Beware of scams and scammers

 

A scam is a deceptive, dishonest scheme designed to trick individuals into handing over money, personal information, or access to accounts.

Most of us have mobile cell-phones or access to the Internet at home; or even a connection to enable us to see TV programs via the Internet.

These give scammers an opportunity to contact you and take control of your mobile phone or computer and steal your personal information like Bank Accounts details, or identity details or even your money. Here are some tips to help you avoid being a victim of scams and scammers.

If you receive a phone call, either on your mobile or your home phone, from someone you do not know saying they represent your bank, building society, TV provider, Amazon or any other organisation NEVER ever give them any personal details in your conversation. Just hang up on them. It is not rude to hang up; but it keeps you safe.

These people can be very persuasive and they'll say that your phone, or your Internet, or your Amazon (or other account) has been hacked and they want to help fix it. They are lying. Reputable firms do not contact customers like this at home.

All these people want is to gain access to your mobile or computer. They'll suggest they do a "link-up" with your equipment to sort things out for you. They'll ask you to do certain things on your phone or computer in order that they "link up" with you. DO NOT ALLOW THIS - DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY LINK UP. 

Once they have linked with your equipment they can see all your information - like Bank account details, Building Society, passwords to Amazon or other organisations you belong to and basically steal money from your accounts or hack your computer. NEVER EVER LINK YOUR CELL-PHONE OR COMPUTER WITH SOMEONE YOU DO NOT KNOW.

We repeat: these people can be very persuasive. They may try to re-assure you by saying "If you don't believe who I am from your bank (or Amazon etc ...) why not ring me back on this number ...." NEVER FALL FOR THIS TRICK. DO NOT RING BACK THE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU. 

The number they give you is to a colleague of theirs who will continue with the scam. If you wish to phone your bank, building society, credit card company, Amazon or whoever, to check what the scammer has told you then ring them on the number you already have on your bank statements, or on the back of your credit card etc... DO NOT RING THE NUMBER THE SCAMMER HAS GIVEN YOU. Just hang up.

Another trick the scammers do is to ask you to take a photo with your mobile of your credit card, or driving licence, or bus pass or other documents like a bank statement and text it to them in order to check your account or identity. NEVER EVER TAKE SUCH PHOTOS AND TEXT THEM BACK. 

Many people have fallen for this trick and have had their identity stolen as well as money from their accounts.

NEVER PUT YOUR CELL-PHONE ON CAMERA VIDEO MODE AND SHOW THE CALLER DOCUMENTS OR CARDS, OR EVEN GENERAL BACKGROUND VIDEOS OF YOUR HOUSE. Whilst they are watching the video they are recording it and gaining access to information without you realising it - like card details, or valuables you have at home. Basically, by putting your phone on video mode you have invited a stranger into your home.

Here's another new trick used lately. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) the scammers can replicate the voice of someone you know, like a friend or relative. The voice is so authentic you'd think it is really your friend or relative calling you. The scammers then phone you using this artificial voice. You would think it is your friend but it is a computer talking to you. It will say something like this: "Hi ... this is (name) I am at the supermarket (or other shop name) and my credit card has been declined. Could you please give me the details of your credit card so I can pay for this purchase? I'll pass you on to the shopkeeper to take your details!" NEVER EVER FALL FOR THIS TRICK. The voice is so authentic you'd really think it is them, your friends or relatives, speaking to you. AI is very clever these days. Just hang up. It is never rude to hang up.

Some people try to check if it is an AI computer phoning you by asking them an inane question, like: "How was you holiday in Paris last week?" or "Did you eventually buy that red dress you wanted?" And see what the AI answers. However; we suggest you just hang up instead. You can then phone your friend/relative on the number you have for them and check whether they phoned you. Let's face it, a real friend/relative would not phone and ask for you to pay for their purchase - would they?

Here's another very clever scam. You receive a short video on your mobile cell-phone of your favourite celebrity personality. The scammers have found out who you like in music/sports etc ... by following you on social media and reading what you wrote. The video addresses you personally. It is a fake. It is not the celebrity talking to you but a well made video using Artificial Intelligence (AI) computers. 

The celebrity addressing you will suggest you join a Fan Club of supporters. There are various entry levels - Ordinary Member, Silver or Gold level etc... They'll suggest you pay up to thousands of $. Potential (false) benefits could be signed autographed photos, reduced price tickets at concerts, or even meeting the celebrity for lunch. This is all fake - the video is fake, although it is very well made, and there are no benefits available. It's a trick to steal your money. A celebrity will not meet you for personal lunch if you pay them. 

Sometimes, they ask you to go to the shop and buy gift cards instead of giving them money. You then phone them and read out the gift card number. This is the scammers preferred method; because once you read out the gift card number on the phone it can be easily cashed in by the scammer and very difficult to trace or stop.

NEVER EVER BUY A GIFT CARD AND READ ITS NUMBER TO A COMPLETE STRANGER

Other scams involve receiving emails offering goods at reduced price, investments opportunities, and various other benefits in exchange for money or by clicking certain links on the email. Delete any emails you receive from someone you do not know - do NOT click on any links offered. 

Other emails would suggest you have been hacked and they can see all your Internet activity. Delete these as well and do not click on any links or respond to questions asked. 

On my business website - holyvisions.co.uk - I receive at least a dozen such emails a day offering all sorts of benefits like increased sales of my books, contacts with publishers, literary agents etc ... 

BEWARE OF SCAMS - UNLESS YOU HAVE INITIATED THE CALL OR THE EMAIL DO NOT RESPOND TO CONTACTS FROM STRANGERS - Just hang up.  

