tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59840503578805337782024-03-05T17:44:27.073-08:00St Marys Church Hemel HempsteadChristian Thoughts based in and around the Parish of St Mary and St Paul Hemel Hempstead
The views of the contributors expressed here may not be the views of the PCC.Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-43437003692210348512014-02-21T00:01:00.001-08:002014-02-21T00:01:22.567-08:00Thought for the week Second Sunday Before Lent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJYAGKcpR7Lbkcc8RQ9FF3k7v1X73nrLt9JfSNkC0ubJY3HlGbFNkpiADlPNpCyuRA_-HvBSxoJQD8K11Mwgg4WTl5lZ4HOE-2G6VrzCSKJdCjM_Tcc27AnzDO_IuUnmI9Y7lCFui5ys/s1600/exercise+with+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJYAGKcpR7Lbkcc8RQ9FF3k7v1X73nrLt9JfSNkC0ubJY3HlGbFNkpiADlPNpCyuRA_-HvBSxoJQD8K11Mwgg4WTl5lZ4HOE-2G6VrzCSKJdCjM_Tcc27AnzDO_IuUnmI9Y7lCFui5ys/s1600/exercise+with+God.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">My exercise teacher constantly reminds us to breathe and be present. He says, "For the next hour, you are here, on this mat." It takes more concentration than I possess to quiet my mind. It's easy for me to dwell in the past or project into the future, meanwhile missing my life which is going on right now. Jesus tells us not to be anxious. He commands us not to be afraid more times in Scripture than any other mandate, so he obviously knows our penchant for worry. Worry is a coping mechanism for a control freak, a misguided notion that if we give something enough energy, we can affect the outcome. Not so. Our worry is indicative of a lack of trust. The only solution is to remember that perfect love casts out fear. Stop worrying and trust. Be present and allow God to move on your behalf.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">Kristin Armstrong</span>Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-78901508117538353312014-01-30T22:41:00.001-08:002014-01-30T22:41:09.583-08:00Thought for the Week Presentation of Christ in the Temple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Waiting for fulfillment of a promise,<br />
Waiting to see the longed-for light,<br />
Waiting in devotion of a lifetime,<br />
Simeon, trusting God to keep his word.<br />
Ready for the prompting of the Spirit,<br />
Ready for the revelation joy<br />
Mixed with cross-shaped shadows of<br />
the future,<br />
Simeon, holding Mary’s God-filled boy.<br />
Daphne KitchingPhilip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-49049003988174743122014-01-24T01:44:00.002-08:002014-01-24T01:44:20.171-08:00Thought for the Week The Conversion of St Paul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkhwyy9vkDd4sK6EMQForH9o2_k2uggisL5o_fdK46j9FBW83zpAIxzPSuctK0y_AuldxNA4rfjhfUxHhTAu0L8i0lKdoznIRBPF1EGeiq4ZsaL0f-ujvWIWKigDZfZZuQOOcrsTkQDY/s1600/conversion_of_st_paul-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkhwyy9vkDd4sK6EMQForH9o2_k2uggisL5o_fdK46j9FBW83zpAIxzPSuctK0y_AuldxNA4rfjhfUxHhTAu0L8i0lKdoznIRBPF1EGeiq4ZsaL0f-ujvWIWKigDZfZZuQOOcrsTkQDY/s1600/conversion_of_st_paul-400.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">Light broke in suddenly,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">shattering my pride,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">expanding my mind</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">and splintering into shards</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">my heart.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">'Why kick and wound</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">like a frightened child?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">Release yourself to me;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">know me, honour me;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">I am Jesus, I am God's Word.'</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">Then I was led,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">where once I led;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">blindness caused my fall.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">My eyes were opened to Light</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">and the gift of life!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 18px;">JCH</span>Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-5779182475584012502014-01-17T04:39:00.001-08:002014-01-17T04:39:33.036-08:00Thought for the Week 3rd Week of Epiphany<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
The Word of God</div>
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It teaches,Encourages,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Holds out hope<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />And shines light<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />When days are dark<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />And the way unclear.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />It guides,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Speaks life and power<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Today,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />As it has,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />As it will<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Forever.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />God’s word,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Spoken,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Written,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Pointing always<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />To the one who<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Was in the beginning,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Co- author, co-creator,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Walking word,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Living word,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Jesus,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Word.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Daphne Kitching</div>
