Saturday, 7 May 2011
SEE POST BELOW
From THE STAR ADVERTISER (Hawaii):
Father Michael Lapsley, maimed by a mail bomb for his protests of apartheid in South Africa, says he is more of a priest with no hands than if he had two hands.
"One of my primary qualities is I've got no hands. It gives me a point of entry to others," Lapsley said in an interview here Monday. "Nobody says to me, ‘You don't know what pain is,' though frequently pain is more invisible than not. In that sense it's an asset — it gives us an avenue of connection. The sharing of pain connects us at the deepest level of common humanity."
Lapsley was living in exile in Zimbabwe in April 1990 when a package to him exploded. It blew his hands off, shattered his eardrums and destroyed the sight in one eye. The Episcopalian priest said he had been targeted by the South African government for his global activism against the racist policy of apartheid, which was abolished by 1993.
Lapsley, who said on his website that he "traveled the journey from being a freedom fighter to being a healer," is in Hawaii listening to the stories of female inmates and talking with students and members of the Judiciary, churches and the Hawaii Forgiveness Project.
Father Michael Lapsley, maimed by a mail bomb for his protests of apartheid in South Africa, says he is more of a priest with no hands than if he had two hands.
"One of my primary qualities is I've got no hands. It gives me a point of entry to others," Lapsley said in an interview here Monday. "Nobody says to me, ‘You don't know what pain is,' though frequently pain is more invisible than not. In that sense it's an asset — it gives us an avenue of connection. The sharing of pain connects us at the deepest level of common humanity."
Lapsley was living in exile in Zimbabwe in April 1990 when a package to him exploded. It blew his hands off, shattered his eardrums and destroyed the sight in one eye. The Episcopalian priest said he had been targeted by the South African government for his global activism against the racist policy of apartheid, which was abolished by 1993.
Lapsley, who said on his website that he "traveled the journey from being a freedom fighter to being a healer," is in Hawaii listening to the stories of female inmates and talking with students and members of the Judiciary, churches and the Hawaii Forgiveness Project.
Friday, 6 May 2011
WHERE DOES HE FIND THEM?
There's over six minutes of this. As I'm pretty certain that I won't be dipping my hand into the indulgence jar much on this one I'm willing to offer a massive six thousand days off purgatory for any suicidal wretches out there who manage to get all the way through it.
I think that the playing of this specific record is an ideal time to draw your attention to the rules of "Where Does He Find Them?" in particular Rule 59, paragraph 4b. This clearly states that if a person dies during the course of listening to one of these tunes from hell and if concerned friends do not remove that person's body from the room before the ending of the track, then the deceased person qualifies for all the days off purgatory that would have been awarded if the person had survived the experience. These hard earned indulgences can be surrendered on arrival in purgatory or saved to be spent at a later date. OCICBW... is the blog that cares.
LOUD FRIDAY
It's time to fetch the air guitar down from the loft, dust it off, turn the volume up to eleven, press play on the widget underneath and enter headbangers' paradise.
BAND'S MYSPACE PAGE
PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
MADPRIEST VISITS A SHRINK
See I AM A LEPER.
With my full approval, VIC THE VICAR posted my account of the discrimination I have faced in the Church of England on his blog yesterday.
All but one of the comments he has received from readers other than myself have been unsurprisingly aggressive and suspicious.
I wanted to send the following to Vic but was unable to find an email address for him so I'm posting it here.
A couple of years ago my diocese sent me to see a professor of psychiatry, chosen and paid for by themselves, who was to report back to them with an assessment of my ability to perform my priestly duties. The following is a scan of the conclusion of the psychiatrist's report:
In the intervening years since this report was submitted to my former bishop I have become a lot more capable of attending large meetings. However, I still have food phobias and a huge distrust of other clergy.
With my full approval, VIC THE VICAR posted my account of the discrimination I have faced in the Church of England on his blog yesterday.
All but one of the comments he has received from readers other than myself have been unsurprisingly aggressive and suspicious.
I wanted to send the following to Vic but was unable to find an email address for him so I'm posting it here.
A couple of years ago my diocese sent me to see a professor of psychiatry, chosen and paid for by themselves, who was to report back to them with an assessment of my ability to perform my priestly duties. The following is a scan of the conclusion of the psychiatrist's report:
In the intervening years since this report was submitted to my former bishop I have become a lot more capable of attending large meetings. However, I still have food phobias and a huge distrust of other clergy.
CLUMBER'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Clumber, that wicked old dog, suggests that in stead of trying to raise $15 million for the further education of TEC bishops they should just be sent to obedience classes. MadPriest agrees. It would be a lot cheaper and, at the least, would teach the bishops that it is naughty to chase cats.
THE PRAYER LIST - 6TH. MAY 2011
Posted by Red at APPLES OF GOLD:
I visit my 90+ year old grandmother regularly in her care home. I have posted before about how her ageing has affected me and yet how blessed I feel by seeing her each week. Over the last few weeks she has hugely gone down hill. Last week she didn't even recognise me, she thought I was a nurse (which in other circumstances would be quite funny...) Today she barely spoke. She is now confined to bed, unable to do anything for herself.
***
Posted by Ormonde Plater at THROUGH THE DUST:
Murdered this week in the New Orleans metro area:
4/22 Theiron Balde 35 Shot
4/28 James Davis Jr. 39 Shot
4/28 Chandrick Harris 28 Shot
4/29 Reginald Smith 26 (died from gunshots suffered 4/5)
4/30 Chad Thomas 40 Shot
4/30 Raymond Johnson 45 Shot
5/02 Kassia Benton 17 Shot
5/03 Harvey Thornton 26 Shot
5/04 Dawayne Jamal 22 Shot
Please pray for the victims, their murders, and their families.
***
From ALJAZEERA:
Syrian activists have called for another day of nationwide anti-government protests and authorities have responded by deploying the military in political sensitive areas. Demonstrations are expected to begin after Friday prayers as activists vowed a "day of defiance".
***
From REUTERS:
Radioactive substances have been leaking from Japan's tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant for nearly two months, and the plant is likely to continue emitting radiation into the atmosphere, and possibly into the ocean and ground water, for many months to come.
***
From THE BBC:
At least eight people belonging to Pakistan's minority Shia community have been killed in an explosion in the south-western city of Quetta. Police said the cause of the blast, which wounded 10 others, was not clear.
***
From THE BBC:
Fire crews have scaled up resources for another day battling a forest fire in Berkshire, England - the largest blaze in the county's history. Fires have raged in Swinley Forest, near Ascot and Bracknell, since Monday.
***
THANKSGIVING
From THE BBC:
Brazil's Supreme Court has voted overwhelmingly in favour of allowing same-sex couples the same legal rights as married heterosexuals. The decision was approved by 10-0 with one abstention. The ruling will give gay couples in "stable" partnerships the same financial and social rights enjoyed by those in heterosexual relationships.
***
Posted by Leonardo Ricardo at
ERUPTIONS AT THE FOOT OF THE VOLCANO:
The Jury of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA), meeting in Geneva, has selected Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera as the Laureate for her work for LGBT rights and marginalised people in Uganda.
***
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
I visit my 90+ year old grandmother regularly in her care home. I have posted before about how her ageing has affected me and yet how blessed I feel by seeing her each week. Over the last few weeks she has hugely gone down hill. Last week she didn't even recognise me, she thought I was a nurse (which in other circumstances would be quite funny...) Today she barely spoke. She is now confined to bed, unable to do anything for herself.
***
Posted by Ormonde Plater at THROUGH THE DUST:
Murdered this week in the New Orleans metro area:
4/22 Theiron Balde 35 Shot
4/28 James Davis Jr. 39 Shot
4/28 Chandrick Harris 28 Shot
4/29 Reginald Smith 26 (died from gunshots suffered 4/5)
4/30 Chad Thomas 40 Shot
4/30 Raymond Johnson 45 Shot
5/02 Kassia Benton 17 Shot
5/03 Harvey Thornton 26 Shot
5/04 Dawayne Jamal 22 Shot
Please pray for the victims, their murders, and their families.
***
From ALJAZEERA:
Syrian activists have called for another day of nationwide anti-government protests and authorities have responded by deploying the military in political sensitive areas. Demonstrations are expected to begin after Friday prayers as activists vowed a "day of defiance".