We are not sorry to repeat our advice:

NEVER EVER ALLOW ANYONE WHO PHONES YOU TO LINK-UP OR ACCESS YOUR MOBILE PHONE OR COMPUTER

NEVER EVER GIVE THEM YOUR PASSWORDS OR PIN NUMBER TO ANY ORGANISATION YOU BELONG TO - LIKE A BANK ETC...
 
NEVER EVER PHONE THEM BACK ON THE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU

NEVER EVER TAKE PHOTOS OF CREDIT CARDS, DRIVING LICENCES AND DOCUMENTS AND TEXT THEM BACK TO THE CALLER

NEVER PUT YOUR CELL-PHONE ON CAMERA VIDEO MODE AND SHOW THE CALLER DOCUMENTS OR CARDS, OR EVEN GENERAL BACKGROUND VIDEOS OF YOUR HOUSE

NEVER EVER GIVE ANY FINANCIAL DETAILS TO SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE YOUR FRIEND OR RELATIVE

NEVER EVER BUY A GIFT CARD AND READ ITS NUMBER TO A COMPLETE STRANGER

BEWARE OF SCAMS - UNLESS YOU HAVE INITIATED THE CALL OR THE EMAIL DO NOT RESPOND TO CONTACTS FROM STRANGERS - Just hang up.  

NEVER EVER GET FOOLED - JUST HANG UP - JUST HANG UP - JUST HANG UP

Please share this post/information with your friends and relatives to protect them from scammers and identity thieves.

Not a member

 

Once upon a time there was a Senior Citizens Care Home which was well run and had over one hundred clients from various backgrounds. They generally got on well with each other and with the various doctors, nurses and staff who ran the place.

In the big lounge, just by the large window overlooking the back gardens, an elderly gentleman always sat there just after lunch and well into the afternoon. He liked to look at the different flowers and trees and all the various birds which visited the gardens. It was mostly seagulls because they were near the sea, although there were also starlings, blackbirds, robins and sometimes pigeons. He even saw a fox pass by once or twice.

It was better than watching TV in the other lounge, or playing cards, or board games or with jigsaw puzzles as the other guests tended to do. Here he was all alone watching the gardens at all weathers for a couple of hours or so, and sometimes dozing off after a good lunch.

One day, a group of the seniors, about a dozen or so, decided to set up a Bible Study group twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. They agreed to meet up in the big lounge just after lunch.

At their first meeting they gathered there and found the old man by the large window. They ignored him and they sat at the opposite end of the lounge round a table and started with a short prayer. They then read a passage from the Bible and discussed it amongst themselves to discover what it meant to each of them and how relevant it was in their life. The old man remained at his seat looking out of the window. When they finished their session which was about an hour or so they all left.

This went on for two or three weeks. They got there after lunch and the old man was already at his seat by the window looking out.

Then some of them said they were uncomfortable speaking about the Bible and their beliefs and their life experiences with this old man, whom they knew as a guest in the Care Home, always sitting there and perhaps listening to the conversation. In truth, he was not listening but most probably dozing off most of the time. But they were not to know. They talked about it and decided to confront him at their next meeting.

One of them approached him and said, "Hello Gerard, we normally meet here twice a week for our Bible Study and you're always here!"

"Yes I am," replied the frail old man, "I like to watch the wildlife out the window!"

"But you're not one of us," said the spokesman for the group as the others gathered round, some of them nodding in silence, "you see, we feel a bit inhibited speaking about Christianity and what it means to us with a stranger in the room!"

"What we say is personal to us," added one of them, "Christianity is a personal thing ..."

"You're not even a member of the Bible Study group," said another member.

"Actually," the old man said with a smile, "I don't listen much to what you say with my hearing aids turned down low. I just watch the birds out of the window; I've been doing so for a while. If I were a member of the group would that be OK with you? I could sit here and listen to you at the same time."

They looked at each other in silence and most of them nodded.   

"Yes," said the spokesman, "it would be OK for you to join us and sit here if you wish. We could pull the table nearer to you. Tell us about yourself." 

"I am an old retired priest," he replied with a smile, "my church was in another town far away and when I retired they offered to put me up in a monastery nearby. I asked if it were possible to come here in my old home town where my family can visit me from time to time!" 

Now check Mark 9:38  

What will we do in Heaven?

 

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HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED 

 

WHAT WE WILL DO IN HEAVEN?

 

FIND OUT HERE 

An invitation ...

 

 First of all, may I thank all my loyal readers and friends for their continued support and their comments on this Blog. I truly appreciate your visits and I pray for all who comment here.

 

When I first started this Blog in 2009 the original intention was to advertise my first book "VISIONS". I knew nothing about Blogging then and someone advised me to start here in order to publicise my writings. 

 

Several books and many posts later, this Blog has developed into essentially a Christian website with a little bit of humour every now and then.

 

Last December I started another website "The Christian Lounge" where Christians of all denominations are invited to share their faith and beliefs and to encourage others to seek the love of God in their lives.

 

The aim is to publish something on each website every two days or so to keep both sites fresh and free flowing with new material. Quite frankly, it is becoming quite a task; especially since I also aim to visit each Blogger who comments on each site. But I will continue as best I can ... for the time being.

 

We can all play a part in spreading God's Word throughout the wide web which is the Internet as Jesus commanded us to do. 

 

(Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19).

 

One way of doing so is to invite your friends and relatives to visit here at Time for Reflections and on The Christian Lounge. The more people visit here the wider we spread our Christian net.

 

Another way is by submitting short articles (about 500 words or so) to The Christian Lounge at enquiries@holyvisions.co.uk - and when your articles are published to promote them on social media and on your Blogs. 

