Read if you are in a dark place!

Carlyle Marney was one of the great preachers in the Southern states of America during the time after the Second World War. He was a mentor and role model to many ministers. One of the stories attributed to the rich legacy he left behind took place on a seminary campus where he was invited to be the speaker for a distinguished lectureship. One of the students asked, “Dr. Marney let us hear you say a word or two about the meaning of the resurrection.” It was a fair question and an appropriate one from a future preacher to one who was already a great practitioner of the art of preaching. However the young  students were taken aback by Marney’s response. Dr. Marney replied, “I will not discuss that with people like you.”

Thought for the Christian Day

Poem for times of trouble

I found this on my Facebook page today:

 

We who were once far off,
who wandered as if
in a wilderness,
searching for water,
desperate for shade,
now rest in your embrace,
feast on your word,
drink from a well
that will never run dry,
and have found the place
we were searching for,
as Christ has brought us home.

Don’t think – just breath

How to get a fresh start

Taking of fresh starts, I can remember nearly every moment of that day in June of 1995. It was warm day and I was in the Navy. I had been reasonably successful and was looking forward to another 12 years of a career I enjoyed. However, that day as I walked across to see my boss I was slightly apprehensive. For I knew a series of redundancies was being announced. I had come to the conclusion if I was to be made redundant he would giving me the news there and then. I had even come to the conclusion that if I went to his office and he had a brown envelope on his desk, my number was up.

Days that changed the world

A prayer for the Church

A prayer for the Church in troubled times

Lord, your Church is like a ship all at sea

It is at once beset with the storms of controversy

yet surrounded by the drowning waters of disinterest.

Be then a light ahead to guide us

a commanding presence walking through the apathy

and an inspiring voice stilling the storm

encouraging your disciples

and taking the helm until we reach again

safer shores.

Amen