General Chat

Good morning :-)


Between you and me John, I think you're spot on with your first paragraph. :-D


At it's last Ofted, the school gained an 'Outstanding' report and is amongst the top 8% in the country. Each year there are usually about three times the number of applications for the spaces available. Although church attendance is one of the criteria to gain entrance to the school, a certain percentage never darken the doors of the church again because the faith aspect isn't of interest to them. We are just used to people who say they are Church of England for their own ends, but we can't and wouldn't turn anyone away.

Anyway, having this subject to death elsewhere ;-) I will move on....

Our prayer for today :


Loving, living Lord,
in Jesus you come into this world in love,
light shining in our darkness.
So we dare to hope,
for in your love and light, hope, too, is born,
hope which is real,
for this world and all its people, for me.
So help me to live this day in hope,
your gift in Jesus, in whose name I pray.
Amen.

- James Booth


Remembering all those who have asked for prayer Cx :-)

I think very many people want to send their children to schools like you are so involved with. It has nothing much to do with religion. Most people can be Church of England when they want to be, I expect one or two who are vehemently non-Christian have accepted the role of a godparent and said solemn vows before God before slagging off the "God squad" down the pub.

I did it myself. That was one of a mountain of sins (falling short of God's standards) that I laid before Him when I pleaded to be allowed in as a member of the "Christian" Club.

My children don't do much (remember Ena Sharples saying that in Corry?) about religion. They attend C of E occasionally, sit at back and join in a bit. But not hotheaded "Glory, glory, glory" yet - banging away through town centres bashing tambourines. Not quite me either, but I do try and bash an imaginary tambourine as I walk through a shopping mall, breathing in and out YWHA (God).

But both my children look back on their primary school with great fondness. If it was the religion they remembered, I would be very upset because the headmistress only went through the motions imo. No it was for the discipline, the good teaching and the caring ethos. Though they had the occasional service in the village chiurch, and the place was packed each time with parents.

And it was a small and supportive school. They only had 80 children and parents had to be involved in helping and fundraising. And, as a parent, that is the nicest type of school to send your child to and there was always a massive waiting list. And children were polite, dressed smartly and there was very little shouting or swearing.

So many memories flood back in later life of our school days. I was singing our old school song (Gaudeamus Igatur) quietly yesterday, and the memories and nostalgia flooded back. One well-read passage of Scripture that resonates with me to this day is from the middle book of our Bibles (The Apocrypha) which we now seldom use in churches. Perhaps very suitable text for Genes Reunited. It is from Ecclesiasticus Chapter 44:

1 Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us.
2 The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great
power from the beginning.
3 Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for
their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and
declaring prophecies:
4 Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their
knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent in
their instructions:
5 Such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in
writing:
6 Rich men furnished with ability, living peaceably in their
habitations;
7 All these were honoured in their generations, and were the
glory of their times.
8 There be of them, that have left a name behind them, that
their praises might be reported.
9 And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished,
as though they had never been; and are become as though they
had never been born, and their children after them.
10 But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not
been forgotten.
11 With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance,
and their children are within the covenant.
12 Their seed standeth fast, and their children for their sakes.
13 Their seed shall remain for ever, and their glory shall not
be blotted out.
14 Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for
evermore.
15 The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation
will show forth their praise.

Good morning :-)


Yesterday I accepted an invitation to be shown round our church school. I have offered to liaise between both church and school as they move towards gaining an award.

The afternoon is recorded elsewhere on these boards but I thought I would share the school prayer with you on here.

It is a Church of England Primary School.



Let peace live here.
Let rooms be full of happiness.

Let love live here.
Love of one another,
Love of mankind,
Love of life itself,
And love of God.

And let us remember,

As many hands build a house,
So many hearts build a school.

Amen.


Continuing to think of kandj and all those who would like prayer. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I thought I would use another prayer from the book 'I've Got to Talk to Someone God'.

God, please help me to build up my faith.
Let me understand that faith is not a blind acceptance,
but a certain and reasonable knowledge.

