Calling all friends

 

Hi everybody,

Let us welcome the New Year with a new venture we can all take part in. However small or big our contribution is.

Do you remember last November I suggested we create a new Blog/Website dedicated solely to Christian articles? 

The idea is that each of us would contribute one article every now and then relating our Christian journey, experience, or any subject we'd like to talk about regarding our faith and beliefs. 

The Blog/Website would be non-denominational. 

Here's a link to last November's post to refresh your memories: PLEASE CLICK HERE.

FAQs

 Can anyone submit articles?

Yes, all that is required is a short article encouraging people to learn more about God and His love for us.

What can we write about?

Anything; your journey into Christianity for instance. Or Faith, Trust, Beliefs, Worries, Fears, Sin, Forgiveness, Marriage, Divorce, Heaven, Hell ... the list is endless. Just write a short article of about 500 words maximum and send it to enquiries@holyvisions.co.uk We'll do the rest.

Do I have to be a member of Blogger?

No. You do not have to be a member of anything. You can visit the website when it is launched and comment as a Blogger member or anonymously if you wish. You can also see what others have said about your article and respond if you wish.

What is the commitment on my part?   

Nothing onerous. Just send in one article if you wish and that's it. Or send more articles - say monthly. Also visit the site and read other entries and comment if you wish.

You can ask others to send articles through you - like your Pastor, or friend or relative.

Also you can promote the site on your social media outlets like FB, X, Instagram and so on to encourage others to join in.  

How much does it cost to join in - to cover your expenses, labour costs etc...?

It costs nothing to join. We do not need any money. It is free.  

What's the next step?

Just register your interest at enquiries@holyvisions.co.uk and give us an email address where we can reach you back. 

We'll do the rest. We will publish the article on the Blog/Website with the contributor's name and we'll add a suitable photo/image; unless you wish to send your own photo.

REMEMBER -  You do NOT have to commit to any number of articles. 

Articles which have already appeared on your Blogs or social media would also be welcome as long as they are genuinely yours.

Here's a link to the website if you want to see what it looks like: CLICK HERE 

Come and join this great adventure of spreading God's Word together as a community in order to honour and serve Him.  

Thank you and God bless.

A new venture

 

A thought has been buzzing round my mind for the last few days. I'd like your honest opinions please.

We all have a responsibility to spread our Christian beliefs and faith; not just by the way we live but also by other means as best as possible. We cannot all be preachers, standing at street corners handing out leaflets, or knocking from door to door. But there is another way.

The Internet is a marvellous channel which can reach many people far and wide throughout the world.

The world is becoming more and more secular. Many people have turned their back on their Creator or do not know Him at all. 

Here's what I have in mind. 

What if we were to create a Blog dedicated solely to Christian articles? No humour, no food recipes, travels, gardening or such articles. Just Christian articles written by you. Yes you.

The articles could be about your experiences, when and how you met God in your life. Or about a passage from the Bible that speaks to you, or a hymn/song and its meaning to you, or anything that is Christian-based which would encourage and uplift someone who does not know God or has turned his back on Him. 

How will it work? 

I'll get someone to design the Blog for us. Suggested title: CHRISTIAN FOCUS. What do you think? 

Contributors will send their articles by email to enquiries@holyvisions.co.uk (my office). 

All that is needed is a short article every now and then; perhaps explaining a Bible text, or why a certain reading or story appeals to you or has helped you. 

You Tube videos also acceptable, or book recommendations, or even articles that have already appeared on your Blog. You could also discuss various points regarding Christianity and beliefs and how this affects our lives.

We would need about a dozen people to commit to submitting articles. This is to ensure a variety of input and to avoid a few people monopolising the conversation. 

The articles will then be published on the CHRISTIAN FOCUS blog, with your name and a link to your Blog if you wish. 

You can visit any time to check what viewers are saying and respond very much as you do now on any Blogger blog. 

