I've never heard of God

 

We have now reached the stage on earth where almost everyone has heard of God. There may be pockets of people here and there who have not heard of God, but by and large the great majority of people have heard of God.

Some of these people may have heard of God but do not really know God. He appeared on their "radar" at some stage in their lives but they never bothered to find out more. Maybe because they're busy, maybe it's inertia; but for some reason or other they did not attempt to find out and learn more.

Others have heard of God and tried to understand and learn more about Him but decided that considering the evidence, or lack of it, God does not exist. They are sure of this and will not be persuaded otherwise. Some amongst this group, not satisfied with their decision and conclusions, have taken it upon themselves to convince everyone to their way of thinking. They see it as their mission in life to persuade everyone that God does not exist and will use every means at their disposal like disdain, contempt and ridicule to back their argument and persuade the vulnerable to their way of thinking.

There are those who "semi-believe" in God. They've heard of Him and decided to keep their head down in case He punishes them, like He did often times as recorded in the Old Testament. 

And there are those who believe in God enthusiastically and have experienced His presence and love in their lives.

Whatever group we belong to, and there are those who fluctuate from group to group; that fact remains that the large majority of the world has heard of God.

Now the thing is this ... let us assume for a moment that God exists and that one day, individually, each one of us gets to meet Him face to face ... regardless of which group we belong to ... what will we say?

What will you say?

Are you symmetrical?

 

As you know, for some reason or other, our bodies are not symmetrical. If you were to draw a straight vertical line down your body from head to toe you will notice that both sides are not the same. Why this should be so I do not know, but a fact it is.

Look in the mirror. The left side of your face is not the same as the right. You'll notice many differences if you look hard enough. The same applies to your whole body.

I stood in front of a full-length mirror and noticed it for the first time ... ... ... that one ear is the size of a tennis racket and the other is much larger and slightly lower. The only way to have them level is to have my head tilted a little.

Once I noticed this anomaly my life changed suddenly. Last week I tripped on my ear and fell down the stairs. I don't know how it happened. I was asked, "did you miss a step?" I replied, "No, I hit every one of them!"

When I went out a gust of wind caught my large ear and I turned round and round like a revolving hotel door. I looked like a pirouetting ballerina dancing on the spot.

One advantage is that I don't have to walk to work any more. I put on my roller skates and as the wind catches my ears I just glide all the way to my office. A bit difficult to stop at the traffic lights though. The other day a police car chased me and could not catch me up. I got home first.

A disadvantage, however, is that if my ears flap in the office or in a restaurant the accompanying wind soon turns into a gale and blows the whole furniture all over the place.

One more thing I noticed whilst standing in front of the full-length mirror that is not the same size and symmetrical ... ... ... my nostrils.

Which part of you is not symmetrical and what can you tell us about it?

Thank you Jesus

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

TO

ALL OUR READERS

Jesus, I want to take the time right now, 

To tell you how much I thank you

 With this song I bring to you the praise that's due 

For they come from you through your Spirit 

 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the life you gave to me I thank you Jesus 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the peace that's in my heart I thank you Jesus 

 

I can feel the Spirit dwelling inside of me 

Makes my blind heart see the truth from you 

And I can feel the joy you give now overflow 

And it lets me know that you care for me 

 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the life you gave to me I thank you Jesus 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the joy that fills my soul I thank you Jesus

 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the life you gave to me I thank you Jesus 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the joy that fills my soul I thank you Jesus

Heaven is within reach

 

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AMAZON LINK HERE

Christ the King - He is Lord - Sing Hallelujiah

 

 

HE IS LORD

 

 

SING HALLELUJAH TO THE LORD

 

Violent Jesus

 

When Jesus entered the temple courts, He began to drive out those who were selling.  “It is written,” He said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” - Luke 19:45-46

This story in the Bible is often misunderstood. We see Jesus being violent and beating the money changers and traders out of the temple. His reasons may be obvious by what He said in the passage quoted above; but there is more to it than that.

