are either a part of the Body of Christ or you are not. Just saying you are because you were baptised, married or had your kids baptised, named there, does not cut the mustard with anyone....
Otherwise not a lot to comment on. was going to to finish the second second of the first part of the course I am on today but have to work so that is not going to happen, I have done all the reading but writing...well!
I did get to go as the speaker for a dinner in Sheffield last week, A really good night with, mostly, Christian folk and thoroughly enjoyed the event. It seemed to go well, although I was only meant to speak for 20 mins did the usual Preacher thing and it went on somewhat double the time but no complaints yet and reports back are pleasing. As it was the first time for that type of event I am surprised it went so well.
I was hoping to get some photos to put up, and I have even brought a new camera. Put it away safe, so safe I can not find it now...oops and Christmas is coming.
ah me...back to the drawing board....have a good week all
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Saints and Sinners
Well this weekend, in the UK, at least is Hallow'en, or All Hallows Eve, the day before All Saints Day.
Hallowen when some believe is that day when the gap between this world and the spirit world is so thin that ghoolies and ghosties and long legged beasties can creep in and for a night run riot, or as we know them "teenagers"
It is mischief night, when I was young it was bob apples and toffee apples now it is eggs and flower at windows and doors and damage to property all good fun eh....hmmmm
Of course 31st of October is also something else, it is Reformation Sunday, that day that those Christians that would go under the term Evangelical remember the day that the German Monk Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the doors of Wittenberg Cathedral. The 95 Thesis was written against a specific action of the Roman Catholic church, and it's full title is "95 Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences (Latin: Disputatio pro declaratione virtutis indulgentiarum" And Rome responded with Exsurge Domine .
It made sens for Luther to post this on the 31st October, given that on All Saints Day, 1st November, many many people would be going to church and would see his posting.
So which are you going to celelbrate Dark, dance around for a short time dressed up, vandalising, for fun, other peoples property, or Saint, study the Gospel read it for yourself and witness it to the world.
Remember this, we are all Sinners and because of Christs death on the cross and for no other reason we can all be Saints as well.
Hallowen when some believe is that day when the gap between this world and the spirit world is so thin that ghoolies and ghosties and long legged beasties can creep in and for a night run riot, or as we know them "teenagers"
It is mischief night, when I was young it was bob apples and toffee apples now it is eggs and flower at windows and doors and damage to property all good fun eh....hmmmm
Of course 31st of October is also something else, it is Reformation Sunday, that day that those Christians that would go under the term Evangelical remember the day that the German Monk Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the doors of Wittenberg Cathedral. The 95 Thesis was written against a specific action of the Roman Catholic church, and it's full title is "95 Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences (Latin: Disputatio pro declaratione virtutis indulgentiarum" And Rome responded with Exsurge Domine .
It made sens for Luther to post this on the 31st October, given that on All Saints Day, 1st November, many many people would be going to church and would see his posting.
So which are you going to celelbrate Dark, dance around for a short time dressed up, vandalising, for fun, other peoples property, or Saint, study the Gospel read it for yourself and witness it to the world.
Remember this, we are all Sinners and because of Christs death on the cross and for no other reason we can all be Saints as well.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Cor 2 in two weeks
Wow this is the second time I have updated this month: So what is good in the world in a week:
Well last night I took the missus to see the "Sound of Music" on the Liverpool Empire, Michael Praed was "Captain von Trapp", remember him from Robin Hood, gives the age away. Maria of course was the girl from that T.V show "How to solve a problem like Maria" Connie Fisher by name. A guy I work with said it was a replacement for Julie Andrews, and you know he is not far wrong, from where I was in the theater you could see the similarities, on saying that it was a good night out, and would say it was worth the money..
It has been a tough old week in work, but nothing I am going to put up here, you never know who reads, 'nuf to say have bitten my nails down after 5 months of not!!!!