<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-42743188608919876382013-12-31T01:34:00.001-08:002013-12-31T01:34:15.006-08:00The Donkey's return<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6fyfC2wgsIcnbyoiTS-d-B-cJm6tbOkMnJ9TxyItCBvSnl8t4Ru_RU2BOqICKizntCoCPDQ5hWwH8t1PTdactOeEpqug_dgL4X3TGsxgmfWuXXdOksyVn15lybytwSXAbvXkjxvBBP4/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6fyfC2wgsIcnbyoiTS-d-B-cJm6tbOkMnJ9TxyItCBvSnl8t4Ru_RU2BOqICKizntCoCPDQ5hWwH8t1PTdactOeEpqug_dgL4X3TGsxgmfWuXXdOksyVn15lybytwSXAbvXkjxvBBP4/s320/IMG_0576.JPG" width="320" /></a>Paul returned from University and so did the Donkey.<br />
He made his first return in the advent crib. Many saw the crib in church but not the three wise donkeys making there way across the church.<br />
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The crib was just 24hrs old when it was displayed<br />
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Paul was very kind to Jenny at the Donkeys second appearance at the Nativity service. Paul thoughtfully put out a copy of the Nativity sheet on the pulpit for Jenny.<br />
This was not quite the same as the copies held by the rest of the congregation. All the music was changed to Jenny's favourite Little Donkey with a few little known versions of other traditional carols such as Silent Donkey Holy Donkey.<br />
There were many such changes to Jenny's sheet. Fortunately Jenny spotted Pauls name on the sheet in time.<br />
<br />
The Donkey made his last appearance on Christmas day in the Sermon slot starring as himself in the form this time of a glove puppet in the crossing.<br />
We we very proud to see that one of the other little girls in the sermon slot came dressed as a Donkey. Such is the effect of the Donkey.<br />
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Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-64287153585729353492013-12-31T01:22:00.000-08:002013-12-31T01:22:00.871-08:00Thought for the week First week of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lovely in your littleness,<br />
longing for our lowliness,<br />
searching for our meekness…..<br />
Held in Mary's tenderness,<br />
tiny hands are raised to bless,<br />
touching us with God's caress.<br />
Joy then in God's graciousness,<br />
peace comes with gentleness,<br />
filling hearts with gladness.<br />
Margaret RizzaPhilip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-64427922936273599192013-12-24T01:51:00.001-08:002013-12-24T01:51:04.974-08:00Thought for the Week Christmas Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_bPuS_rUTqpBjN8wOosfP5WNfXLtT3jRpOTrogEgaZFU57JY7p_LDGUaqxPaZdNHm4ZyaS65chqmfADjUhNnABOAHBaRVheipZSKStlNMOLqSckP0n4O1QyQLPVy2wxgmfD-Dvbo56s/s1600/sermon+the+Bishops+wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_bPuS_rUTqpBjN8wOosfP5WNfXLtT3jRpOTrogEgaZFU57JY7p_LDGUaqxPaZdNHm4ZyaS65chqmfADjUhNnABOAHBaRVheipZSKStlNMOLqSckP0n4O1QyQLPVy2wxgmfD-Dvbo56s/s1600/sermon+the+Bishops+wife.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Normal-C" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">At this time of the year I am often reminded of the words from the sermon given at the end of that wonderful 1940’s Hollywood movie called The Bishop’s Wife. </span></div>
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<span class="Normal-C" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Dudley, who is played by Cary Grant is an Angel who has been assigned to Bishop Henry Brougham, played by David Niven. His task is to assist Henry by answering his prayer for help. Amongst the many things that he does, including using a wonderful word processor is that Dudley re-<wbr></wbr>writes the Bishop’s Christmas Eve sermon. </span></div>
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<span class="Normal-C" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">“Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry. A blazing star hung over a stable and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries; we celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells and with gifts. But especially with gifts. You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer, and Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. We forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled -<wbr></wbr>-<wbr></wbr> all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It's his birthday we are celebrating. Don't ever let us forget that. Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for most, and then let each put in his share. Loving kindness, warm hearts and the stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.”</span></div>