Not a gift bestowed upon favoured people, but a powerful conviction achieved through reasonable effort.

God, guide me to people who can encourage me in my faith.

Lead me to books that will enliven and enhance my faith.

Show me works both human and divine that prove that you do exist and love us.

Open my eyes to your many wonders.

Free my cluttered and limited mind from its confusions.

Release it, refresh it, widen it so that into it may flow an appreciation of your vast, shining, limitless intelligence.

Help me to practise my faith, for only through practice can it grow in me.

Oh, God, remind me to reach you and understand you, and renew my faith through prayer.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A very Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads and granddads we know and remembering those we have loved and lost a while. <3


Heavenly Father,

you entrusted your Son Jesus,

the child of Mary,

to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.

Bless all fathers

as they care for their families.

Give them strength and wisdom,

tenderness and patience;

support them in the work they have to do,

protecting those who look to them,

as we look to you for love and salvation,

through Jesus Christ our rock and defender.

Amen.


The Collect for today:

Almighty and everlasting God,
you have given us your servants grace,
by the confession of a true faith,
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity
and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity:
keep us steadfast in this faith
that we may evermore be defended from all adversities;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.


Thinking of kandj and all those who need our prayers...

Cx :-)

My black box felt a bit heavy this morning. Have no unblocked hole and am sound as a pound again. Many thanks, Cynthia. Lovely thought.

Don't need much encouragement to carry on boring everybody with the Countess of Huntingdon. Couldn't split todays thoughts into little bites so whole chunk of stuff, much of it background to history of Methodism.

Will leave it now for a few days now, and perhaps write a further 2 or 3 bits about this 18th century Deborah and "Queen of the Methodists" (Horace Walpole).

1. The Holy Club was formed at Christ Church, Oxford in 1729. A generation before (c1690) at Christ Church there had been a similar holy club that had been nick-named “Methodists” in derision. Undergraduates were fond of chanting “Meth-oh-dist, Meth-oh-dist” at members when they met them in the quad or in the street of Oxford.
This little group in 1720’s came under the same criticism, and a poem was circulated:
“By rule they eat, by rule they drink,
By rule do all things but think
Accuse the priests of loose behavior.
To get more in the laymen's favor.
Method alone must guide 'em all
When themselves "Methodists" they call”
2. They decided to change “The Holy Club” to “Methodist Society” and termed themselves as Methodists. Best way of dealing with inevitable teasing and name-calling, they felt.
3. One of Lady Huntingdon’s sisters, Lady Margaret Hastings (born 1699) had been converted through the ministry of Rev Benjamin Ingham, one of the members of the Holy Club at Oxford who now was happy to be called a “Methodist” preacher.
4. Most of these early Methodist ministers (about 40 of them by 1740 including the Wesleys) were Anglicans throughout their lives. They considered themselves to be an evangelical grouping to help the Church of England grow in faith, numbers and influence.
5. Lady Huntingdon was, by 1738, a respected member of the aristocracy, a mother of young ones, a keen churchwoman and living at Donington Park in Leicestershire. However, she was impressed by the enthusiasm of her sister Margaret, and decided to “cast herself fully upon Christ for life and for salvation” in that year of 1738 during a near fatal illness.
6. Her "circle" of aristocratic friends became deeply alarmed at her new Christian zeal. They implored her husband to deal with it. He sent for his old tutor at Oxford, Bishop Martin Benson of Gloucester (1689-1752). Bishop Benson was one of very many Bishops who were alarmed at the sudden popularity of Methodist preachers. Yet he listened patiently whilst Lady Selina gave her testimony. He realised she had been influenced by one of his protegees (George Whitefield). And he told her: “I wish to goodness I had never ordained George Whitefield” She replied: “My Lord, mark my words, when you are on your dying bed that will be one of the few ordinations you will reflect on with complacence (secure satisfaction with oneself).” Benson no doubt concluded their convivial meeting saying she should spend less of her time supporting Methodists and increase her support for local parish churches with her fabulous family wealth.
7. There is no doubt that this meeting had a profound effect on Martin Benson. He probably realised that there was a third person in that room at magnificent Donington Park – the Holy Spirit. And, 12 short years later in 1752, when Martin Benson was ill and dying, he wrote to his old protégée Rev George Whitefield and asked him to pray for his soul and sent Whitefield some money to help him with his ministry.
8. And Lady Selina’s husband, Theophilus Hastings (1696-1746), 9th Earl of Huntingdon, became equally “enthusiastic” about religion during the last 6 years of his life and attended services and events organised by these young Methodist preachers. They (Lord and Lady Huntingdon) also began to support financially the work of the Welsh speaking Methodists like Hywel Harries and the great American revivalist Rev Jonathan Edwards of Northampton, Massachusetts (1703-1758).
9. And by 1746 when Selina was widowed aged 39, the “Great Awakening” (Methodist Revival) was well underway. A movement that is said to have educated the working classes, re-engaged them with religion in Britain and avoided a bloody and disastrous civil war in the second half of the 18th century.

