The Kingdom Hall broke out in spontanesous applause last night! Most unusual for us, who are a quiet and orderly congregation. And, no, (I hardly need to add) it was nothing to do with my own part in the School - that went OK, except that I managed to lose my way in the para I was reading from the "What Can the Bible Teach Us?" book. My householder - my brilliant householder - was paying close attention, thank goodness, and pointed me straight back to the right line.
The applause was for the brother who did the Bible reading - Genesis 10:6-32 - which is full of Biblical "begats". He not only read it beautifully, and kept our interest, but he pronounced every name correctly and without stumbling.
And that must have taken some practising.
The genealogical tables may seem dreary, but not when they are read properly and you understand the context. Not only are they showing the orderly progression to the chosen people and then to the Messiah, so that Jesus' genealogy is completely recorded, but don't they also stand as a defence against a world that is determined to make us believe that Genesis is simply a "creation myth"? Generations of Hebrew Scribes faithfully transcribed the generations down from Adam. There is no myth about it.
I drove to Angmering again - with my brave sibling as passenger - and we did an hour and a half on return visits - too rainy for first call, door to door, work. And then we had a coffee together at the hotel. So a happy, if tiring morning.
Mind you, everything tires me these days. As I have probably said before, old age is like running empty.
Friday, 31 January 2020
Wednesday, 29 January 2020
Very Taxing, plus Painting
The Painters have been here all week tackling the communal areas, and our front door, which had to be open all day on Monday. Jean and I had a lovely morning on the field service on Tuesday, including being asked in for coffee and biscuits. Jackie came round Sunday night - for pie and veggies - which has confused us all as she usually comes on Saturday.
The calendar of my week is pinned round the meetings at the Kingdom Hall on Thursday and Sunday, field service with Jean on Tuesday and Saturday, and the field service group on Thursday morning. And Jacks coming for supper on Saturdays.
Any change, and I am lost in space.
The Captain spent yesterday doing our Tax Returns on line. An awful job - and - well. please re-arrange these words into a well known phrase or saying: "Man...Old... Grumpy...". And who can blame him? When I used to do them, on the old-fashioned horse-drawn form, my completed form used to be covered with "ifs" and "buts" and "what does this question mean" in my desperate and illegible handwriting. And it would be accompanied by a despairing letter saying that I don't understand the form but have done my best, and that surely, in the Big Brother world we live in, they know more about my tax situation than I do?
And I always had to add: "Please don't send me your "Understanding how to fill in your Tax Return" leaflet, as I can't understand that either, and you will then have to send me your "Understanding your: "Understanding how to fill in your Tax Return Leaflet" leaflet"". And I won't be able to understand that either, so you will then have to send your "Understanding your Understanding your "How to..."" etc etc etc, until there is not a tree left in the world.
It used to end in a depressed sounding guy from the Tax Office talking to me on the phone. There was an air of having drawn the short straw about him.
But now poor Captain B has to do it. Even he has to make a phone call today before he can press the Send button, as something on their site is either not working properly, or is not comprehensible.
What a complicated complicated world we have made for ourselves. Think of the perfect freedom our first parents had in Eden - and of what they so tragically lost.
But, and this is promise from God who cannot and does not lie, if we listen to our Creator and do our imperfect best to obey him, what lies ahead for us is "the glorious freedom of the children of God".
I don't think we can imagine just how joyful the earth is going to be under the loving rulership of the Kingdom of God. But I hope we are all there to find out.
The calendar of my week is pinned round the meetings at the Kingdom Hall on Thursday and Sunday, field service with Jean on Tuesday and Saturday, and the field service group on Thursday morning. And Jacks coming for supper on Saturdays.
Any change, and I am lost in space.
The Captain spent yesterday doing our Tax Returns on line. An awful job - and - well. please re-arrange these words into a well known phrase or saying: "Man...Old... Grumpy...". And who can blame him? When I used to do them, on the old-fashioned horse-drawn form, my completed form used to be covered with "ifs" and "buts" and "what does this question mean" in my desperate and illegible handwriting. And it would be accompanied by a despairing letter saying that I don't understand the form but have done my best, and that surely, in the Big Brother world we live in, they know more about my tax situation than I do?