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<span class="Normal-C" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">A Happy Christmas to one and all.</span></div>
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Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-15573225732979504402013-12-19T23:22:00.002-08:002013-12-19T23:22:38.939-08:00Thought for the Week Fourth Sunday of Advent<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CiWlOeWAP1-psdODmQf1g1J-_I79Kf87KeVNnbVaSkksRt-LUBsPfg4DBWnmo95u7TYFe6FSgcD90paeHV6dlbO9GC8yzPsXjwSuc3YjfGwSgyFCioFZBbI39XmY7U80AQKjQuDjOR4/s1600/christmasnativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CiWlOeWAP1-psdODmQf1g1J-_I79Kf87KeVNnbVaSkksRt-LUBsPfg4DBWnmo95u7TYFe6FSgcD90paeHV6dlbO9GC8yzPsXjwSuc3YjfGwSgyFCioFZBbI39XmY7U80AQKjQuDjOR4/s1600/christmasnativity.jpg" /></a></div>
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Once again, we welcome you bending so low to creep among us, not forcing, not shouting, too gentle to even flicker our candle flames. Make your home among us again, we pray; be our guest, in heart and home and city, in the empty, howling wastelands of our times, and light up your world once again with the new hope and the new life that faith in you still brings.</div>
<div>
John Harvey,</div>
<div>
from Going Home Another Way.</div>
Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-67593816762289947962013-12-19T23:19:00.001-08:002013-12-19T23:19:09.801-08:00Thought for the week Third Sunday of Advent<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-iXBk6Hxsh4WlugJvd6DnNe11fRd8h9CIImvb9MMOpv1D7l9bHtqqaDJgo7GAekWwQ6M9hBSGEKV1Kf71Z_QLaIcwJViNqWRIXpxlrkl_lMw2qOVrsErg-hEqjJqFNBjgvh_19tZotk/s1600/buying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-iXBk6Hxsh4WlugJvd6DnNe11fRd8h9CIImvb9MMOpv1D7l9bHtqqaDJgo7GAekWwQ6M9hBSGEKV1Kf71Z_QLaIcwJViNqWRIXpxlrkl_lMw2qOVrsErg-hEqjJqFNBjgvh_19tZotk/s320/buying.jpg" width="320" /></a>Maybe<br />
Maybe it is in the waiting for God,<br />
not in the wandering from store to store,<br />
that we find our way.<br />
Maybe it is in the friendship of God,<br />
not in the frenzy of the crowds,<br />
that we are led to the manger.<br />
Maybe it is in the steadfast love of God,<br />
and not in the pile of stuff under the tree,<br />
that we find what we have been<br />
searching for all our lives.<br />
Maybe, just maybe, God of Advent,<br />
this year will be different.<br />
Maybe, just maybe,<br />
we will let you lead us to Bethlehem.<br />
Thom ShumanPhilip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-88901143926043341922013-12-06T01:02:00.002-08:002013-12-06T01:02:12.641-08:00Thought for the week Second Sunday in Advent<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e6kPUWJvV-mqak_Kjtmfo9r5eNf1471HQ0aZUUYnaDN4HeqTasW9HVvBmfF56WJLIfKxnqFPdyVI9gW6zyjH6W8NQvCDiEtHIp0l3NEtgyUG7Pi75AofctGtcJwC6xoOM1n2RywfypM/s1600/keep+out+the+shouting.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e6kPUWJvV-mqak_Kjtmfo9r5eNf1471HQ0aZUUYnaDN4HeqTasW9HVvBmfF56WJLIfKxnqFPdyVI9gW6zyjH6W8NQvCDiEtHIp0l3NEtgyUG7Pi75AofctGtcJwC6xoOM1n2RywfypM/s320/keep+out+the+shouting.bmp" width="213" /></a></div>
God help us to hear your voice<br />
through the babble of this world<br />
where words are used to confuse,<br />
distract, manipulate, sell illusion,<br />
buy power;<br />
help us to be still and receptive<br />
to your healing,<br />
encouraging,<br />
inspiring,<br />
enduring,<br />
life giving<br />
Word…..<br />
Neil PaynterPhilip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-28007545407279549772013-11-28T23:30:00.004-08:002013-11-28T23:30:58.404-08:00Thought for the week Advent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_9MWrg3C7XKwoEmsxnoIhnt56y7SqZJWqktQxKaLC1xXKMh8wsltsl-Hxgg2BvQ4vHmQ0dKBspD5yY960PWnmbW2uRNoZfWFW_R-DH6xGWqbvJ4RyIptpzrlXgHqEg2fExSQAzRGSRE/s1600/Morning+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_9MWrg3C7XKwoEmsxnoIhnt56y7SqZJWqktQxKaLC1xXKMh8wsltsl-Hxgg2BvQ4vHmQ0dKBspD5yY960PWnmbW2uRNoZfWFW_R-DH6xGWqbvJ4RyIptpzrlXgHqEg2fExSQAzRGSRE/s320/Morning+Star.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Bright Star-Maker God,<br />
travel with us<br />
through Advent,<br />
shine into our<br />
dark corners,<br />
lead us into<br />
ways of justice,<br />
warm us<br />
with joy and wonder,<br />
bring us<br />
to new birth.<br />
Ruth Burgess<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<i>John 8:12; 12; 35-36</i></div>
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Jesus said, “I am the world’s Light. <o:p></o:p></div>
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No one who follows me stumbles around in the
darkness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I provide plenty of light to live in.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“ For a brief time still, the light is among you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Walk by the light you have, so darkness does not
destroy you. If you walk in darkness, you don’t know where you’re going. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As you have the light, believe in the light. Then
