A pre-Xmas joke

A doctor, an engineer, and a politician were arguing about what was the oldest profession in the world. 

The doctor started… "Well, in the Bible, it says that God created Eve from a rib taken from Adam’s body. This must have required surgery, and so I can claim with a high degree of confidence that mine is the oldest profession in the world." 

The engineer responded, and said, "But earlier in the book of Genesis, it states that God created the order of the heavens and the earth from out of the chaos. This was the first and certainly the most impressive application of civil engineering. Therefore, dear doctor, you are wrong: mine is surely the oldest profession in the world." 

The politician leaned back in his chair, smiled, and then said confidently, "Ah, but who do you think created the chaos?" 

Who suffers when a terrorist attack happens?

..and the victims of these barbaric attacks are to be remembered too

Why don't the refugees go back to where they came from?

Would you go back if this had happened to your home, neighbourhood or your entire city?



World Refugee Day - 20 June 2016

Have you registered to vote?

The EU referendum vote takes place on 23 June and tomorrow, 7 June, is the last day for people to register to vote. I cannot think of a more important vote that has taken place in recent time. So if you haven't registered yet it is as easy as anything to do. Here is a link to a site that explains how to do this: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/upcoming-elections-and-referendums/eu-referendum

Please pray that the best outcome for the country will be achieved.

The 7-Step Morning Ritual To Make You Happy

I am NOT a morning person. I often wake up wishing I could have more time in bed. While in the shower I stress myself out by thinking about the things that I have to do that day PLUS all the things that I will NOT have time to do. Yah, that's a dreadful way to start one's day.

An interesting article sets out what you can do and how to have that blue sky kind of morning everyday. It's a 7 step process and the summary of this is listed below. I do recommend that you click on this link to the full article. 

Here’s the morning ritual that will make you happy all day:

1. Have something to look forward to: Plans with a friend are always good.

2. Manage your mood: Don’t check email. Do what gives you a feeling of control.

3. Eat breakfast: If you eat nothing and end up killing someone, well… I hope it’s not me.

4. Do something you dread: You’ve got the willpower. And you’ll feel so much better afterwards.

5. Send a “thank you” email: Yes, it’s that simple. Really.

6. Plan how you’ll deal with challenges: Think about the worst that could happen and it probably won’t.

7. Kiss somebody you love: If this makes you late for work, feel free to blame me.

My suggestion - Thank God for the night's sleep that you have had and ask him to bless your day ahead.

Church spires deliver benefits to rural areas

If you live in a remote part of the country then chances are you are not able to read this blog post easily. As many as 1million households (properties) are not able to access fast broadband services because they are located in rural parts where the physical networks have not been laid.

The Prime Minister made a pledge in November 2015 that every home in the UK would have access to fast broadband services by 2020. Without a conduit, however, the plan cannot go ahead. In steps the Church of England with an offer that makes it into the news. The Church of England has offered its network of 10,000 rural churches with spires to solve the modern day problem.

Salhouse Church, Norwich, delivers broadband to local residents through a wireless transmitter fixed to the spire

This will be done through a company called WiSpire, owned by the church, which provides wireless internet for a 2.5 mile radius from each church. Talks are going on between the CoE and the Government on how this plan can be carried out. 

Trump vows to protect Christianity

WOULD YOU TRUST THIS MAN TO LOOK AFTER OUR RELIGION IN A WAY THAT WILL REPRESENT GOD'S LOVE?

An anthem for rich free marketeers

Taken From 'Ninja News' on Facebook 

What do I say to my daughter who is fast becoming a non-believer?

I started taking my daughter, who is now 16, to church from when she was 3 years old. She loved Sunday School and was very proud of her drawings of Jesus. She especially loved the last part of the service when children were called up to bang on musical instruments when the last hymn of the service was sung. 

At the age of 12 she was asked to be a server and quickly learned how to help the Clergy out with communion. On special days such as Maundy Thursday or Christmas service my daughter was often the church's first choice as helper because she knew exactly what to do and, more importantly, was able to show the other young servers what needed doing. 

Last year my daughter started studying religious studies and now she is fast becoming a non-believer. Religious studies compels students to think about the concepts of good and evil by using ethics and philosophy as the lens through which to view God. 

She started to question why God was 'allowing' great tragedies to occur and as the tragedies continue to happen around the world the level of her faith is quickly decreasing too. 

I  am not regretful that she is studying religious studies but I do wish that I knew what the right answer was every time she questions my faith. 'Why do you believe in God? Look at what he allows," she says when news of children being killed by ISIS or such like is reported. Sometimes I too wonder why God allows these things. I know about the argument that God does not interfere with free will but it seems inane in the face of misery and outright tragedy. 

Happy Easter

A debate about whether Christians should vote for Donald Trump

Sometimes I wonder whether some Christians and I are praying to the same God or are adhering to the same Christian ethos. The latest news to make me wonder about Christian polarisation is an article in the Christian Post about how Christians ought to vote for Donald Trump in the American Presidential elections. Really? 

Christians who don't vote for the Trumpster are "foolish and prideful", says Pastor Robert Jeffress of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. I am not American and, therefore, am not eligible to vote in the American elections. However, this does not stop anyone around the world from having an opinion. 