In those days the people had to offer a sacrifice to God in the form of an unblemished perfect animal. It could be a pair of doves, a lamb, goat or whatever you can afford depending on your wealth and the gravity of your sin. The people gave the animals to the priests who had them slaughtered and made into a burnt offering. 

One reason for Christ's behaviour, apart from the quotation above, is that at the time the people brought their own offerings to the priests and the priests had to decide whether the animal was without blemish and perfect. If the priests decided against that animal then the people had to go an buy another (more expensive) one from the traders in the temple. Hence the collusion between the priests and the traders cheating the poor people out of their money by forcing them to buy a more expensive animal from the traders.

Jesus was angry because instead of the temple being a place of prayers, the priests and traders had made it into an opportunity to cheat and steal from the poor.

Thank You Lord.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

TO

ALL OUR READERS

GOD BLESS

 *******

Thank you for the flowers that grow in blossoms on the trees

Old familiar faces that I'm always glad to see

Comic strips and fish and chips and people who like me

Thank you Lord Thank you Lord

 

Thank you for all the creatures from the mouse to kangaroo

Lambs and spreading birds that fly across the skies so blue

If we took a closer look we'd learn a thing or two

Thank you Lord Thank you Lord

 

Gratitude is a simple debt that anyone can pay

Thank you is two little words that go a long long way

So however busy, help me find the time to say

Thank you Lord Thank you Lord

 

Thank you for the happy songs that bounce inside my ears

Something clicking something picking the songs I love to hear

Spinning tops and busy shops with Christmas drawing near

Thank you Lord Thank you Lord

 

Thank you for your only Son who hung upon the tree

Dying so that we might live for all eternity

It's not much in return but Lord for what you did for me

Thank you Lord Thank you Lord

NOTE: I should be grateful for your help please. This song was played by me on my radio program many years ago. Unfortunately all I have is the tape of that program. I do not have the record and I do not know who the singer is, nor the lyrics. I listened to the tape several times and wrote out the lyrics above. Can anyone please help identify the singer or the song and when it was recorded?

Many thanx. God bless.

Observations I have observed

 

I wasn't particularly bright at school. I can't even count how many times I failed Maths. 

To improve myself I tried joining the debating society but the other kids talked me out of it. My teacher said I'll go down in history ... ... ...  and geography, science, woodwork and a lot of other subjects. I had failure written all over me. The other children did it with permanent pens.

Once a bully at school was rude to me. I had lost my Thesaurus and could not find the right words to answer him back.

As a child my parents used to make me walk the plank. We didn't have a dog. We were very poor indeed and did not have many things others took for granted. Not even a toilet brush. We used to tie a dead hedgehog to a stick and use that. 

For years I did not speak to my Dad. He was a bus driver and you're not allowed to speak to him.

When I left school I took a job on a farm. I had to take part in a sheep census but fell asleep.

I first met my wife at the museum, and the rest is history. In truth, we were both trapeze artists and we met on the net.

The other day I helped my grandfather with a book he is writing. He is not good at computers and he asked me how do you print a document. I said, "Control P." He replied, "I've not been able to control pee for a while now!"

He was a glazier. One day he replaced the glass in all the windows in a building only to discover he had a crack in his spectacles. 

He used to say, "Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me." Then a printing-press fell on him. 

He was reminiscing the other day and said that in olden times you could leave the back door open and you were quite safe. That's how he sank his submarine.

Another favourite saying of his is "Fight fire with fire!" That's how he lost his job at the fire brigade.

He bought a book on the Internet entitled "How to have nothing to do with your neighbour!" Unfortunately, he was out when it was delivered. 

Despite his old age he is looking for a girl friend. He tried joining a dating agency and they suggested a carbon dating agency instead. He asked a potential girl friend her age and she said 140 over 80 !

He went to an antique store and they did not want him to leave.