As to the studies, well come to the end of Genesis and written the papers so they need a quick re-read and a send off and only 10 chapters of Exodus to go and that is done as well, mind then I have to write it up. Have a double header on Sunday as am at Norris Green Baptist in the morning and B.P.F.C in the Evening,will take my camera and see if I can get some photos to post.
Weather has changed and winter is drawing in fast, as is the wife's Birthday (no not telling the age just a few months younger than me) Dark mornings and nights and the rain has arrived...oh joy. Bonfire night is on the way and Halloween.
It is strange about Halloween in that the Kids dress up as nasty things and I suspect that has a lot to do with doing nasty things to people that night, and I have seen a fair amount of damage. Yet that night for the Christian Church is the eve of All Saints Day, the day set aside by the traditional churches to remember those who died in faith.
Maybe the church should make more of this festival. Yeah fine the nasty stuff at night,after all Evil is off the night, but in the light of Day, under the Sun where everyone can see them, go the Children of God, the saints.
So this October 31st it would be interesting to see you sit back with your kids and make a life, or should that be eternal life, changing choice, are you of the dark, or are you of the light, are you for evil or for good. You do need to choose you know, your answer will effect your future in ways you can only dream off.
October 31st is also the day set aside to recall the Reformation by most of the Reformed churches, It is the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis against the Doctrine of Indulgences to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, of course this was just another battle in the Reformation but appropriate that it is on Halloween or all hallows eve as the word translates.
You see Luther had to also make a choice, against the darkness imposed by the Roman Catholic Church with its un-scriptural practices or with the light of the Gospel truth.
The choice which Luther and other reformers made and the choice open to you this 31st October is really the same,. You choose! man made traditions or the Gospel, you can not have both, they are mutually exclusive to each other. The choice is yours dear reader but I do pray that one day, I will see you in the light of All Saints Day and not in the Darkness of Halloween
oh yes watch this space, I have been invited to be an "after dinner speaker" what me ! yup!!!!! oh dear......
Well last night I took the missus to see the "Sound of Music" on the Liverpool Empire, Michael Praed was "Captain von Trapp", remember him from Robin Hood, gives the age away. Maria of course was the girl from that T.V show "How to solve a problem like Maria" Connie Fisher by name. A guy I work with said it was a replacement for Julie Andrews, and you know he is not far wrong, from where I was in the theater you could see the similarities, on saying that it was a good night out, and would say it was worth the money..
It has been a tough old week in work, but nothing I am going to put up here, you never know who reads, 'nuf to say have bitten my nails down after 5 months of not!!!!
As to the studies, well come to the end of Genesis and written the papers so they need a quick re-read and a send off and only 10 chapters of Exodus to go and that is done as well, mind then I have to write it up. Have a double header on Sunday as am at Norris Green Baptist in the morning and B.P.F.C in the Evening,will take my camera and see if I can get some photos to post.
Weather has changed and winter is drawing in fast, as is the wife's Birthday (no not telling the age just a few months younger than me) Dark mornings and nights and the rain has arrived...oh joy. Bonfire night is on the way and Halloween.
It is strange about Halloween in that the Kids dress up as nasty things and I suspect that has a lot to do with doing nasty things to people that night, and I have seen a fair amount of damage. Yet that night for the Christian Church is the eve of All Saints Day, the day set aside by the traditional churches to remember those who died in faith.
Maybe the church should make more of this festival. Yeah fine the nasty stuff at night,after all Evil is off the night, but in the light of Day, under the Sun where everyone can see them, go the Children of God, the saints.
So this October 31st it would be interesting to see you sit back with your kids and make a life, or should that be eternal life, changing choice, are you of the dark, or are you of the light, are you for evil or for good. You do need to choose you know, your answer will effect your future in ways you can only dream off.
October 31st is also the day set aside to recall the Reformation by most of the Reformed churches, It is the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis against the Doctrine of Indulgences to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, of course this was just another battle in the Reformation but appropriate that it is on Halloween or all hallows eve as the word translates.
You see Luther had to also make a choice, against the darkness imposed by the Roman Catholic Church with its un-scriptural practices or with the light of the Gospel truth.