Good morning :-)


I have to admit my ignorance John, and say that I have never heard of that inspiring woman Lady Huntingdon. I've heard of Bishop Ryle and the C.M. S. etc., but she has entirely passed me by. No doubt I will know a lot more about her soon though.... :-D


For today :


God's Boxes

I have in my hands two boxes
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black,
And all your joys in the gold."

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored,
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black -
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God and mused aloud,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
"My child, they're all here with me."

I asked, "God, why give me the boxes,
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?"
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
The black is for you to let go."



Cx :-)

Jesus shines everywhere in our lives, Cynthia. He shines when we are happy, when we are sad. When we are stressed, when we are calm. When we are busy, when we are relaxing. It is nice to say a quiet prayer on a crowded bus, or a crowded shopping mall. Others seldom hear, but God (YWHA) does. I love the idea that whne we breath in and out we continually say YWHA. Our last breath in this world will be YWHA, and nobody can escape that fact. They will call out to God in their last breath - and we hope they understand the reason for that long before their last mortal breath.

Now a couple more interesting (I hope) facts about Lady Huntingdon (1707-1791).

1. Bishop Ryle of Liverpool (1816-1900) described her as the "mainspring of the revival" ie more important than John Wesley, George Whitfield or Daniel Rowland.
2. Rev Henry Venn (1796-1873), Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, said she was "a star of the first magnitude in the firmament of the church."
3. George III said: "She is an honour to her sex and to the nation"
4. Charles Wesley junior (1757-1834), the composer and organist and son of hymnwriter Charles Wesley, worked as a tutor to George III's granddaughter Princes Charlotte of Wales (1796-1817). The old King confided: "Mr Wesley, it is my judgment that your uncle (John Wesley) and your father (Charles) and George Whitfield and Lady Huntingdon have done more to promote true religion in this country than all the dignified clergy put together. And those dignified clergy are so apt to despise their labours"

So hopefully a taster. Her life was truly remarkable and deserved all these plaudits and more.

Good morning :-)


Lots of faith discussion going on elsewhere on this board......and some strongly held views. As someone I used to know would say..."'twas ever thus' :-D

Since the death of our vicar last year, our church school have really missed him with all his cheery banter and assemblies. Our new priest-in-charge goes in when he can, but he has 2 churches and 3 schools to care for, so he is rather stretched.

Our school is working towards a special church and school partnership award and I have offered to liaise between them both in an effort to help the situation and am looking forward to it very much. I've done a similar thing before elsewhere and it was a great experience.


Anyway.......our prayer for today:



Jesus, light of the world:
in the darkness of anxiety be the glimmer of peace;
in the darkness of sorrow be the glimmer of joy;
in the darkness of suffering be the glimmer of comfort;
in the darkness of rejection be the glimmer of welcome;
in the darkness of despair be the glimmer of hope.
So may the light that cannot be overcome
shine through the darkness,
shine through our lives,
shine in the world. Amen.