And I always had to add: "Please don't send me your "Understanding how to fill in your Tax Return" leaflet, as I can't understand that either, and you will then have to send me your "Understanding your: "Understanding how to fill in your Tax Return Leaflet" leaflet"". And I won't be able to understand that either, so you will then have to send your "Understanding your Understanding your "How to..."" etc etc etc, until there is not a tree left in the world.
It used to end in a depressed sounding guy from the Tax Office talking to me on the phone. There was an air of having drawn the short straw about him.
But now poor Captain B has to do it. Even he has to make a phone call today before he can press the Send button, as something on their site is either not working properly, or is not comprehensible.
What a complicated complicated world we have made for ourselves. Think of the perfect freedom our first parents had in Eden - and of what they so tragically lost.
But, and this is promise from God who cannot and does not lie, if we listen to our Creator and do our imperfect best to obey him, what lies ahead for us is "the glorious freedom of the children of God".
I don't think we can imagine just how joyful the earth is going to be under the loving rulership of the Kingdom of God. But I hope we are all there to find out.
Saturday, 25 January 2020
I Drove to Angmering - Again! (And a day out at the SOS Conference)
It just dawned on me that I am letting my feats of derring-do go unrecorded! I know modesty is a virtue, but lets not take it to extremes. I have driven to Angmering twice this month - the secnd time this Thursday I drove a sibling there too (you might think perhaps that the Derring-do belongs to her).
Anyway, the roundabouts went fine (I usually pray specifically about them), we had a good morning, finished our territory, had some talks with some people at the door, and then had a coffee at the hotel afterwards.
I have a part in the Ministry School coming up next week and the sibling who is my householder came round on Wednesday afternoon to go through it with me. She says we can and should do it without a script, which will be a first for me. But given that I am to work on "Conversational Quality" probably a very good idea.
Today we were in Haywards Heath at the Sussex Ornithologist Society's Conference. Its always a good day out - but a sadder and sadder one as every year the situation gets worse.
The Speakers were:
David Howey, on the Kittiwakes at Splash Point, We must go over there and see them come the nesting season. He did a brilliant job as the sound system kept crashing during his talk. They got if fixed for the next one, which was:
Viola Ross-Smith on "Seabirds - A Conservation Priority". I found her rather hard to hear, but it came across clearly enough that seabirds are in a lot of trouble. One problem of course is over-fishing - their foods supplies are dwindling. Another horror is the way they are getting caught in fishing nets and drowning.
Then Lucy Groves talked to us about the White Stork project, which aims to restore a self-sustaining.free living, breeding population in Southern England. They are working with Warsaw Zoo among others, and it all seems to be going very well. Which was great.
Finally, the artist Jane Smith spoke about the Birds of the Hebrides, illustrating her talk with her lovely illustrations. Col bought a copy of her book "Wild Island", which looks both pretty and interesting.
If only at least one speaker had referred us to God's word, specifically Revelation 11:18 in which Jehovah promises that he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth". Because what is so clear is that, despite the heartfelt efforts of so many sincere people, the situation is beyond us. We need help. And it is on the way!
Anyway, the roundabouts went fine (I usually pray specifically about them), we had a good morning, finished our territory, had some talks with some people at the door, and then had a coffee at the hotel afterwards.
I have a part in the Ministry School coming up next week and the sibling who is my householder came round on Wednesday afternoon to go through it with me. She says we can and should do it without a script, which will be a first for me. But given that I am to work on "Conversational Quality" probably a very good idea.
Today we were in Haywards Heath at the Sussex Ornithologist Society's Conference. Its always a good day out - but a sadder and sadder one as every year the situation gets worse.
The Speakers were:
David Howey, on the Kittiwakes at Splash Point, We must go over there and see them come the nesting season. He did a brilliant job as the sound system kept crashing during his talk. They got if fixed for the next one, which was:
Viola Ross-Smith on "Seabirds - A Conservation Priority". I found her rather hard to hear, but it came across clearly enough that seabirds are in a lot of trouble. One problem of course is over-fishing - their foods supplies are dwindling. Another horror is the way they are getting caught in fishing nets and drowning.
Then Lucy Groves talked to us about the White Stork project, which aims to restore a self-sustaining.free living, breeding population in Southern England. They are working with Warsaw Zoo among others, and it all seems to be going very well. Which was great.
Finally, the artist Jane Smith spoke about the Birds of the Hebrides, illustrating her talk with her lovely illustrations. Col bought a copy of her book "Wild Island", which looks both pretty and interesting.