Here's what would be involved. Please answer these questions honestly:

1    Do you think a Blog devoted purely to Christian articles is a good idea?

2    Would you commit to contributing about one article a month? (More is acceptable).

3    Would you be able to invite people you know (e.g. your pastor) to contribute articles every so often? Occasional articles from your friends/relatives etc ... would be welcome and contributors do not need to be members of Blogger. Articles would be sent via yourself by email. 

4    Would you be able to promote the Blog and send links to people you know who would benefit from visiting it? This is essential if we are to spread the Word to a larger audience.  

5    Would you promote/advertise the Blog on your own Blog every now and then? Also on other social media like FB, X, Instagram etc ...

Here's how we envisage the project to work.  

1    I'll get someone to design the Blog and also receive contributions from all writers via email.

2    The articles will be published on the website with your name - and if you wish a link to your Blog will be added.

3    Photos/pictures can be submitted or if you wish I shall add these to fit in with your article subject.

Please let us have your views and suggestions either in the comments box below or by writing privately to my office at: enquiries@holyvisions.co.uk

Thank you and God bless.

A candle in the dark

 

I normally visit as many Blogs and websites as I can. Usually they are Christian based sites. I read what's there but don't often leave a comment; only when I feel there's something I need to say. 

I was asked where I find the time. I replied it's next to the parsley, sage, rosemary and mint or oregano ... on the dried herbs shelf at the supermarket; although you can also get fresh herbs too.

You see, we live in a dark, troubled world right now. Not many believe, or most probably don't know what to believe. It's an angry world too. Full of sadness and tears.

So a Christian Blog or website is like a candle illuminating your little part of the dark world wide web. 

It may attract someone fumbling and stumbling in the darkness; searching for something they don't know they really need. Your little light may lead them to Him.

What a privilege. Something Christian you wrote has led someone to search for the true Light ... the Way ... and the Truth.

Think about that for a moment.

To sleep, perchance to Blog about it

 

I could not get to sleep last night. So I eased myself slowly to the very edge of the bed and soon dropped off.

Research shows that where you sleep is in itself conducive to a good night's sleep. I don't like sleeping on a bicycle as I keep falling off. Much better to sleep in a car. Although the difficulty with this is that I wake up suddenly and discover I have missed my exit on the highway, and have to drive to the next one and turn back. Also, the person I'm sleeping with has rolled our of bed when I took that corner too sharp.

The position one sleeps also has an effect on one's nightly performance or lack of it. Some people like to sleep in a North/South position, whereas others prefer an East/West position to be in alignment with the Earth's rotational movement. I find that hanging upside down from a hammock can be perilous as one can fall off and hit one's head on the floor. Similarly, sleeping on a trampoline would make you or your partner hit the roof.

Who you sleep with can also be very important. Some people like to sleep with their pets for companionship and contentment. I did that once. The next morning the bed was soaking wet and my goldfish had died.

When you sleep is also important. Traditionally people tend to sleep at night. But this is not always possible for everyone, especially people who work at night and it is their means of earning a living. Some people like to nap for an hour or so in the afternoon especially when watching programs like Downton Abbey on TV. Others manage to sleep at any time of day and night. I once fell asleep and dreamt I was making a speech at a business meeting at work. When I woke up I discovered that I was!

The duration and quality of one's dreams depends on one's affluence and prosperity in life. Most people dream for a few seconds in monochrome, black and white, images. I dream in full colour, in stereo surround sound and for the duration of the whole film that's on TV at the time. When I wake up I find that I cannot even afford my dreams.

Sometimes I even dream with subtitles/closed captions inscriptions at the bottom of my eyelids. But then wake up suddenly by my wife complaining about how I've behaved in her dreams.

The Gentle Social Media

 

The last hundred years have seen many great inventions which have benefited mankind. I think the second greatest and best invention, after the spoon rest, has been the Internet.

I really was at a loss before they invented the spoon rest. I did not know where to place my spoon after I stirred the rabbit ragout or my puttanesca sauce.