 

And a third way is to write something about your Christian faith every now and then on your Blogs, and encouraging others to seek God in their lives..  

 

By working together and encouraging each other we can all do our bit in spreading God's Word and giving some hope and love to a world that needs it. 

 

Will you join me? 

 

Let our Blogs be the ones Jesus would like to read.

Is it you? Are you sure?

 

There are over 8 billion people on earth. Obviously, they will not all go to Heaven.

If you were to die today, are you sure, very sure, that you will go to Heaven? Why do you think so? Let's consider this:

"Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do what my Father in Heaven wants them to do." Matthew 7:21.

What does God want us to do?

^"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40

And how about this?

"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Matthew 6:12

You see, those two conditions alone, that of love and of forgiveness, will be a yardstick by which we will be judged for entry to Heaven. And there's yet another:

"Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me." Matthew 25:31 onwards.

It is not enough for people to say they'll get to Heaven because they believe in God and Jesus. Satan believes in God and tried to tempt Jesus; so that's hardly a measure for us to compare with.

It is also not correct to say you'll get to Heaven because Jesus died for us. He redeemed us, and once saved always saved. True, He did this for us; but He also expects a response from us. His sacrifice is not just a passive entry to Paradise for us.

There's a story I heard about a news reporter in the First World War. The reporter was in a field hospital watching the wounded and how they were cared for. He saw a nun tending a badly injured soldier. She was carefully cleaning a gangrenous wound. The reporter said, "I would not do that for a million pounds!" The nun replied, "Neither would I." 

Have we as much love as that nun showed the soldier? 

Do we truly forgive with all our heart those who wronged us?

Do we care for those worse off than us in deeds and not just words?

Are you and I sure that we will go to Heaven? Why?

How to resolve matrimonial disharmony

 

First of all, an update on our marriage difficulties. For this weekend I have arranged something special for my wife. A luxury dinner at her favourite restaurant followed by a trip to the theatre to watch a ballet of some sort. (I confess I don't like ballet but I made the sacrifice in the name of love). The marriage counsellor we saw recently will pick her up tomorrow evening by luxury car and bring her back later. I won't be able to go because I'll be watching the Football World cup on TV. 

Now I know that every marriage has its difficult periods when disagreements come to the fore. Most are resolved amicably whilst others can lead to entrenched positions and total family breakdowns.

It's important to know which arguments are vital on principle and which ones are really not worth fighting to the bitter end. 

For example, in our marriage I decide how to run the economy and how the country should trade with other nations and my wife decides that I should stop talking and take the trash out because it will be collected tomorrow. 

Of course we've had other arguments in our marital bliss. 

At one point we went to see another Marriage Counsellor. He said that his wife is also a Marriage Counsellor and suggested that we all meet together, him and his wife, and I with mine, and try to resolve our issues together. 

I turned him down because I did not think the bed was big enough for the four of us together. .

Since then my wife and I have come up with a marital code on how to defuse arguments quickly before they get out of hand.

When an argument starts we both stop and wear a pan on our head. We go to the kitchen and pick up a suitable pan and wear it like a hat. Somehow, the argument in question gets into instant focus and seems easier to analyse and resolve.

Another alternative is to retire to different rooms and continue the argument by e-mail. We write to each other outlining our points of view and express our opinions and arguments in writing rather than talk them out. Somehow, writing things down takes longer than saying them and it makes us think before expressing ourselves. And it's all there on the screen so that you can refer to it again if your point has not been understood. Normally the argument is quickly defused because we get tired of writing anyway.

Another option is that each person has to outline their position on the argument for just a minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition. In just a minute you have to give your point of view. This sharpens the mind and makes you think whether the argument is really worth fighting over.

How do you resolve problems in your marriage?

My marriage breakdown ...

 

We've been having marriage problems. After such a long marriage we've decided, reluctantly on my part, to seek the advice of a marriage counsellor. 

He sat us down and asked politely how he could help us.

My wife immediately went into an angry tirade listing each and every problem she claims we've ever had in the 25 years we've been married.

She went on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, not listening to her, not helping in the house, and a long list of unmet needs she said she had endured over the course of our quarter century of marriage.

Finally, after allowing this to go on for a sufficient length of time, the therapist/counsellor  stood up, walked around his desk and, asking my wife to stand, he embraced her and kissed her passionately on the mouth. I was appalled. It lasted for a couple of minutes. I'd never seen kissing like that before; with his hands wandering all over her like that. 

When he finished, my wife shut up and, in a daze, quietly sat down.

The therapist turned to me and said, "This is what your wife needs at least seven times a week. Do you think you can do this?"

I hesitated and thought for a moment then replied, "Well, Doc, I can drop her off here on Mondays to Fridays, but at weekends I'm playing golf, football and I go fishing with my friends!"

Have you co...

Have you considered

writing a short article in

The Christian Lounge?

 

Contact us at

enquiries@holyvisions.co.uk

 

Close encounter of the spaceship kind

 

I was out in our back garden late at night with our dog. He was running here and there as he usually does. I noticed up above me, about 30 feet or so high, a UFO. It looked like a small plane, the size of a wheelie-bin used for trash. It was some 3 feet long and 18 inches wide. At first I thought it was a toy; but who would be flying a toy at this time of night? And it was not flying. It was standing there in mid-air about 30 feet up. It turned red, and then orange, and then green, and then red again. It took me a while to realise it was the reflection from the traffic lights outside.

Then a light shone on me from the spacecraft and I started to float slowly up in the air. I did not know what was happening to me. How could I possibly fit in a spacecraft so small?