- Ruth Gee


Still remembering kandj and all who need our prayers. Cx :-)

That meditation has really reached out and touched me, Cynthia. Lovely. Have been asked to lead Celtic worship in a church in a couple of months and will c and p that as it will be very useful in the quiet, beauty and simplicity of a Celtic service.

Right, Countess of Huntingdon. There is so much to write about this dear lady, so I will just try and put up a couple of short facts each day:

1. Her dates were 1707-1791. Born Lady Selina Hastings, daughter of Washington Shirley, Earl Ferrers. Married 1728 to Theophilus, 9th Earl of Huntingdon. He died 1746, leaving her as a 39 year old widow with seven children.
2. She came to faith after nearly dying. In her illness she saw herself as a sinner and, if she was going to die soon, what was going to happen to her? She was converted in 1738, the same year as both John and Charles Wesley.
3. Her closest friends from 1738 onwards included George Whitfield, Henry Venn, Hywel Harries, Daniel Rowland, John and Charles Wesley, John Fletcher, William Romaine, John Berridge, Rowland Hill and Augustus Toplady.

If anybody knows anything about this 18th century Deborah, it will be very interesting. I got interested in her when we lived in Northants. We lived near Astwell Castle (which is near Helmdon, Sulgrave and Brackley). I was wasting time in the Family History Centre in Northampton and saw a biography of her written about 40 years after her death. Don't think it had been read since it was written.

It was quite a dry and academic tome, and author seemed to know his subject very well. In this biography, the author stated quite clearly she was born at Astwell Castle and her family were the Washingtons of nearby Sulgrave. Quite different from modern books that give her birth as various places 40-50 miles east.north east of Astwell.

Good morning :-)

I love the words from the hymn 'Be Still' John.....especially when they are sung quietly and reverently.


Today, however, I would like to share with you some words from a book I was given some time ago. It is basically a book for every woman but, as I am sure that there will be men who will appreciate the sentiments also.

It is called "I've got to talk to somebody, God" by Marjorie Holmes. I have often used it when leading meditations and quiet times and it does seem to reach out and touch folk - where they are.


I've got to talk to somebody, God.
I'm worried, I'm unhappy.
I feel inadequate so often, hopeless, defeated, afraid.
Or again I'm so filled with delight I want to run into the streets proclaim, "Stop, world, listen! Hear this wonderful thing."

But nobody pauses to listen, out there or here - here in the very house where I live. Even those closest to me are so busy, so absorbed in their own concerns.They nod and murmur and make an effort to share it, but they can't; I know they can't before I begin.

There are all these walls between us - husband and wife, parent and child, neighbour and neighbour, friend and friend.
Walls of self. Walls of silence. Even walls of words.

For even when we try to talk to each other new walls begin to rise. We camouflage, we hold back, we make ourselves sound better than we really are. Or we are shocked and hurt by what is revealed. Or we sit privately in judgement, criticizing even when we pretend to agree.

But with you, Lord, there are no walls.
You, who made me, know my deepest emotions, my most secret thoughts. You know the good of me and the bad of me, you already understand.

Why, then do I turn to you?
Because as I talk to you my disappointments are eased, my joys are enhanced. I find solutions to my problems, or the strenth to endure what I must.

From your perfect understanding I receive understanding for my own life's needs.
Thank you that I can always turn to you. I've to to talk to somebody, God.


Cx :-)

G'mornin Cynthia and everyone. Deep breath. Be still, and know that the presence of the Lord....

Susannah's father was one of the most senior men to be ejected from the Church of England in 1662. 2,000 lost their jobs, houses and a years salary that year. Dr Annesley became a best-selling Puritan writer.

The incident at Epworth Recrory was always referred to by John Wesley. He was the "brand plucked from the burning"

All 3 boys were ordained and wrote hymns - Samuel (the eldest) was 12 years older than John and 17 years older than Charles.