***
From REUTERS:
Radioactive substances have been leaking from Japan's tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant for nearly two months, and the plant is likely to continue emitting radiation into the atmosphere, and possibly into the ocean and ground water, for many months to come.
***
From THE BBC:
At least eight people belonging to Pakistan's minority Shia community have been killed in an explosion in the south-western city of Quetta. Police said the cause of the blast, which wounded 10 others, was not clear.
***
From THE BBC:
Fire crews have scaled up resources for another day battling a forest fire in Berkshire, England - the largest blaze in the county's history. Fires have raged in Swinley Forest, near Ascot and Bracknell, since Monday.
***
THANKSGIVING
From THE BBC:
Brazil's Supreme Court has voted overwhelmingly in favour of allowing same-sex couples the same legal rights as married heterosexuals. The decision was approved by 10-0 with one abstention. The ruling will give gay couples in "stable" partnerships the same financial and social rights enjoyed by those in heterosexual relationships.
***
Posted by Leonardo Ricardo at
ERUPTIONS AT THE FOOT OF THE VOLCANO:
The Jury of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA), meeting in Geneva, has selected Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera as the Laureate for her work for LGBT rights and marginalised people in Uganda.
***
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
If an action cannot be shown to be harmful without reference to a religious code it is not a sin.
NOAH REDUX
Annoyed at the success of the Mercy Ship initiative, The Episcopal Church in the United States has dipped its toes in the maritime missionary water with the launching of their new project, the M.V. Zeta-Schori.
Project manager, Deputy Mark Harris, told OCICBW... that they had to cut costs on the ship's construction due to the pressing need in the Church to finance the education of its bishops. But he is confidant that they will still be able to bring comfort to those most in need.
The ship will be crewed by members of the House of Deputies and their first mercy mission will be to the Avondale Sky Winery, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Full details at CBC NEWS.
Thanks to Laura for sending this
story into MadPriest Towers.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
OBAMA RELEASES BIN LADEN
PHOTO TO WORLD PRESS
So let's have no more conspiracy
theories and cynicism, okay?
theories and cynicism, okay?
PRAYER LIST UPDATE
From JCF:
I'm home and iced. Won't know anything till next week. Continuing prayers appreciated!
I'm home and iced. Won't know anything till next week. Continuing prayers appreciated!
MADPRIEST DIGS . . .
I didn't buy the first Fleet Foxes' album, it wasn't quite good enough in my opinion. However, this, their second album, is well worth forking out the dosh for. in fact, I have a sneakin' suspicion that the first track in this mix, "Helplessness Blues"is going to turn out to be one of the great songs of the year and will go on to become a classic played in student bedsits and unemployed priest's studies for many years to come.
BAND'S WEBSITE
PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
British readers should check THIS freebie out at Amazon before they change their minds.
GRAND TUFTI CONDEMNS ATTACK
ON UNARMED BEARDIE
From THE TELEGRAPH:
Dr Rowan Williams warned that the shooting dead of the unarmed al Qaeda leader meant justice was not "seen to be done". The differing accounts of the American special forces' operation which have emerged from the White House since Monday "have not helped", he said.
Dr Rowan Williams warned that the shooting dead of the unarmed al Qaeda leader meant justice was not "seen to be done". The differing accounts of the American special forces' operation which have emerged from the White House since Monday "have not helped", he said.
NANNY BANKS ELEVATED
The Grand Tufti has announced his replacements for the two flying bishops who flew off to Rome recently. They are Father Norman "Nanny" Banks, vicar of St. Mary's, Little Walsingham (previously from Newcastle Diocese) and some young lad I've never heard of called Jonathan "The Baker Boy" Baker. They will be responsible for the pastoral care of those in the Church of England who believe Mary Magdalene was a man and a lot of gay priests who support institutionalised homophobia (especially if it's in the United States). I can vouch for the fact that Father Banks is most definitely unmarried. I think Father Baker may be too young to get married.
Father Banks left Newcastle Diocese shortly after his church built a lovely new hall during the same period that they didn't pay their parish share in full. That the bishop of Newcastle and the newly appointed bishop of Richborough will often be sitting together in the same room from now on amuses me somewhat. Oh, to be a fly on the wall, especially when the bishops are discussing the financial problems of the dioceses.
Full details at THE GUARDIAN.
Father Banks left Newcastle Diocese shortly after his church built a lovely new hall during the same period that they didn't pay their parish share in full. That the bishop of Newcastle and the newly appointed bishop of Richborough will often be sitting together in the same room from now on amuses me somewhat. Oh, to be a fly on the wall, especially when the bishops are discussing the financial problems of the dioceses.
Full details at THE GUARDIAN.
ARCHBISHOP OF BRISBANE DIAGNOSED
WITH TERMINAL IMPOTENCY
From THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
See also THE FUTURE SAINT RATZINGER PUTS THE BOOT IN
Brisbane's Catholic Archbishop, John Bathersby, says the Pope must have had a good reason to sack the bishop of the Toowoomba diocese, William Morris, but that he was not aware of the details behind the removal, which had saddened him.
"Bishop Bill is a person I know very well - a person who has done an enormous amount of work in the church," he told ABC radio.
"I feel sad about it all but I'm sure there must be a lot of reason in the decision the Pope has made."
Archbishop Bathersby said he believed Bishop Morris was good at his job.
He admitted Rome did not consult him about the case and the decision to remove the bishop, but nor did he expect to be privy to such processes.
"We are made bishops by the Pope and on odd occasions the Pope himself will suggest the bishop he has appointed should no longer be in control of a diocese. That's the way it happens in the Catholic Church ...
"I don't know all the ins and outs of the situation of what a bishop may have done. I think that's something between the bishop and the Pope."
The archbishop said he supported the actions Rome had taken.
About 200 people held vigils in Toowoomba on Tuesday evening to protest against the sacking.
From THE COURIER MAIL:
The "temple police", a group of about 15 parishioners and priests, have been blamed for bringing about the downfall of the bishop through a series of letters of complaint sent to Australia's apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto.
"There's only about 15 of them and what they do is continually protest to Rome," a priest, who did not want to be named, said.
"Naturally the Vatican doesn't get letters from all the people who are happy."
See also THE FUTURE SAINT RATZINGER PUTS THE BOOT IN
Brisbane's Catholic Archbishop, John Bathersby, says the Pope must have had a good reason to sack the bishop of the Toowoomba diocese, William Morris, but that he was not aware of the details behind the removal, which had saddened him.
"Bishop Bill is a person I know very well - a person who has done an enormous amount of work in the church," he told ABC radio.
"I feel sad about it all but I'm sure there must be a lot of reason in the decision the Pope has made."
Archbishop Bathersby said he believed Bishop Morris was good at his job.
He admitted Rome did not consult him about the case and the decision to remove the bishop, but nor did he expect to be privy to such processes.
"We are made bishops by the Pope and on odd occasions the Pope himself will suggest the bishop he has appointed should no longer be in control of a diocese. That's the way it happens in the Catholic Church ...
"I don't know all the ins and outs of the situation of what a bishop may have done. I think that's something between the bishop and the Pope."
The archbishop said he supported the actions Rome had taken.
About 200 people held vigils in Toowoomba on Tuesday evening to protest against the sacking.
From THE COURIER MAIL:
The "temple police", a group of about 15 parishioners and priests, have been blamed for bringing about the downfall of the bishop through a series of letters of complaint sent to Australia's apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto.
"There's only about 15 of them and what they do is continually protest to Rome," a priest, who did not want to be named, said.
"Naturally the Vatican doesn't get letters from all the people who are happy."
I AM A LEPER
I have just posted this comment on the thread of an excellent post on the church's attitude towards people who have suffered from , or who are suffering from, mental illness posted at GORDON'S BLOG. Please check out the original post, especially if you are employed by a religious organisation - most especially if you are a bishop or in a similar position of leadership.
I am an unemployed Church of England priest.
I am unemployed because 12 years ago I went through a couple of years suffering from a serious depressive illness. I was in and out of hospital and nothing the psychiatrists prescribed would shift it. Eventually I met a young occupational therapist and something clicked. Together we came up with a regime that pulled me out of the hell I was living in.