So you can see why I placed the Internet as second best. Life would be so much more difficult for me without my spoon rest.

With the Internet came social media. An opportunity to get to know new people everywhere in the world from the comfort of your home. I am not a member of many social media platforms like FB, Twitter, Instagram and so on, because I find them too complicated to navigate or understand. I'm just with Blogger because it is much simpler. I post, people read and comment, I visit those who comment and voila.

Over the years I have "met" several people this way. Not in person because they all live too far away in order to avoid me; but that's OK. 

To me, these people are more than names and photos on my computer monitor. They are real people with real lives, and hopes, and points of views and concerns like everybody else. That's why I pray for them regularly; and I hope they do the same for me.

Most of those I "met" this way have been kind people and a credit to the gentler side of the Internet and social media. But some not so much so.

I had someone who continued to "attack", (I guess the word is perhaps too strong - let's say vehemently criticise), not me personally but what I stand for.

He said the Catholic Church is not Christian, it is a cult. It is this and that and something else ... ... ... and so on.

I suspect a number of you have had similar comments on your Blogs or whatever media you're on criticising you, or your opinions, on something or other. Disagreeing with an opinion is one thing; but being rude and abusive is another. We seem to live in a culture where if you don't agree with someone you must shut him down because you are right and he is wrong.

I thought about this person who wrote about the Catholic Church. Is it worth perhaps responding and explaining what we believe? I came to the conclusion that he was not prepared to discuss or debate. He was obviously right and I was wrong to belong to my particular faith.

I decided to ignore him despite his continued comments in the same tone to my posts. Ignoring him can be very confusing because he does not know whether I read his comments or not. It is like breaking wind in an elevator and there's no one there to take offence.

As for the rest of you; thank you for visiting me here and my other platforms when I was on them.

Now ... where's my spoon rest. Has any one taken my spoon rest? Come on you *** #### **** stop fooling around and bring back my spoon rest.

What shall I write about?

 

You can imagine what it's like. I sit at my computer day after day ignoring all distractions just to write something interesting, educational or informative for you my readers to enjoy and be entertained.

It is not easy you know. Sometimes I wonder what else I can write about to ensure that you continue to visit me here; and also that you encourage and invite others to venture here too.

Do you realise that if each one of you encouraged just one more regular visitor here then there would be more readers to this Blog than there are empty pizza boxes in the kitchen.

Anyway, c'est la vie, as they say. It seems the road to my success is always under construction.

It reminds me of that day long ago when I met a beautiful woman in the museum in Paris. I thought I was in Louvre! Turned out I was in Seine as she pushed me in the river.

But I am much wiser now years later having learnt a lot about love and marriage. Did you know that behind every angry wife there is a man with absolutely no idea what he did wrong?

That's the thing about married life. One day you're the best thing since sliced bread; and the next moment you're toast.

Perhaps you wise people can advise me about this. I can't seem to get anything right. If you deliberately try to fail, and you succeed; which one have you done? 

I married my wife for her looks; but not the ones she is giving me right now!

The other day she said, "I asked you to take the trash out many times and you've still not done it!"

I replied, "Thank you my dear for explaining the word many to me; it means a lot!" She was not impressed by my wit.

She always complains that I never listen to her ... or something like that! She said, I'm forgetful. When I told the doctor I'm forgetful he made me pay in advance.

She often corrects me in discussion or when talking to friends. Does anyone know how to disable the auto-correct function on a spouse?

The other day my wife complained that I was useless at fixing electrical equipment. When I discovered that our toaster is not waterproof I was quite shocked.

Anyway, as you know, I often like to end up with a Christian story to make us all try to be better and lead a good life. This one is about stealing and cheating.

Once upon a time there was an unscrupulous painter who was very interested in making extra money if he could. He often thinned down his paint with turpentine to make it go a bit further. Sadly, he got away with this for some time.