One of daughters married a Rev Westley Hall, who I don't think was Susannah's favourite son in law. Yet it was in 1739 (when Susannah was about 69 and nearing end of her life) that she was visiting her daughter and took communion in Rev Hall's church. As he gave her the bread and said "This is my body broken for you" Susannah realised for first time in her long and very Christian life that Jesus had died for Susannah Wesley personally.

Just like both her sons John and Charles the previous year, she now knew the Lord Jesus had picked her out personally and set his mark on her forehead.

Tremendous Christian saintesses back then. Another one was Selina, the Countess of Huntingdon. May write a little about her this week. :-) :-)

Good morning :-)


Whilst I was looking for a prayer for today, I came across the story of Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles and I became quite intrigued by it.

She was the youngest of 25 children - which I found quite startling..... :-0

She married Samuel Wesley when she was 19 and went on to have 19 children.

Nine of her children died as infants. Four of the children who died were twins. A maid accidentally smothered one child. At her death, only eight of her children were still alive.

(By the time I had read all this, my eyes were like saucers....)


The family experienced continue financial difficulties,her husband was twice imprisoned and their home burned down twice with John only just being rescued in time.

She was responsible for the children's education and they were taught Latin, Greek and classical studies.

I could go on, but I will leave you with one of her prayers.......


Holy God,
too great to be trifled with and too wise to be deceived by insincerity;
compose our thoughts as we enter your presence,
order our minds as we bring our petitions,
and grant us grace to offer you the loving sacrifice of hearts
both steadfast and obedient;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Susanna Wesley (1669-1742)



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I hope this small poem helps those who are struggling ......



God, Are You There?

I’m way down here!
You’re way up there!
Are You sure You can hear
My faint, faltering prayer?

For I’m so unsure
Of just how to pray—
To tell you the truth, God,
I don’t know what to say. . .

I just know I am lonely
And vaguely disturbed,
Bewildered and restless,
Confused and perturbed. . .

And they tell me that prayer
Helps to quiet the mind
And to unburden the heart
For in stillness we find....

A newborn assurance
That Someone does care
And Someone does answer
Each small sincere prayer!


- Helen Steiner Rice.


Love to you all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Such stirring words from both Sue and John this morning.....The Easter People. It's a phrase which catches the imagination and stirs the soul.

Yesterday's walk went well. The sun shone, the wind blew the banners, the bands played and over 500 people took to the local streets headed by the Cross of Christ. By the time I got home, I felt as though I had run a marathon. :-)

One hymn which really captures the spirit of both the Easter People and events such as Walking Days, is Onward Christian Soldiers........


1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!

Refrain:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.


2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

(Refrain)

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

(Refrain)

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never 'gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.

(Refrain)

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honour unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.

(Refrain)


What a great hymn to start the day with.....

Remembering kandj and all who need our love and prayers Cx :-)

Sue

How lovely that post was. And brought back memories. I almost remember Rob Frost's dad. We had a Rob Frost Mission in Whitchurch Salop back about 1989. I was a steward of the largest church on circuit and we went over to Stoke a couple of times to meet Rob Frost and his team to prepare for Mission. Lots of people told me about his dad and how good his dad was so I felt I nearly knew him. And I just thought Rob was the greatest evangelist I had ever met. How sad he died so young. But how fantastic we have a third generation now of Frosts.

I am a sixth generation Methodist preacher (none of us good enough to be paid). First was my 3 x gt grandfather in 1806 on Knighton circuit in Radnorshire). Have his diary - he used to ride round on his horse to various outlying farmhouses within 15 miles of Knighton in various directions. Only 2 chapels out of 15 "causes" on circuit - all others were barns and farmer's front rooms. As proud of that background as St Paul was to be an 8th generation Hebrew, but we would both deny our "pedigree" if we could help to save one soul.

