Mayb2day

Love is in the air … but remember these words:

Never marry but for love; but see that thou lovest what is lovely.
He that minds a body and not a soul
has not the better part of that relationship,
and will consequently lack the noblest comfort of a married life.

Between a man and his wife nothing ought to rule but love.
As love ought to bring them together,
so it is the best way to keep them well together.

A husband and wife that love one another
show their children that they should do so too.
Others visibly lose their authority in their families
by their contempt of one another,
and teach their children to be unnatural by their own examples.

Let not enjoyment lessen, but augment, affection;
it being the basest of passions to like when we have not,
what we slight when we possess.

Here it is we ought to search out our pleasure,
where the field is large and full of variety, and of an enduring nature;
sickness, poverty or disgrace being not able to shake it
because it is not under the moving influences of worldly contingencies.

Nothing can be more entire and without reserve;
nothing more zealous, affectionate and sincere;
nothing more contented than such a couple,
nor greater temporal felicity than to be one of them.

William Penn (1644-1718)

My colleague Rev. Gordon Newton read this today at our remembrance Sunday service.  I hadn’t heard it read for a while, so I thought I’d post it.

WASTE

Waste of Muscle, waste of Brain,
Waste of Patience, waste of Pain,
Waste of Manhood, waste of Health,
Waste of Beauty, waste of Wealth,
Waste of Blood, and waste of Tears,
Waste of Youth’s most precious years,
Waste of ways the Saints have trod,
Waste of Glory, waste of God,– War!

Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy,  known as ‘Woodbine Willie’ – the soldiers friend.

He was an Anglican priest and poet  who won a Military Cross for bravery as a Padre in the trenches – under fire in one of the bloodiest battles in history.  The name, ‘Woodbine Wille’, was something that Kennedy was very proud of because it grew from his work on troop trains when he’d pass out Bibles and cigarettes. He was a chain-smoker himself.

Lord, when I am hungry,
give me someone in need of food;
when I am thirsty,
send me someone needing a drink;
when I am cold,
send me someone to warm;
when I am grieved,
offer me someone to console;
when my cross grows heavy,
let me share another’s cross;
when I am poor,
lead me to someone in need;
when I have no time,
give me someone I can help a little while;
when I am humiliated,
 let me have someone to praise;
when I am disheartened,
send me someone to cheer;
when I need understanding,
give me someone who needs mine;
when I need to be looked after,
send me someone to care for;
when I think only of myself,
draw my thoughts to another… …

Mother Teresa’s co-workers in Japan.*

*If anyone knows the original source, date, or contact for this – please do let me know and I will correctly credit it.

I asked God to do away with my vices. God said ‘NO!
They are not there for me to take them away. They are there for you to resist them’.

I asked God to complete my body. God said ‘NO!
Your spirit is complete, your body is only temporary.’

I asked God to give me patience. God said ‘NO!
Patience is a by-product of difficulties. It is not given but learned.’

I asked God to give me happiness. God said ‘NO!
I give blessings. Happiness depends on you.’

I asked God to free me from pain. God said ‘NO!
Suffering makes you go far away from this world and brings you nearer to me.’

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said ‘NO!
You have to grow by yourself! But I will prune you to make you bear fruit.’

I asked God for things that would make me like life. God said ‘NO!
I will give you life, so you can enjoy all those things.’

I asked God to help me love others, like He loves me.
God said ‘Ooohh, you finally got the idea!’

Anonymous

(Thanks to Shirley De Los Reyes for sending it to me!)

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do,
Must hurry up and get to work, for bills would soon be due.
And so I said a hurried prayer, jumped up from off my knees,
My Christian duty now was done my soul could be at ease.
All through the day I had no time to speak a word of cheer,
No time to speak to those in need; they’d laugh at me, I feared.
No time, no time – too much to do, that was my constant cry,
No time to give to those in need. At last ‘twas time to die.
And when before the Lord I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
Within his hands he held a book. It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said, ‘Your name I cannot find,
I once was going to write it down, but never found the time.’

                                                                                          Anon.

If you should find the perfect church
Without one fault or smear
For goodness sake don’t join that church
You’d spoil the atmosphere
If you should find the perfect church
Where all anxieties cease
Then pass it by, lest joining in
You’d spoil the master piece
If you should find the perfect church
Then don’t ever dare
To tread upon such holy ground
You’d be a misfit there
But since no perfect church exists
Made of perfect men
Let’s cease looking for that church
And love the church we’re in
Of course it’s not the perfect church
That’s simple to discern
But you and I and all of us
Could cause the tide to turn
What fools are we to flee the past
In that fruitful search
To find at last, where problems loom
God proudly builds His church

Anonymous – Source unknown

“Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.”