About ten years ago I was well enough to start working again. At the time I was the vicar of a two church parish, although I had been off work for over a year. I suggested to my archdeacon that I could manage one parish for a while until I was strong enough to cope with both. I was told this would not be possible.
Then I was called into the bishop's office and he told me that I should retire and there was no job for me in the Church. I fought hard and he eventually gave me the post of assistant curate on a two year contract. He also insisted that I saw counsellors who reported back to him and undergo review procedures far more intrusive than what other priests had to go through.
At the end of the two years I had to fight again to keep my job. Again Iwas given a two year contract. At the end of that, after another fight, I was given a one year contract and at the end of that I was told there was no job for me, and I wasn't given any contract. However, I carried on working and they still paid me for another two years.
Last September, the bishop finally got his way and I was dismissed.
During all those years of temporary contracts I did a perfectly fine and appreciated job and did not have a single minute off work because of illness, let alone mental distress. I have managed my depression by sticking to the regimes that were formulated with my OT and with medication.
During all those years the bishop never once considered putting me forward for a full time post. I am certain that he was convinced from the start that somebody who had suffered from mental illness could never be trusted to take on any position of responsibility. I also think he believes that all mental illness is the same and that we are all schizophrenics. He certainly does not understand that major depressive episodes are usually temporary and that even those who suffer from occasional relapses can be perfectly capable of holding down a job as well as anybody else between episodes.
Basically my bishop was an ill-informed bigot.
Of course, having been subject to such prejudice for so long and held back from pursuing my vocation, all the parishes I apply to for work are suspicious of me. After 75 rejections in less than a year I gave up.
This would never have happened if I had been in secular employment because my employer would have been breaking English law if he treated me in the same way as my former bishop. My bishop used the church's exemption from employment laws to get away with worse than murder - stripping me of my vocation and my reason for living.
The Church occasionally makes the right noises about mental illness but they are, in reality, a bunch of hypocrites.
I am an unemployed Church of England priest.
I am unemployed because 12 years ago I went through a couple of years suffering from a serious depressive illness. I was in and out of hospital and nothing the psychiatrists prescribed would shift it. Eventually I met a young occupational therapist and something clicked. Together we came up with a regime that pulled me out of the hell I was living in.
About ten years ago I was well enough to start working again. At the time I was the vicar of a two church parish, although I had been off work for over a year. I suggested to my archdeacon that I could manage one parish for a while until I was strong enough to cope with both. I was told this would not be possible.
Then I was called into the bishop's office and he told me that I should retire and there was no job for me in the Church. I fought hard and he eventually gave me the post of assistant curate on a two year contract. He also insisted that I saw counsellors who reported back to him and undergo review procedures far more intrusive than what other priests had to go through.
At the end of the two years I had to fight again to keep my job. Again Iwas given a two year contract. At the end of that, after another fight, I was given a one year contract and at the end of that I was told there was no job for me, and I wasn't given any contract. However, I carried on working and they still paid me for another two years.
Last September, the bishop finally got his way and I was dismissed.
During all those years of temporary contracts I did a perfectly fine and appreciated job and did not have a single minute off work because of illness, let alone mental distress. I have managed my depression by sticking to the regimes that were formulated with my OT and with medication.
During all those years the bishop never once considered putting me forward for a full time post. I am certain that he was convinced from the start that somebody who had suffered from mental illness could never be trusted to take on any position of responsibility. I also think he believes that all mental illness is the same and that we are all schizophrenics. He certainly does not understand that major depressive episodes are usually temporary and that even those who suffer from occasional relapses can be perfectly capable of holding down a job as well as anybody else between episodes.
Basically my bishop was an ill-informed bigot.
Of course, having been subject to such prejudice for so long and held back from pursuing my vocation, all the parishes I apply to for work are suspicious of me. After 75 rejections in less than a year I gave up.
This would never have happened if I had been in secular employment because my employer would have been breaking English law if he treated me in the same way as my former bishop. My bishop used the church's exemption from employment laws to get away with worse than murder - stripping me of my vocation and my reason for living.
The Church occasionally makes the right noises about mental illness but they are, in reality, a bunch of hypocrites.
THE LAST POST AND CHORUS
From SKY NEWS:
The last known survivor of the 70 million men who fought in the First World War has died, a pacifist, at the age of 110.
Claude Stanley Choules, known to his friends as "Chuckles", was born in Pershore, Worcestershire, and served in the Royal Navy. He spent his final years in a nursing home in Perth, Western Australia.
As he grew older and became one of the last surviving combat veterans, he became well known, and in 2009 he published a book about his life called The Last Of The Last. He declared himself a pacifist and declined to take part in Australia's popular remembrance parades.
His son, Adrian, said: "He served in two wars but he hated war - he just saw it as a job."
Mr Choules' family confirmed he died peacefully. His 84-year-old daughter, Daphne Edinger, said: "We all loved him. It's going to be sad to think of him not being here any longer, but that's the way things go."
COMMENT: When I was a child I knew many men who had fought in WWI and many who had fought in both World Wars. I grew up knowing all about the horrors of war as my mother was always truthful in her answers to my questions about the old men who would walk around the small town I lived in, muttering to themselves and occasionally shouting out curses against Germans and, more often, the Japanese.
The two wars were close to me, not only in time, but in geography as well. Those black and white photos of the carnage on the battlefields of WWI were taken just a couple of hundred miles or so from where I lived.
Retired soldiers would give talks about the reality of war at my schools and at the churches I attended.
I learned at a very young age that war was not glamourous, that it was a very bad thing.
In England, we are rapidly losing that direct connection to the experience of war. Of course, our soldiers are fighting in Afghanistan and elsewhere, but not in anywhere near the numbers involved in the World Wars. So, their experiences will not be heard by many and will not become part of our collective memory as forcefully as the experiences of the soldiers who fought in the World Wars.
I do worry that as a nation's memory of the obscenity of war fades the more likely that nation is to consider war once more.
The last known survivor of the 70 million men who fought in the First World War has died, a pacifist, at the age of 110.
Claude Stanley Choules, known to his friends as "Chuckles", was born in Pershore, Worcestershire, and served in the Royal Navy. He spent his final years in a nursing home in Perth, Western Australia.
As he grew older and became one of the last surviving combat veterans, he became well known, and in 2009 he published a book about his life called The Last Of The Last. He declared himself a pacifist and declined to take part in Australia's popular remembrance parades.
His son, Adrian, said: "He served in two wars but he hated war - he just saw it as a job."
Mr Choules' family confirmed he died peacefully. His 84-year-old daughter, Daphne Edinger, said: "We all loved him. It's going to be sad to think of him not being here any longer, but that's the way things go."
COMMENT: When I was a child I knew many men who had fought in WWI and many who had fought in both World Wars. I grew up knowing all about the horrors of war as my mother was always truthful in her answers to my questions about the old men who would walk around the small town I lived in, muttering to themselves and occasionally shouting out curses against Germans and, more often, the Japanese.
The two wars were close to me, not only in time, but in geography as well. Those black and white photos of the carnage on the battlefields of WWI were taken just a couple of hundred miles or so from where I lived.
Retired soldiers would give talks about the reality of war at my schools and at the churches I attended.
I learned at a very young age that war was not glamourous, that it was a very bad thing.
In England, we are rapidly losing that direct connection to the experience of war. Of course, our soldiers are fighting in Afghanistan and elsewhere, but not in anywhere near the numbers involved in the World Wars. So, their experiences will not be heard by many and will not become part of our collective memory as forcefully as the experiences of the soldiers who fought in the World Wars.
I do worry that as a nation's memory of the obscenity of war fades the more likely that nation is to consider war once more.
SOMETHING ROTTEN IN THE
STATE OF THE EPISCOPACY
The voting of $15 million for themselves by TEC bishops certainly sets off the alarm bells in my head. But I'm no expert on such things so check out Mark's post at PRELUDIUM for an accurate account of what is going down.
THE PRAYER LIST - 5TH. MAY 2011
Please pray for JCF who is undergoing a biopsy today.
***
Posted by 8TH DAY:
Last week I finally had surgery to repair a torn meniscus and other damage in my knee. I can walk with only a small limp. Stairs are still a challenge but every day it’s getting better. Friday the stitches come out and I can start physical therapy. I hope to be riding my bike out in the country before the smell of lilacs is gone.