If only at least one speaker had referred us to God's word, specifically Revelation 11:18 in which Jehovah promises that he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth". Because what is so clear is that, despite the heartfelt efforts of so many sincere people, the situation is beyond us. We need help. And it is on the way!
Thursday, 23 January 2020
The Tilting of Tubes
Tuesday was a Medical day - which always reminds me of that wonderful Victoria Wood line "as the doctor said to me when I had my tubes tilted...." (you can fill in the rest yourself). The tubes they seem worried about at the moment are my bronchial ones, so what the doctor at the Hospital said to me was "Mrs Knight, I'm sending you down for a chest x-ray".
On the way back we did the shopping for us and for Jacks. Her new medical regime hasn't worked any miracles yet, but we have to hope it will, given time.
I was out with Jean in the morning - we only managed two short return visits - but they were important ones. It was a medical morning too as having failed to collect my meds from the Pharmacy over the previous 2 days (not ready, not checked - they are drowning in work) - I had to call again. And we could not find a parking space anywhere near our first call. Jean can't walk very far these days, so we were just about to give it up, when I remembered that the pharmacy is only just round the corner, so I parked up there, we got the prescription and hobbled round and just caught our householder on her way out. She will deliver our message to her husband - to tell him we won't be able to call until Saturday week to discuss the blood issue - but she said that would suit him better anyway, as he finishes his current project by then, and will have some free time.
What we hope to be able to show him - and must pray to be able to show him - are these Scriptures. Because he is a very thoughtful guy - along with being very funny. And he pays attention.
Genesis tells us that nature was not created "red in tooth and claw". We did not kill and eat the animals, they did not hunt and kill each other. But when our first parents made that terrible decision to cut themselves, and us (their unborn children) off from their Creator, their Source of life, they found they could not even keep themselves alive let alone run this beautiful and complex planet. The peace of Eden was lost, and there came a time, after the Flood, when Jehovah gave permission for man to kill and eat the animals. This is a sad sad moment.
At Genesis 9:3, 4, Jehovah said: “Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you. As in the case of green vegetation, I do give it all to you. Only flesh with its soul—its blood—you must not eat.”
You must not eat the blood. Every one of us on the earth today is descended from one of the three sons of Noah, so this command was given to all mankind. And it has never been repealed.
When the Jews became the chosen people, this command was included within the Mosaic Law.
Leviticus 17:11, 12 says: “The soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for you to make atonement for your souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement by the soul in it. That is why I have said to the sons of Israel: ‘No soul of you must eat blood and no alien resident who is residing as an alien in your midst should eat blood.’”
All those animal sacrifices under the Mosaic Law foreshadowed the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
And while it is very important to know that Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, it is also very important to know that the prohibition on blood was also enjoined on the Christian congregation.
On the way back we did the shopping for us and for Jacks. Her new medical regime hasn't worked any miracles yet, but we have to hope it will, given time.
I was out with Jean in the morning - we only managed two short return visits - but they were important ones. It was a medical morning too as having failed to collect my meds from the Pharmacy over the previous 2 days (not ready, not checked - they are drowning in work) - I had to call again. And we could not find a parking space anywhere near our first call. Jean can't walk very far these days, so we were just about to give it up, when I remembered that the pharmacy is only just round the corner, so I parked up there, we got the prescription and hobbled round and just caught our householder on her way out. She will deliver our message to her husband - to tell him we won't be able to call until Saturday week to discuss the blood issue - but she said that would suit him better anyway, as he finishes his current project by then, and will have some free time.
What we hope to be able to show him - and must pray to be able to show him - are these Scriptures. Because he is a very thoughtful guy - along with being very funny. And he pays attention.
Genesis tells us that nature was not created "red in tooth and claw". We did not kill and eat the animals, they did not hunt and kill each other. But when our first parents made that terrible decision to cut themselves, and us (their unborn children) off from their Creator, their Source of life, they found they could not even keep themselves alive let alone run this beautiful and complex planet. The peace of Eden was lost, and there came a time, after the Flood, when Jehovah gave permission for man to kill and eat the animals. This is a sad sad moment.
At Genesis 9:3, 4, Jehovah said: “Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you. As in the case of green vegetation, I do give it all to you. Only flesh with its soul—its blood—you must not eat.”
