http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS That's the world from my perspective - with a free weblog from blogigo. en PARSONICALS PARSONICALS Wed, 05 Oct 2005 22:08:28 +0200 daily 1 I hate the hypocrisy that wrings its hands over poverty and disease and then spends billions of pounds on space exploration. I despise you who are responsible for failing to address the problems of the home nation and then spend billions of pounds on making unnecessary war. I hate, despise and warn all who ignore the differences I have created and so build up tension and conflict. I hate, despise and warn all who do these things in my world, and yet I so loved this world that I gave my only Son so that all who believe in Him may not perish but have eternal life.  For I love all such sinners even though I hate and  despise their  failures and sin. Thus says the Lord in addressing me and my part in such departures from the way of the Lord. Wed, 05 Oct 2005 22:08:28 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Thus-says-The-Lord/61/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Thus-says-The-Lord/61/ Watching and listening to the actress Liz Smith on the Paul O'Grady show tonight I remembered that like her I was enabled to answer my call late in life. She found herself on the stage; I found my self on the brink of ordination; she at 50; me at 40. Which calls to mind another thing - we each are called to some specific task in God's economy; no one of us should regard another's work with disdain.  We are all called; God will enable us!   Fri, 23 Sep 2005 20:27:09 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/The-time-of-your-life/60/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/The-time-of-your-life/60/ Though the lawns need cutting and the lilies dead-heading, the gardens and surrounding fields are shewing signs of approaching winter. The great straw cart wheels stand like pre-historic monuments and the shears with long handles have arrived from the mail-order garden shop so the overgrown ramblers are about to be attacked with vigour. When everything gets in this state I think about the countryman leaning on his front gate when the vicar greeted and congratulated the man on the beautiful state of his garden.  He closed by saying, "God has been very good to you giving such a great garden".  "Ah", replied the countryman, "but you should have seen it when He had it completely to himself". Mon, 12 Sep 2005 20:45:51 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Autumn-colours/59/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Autumn-colours/59/ It has been a long time since I last blogged. The reason is that we have just had a bruising encounter with part of the NHS.  Foolishly we thought that when we felt ill and went to the doctors that we would be treated with kindness and compassion.  It don't work like that.  The bureaucrats that actually run the NHS surgeries pay more attention to  form than the substance and are skilled in hitting a sick person when he or she is  down. Not only that but they act as prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner in their own cause. However we have come through the ordeal, bloody but unbowed, and now want to forgive and forget the whole experience.  So here's to New Labour and all its targets and penalties. We shall not be moved...etc!   Tue, 06 Sep 2005 17:59:24 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/It-s-more-than-my-jobs-worth/58/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/It-s-more-than-my-jobs-worth/58/ I was asked to present the prizes at our village flower show today.  It was a tremendous event.  Representatives of every part of village life were there; and many were exhibitors.  The standard was very high, and afterwards the goodies were auctioned.  We were lucky with a medley of fruits, now a cooling bowl of summer fruit compote, and some lovely large english tomatoes, which actually smell like tomatoes should. It is very sad that the lad shot at Stockwell lost his life, and that it has caused such heartache for his loved ones, but however the error occurred he is one more victim of the suicide bombers.  Society and its servants may make mistakes, and mistakes must be put right so far as they are able to be so. But don't let us loose sight of the fact that the police officers involved were doing what they did because they believed they were protecting first those nearby and ultimately all of us. We should pray for a reasonable and responsible approach to this whole... Sat, 20 Aug 2005 20:30:47 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Best-in-show/57/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Best-in-show/57/ So Nottingham Police Officers - serving in a so called post religious secularised society - are to wear green ribbons on their uniforms to show friendship to those other members of the community who recognise the colour green as an emblem their religious faith. We have spent all day attempting to transact some business with our bank.  It began with a long queue at about 10.45 am. We are both well known to the staff and visit the bank on business at least once a week, and have done so for the past five years.  It was the beloved that wanted to do the deal, because the documents are in her name.  She explained what she wanted to do and filled in and signed the proper form.  Then she was asked for some proof of her identity.  No five credit cards, a National Trust card, and last month's statement from the bank in question, were deemed inadequate.  A current passport or current driving licence would have done nicely.  She has neither.  