***
Posted at DIOBETH NEWSPIN:
Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families:
Maj. Philip D. Ambard, 44, of Edmonds, Washington
Maj. Jeffrey O. Ausborn, 41, of Gadsden, Alabama
Maj. David L. Brodeur, 34, of Auburn, Massachusetts
Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of Deltona, Florida
Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr., 37, of Knoxville, Tennessee
Sgt. Adam D. Craig, 23, of Cherokee, Iowa
Spc. Preston J. Dennis, 23, of Redding, California
Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II, 40, of New Haven, Connecticut
Lance Cpl. Ronald D. Freeman, 25, of Plant City, Florida
Pfc. Robert M. Friese, 21, of Chesterfield, Michigan
Sgt. Matthew D. Hermanson, 22, of Appleton, Wisconsin
Lance Cpl. Joe M. Jackson, 22, of White Swan, Washington
Cpl. Adam D. Jones, 29, of Germantown, Ohio
Spc. Andrew E. Lara, 25, of Albany, Oregon
Capt. Nathan J. Nylander, 35, of Hockley, Texas
Capt. Charles A. Ransom, 31, of Midlothian, Virginia
Pfc. Jonathan M. Villanueva, 19, of Jacksonville, Florida
Cpl. Kevin W. White, 22, of Westfield, New York
Pray also for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners, and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for an end to this endless war.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
A suicide bomber on Thursday attacked a police training center in the predominantly Shiite city of Hilla, Babil, south of Baghdad, killing 17 policemen and wounding 65 people, including civilians, according to a local official and a security official.
***
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
***
Posted by 8TH DAY:
Last week I finally had surgery to repair a torn meniscus and other damage in my knee. I can walk with only a small limp. Stairs are still a challenge but every day it’s getting better. Friday the stitches come out and I can start physical therapy. I hope to be riding my bike out in the country before the smell of lilacs is gone.
***
Posted at DIOBETH NEWSPIN:
Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families:
Maj. Philip D. Ambard, 44, of Edmonds, Washington
Maj. Jeffrey O. Ausborn, 41, of Gadsden, Alabama
Maj. David L. Brodeur, 34, of Auburn, Massachusetts
Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of Deltona, Florida
Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr., 37, of Knoxville, Tennessee
Sgt. Adam D. Craig, 23, of Cherokee, Iowa
Spc. Preston J. Dennis, 23, of Redding, California
Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II, 40, of New Haven, Connecticut
Lance Cpl. Ronald D. Freeman, 25, of Plant City, Florida
Pfc. Robert M. Friese, 21, of Chesterfield, Michigan
Sgt. Matthew D. Hermanson, 22, of Appleton, Wisconsin
Lance Cpl. Joe M. Jackson, 22, of White Swan, Washington
Cpl. Adam D. Jones, 29, of Germantown, Ohio
Spc. Andrew E. Lara, 25, of Albany, Oregon
Capt. Nathan J. Nylander, 35, of Hockley, Texas
Capt. Charles A. Ransom, 31, of Midlothian, Virginia
Pfc. Jonathan M. Villanueva, 19, of Jacksonville, Florida
Cpl. Kevin W. White, 22, of Westfield, New York
Pray also for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners, and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for an end to this endless war.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
A suicide bomber on Thursday attacked a police training center in the predominantly Shiite city of Hilla, Babil, south of Baghdad, killing 17 policemen and wounding 65 people, including civilians, according to a local official and a security official.
***
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MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Word became flesh to dwell among us.
The flesh must become divine to dwell within God.
The miaphysites are correct. Jesus has to be of only one nature, a perfect fusion of divinity and humanity. Our aim is to become one with God and we cannot become completely one with God if our human and our (eventual) divine natures are separate. But, through our union with Christ we are conformed to his nature and so become human and (eventually) divine in one nature, capable of full inclusion within God.
The flesh must become divine to dwell within God.
The miaphysites are correct. Jesus has to be of only one nature, a perfect fusion of divinity and humanity. Our aim is to become one with God and we cannot become completely one with God if our human and our (eventual) divine natures are separate. But, through our union with Christ we are conformed to his nature and so become human and (eventually) divine in one nature, capable of full inclusion within God.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
URGENT PRAYER LIST UPDATE
From JCF:
Prayer UPDATE, ASAP!
Biopsy has been bumped to TOMORROW (Cinco de Mayo), 9AM Pacific: set your prayer watches to Maximum BENIGN!!! ;-)
[My BFF is coming with/driving me, FYI.]
Prayer UPDATE, ASAP!
Biopsy has been bumped to TOMORROW (Cinco de Mayo), 9AM Pacific: set your prayer watches to Maximum BENIGN!!! ;-)
[My BFF is coming with/driving me, FYI.]
MADPRIEST GOES TO THE POLLS
Tomorrow it is local election day in Newcastle Upon Tyne. As usual it will be a two ass race between the Liberals and the Labour Party (the Tories are not highly regarded by the unemployed masses of Geordie Land). Both parties seem to have only one intent should they become the majority party on the council and that is to make life for us as miserable as possible by bringing in as many local ordinances as possible designed to stop us enjoying ourselves and to make getting from point a to point b as difficult and as expensive as possible. The Liberals are the worst. They are fixated with bus lanes, cycle paths and teachers with children. Unfortunately this has resulted in chaos on the roads, near death experiences for pedestrians who used to be able to walk through their local park without being run down by lycra clad old men on pushbikes and the most obnoxious generation of middle class brats Newcastle has ever known.
So, I tend to vote for the candidates with the least chance of winning so, at least, nobody can blame me for the fact it now takes them four times as long to get into work and have to take out a second mortgage to pay for a day's car parking. Last time I voted for the Green Party with great success - they polled 700 votes and lost their deposit.
But my voting system is not just based on a selfish desire to avoid responsibility. I do also think that it is a Christian's duty to always support the underdog especially if they have been having a hard time of it recently.
This year I'm voting for the Al-Qaeda candidate.
So, I tend to vote for the candidates with the least chance of winning so, at least, nobody can blame me for the fact it now takes them four times as long to get into work and have to take out a second mortgage to pay for a day's car parking. Last time I voted for the Green Party with great success - they polled 700 votes and lost their deposit.
But my voting system is not just based on a selfish desire to avoid responsibility. I do also think that it is a Christian's duty to always support the underdog especially if they have been having a hard time of it recently.
This year I'm voting for the Al-Qaeda candidate.
CHIT CHAT (12)
"Chit Chat" is a weekly an occasional posting in which I simply give you a word, or short phrase, and you then just waffle on about the subject in any way you see fit.
If the number of comments on any one Chit Chat post gets to fifty, all those who have commented will receive 500 days off purgatory. Should the comments ever reach one hundred I will grant all the participants a general plenary. Now, you don't get offers like that on Facebook!
There's been a lot of talk about hell this week so as I always aim for balance at OCICBW... you starter today is the word:
HEAVEN
Where you take it is completely up to you.
If the number of comments on any one Chit Chat post gets to fifty, all those who have commented will receive 500 days off purgatory. Should the comments ever reach one hundred I will grant all the participants a general plenary. Now, you don't get offers like that on Facebook!
There's been a lot of talk about hell this week so as I always aim for balance at OCICBW... you starter today is the word:
HEAVEN
Where you take it is completely up to you.
JIM'S TOPICAL TIPS
Here’s a great way to avoid falling foul of drink driving laws.
I went out drinking with friends last night and got really plastered. Knowing I was totally shitfaced, I did something I have never done before. I took a bus home.
I arrived home safe and warm, which surprised the hell out of me as I have never driven a bus before!
I went out drinking with friends last night and got really plastered. Knowing I was totally shitfaced, I did something I have never done before. I took a bus home.
I arrived home safe and warm, which surprised the hell out of me as I have never driven a bus before!
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME WICKED ELLIE
A truck driver was having a bad day. His truck had broken down in the country and there was no alternative for the trucker but to walk the ten miles to the nearest farmhouse. He explained his predicament to the farmer and asked if he could spend the night.
"Sure," said the farmer, "but I must warn you that I don't have any daughters. I don't even have a spare room, so you'll have to share my bed."