You must not eat the blood. Every one of us on the earth today is descended from one of the three sons of Noah, so this command was given to all mankind. And it has never been repealed.
When the Jews became the chosen people, this command was included within the Mosaic Law.
Leviticus 17:11, 12 says: “The soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for you to make atonement for your souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement by the soul in it. That is why I have said to the sons of Israel: ‘No soul of you must eat blood and no alien resident who is residing as an alien in your midst should eat blood.’”
All those animal sacrifices under the Mosaic Law foreshadowed the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
And while it is very important to know that Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, it is also very important to know that the prohibition on blood was also enjoined on the Christian congregation.
Acts 15:28, 29 says "For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you except these necessary things: to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!”
I was very surprised when I realised that. And I was amazed at how cleverly it has been hidden from us, even though it its there in plain sight.
I was very surprised when I realised that. And I was amazed at how cleverly it has been hidden from us, even though it its there in plain sight.
Sunday, 19 January 2020
A Long March
Its a long long walk to the department of the hospital I had to visit on Friday - twice. At least it was a bit of exercise, And I also thought a possible money-saver, as probably a good 10 per cent of us crumblies perish en route, thus saving the NHS a fortune. Anyway, I made it this time; and it was a lovely drive, there and back - a wonderful light on everything.
Strange weather - anvil clouds - blue sky - sudden short rainshowers - a rainbow - the artwork of empty trees against blue sky - all lovely - but strangely warm for the bleak Midwinter.
Jacks was supposed to come to supper on Saturday, but cancelled at the last minute. She was not feeling at all well.
Jean and I had one good return visit on Saturday morning, placing the Blood brochure with a really nice guy who wants us to come back and discuss it with him. We hope to call in Tuesday morning. Then it was off for coffee and cake (for those who are allowed cakes) with our siblings and some encouragement to really try to increase the witness we can give over the coming Memorial Season.
The meeting this morning was wonderful. How do people cope without this teaching - a though which I hope will help to inspire me to get out and teach others.
Strange weather - anvil clouds - blue sky - sudden short rainshowers - a rainbow - the artwork of empty trees against blue sky - all lovely - but strangely warm for the bleak Midwinter.
Jacks was supposed to come to supper on Saturday, but cancelled at the last minute. She was not feeling at all well.
Jean and I had one good return visit on Saturday morning, placing the Blood brochure with a really nice guy who wants us to come back and discuss it with him. We hope to call in Tuesday morning. Then it was off for coffee and cake (for those who are allowed cakes) with our siblings and some encouragement to really try to increase the witness we can give over the coming Memorial Season.
The meeting this morning was wonderful. How do people cope without this teaching - a though which I hope will help to inspire me to get out and teach others.
Thursday, 16 January 2020
A Walk on the Wild Side
Stormy weather at the moment. When Col and I went for our walk on Monday, the waves were fantastic - the tide was high - and the wind was cold. Tuesday morning Jean and I did not go out at all. I phoned her from the surgery as soon as I had had my blood test (its a wonder I have any blood left in my veins these days) to see if she was OK to go out, but she sounded so tired and down (very unlike her usual valiant self). It was also beginning to rain and was pelting down by the afternoon. So I got her some meds she needed and popped round and we had a cup of coffee and a chat, which cheered us both up.
We talked - among other things - about how well Jehovah looks after us. And we both felt much more cheerful by the end of the morning. We understand each other as we both suffer from age and health related pain issues.
Captain B and I had lunch together - veggie and bean chile - while watching Bargain Hunt.
Wednesday morning was grey and rainy but the storm seemed to have blown itself out.
The storm over Meghan and Harry leaving (?) the royal family continues. I doubt they will starve, whatever happens, and there are some rather more important and much more tragic things happening in the world, though you would not know it from the Tabloid headlines We are living in a cruel and unjust world system... and I do wonder if they realise the extent of the privilege they have. I realise it brings a downside with it, but let's face it what doesn't. For so many its all downside.
Would I want to marry into the royal family? No. A million times No. But this marriage was a choice, not forced on anyone And in my case, are the grapes sour anyway, given that no member of the royal family has ever asked me to marry them? Which does show some practical wisdom on their part as the first paparazzi shots of me trying to exit a car gracefully on a Royal occasion would probably end the mystique of monarchy there and then.
Anyway, I hope their marriage and their relationship with the extended family can survive, whether the monarchy does or not.