the light will be within you and shining through your lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You’ll be children of light.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-65442790747401592732013-11-22T00:28:00.001-08:002013-11-22T00:28:24.954-08:00Thought for the week Christ the King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdzsAyM8Xv04yKit8v2_bMEf8-Ge6HjVMqckXG8JdMbtKMI6TGzpPArOsAzXsdVmtv6a6DFuj3D8VWnlvaRdEbz201drQ0xMbJOrow2URNysBSZaFENI_JFTgYiDOE56mWCxwbgXjZsw/s1600/geamlogo+with+text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdzsAyM8Xv04yKit8v2_bMEf8-Ge6HjVMqckXG8JdMbtKMI6TGzpPArOsAzXsdVmtv6a6DFuj3D8VWnlvaRdEbz201drQ0xMbJOrow2URNysBSZaFENI_JFTgYiDOE56mWCxwbgXjZsw/s320/geamlogo+with+text.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
Most references to Jesus as king occur during the Passion story. The symbol of Christ’s kingship is not a crown but a cross. The Son of God became human and died a horrible death on the cross to release his subjects from captivity. The One who is the true king of our world made this ultimate sacrifice out of his deep and abiding love for the world, a world constantly in rebellion against him. Christ’s kingship is not like a king with a jewel-encrusted crown in purple finery on a gold throne wielding an oppressive rod of iron. Rather, he is the crucified God with a crown of thorns hanging half naked on a cross of shame to set us free from our bondage. Jesus’ comes to us not as a great conquering military leader who oppresses and abuses the conquered. Rather, he comes as the Prince of Peace, the One whose reign proclaims peace, justice, liberation, and above all, service. Jesus turns the whole concept of lordship and kingship on its head.Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-63605783549677487142013-11-07T23:26:00.000-08:002013-11-07T23:28:07.787-08:00Thought for the Week Remembrance Sunday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6ATOUzKOfPFhDIALI-bRVeIJ7AM-ad-yQ2k4hhsJgNifOKLImiDbevMljnMbd9iJh_Ph7rE-Oy7rlXeKKV0-20BvV8wc7PzcWeFBeRbROq-shovxmEhKkFjcQIAncrYMbeieLaOD-6I/s1600/Abram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6ATOUzKOfPFhDIALI-bRVeIJ7AM-ad-yQ2k4hhsJgNifOKLImiDbevMljnMbd9iJh_Ph7rE-Oy7rlXeKKV0-20BvV8wc7PzcWeFBeRbROq-shovxmEhKkFjcQIAncrYMbeieLaOD-6I/s320/Abram.jpg" width="111" /></a>The Parable Of The Old Man and The Young<br />
<br />
So Abram rose, and clave the wood, and went,<br />
And took the fire with him, and a knife.<br />
And as they sojourned both of them together,<br />
Isaac the first-born spake and said, My Father,<br />
Behold the preparations, fire and iron,<br />
But where the lamb for this burnt-offering?<br />
Then Abram bound the youth<br />
with belts and straps,<br />
And builded parapets and trenches there,<br />
And stretchèd forth the knife to slay his son.<br />
When lo! an Angel called him out of heaven,<br />
Saying, Lay not thy hand upon the lad,<br />
Neither do anything to him, thy son.<br />
Behold! Caught in a thicket by its horns,<br />
A Ram. Offer the Ram of Pride instead.<br />
But the old man would not so, but slew his son,<br />
And half the seed of Europe, one by one.<br />
Wilfred Owen<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.1875px;">They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.1875px;">Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.1875px;">At the going down of the sun and in the morning </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.1875px;">We will remember them.</span>Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-2838921555088286902013-11-01T00:55:00.002-07:002013-11-01T00:55:37.581-07:00Thought for the Week All Saints<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The forms and individual characters of living and growing things, of inanimate beings, of animals and flowers and all nature, constitute their holiness in the sight of God. Their inscape is their sanctity. It is the imprint of his wisdom and his reality in them. But what about you? What about me? Unlike the animals and the trees, it is not enough to be what our nature intends. It is not enough for us to be individuals. For us, holiness is more than humanity. If we are never anything but people, we will not be saints and we will not be able to offer to God the worship of our imitation, which is sanctity. For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and discovering my true self. Trees and animals have no problem. With us it is different. God leaves us free to be whatever we like. Our vocation is not simply to be, but to work together with God in the creation of our own life, our own identity, our own destiny.<br />
Excerpts adapted from New Contemplation by Thomas MertonPhilip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-59251998255542233012013-10-24T23:28:00.000-07:002013-10-24T23:28:07.769-07:00Thought for the Week Bible Study 27th Oct 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHGeTYahIzOw63b3pEfpaIRNmcabhRyJ6eevIahg3QPlFfM-ECAfgugMdRn6cLhmsG4qmvEfOxlq3sOc1C3CcPK_07v95WnUCqfJ1pNGjEzGoMQ7vRT8ewnRYDM6MPJdI8LEXyjp67Mk/s1600/BIBLE+Matthew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHGeTYahIzOw63b3pEfpaIRNmcabhRyJ6eevIahg3QPlFfM-ECAfgugMdRn6cLhmsG4qmvEfOxlq3sOc1C3CcPK_07v95WnUCqfJ1pNGjEzGoMQ7vRT8ewnRYDM6MPJdI8LEXyjp67Mk/s320/BIBLE+Matthew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The Bible is not the word of God. It may contain the word of God, in the way that a womb may contain a baby. But the womb is not the baby. Scripture may become the word of God under the inspiration of the Spirit, and often does. But it is heretical and idolatrous to imagine that the word of the living God can be objectified in such a way that it exists within and is limited by a set of printed words on a page. The word of God cannot be separated from the relational presence of God. The word of God is the self-communication of God, and therefore is dynamically connected to the person of God. One cannot know the word of God without knowing God.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Michael Riddell The threshold of the future (SPCK, 1998)</span><br />