"Damn," said the trucker. "I'm in the wrong joke."
"Sure," said the farmer, "but I must warn you that I don't have any daughters. I don't even have a spare room, so you'll have to share my bed."
"Damn," said the trucker. "I'm in the wrong joke."
MADPRIEST DIGS . . .
This album was first released back in 1995 but it has just received an extra lease of life after being made available for download on all the major music retail sites. They remind me a lot of R.E.M. from back when they were still on Miles Copeland's I.R.S. label and were at the height of their creative powers. And that is certainly no bad thing.
BAND'S MYSPACE PAGE
PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
WELSH GNOMES KETTLED BY HEARTLESS POLICE
From WALES ONLINE:
Garden gnome-loving grandmother Veronica Pratt had one special request when she died - she wanted her colourful collection to line the route of her funeral procession. The 82-year-old’s family duly laid 30 of her favourite gnomes and ornaments on a roundabout in Narberth where the cortege would past - only to see them confiscated by the ‘elf and safety police.
Pembrokeshire Council officers said they had been instructed to remove the gnomes after Welsh Assembly transport officials said they could be “distracting” to other road users.
COMMENT: Unlike all the sponsorship signs that clutter up our roundabouts nowadays, I assume.
Garden gnome-loving grandmother Veronica Pratt had one special request when she died - she wanted her colourful collection to line the route of her funeral procession. The 82-year-old’s family duly laid 30 of her favourite gnomes and ornaments on a roundabout in Narberth where the cortege would past - only to see them confiscated by the ‘elf and safety police.
Pembrokeshire Council officers said they had been instructed to remove the gnomes after Welsh Assembly transport officials said they could be “distracting” to other road users.
COMMENT: Unlike all the sponsorship signs that clutter up our roundabouts nowadays, I assume.
TRADITIONAL LIFE LONG MATING
BETWEEN SWANS UNDER ATTACK
Posted by BOSGUY:
Earlier today (3rd. May 2011) Boston's favorite same sex couple returned to the Boston Public Garden. Romeo & Juliet, the two graceful swans that make the pond in the Public Garden their home are back. Back in 2005 (just a year after same sex marriage was legalized in MA) it was learned that Romeo is in fact a female, which caused many conservatives who like to scream about how unnatural homosexuality is to cry foul (or was it fowl?)!
COMMENT: Personally I blame poor parenting and peer pressure when they were at high school.
Earlier today (3rd. May 2011) Boston's favorite same sex couple returned to the Boston Public Garden. Romeo & Juliet, the two graceful swans that make the pond in the Public Garden their home are back. Back in 2005 (just a year after same sex marriage was legalized in MA) it was learned that Romeo is in fact a female, which caused many conservatives who like to scream about how unnatural homosexuality is to cry foul (or was it fowl?)!
COMMENT: Personally I blame poor parenting and peer pressure when they were at high school.
THE PRAYER LIST - 4TH. MAY 2011
Please pray for our friend Kirstin, author of the BAREFOOT AND LAUGHING blog. Yesterday she stated on FaceBook that the metastatic tumours in her brain are "progressing."
***
Posted by Pagan Sphinx at PAGAN SPHINX:
My back is still in spasm mode and I am into my third day off from work. Three and a half days out of work! I never do that. The lack of comfortable mobility is driving me crazy.
***
From JCF:
Coordinate your prayers for Monday, 16th. May. That's when they stick me, and I find out just what this calcification stuff's about...
***
From XINHUA NEWS AGENCY:
Four miners had been found dead and another 10 were missing after an explosion hit a coal mine in northern Mexico Tuesday morning.
"The forecast (for the missing miners) is not hopeful," , Labor Secretary Javier Lozano said.
***
THANKSGIVING
From Undercover Nun:
Undercover Nun comes with wonderful news, for which she gives GREAT thanks and praise to God!
My short-term disability period began on August 5, 2010, and continues today. The claim was originally denied, because my doctor's report didn't include evidence of a disability. (That's what happens when someone at the doc's office neglects to fill in all the places that say EXPLAIN, followed by 5 or 6 lines.)
Naturally, I appealed the denial, providing a whole truckload of evidence of disability. And this evening, six weeks after Aetna's appeals department called to let me know they were beginning the adjudication process on my appeal, I got a phone call from them.
The denial was overturned! Aetna will now pay me for the 6 weeks I did not work at all, and for all the part-time weeks up through 11/3. This will help us get our utility bills current, get less behind on our car payments, make a dent in child support payments I haven't been able to make, and make a dent in the income taxes we owe.
The next step is to ensure that they properly handle the transition to long-term disability, but I'm not worrying about that tonight. Tonight I give God thanks and praise!
My thanks and praise go also to everyone in this wonderfully loving community. As Jesus said to his disciples in the 32nd chapter of Matthew's gospel: "Verily I say unto thee, thou rocketh!"
***
Posted by Kelvin at WHAT'S IN KELVIN'S HEAD:
Today began on the early side with the joyous news of a new baby born to Chucks and Adanna Iwuagwu. Chucks is the curate at St Mary’s and it was lovely to hear him talking about his new son with such joy. The babe is called Christian Ezeibe.
***
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
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when requested.
***
Posted by Pagan Sphinx at PAGAN SPHINX:
My back is still in spasm mode and I am into my third day off from work. Three and a half days out of work! I never do that. The lack of comfortable mobility is driving me crazy.
***
From JCF:
Coordinate your prayers for Monday, 16th. May. That's when they stick me, and I find out just what this calcification stuff's about...
***
From XINHUA NEWS AGENCY:
Four miners had been found dead and another 10 were missing after an explosion hit a coal mine in northern Mexico Tuesday morning.
"The forecast (for the missing miners) is not hopeful," , Labor Secretary Javier Lozano said.
***
THANKSGIVING
From Undercover Nun:
Undercover Nun comes with wonderful news, for which she gives GREAT thanks and praise to God!
My short-term disability period began on August 5, 2010, and continues today. The claim was originally denied, because my doctor's report didn't include evidence of a disability. (That's what happens when someone at the doc's office neglects to fill in all the places that say EXPLAIN, followed by 5 or 6 lines.)
Naturally, I appealed the denial, providing a whole truckload of evidence of disability. And this evening, six weeks after Aetna's appeals department called to let me know they were beginning the adjudication process on my appeal, I got a phone call from them.
The denial was overturned! Aetna will now pay me for the 6 weeks I did not work at all, and for all the part-time weeks up through 11/3. This will help us get our utility bills current, get less behind on our car payments, make a dent in child support payments I haven't been able to make, and make a dent in the income taxes we owe.
The next step is to ensure that they properly handle the transition to long-term disability, but I'm not worrying about that tonight. Tonight I give God thanks and praise!
My thanks and praise go also to everyone in this wonderfully loving community. As Jesus said to his disciples in the 32nd chapter of Matthew's gospel: "Verily I say unto thee, thou rocketh!"
***
Posted by Kelvin at WHAT'S IN KELVIN'S HEAD:
Today began on the early side with the joyous news of a new baby born to Chucks and Adanna Iwuagwu. Chucks is the curate at St Mary’s and it was lovely to hear him talking about his new son with such joy. The babe is called Christian Ezeibe.
***
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Tuesday, 3 May 2011
FROM AN ANONYMOUS AMERICAN READER
10 years... trillions of dollars... thousands of soldiers dead... state of the art technology and the US finally found
Bin Laden....
...in his house!
Bin Laden....
...in his house!
WHERE DOES HE FIND THEM?
You all remember the group, Genesis, don't you? Phil Collins' old group. Now I want you to imagine that Genesis had a massive set of collective testicles. Now, imagine that you had a massive pair of nutcrackers and imagine that you placed Genesis' massive set of testicles within your massive pair of nutcrackers and that you squeezed as hard as you possibly could.
The resulting noise would, I guess, have been pretty much identical to the noise you are about to hear should you decide to press play and try and earn yourself 1500 days off purgatory.
And there's a cherry on the cake. You can actually hear the singer turning over the lyric sheet in the middle of the track. You rarely come across such dedication to professionalism within the recording studio nowadays and let us all thank God for that.
JUST A REMINDER
If the British had decided to do to the I.R.A. terrorists what the U.S. navy seals did to Bin Laden in Pakistan, it would have necessitated the S.A.S. being sent into New York City.