A call must be made to... Mon, 15 Aug 2005 18:07:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Oh-no-what-can-the-matter-be/56/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Oh-no-what-can-the-matter-be/56/ At a funeral service today the family asked for the Londonderry Air to be played when the coffin was brought into church, and for Danny Boy to be played when the coffin was taken out for burial.  You couldn't make it up! Newcomers to Wells on Sea on the north Norfolk coast have been complaining about the noise the seagulls and the boats make in the harbour. You really couldn't make it up! Tue, 09 Aug 2005 21:36:20 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Oh-Danny-Boy/55/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Oh-Danny-Boy/55/ Hiroshima? Nagasaki? Manhattan? Enola Gay? The Twin Towers? The Gaza strip? The Russian sub? The shuttle's return?  Perhaps? Our greatest achievements?  Or.........? Sunrise?  Sunrise? Winter and Summer?  Seedtime and Harvest? All still remain! When soars my soul, creator God, How great THOU art, How great THOU art! Sun, 07 Aug 2005 20:40:12 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Oh-how-great/54/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Oh-how-great/54/ The bombings. The failed bombings. The lad killed with an axe. The video of Bin Laden's assistant warning about further terrorist attacks. The remembrance of Enoch Powell's derided prophecies. The pseudo-apologies sought and offered for slavery and other historical wrongs. And all around these events the gathering of the career handwringers (inside and outside the media) telling the rest of us how we are the real culprits.  We provoked these things.  Apparently the responsibility is ours! So I give thanks that my God only holds me to account for what I have done. Indeed not only am I responsible for my wrongs, but in the last judgement when my God recalls my sins He also pronounces my acquittal He has already provided in Jesus of Nazareth's life, death, resurrection, ascension and promised return . Jesus died for me.  He died for you.  Praise his Name. Thu, 04 Aug 2005 21:00:48 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Shock-and-awe/53/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Shock-and-awe/53/ As an old copper it is good to see the police in London and other places actually doing the job each of them has sworn to do.  Perhaps some dramatic social good will now come from the appalling carnage of all the innocent people caught up in the effects of bombing, failed bombing and the poor Brazilian  shot as a possible bomber.  No wonder he looked terrified as he was shot.  All, including him, are the victims of the terrible human weapons called suicide bombers. Speaking about doing the job, I was reading the scriptures at a funeral during the week.  The passage was from St. John's Gospel, chapter 14, the one which contains the promise of Jesus to prepare a place for each of us in His Father's house. The bit that hit home was His additional promise to come for us, so that we will be where He is. I have claimed that His promise be met for all the dead resulting from the current terror.   Sun, 31 Jul 2005 20:43:54 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Doing-the-job/52/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Doing-the-job/52/ The beloved and I cleaned, polished and vacuumed the bedrooms this morning;  then I officiated at the burial of the ashes of a much loved mum, sister and daughter; finally I interviewed a beautiful elderly man, ex- soldier, working man and the husband of, as he describes her "my lovely lady. Her death, at 84 ended a love-match which began when they were both 16, on the dodgems at a pre-war fairground. Somehow all these hang together and exemplify the words "who sweeps a floor as for His sake makes that and the action fine..." Mon, 25 Jul 2005 20:31:29 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Cleaning-ashes-and-an-old-gentleman/51/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Cleaning-ashes-and-an-old-gentleman/51/ Who was Mary Magdalene?  Was she posh and pronounced her name "Maudlin"? Was she the prostitute Jesus forgave and rehabilitated?  Was she the mentally tormented soul Jesus healed?  Was she the woman who wasted good ointment on His feet, when it could have been sold and the money used for a good cause? She was at the cross when He died.  She was first at His tomb on a Sunday morning, saw angels,  thought the risen Jesus was a gardener, and when she realised what had happened became the first witness to His resurrection and His messenger to the Apostles to proclaim the fact. But no matter who she was - who are you? Who have you been?  What message do you carry? Or put another way, who are you?  Everyone really needs to know. Sun, 24 Jul 2005 19:27:29 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Who-are-you-Oo-Oo-Oo-I-really-want-to-know/50/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Who-are-you-Oo-Oo-Oo-I-really-want-to-know/50/ My connection is down to 14kbps so this has to be short. Another outrage in London town, and a man being pursued is shot 5 times, just to make sure? The weather matches the mood, overcast and showers. I passed by a man of african origin outside the bank.  His companion, a white woman, said to him, "If you get yourself arrested - then I'm leaving you" Cheery sort of day, innit? Fri, 22 Jul 2005 18:22:45 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Slow-slow-and-slow/49/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Slow-slow-and-slow/49/ I've not written much recently.  My computer decided to misbehave; and it has taken a lot of work to get it under control.  It seems to be in order now.  