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
Often quoted and often misunderstood. What do these 25 words really mean?
Every loving parent would do all in their power for their offspring. And as they grow up, having nurtured them and seen them become adults, nothing tears a parent's heart more than to see their children leave the nest and fly away; either to study at a far off University, or to find a job, or to set up a family of their own.
When Jesus taught us the Lord's prayer He said, "Our Father ..."
He did not say, "Our Master, Leader, Teacher," or any other description to identify God. He called Him Father to underline the fact that He is a Creator God who created all of us; and like every loving parent He loves us so much that He would do anything for us.
He loves us all the same, but on an individual basis each according to our needs. Just like you would if you had children and loved each one differently but the same limitless amount.
God loved each one of us so much that He gave up His only Son for us. Yes, for you, and you, and you, and everyone through the ages past and years to come.
He loved everyone so that we may have eternal life.
But there is a condition.
In order to have eternal life we must believe in Him. The invitation to eternal life is offered to everyone; but we must respond to the RSVP.
The word "whosoever" in John 3:16 means everyone. Every person that ever lived in the past, present and future has this invitation as of right by being a child of God; our Father in Heaven.
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. John 3:16
Nothing tears a parent's heart so much than to see one's offspring go. Yet God willingly gave up His only Son for you, and you and all of us.
And all He asks is that we return that love to Him and obey and respect His Commandments.
Every so often I like to share with you some interesting facts which you can use in conversation to impress your friends or audience at parties.
First fact of life: When a body is immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Secondly, here's a misconception. Some people say you can’t get a decent job without education. But that is not strictly true; look at Albert Einstein –
he was a drop-out at school and still ended up being the first man on the moon!
Did you know the world's oceans would be much bigger if there were no sponges to soak up all the water?
If you were driving at speed at night and switched you headlights on, the light would arrive home before you.
Venus is the only planet to spin clockwise.
The more intelligent you are the heavier your brain gets. That's why some clever people have pains in the neck.
At the equator, if you're facing East, you would be travelling at 1000 miles and hour.That is the speed the earth revolves at the Equator. If you were to throw a stone in front of you, it would travel all round the earth and hit you at the back of the head.
Did you also know that if you're in a vacuum and you shout loud no one
would hear you? And it would make no difference whether the vacuum cleaner is on or off, or whether the bag
is full of dirt and dust or whether it was empty?
Did you know that radio waves are faster than the speed of sound. I never knew that and it did not matter to me at all, even now that I know this. I thought I'd pass it on to you in case it helps you in life.
The sloth just hangs from a tree and sleeps for up to 18 hours a
day waiting for humans to arrive and save him from extinction. That is why you never find a sloth in employment making cans of baked beans
or anything else for that matter.
Did you also know that human beings are very complex people indeed, compared to the rest of
creations. Man is the only creature who
would tear down trees to make paper and then print leaflets saying "Save
the trees"?
And finally, do you realise that all the words I use when I write my books are in fact in the dictionary? All I have to do is put them in the right order!
Father Ignatius was certainly the product of his up-bringing.
Raised in a poor family who had known real hardship; yet at the same
time a family held together, despite all the turmoil that life threw at
them, by a common bond of mutual love and basic Christian principles.
It’s because of his up-bringing, and because he grew up with very little
materially, that he developed a habit of frugality and saving whatever
he could rather than wasting it away.
He had taken a private vow of poverty when he became a priest, and since
then he spent as little as possible on himself. He was not mean in the
sense of avarice since anything he had, or whatever else came his way in
terms of money or goods, he eagerly shared with the poor in his parish.
The little he kept for himself was usually either books or certain items
he had collected over the years and kept for their sentimental value.
One Friday afternoon he decided to clear up the spare room of personal
items he had not used for ages. He decided to donate them to the rummage
sale in aid of the elderly.
As he was searching through a box full of books he found an old vinyl
record; the old 45 rpm type record, black in color in a torn paper
sleeve. He looked at the title of the song and sat down on a nearby
chair.
Suddenly, the memories came flooding fast. He held the record in his
shaking hand, as tears welled up in his eyes. He hadn’t seen nor played
it for years, yet here it was, like a ghost from years long past,
awakening distant memories so long forgotten.