The choice which Luther and other reformers made and the choice open to you this 31st October is really the same,. You choose! man made traditions or the Gospel, you can not have both, they are mutually exclusive to each other. The choice is yours dear reader but I do pray that one day, I will see you in the light of All Saints Day and not in the Darkness of Halloween
oh yes watch this space, I have been invited to be an "after dinner speaker" what me ! yup!!!!! oh dear......
Saturday, 16 October 2010
so whats new
End of another busy week and early morning in the UK:
Have been busy in work, and then there is the bible study and study of the bible, which are not the same thing The first is when you sit around with a group of people and talk over what a portion of scripture means to "you" and the other is personnel time when you read the word , and it is good to try and get a practice in of doing that morning at night. I try to do the Old Testament in the morning and the New at night although lately, for reasons I am not sure off, it seems to be the other way around.
Am doing a lot of writing lately, and one of my personnel daemons is having to write things down. It is ok when it is for me, but a formal document please no I run as fast as I can in the other direction. I think it may be one reason why I have not kept this up to date really; and of course I have, for work, being given a whole list of documents to write.
I actually don't really know why they scare me so much. Well not so true, my spelling is not great, i get letters mixed up and i am never confident that I am getting the message I am trying to pass, across to the reader. I suspect that is what scares me most; and of course the response from some of my management has been less than encouraging , i think that is the polite way to put it.
It sort of puts you off!
However there is a lesson here from God, it is called perseverance, as a Christian if I stopped doing my bible study because people were discouraging about it, if I stopped witnessing because people were discouraging about it, if I stopped preaching because people were discouraging about it, then what type of Christian would i be. Some would say the best type, but you now if Christ can take all my sins and pay the price for them by his death on that Cross on Calvary then why should I be so discouraged over writing down some words.
There is a phrase in the Bible that re-occurs again and again, and was used by those brave Protestant Martyrs (and it is Reformation Month) "Be of Good Cheer". It means for us to look at Jesus at the great gift God has given us, for the forgiveness, of our sins and know that we are forgiven..something to be cheerful about. "be of Good Cheer" be assured that there is someone who cares for you, who will carry you through all the dark times of life and be encouraged that no real harm can come to you, "be of good cheer" for if God is with you then who can be against you.With that in mind I will churn out the documents, do my best to get what I want to say across, and if people want it in a certain format then they had better make sure that I am aware, not my problem otherwise!
The phrase for the week and month and year and years to come then has to be "Be of Good cheer" for God is with you what else is there to worry about
Have been busy in work, and then there is the bible study and study of the bible, which are not the same thing The first is when you sit around with a group of people and talk over what a portion of scripture means to "you" and the other is personnel time when you read the word , and it is good to try and get a practice in of doing that morning at night. I try to do the Old Testament in the morning and the New at night although lately, for reasons I am not sure off, it seems to be the other way around.
Am doing a lot of writing lately, and one of my personnel daemons is having to write things down. It is ok when it is for me, but a formal document please no I run as fast as I can in the other direction. I think it may be one reason why I have not kept this up to date really; and of course I have, for work, being given a whole list of documents to write.
I actually don't really know why they scare me so much. Well not so true, my spelling is not great, i get letters mixed up and i am never confident that I am getting the message I am trying to pass, across to the reader. I suspect that is what scares me most; and of course the response from some of my management has been less than encouraging , i think that is the polite way to put it.
It sort of puts you off!
However there is a lesson here from God, it is called perseverance, as a Christian if I stopped doing my bible study because people were discouraging about it, if I stopped witnessing because people were discouraging about it, if I stopped preaching because people were discouraging about it, then what type of Christian would i be. Some would say the best type, but you now if Christ can take all my sins and pay the price for them by his death on that Cross on Calvary then why should I be so discouraged over writing down some words.