I was suddenly in a room a hundred times the size of the spacecraft. It was well lit. There was a man there who looked like Charlton Heston as Moses in the film The Ten Commandments. He was actually dressed like Moses.

"Are you Moses?" I asked in trepidation.

He smiled as Heston did and replied, "No ... we can take any form that would be recognisable to the people we meet so as not to panic or frighten them."

How accommodating I thought; and I immediately started thinking of Marilyn Monroe, Gina Lollobrigida, Raquel Welch, Brigitte Bardot and any other desirable woman in the hope he'd turn into one of them; but he remained as Charlton Heston. Then, for some unknown reason, I thought of my mother-in-law and nearly had a heart attack.

"You're afraid of her," he said reading my mind.

"It's ... It's that she's everywhere," I stammered, "I sometimes get home from work and find her broomstick in the hall and wish I was still at work!"

"That's what we like about you earthlings," he said, "you have a sense of humour. Remember when you first started experimenting with space travel and you sent up a dog out there? We thought you must be really clever if even your dogs can fly a spaceship!"

I said nothing.

"Joke!" he said smiling again. "Apart from your humour, and one or two other good points, unfortunately overall you earth people are a bad lot. You are obstinate, you think you're always right, you do not forgive easily, you're violent, you settle your differences with wars and killings, you lie, you cheat, you steal, and you break everyone of The Ten Commandments by debating them and re-interpretating them to suit your selfish needs! Need I go on?"

"I ... I ... I'm sorry," I mumbled. I'd never seen Moses so angry even in the film he starred in.

"I didn't mean you personally," he said calming down, "but your whole human race. Although you're not a Saint yourself are you?"

"Is there no hope for us?" I asked hesitantly.

"I am not allowed to tell you," he replied.

And with that I landed with a bump in my back garden and discovered I was sitting on one of my dog's deposits.

Moses sure has a sense of humour!

How to survive Global Warming

 

There's no denying that weather patterns are changing - the question is: Should we be worried about it?

The world has experienced hot temperatures recently. Not  for the first time; although some would claim records have been broken and it's been hotter since records began. 

When was that by the way? When did records begin? 

The thing is, whenever we have some sunny days the usual voices repeat slogans like Global Warming, Climate Change, Melting Ice Caps and warn of all sort of bad things happening at a date so far away that many people don't even care about. 

We are told to stop using fossil fuels. To stop using hair spray, under-arm spray and anywhere else sprays because they release bad things in the atmosphere. To stop using plastics, oil, carbon footprints and whatever else. To stop using the air-conditioner and the barbecue and things that contribute to Global Warming and Melting of the North Pole. 

Someone even suggested we stop using candles the other day because they contribute to all this heat. Can you imagine how many candles are lit in the world at dinner tables, bathrooms, birthday parties, churches and so on?

I wonder how serious the situation really is?  

Instead I often focus on the benefits of this hot weather we've been having and try to adapt to it.

I've noticed for instance that soup takes longer to cool down lately; so you can be more relaxed at your meal and not worry that the soup or other food will get cold. 

I remember once when in Paris I went to an outdoor restaurant - you know the ones - they have tables out on the side-walk and you eat out in the open. I was enjoying a delicious French Onion soup when it started raining. It took me hours to finish my soup!

One way of keeping cool I find is by carrying ice cubes in my trouser pockets. No ... not by themselves ... in a plastic bag. They are refreshing and keep me cool wherever I go. Mind you, it was embarrassing when one of the bags started leaking on the bus the other day. 

Something I don't understand. If it is hot at home and you open the windows does fresh air come in, or does the hot air from outside enter the house and makes it even hotter inside?

And why does it continue to be hot at night when the sun has gone? 

Some people sleep in the nude. Does that really help to cool things down, I wonder? It depends who you're with I suppose.

They say that the type of mattress you have in bed can help to keep you cool. I bought one of those "memory" mattresses and now it is blackmailing me!

I got rid of it and changed the bed for a trampoline; and my wife hit the roof.

So what do you think? Is it serious and we should worry about all this heat, or not? 

Personally, I worry more about aliens from outer-space. More here soon ... ... ... 

The Holy Trinity - Explained

 

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THE HOLY TRINITY - EXPLAINED

(Six minutes)

Excerpt from the book

REFLECTIONS FOR THE SOUL

CLICK HERE

Can someone explain this?

 

It's been very hot here in the UK - 33*C (92*F) and more.

I was out driving in the country; (because it is easier that riding a skateboard). I noticed on the hills on either side of me many of those so-called windmills or wind turbines. Hundreds of them. It was like a forest of windmills. No doubt there was a real forest here years ago which has now been replaced by these metal trees.

Guess what? None of them were turning round as you'd expect them to.

They were all as still as a dodo. Or as still as a statue, or whatever else is still.

Can you explain to me why in such a hot day the powers-that-be did not turn all these fans on and cool the place a bit?  

What is the point of spending a fortune building these monstrosities everywhere and when you need them most they are not switched on?

And guess what again? When it is windy as it sometimes is over here, all the fans are on. Admittedly, they don't go round very fast, but they are on. And no doubt wasting electricity having them on when we don't need them.

Can anyone explain all this to me?

How to read all classical literature fast

 

So many books and so little time to read them all. Have you read Chaucer's Canterbury Tales? The works of Shakespeare, War and Peace, Crime and Punishment, Jane Austin, Bronte, Dickens, Hemingway, Mark Twain and so many more?

It is getting more and more difficult to appear intelligent and well-read these days; never mind actually being intelligent and well-read.

There is an answer which could help. Here is a way for you to know every book it is worth knowing in one simple and quick read. Pick up a book and read it from cover-to-cover in one minute.  CLICK HERE

And if you have the same problem with all the movies you'd wish to have seen. CLICK HERE 

 CLICK HERE

Sapristi Alors!

