Thought for the day: Life Belt Inside

There are a number of 'pay it forward videos out there but I thought I'd post this as a Friday 'thought for the day' - But we don't do good to get good back, do we?

Thought for the Day: Putting a Penn to Paper

Well, electronic paper!

William Penn, one of those men who have left us with a plethora of great quotes, forms the basis for my thought for the day today, the reasons for which are, I assume, obvious:

Have a great day

Be a blessing to others - find blessings in others

Thought for the Day: Seven Dangers

I love this and thought that it might just make a good point for reflection today - especially as it will also enable those who moan about me being 'too Christian' (like Duh!) to have someone who was not a Christian as the source for a change.

Thought for the Day: Duct Tape

I don't know about you but one of the most important things in church has to be . . .

Not the wine, or the bread, or even the toilet roll,

Not even the Bible!

No, wherever I go I find this stuff everywhere - did a service recently and found the microphone had been taped to a broken clip (with the caution, 'Don't touch the microphone, it's stuck on!") - In another place the notice on the boiler room door was affixed with the stuff.

Duct Tape - can be used to fix almost everything physical  -  and if it doesn't, then here's some sound advice:

The strange thing is that the same thing applies to prayer too.

Perhaps we've discovered some universal rule here..... hmmm

Thought for the Day: Loathe one another!

For such a small bunch - the folk of Westboro Baptist church come in for a great deal of attention if the conversations I have are anything to go by. It seems this small and rather sad bunch of people are engaged in taking the message of god to the world and the sad thing is that the message, and the god they have, is of their own making and the fruit of their hatred and vitriolic proclamations is the very fate that they pour upon others.

The Bible tells us (Matt 7) that as we judge we too will be judged - using the same measure and means! Not only that but the Bible adds, for very good measure, this commandment (John 13):

'Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. 

This is how everyone will recognise that you are my disciples -

when they see the love you have for each other.'

Obviously this isn't what we see when we look at Westboro and it soon becomes very clear that whoever they are following - it sure ain't Jesus, for (returning to Matthew 7) because (as it so clearly states: 'by their fruits will you know them!'

You don't get apples from a thorn bush - you don't get hate and vile proclamations from Christians!

So whether you have a faith or not

love one another, be kind and take care that you don't sow the wrong seeds in your life.

Happy Friday

Thought for the Day:May contain nuts!

The menu where I am, last night, stated the obvious on their menu regarding the Roast Gammon:

Sometime we find that we too need to state the obvious because of our audience and for a good reason (the place I was in had international student for whom pork was something to be avoided; 'Gammon' may have meant nothing to them).

The same is true when we are in a Church setting, for many we encounter have no idea what the words we use mean.

Thought for the Day - Father's Day?

Yesterday, being Father's Day, I was surprised at the number of non-father comments (more later I'm sure) and hearing of lone parents and 'man deserts' and the like I thought I'd give you this 'Thought for the Day':

With God - every day is Father's day!


Happy Monday

Thought for the day: Be happy

One of the key passages in my big black book comes from Matthew 28 where it talks about 'going into all the world to tell people about Jesus and make disciples of them'. So often I find people telling me that telling them to 'be happy' is enough but when the road to happiness is the wrong road then what I'm really saying is that I don't care enough to do what I should.

Today if you see someone on the wrong path - do the right thing and point the way

Thought for the Day: Autism

I saw this and it made me think of those I know who struggle with this as carer or as one who has this challenge as part of their own life.

Made me stop and pray for both - hope it does the same for you.

Made me resolve to contact someone I know who has Autism as a daily reality in their lives and offer support - hope it helps you to do the same :-)

'The sort of religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: 

That which looks after those who have needs;

keep yourself from looking like the world - look instead like Jesus!'

James 1.27 (paraphrased)

Thought for the Day: Work

When I was in the wonderful world of engineering one of the labourers, Ivor, went about his daily tasks with a smile and more often than not a Gospel song.

I once asked him why he was always so happy and his response?

'This is the day that the Lord hath made

I will rejoice and be glad in it!'

Psalm 118. 24

I know it's not Monday - but if you have a job be grateful

And as you have a life - be joyful

After all, it's better than the alternative ;-)

Thought for the Day: Childhood

When I was a child, I talked like a child,
I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man, I put childhood ways behind me.

1 Corinthians 13: 11

Thought for the Day: Possessions that possess

A yuppie was opening the door of his BMW when a car came along and hit the door, ripping it off completely. When the police arrived at the scene, the yuppie complained bitterly about the damage to his car.

"Officer, look what they've done to my Beemer!"

"You yuppies are so materialistic, it's ridiculous," retorted the officer.