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Luke <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(4.16-24)</em></div>
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When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’</div>
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And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’</div>
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He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.”’ And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town.’</div>
Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-7248704465068483392013-10-11T00:28:00.002-07:002013-10-11T00:28:19.384-07:00Thought for the Week Twentieth Sunday after Trinity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8YT_4u1TTUnOF64RvG3ufWI0GraOdmZsABGHbPZxfrxAqGCMSlWpkHfdLAkzZhgK7Tuip-jpwADzN_Fotg5tEDsyBSEJrGRMMYmYPnQt4OedHgYCEUntXB6qb50Zgsc0FuU-V3mzxJ0/s1600/loving-god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8YT_4u1TTUnOF64RvG3ufWI0GraOdmZsABGHbPZxfrxAqGCMSlWpkHfdLAkzZhgK7Tuip-jpwADzN_Fotg5tEDsyBSEJrGRMMYmYPnQt4OedHgYCEUntXB6qb50Zgsc0FuU-V3mzxJ0/s320/loving-god.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Loving God,<br />
out of our homelessness<br />
we turn to you;<br />
out of our helplessness<br />
we come to you;<br />
out of our hunger,<br />
out of our pain<br />
we return to you.<br />
In love,<br />
deep love<br />
we come.<br />
Stand beside us,<br />
comfort our helplessness,<br />
feed our hunger,<br />
tend out pain,<br />
hear our cry<br />
and welcome us home.<br />
Kate McIIlhaggaPhilip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-44012820345455055812013-10-06T01:07:00.000-07:002013-10-06T01:08:56.066-07:00Thought for the week Harvest Festival<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl34ftOh9xe2mLuYtDfNsU7tdSIobKe9ixmlifeSODxIn65YTcILVw7hWoo-sGzVOglJazAB0bSkqUGdFW1ZT0xM_8bSfqYxa9hzPt_F0i0MfEu8mc18S9cFp6Xt36S0M_AN1ZuAg26M/s1600/wheat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl34ftOh9xe2mLuYtDfNsU7tdSIobKe9ixmlifeSODxIn65YTcILVw7hWoo-sGzVOglJazAB0bSkqUGdFW1ZT0xM_8bSfqYxa9hzPt_F0i0MfEu8mc18S9cFp6Xt36S0M_AN1ZuAg26M/s1600/wheat.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">For farmers and for fishermen</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Lord, bless the holy seed</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Outshine the fresh fruit from your plot</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Unearth the good things you have got</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Rejoice in heart and deed</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Love’s labour lasts however long</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">And will show signs but heed</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Toil for the foods that fail to rot</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Eat of the bread from heaven’s plot</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Rejoice in souls you feed</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">ARH</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
John. <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(6: 25-35)</em></div>
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When they found Jesus on the other side of the sea, the crowd said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’</div>
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Then they said to Jesus, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’</div>
Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-73669872095130049372013-09-27T00:43:00.001-07:002013-09-27T00:43:22.519-07:00Thought for the Week 29th September Michael and All Angels<h2>
Angels.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41WsfnTi3w8l92c8dLfgGkFKdqyUY8N4DSF6gFt4mOkvL_q0Gh7Q8U28BhRrJw9nsIHSJPANcesp99wvh2lvU61fd-wblZgj3V-PKDlKr8kDderPUv5_OSWrG51QyDn4_qodx_IhIs64/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41WsfnTi3w8l92c8dLfgGkFKdqyUY8N4DSF6gFt4mOkvL_q0Gh7Q8U28BhRrJw9nsIHSJPANcesp99wvh2lvU61fd-wblZgj3V-PKDlKr8kDderPUv5_OSWrG51QyDn4_qodx_IhIs64/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</h2>
Angels in Bible stories.<br />
Angels in and out of our lives.<br />
Michael: defeater of dragons, destroyer of evil.<br />
Raphael: matchmaker, healer, traveller.<br />
Gabriel: messenger, teller of truth.<br />
And another name, Lucifer,<br />
the brilliant one, who fell from the heavens,<br />
the son of the morning,<br />
the star of the dawn.<br />
Angels.<br />
Angels whose names are not known to us:<br />
making Sarah laugh, and Jacob limp,<br />
and Balaam tremble;<br />
letting Peter out of prison,<br />
advising Paul.<br />
Questioning angels and challenging angels,<br />
guardian angels who cradle little ones,<br />