 

Our church has one of those huge baptismal fonts made of stone or marble or such like material. Why it’s so big beats me. It’s an old church and I reckon babies in olden times must have been born really big which must have been an ordeal for their poor mothers. Either that or perhaps in olden times they put the whole baby in the font rather than just wet his head.

Anyway, that aside, it has become a habit in our church to baptise babies during Sunday Mass rather than at a private service at some other time. Just after reading the Gospel, the priest moves to one side near the font and baptises the child whilst the whole congregation witnesses and joins in the event. It’s rather nice I think.

This week Father Gaston celebrated Mass. He is a temporary priest whilst our priest is away. He is French, very tall and thin, with a severe looking face and a gaze that would turn you into stone before you even thought of sinning. He talks in a monosyllabic conversation only used on rare occasions when he has something to say.

He also uses reading spectacles which he balances precariously on the end of his long aquiline nose; and looks at you from above them whilst speaking to you. I believe he looks at people from over the glasses so as not to wear out the lenses.

He stood by the font reading from his book whilst the proud parents and god-parents waited patiently as they handed the baby to each other. He was a lively little mite; the baby that is … about eight or nine months old. You could hear him gurgling and laughing throughout the Mass.

At the appropriate moment the mother held him on top of the font and as Father Gaston poured water on the child’s head, the child raised his hand out and hit the priest in the face knocking the spectacles in the font.

The priest stopped and said something in French which is not in my official Church Prayer Book. He then reached into the font for his glasses forgetting that his vestments had long and wide sleeves.

He withdrew his hand and put the wet glasses on. As water dripped on his face he realised his sleeve was soaking wet. He tried as best as he could, with as little dignity as remained in the situation, to squeeze the water from his sleeve back into the font. He then dried his face and glasses; and continued with the Baptism.

I felt sorry for the poor parents.

But not so much for Father Gaston.

Pentecost

 

Today is the feast of Pentecost. 

John 14:15-17 ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, because He abides with you, and He will be in you.'

 

Pentecost is a Christian festival celebrated the 49th day (the seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks. Acts 2:1-31.

 

The Apostles and others were gathered together in a house in fear of the authorities. Suddenly there's a mighty sound and flames of fire on their heads. The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, descended on them and became one with their very souls.

Their soul and the Holy Spirit were one. And this union of the human and the Divine manifested itself in many ways. For a start they all had the courage to speak up. They were no longer afraid. These very people who days before had ran away when Jesus was arrested, suddenly gained new courage given them by the Holy Spirit.

 

They knew the truth about Jesus and His Resurrection and they were no longer afraid to keep the secret to themselves. They had the courage to stand up and shout their truth to all willing to hear. They were not afraid of the consequences.

 

And what's more, by receiving the Holy Spirit the followers of Jesus gained a new ability as well as courage. They were all able to speak in different languages that up to then they knew nothing about. There were many people in Jerusalem at the time and they heard the followers of Jesus speak to them in their own language and proclaiming the truth about Christ and His Resurrection.

 

To the early Christians, the Holy Spirit was real indeed. They had experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. They received Him at Pentecost in tongues of fire and they were able to speak to the crowds that gathered in different languages. This was not something they had read about in the scriptures and the writings of the prophets. This was real indeed. They experienced it personally and had the courage to tell everyone about it. Just like you would do, if some supernatural experience happened to you.

Because the disciples had experienced the Holy Spirit, He became such a force in their lives, giving them strength to spread the Good News that Jesus had taught them, enabling them to live as Jesus had lived. 

It was they who handed on to us this mystery that in one God there are three Persons. Because they had experienced it in their lives. They had met Jesus and came to accept Him as the Son of God, and now they had also experienced the power of the Holy Spirit.

With the passage of time, the story of Pentecost, or more precisely, the significance and understanding of receiving the Holy Spirit, has been diluted over the years.

 

The reality is that we can all receive the Holy Spirit into our souls today. All we have to do is to believe it is possible; and to sincerely ask God to send us the Holy Spirit.

Radio Talk-Show

 

Radio Presenter: Hi, you are listening to VSEM Radio and this is Vic M hosting this week's Talk-Show. Who's our first caller on line 1?

Caller 1: Hello ... this is Ivor Blast ... I don't know how to begin.

Vic M: Tell us what's on your mind Ivor.

Caller 1: As a newly married man, I get embarrassed when I go to the rest room and break wind noisily. My wife could hear me. What do you suggest I do?

Vic M: Such foods like beans, sprouts and cabbage tend to create gaseous substances therein which need to come out noisily. I suggest you take a radio or music player with you to the rest room and play it loudly to cover up any  unwanted sounds. I recommend playing "Blowing in the wind" by Bob Dylan is very effective in this respect. Who's our next caller?

Caller 2: I'm afraid this is a medical problem ...

Vic M: Don't worry caller; tell us what it is and we'll try to help you, or perhaps look it up on Google for you. What's your problem?

Caller 2: Whenever I drink tea or coffee I get a very sharp pain in my eye.  

Vic M: Take the damn spoon out of the cup you fool and stop wasting our time. Next caller?

Caller 3: This is Robert ... We live in an apartment block and the walls here are too thin. To get straight to the point - at night we hear the young couple living in the apartment next to us making very personal noises from their bedroom. What do you suggest we do?

Vic M: A tricky problem this which should be tackled with tact and diplomacy. I suggest that you and your wife or girl-friend make similar louder noises at night. This will have two possible results. Either your neighbours will realise the walls are too thin and tone down their love-making; or you'll make some new friends! Next caller please? 