He remembered how, as a child, he had saved all his pocket money, and
went to the music store after school to buy this particular record as a
birthday present for his dear father. Now departed.
The song was quite popular then.
He remembered his father’s reaction when he opened the brown paper bag and pulled out the shiny black vinyl record.
His parental eyes welled up too all those years ago, the same as Father Ignatius’ eyes are welling up right now.
His father placed the record on the table and said nothing. He just held
little Ignatius tightly in his strong arms and kissed his head gently.
Ignatius was held so tight that he could hear his father’s heart beating
in his chest.
He could hear it beating right now, as he sat there holding the record
in his shaking hand. And strangely as it may seem, the experience also
brought to mind the sweet smell of cooking as they all gathered there as
a family in the kitchen that cold winter evening.
His mother moved towards the table, leaving for a moment the food on the stove, and picked up the record.
“How lovely …” she said as she read the title.
She too then hugged little Ignatius as tightly as she could.
The priest remembered that that particular day was the first and only
time he had seen his father cry. Silently, he had wiped his eyes with
the back of his hand and quietly said: “Thank you … son”.
He was a big strong man, not given to much emotions or small talk. He
had probably invented the British stiff upper lip and kept his feelings
well hidden within himself. Usually silent at the best of times;
mumbling the odd “yes dear …” whenever his wife asked him something. A
gentle giant in every respect.
His father had known extreme poverty and hardship throughout his life, having lived through the depression and economic crisis.
Father Ignatius recalled how his father told him that many a time, when
he was a child during the depression, he had gone to bed at night with
nothing to eat; because there was simply no food in the house. Those
were terrible times indeed, as his father often recalled.
He remembered that his father had worked the land from the age of
eleven, leaving school with little or no education. It was the done
thing in those days, to work hard at an early age to help the family
beat off starvation.
And in later years, as young Ignatius was growing up, his father still
continued to work hard on the farm to bring enough food to feed his
family. His mother too, took on washing to earn a few pennies to
supplement the family budget.
Yet despite their impoverished state Ignatius never had to go hungry, as
his father did before him; and he was always well dressed and cared for
by his parents.
He wondered about all the sacrifices his parents must have made, and how
much they had gone without, to ensure that Ignatius lacked nothing as
he grew up.
Father Ignatius then brought to mind the day when, as a young man, he
built up the courage to tell his parents after the evening meal that he
had decided he wished to become a priest.
How he had feared their reaction on hearing the news.
Although they were a good Christian family, he often suspected that his
father wanted him to take over the small farm he had built up over the
years. How would he react to the news that his son would not follow in
his footsteps as a farmer?
“Mom … dad … I’ve been thinking and praying about this for a while. I
want to become a priest …” were the opening words to an announcement
that he dreaded making.
His father just smiled gently and said: “Son … I am proud of you.”
Father Ignatius could hear those words ringing in his ears, as clear as
if they’d just been spoken; and he sobbed gently as he remembered his
parents now both in Paradise. No doubt looking down on him, and
hopefully still proud of him.
He said a silent prayer as he wiped his eyes with his handkerchief.
He then went to his room and put the record on the turntable and one more time let the lyrics come to life.
Our church needed help from its parishioners by hosting some student priests who were visiting our town for a few days. The idea was that each family will have a student priest in their home for two weeks to give them a short break from their studies at the seminary.
I kindly obliged and filled in a form.
A few days later we had a new trainee priest standing at our door. It changed our lives ... well, mine actually.
Can you imagine what it's like having a priest living with you? I have
to mind what I say and do. For a start, I cannot watch Two and a Half
Men and the adventures of Charlie Harper on TV. The priest does not
approve of that. And there's a limit to how much EWTN and Christian TV Channels I can take. All
this religion is doing my head in. And the Christian music too. When the TV is not on my wife now plays hymns on the radio 24/7. Is that what Heaven is like?
I have even been stopped by my wife from drinking my favourite whisky or cans of Guinness. And
yet again, there's a limit to how much coffee I can take. I am so wound
up I'm likely to lose control soon. Coffee is making me run to the
bathroom more often than I like to.
