General Chat

John, may I humbly suggest that you read what you have just written and pray for a little guidance.

I suppose my feelings are strong about some politicians, Cynthia. And I do ask God for help in forming my views about them and what they do.

I am pretty certain that God is very very unhappy with many of the actions of our politicians. Some of our MPs and ex-MPs are in prison for fraud, we have just had a major expenses scandal, powerful politicians and civil servants seem to be heavily involved in child abuse scandal.

Jesus cared for children, cared for the poor. Government policies have led to a huge number of people having to claim benefits and credits to live (when we thought we were moving away from means testing). And children are left alone because their parent or parents has to go out to work and cannot afford child care. All this is happening in the country with the sixth greatest assets per head of population.

That a daughter of a Methodist local preacher should be the architect of the opposite of what Jesus wanted seems to me to have been a gross betrayal of her responsibilities. And I feel the same about Blair and Brown. Nothing to do with hatred for them. Just for their actions.

I would gently like to suggest then John, that when you are next having a conversation with God, you ask for advice on how to deal with the current political conversation taking place on these boards. Maybe ask Him to guide your words and calm your thoughts.


It seems as though your feelings are so strong that you are leaving Him out of the equation. HE needs to be right in there with you and YOU need to have Him there.




I rarely drop to my knees these days either.......mainly because it's so hard to get up again!! :-D

Cynthia and others. Have read through recent posts and some very nice thoughts. And I don't mind the admonitions either.

I started my Christian life in 1982 and was 36. Not a Christian family, so really found myself swimming in deep water for many years. I would stand up when others sat down, I would know few of the hymns, I would look for Hebrews and Jude in the Old Testament.

I am very enthusiastic about the merits of Jesus and love to link Old Testament passages with new. I do very little praying in any formal manner. I am often asked to pray publicly and can do that without notes, but seldom drop down at the side of teh bed like I did as a boy. But I do talk to God regularly. Even when I drive or walk I have a conversation. I feel he listens all the time and helps me. I try to be a 24/7 Christian.

I am sure the more you grow in grace, the more you realise the depth of your sin. One of the most perfect men in this world (Rev John Fletcher of Madely, Salop 1729-1785) frequently wrote that he was the worst of sinners. I just think the closer you get to heaven, the more you realise you fall short of the example of Jesus. And the more you think you do not deserve to be treated by God as co-equal with your Saviour. Tis mystery all, the Immortal dies.

It's so nice to hear these happy reminiscences....thank you everyone. :-)

Cynthia. My friends Mother was an officer in the SA, such a lovely wise and gentle lady, but good sense of humour too. When I was first married she used to turn up wth the SA band opposite my house on Sunday mornings siniging with great gusto I have so many happy memories.

Believe it or not, and he doesn't care to be reminded. I met my OH in church. He was a young artificer apprentice in the R Navy and away from home. His Mum was a Methodist and told him to go to church. As I have said, we had a big youth group, mainly because we were just down the road from HMS Collingwood so, instead of trailing into town to the Methodist church he came to ours. So, yes I have lots of memories of first sunday School and then Church - and not all religious, but all good memories.

I hadn't thought about when I had gone to church or Sunday school
for years Ann and wonderful memories when thinking back.

My ex brother in law trained at a college in Bristol. He was a Methodist Royal Naval Chaplain, then a Methodist Minister. But he left the church and now (would you believe) runs a funeral service on line.

I had a wonderful Minister when I was in my teens, he was not much more than a teenager himself and really had a great relationship with the youth of the church of whom there were many. He ended up as (I think) head of the Baptist Church in Scotland - I can't remember the official title.

Cynthia you remind me of when I was a young child
many years ago and went to Sunday School.
My teacher was lovely and like you had a lovely way about her
and her teaching of the bible stories.
I enjoy reading your posts on here as I have said before, keep
up the good work.

Emma :-)

Ann, Fight the Good Fight was probably apt for the teachers as they faced the daily fray!!! :-D



Anglican and Roman Catholic clergy go to theological colleges/seminaries - of which there are many.

Applicants have to go through a quite stringent process before they are recommended for ordination..

Depending on their churchmanship - high or low - there are colleges of both persuasions to which ordinands can apply.

There are training courses for those who are in full time employment but who feel called to be ordained and Training Colleges for those wishing to enter both the Baptist/Methodist/URC churches.

My parents were SA officers and were both fully trained in the doctrines of the SA before being 'let loose' on the public...... ;-)

Cynthia yes, Spurgeons college for the Baptist ministers and they did all seem to 'come out of there' the same. Although I remember great excitement when I was in my teens, when we had a set of Spurgeons students come to run a 'crusade'. They seemed to be very outspoken and modern in their outlook. Wonder if they ever actually made it into the ministry? :-D

Rose, yes I wonder why that was such a popular school assembly hymn? that and Onward Christian soldiers.

Cynthia, yes I do remember it, though I've not heard it for a long time. I used to love hymns at school and that was one which seemed to be sung quite often :-)

Hello Rose, Paula and Ann... :-)


I simply speak as I have been taught and as I have experienced for myself.


My public speaking days are mostly over, but I do get lumbe.....er....asked to lead the Mothering Sunday at church each year..... :-D


Maybe I am too traditional but, it is well known that clergy/lay readers etc., from all the mainstream churches have to undergo certain training in the beliefs and doctrines of the church they wish to serve before they are allowed to 'preach'.


That rules me out then.......I can only walk alongside others and share what I have learned.


Rose......do you remember the old hymn.....Fight the Good Fight.... Remember the words.....Faint not nor fear, His arms are near.......... :-)

Ann, I'm afraid I'm of the mind that John is very much aware of what he posts!

I agree with you Ann.......... on both counts.

Paula, you have said what I would have liked to have said. I too had a strong christian upbringing which is why I sometimes struggle with John's posts on the subject versus his posts on other subjects. I would love to hear a 'sermon' by Cynthia.

That is not to say I think John is a hypocrite, I don't, I just think he doesn't always think before he posts.

Cynthia. I do so enjoy reading your comments on all threads. I had a very strong Christian upbringing, I had a loving family and was taught through love not fear and told not to think going to Church on Sundays makes the Lord love you more. We were encouraged to look on everyone as our equals (My father always said " You are no better than anyone else, and no-one is better than you") we were told it is good to have opinions but told to never make judgments without knowing all the facts. To never say you "Hate" anyone, I find it very difficult when people randomly say they "Hate" someone or something. I no longer attend church on a regular basis, but this does not affect my Christan beliefs.

Where I come from, someone of that ilk would be called, in no uncertain terms, a hypocrite of the first order, not a Christian.

Julia in Derbyshire