Caller 4: Help me please ... this is Denise ... I'm all alone here ... I heard your late night show on the car radio. The car has broken down in Walton Woods and I phoned the Car Rescue Company but they are taking too long to arrive. I'm frightened .... on my own ... there are noises in the woods.

Vic M: You are not alone Denise. I know Walton Woods well; many people believe they are haunted because of ancient historical battles which took place there. Personally I think this is nonsense. Some people think aliens from outer-space frequent those woods in search of people to abduct and dissect. Do you believe in aliens or ghosts Denise? Denise ... are you there? Denise ... oh well, perhaps her car started working again. Next caller please?

Caller 5: Is Martin there?

Vic M: Martin ? Martin who?

Caller 5: Oh sorry ... I think I got the wrong number ... I was looking for my husband Martin and I'm ringing his friends ...

Vic M: Well I assure you he's not here. I'll move the microphone all round the studio ... you can't hear him because he is not here ... ... ... (voice of woman crying). Honestly ... he is not here ...

Caller 5: I think he is with another woman ... (crying) ... I have found articles of women's under-clothing in the car. He started wearing Cologne after-shave again and flossing his teeth and changes socks every day. Do you think he is having an affair? (Crying).

Vic M: Many men floss their teeth ... look ... I think you and Martin should have an honest talk.

Caller 5: You mean I should tell him that our three kids are not his?

Vic M: Ehm ... well ... I did not know that ... 

Caller 5: Actually ... I am phoning on behalf of a friend ...

Vic M: In that case you should ask your friend where Martin is ... Personally I think ... (She hangs up). Hello ... are you still there? I think she's gone ... Who do we have on line 2?

Caller 6: Hi this is Martin. I just heard your conversation with my wife. I can assure you those kids are mine. I know when and where they were conceived because my twin brother told me. (Line goes dead). 

Vic M: Well I never ...

Caller 7: You must have surely ... anyway ... nice show so far!

Vic M: Ehm ... I didn't realise the microphone was on. Who is this?

Caller 7: It is Albert Einstein; have you seen my brother Frank?

Vic M: Frank? No I haven't seen him. What do you want to talk about Albert?

Caller 7: I want to explain to your listeners my Theory of Relativity. The richer a man is the more relatives will attend his funeral.

Vic M: Thank you Albert. And on this note we end tonight's Talk-Show. This is Vic M on VSEM Radio saying goodbye and God bless.

Forget the Magic Lamp

 

We bought an air-fryer recently. Before plugging it in I read all the instructions carefully. Then I got it ready and tried "frying" my own style of KFC. 

As soon as I switched the fryer on there was a loud bang, sparks everywhere and the kitchen was filled with red smoke which slowly formed into a human being - a genie! 

I jumped out of my skin. It took me a while to settle down. Looking at him. I must admit I did not like his minuscule loin cloth one bit. It upset our dog who ran in his bed. Normally when I tell him "Go to bed" he plays dumb and asks "Who's Ted?" But not this time! 

As I settled a bit I heard myself say, "Who the **** are you?" 

The creature said, "Greetings master, I am your genie. You have three wishes, what is your command?"  

"For a start I need a change of clothing because I've just soiled myself," I replied.  

Immediately I was in brand new set of clothing made by one of the best haute couturier you can name.

"Your wish is my command," said the genie, "what is your second wish?" 

"Hey, wait a minute," I said, "don't take me too literally!"

"Your wish is my command," he continued, "what is your third wish?"

"Just let me think ..." I muttered and regretted it immediately.   

"Your wish is my command," he repeated, "I have now fulfilled my obligation and shall leave!"

"Hold it right there you insignificant offshoot from a faulty electrical appliance," I said angrily having consulted my Roget's Thesaurus to construct such and eloquent sentence; "hold it right there ... you can't suddenly appear in a puff of smoke and pollute my kitchen and then depart without a bye or leave. You made me waste my three wishes. I demand a recount!"

He stopped and thought and then said, "Let me ask my elder."

"Your elder?" I asked.

"Yes ... the genie of the microwave oven. Microwave ovens were invented before air-fryers so he is older than me."

He turned into red smoke swirling round like a mini tornado, then turned orange and then green. He appeared again and said, "My elder has allowed one more wish, but it should be made by one of your Blogger friends and he will choose the best!"

So it's over to you folks. What is your wish to the genie of the air-fryer - or is it the genie of the microwave oven?

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Faith is not enough

 

In Hebrews Chapter 11 we read: To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.

But what does that really mean? What is it like to have faith, and not only to believe in a living God, Creator of all and everything, but also to be certain in that belief? Without any proof, or evidence whatsoever.

It’s as if to have faith is to believe when your common sense tells you not to.

Often Jesus said to people He has healed: Your faith has healed you. Your faith has saved you.

He taught that if we had faith as small as a mustard seed we could perform miracles.

We read in Mark 9:24 that when a father asked Jesus to heal his son, he said: I believe, Lord; help my unbelief. Jesus took pity on him and realised that the man had some faith, perhaps not enough, but at least he had some; so Jesus healed the man’s son.

This leads us to ask: Is faith enough?

We may have faith, to varying degrees, depending on who we are. But is this enough?

After all, even the devil has faith. He believes in God all-right. He even tried to tempt Jesus often enough. This proves that he has faith, and believes in God. Perhaps more than we do.

So, if faith is not enough; what is missing in our relationship with God?

Trust.

Let us consider trust for a moment. A little child does not question whether his parents care for him or not. It is intrinsically part of his nature to take it for granted that his parents love him and will take care of him. When he asks them for bread they will not give him a stone, and when he asks for fish they will not give him a serpent.