Pastor Jeffress on the left. Donald Trump on the right

I have an opinion and it is this. What is wrong with that faction of Christianity which chooses a right wing interpretation of the ethos of Christianity? The mad Trumpster has made fun of a journalist with a disability (that is enough for me NOT to vote for him), raised the race stakes with incendiary talk about Muslims and Mexicans (a racist Christian?) and made rude comments about a women 'bleeding' (Jesus healed a woman who was bleeding, not made fun of her). 

Can somebody point out the Christian bits among that spew of malice? 

The Christian right skew facts and muddle opinions. They twist and turn things around to present propaganda dressed up as Christian teaching. Where is the sense in this quote by Pastor Jeffress? 

980, voters had a choice between two candidates. One was a truly born-again Christian who taught Sunday school in his Baptist Church and was faithfully married to one woman. His name was Jimmy Carter.

"The other choice was a twice-married, Hollywood actor who as Governor of California signed the most liberal abortion bill in California history and whose wife followed astrology and used it to influence him. His name was Ronald Reagan," he said.

"Evangelicals overwhelmingly voted for Ronald Reagan, not because he was the most religious candidate but he possessed the quality evangelicals felt like was most important and that is leadership," added Jeffress.

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/robert-jeffress-christians-not-voting-donald-trump-foolish-prideful-158881/#RTAFMMwwRvYkUubF.99

"Secondly, I would remind people, that in 1980, voters had a choice between two candidates. One was a truly born-again Christian who taught Sunday school in his Baptist Church and was faithfully married to one woman. His name was Jimmy Carter. The other choice was a twice-married, Hollywood actor who as Governor of California signed the most liberal abortion bill in California history and whose wife followed astrology and used it to influence him. His name was Ronald Reagan...Evangelicals overwhelmingly voted for Ronald Reagan, not because he was the most religious candidate but he possessed the quality evangelicals felt like was most important and that is leadership." 

Christians ought to think twice before voting for Donald Trump. 

Finding Love In War

A Syrian photographer took pictures of this couple in their bridal gear but what is unusual is that the backdrop is of a war torn country. Desolation surrounds them but they manage to radiate hope and love.

A 'bunch' of immigrants

This is what a 'bunch of immigrants' looks like. 

David Cameron today during Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQ) used the noun 'bunch' to pillory Jeremy Corbyn for visiting the Calais camp where asylum seekers live. Since then people have taken to twitter to denounce his words which are widely seen as being derogatory. Sometimes it is easy to forget that those who live in inhumane conditions are people, real living breathing human beings.

When a member of your church family dies

Today was meant to have been a celebration of Holly Adenle's 90th birthday. Her picture above conveys all that was special about her. She married a Nigerian Prince in the 1960s who died in the 1970s. She always wore that African hat (see photo) in memory of him, calling him the love of her life.Holly also always wore Purple, it started with her support over the ordination of women as Priests and, beyond that, as a celebration of the role women were playing in the church.

She had lots of health problems but was stoic through it all and was a real eclectic character. She turned 90 in December 2015 but was going to celebrate it today with a special church service that she had organised. She had even ordered the food and drinks which arrived at church this morning. The congregation was looking forward to her party.

Unfortunately and sadly, Holly was taken ill yesterday.  She knew she would not live long as a result of this sudden turn of events and told the Vicar that the party had to go ahead regardless of whether she was dead or alive. She died at 4am in the early hours of this morning. The church was packed this morning because she had invited friends from all over the country for her party. At the start of the service the congregation was informed of her death. What was meant to have been a celebration of her life took a different turn and became a celebration of her life past.

Please pray for Holly's soul.

Global Map of Christian Persecution

Levels of persecution:   Extreme     Very High     High

1. 1 North Korea
2. 2 Iraq
3. 3 Eritrea
4. 4 Afghanistan
5. 5 Syria
6. 6 Pakistan
7. 7 Somalia
8. 8 Sudan
9. 9 Iran
10. 10 Libya
11. 11 Yemen
12. 12 Nigeria
13. 13 Maldives
14. 14 Saudi Arabia
15. 15 Uzbekistan
16. 16 Kenya
17. 17 India

18. 18 Ethiopia
19. 19 Turkmenistan
20. 20 Vietnam
21. 21 Qatar
22. 22 Egypt
23. 23 Myanmar
24. 24 Palestinian Territories
25. 25 Brunei
26. 26 Central African Republic
27. 27 Jordan
28. 28 Djibouti
29. 29 Laos
30. 30 Malaysia
31. 31 Tajikistan
32. 32 Tunisia
33. 33 China
34. 34 Azerbaijan

35. 35 Bangladesh
36. 36 Tanzania
37. 37 Algeria
38. 38 Bhutan
39. 39 Comoros
40. 40 Mexico
41. 41 Kuwait
42. 42 Kazakhstan
43. 43 Indonesia
44. 44 Mali
45. 45 Turkey
46. 46 Colombia
47. 47 United Arab Emirates
48. 48 Bahrain
49. 49 Niger
50. 50 Oman