We talked - among other things - about how well Jehovah looks after us. And we both felt much more cheerful by the end of the morning. We understand each other as we both suffer from age and health related pain issues.
Captain B and I had lunch together - veggie and bean chile - while watching Bargain Hunt.
Wednesday morning was grey and rainy but the storm seemed to have blown itself out.
The storm over Meghan and Harry leaving (?) the royal family continues. I doubt they will starve, whatever happens, and there are some rather more important and much more tragic things happening in the world, though you would not know it from the Tabloid headlines We are living in a cruel and unjust world system... and I do wonder if they realise the extent of the privilege they have. I realise it brings a downside with it, but let's face it what doesn't. For so many its all downside.
Would I want to marry into the royal family? No. A million times No. But this marriage was a choice, not forced on anyone And in my case, are the grapes sour anyway, given that no member of the royal family has ever asked me to marry them? Which does show some practical wisdom on their part as the first paparazzi shots of me trying to exit a car gracefully on a Royal occasion would probably end the mystique of monarchy there and then.
Anyway, I hope their marriage and their relationship with the extended family can survive, whether the monarchy does or not.
Sunday, 12 January 2020
Superman and Green Lantern
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| Bearded Tit |
However, With One Mighty Bound, I did it! I cut through a sandwich.
In the words of the song: "Superman and Green Lantern ain't got nothing on me." (The double negative is, for once, applicable.)
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| Farlington Marshes |
My siblings are planning to visit us in the Spring. They had intended to visit the Oz branch of the family but have deferred it to August, wisely I think. I hope they can make it. We will have a writing session if they do - something we have done together for decades, through our childhood Bit Books (red exercise notebooks) to our Thursday night sessions when were all young marrieds living in our Northern hometown. And we are all now published authors.
Jean and I had such a lovely morning on the preaching work on Saturday - doing return visits - and talking to a very interesting young man who has a lot of questions for us. And we made it to the Hall, just in time for the broadcast.
https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/LatestVideos/pub-jwb_202001_1_VIDEO
Thursday, 9 January 2020
"The Day that went Missing" (and a minor flare-up)
I am re-reading Richard Beard's powerful memoir about the drowning death of his brother on a Cornish beach. It resonates a lot with me. We too as children played and paddled and swam on those beaches, but back in the 1950s, so we were a generation behind Richard and his brothers.
I remember that powerful undertow - the sand disappearing under our feet. And there was an extra hazard for us children of the post-war baby boom - mines washing up on the beach. We were under strict instructions not to touch anything man-made that might be lying on the beach. Anything!
Poor young Nick. He was swept away in a matter of minutes. Not far, but far enough that he could no longer touch the bottom. It could so easily have been both of them, as his slightly older brother only just managed to make it back to the beach and ran frantically for help, which had no way of getting there in time.
He has finally been able to write about it and its a powerful memorial for his little brother.
Jean and I had a good morning on the doors on Tuesday, got some return visits done. And weather permitting I hope to be out on first call too.
Its been a paperwork week. Tax returns are due, so I have had to get out all the records and add things and what have you. My maths, never good, has not improved, Captain Butterfly does the actual form filling on the internet. And then yesterday 18 new butterfly memberships came flying through my letterbox. I got all the packages made up, and the attendant paperwork done, and had hoped to get them to the Post Office today.
Sadly I was woken in the early hours by my right hand going painfully off-line and have done very little today, beyond feel sorry for myself. I think I will be able to drive myself to the meeting the Hall tonight though, which is a plus.
I remember that powerful undertow - the sand disappearing under our feet. And there was an extra hazard for us children of the post-war baby boom - mines washing up on the beach. We were under strict instructions not to touch anything man-made that might be lying on the beach. Anything!
Poor young Nick. He was swept away in a matter of minutes. Not far, but far enough that he could no longer touch the bottom. It could so easily have been both of them, as his slightly older brother only just managed to make it back to the beach and ran frantically for help, which had no way of getting there in time.
He has finally been able to write about it and its a powerful memorial for his little brother.
Jean and I had a good morning on the doors on Tuesday, got some return visits done. And weather permitting I hope to be out on first call too.
Its been a paperwork week. Tax returns are due, so I have had to get out all the records and add things and what have you. My maths, never good, has not improved, Captain Butterfly does the actual form filling on the internet. And then yesterday 18 new butterfly memberships came flying through my letterbox. I got all the packages made up, and the attendant paperwork done, and had hoped to get them to the Post Office today.
