BEAUTIFUL WORDS
(If you have any beautiful words that you would like to share on this page, send them with an indication of their author and where you found them to the webmaster@stchadssuttoncoldfield.org.uk )
Click on the title or first line of the words to go to the full version.
· AND A LETTER FROM GOD. By David Adam & Kevin Mayhew.
· DESIDERATA.
· BLESSINGS TO YOU. From the internet. Found by Dee Amos.
· TO SEE A WORLD IN A GRAIN OF SAND, by William Blake.
· I WAS ANGRY WITH MY FOE, by William Blake.
· I ASKED GOD.
· LETTER FROM CANON HENRY SCOTT HOLLAND (1847-1918) ON DEATH.
· BIBLE, 1. CORINTHIANS, 2, 9.
· BIBLE, 1, CORINTHIANS, 13, 4-7.
· DEATH MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A GREAT ADVENTURE EXPERIENCING by John Polkinghorne, President of Queen's College, Cambridge.
· OUR BIRTH IS BUT A SLEEP AND A FORGETTING; Wordsworth. Ode on Intimations of Immortality, from Recollections of Early Childhood.
· PLEASE. By Ken McLaughlan. March 1998.
· REMEMBRANCE DAY PEACE SONG by Lindy Garbutt.
· A STRANGE DREAM – OR – A MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN? by Paul Gregory.
· SUNDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2010 INTERCESSIONS. Lyn Tribe.
· UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL. Anatole France.
· TO KEEP THE BODY IN GOOD HEALTH. Buddha.
· DON’T BE RECKLESS WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S HEARTS. Mary Schmich.
· THE SUN SHINES AND WARMS AND LIGHTS US. Ralpho Waldo Emerson.
When you awoke I was there, waiting upon you. I wanted to share in your love.
At breakfast you listened to the radio and rushed your breakfast.
You had no time to speak to me.
I waited but you did not turn to me.
Though you travelled by rail you spent your time on your laptop and reading the news.
You did not once give me a thought.
I waited but you did not turn to me.
During your work there were lots of small gaps.
There was more time at lunch.
But you did other things and had no time for me.
Yet I waited for you to turn to me.
At the end of the day you watched the television.
For a while you dozed before you had your last drink of the day.
And I waited for you to turn to me.
Now, I thought, you will have time - just before you go to sleep.
Instead you read until you were tired.
You worried about tomorrow and at last fell asleep.
I will surround you with my love this night.
I will wait for you tomorrow and if you do not remember I will be there the day after.
I will wait until you turn to me.
ALL MY LOVE,
GOD.
(Taken from Searchlights, David Adam & Kevin Mayhew).
Contributed by Edwina to St. Chad’s Lodge & Common magazine. February 2008 p.1.
***
Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexacious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career. However humble: it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is: many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars: you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be and whatever your labours and aspirations; in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken
dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.
Author unknown.
***
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people, around the world.
If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish somewhere, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare especially in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful you are blessed, because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on their shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.
If you can read this message you are more blessed than over 2 billion people who cannot read anything at all.
You are so blessed in ways you may never have even known.
From the Internet.
Reproduced in St. Chad’s Parish Magazine, p11, May 2006 by Dee Amos.
***
To see a World in a Grain of Sand,
and a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,
And Eternity in an hour.
Auguries of Innocence, 1. William Blake.
***
I kept my wrath,
my wrath did grow.
I was angry with my friend,
I told my wrath,
my wrath did end.
The Poison Tree. William Blake.
***
I asked God for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak to humbly obey,
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity that I might do better things,
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise,
I asked for power that I might have the praise of
men,
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of
God,
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things,
I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had
hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken
prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.
Author unknown.
***
"Death is nothing at all, .. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I and you are you whatever we were to each other that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone; wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effect, without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near just around the
corner.. All is well."
Letter From Canon Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918) On Death.
***
Heaven. "Eye hath not seen,nor ear heard neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."
Bible, 1. Corinthians, 2, 9.
***
Love is patient; love is kind and envies no-one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offence. Love keeps no score of wrongs; does not gloat over other men's sins, but delights in the truth. There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its
faith and its endurance.
Bible, 1, Corinthians, 13, 4-7.
***
Jesus said “And be assured, I am with you always, to the end of time”.
Bible, Matthew, 28, 20.
***
Jesus said: "And so I tell you, ask and it will be given you, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. The one who asks will always receive; the one who is searching will always find and the door opened to the man who knocks".
Bible, Luke 11, 9-10.
***
Jesus said: "I tell you this: anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did for me".
Bible, Matthew, 25, 40.
***
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.
Bible, Matthew, 11, 28-29.
***
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but over-come evil with good.
Bible, Romans, 12, 17-21.
***
"And now, my friends, all that is true, all that is noble, all that is just and pure, all that is lovable and gracious, whatever is excellent and admirable - fill all your thoughts with these things".
