It seems extraordinary to me that anybody who regards themselves as rational can still hold these unexamined assumptions based not on knowledge, or honest and openminded enquiry, but on prejudice, assumption and a caricature of religion which bears very little resemblance to reality. You've made the usual mistake of mixing up 'religion' with those more…
Why has religion indeed the Holy Bible been the cause so much trouble in the world. If I count the trouble caused by Man’s interpretation of Holy Scriptures throughout history; I would need a super computer to record the results.
Holy Books are the bane of human kind, mix their vague and cryptic messages with the manipulative, power h more…
Thanks for the Biblical references especially the Deuteronomy one. In recent years I have grown to love Deuteronomy as it puts the rest of the books of Moses into context. In isolation, Exodus to Numbers would seem so legalistic. In Deuteronomy Moses makes it clear that all these rituals are symbolic of what really matters which more…
Philip would like to respond (but his eyesight is bad now so he needs me to be his eyes and ears!) He says he thinks we're experiencing the end of a nation. Whenever a civilisation is ending, like the Roman one did, the people no longer have a common set of values. At certain moments in history people start sayi more…
thanks for this comment! I'm sorry I haven't got back to you sooner but I've been delayed by computer problems. (Also I need somebody to read and write things for me as my eyesight has almost gone - I can read some things by using the magnifier on my computer, but small print is difficult).
I believe that autonomy has become so honoured in modern society, that we are becoming a self-absorbed lonely society.
Also, we need to stop taking control of things that are suppose to be out of our control. We can aleviate pain, wew can support those who suffers, we can support those families (notice these su more…
That's really good advice! I myself am someone who actually does have a job. If we were in a better financial climate I would have quit already because it's so far away and I don't understand the job. I'm keeping it until I find something else (got two interviews coming up).
My church does things for the local community. They have Comp more…
Dear monk, thanks very much for this comment and the information. I am replying on Philip's behalf - he is 89 and almost blind, so struggles to read, and manages his blog by means of an on-screen magnifier. So he won't be able to follow up the info, but I know he will be enormously encouraged by your interest.
Every blessing!
gillyk more…
Lovely Thanks, all the reasons why I love the C of E so much; although I'm froma different denomination.
You might wish to look at our inter-denominational list of more than 450 members for monastic subjects, practices, info, news, contemplation etc at:
I agree, it's really important that we have a good understanding of how God made us as spirit, soul and body when we are praying for healing. That way we can ask Him to show us what part of us is really sick and be praying for the right thing. more…
I only hope that if I live as long as you I will have your incredible ability to enjoy life and your outward-looking attitude! love as always from Gilly more…
I know what you mean - if people don't see us actually working then they assume that we don't do anything and we are just lazing around! But I think that's true of everyone, not just of clergy. I do think there's a danger of doing something just in order to gain people's respect - that puts clergy on the defensive. I think the most important thi more…
I was once asked to give the talk or sermon as for the children. I prepared visual aids etc. but there were no children there ! However, the adults listened intently to my simple illustrated talk. WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ?
good ideas about children in church! I also think it's a good idea to take colouring books and stories about the Bible - at least then the children are getting some spiritual input.
Having said that, I think that every church should make some effort to put on alternative teaching for its children. They are, after all, the ones Jesus welcome more…
I do so agree! I was at a special service recently where the vicar ambled up to the front, late, and announced that he had no idea what was happening and he didn't even have an order of service. He had plainly done no thinking or preparation and somehow it dishonoured God and those who were there. It would be very interesting to know how often p more…
Hi. It's granddaughter Jules! I've just read all 3 parts of 'God speaking in the loo'. I really like it! Ian and I sometimes find God speaking in unusual situations - we were watching a film the other day and Ian made me stop it so he could write down what the actor was saying as he felt it was really relevant to him spiritually - the film had noth more…
I was looking at a photograph of our extended family, (some 12 people), and realised that in the photograph was myself; so I was observing something of which I was myself a part.
Similarly, I think that when we observe living things we must remember that we ourselves are one of them.
Hello, it's Hannah. I've been reading your chapters as they appear, and enjoying them. I could very much identify with some of what you say here: I understand exactly what you mean about the core happiness that comes from feeling a part of the jigsaw of life. It's a fundamental part of life's contentment for me, whether it comes from digging in a f more…
Yes Philip i truly believe we can over come anything.
All the time we hear of people with artificial limbs climbing mountains,walking in marathons,admirable people who proove that to us.
We can re-learn things after many major set backs, and over come disablitys to succeed. more…
We have to live with some deficiencies, for example, colour blindness or being a diabetic.
Others we can overcome by will power... for example, if you are too shy to do house to house collecting for a charity, you can make yourself do it, perhaps by first going with a friend and taking it in turns to more…
I have put some weight on over the years but when i look back at when i was young and weighed seven stone i still thought i looked fat in the mirror.
We all have a different perspective of things any way, this is why i do not understand why some strive for what they think is perfect beauty by having so much cosmetic surgury. more…
When you consider that it takes, (so far as I remember), about 4½ minutes for the light from our sun to reach us and then think how far away another solar system must be if it takes a whole year for it's light to reach us, it makes you realise how vast outer space is.