The child trusts his parents and will continue to do so as he grows up; until one day someone may betray that trust and then he’ll become more wary of those around him.

So how about us? Is our faith in God matched with an unshakeable trust that He cares for us, and no matter what happens, no matter how bad things are in our lives, He is there, beside us, all the time caring for us and ready to see us through whatever crisis we face.

Can you imagine the amount of self-control and concentration of thought we should have to believe, really believe, that not matter what happens, we trust that God loves us and cares for us enough to protect us from all evil?

Such level of trust may well be beyond what many of us can achieve; but it should not stop us from trying. Through gritted teeth even. We should pray, over and again, that we trust God that He will see us through this dark period in our lives.

Faith, no matter how great or small, as much as half a mustard seed even, may not be enough. It needs to be accompanied by an unfailing trust that our loving God will never ever let us down.

It is no point having faith in a Master who walks on water if we do not trust Him enough to follow Him.

Death in a taxi

 

DEATH IN A TAXI by Victor S E Moubarak  
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8264737794

When you take a taxi, all you expect is to be taken where you wish to go without fuss or incident. Not so for Father Ignatius. On his taxi ride home from the railway station the last thing he expected was to get involved in a shooting in which there was loss of life.

At first, there was no clue as to who carried out the murder, nor the motive for such a horrendous act. Everyone was a suspect, including Father Ignatius himself. Was he involved in the murder, or was he the target of the attack?

This is a tale of mystery and intrigue with a twist at every turn and a conspiracy of lies and perverse motives. Father Ignatius finds himself embroiled in a dire situation not of his making and a dilemma as to what he should do next. It is a fine line for a priest between pursuing the course of justice and maintaining a priestly responsibility and demeanour when so much is at stake.

Despite his personal problems, the amiable priest continues to dispense good and charitable advice to his flock; advice which he should perhaps be inclined to follow himself.

As this story develops, the real motives behind the killings, and the perpetrators of the crimes, will become clearer and will astound readers. Will justice be served? Not just here on earth but in the eyes of God too.

This book will challenge your thinking on many issues regarding your faith and beliefs, whatever they are.

DEATH IN A TAXI is available in paperback and Kindle versions from AMAZON and all good bookshops.

AMAZON LINK HERE

AMAZON REVIEWS:

 Again Father Ignatius is in a bit of a pickle, always a great story line, worth reading again. Would recommend this writer 100% - Catherine

 Another winner! Not only has the author spun a great "who done it" -- he so skillfully colored the characters (that) I could visualize each scene playing out in my head. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! - Myra G

 Mr. Moubarak once again presented a heartwarming story about Fr. Ignatius and the good people of his parish. I always enjoy how the author always slips in between the mysteries a question of a religious nature for the reader to contemplate, but it never feels preachy. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes light mysteries. - Patt O'Neil

AMAZON LINK HERE

Don't traumatise your pets

I read an article the other day about pets, and I'd like your views. The writer said that we confuse and even shock our pets if we suddenly act out of character. They are used to a norm and a sudden change of behaviour confuses them.

The article said if you undress in front of your cat or dog he's likely to wonder what is going on. He's never seen you with no clothes on, has he? This gives the pet quite a shock because they discover things they've never seen before. The pet's whole view of you has suddenly changed.

The article mentioned someone showering and the cat walked in the bathroom. He soon ran away up the curtain at what he'd seen.

Apparently, most pets are affected by sudden changes in circumstances. Goldfish for instance, or birds in a cage like a parrot, are very confused when you switch the TV On or Off, or turn the room lights On or Off and also sudden noises like music playing on the radio. 

My thoughts wondered about undressing in-front of the goldfish - I don't have one!

When looking through the goldfish bowl everything a fish sees is out of proportion and looks bigger than it really is because of the curvature of the glass bowl and the water. So when you're standing in front of your goldfish ... ... ...

At this point my thoughts were doing somersaults, as I suspect yours are doing right now! 

Then I had another thought. Can the souls of dead people see us and what we do? Even when you're in the shower?

What do you think? Do you undress in front of your pets?

Searching for talent

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) we read about a rich man who gives three of his slaves some talents. He then goes away on a journey and on his return he calls the slaves to see what they did with the talents. 

In those days, a talent was a lot of money; about 20 years of wages. So it is right that the master expected something in return from his investments.  

When he gets back from his travels he discovers that two slaves have increased the sum given to them, whereas the other has just buried his coin (talent) and returned it intact with no interest.

In this story the rich man represents Jesus. When He returns in His second coming on earth He will call us all and ask us what we did with the talents God has given us. 

We all have God-given talents. How do we use them, and do we share them for the benefit of others? 

There will always be someone worse off than us. Someone who is poor in material things, someone poor in spirit, poor in health, poor in education or even poor in Faith. 

We all have a responsibility to use our talents for the benefit of others.  

If we are financially rich, we should give to those who have not.

If we are in good health, we should help those who are sick. 

If we are clever or intelligent we should be more tolerant towards those not as bright as us and help educate them where we can.

And if our Faith is strong, we should help and pray for those who falter and fail in their walk with the Lord.

Whatever our talents are, do we use them to glorify God and for the benefit of others? 

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Love

 

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (Corinthians 13:4 onwards)

This passage from the Bible is read in a lot of wedding ceremonies.

But sadly, when things start to go wrong and difficulties lead to separations and divorce, it is soon forgotten.

It reminds me of the story of the man who said,"my wife introduced me to religion; I never knew what hell was until I married her!"

Mind you, the comment also applies to husbands, not just wives.