There is a phrase in the Bible that re-occurs again and again, and was used by those brave Protestant Martyrs (and it is Reformation Month) "Be of Good Cheer". It means for us to look at Jesus at the great gift God has given us, for the forgiveness, of our sins and know that we are forgiven..something to be cheerful about. "be of Good Cheer" be assured that there is someone who cares for you, who will carry you through all the dark times of life and be encouraged that no real harm can come to you, "be of good cheer" for if God is with you then who can be against you.With that in mind I will churn out the documents, do my best to get what I want to say across, and if people want it in a certain format then they had better make sure that I am aware, not my problem otherwise!
The phrase for the week and month and year and years to come then has to be "Be of Good cheer" for God is with you what else is there to worry about
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
lets start again
Well did try to keep it going but failed: So lets go again and see what has happened. Not a lot to report accept I have started a study course with FEM (Fellowship of Evangelic Ministries) looks good so far although it is the simple stuff.
Churches are going well, have moved to Speke Baptist and the preaching is good but really not into modern songs, however one can not have everything.
Was taken to see Spamalot by Daughter for my Birthday enjoyed that...I know some may not but i did...
Am taking the wife to see the sound of music next week for her birthday...anyone got a spare mountain to climb.
That sort of brings this upto date and I can wait until next week until I start posting.
oh yes got a good book "What the Bible Teaches" R A Torrey ISBN 9781598 562736..a good read
ian
Churches are going well, have moved to Speke Baptist and the preaching is good but really not into modern songs, however one can not have everything.
Was taken to see Spamalot by Daughter for my Birthday enjoyed that...I know some may not but i did...
Am taking the wife to see the sound of music next week for her birthday...anyone got a spare mountain to climb.
That sort of brings this upto date and I can wait until next week until I start posting.
oh yes got a good book "What the Bible Teaches" R A Torrey ISBN 9781598 562736..a good read
ian
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Cry God for Elizabeth, England and St George
It's wet I have two St Georges Day parades, one in Bootle Merseyside and one in Liverpool Merseyside it is the end of April so into Spring and the rain is a-falling, and such a nice day yesterday as well.
Ah well can not have everything. Have re-arranged the blog layout, and think this is better and will see about adding some photo's as times goes on problem in not one for carrying the camera by default and by the time you go and get it, the moment has gone.
Long weekend this week and not back at work until Tuesday which is nice, then next week is May bank Holiday so another short week ....ah do like this time of year :)
have a good day y'all
Ah well can not have everything. Have re-arranged the blog layout, and think this is better and will see about adding some photo's as times goes on problem in not one for carrying the camera by default and by the time you go and get it, the moment has gone.
Long weekend this week and not back at work until Tuesday which is nice, then next week is May bank Holiday so another short week ....ah do like this time of year :)
have a good day y'all
Monday, 19 April 2010
fame at last
well an idea has popped up from my Church treasurer come Music provider. We use Sacred Songs and Solos at BPFC and we have been trying to get hold of cd's for when the organist is away. As that fails constantly we are going to record our own:) with the congregation singing, and we may even have an outlet for it as well.
Could be a find project to do as a church and bring other churches congregations into the actions as well. We only need a large enough number of people who can almost sing to make it work.
Watch this space, never know could be in the charts for Christmas .......
and must figure out how to put Photos up on this thing
Could be a find project to do as a church and bring other churches congregations into the actions as well. We only need a large enough number of people who can almost sing to make it work.
Watch this space, never know could be in the charts for Christmas .......
and must figure out how to put Photos up on this thing
Sunday, 18 April 2010
spring has sprung
The sun is out the volcanic ash seem to be falling on the car...and the fog is in the garden...an English spring who could ask for more!!!! Been a good few weeks since I last updated. Have been busy running a Christianity Explored course which has been a very worthwhile experience, I think I came to understand more about what other believed and how they saw the bible and I must admit I was very surprised at the way the guys took to it, like a "duck to water" as they say in my part of the world.
Finally received the date for my pro-op session ...only 5 weeks late but better late than never..look forward to being able to get a good nights sleep and sit in comfort once it is all over.