AMERICA ON TYNE
The acts for the SummerTyne Americana Festival, 2011 (22 July 2011 - 24 July 2011), have been announced.
It's gonna be a good 'un!
TICKETED EVENTS:
Irma Thomas
Lyle Lovett
Raul Malo
Chuck Prophet and the Spanish Bombs
Paul Burch and WPA Ball Club
Abigail Washburn and the Village
The Secret Sisters
Sarah Jarosz
John Grant
Eleanor Julias Big Yee-Ha!
FOR FREE:
Sean Taylor
The Lucky Strikes
John Miller and his Country Casuals
Hogseye
Chris Scruggs
Justin Townes Earle
John Strong
Redlands Palomino Company
Smoove and Turrell
Richmond Fontaine Acoustic Duo
The Savoy Cajun Band
The Buffalo Skinners
Little Mo Trio
Lesley Roley and Friends
Nathalie Stern
Damascus
Jess and The Pimptones
The Cornshed Sisters
Further details at THE SAGE GATESHEAD website.
It's gonna be a good 'un!
TICKETED EVENTS:
Irma Thomas
Lyle Lovett
Raul Malo
Chuck Prophet and the Spanish Bombs
Paul Burch and WPA Ball Club
Abigail Washburn and the Village
The Secret Sisters
Sarah Jarosz
John Grant
Eleanor Julias Big Yee-Ha!
FOR FREE:
Sean Taylor
The Lucky Strikes
John Miller and his Country Casuals
Hogseye
Chris Scruggs
Justin Townes Earle
John Strong
Redlands Palomino Company
Smoove and Turrell
Richmond Fontaine Acoustic Duo
The Savoy Cajun Band
The Buffalo Skinners
Little Mo Trio
Lesley Roley and Friends
Nathalie Stern
Damascus
Jess and The Pimptones
The Cornshed Sisters
Further details at THE SAGE GATESHEAD website.
THE PRAYER LIST - 3RD. MAY 2011
From JCF:
I'm back for more prayers. They diagnosed me (via the 2nd mammogram, and ultrasound) w/ "calcification", and want to biopsy me. Damn.
***
Posted by Lois at RAMBLINGS WITH LOIS:
I have only just learned that my Aunt Ronnie died on March 26th. On top of that, her son Robert died on June 24, 2009, and I didn't know it, and his wife, Marie pre-deceased him on September 26, 2006. How did my side of the family drop off the radar of Aunt Ronnie's side of the family so that we knew nothing about the deaths of people with whom we had been so close when we were kids and young adults?
***
JimB has posted a personal prayer request on Chin Wag @ OCICBW....
Details on how to access Chin Wag can be found in the right hand sidebar of this blog.
***
From ALJAZEERA:
Ammar Qurabi, the head of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria, said on Tuesday that his group had documented about 1,000 names of people who were detained across Syrian provinces in door-to-door raids since Saturday. He said many other people had been reported missing.
***
THANKSGIVING
Posted by Graham at DIGGING A LOT:
I’ve blogged before on a family friend who had a tragic accident over 6 months ago. For several weeks her life hung in the balance. Then there was hope. Her prognosis remains uncertain but each day brings progress. She is able to come home at weekends. There is some speech but greater comprehension. There is the ability to sit up unaided. There is the ability to eat and lots more things that were taken for granted a year ago but seemed doubtful only weeks ago.
We saw her a few days back. There is something more: love incredible love. Her parents are realistic about where she is at but at the same time see only Grace. Seeing her made us incredibly happy and gave us hope. It is good to have a friend back.
***
Posted at HAARETZ.COM:
Hamas officials said Monday that the Islamist militant group would honor an unofficial truce with Israel after forming a new unity government with Palestinian rivals from the West Bank.
***
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
I'm back for more prayers. They diagnosed me (via the 2nd mammogram, and ultrasound) w/ "calcification", and want to biopsy me. Damn.
***
Posted by Lois at RAMBLINGS WITH LOIS:
I have only just learned that my Aunt Ronnie died on March 26th. On top of that, her son Robert died on June 24, 2009, and I didn't know it, and his wife, Marie pre-deceased him on September 26, 2006. How did my side of the family drop off the radar of Aunt Ronnie's side of the family so that we knew nothing about the deaths of people with whom we had been so close when we were kids and young adults?
***
JimB has posted a personal prayer request on Chin Wag @ OCICBW....
Details on how to access Chin Wag can be found in the right hand sidebar of this blog.
***
From ALJAZEERA:
Ammar Qurabi, the head of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria, said on Tuesday that his group had documented about 1,000 names of people who were detained across Syrian provinces in door-to-door raids since Saturday. He said many other people had been reported missing.
***
THANKSGIVING
Posted by Graham at DIGGING A LOT:
I’ve blogged before on a family friend who had a tragic accident over 6 months ago. For several weeks her life hung in the balance. Then there was hope. Her prognosis remains uncertain but each day brings progress. She is able to come home at weekends. There is some speech but greater comprehension. There is the ability to sit up unaided. There is the ability to eat and lots more things that were taken for granted a year ago but seemed doubtful only weeks ago.We saw her a few days back. There is something more: love incredible love. Her parents are realistic about where she is at but at the same time see only Grace. Seeing her made us incredibly happy and gave us hope. It is good to have a friend back.
***
Posted at HAARETZ.COM:
Hamas officials said Monday that the Islamist militant group would honor an unofficial truce with Israel after forming a new unity government with Palestinian rivals from the West Bank.
***
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
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YESTERDAY WAS FOR CELEBRATING,
TODAY IS FOR REDEMPTION
Posted by Jay Simser at BAILEY'S BUDDY:
Having a liberal brain I am not so much worried that we will be attacked. I am more worried that we will miss an opportunity. This should be an opportunity to reach out to Muslims and non-muslims and say, "We have rid the world of an evil man. Let us now work together to build a better world. One where we settle our differences by diplomacy and cooperation and not by war and killing. Let us work together to conserve our resources and allow every human being on the planet to have a good life and work to see that no child goes to bed hungry." Let us make the love of one another and not of money our world priority." You see I think that when we get egos out of the way and then work together to accomplish anything we want to.
Amongst all the liberal angst yesterday I was relieved to read Jay's piece and also the post "On Celebrating the Death of Our Enemy" posted by Pastor Joelle at SKATING IN THE GARDEN. Both bloggers are Christian humanists who believe in the potential to do good in human beings and, above all, have a firm belief in redemption and humankind's God given role in the redeeming of even the most vile acts of human history. Humanists of all hues will hail the events of yesterday as an opportunity rather than an abomination (even if it was an abomination). Disciples of Saint Augustine will no doubt carry on beating their chests in acceptance of the complete depravity of humankind.
Having a liberal brain I am not so much worried that we will be attacked. I am more worried that we will miss an opportunity. This should be an opportunity to reach out to Muslims and non-muslims and say, "We have rid the world of an evil man. Let us now work together to build a better world. One where we settle our differences by diplomacy and cooperation and not by war and killing. Let us work together to conserve our resources and allow every human being on the planet to have a good life and work to see that no child goes to bed hungry." Let us make the love of one another and not of money our world priority." You see I think that when we get egos out of the way and then work together to accomplish anything we want to.
Amongst all the liberal angst yesterday I was relieved to read Jay's piece and also the post "On Celebrating the Death of Our Enemy" posted by Pastor Joelle at SKATING IN THE GARDEN. Both bloggers are Christian humanists who believe in the potential to do good in human beings and, above all, have a firm belief in redemption and humankind's God given role in the redeeming of even the most vile acts of human history. Humanists of all hues will hail the events of yesterday as an opportunity rather than an abomination (even if it was an abomination). Disciples of Saint Augustine will no doubt carry on beating their chests in acceptance of the complete depravity of humankind.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
It is not appropriate for a Christian to celebrate revenge,
but it is appropriate for a Christian to celebrate relief.
but it is appropriate for a Christian to celebrate relief.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I read today that my favourite blue eyed soul singer, Alex Chilton, on the day before he died (about a year ago), started suffering from chest pains. But he didn't go to the doctors because he didn't have any medical insurance. Overnight his heart deteriorated (as it was a dodgy heart that was causing the pain) and the following day he died from a massive heart attack. If he had gone to the doctors they could have operated immediately and, most likely, saved his life.