angels who see travellers safely home<br />
and safeguard stumbling feet.<br />
Angels.<br />
Angels all around us.<br />
God’s confidantes,<br />
God’s messengers.<br />
Angels<br />
full of truth<br />
and full of glory,<br />
bright with joy.<br />
Ruth BurgessPhilip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-64355319001295849692013-09-22T22:59:00.002-07:002013-09-22T22:59:57.974-07:00Thought for the week Seventeenth Sunday After Trinity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the Hermit's Cell<br />
A prayer used on pilgrimage at the site of the Hermit's Cell on Iona.<br />
Now, O Lord, calm me into a quietness<br />
that heals and listens,<br />
that moulds my longings and passions,<br />
my wounds and wonderings<br />
into a more holy, human shape.<br />
In the silence let me listen<br />
and hear the truth you have put in me;<br />
trust the love you have for me<br />
which you call me to live out<br />
with all my sisters and brothers<br />
in your human family.Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-48730925434972804282013-08-30T00:10:00.001-07:002013-08-30T00:10:35.957-07:00Thought for the week Fourteenth Sunday After Trinity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnFdxyQpbfxXts1RgGMrfyu829gwGgdUMOhXBXq0FpxA-pm5Dh6zcr6tdazCFlIfmHYR1Vtoh9ak1RcPM6TzQJ0aJu9YUHejMT48ct4HI0771S67cZHE-YQA_wtmCjqq0Xobx7OaNhCE/s1600/footprints-in-the-sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnFdxyQpbfxXts1RgGMrfyu829gwGgdUMOhXBXq0FpxA-pm5Dh6zcr6tdazCFlIfmHYR1Vtoh9ak1RcPM6TzQJ0aJu9YUHejMT48ct4HI0771S67cZHE-YQA_wtmCjqq0Xobx7OaNhCE/s1600/footprints-in-the-sand.jpg" /></a></div>
A spirituality of politics means walking humbly with God. It is not closeted, albeit pious, immobility. It is a walk, a way of life guided by strategy, but sustained by faith, made possible by policy, but nurtured by prayer. It is a private and public acknowledgement of our utter dependence upon God, of our openness to be called upon by the authority of the poor. We are engaged in politics, not simply to ‘help’ others, but because we are compelled by justice. For us justice is not a philosophic concept or a legal definition or an ideologically adapted and approved slogan. It is, as the prophet Micah has taught us, the act of humbly walking with God.<br />
<br />
Allan Boesak<br />
from The Tenderness of Conscience<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke </span><i>(</i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: StoneSerif-Bold; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">14.1, 7–14)</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: StoneSerif; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On one occasion when Jesus was going to the
house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were
watching him closely. When he noticed how the guests chose the places of
honour, he told them a parable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: StoneSerif; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘When you are invited by someone to a
wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more
distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited
both of you may come and say to you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: StoneSerif; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Give this person your place,” and then in
disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: StoneSerif; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But when you are invited, go and sit down
at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend,
move up higher”; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at
the table with you. For all who exalt
themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: StoneSerif; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He said also to the one who had invited
him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your
brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in
return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor,
the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they
cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-67744357645367826672013-08-23T05:27:00.000-07:002013-08-23T05:27:04.388-07:00Thought for the week Thirteenth Week after Trinity<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Bent over a fist full of twigs</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmqley1RJ2nOx_jvQH9hSJKBlkRNEfzOw3MLYB9JNPdd0MibyxMVI8AA74-Xh_p8Fb80Akj2PTkDmuJk8oMxtM_DR_LGtRfRcu0vX6BtMzMTLtN7Duf1pDmAi9sDVa7gK7PPgsugEa7M/s1600/bent-over-with-twigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmqley1RJ2nOx_jvQH9hSJKBlkRNEfzOw3MLYB9JNPdd0MibyxMVI8AA74-Xh_p8Fb80Akj2PTkDmuJk8oMxtM_DR_LGtRfRcu0vX6BtMzMTLtN7Duf1pDmAi9sDVa7gK7PPgsugEa7M/s1600/bent-over-with-twigs.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">twice daily, sweeping.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Bent beneath a load</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">of wood or care.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Keeping the rules that keep</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">a woman bent by burdens,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">spent with weeping.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">A woman is bent.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Surely you meant</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">when you lifted her up</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">long ago to your praise,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Compassionate One,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">not one woman only,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">but all women bent</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">by unbending ways.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Miriam Therese Winter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
