Suppose God answered all your prayers in the way that you wanted him to.
Would the world be a better place because of them?
Answering prayers your way
Category: The Lord Jesus
Reblog; Signs of the End of the Age
The difference between religion and faith
Many flock to a building weekly saying their going to church, where they are hearers of the word and not doers of it. I can’t tell you how many times years ago I would go to a service and afterward watch a few lifting a bottle of alcohol in their vehicles or those standing next […]
The difference between religion and faith
Just Jesus, coffee, a Bible & me
Story of John Stainer
John Stainer (1840–1901) was an English composer and organist. His music, although rarely performed today, was quite popular during his lifetime. Let me share some key points about him:
Early Years:
- Born in Southwark, London, in 1840, Stainer was the eighth of nine children.
- He became a chorister at St. Paul’s Cathedral at the age of ten.
- His exceptional musical abilities led him to sing in the first English performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.
- Stainer received a solid education at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he excelled in various subjects.
Career Highlights:
- Stainer served as an organist at Magdalen College, Oxford, and later at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- His work as a choir trainer and organist set standards for Anglican church music that continue to influence the field.
- Notably, his composition “The Crucifixion” is still heard during Passiontide in some Anglican churches.
Legacy:
- Stainer’s contributions extended beyond music. He became the Heather Professor of Music at Oxford University.
- Unfortunately, he passed away unexpectedly while on holiday in Italy in 1901.
Despite the relative obscurity of his music today, Stainer’s impact on Anglican church music remains significant1. If you’d like to explore more, you can visit the John Stainer Wikipedia page or learn about his hymns on Hymnary.org
Losing my religion, or: Don’t stop believin’
A ‘Garland’ Shadorma I shall speak of togetherness; I shall seek out shared light; I shall focus on the truth of one humankind let’s share our words of unity; let’s find strength in our love; let’s hold one another now when we need it most perhaps life belies perceptions; perhaps, if so, all’s well? perhaps concern […]
Losing my religion, or: Don’t stop believin’
Lovingkindness–Praying through Psalm 23
God’s love and care is ever present, guiding us through life with His goodness and kindness.
Lovingkindness–Praying through Psalm 23
The Tomb
Mark 15:42-47
The Burial of Jesus
42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the
body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.
Although I used this reading from Luke yesterday to cover the Crucifixion, I decided to use it again because this was ‘Preparation Day’ the day that Jesus was buried in the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea with his mother Mary and Mary Magdalene looking on..
Doubting Faith
Lamentations 3 New International Version
2 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassion’s never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.
No doubt you like I have had many times where we have had cause to doubt our faith and this can sometimes make us feel quite down.
What we have to remember in situations like these is that the Lord is with us ‘though we may not think or feel his presence at the time’ guiding us.
If we loose faith in God especially, in order to get it back we have to come to him in prayer, because our God is a faithful God. This is only one of the hymns I turn to at times like these as I think the words are just beautiful.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changes not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
And all I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
And Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all amine, with ten thousand beside
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
And all I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