Words by Gloria L Gaither (1942-) and William J Gaither (1936-).  
Chorus of their song “Because he lives”. 

Be good to yourself and take time to read the following without any hurry and reflectively.  Why not find somewhere that is quiet and be alone as you let the words speak.  Perhaps you can go for a walk, or sit in a garden – anywhere, but ensure no interruption.  Take your time. 

Ssssshhh.
Shush.
Be quiet.
Yes … you!
Hush and listen.
No! … I mean really listen,
carefully and prayerfully.
Stop what you are doing and thinking right now.
Be still
and learn to listen properly.
Just listen!

Put aside your “To Do” list and your agenda.
Put aside your guilt and your frustration.
Put aside your plans, hopes and dreams;
and simply be!
Rest your thoughts,
relieve your mind
and calm your restless soul.
Just listen!

Listen to your heart
and relax to the rhythm of your body
– a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Let the strong arms of your Creator embrace you
- the One who gave you the very breath of life.
Allow the sounds of God’s creation to be a lullaby
that rocks you in the cradle of divine love
and know that you are enfolded in the duvet of his peace;
that deep peace that passes all human understanding.
Just listen!

Find that place deep within you
and be still and know that God is with you by the gift of his Spirit.
Remember that he loves you far more than you could ever imagine.
You are cherished,
despite your failings;
despite your faithlessness;
despite your inability to take control of your life,
or even to influence the lives of others.
Hear the still small voice of acceptance.
Wait for it.
Just listen!

You are chosen.
You are needed.
You are understood … completely!
You can be forgiven and renewed.
Bask for a moment in grace and mercy.
Go on … enjoy it!
For life is a gift.
Find out in the stillness who you really are
and what is important
- most important!
Just listen!

Allow the balm of God’s healing to soothe you.
Oh yes … and understand this:
Unless you listen more often,
I mean, really listen;
unless you open the floodgates of your heart to God’s Spirit,
you will never find the inrush of life in all its fullness,
you will never find true meaning and purpose.
Rather, you will find yourself dancing to the wrong tune,
or pounding a pointless treadmill.
You will find that you will grow tired and weary,
you will stumble and fall,
you will never soar with those wings clipped!
Just listen!

So, do yourself a favour
and listen, precious one;
listen with care and attention;
listen and live.
For you are loved unconditionally by your Maker
- the One who sent his Son
to set you free;
free to soar on wings like eagles.
He longs for you to trust,
respond
and receive all that he has for you.
BUT,
for heaven’s sake
… just listen!

Anthony D. Miles © July 2003

HYMN: New Song by Tony Miles
Suggested tune: “Hyfrydol” 8.7.8.7.D

Lord, to you, we sing a new song;
age old faith has seen us through.
As we gather now to worship,
let our minds explore anew – 
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
this our God, the three in one.
What a myst’ry!  What a wonder!
Blessed truth to us has come.

So, to God, as heav’nly Father,
thanks and praise we offer you.
By your Word you have created,
given life, sustained it too.
Through the good times, and the bad times,
never has your love grown cold.
Help us see your plan and purpose,
God of mercy, heal the world.

And, to God, in Saviour, Jesus,
thanks and praise we offer you.
Born on earth, you dwelt among us,
showed us, taught us, loved by few.
We rejected, crucified you,
on the cross you died in pain.
O forgive us!  Grant your promise,
let us share new life again.

Now, to God, eternal Spirit,
thanks and praise we offer you.
Breath of Life, come breathe upon us,
lead us in the work we do.
Make us people who are holy,
help us bear your fruit of love.
Take us, break us, and remake us,
Come, descend now, like a dove.

Praise the Lord now, from the heavens,
praise Him from the heights above,
praise Him all His glorious angels,
praise with us the God of love.
He is worthy of our worship,
lift our hearts to let Him reign.
All the world, yes all creation,
raise and magnify His Name!

Text  © Anthony D. Miles  July 1995 

Hark, hark, the wise eternal Word 
Like a weak infant cries, 
In form of servant is the Lord, 
And God in cradle lies. 
     
T. Pestel (1584-1659)

To a preacher from a pew person:

It is really so very sad,
with all the brilliant thoughts you’ve had.
That when upon your text you muse,
we cannot hear you in the pews.

Reply from a pulpit person:

You cannot hear? Alas!  Alack!
Then why on earth sit so far back?
Just take a pew a little nearer
and then the message will be clearer.

Attributed to John Cambell
- actual source unknown