The other day he dropped his cell-phone in the toilet. He asked me what to do and I suggested he puts the phone in a bag of rice. Moments later he asked me how do you get a bag of rice out the toilet.

He's had an argument with my wife about whether the lid should be up or down. In order to make peace between them I asked her, "Does it matter?" She said, "It does when it's the pedal bin in the kitchen." 

I hate all those TV adverts aimed at the elderly, like insurance and pre-paid funerals and cremations. There was an advert for cremations which said you get 50% of the price back if you die in a fire.

He said he's found the cure to improve his memory. He has stopped listening to people.

I think he's got a point.

I Like Art

 

.

TITIAN

 

I like art. Whether it is a masterpiece painting by someone like Titian, or some classical music by a composer like Handel; or even a pizza baked by my local fast food outlet - for art can be edible too, you know. I love all art. 

Take time to appreciate the vibrant colours and brush strokes in the Titian painting featured in this video. Enjoy the accompanying music by Handel. Two geniuses living years apart but joined together here for your edification and enjoyment.

Attitudes Modern Attitudes

 

There was a time not so long ago when people had a respectful reverence towards God. Even those people who did not necessarily believe in God, or were generally not spiritual, they had some respect towards believers and Christians. I never told my colleagues at work that I was a Christian. Religion and politics were not encouraged as topics at work. But when they found out through discussion that I was a Christian I noticed a change in attitude towards me. More respectful, polite and gentle.

But that was a long time ago.

Today society has changed. Certainly around here. It seems that some people are not content to just stand aloof from believers; but they get some pleasure in looking at them with disdain and ridicule. This is particularly noticeable on TV when often comedians or celebrities proudly announce that they don't believe in God and add a throw-away comment that to believe in "a bearded old man sitting on a cloud" is antiquated and people might as well believe in fairies or similar fantasies. 

Gone are the days of live and let live, it seems. Today it is more fashionable to deride and ridicule anyone who believes in God and in doing so encourage and influence others to the same way of thinking.

If a politician over here publicly announced that he was a practicing Christian I doubt he would meet with much success. Any singer or other public figure known to be a Christian would be the subject of ridicule.

When I was young, I was taught at school that God is everywhere. Now I know this is not true.

God is only where He is allowed to be.

If a closed heart and mind denies the very existence of God, if a nation discourages God's influence in its affairs and in its thinking; then God, being a gentleman, will step aside and say: "All right, let your will be done!"

MAN AND GOD

AMAZON LINK HERE

KINDLE VERSION HERE

 

TIME FOR REFLECTIONS

AMAZON LINK

Stupid Things People Say

 

I'm amazed at the number of stupid things people say these days. Has stupidity become the current currency and no one told me? If so, I'd be rich and can compete with the best of them.

Here are some examples I heard lately:

On a TV dating program: "I am very spiritual. I believe the Universe will send me the woman of my dreams; the one to spend eternity with."

What does that mean exactly? Will his girl be from out of this world? A Martian maybe? How can he believe the Universe will send him anything? If he thinks the moon will influence his love-life he is on the way to becoming a lunatic.

On another TV program dealing with fashion: "I would like a future husband of mine to dress well. It doesn't matter what he looks like or what he thinks, as long as he dresses well!"

Good choice lady. Your future mate may be a lazy, drunken good for nothing, or of doubtful character and personal values, but as long as he wears the latest designer clothes he'll be the one for you. Have you thought of marrying a T shirt and a pair of jeans instead? Less hassle and they won't cheat on you as long as you have them in the cupboard. 

Here's another good one: "I know nothing about politics but I can debate it with the best of them."

Just great. This self-confessed ignoramus reminds me of a number of politicians I know.

An interview on TV: "I collect rocks because they speak to me. Their vibration affects our moods and our very existence. This rock here for instance would help your memory. Say you have an exam to revise for; the previous night whilst you're revising hold on to this rock in your hand. The next day take it to your exam and you will remember what you studied."