Sadly I was woken in the early hours by my right hand going painfully off-line and have done very little today, beyond feel sorry for myself. I think I will be able to drive myself to the meeting the Hall tonight though, which is a plus.
Tuesday, 7 January 2020
Circuit Assembly at Haysbridge
Saturday was our Circuit Assembly. The theme? Love Jehovah with all your Heart. The theme text? Deuteronomy 13:3. It is a warning not to listen to false prophets, but to continue to give Jehovah, our Creator, the one who loves us, our exclusive devotion.
"You must not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer, for Jehovah your God is testing you to know whether you love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul." - Deuteronomy 13:3
And it was also a powerful reminder of how much Jehovah loves us - how he wants us safe, and happy. And the whole day was an example of the help he is giving to all who will accept it.
"You must not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer, for Jehovah your God is testing you to know whether you love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul." - Deuteronomy 13:3
And it was also a powerful reminder of how much Jehovah loves us - how he wants us safe, and happy. And the whole day was an example of the help he is giving to all who will accept it.
There was a Field Service Group at the Hall on Sunday morning - there was no meeting because of the Saturday Assembly.
I managed to get there and was glad I did, though I was anxious as we were working in Ford, near the open prison, and its a little further than I usually drive - though I was being a wimp as I have on occasions driven out there. But I was assigned to work with a young brother who kindly offered to drive me. And I knew where the territory was - it was a small caravan park - not an easy turning to spot. And I knew where the Visitors carpark was - so I felt useful as well.
And we had a lovely morning, though there were not many at home. He then went off for a game of squash with his wife, and I went home to fall asleep on the sofa. Though I did manage to have a hot supper read for Him Outdoors when he returned from his treasure hunt. And yesterday I did next to nothing I am ashamed to say, apart from my study for the day and getting meals together.
What stays with me from the Assembly? A phrase the speaker used about "the Micky Mouse attractions of the world". The context was of a child who, in a strange place full of strange people, keeps tight hold of his father's hand. Then he sees something very attractive and wonderful for a child - such as seeing Micky Mouse at Disneyland - and instantly lets go of his dad's hand and rushes off.
So let us keep tight hold of our Father's hand - keep close to Jehovah - whatever attractions "the world" may be waving at us.
I can say now from the vantage point of three score years and ten (and a little more!) that whatever "the world" has to offer, it is temporary. It cannot and does not last. We can keep nothing of its glittering prizes. And usually they turn out to be pure tinsel anyway.
The defeat of death awaits all us damaged children of Adam.
But, when the Kingdom of God is ruling over us, "death will be more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain". And what human government could ever achieve that, even with the best intentions in the world? So find Jehovah, learnt about him, and stay close to him and to his congregated people. There is no other teaching like it on the earth.
I managed to get there and was glad I did, though I was anxious as we were working in Ford, near the open prison, and its a little further than I usually drive - though I was being a wimp as I have on occasions driven out there. But I was assigned to work with a young brother who kindly offered to drive me. And I knew where the territory was - it was a small caravan park - not an easy turning to spot. And I knew where the Visitors carpark was - so I felt useful as well.
And we had a lovely morning, though there were not many at home. He then went off for a game of squash with his wife, and I went home to fall asleep on the sofa. Though I did manage to have a hot supper read for Him Outdoors when he returned from his treasure hunt. And yesterday I did next to nothing I am ashamed to say, apart from my study for the day and getting meals together.
What stays with me from the Assembly? A phrase the speaker used about "the Micky Mouse attractions of the world". The context was of a child who, in a strange place full of strange people, keeps tight hold of his father's hand. Then he sees something very attractive and wonderful for a child - such as seeing Micky Mouse at Disneyland - and instantly lets go of his dad's hand and rushes off.
So let us keep tight hold of our Father's hand - keep close to Jehovah - whatever attractions "the world" may be waving at us.
I can say now from the vantage point of three score years and ten (and a little more!) that whatever "the world" has to offer, it is temporary. It cannot and does not last. We can keep nothing of its glittering prizes. And usually they turn out to be pure tinsel anyway.
The defeat of death awaits all us damaged children of Adam.