The trainee priest sits there quietly all day reading his books and
praying all the time. Every so often he asks us, ever so politely, to
test him by asking him questions from his revision books. Questions like
"what does ora pro nobis mean?" And other Latin phrases which he has to
learn by heart. Does anyone know how to say "Clear off!" in Latin?
Worse of all, since he has been here I have had to be very nice and very
good indeed. I am not myself any more. My family have noticed and liked
the transformation in me. They say I am a much nicer person. That's
what abstinence from a good drink does to you; and endless hours of Christian TV.
Even
the cat now likes me and sits on my lap purring. It's really too much.
Oh ... to be able to sin again!
I went to confession the other day and I had nothing to tell our regular
priest. Ever since we've had this trainee priest living with us I have
been turning into a Saint.
I did not do one thing wrong or bad for ages.
Not one impure thought, not one biscuit or chocolate too many, in fact
none at all. Not one greedy piece of cake or my favourite cheese. In
fact I am losing weight as well as being saintly - maybe it's all those
sins washing away.
FOOD FOR THOUGHTS: Can YOU imagine what it would be like having a priest living with you? Think about it. How would it change your life? Would it
change you for the better?
Another thought - Jesus is with you right now and every day. Every moment of your life. How does this affect the way you behave?
It's amazing. You buy a product or service on the Internet and you suddenly get a lot of e-mails asking you what you thought of what you bought.
Did you like the product you bought? Was it what you expected? Were you exhilarated beyond exhilaration? Did the earth move for you? Would you recommend it to all your friends?
NO ... I would not recommend it to all my friends. One of my friends is a 94 years old lady and if I suggested this to her she'd probably report me to the police.
Why do Internet sales insist on sending those stupid e-mails? Imagine if other professions did that also. Your doctor or dentist asking you if you enjoyed the operation and would you recommend it to your friends. Depends on the operation, I suppose. Another friend of mine wanted breast enlargement. She had an operation where they removed excess fat from her rear and transplanted it in her breasts. Now whenever she stands she tips over forward.
I rarely respond to those e-mails anyway. Except once. I gave a 1* to a product. I bought a model of the Eiffel Tower and was disappointed that it did not lean to one side as expected. I put some chewing gum underneath two legs to rectify the problem.
Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned ... actually ... I can't think of any sins.
How long has it been since your last Confession?
A long time ... years.
And you can't think of any sins you may have committed?
Not really, Father. I'm a good person really. I go to church regularly and don't do any harm to anyone.
How about a little humility?
I don't know how to be humble. I'm OK and good and don't really sin.
Let's consider the Ten Commandments.
Well, I have not killed anyone, or stolen from a bank, or done anything bad. In fact I haven't done anything else in the Commandments.
How about the Commandment to love one's neighbour?
Oh I love all my neighbours. Those on either side and those opposite across the road. I say Hello to them every now and then. They keep to themselves and I do the same. That's how I like it. You could say I love them from afar. It's the same with most people; I love them all as long as they don't bother me.
It sounds like you tolerate people rather than care for them.
Oh, I care for them all right. I care for all people really. I just keep myself to myself and look after my family, wife and children and don't bother anyone else.
Indifference is not really caring is it?
You're trying to make me look bad, Father. I just don't like to get involved. I'm busy enough as I am working all hours. Of course I care when I see bad things on TV, but there's got to be a limit to one's ability to care. Everywhere you look things are going wrong, politics, poverty, wars, disasters, the environment and all that. I can't be responsible for all this. I care that it happens and get on with my life.
Why did you come to Confession?
My wife forced me to. She said it's either that or else.
DISCLAIMER: Article written for entertainment purposes only. Any similarities to views you may hold, or actions you may have participated in, are coincidental and in no way attributable to anyone.
An old grandfather was rushed to the hospital with no memory and
brain damage. The
doctor asked him a series of questions:
“Do you know where you are?”
“I’m at Bolton General Hospital.”
“What town are you in?”
“Bolton.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Dr Hamilton.”
The old grandfather then turned to his son next to him and said, “I hope he doesn’t ask
me any more questions.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because all of those answers were on
his badge.”
=======================
I didn't think my doctor could fix my bowed legs. I stand corrected.
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Struck up a conversation with a spider today at home while dusting.Nice guy. He's a web designer
=======================
There's a highway to hell but a stairway to heaven. Says a lot about the
expected traffic
=======================
Friends, just a reminder to those who received a book from me at
Christmas ...They are due back in
the library on the 29th.