But, hey, what the heck, Bin Laden is dead.
But, perhaps we should get rid of the axis of evil in our own eyes before we start start chasing down the axis of evil in the eyes of others.
But, hey, what the heck, Bin Laden is dead.
But, perhaps we should get rid of the axis of evil in our own eyes before we start start chasing down the axis of evil in the eyes of others.
DEAD POPE JOINS NAVY SEALS IN DARING
RAID ON OSAMA BIN LADEN'S HIDEOUT
From CBS:
Peruvian President Alan Garcia said Pope John Paul II should get credit for the death of Osama bin Laden. The late pope was beatified on Sunday and Garcia said: "His first miracle was to remove from the world the incarnation of evil, the demonic incarnation of crime and hatred, giving us the news that the person who blew up towers and buildings is no longer."
Garcia made the comment Monday as he inaugurated a hydroelectric power station.
Peruvian President Alan Garcia said Pope John Paul II should get credit for the death of Osama bin Laden. The late pope was beatified on Sunday and Garcia said: "His first miracle was to remove from the world the incarnation of evil, the demonic incarnation of crime and hatred, giving us the news that the person who blew up towers and buildings is no longer."
Garcia made the comment Monday as he inaugurated a hydroelectric power station.
Monday, 2 May 2011
MADPRIEST ON BIN LADEN AND HELL
God has the divine right to forgive or condemn who God pleases and there is a good case to make that God is always ultimately merciful. However, God, when God's Kingdom was brought into our world through the resurrection of Christ, gave God's people a more active role in God's economy than they were allowed previously. One of our new responsibilities was the right to forgive or continue to condemn those who sin against God or God's creation. For God to forgive an evil person prior to that evil person's victims, although completely doable and within the purview of God, would result in God reneging on a previous decision made by God, namely the giving of the right to forgive or condemn to God's people.
Therefore, in my Biblically based opinion, until the last person, living or dead, who has been damaged by the evil acts of Osama Bin Laden, forgives him, God, although wanting to be merciful, will not be merciful to him. I do not think that anyone who was not a victim of the atrocities committed by Bin Laden has the right to even discuss the mercy of God towards him. That would be presumptuous arrogance, pastorally insensitive in the extreme and the ignoring of the priority of God's decisions.
I am a humanist and an adherent of liberation theology. This means I have a high view of humans in God's plan and see humans as an active part in that plan. Sometimes, I have to take the rough with the smooth and accept stuff, like the existence of hell, that grates with my liberal, personal views.
Therefore, in my Biblically based opinion, until the last person, living or dead, who has been damaged by the evil acts of Osama Bin Laden, forgives him, God, although wanting to be merciful, will not be merciful to him. I do not think that anyone who was not a victim of the atrocities committed by Bin Laden has the right to even discuss the mercy of God towards him. That would be presumptuous arrogance, pastorally insensitive in the extreme and the ignoring of the priority of God's decisions.
I am a humanist and an adherent of liberation theology. This means I have a high view of humans in God's plan and see humans as an active part in that plan. Sometimes, I have to take the rough with the smooth and accept stuff, like the existence of hell, that grates with my liberal, personal views.
THE FUTURE SAINT RATZINGER PUTS THE BOOT IN
Pathetic as the bosses of Westminster Abbey's initial reaction against the cartwheeling verger was, they were never going to sack him. That's not because the Church of England hierarchy are completely averse to sacking those employees who annoy them, as my current unemployment proves beyond doubt. However, they do worry about publicity so they only tend to do the dirty on people if there is little chance of the "good name" of the church being "brought into disrepute" by their nastiness.
The Vatican Church has no such qualms. They know that "the faithful" are so attached to the tribal identity of their denomination that, even though most of them are fully aware of the unchristian behaviour and sheer Pharisaical hypocrisy of their Vatican based puppet masters, they will never do what would be necessary to stop the tyranny. This results in obscene spectacles like yesterday's beatification of a paedophile enabler happening at exactly the same time that a man of far more saintly attributes being quietly stabbed in the back and cast into the outer darkness of priestly retirement.
From THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
William Morris, Toowoomba's Catholic bishop, has been forced by the Pope to retire early because of a letter in 2006 to his parish in which he discussed whether falling numbers of Catholic priests could be offset by the ordination of women and ministers from other churches. The bishop, who has served in the Toowoomba diocese for 18 years, told the ABC that Rome controlled bishops by fear "and if you ask questions or speak only on subjects that Rome declares closed you are censored very quickly, told your leadership is defective, and threatened with dismissal."
Yesterday, the Anglican Bishop of the Western Region in Queensland, Rob Nolan, said, "I'd say the majority of parishioners and priests are upset about what's happened. They have a great regard for Bishop Morris and a great respect for him, and they will feel that there has been a great injustice."
A retired Catholic priest in Toowoomba, who did not wish to be named, said parishioners would meet this week to discuss what to do.
"Everyone was shocked," he said. "It will be a challenging time for all of us."
Yes it will. Unfortunately, past experience shows us that it will be a challenge that they will fail to take up. The Roman Catholic clergy may be celibate but the laity of the church are, for all intents and purposes, completely castrated.
The Vatican Church has no such qualms. They know that "the faithful" are so attached to the tribal identity of their denomination that, even though most of them are fully aware of the unchristian behaviour and sheer Pharisaical hypocrisy of their Vatican based puppet masters, they will never do what would be necessary to stop the tyranny. This results in obscene spectacles like yesterday's beatification of a paedophile enabler happening at exactly the same time that a man of far more saintly attributes being quietly stabbed in the back and cast into the outer darkness of priestly retirement.
From THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
Yesterday, the Anglican Bishop of the Western Region in Queensland, Rob Nolan, said, "I'd say the majority of parishioners and priests are upset about what's happened. They have a great regard for Bishop Morris and a great respect for him, and they will feel that there has been a great injustice."
A retired Catholic priest in Toowoomba, who did not wish to be named, said parishioners would meet this week to discuss what to do.
"Everyone was shocked," he said. "It will be a challenging time for all of us."
Yes it will. Unfortunately, past experience shows us that it will be a challenge that they will fail to take up. The Roman Catholic clergy may be celibate but the laity of the church are, for all intents and purposes, completely castrated.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY BOSSES TO CANCEL PENTECOST
It's being reported that the cartwheeling verger of Westminster Abbey has been well and truly told of and ordered not to speak to the press.
I don't know which is most embarrassing - belonging to a church that is so stuck up and miserable it naturally censors such acts of happiness or belonging to a church whose leaders are so stupid they would counteract all the good publicity that had just garnered among the British public during the royal wedding by grumpily telling off a public hero instead of capitalising on it by hailing the joyous employee as the face of modern Anglicanism.
If Jesus Christ had risen from the dead in Westminster Abbey I have a sneakin' suspicion they would have told him to STFU and remember his place as just a carpenter.
THE PRAYER LIST - 2ND. MAY 2011
Two bits of such excellent news that I thought our thanksgivings should come first today.
THANKSGIVING
Posted by Lesley
at LESLEY'S BLOG:
This nutter has asked me to marry him, and I said 'yes'...
Can't tell you how happy I am about it!
***
Posted by Fr. David Cloake at
THE VERNACULAR CURATE:
By the time that I publish this post, four or five announcements will have been made, all of the same substance. In simple terms, I have been appointed as Vicar of the Parish of Ss. Philip & James in Whitton, Twickenham.
***
. . . AND FOR OUR INTERCESSIONS
From BooCat:
Prayers please for the thousands of people without homes or, in some cases, who have absolutely nothing left whatsoever, in the wake of the killer tornados that blew through the U.S. Southeast this past week. My Internet signal has just now been restored or I would have written sooner. I live west of the Warrior River. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, or what is left of it is on the east bank. The tornado left six miles of devastation almost a mile wide as it touched down. The University of Alabama campus was spared, for the most part. Other neighborhoods were not so lucky. Many of them were wiped off of the face of the earth. Thirty to fifty are known dead in Tuscaloosa and several hundred are missing. We were not the only city to be hit or even the only state, although Alabama seems to have gotten the worst of it, and Tuscaloosa the worst of Alabama. There were fatalities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas and all the way up to Virginia--not too far from Washington, D.C. Hundreds of people lost their lives in this awful storm front. If it has been reported already, please forgive this disjointed ramble. I have just come back on-line and am trying to catch up for the several days I lost.