Bible, Philippians, 4, 8.
***
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am".
Bible, John 14, 1-3.
***
Death marks the beginning of a great adventure experiencing all of God's creation preserved for us in heaven.
John Polkinghorne, President of Queen's College, Cambridge.
***
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;
The Soul that rises with us, our life's star
Hath had elsewhere its setting
And cometh from afar.
Wordsworth. Ode on Intimations of Immortality, from Recollections of Early Childhood.
***
In this life, we are not material beings on a spiritual journey, but we are spiritual beings on a material journey. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap.
Bible. Galatians 6:7.
***
This poem called ‘Please’ was read at the funeral of a man who had suffered for a long time from Alzheimer’s Disease. The family thought that it was very moving.
PLEASE.
Please do not forget me
Please don’t turn away
Please drop in and visit me
And help me through another day.
Please don’t think I’m crazy
Even though I’ve lost my mind
Please help me to find the things I’ve lost
Like the past I cannot find.
Please tell all the children
Try to make them understand
That even though I am still here
Why I’m lost in No Man’s Land.
Remind them of the good times
And the games we used to play
Tell them that I’m sorry
For leaving them this way.
I know you have your life to live
And you must live it every day
But please do not forget me
Don’t just let me fade away.
By Ken McLaughlan. March 1998.
***
REMEMBRANCE DAY PEACE SONG by Lindy Garbutt.
Sung to the tune of Help by the Beatles.
Sunday 8th Nov 09.
(First verse spoken).
Peace!
We all want peace Lord
Peace!
Not just short term peace Lord
Peace!
But forever peace Lord
Peace!
Each generation knows of fighting and of wars
This is not our wish Lord
Can’t believe it can be Yours.
Help us to find a way for man to live in love
Show us how to co-exist
With guidance from above.
Chorus
Peace would mean all faiths respecting others
Black skin, white skin, Asians will be brothers.
Wars will end the whole world will recover
Won’t You please, please
Bring peace?
Every time a new war starts so many lives are lost
But without Your Glory as You hung upon the cross.
Must world affairs be sorted using bombs and guns?
Why not long discussions till a victory is won?
Peace would mean all faiths respecting others
Black skin, white skin, Asians will be brothers
Wars will end the whole world will recover
Won’t you please, please
Bring peace, bring peace, bring pe-e-eace oooh
***
A STRANGE DREAM – OR – A MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN?
Since the deaths of my father-in-law, and a dear lady, a friend at St. Chad’s Church, I have wondered whether either of them might send a message indicating that they are alright, as I’ve read can happen with people bereaved. As time passed and nothing happened I began to give up; but when the dream occurred in the night of Tuesday 14 February 2006 it was half expected.
It was a dream but very much revelatory; nothing like I have ever experienced before. It was stunning; earth-shattering in impact; not confused like dreams often can be. I was lying down in heaven surrounded by people eating. I thought at first they were eating me, but on reflection they could not have been as I was not being diminished or consumed.
In the distance there was an extremely bright light, like the sun but it not only shone with light, but also love, happiness and comfort. I felt such extreme joy I could scarcely cope with it.
There was laughter and gaiety, but when people spoke, I heard them in my mind.
Then first the still image of my friend appeared then that of my father-in-law. I was told, that they were O.K. How is this possible; why is this possible, I queried. The answer came that it is one’s good deeds in life (doing something for other people) that are rewarded in heaven more than a thousand fold, whilst misdeeds and crimes in life have a double disadvantage. First of all they are a waste of precious time that could have been used for good in life and secondly, they are not rewarded again in heaven, as are good deeds. Both my friend and my father-in-law were now enjoying the fruits of what they had sown in life. They were now enjoying the treasures in heaven that they had amassed during in their lifetime, came the sure logical explanation.
I was aware of souls floating in the dimming light, darkness and cold stretching out a long way behind me. These were not happy but reflecting on where they had placed themselves in relation to God in the after-life by their crimes and misdeeds in life. The worse the crimes and unrepentance, the further out in the pitch black they were. This was a hell of their own creation. Again this was a clear insight and felt immediately in mind. No one spoke.
I was told to pass on messages to my father, mother and brother, (who do have religious beliefs but do not attend church regularly,) because each have done so much for others, through their teaching careers and for my mother, through her selfless devotion to raising her family, that none of them should worry about their place in heaven when their time comes. This was very strongly felt and so too was the responsibility for passing on these messages.
At one point the people around me were pondering how to motivate young men to take a full part in life and my mother who was there surprisingly, created a surge of happy emotion and hilarity when she suggested they be encouraged to make babies.