=======================
Back in my day I went to the store with only £1 and came back with 2 bags
of potato chips, 1 carton of milk, and 3 boxes of chocolate. Now they have CCTV cameras
everywhere.
=======================
What do you call a politician with half a brain?Gifted.
=======================
A self-made unqualified doctor could not find a job in a hospital. So he opens a
clinic and puts a sign outside that reads
"GET TREATMENT FOR £20 - IF NOT CURED
GET BACK £100."
A lawyer
thinks this is a great opportunity to earn £100 and goes to the clinic.
Lawyer: "I have lost my sense of taste."
Doctor: "Nurse, bring medicine from box No. 14 and put 3 drops in
patient's mouth."
Lawyer: "Ugh. this is kerosene."
Doctor: "Congrats, your sense of taste is restored. Give me my £20."
The annoyed lawyer goes back after a few days to try to recover his money.
Lawyer: "I have lost my memory. I can’t remember anything."
Doctor: "Nurse, bring medicine from box no. 14 and put 3 drops in his
mouth."
Lawyer (annoyed): "This is kerosene. You gave this to me last time for
restoring my taste."
Doctor: "Congrats. You got your memory back. Give me £20."
The fuming lawyer pays him, then comes back a week later determined to get back
£100.
Lawyer: "My eyesight has become very weak I cannot see at all." Doctor: "Well, I don't have any medicine for that, so take this
£100."
Lawyer (staring at the note): "But this is £20, not £100!”
Doctor: "Congrats, your eyesight is restored. Give me £20."
It's funny how sometimes your mind thinks back to an individual too far in your past whom you'd forgotten many years ago.
Out of the blue, Jack came to mind. I knew him when I was 19; he was two years older and old enough to be my father. He knew it all and was eager to teach me.
At the time I was taking driving lessons. He suggested that I needed practice driving in-between driving lessons and offered to take me in his car.
He had an old car with the words Just Married still painted on the back. He tried to clean it but the painted words became part of the car and scraping them off would damage the original paintwork. The car was held together by rust.
He said we did not need an "L" plate to indicate I was a learner because this would draw attention to the car. It was parked in his garage.
He explained that the driver's chair slides backwards and forwards because the mechanism to hold it in place was broken. If I sat in a particular position my backside would stop the seat from moving.
He also said that to change gears you don't put your foot down on that pedal and change. Instead, you put your foot on the pedal, move the gear lever from 1 to neutral, release your foot, step on the pedal again, then move the gear stick to 2. You do the same thing when you change from 2 to 3; or when you go down from a higher gear to a lower one.
He told me not to worry if the steering wheel is a bit loose. I just have to turn it round more than usual.
And when I need the horn I have to tap it several times because it does not always work; and sometimes it sticks to a continuous hooting sound.
Also to pump the brakes several times for it to work.
And the seat belt is a bit loose but it works if you wind it round the gear stick.
And not to worry about the crack in the windscreen - just look "through" it.
I declined any lessons with him. He told me he and his girl had enjoyed many rides in that car.
The thing is, at the end of the day, the whole of your existence rests on one ultimate question. Or, to be precise, on the way you answer that question.
It is a simple question answerable with either YES or NO; but if answered honestly and truthfully it would guide your whole life for ever more. Take your time before answering it.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?
It is not a question to be answered lightly or glibly. It's the basic fundamental question which shapes every one of us into an individual human being, and pre-determines our behaviour, attitudes and beliefs.
It's fashionable these days to say proudly that one is not "religious"; or believe in God. Celebrities and influencers do it all the time on TV, radio and social media. They easily pronounce their unbelief as if it is something to be proud of.
Also, there are many who declare they believe in God yet in reality they do not really know Him, care much for Him, or have anything to do with Him in their lives. They just pay lip service to their beliefs. God is just an insurance policy in times of need.
Consider carefully before answering the question.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?
Each one of us needs to confront this matter seriously. Do we really believe in a living Spirit God Who created everything, including us, and has always existed and will exist for ever.
On this fundamental question rests the whole of our Faith.
Yet many these days treat it without an afterthought and either affirm that they don't believe at all; or half-grudgingly claim to believe without knowing what they truly believe.