Great day down here in the Valleys. Lovely service in my local chapel. Then a huge combined service over the mountain tonight which was so uplifting. And it was very sunny when we went in at 5.30 and when we came out at 8pm. Valleys are so beautiful when it is crisp and sunny like that. And it sounds like Cynthia was going to have a great birthday today too.
:-D :-D

I have only just opened my emails this evening late on and found one from 'Share Jesus International' (SJI) about this evening's Songs of Praise - I missed that and will have to try to watch it on catch-up.

Here is the gist of the email:

"The Biggest Birthday Party Ever is featuring on today's Pentecost Sunday special Songs of Praise, with Andy Frost talking about why we want to celebrate the feast of Pentecost with a party that you're all invited to!"

Reading your post John about Methodist preachers reminded me of Andy Frost and the SJI team and Andy's late father, Rob Frost, the Methodist evangelist who started 'Easter People' back in the eighties I think it was. I first went to 'EP' in 1993 in Scarborough then went every year for ages after that. :-) :-)

Good morning :-)

Happy Birthday dear Christian church indeed......thank you John. When I am attempting to explain the meaning of Holy Baptism at our preparation classes, and I get to the stage where the Holy Spirit comes into things, I always remind folk about the shape of a bishop's mitre. I say about the Spirit descending as though flames of fire rested on the disciple's heads and that the mitre is a reminder of that time.


Today, my church walks, with a couple of other churches, around the local streets. There will be banners, bands, waving and lots of happy smiling faces. We walk as a witness to our faith in Christ - what a wonderful way to celebrate Pentecost.


The Collect for today :


The Collect

God, who as at this time taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.


Have a wonderful day.......Cx :-)

Happy birthday to all Christians. :-) :-)

Today is the day that commemorates the birth of the present day Christian church - Whit(e) Sunday, just a pentecost (50 days) after Christ defeated our last great enemy, death itself. Many Jews who had arrived for the Feast of Shavuot in Jerusalem (exactly 50 days after Pesach (Pasg in Welsh, Easter in English)) heard ordinary men - and some women probably - preaching very ordinary words in language they were familiar with (see opening post).

There were about 120 preachers, it appears. Few of them rabbis or ordained by men. Mostly very ordinary people. Yet the Holy Spirit helped them. And 3,000 of these Jews who had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Shavuot took out membership cards of this new Church of Christ on this one day alone.

Well, we have more than 120 preachers in South Wales in the Methodist Church alone in 2014. And well over 1billion members are paid up members world wide and over 2bn in total claim they are Christians. Christianity is weak in some ways, but in weakness cometh strength.

And let us pray that many are blessed today and our numbers are swelled on this very special day in our church calendar. God bless you all this White Sunday, this Pentecost.

:-) :-)

Good morning :-)


There were some very moving scenes from the ceremonies of yesterday, not least the veterans who moved humbly through the graveyards remembering their colleagues who were killed.

I thought this may be apt :

Our Father, up in heaven,
Hear this fervent prayer--
May the people of All Nations,
Be United in Thy Care,

For earth's peace and man's salvation
Can come only by Thy grace
And not through bombs and missiles
And our quest for outer space.

For until all men recognize
That "The Battle Is The Lord's"
And peace on earth cannot be won
With strategy and swords,

We will go on vainly fighting,
As we have in ages past,
Finding only empty victories
And a peace that cannot last.

But we've grown so rich and mighty
And so arrogantly strong,
We no longer ask in humbleness -
"God, show us where we're wrong".

We have come to trust completely
In the power of man-made things,
Unmindful of God's mighty power
And that He is "King Of Kings".

We have turned our eyes away from Him
To go our selfish way,
And money, power and pleasure
Are the gods we serve today.

And the good green earth God gave us
To peacefully enjoy,
Through greed and fear and hatred
We are seeking to destroy.

Oh, Father, up in heaven,
Stir and wake our sleeping souls,
Renew our faith and lift us up
And give us higher goals,

And grant us heavenly guidance
As war threatens us again.
For, more than Guided Missiles,
All the world needs Guided Men.

--Helen Steiner Rice


Thinking of kandj and all in need of prayer. Cx :-)