So, Yes, we may well be a tiny solar system in an incredibly vast un more…
I was struck by the fact that the church was shocked that the earth went round the sun, rather than the other way round. This suggested that the earth wasn't "special" in the way that was expected.
Do you think, therefore, that evidence of some sort of life will be found on other planets in the future? Are we even less at the centre more…
Recent comments (30)
In response to: "HONOURING GOD: PREPARING FOR CHURCH SERVICES" 33 days old
by gillyk [Member]
It seems extraordinary to me that anybody who regards themselves as rational can still hold these unexamined assumptions based not on knowledge, or honest and openminded enquiry, but on prejudice, assumption and a caricature of religion which bears very little resemblance to reality. You've made the usual mistake of mixing up 'religion' with those more…
In response to: "HONOURING GOD: PREPARING FOR CHURCH SERVICES" 34 days old
by tel1342 Pro
Why has religion indeed the Holy Bible been the cause so much trouble in the world. If I count the trouble caused by Man’s interpretation of Holy Scriptures throughout history; I would need a super computer to record the results.
Holy Books are the bane of human kind, mix their vague and cryptic messages with the manipulative, power h more…
In response to: "HARVEST FESTIVAL" 64 days old
by Oregano Pro
Philip
Thanks for the Biblical references especially the Deuteronomy one. In recent years I have grown to love Deuteronomy as it puts the rest of the books of Moses into context. In isolation, Exodus to Numbers would seem so legalistic. In Deuteronomy Moses makes it clear that all these rituals are symbolic of what really matters which more…
In response to: "Dying to live - or living to die?" 83 days old
by philipbell [Member]
hi, thanks for this.
Philip would like to respond (but his eyesight is bad now so he needs me to be his eyes and ears!) He says he thinks we're experiencing the end of a nation. Whenever a civilisation is ending, like the Roman one did, the people no longer have a common set of values. At certain moments in history people start sayi more…
In response to: "HIT BY THE RECESSION?" 83 days old
by philipbell [Member]
thanks for this comment! I'm sorry I haven't got back to you sooner but I've been delayed by computer problems. (Also I need somebody to read and write things for me as my eyesight has almost gone - I can read some things by using the magnifier on my computer, but small print is difficult).
Congratulations on the outward-looking at more…
In response to: "Dying to live - or living to die?" 92 days old
by Keemanaman [Member]
Well said.
I believe that autonomy has become so honoured in modern society, that we are becoming a self-absorbed lonely society.
Also, we need to stop taking control of things that are suppose to be out of our control. We can aleviate pain, wew can support those who suffers, we can support those families (notice these su more…
In response to: "HIT BY THE RECESSION?" 94 days old
by emeraldbluerose [Member]
That's really good advice! I myself am someone who actually does have a job. If we were in a better financial climate I would have quit already because it's so far away and I don't understand the job. I'm keeping it until I find something else (got two interviews coming up).
My church does things for the local community. They have Comp more…
In response to: "UNDERSTANDING HOLY COMMUNION" 151 days old
by gillyk [Member]
Dear monk, thanks very much for this comment and the information. I am replying on Philip's behalf - he is 89 and almost blind, so struggles to read, and manages his blog by means of an on-screen magnifier. So he won't be able to follow up the info, but I know he will be enormously encouraged by your interest.
Every blessing!
gillyk more…
In response to: "UNDERSTANDING HOLY COMMUNION" 151 days old
by monk [Visitor]
Lovely Thanks, all the reasons why I love the C of E so much; although I'm froma different denomination.
You might wish to look at our inter-denominational list of more than 450 members for monastic subjects, practices, info, news, contemplation etc at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monasterion
and our Facebook inte more…
In response to: "CHRISTIAN HEALING: A BALANCED ATTITUDE" 201 days old
by Robin [Visitor]
What is the Biblical origin of this idea that we are three parts in one? more…
In response to: "CHRISTIAN HEALING: A BALANCED ATTITUDE" 232 days old
by Christian Healing [Visitor]
I agree, it's really important that we have a good understanding of how God made us as spirit, soul and body when we are praying for healing. That way we can ask Him to show us what part of us is really sick and be praying for the right thing. more…
In response to: "Philip's sad news" 264 days old
by dancadvoracek [Member]
Dear Phillip, I am so sorry for your wife. I pray for you. Love Dana more…
In response to: "FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE USE DOWN-TO-EARTH LANGUAGE!" 298 days old
by deleted user [Visitor]
I agree every bit with you philip it is important that people can understand the word of god.
And it is people who speak plainly, on there level, who can reach them so much better.
