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.”

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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