Luke.<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(13.10–17)</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.</div>
Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-43537231206190258602013-08-16T02:42:00.001-07:002013-08-16T02:42:09.425-07:00Thought for the week Twelfth Sunday after TrinityHow we are able to put skin on the<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlgA-2k9f70ojBkRt79AfWj_-vx3aAnLWS9WE8s9LVVSeqrzhTR7TpLtjJlWefI_k_o5GB7LFA21zZBAvm-swfhMu7et5v5iVrHzqGbmjnnDFw_kWIh3uTEpMW2Zx7fYaX8hWT-syKpU/s1600/featured1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlgA-2k9f70ojBkRt79AfWj_-vx3aAnLWS9WE8s9LVVSeqrzhTR7TpLtjJlWefI_k_o5GB7LFA21zZBAvm-swfhMu7et5v5iVrHzqGbmjnnDFw_kWIh3uTEpMW2Zx7fYaX8hWT-syKpU/s1600/featured1.jpg" /></a></div>
good things like love, honesty,<br />
truthfulness, caring, etc? No one<br />
would ever see these words unless we<br />
"DID" them. In the same way the only<br />
reasons we know the words hate, hurt,<br />
cheat, lie, etc. is because some one<br />
did them to us, someone put skin on<br />
them. Sound funny?<br />
Well, that's what Jesus did. God sent<br />
Jesus to us so we could see how great<br />
a human being can be. Jesus loved like<br />
no one ever loved before. Now we do<br />
a lot of the things Jesus did like love,<br />
serve, give, and care because Jesus put<br />
clothes on those words for us. That's<br />
what we mean when we say, "the<br />
word made flesh'.<br />
The Rev Lindy Black<br />
<i style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 12.49–56</span></i><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus said to his disciples:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘I came to bring fire to the earth,</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and how I wish it were already
kindled!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have a baptism with which to be baptized,</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and what stress I am under until it is
completed!</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do you think that I have come to bring peace
to the earth?</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No, I
tell you, but rather division!</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From
now on five in one household will be divided,</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">three against two and two against three;</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">they will be divided:</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">father against son and son against
father,</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">mother
against daughter and daughter against mother,</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and daughter-in-law against
mother-in-law.’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He also said to the crowds,</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘When you see a cloud rising in the west,
you immediately say,</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“It
is going to rain”;</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and
so it happens.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And
when you see the south wind blowing, you say,</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“There will be scorching heat”;</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and it happens.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You hypocrites!</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You know how to interpret the appearance of
earth and sky,</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">but
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-88245566321779059482013-08-09T06:00:00.002-07:002013-08-09T06:00:21.785-07:00Thought for the Week 11th Sunday after Trinity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7ner-iD7PwJJSgYj6oYxKy94LnaTYP52ZI0sgHWmge_1AFgEikkwD72iyDO7qgR2YmBNgsdqGO3nPc_FAH51I47EB7xQG1-M1yuNOwZtD3KMHPhB1kCXkdNyRvfxF5W9zr2XHq0DEeM/s1600/Where+your+treasure+is.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7ner-iD7PwJJSgYj6oYxKy94LnaTYP52ZI0sgHWmge_1AFgEikkwD72iyDO7qgR2YmBNgsdqGO3nPc_FAH51I47EB7xQG1-M1yuNOwZtD3KMHPhB1kCXkdNyRvfxF5W9zr2XHq0DEeM/s320/Where+your+treasure+is.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Life in all its fullness<br />
our gift to be received,<br />
life blessed with joy and wholeness,<br />
too complete to be perceived.<br />
Yet, this was won through suffering,<br />
with pain and blood and tears,<br />
through anger and with hatred,<br />
with jealousy and with fear.<br />
The evil of the cross<br />
through his Word transformed us all,<br />
and now we hear his voice<br />
and his quiet persistent call.<br />