I am glad to see things moving, i thought you had abandoned your blog. more…
In response to: "AS I ENTER MY 90TH YEAR ..." 313 days old
by gillyk [Member]
I only hope that if I live as long as you I will have your incredible ability to enjoy life and your outward-looking attitude! love as always from Gilly more…
In response to: "AS I ENTER MY 90TH YEAR ..." 315 days old
by marvo [Member]
Top stuff hope 09 is a good one! more…
In response to: "AS I ENTER MY 90TH YEAR ..." 315 days old
by pompeycaulkhead [Member]
well done fella hope you had a good one and good luck for the year ahead
Pompeycaulkhead more…
In response to: "GETTING OUR HANDS DIRTY: PART 2" 356 days old
by gillyk [Member]
I know what you mean - if people don't see us actually working then they assume that we don't do anything and we are just lazing around! But I think that's true of everyone, not just of clergy. I do think there's a danger of doing something just in order to gain people's respect - that puts clergy on the defensive. I think the most important thi more…
In response to: "ABOUT FEELING WANTED AND WELC OMED: PART 2 OF 4" 369 days old
by philipbell [Member]
I was once asked to give the talk or sermon as for the children. I prepared visual aids etc. but there were no children there ! However, the adults listened intently to my simple illustrated talk. WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ?
more…
In response to: "ABOUT FEELING WANTED AND WELC OMED: PART 2 OF 4" 370 days old
by gillyk [Member]
good ideas about children in church! I also think it's a good idea to take colouring books and stories about the Bible - at least then the children are getting some spiritual input.
Having said that, I think that every church should make some effort to put on alternative teaching for its children. They are, after all, the ones Jesus welcome more…
In response to: "HONOURING GOD: PREPARING FOR CHURCH SERVICES" 404 days old
by philipbell [Member]
When things happen like that it makes you disinclined to come back again to that particular church.
Is there anybody else who has had a similar experience and would like to tell us about it? more…
In response to: "HONOURING GOD: PREPARING FOR CHURCH SERVICES" 406 days old
by gillyk [Member]
I do so agree! I was at a special service recently where the vicar ambled up to the front, late, and announced that he had no idea what was happening and he didn't even have an order of service. He had plainly done no thinking or preparation and somehow it dishonoured God and those who were there. It would be very interesting to know how often p more…
In response to: "HOW GOD SPEAKS TO US IN EVERYDAY LIFE, PART 3" 429 days old
by Juliet Dellow [Visitor]
Hi. It's granddaughter Jules! I've just read all 3 parts of 'God speaking in the loo'. I really like it! Ian and I sometimes find God speaking in unusual situations - we were watching a film the other day and Ian made me stop it so he could write down what the actor was saying as he felt it was really relevant to him spiritually - the film had noth more…
In response to: "HOW GOD SPEAKS TO US IN EVERYDAY LIFE" 443 days old
by philipbell [Member]
Hannah,
I was looking at a photograph of our extended family, (some 12 people), and realised that in the photograph was myself; so I was observing something of which I was myself a part.
Similarly, I think that when we observe living things we must remember that we ourselves are one of them.
So when I look at more…
In response to: "HOW GOD SPEAKS TO US IN EVERYDAY LIFE" 450 days old
by Hannah [Visitor]
Hello, it's Hannah. I've been reading your chapters as they appear, and enjoying them. I could very much identify with some of what you say here: I understand exactly what you mean about the core happiness that comes from feeling a part of the jigsaw of life. It's a fundamental part of life's contentment for me, whether it comes from digging in a f more…
In response to: "WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT LOW SELF-ESTEEM?" 454 days old
by deleted user [Visitor]
Yes Philip i truly believe we can over come anything.
All the time we hear of people with artificial limbs climbing mountains,walking in marathons,admirable people who proove that to us.
We can re-learn things after many major set backs, and over come disablitys to succeed. more…
In response to: "WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT LOW SELF-ESTEEM?" 455 days old
by philipbell [Member]
I see what you mean.
We have to live with some deficiencies, for example, colour blindness or being a diabetic.
Others we can overcome by will power... for example, if you are too shy to do house to house collecting for a charity, you can make yourself do it, perhaps by first going with a friend and taking it in turns to more…
In response to: "WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT LOW SELF-ESTEEM?" 457 days old
by deleted user [Visitor]
I have put some weight on over the years but when i look back at when i was young and weighed seven stone i still thought i looked fat in the mirror.
We all have a different perspective of things any way, this is why i do not understand why some strive for what they think is perfect beauty by having so much cosmetic surgury.
more…
In response to: "Science & Religion" 458 days old
by philipbell [Member]
When you consider that it takes, (so far as I remember), about 4½ minutes for the light from our sun to reach us and then think how far away another solar system must be if it takes a whole year for it's light to reach us, it makes you realise how vast outer space is.
So, Yes, we may well be a tiny solar system in an incredibly vast un more…
In response to: "Science & Religion" 460 days old
by philip1 [Visitor]
Thank you, WW! It was not just the church but EVERYBODY assumed that the sun went round the earth.
It doesn't matter where in the universe our planet is, the point is that it contains humans to whom God reveals himself.
There may be life on other planets but probably not in our own solar system. I believe that God crea more…
In response to: "Science & Religion" 461 days old
by Wailing woman [Visitor]
I was struck by the fact that the church was shocked that the earth went round the sun, rather than the other way round. This suggested that the earth wasn't "special" in the way that was expected.
Do you think, therefore, that evidence of some sort of life will be found on other planets in the future? Are we even less at the centre more…