Love is a commitment. It is a decision we make, not just a feeling when we first meet someone and get to "like" them and want to be with them. 

I guess it is easier to love someone we don't know than someone we have lived with for sometime and got to know their failings.

Love is a vocation. Whether we are married, single, widowed, divorced or separated; love is a decision that we make.

Love is another word for caring. Caring for our partners, our family, our community or whoever. If we are single we can still care for others by the way we behave. 

Caring means doing something about it; not just sympathising from a distance and feeling sorry.

The greatest example of love is: 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I think perhaps we should replace the word "whosoever" with our name. Try it. See how it feels.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that if Victor believes in Him he should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

We are each loved by God individually. Can we love others as He has loved us?

As for me ... I think love is eating the last piece of pizza to help my wife lose weight.

Facing Caesar's Roman Empire

 

In town the other day I noticed they had erected a small stage in the middle of the square and a few amateur dramatic actors were performing parts of Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra". It was an advert for their performance at the theatre nearby.

I joined the small crowd gathered to watch.

The man playing Octavius Caesar recognised me. 

He got off the stage and started shouting at me: "You're the man who keeps writing those silly Shakespearian articles full of inaccuracies!"

I said nothing. The crowd was astounded. He came towards me and continued.

"You confuse people with all your stories, and lesser learned people will believe all the nonsense that you write. History is history and it should be related accurately. You tend to make fun of the whole thing with your articles."

I slowly backed off trying to walk away. He followed me and continued as the crowd looked on. They probably thought it was all part of the acting.

"We take great care when we perform our Shakespearean plays," he declared, "the narrative as well as the costumes are very accurate and authentic. This toga I am wearing is authentic and made exactly as the Roman emperors would have worn it. Yet you spoil it all with all your silly history articles and your jokes. You're a disgrace to historians everywhere!"

I smiled feebly, almost apologetically, and said nothing. The crowd grew interested and kept watching. Octavius Caesar was furious.

"What steps are you going to take to remedy the situation?" he asked.

"Large ones away from you," I thought but did not utter a word.

I started to walk away hurriedly. He followed me still ranting and raving. I walked a bit faster. So did he. I began to trot, or was it a gallop? He continued after me faster. Some of the crowd followed still thinking this was all part of the acting.

Suddenly he must have stepped on the edge of his toga which was made of several bed sheets wrapped together around him. Somehow they all became undone and fell to the ground like dried leaves off trees in Autumn, revealing that he was wearing absolutely nothing else underneath. Really Roman authenticity I suppose!

Is that really how the Romans dressed? Wrapped in a few sheets with no underwear underneath?

Anyway, there was Caesar with absolutely nothing on. Naked as the day he was born. The Roman Emperor had no clothes.

As he stood there totally naked he was joined by Cleopatra who helped cover the whole Roman Empire with her tiny hands.

At this point the crowd applauded in unison, no doubt still believing this was all part of the act.

I learnt from the newspapers later that the performance at the theatre was totally sold-out within minutes. Perhaps people had enjoyed our little advert and believed that it was a taster of what the show was like.

Family Forest

 

I come from quite and inventive and clever family. The cleverness missed a generation when it came to me.

My grand-father was a famous explorer. Once when on the Equator he discovered the East Pole. The North and South Poles had already been discovered; but he discovered the East One. Unfortunately he was unable to pin it down in any one place because the Earth kept moving round from left to right and the East Pole kept escaping away.

My other grand-father's job was picking up penguins in a zoo. Penguins generally just stand there but when an air-plane flies overhead they look up and follow the plane with their eyes. Eventually, they fall on their backs. That's when grandpa would come into the enclosure and pick them up again and makes them stand in a line. 

My other grand-father invented the spoon rest. Before that, cooks and chefs, and everyone in the kitchen had a problem when using spoons in the kitchen. They would stir the soup, or the broth or whatever they were cooking and then did not know where to put the spoon. 

My other grand-father invented the cold air balloon. But it did not take off.

My other grand-father was a famous film star. He was the hump on The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

My other grand-father was a pirate. He was a vegetarian so he had a carrot on his shoulder.

My other grand-father was a glazier fixing broken windows. One day he replaced all the glass panes in an office block then realized he had a crack in his spectacles.

My other grand-father invented a humane way to kill ants. He started with a flat stone upon which he mixed a spoonful of sugar and a spoonful of pepper. The ants would be attracted by the sugar. Inhale the pepper and sneeze knocking themselves dead on the flat stone. 

My other grand-father wanted to be a lion whisperer. He finally achieved his life-long ambition just moments before he died.

My other grand-father invented a compass which always pointed in the opposite direction he was travelling. He did not know whether he was coming or going. 

My other grand-father invented a luminous sundial so he could tell the time at night. His sundial watch did not catch on though ... except on his sleeves as he put his shirts on.

My other grand-father invented the colour mauve. My grandma was in a shop and tried a new dress on. She said she liked the colour although she did not know what it was. He was in a hurry to get home and said, "Come on love ... move!" She said, "I like that, mauve is a good colour!" 

My other grand-father ... are you keeping up with me? He was a medic. He practised reverse liposuction. He put fat into thin people. Something he invented when he worked at a sausage factory. 

My other grand-father was a pharmacist. He was fired from the hospital when he invented instant laxative. 

My other grand-father was a medical beautician. He invented a new technique to deal with loose excess skin when overweight people lose weight. He tried it on a colleague. He pulled up all the loose extra skin upwards, ever so upwards, and stretched it tightly until all his excess skin was tied into a knot and hidden behind the man's neck. He looked perfectly well except that his navel was now on his forehead. He also had a very unusual tie.