Hooray! In addition I have had to decide about starting with Methotrexate as a remedy for rheumatic arthritis. The consultant was sanguine about it all but researching the manufacturer's warnings and recommendations caused a great deal of concern; some quite simple combinations of Methotrexate with other freely available drugs and other things like alcohol were flagged as possibly fatal.  All this caused tremendous family agitation and worry. However, I've taken the plunge and with aid of folic acid and Actenalol all seems to be going well.  Well I'm writing thisssssssssssssss! Tue, 19 Jul 2005 21:14:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Distractions/48/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Distractions/48/ I'm dissatisfied with how I do things.  Other people contribute to this dissatisfaction by expecting better things of me.  I feel guilty, and thus unworthy to explain to others how they ought to behave or what to believe. So my own performance is poor, and my preaching is made unconvincing; therefore I only pray. Still as my late father-in-law often observed "If all these words so vainly spent; to heaven in supplication went; how oft then the cry would be; look what the Lord has done for me". Oremus.   Tue, 12 Jul 2005 20:17:51 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Performing-preaching-praying/47/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Performing-preaching-praying/47/   1) We've just had two wonderful days away in North Norfolk.  We stayed in an hotel called The Roman Camp Inn at Aylmerton.  The room was great.  The staff were brilliant, friendly, enthusiastic, professional and capable.  It was a lovely break away. 2) Did you know that with the implementation of the new doctor's contracts within the NHS  we now do not have a named doctor?  Apparently, unless it is a single doctor practice, everyone is registered to a practice, and you see whoever is about, even if it is a once only locum.  So what price continuity of treatment or building up any sort of doctor-patient relationship? 3) Have you realised that whereas the receptionists in a surgery can be as rude to you over any sort of period they choose, if you raise your voice to them or question their procedures they will complain immediately with the explicit threat that you will be removed from their practice list. Mon, 11 Jul 2005 20:20:44 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/3-things/46/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/3-things/46/ Four bombs; thirty three dead; three hundred and forty other casualties; should I go on? Or should I ask for forgiveness for those who caused this carnage? Whatever, I can only pray and trust, and pray.... Thu, 07 Jul 2005 22:42:12 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/What-a-mess/45/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/What-a-mess/45/ One of the proffered reasons for hitting the meteorite with the "washing machine" was to learn about the bits of similar meteorites which go into making each of us. So millions of dollars spent on knowledge about the make-up of human beings whilst millions of us starve and die.  A fair trade-off? So will pop-concerts do it? Or G8 meetings? Or Clown faced anarchists demonstrating? Or the BBC having an Africa week? Or any other large scale organized event or effort? Or NGOs with their men in white suits descending from aeroplanes in exotic places and driving new vehicles (4x4s of course) specially imported for the purpose? Will any of these do it? To borrow a phrase from the Lenny Henry show - "I don't fink sooo!"   Mon, 04 Jul 2005 20:33:45 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Bang/44/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Bang/44/ Habakukk was the watch-tower prophet. He stood on the platform on the top of his society's wall and looked into the heart of his people.  What he saw he knew was not in accordance with God's wish that they should love one another as they loved themselves. He then looked out and saw the gathering forces of impending distruction.  The armies of evil massing to attack.  He saw that because of what they were doing and believing they were unable to prepare to withstand the enemy outside the walls. He looked up and saw a vision of what could be; and he prayed, and then he warned. Our own prophets still stand, and see, and pray and warn. Listen... we may hear something to our advantage. Sun, 03 Jul 2005 20:31:15 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Look-up-look-in-look-out/43/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Look-up-look-in-look-out/43/ We are a hypocritical people. We incarcerate, we humiliate, we deport, those who obey the rules and follow the system. We don't even know the numbers of those who refuse to play the game, but it is estimated that they form 1 in 10 of the UK population according to provisional figures from our own government. We applaud ourselves for being 21st century in our approval of and acceptance of the gay members of society, and we throw our hands up in horror when an older man or woman finds their security and comfort in the company of a 14 year old who reciprocates those simple human feelings. We wring our hands when an infant is fatally flawed, or disfigured, or wanting some sort of replacement surgery, or dies in the womb and so on... But we destroy about 250,000 embryos every year as a form of contraception... Father, forgive us, even though we do know what we do... Fri, 01 Jul 2005 21:35:19 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Playacting-or-whited-sepulchres/42/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/PARSONICALS/Playacting-or-whited-sepulchres/42/