"You're so worried about your stupid BMW, you didn't even notice that your arm has been ripped off."

"Oh, no!!!" screamed the yuppie, noticing the bloody stump where his arm used to be. "My Rolex!"


Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Matthew 6. 19- 21

Thought for the day - Is it important?

This has caught my imagination and challenged me greatly over the past week:

Happy Saturday

Thought for the day - drinking out of the toilet!

1 in 3 people across the world don’t have somewhere safe to go to the toilet.

Bad sanitation is one of the world’s biggest killers: it hits women, children, old and sick people hardest.

Every minute, three children under the age of five die because of dirty water and poor sanitation.

Around half the people in the world have an illness caused by bad sanitation.

Why not help to relieve the situation. Visit toilet twinning  (at your convenience) and sign up your church now?

Thought for the day - Seeing Others

Often the way we see people is influenced by our own position

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."                                              Matthew 7

A great image I found on Gavin Drake's page today - Happy Tuesday

Thought for the Day

They shall still bring forth fruit in old age Ps 92:14a 

Time we realised that what's in the head and heart are the treasures and the means of grace for younger generations.

Thought for the day

This sign on London's Underground system says it all:

Thought for the day - Ladders

How often do we make the task God has given us more difficult than it needs to be?

God, help us to take up the tasks you have given us

and give us the wisdom to go the simple route! 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

 James 1: 5

Thought for the day (you gave us)

The sun is setting and I'm back behind the desk I left some ten hours ago reflecting upon the ministerial role and, like a good port, savouring the words, situations, experiences and people that have made the day:

• The person who has lost their partner and wonders how they will face the days ahead on their own.

• The struggle with cancer that is masked by attempts at a blasé attempt to appear that all is well.

• The news that we have lost six of our own and understanding the pain for those who serve with them; The earth-shattering, life-changing despair of partners, family and friends; Confused at those who want us to cut and run and render 404 lives lost in vain.

• The old sweat who proudly tells me of their wartime experiences and proudly shows me a photograph of a grandson serving somewhere dusty and dangerous. The comfort of a prayer and the ignoring a wayward tear that escapes and betrays all that is within.

• A conversation with someone who patiently listens to my jumbled accounts of academic confusion, listens, contributes and ignores my membership of the british Albatross-shooting team!

• The sadness of being in a world where sympathy exists when it comes to diabetes and yet feels no compassion for those who experience the debilitating reality of being mentally-ill. How odd that both can be conquered by pills and life-style changes.

And so - the sun is setting and the high (and low) lights of the day have gone and they lead me to ask the question, "How have I made Christ known in what I have done today?"

If you read this:

Please pray for those whose stories appear.

Please pray for those who have lost loved ones today in conflict and those who have had loved ones taken away by illness and accident.

Please pray for families and marriage; For fidelity and dialogue rather than conflict.

Please pray for those who minister the Gospel that they might be faithful to their calling and honest in all their dealings.

Please pray for peace in a world ravaged and made cruel through hatred, greed and self-serving people.

For those who struggle with illness in their own bodies and in the bodies of those they know and love.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Pax

Thought for the day (you gave us)

The sun is setting and I'm back behind the desk I left some ten hours ago reflecting upon the ministerial role and, like a good port, savouring the words, situations, experiences and people that have made the day.

The person who has lost their partner and wonders how they will face the days ahead on their own.

The struggle with cancer that is masked by attempts at a blasé attempt to appear that all is well.

The news that we have lost six of our own and understanding the pain for those who serve with them; The earth-shattering, life-changing despair of partners, family and friends; Confused at those who want us to cut and run and render 404 lives lost in vain.

The old sweat who proudly tells me of their wartime experiences and proudly shows me a photograph of a grandson serving somewhere dusty and dangerous. The comfort of a prayer and the ignoring a wayward tear that escapes and betrays all that is within.

A conversation with someone who patiently listens to my jumbled accounts of academic confusion, listens, contributes and ignores my membership of the british Albatross-shooting team!

The sadness of being in a world where sympathy exists when it comes to diabetes and yet feels no compassion for those who experience the debilitating reality of being mentally-ill. How odd that both can be conquered by pills and life-style changes.

And so - the sun is setting and the high (and low) lights of the day have gone and they lead me to ask the question, "How have I made Christ known in what I have done today?"

If you read this:

Please pray for those whose stories appear.

Please pray for those who have lost loved ones today in conflict and those who have had loved ones taken away by illness and accident.

Please pray for families and marriage; For fidelity and dialogue rather than conflict.

Please pray for those who minister the Gospel that they might be faithful to their calling and honest in all their dealings.

Please pray for peace in a world ravaged and made cruel through hatred, greed and self-serving people.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Pax