BPFC is doing well, still growing in numbers. slowly but I think I prefer it that way. Had 4 Baptism (no not getting into that argument) last week and over 40 people in the church. Noisy but great to see them.
Lets just pray the summer meets the promise.....
Finally received the date for my pro-op session ...only 5 weeks late but better late than never..look forward to being able to get a good nights sleep and sit in comfort once it is all over.
BPFC is doing well, still growing in numbers. slowly but I think I prefer it that way. Had 4 Baptism (no not getting into that argument) last week and over 40 people in the church. Noisy but great to see them.
Lets just pray the summer meets the promise.....
Saturday, 10 April 2010
we all have to decide who we are
Am a terrible fellow: still not kept this blog going as much as i should. Easter has come and gone...work is still on going, and given the state of the economy I should be thankful. We are due for an election of those that deem to govern us,
a lot to take in Easter and its message...the worries of keeping a job and who to vote for.
Maybe it's just time to look at what is and what is not important, "to decide who and what we are". I say I am a Christian, and as a part timer I work at that (in that I am also a Pastor of a church when not doing normal work). I task that takes a lot of effort but no visible reward. I am also a systems analyst, well my posh title is DBA (Database Administrator(I design new and look after existing db's let the programmers worry about the data) and don't really care about politics...would you. I mean we have a choice, those that look out for themselves, against ...those that look out for themselves.
If you claim to be Christina, then you need to work at that life, I know grace is free and all but it does not stop there. The drive that God puts into ones life when you take up the cross is the most exhausting thing that i have ever come across, and how you follow that up with the daily work is a difficult balance.
However at the end of the day, and this is where you need to make the decision. work is work and only lasts, like politicians, as long as someone who has a use for you.
Where as Christianity lasts for eternity...God never loses his use for you at all.
a lot to take in Easter and its message...the worries of keeping a job and who to vote for.
Maybe it's just time to look at what is and what is not important, "to decide who and what we are". I say I am a Christian, and as a part timer I work at that (in that I am also a Pastor of a church when not doing normal work). I task that takes a lot of effort but no visible reward. I am also a systems analyst, well my posh title is DBA (Database Administrator(I design new and look after existing db's let the programmers worry about the data) and don't really care about politics...would you. I mean we have a choice, those that look out for themselves, against ...those that look out for themselves.
If you claim to be Christina, then you need to work at that life, I know grace is free and all but it does not stop there. The drive that God puts into ones life when you take up the cross is the most exhausting thing that i have ever come across, and how you follow that up with the daily work is a difficult balance.
However at the end of the day, and this is where you need to make the decision. work is work and only lasts, like politicians, as long as someone who has a use for you.
Where as Christianity lasts for eternity...God never loses his use for you at all.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
hmmm still not kept it up
well now linked google to this suppose I will have to keep it upto date. Not a lot going on Snow has been on gone but cold here now. There is a nightmare on the horizon though as I have to have surgery on my spine...no not to see if I have one....neither as some of you may think is it to see if it is a bright shade of yellow
Apparently since my two car crashes I now have dsc popped out of the top of my neck and at my age, all the do is remove then and fuse that bit of the spine...
Problem is they are having to go through the front of the next and not the back. There odds of something going wrong are not good !!!! especially with my voice.
Now being a Pastor tp BPFC I that could be iteresting, and to some not a bad idea, at least it will stop me singing for a while. THis is supposed to occur at the back end of March and when do I have my busyest time....April oh joy and can I get replacement speakers nope:) ah me this will be interesting
Apparently since my two car crashes I now have dsc popped out of the top of my neck and at my age, all the do is remove then and fuse that bit of the spine...
Problem is they are having to go through the front of the next and not the back. There odds of something going wrong are not good !!!! especially with my voice.
Now being a Pastor tp BPFC I that could be iteresting, and to some not a bad idea, at least it will stop me singing for a while. THis is supposed to occur at the back end of March and when do I have my busyest time....April oh joy and can I get replacement speakers nope:) ah me this will be interesting
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