But, when the Kingdom of God is ruling over us, "death will be more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain". And what human government could ever achieve that, even with the best intentions in the world? So find Jehovah, learnt about him, and stay close to him and to his congregated people. There is no other teaching like it on the earth.
Friday, 3 January 2020
Twenty Twenty
2020 has got off to a rainy and misty start here by the English Channel. And it is much warmer than it should be, given that this is the bleak Midwinter. The mist was lying deep and (not at all) crisp and even on the morning of the 1st. On the Eve I went to bed early with a gripping P.D.James ("The Lighthouse"), to be joined a bit later by the Captain. We were both woken briefly by fireworks to mark the new year.
I toiled up to town on New Years Day to post thank you cards to Jen and Bea and a letter to Kathryn enclosing a copy of the blog I did for Ken, as she is not on the Net. And I got a calendar for Jackie, who rang up in a panic on the Eve, realising she didn't have one for 2020. We usually give family and friends copies of the Captain's calendars, full of the photos of his year in wildlife - but, alas, this year, we somehow never got round to producing one
It seems like another step on the downward path. Anyway, W.H.Smith was open and they had a suitable calendar with pictures of the Sussex landscape. Annoyingly it would probably have been half price had I been able to wait to next week to buy it, but Jacks needs it now. We have the Oz underwater one that Cheryl always sends us.
And yesterday morning I was back out on the Field Service, first call, with the sister I usually work with on a Thursday. Only did an hour, as I am so tired and everything is aching, but at least I am back. And hopefully not too bad. Talking to people is so much NOT my special skill. I talk to plants, to the furniture, to myself - and my sister's gardner caught me talking to the washing on her line once - but people I find very difficult. On the doors though, we can ask for Jehovah's holy spirit to help us and that is what makes all the difference.
I called in to Waitrose on the way back to re-stock with frozen blueberries. But they were out of stock!
And. world blueberry shortage aside, I am afraid the News is a very depressing - Australia seems to be on fire, and America is sending troops to the Middle East. Again. But how could it be otherwise as we live at a time when the terrible fruitage of the rebellion in Eden is becoming clearer by the day.
So please, everybody, wake up. We are all in "the valley of the decision". Please choose life - life forever in the restored earthly paradise, with more happiness than we can now imagine.
Revelation* makes this wonderful promise:
"With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” "
All causes for sadness, for pain, will soon be gone. For ever.
Too good to be true? How can we not wonder that? So Jehovah goes straight on to reassure us.
" And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”"
Faithful and true.
*Revelation 21:3-5
I toiled up to town on New Years Day to post thank you cards to Jen and Bea and a letter to Kathryn enclosing a copy of the blog I did for Ken, as she is not on the Net. And I got a calendar for Jackie, who rang up in a panic on the Eve, realising she didn't have one for 2020. We usually give family and friends copies of the Captain's calendars, full of the photos of his year in wildlife - but, alas, this year, we somehow never got round to producing one
It seems like another step on the downward path. Anyway, W.H.Smith was open and they had a suitable calendar with pictures of the Sussex landscape. Annoyingly it would probably have been half price had I been able to wait to next week to buy it, but Jacks needs it now. We have the Oz underwater one that Cheryl always sends us.
And yesterday morning I was back out on the Field Service, first call, with the sister I usually work with on a Thursday. Only did an hour, as I am so tired and everything is aching, but at least I am back. And hopefully not too bad. Talking to people is so much NOT my special skill. I talk to plants, to the furniture, to myself - and my sister's gardner caught me talking to the washing on her line once - but people I find very difficult. On the doors though, we can ask for Jehovah's holy spirit to help us and that is what makes all the difference.
I called in to Waitrose on the way back to re-stock with frozen blueberries. But they were out of stock!
And. world blueberry shortage aside, I am afraid the News is a very depressing - Australia seems to be on fire, and America is sending troops to the Middle East. Again. But how could it be otherwise as we live at a time when the terrible fruitage of the rebellion in Eden is becoming clearer by the day.
So please, everybody, wake up. We are all in "the valley of the decision". Please choose life - life forever in the restored earthly paradise, with more happiness than we can now imagine.
Revelation* makes this wonderful promise:
"With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” "
All causes for sadness, for pain, will soon be gone. For ever.
Too good to be true? How can we not wonder that? So Jehovah goes straight on to reassure us.
" And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”"
Faithful and true.
*Revelation 21:3-5
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