Well, this one surprised me. Personally, I would stay at home and send the rock to sit the exam instead.

On a "relationships" program: "We've been married happily for three years. We have no children. We'd like to experiment in an open relationship with other couples; it will improve our sex life and we learn from other people. I am quite happy to go with another man or another woman too. My husband agrees and is happy to do the same!"

I'm guessing this young couple will not live happily ever after. But then, who am I to know????

*******

The above have been examples of what's been on my TV lately ... apart from dust on the screen. Sometimes the dust is more entertaining.

Is it just me, or is the world moving too fast these days?

Victor On The Radio

Years ago I used to present Radio programs; one of which was on a Sunday afternoon entitled Time for Reflections. 

Here's a short clip from one of those programs which brings back fond memories to mind.  

Giving thanks to God

(Ten lepers cleaned - one says thanks)

Luke 17:11-19

A New Hobby

 

I started a new hobby. Something that will keep me svelte and youthful as ever.

I have taken up synchronised solo swimming. At first I could not swim at all, but I tried learning it from a book. The pages got all wet. 

I have bought a new two-piece costume and I go to the local swimming bath and practice twice a week. 

My instructor says with synchronised solo swimming there is less chance that someone will be out of step with the others.

My instructor is Miss Ava Sprinkle. She made quite a splash at the Olympics some years back. So much so that half the audience nearly drowned.

She taught me how to swim upside down with my legs in the air which I twist round and round like an egg-beater. I can do it for up to 30 seconds then turn over and come up for air.

She explained that we must not fear the water as it is our friend. The best way to gain confidence is to throw yourself backwards in the pool. This way you do not see the water coming towards you. 

To practice, she showed me how to do it on a trampoline first.

I tried it on the trampoline a few times but I eventually had to give up. As I was up in the air bouncing off the trampoline, someone moved it away thinking it was a safety hazard. 

All in all, it is early days yet. Ava Sprinkle suggested I practice synchronised swimming with other people on-line by linking our computer monitors together and see each other on the screen.

Are any of you interested in joining in? We need a team of ten people.

Remembrance Day

 

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

ONE MINUTE SILENT PRAYER

Investigating Your Bedroom Habits

I am conducting a research project for the University of Dreams and I would be grateful if you would take part in our information gathering exercise. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence and data will be gathered anonymously by researchers who will not divulge their identity to anyone.

We are researching whether sleeping in a North/South position in your bed in alignment with the earth's North/South magnetic polarity affects the way you sleep. 

How is your sleep affected if you slept in an East/West position instead? Will you have a restless night and possibly have nightmares too? Or will it make no difference?

We went out and asked peoples' views and experiences on the matter.

First, we visited a street which is aligned exactly in an East/West direction.

Let's look at the Diagram below:

The man in House A has his bed aligned in exactly a North/South direction. He said that he often does not sleep well and he sometimes has nightmares.

His neighbour living in House B has his bed aligned in an East/West direction. This man said that he often sleeps soundly and wakes up refreshed and ready for a new day.

Encouraged with our findings so far, we went to Houses C and D but there was no one there to answer the door.

We visited other houses down the road and received a variety of responses ranging from, "Mind your own **** business you pervert," to "If you don't go away I'll call the police you **** **** **** !!!"

Undeterred, and fearful for our safety, we rushed to another part of town to continue with our research.

Unfortunately, not all streets run exactly in and East/West direction as in the diagram above.

We found a street which runs at an oblique to the rest of town, so armed with our compass, we continued with our research.

The Diagram below illustrates the point:

The man in house A is not sleeping in a North/South position. He is more North/West. He reported that sometimes he sleeps well and wakes up refreshed, whereas at other times he has a disturbed night.

The man in house B sleeps in a North/East direction. He said that sometimes he sleeps so soundly that he does not hear the alarm clock in the morning. At other times, however, he has nightmares, especially if he has eaten a lot of cheese before going to bed.