'Come follow me, and trust me,<br />
just put your hand in mine;<br />
don't worry about the journey,<br />
I will give to you all the signs...<br />
You will not journey on your own,<br />
I'll guide you where to go.<br />
Just listen to me calling,<br />
trust me and you will know.'<br />
JCH<br />
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Luke.<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </strong><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(12.32-40)</em></div>
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Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</div>
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Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.</div>
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Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.</div>
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If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.</div>
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But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’</div>
Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-14681578480622766692013-08-02T00:42:00.003-07:002013-08-02T00:42:53.261-07:00Thought for the week Trinity 10 The TransfigurationEarly in the morning, together we went<br />
to a quiet place to think and pray,<br />
striding out to find where we could just 'be';<br />
a good way for us all to begin a day.<br />
The blue of the sky, the dew on the grass,<br />
the calm of a mountain, quiet and still;<br />
it beckoned us up and into the mist,<br />
the air around was clear and chill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9vFAyQNlnXunA-SmFiE5PEWMG8xmhf7LV-FieJvrSaXYfpmj3XLiqa-5OcwZOpgnItGnbaUH9sqmwQ70SyjWXCHflV3qMfA8CcUvwLcpJMbh011WdT7KxItQD97Fwp3RATArZweIsNg/s1600/TransfigurationByRaphael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9vFAyQNlnXunA-SmFiE5PEWMG8xmhf7LV-FieJvrSaXYfpmj3XLiqa-5OcwZOpgnItGnbaUH9sqmwQ70SyjWXCHflV3qMfA8CcUvwLcpJMbh011WdT7KxItQD97Fwp3RATArZweIsNg/s320/TransfigurationByRaphael.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
A place to stop to stretch the eye,<br />
the scrub below just dots of grey;<br />
our friend moved away to be alone,<br />
we settled to rest as best we may.<br />
The mist swirled round, a clammy coat,<br />
as sleep touches our lids - a peaceful doze,<br />
But reality called and we woke to see<br />
our friend shining white, even his clothes!<br />
And he wasn't alone, two men were there;<br />
we should shelter them- the mist is cold;<br />
Unknown were they, yet known deep in our souls,<br />
the men looked so young, but also so old.<br />
Then a blink of an eye and they slipped from view.<br />
Did we dream it, or see it? We couldn't be sure.<br />
Our friend turned round, his face serene.<br />
He'd been touched by God and that's for sure!<br />
Then down we went, back to the world,<br />
to the people, the rush, the heat and the pain.<br />
An image of heaven, all shining and bright,<br />
to return to again, and again and again….<br />
JCH<br />
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<i><span lang="EN-US">(Luke 9.28b–36)</span></i> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went
up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his
face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah,
talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure,
which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with
sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who
stood with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus,
‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for
you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ Peter did not know what he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">While he was saying this, a cloud came and
overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from
the cloud came a voice that said, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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When the voice
had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told
no one any of the things they had seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984050357880533778.post-67411025186667157392013-07-27T08:58:00.001-07:002013-07-27T08:58:33.930-07:00Thought for the week Ninth Sunday after Trinity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXxzLEdnNTavQ7rmv-THwKHQYxSpZ4z6FmP4ZyZQ4lkLNrrkasR-g0GPtVMBDcDu3tbLwkvwdDxGNG6dR4KpbC_U0PN82AIVcTy2IMBvV2NNUbX362a3IqbevKrKfrRF1S5qznbr7ArI/s1600/seeds+of+hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXxzLEdnNTavQ7rmv-THwKHQYxSpZ4z6FmP4ZyZQ4lkLNrrkasR-g0GPtVMBDcDu3tbLwkvwdDxGNG6dR4KpbC_U0PN82AIVcTy2IMBvV2NNUbX362a3IqbevKrKfrRF1S5qznbr7ArI/s1600/seeds+of+hope.jpg" /></a></div>
In the wilderness of our longing<br />
Good and generous God,<br />
here we are again,<br />
still stumbling<br />
in the deep of our anxieties,<br />
still shaking<br />
in the face of life’s tragedies,<br />
still doubting<br />
in the midst of our uncertainties….<br />
And, yes, here we are again,<br />
still hoping<br />
to know you as the peace<br />
that surpasses understanding.<br />
For you are<br />
the seed of hope<br />
sewn<br />
in the wilderness of our longing.<br />
Mark BurrowsPhilip M Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08099929621789423866noreply@blogger.com0