One day he was painting the outside of the Church Parish Hall white. So he set about erecting the scaffolding and got up to start the job. 

Sadly, like always, this cheating man had thinned the paint with turpentine.

As he was painting away, the job nearly completed, there was suddenly a horrendous clap of thunder, the sky opened. The rain poured down washing the thinned paint from all over the Parish Hall walls, and knocking the painter clear off the scaffold to land on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by tell-tale puddles of the thinned and useless paint.

The thieving painter soon realised that this was a judgement from above … ... ...

He got on his knees and cried, “Oh God … oh God … help me … what should I do?”

And just then a thunderous voice replied:

“Repaint !!! Repaint !!! And thin no more !!!”

What does your Blog say about you?

 

Someone asked me the other day, "Is yours a Christian Blog or is it meant to be a funny humourus one?"

This set me thinking. I visit a number of Blogs in my travels, and some of them are Christian in nature. You can tell by what their writers write, even if their posts describe everyday events like travelling, shopping, raising a family or whatever. You can detect a Christian message in what they say. Such Blogs are like beacons of light in a dark and secular world that is often portrayed in the Internet and social media.

You know, you don't have to be a theologian, or a pastor, vicar, priest or such like to proclaim the Word of God as you write, or as you live your life. God often uses ordinary people like you and me to help do His work on earth. He doesn't always seek out experts.

Moses was a baby who had been abandoned by his mother to save his life. He was raised in the Pharaoh's family and then had to run away as a fugitive. God asked him to go back to Egypt to set the Jews free. He felt inadequate and said he could not speak eloquently. But God used him all the same.

King David, the one who fought Goliath when he was a boy, was a simple shepherd.

Peter and his brother and other disciples were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector. 

Paul was a tent maker from Tarsus.

None were highly educated or went to Harvard University, or Oxford or Cambridge.

But God used them. He gave them the courage to speak out, and the knowledge on what to say and how and when to say it. Through these simple people, and others, God's message spread throughout the world and lives on to this day.

Mother Teresa left home at age 18 to become a nun.The rest is history. 

Thérèse of Lisieux at the early age of 15 became a nun and became highly influential in the Church.

I am sure you can name other people who are from humble beginnings, not particularly well-educated or someone important in the church, yet they have made their mark in society and history as a beacon of light proclaiming Christianity to a world that needs it.

I reckon your Blog is, or could be, such an inspiration to others. Each one of you is special. You all have the power to be that one lit candle that brightens up a dark room. If you want to.

How useless are you?

 

Some time ago I was talking to someone about my Christian books. He raised the subject having seen one of my books lying around. He was not particularly impressed. He thought I was wasting my time bearing in mind how little Royalties I got per book. 

I explained that I was not writing the books to make money. He asked, "why write them?"

I said, "Maybe, someone somewhere reading what I write may well be interested in finding out more about God, or Jesus. Perhaps that person may join a church ... you know, first steps ..."

My friend said nothing. I could see he was not convinced but was being polite.

I said, "We can all do our bit to witness for God. It doesn't have to be writing books, or knocking at doors, or standing in street corners preaching or handing out leaflets."

"I'm totally useless at this sort of thing!" he mumbled.

This set me thinking. I guess God likes useless people. Faulty people. Let's see how many I can think of.

Peter ... he always talked first but when it came to the important part, he denied knowing Christ.

Thomas ... he doubted the Resurrection took place. Despite witnessing many miracles performed by Christ.

Matthew ... a thieving tax collector.

Paul ... a killer persecuting the early Christians.

Moses ... a stammerer too shy and afraid to go and ask a king to release the Jews from captivity. 

Jonah ... stubborn and disobeys God.

Can you think of any others? How about you and me? I am hardly perfect. I sometimes wonder why I got started in all this Christian writing. Maybe one day, back in 2007, I had nothing to do and I started writing "VISIONS". 

The rest is history.