... ... ... And many are sleep-walking their way into hell.
A wet man by the beach was not necessarily swimming.
Walking in someone else's shoes may mean you stole them.
A memory mattress may one day blackmail you.
Failure is what you see it. It may mean "Give up!"
Intelligence is knowledge and the ability to use it.
No point having an open mind if your brains fall out.
Don't tell a child, "When you grow up you can be what you want to be." I wanted to be a bicycle.
*******
Don’t worry if your job’s a joke
And your successes few;
Remember that the mighty oak
Was once a nut like you!
*******
Say it with flowers And chocolates too Say it with jewellery Or a good meal for two Say it from the heart Say what you think But never be careless And say it with ink
*******
You can't go wrong with solo synchronised swimming.
If your shoe lets in water, make another hole for the water to get out.
God created boring people to test our patience.
Don't pray for patience; God will keep you waiting.
Stupidity has become a virtue.
Radio was invented for ugly TV presenters.
Being grumpy helps avoid people.
I'm getting tired keeping up with change; it's like saying "are we there yet?" whilst on a carousel.
This world will never know peace until it learns to forgive.
Reason
for me to smile: Every 7 minutes of every day, someone in an aerobics class pulls
a hamstring.
One of
life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of candy can make a woman gain 5
LBS.
My mind
not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.
The
best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes.
The
nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what
you're doing, someone else does.
The
older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body
and your fat are really good friends.
Just
when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.
Sometimes
I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness.
I gave
up jogging for my health. A woman I know whilst out jogging her thighs kept rubbing together and setting
her pantihose on fire.
Amazing!
You hang something in your closet for a while and it shrinks two sizes!
Skinny
people irritate me! Especially when they say things like, "You know
sometimes I just forget to eat." Now I've forgotten my address, my
mother's maiden name, and my keys. Sometimes I go upstairs to the bathroom and forget I live in a one storey bungalow. But I've never forgotten to eat. You
have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat.
They
keep telling us to get in touch with our bodies. Mine isn't all that
communicative but I heard from it the other day after I said, "Body,
how'd you like to go to the six o'clock class in vigorous toning?"
Clear as a bell my body said, "Listen you ... do it and die."
The
trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing (and
then they marry him.)
I read
this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much,
impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That is my idea of
a perfect day.
I know
what Victoria's Secret is. The secret is that nobody older than 30 can fit
into their stuff.
If men
can run the world, why can't they stop wearing neck-ties? How intelligent
is it to start the day by tying a noose around your neck?
The best way to help an author is by leaving an AMAZON Review.
You'll be interested to know that I have just started a correspondence course in writing. By the end of the course I'll be able to write novels and books that everyone will want to read and I'll be as famous as other writers.
As part of the lessons they give us a word which we have to use to write a short story. The word for this week is "fascinated." This is what I wrote.
"Being fascinated is quite an experience. I remember years ago I was fascinated by a young beautiful blonde nurse. She did it with a needle in my arm.
Have you ever been fascinated by anyone?
Being fascinated can sometimes have side effects, like a sore arm or even worse if you get a reaction to the fascination.
Did you get a reaction when you were fascinated?"
I've sent my short story to the correspondence course people I wonder what they'll say about it.
The word for the next lesson is "anticipated". They haven't told us what it means yet. I'm looking forwards to finding out next week.
Have you ever been anticipated?
I wonder if it is different to being fascinated. The correspondence people told us not to look it up in the dictionary because it would spoil the surprise of the next lesson.
They said if I complete the course I'll be a successful writer of world renown.
Chances are we have all known love of some kind or another in our lives. Parental love, marriage, friendships, partnerships and so on. And the chances are that love has been betrayed and hurt in our lives.
Some may well have been able to truly forgive and move on in life. But in reality, somewhere deep within, the hurt lingers on and makes us wary and careful in life compared to previously.
Imagine this: you are in Heaven and the person you were in love with, the person you married and divorced in acrimonious circumstances, is also there.
How do you feel?
It could be any other person who betrayed your love, not just a marriage partner. Someone you were close to betrayed you harshly.
How do you feel seeing them in Heaven?
On this question, the rest of your eternity could depend.
.