We went to House C and asked the man, having loaned him our compass, to sleep at an oblique and exactly in a North/South direction. (See Diagram above).

The next morning we visited him and he said that not only did he not sleep well, but he also had a cricked neck because his head was overhanging the edge of the bed.

In House D we asked the young couple there if they would be willing to sleep in a North/South position and report their findings to us.

The next day they reported that they nearly both fell off the bed sleeping in that position at an angle to the bed. They ended up having a great argument and the husband had to go downstairs and sleep on the couch, whilst his wife locked herself in the bedroom.

When we asked him in which direction he slept on the couch he threatened us with physical violence.

Would you be willing to share with us in which direction you sleep and whether you have noticed any difference in your sleep patterns or the quality of your dreams. 

Also, whether you sleep on your left or right side and does this affect your dreams? Or do you sleep on your back, on your tummy, or the foetal position with your legs right up to your chin?

If you have a beard, do you sleep with the beard above or below the bed covers?

There's evidence that what we wear in bed affects one's sleep. I sleep in a three-piece suit with a tie and socks; but never in my shoes. Party hat optional. How about you?

Finally, we have discovered conclusively that sleeping hanging upside down from a hammock is not affected by the direction of the magnetic pull of the earth, but it is dangerous because you can fall off and smash your head on the floor.

Peace

 

PEACE

Love One Another

 

 UBI CARITAS ET AMOR. 

UBI CARITAS DEUS IBI EST.

 

Where charity and love are

God is there.

BIND US TOGETHER WITH LOVE

Do you stand up for Jesus?

 

Why did God create us? I believe it is because He wants us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. It is as simple as that.

Our life on this earth is only a temporary journey in preparation for an eternity with our Maker and Creator in Heaven; together with His Son Jesus and the Saints and Holy Spirit. By Saints I mean all those loved ones who have gone before us in a state of grace and love for God.

God wants us all in Heaven for ever. The invitation is sent to everyone. But not everyone responds. Some indeed turn down the invitation and decide to go their own way believing what they want. Denying the very existence of God even. 

And God allows them to go their own way. No one goes to Heaven against their will. No one is forced there.

Just like any loving parent hurts when their child goes astray; so does God grieve when we choose our way as opposed to His. He grieves bitterly but allows it to happen.

It is fashionable these days to proclaim that God does not exist. It is all folklore and antiquated thinking and belief. 

Years ago I worked in London, close to Saint Paul's Cathedral. No one at work knew I was a Christian. Talking about religion and politics was not encouraged at work. One day I visited St Paul's Cathedral with a  colleague. As we entered the vast building he waved his hand in the air in grandiose fashion and said, "Tell me Vic, do you believe in all that?" Meaning God and Christianity.

I replied, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do!" He said nothing. But from that day he acted differently towards me. More polite and respectful. So did other colleagues. In time, other senior managers also acted differently towards me a junior. Word had got round about me. Maybe they thought I was odd, weird, whatever ... but at least they saw me as different.

As Christians, we all have a Mission given to us by Christ Himself. To go out and witness for Him and to spread His Word as best we can.

We don't need to be priests, deacons, nuns and monks, preachers, pastors or whatever else to do so. We can quite simply stand up for Jesus by the way we live our example for others to follow.

 

Recently, a nurse lost her job because she said to a patient, "I am praying for you!" The patient objected because he did not believe in God and took offence at the suggestion of prayers for him. The nurse lost her job - but what a way to stand up for Jesus. The case hit the headlines and eventually made news.

 

We can stand up for Jesus by the way we Blog. Someone might meet Christ for the first time in their lives by what we write. 

Whether we write about our families, or about food and recipes, photos we've taken or art we enjoy, music or humour, as long as every now and then a Christian message seeps through our writings it will do some good somewhere.

 

You do the writing and God will ensure the right person will read it.