I sometimes think of all the people I have met over the years through the Internet. People who Blog and who visit this Blog of mine. I think of them as I pray. For them and for you.

There's some very interesting people out there. With interesting Blogs and interesting subjects that you talk about. People whom I'd like to meet in real life. The problem with all of you is that you live too far away.

But we all have one thing in common.

The opportunity to witness for God. We don't have to be theologically well educated. We don't have to be priests, pastors, vicars, preachers or whatever. 

I am none of these. Just a nobody, (or so I'm told).

All we have to do is, every now and then, write something from our own experience explaining what God means to us, how Jesus helped us, and how our lives have been enriched as a result.

We never know who visits our blogs and does not comment. Perhaps one person would be inspired by what you write.

You don't have to be useless to witness for God. Be as you are.

Stop Rambling On Your Blog

Anyway, as I was saying before I lost my train of thoughts. There I was years ago on holiday in France. In Nice I think it was, or was it the Côte d'Azur, anyway ... wherever. I was there with a mathematician friend called Theo Thereafter. Odd name for a mathematician, I thought. His other friend was called Norman Nevertheless. Not that their names matter one jot.

We were there in France and we hired a boat from a Greek called Zorba. You should have seen him dance.

Unfortunately the boat ran out of fuel somewhere off-shore and we passed the time with my friend the mathematician explaining the difference between the mean, the median, the mode, the average and the range. Not that I cared about any of them.

Then he mentioned the medium. I must admit the only medium I met who could speak to the "other side" as it were was not a medium at all. She was in fact extra large. She was so big you had to take a bus to go round her. But that's another story.

I remember she was a clairvoyant as well as a medium. Once she had a seance postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. She was particularly good at communicating with dead animals and pets. Which is a feat in itself seeing I can't even communicate with our dog who is very much alive. When I point to his bed and say, "Go to bed!" he looks at my finger instead and asks, "Who's Fred?"

People think my dog is clever. A friend called on me once and was amazed to find me playing chess with my dog. He watched the game in astonishment for a while. "I can hardly believe my eyes!" he exclaimed. "That's the smartest dog I've ever seen."

"Nah, he's not so smart," I replied. "I've beaten him three games out of five."

This extra large medium lady once talked to a dead parrot that someone in the audience had as a pet. She said the message she received from the other side was a little garbled because it kept repeating it self.

She hypnotised a man in the audience and tried to get him to communicate with his dead horse. Whilst asleep the man kicked her in the backside. Apparently he'd had a nightmare.

That's a long way from the holiday in France you might say; and it's true. Do you know that once in Scotland I was thrown out of a zoo because I frightened the snakes. I was told I looked like a raccoon. The snake is one of the most intelligent creature in the animal kingdom. Especially adders which are good at mathematics.

I was with that mathematician I mentioned before on a train once; hence me following my train of thoughts from the beginning of this story. The train travelled by a field full of sheep and my friend said "there's 101 sheep there!"

I asked him how did he count them so fast. He replied, "Easy, I counted their legs and divided by four!"

To impress him, in the next field there were some cows. I quickly counted 239 legs. Which means either one cow had lost a leg; or there was a cow with three legs.

So as I said, I was with him and his friend on the boat in France and we were fishing. We caught 27 fishes. None had legs. I said, "This is a good spot to fish. We need to mark this spot and return here to fish tomorrow."

Norman, his friend, said, "I'm ahead of you there. I have marked the side of the boat with an X to mark the spot!"

Theo replied, "You idiot! How can you be so sure tomorrow we'll get the same boat?"

Which reminds me; why is it you can't buy a fishing net with no holes?

Generally fishing is boring. I'd rather be fishing for fish sticks; it's more convenient.

Anyway, eventually we called on another boat to pull us in to shore because we'd run out of fuel. Ashore, Zorba the Greek was still waiting and very angry that we took so long hiring his boat. So we lowered it because it was so high.

Can't remember what I wanted to say when I started this post. Perhaps you'd remind me!