From THE BBC:
The National Trust says gorse fires in the Mourne Mountains in County Down will cause "immense damage" as blazes continue around the UK. Firefighters in Lancashire are tackling three separate moorland fires near Belmont, Bacup and Ormskirk. The bank holiday weekend has also seen fire crews being called into action in the Scottish Highlands and in parts of Wales. The recent dry weather has been blamed for the spread of the fires.
***
Posted by J. Michael Povey at POVEY PRATTLE:
A friend and former colleague phoned today to let me know that Philip Foster Desch had passed from this life at aged 90. Phil was a member of St. Stephen’s Parish in Pittsfield, MA. I can say, with no reservations, that he was beloved by all.
***
Posted by Doug at COUNTERLIGHT'S PECULIARS:
My friend, fellow artist, guitarist, and studio mate, Robert Grant suffered a stroke on April 15th. I found out about it yesterday. He is learning how to speak and use his right hand all over again. Please remember him and his wife Eileen in your thoughts and prayers.
***
From THE LOS ANGELES TIMES:
On the first day of the Taliban's self-declared spring offensive, insurgents attacked in two Afghan provinces, killing more than half a dozen people, including a district council leader, and wounding another 20, officials said.
Early Sunday, a 12-year-old suicide bomber struck at a bazaar in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province, killing four people, including a woman and the chairman of the district council, Shir Nawaz Khan. A dozen people were wounded. Later, in southwestern Ghazni province, a bicycle loaded with explosives detonated in Ghazni city's Mustofyet square, killing two police officers and wounding a bystander.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
An agreement to end Yemen’s political crisis appeared to be crumbling Sunday, as talks bogged down yet again between the country’s mutually suspicious political factions and a signing ceremony for the deal was postponed indefinitely.
From THE HINDUSTAN TIMES:
The authorities in Syria on Monday set a deadline of 15 days for people who had committed "unlawful acts" to give themselves up, as a wave of arrests was reported across the country. The ultimatum came as activists planned fresh anti-government demonstrations following the deaths of dozens of people in weekend protests.
From ALJAZEERA:
Police in Maldives have used tear gas and batons to break up an anti-government protest in the island country's capital Male, reportedly injuring dozens of activists.
***
From THE GUARDIAN:
Riots have swept across Ugandan's capital, Kampala, in the biggest anti-government protest in sub-Saharan Africa so far this year. Security forces have launched a brutal crackdown, firing at unarmed civilians with live rounds, rubber bullets and teargas. Two people have been killed, more than 120 wounded and around 360 arrested. Women and girls have been among those beaten, according to witnesses.
***
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
THANKSGIVING
at LESLEY'S BLOG:
This nutter has asked me to marry him, and I said 'yes'...
Can't tell you how happy I am about it!
***
THE VERNACULAR CURATE:
By the time that I publish this post, four or five announcements will have been made, all of the same substance. In simple terms, I have been appointed as Vicar of the Parish of Ss. Philip & James in Whitton, Twickenham.
***
. . . AND FOR OUR INTERCESSIONS
From BooCat:
Prayers please for the thousands of people without homes or, in some cases, who have absolutely nothing left whatsoever, in the wake of the killer tornados that blew through the U.S. Southeast this past week. My Internet signal has just now been restored or I would have written sooner. I live west of the Warrior River. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, or what is left of it is on the east bank. The tornado left six miles of devastation almost a mile wide as it touched down. The University of Alabama campus was spared, for the most part. Other neighborhoods were not so lucky. Many of them were wiped off of the face of the earth. Thirty to fifty are known dead in Tuscaloosa and several hundred are missing. We were not the only city to be hit or even the only state, although Alabama seems to have gotten the worst of it, and Tuscaloosa the worst of Alabama. There were fatalities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas and all the way up to Virginia--not too far from Washington, D.C. Hundreds of people lost their lives in this awful storm front. If it has been reported already, please forgive this disjointed ramble. I have just come back on-line and am trying to catch up for the several days I lost.
From THE BBC:
The National Trust says gorse fires in the Mourne Mountains in County Down will cause "immense damage" as blazes continue around the UK. Firefighters in Lancashire are tackling three separate moorland fires near Belmont, Bacup and Ormskirk. The bank holiday weekend has also seen fire crews being called into action in the Scottish Highlands and in parts of Wales. The recent dry weather has been blamed for the spread of the fires.***
Posted by J. Michael Povey at POVEY PRATTLE:
A friend and former colleague phoned today to let me know that Philip Foster Desch had passed from this life at aged 90. Phil was a member of St. Stephen’s Parish in Pittsfield, MA. I can say, with no reservations, that he was beloved by all.
***
Posted by Doug at COUNTERLIGHT'S PECULIARS:
My friend, fellow artist, guitarist, and studio mate, Robert Grant suffered a stroke on April 15th. I found out about it yesterday. He is learning how to speak and use his right hand all over again. Please remember him and his wife Eileen in your thoughts and prayers.
***
From THE LOS ANGELES TIMES:
Early Sunday, a 12-year-old suicide bomber struck at a bazaar in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province, killing four people, including a woman and the chairman of the district council, Shir Nawaz Khan. A dozen people were wounded. Later, in southwestern Ghazni province, a bicycle loaded with explosives detonated in Ghazni city's Mustofyet square, killing two police officers and wounding a bystander.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
An agreement to end Yemen’s political crisis appeared to be crumbling Sunday, as talks bogged down yet again between the country’s mutually suspicious political factions and a signing ceremony for the deal was postponed indefinitely.
From THE HINDUSTAN TIMES:
The authorities in Syria on Monday set a deadline of 15 days for people who had committed "unlawful acts" to give themselves up, as a wave of arrests was reported across the country. The ultimatum came as activists planned fresh anti-government demonstrations following the deaths of dozens of people in weekend protests.
From ALJAZEERA:
Police in Maldives have used tear gas and batons to break up an anti-government protest in the island country's capital Male, reportedly injuring dozens of activists.***
From THE GUARDIAN:
Riots have swept across Ugandan's capital, Kampala, in the biggest anti-government protest in sub-Saharan Africa so far this year. Security forces have launched a brutal crackdown, firing at unarmed civilians with live rounds, rubber bullets and teargas. Two people have been killed, more than 120 wounded and around 360 arrested. Women and girls have been among those beaten, according to witnesses.***
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
Sunday, 1 May 2011
ELSEWHERE ON THE OCICBW... EXPERIENCE
Here is a service of Holy Communion for the Second Sunday of Easter.
Last Sunday was Armenian Martyrs' Day and, as we were busy with the Easter celebrations on that day, I have taken the opportunity of our Low Sunday liturgy to remember Christians killed in the last days of the Ottoman Empire in prayer and music. I always try to respond to the concerns of our community's members if I possibly can.
MP3 File
The iTune link and the text for the service, should you wish to join in, can be found at ST. LAIKA'S. Otherwise just sit back and enjoy.
THE ANCHORHOLD AT OCICBW...:
SINFONIA FROM BACH'S EASTER ORATORIO
BEST PREACHER THAT EVER WAS
SAILING ON THE WIND OF RESURRECTION
DEEP EMBRACE
NOTHING IS WASTED - EVER, EVER, EVER
WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE?
Last Sunday was Armenian Martyrs' Day and, as we were busy with the Easter celebrations on that day, I have taken the opportunity of our Low Sunday liturgy to remember Christians killed in the last days of the Ottoman Empire in prayer and music. I always try to respond to the concerns of our community's members if I possibly can.
MP3 File
The iTune link and the text for the service, should you wish to join in, can be found at ST. LAIKA'S. Otherwise just sit back and enjoy.
THE ANCHORHOLD AT OCICBW...:
SINFONIA FROM BACH'S EASTER ORATORIO
BEST PREACHER THAT EVER WAS
SAILING ON THE WIND OF RESURRECTION
DEEP EMBRACE
NOTHING IS WASTED - EVER, EVER, EVER
WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE?
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