The pleasure felt through out the dream was so extreme it was bordering on pain and as I emerged into consciousness I found myself crying. My wife beside me in bed, shook me and asked if I was alright. My tears were of joy not anguish; it was an overwhelming joy that told of every little kindness we give to others, contributing and weighed in the balance, at the end of our lives. It was reminiscent of the story of the ‘widow’s mite’ in the bible. It was a very small amount and all that she could afford to give, but it counted even so.
Life is a preparation for death and and after-life , I was left in no doubt. I could now readily recognise people around me and in the news who were wasting their lives on wholly selfish endeavours or worse, that generated nothing of value for eternity. I learned that it is not money or the acquisition of it that is wrong but what one does with it. The rich are in danger, as with wealth comes the responsibility to do something with it that is beneficial to others. I understood in an instant that the only treasures we take to heaven are our deeds and the character we have built for ourselves.
At the end of my dream I knew I had been allowed a glimpse into the here-after and afforded a great privilege indeed. I am only an ordinary person, so why have I been so honoured?
“Why? Because you looked, because you sought after this knowledge; because you inquired.” , came the answer. That was the reason.
Continually I felt intense joy throughout the dream; so intense it was beyond comprehension. The Light of God was ever present bathing the joy with a warm love of protection and belonging. I now understood that the spread of the Gospel by the disciples and St. Paul in particular, was undertaken because of a huge irresistible urge they had to tell others, everyone, this wonderful truth that God exists; that life beyond death exists. The similarity to biblical stories is apparent and shows that such experiences are possible even now for ordinary people.
A profound realisation has occurred to me; if God responded to my concerns with this dream visitation, then He did hear me. God does follow one’s every thought and knows one’s every need.
In fact the two people outside my family, I have told about this dream, both described having similar experiences following bereavement. It was my mother who suggested I put this story in the parish magazine. It would be interesting to hear from anyone else who has a similar tale to tell. Recently I met an acquaintance, a Muslim women of Asian descent, and told her my story. She too replied that she had had two similar dreams following bereavement.
This dream has been life-changing for me. It is a marvellous revelation; something I’ve sought for a long time. And now I am certain of the answer.
I now understand my life better. Getting ill closed off one avenue through life and resulted in following another. It seems to be saying that whatever happens to you, good or ill, learn from the experiences because all of them can lead to opportunities to do good and build your own character.
This new certainty allows one to wake each morning, fresh in the knowledge of God’s creative genius in designing the universe and one’s part in it. The more complete science becomes – the greater the wonder.
It is true: “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return”. From the film Moulin Rouge.
Paul Gregory.
Email: paulgregory34@hotmail.com
Published in St. Chad’s Church Magazine June 2006
SUNDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 2010 INTERCESSIONS
We have been given life by God. We owe our existence to him. Let us pray to him now.
Lord of creation, may your will be done.
We pray today for every living being who shares this world with us. As children of the same heavenly Father we pray that we will acknowledge each other as brothers and sisters who understand each others needs, concerns and feelings. As we go about our daily lives we meet all sorts of people. People who we think are like us, many who are different. We can be so prejudiced, Lord, in our judgements and in out responses to others. Help us to see the vitality in our young people, to value the wisdom of the elderly. Open us up to the diversity brought to our community by those from other cultures and countries. Let us celebrate both what we have in common and the things that make us unique. We are all responsible for the future.
Lord of creation, may your will be done.
We pray for greater reverence for all creation. Lord, the world you created for us has beauty and wealth beyond our imaginings. You gave us everything we could ever possibly need. And yet, we have abused your trust in us by our exploitation and our greed. We pray, that we the people who inhabit your world will have the sense to change the way we treat it. To act now to reduce further damage to the earth’s atmosphere through industrial pollution. To save what is left of the rainforests. We pray that our world leaders will have the courage to put the natural world and it’s needs before their country’s desires and greed for wealth.
Lord of creation, may your will be done.
We pray for all in our church. When we sail in stormy waters help us, Lord, to have faith. Just like the disciples, we get anxious and afraid. Like them we forget to put our trust in you. We pray that we will have the faith to know and believe that you are always with us and with our church, and that you will steer us into calm waters. When conflicting views threaten to damage our fellowship, help us to listen to each other, to reach out across our differences with love, and give us the grace to forgive.
Lord of creation, may your will be done.
We pray for all our children and for all newly born. May their world be filled with your love. We hold before you those who are soon to be baptised. We pray for their parents and godparents that they will fulfil the promises they make for themselves and for the children, and that they will walk in your ways all the days of their lives.
Lord of creation, may your will be done.
We pray for all who are ill, for those who are in pain. We pray that you will comfort them. We pray for friends in our own church community who are in long term care and unable to worship here with us. May they know that we hold them in our hearts and be comforted by our prayers.
Lord of creation, may your will be done.
We pray for those who have died in recent days. We give thanks for them and for the service they have given. May they now rest in your healing love. We pray for their families and friends who mourn their passing and who grieve for the loss of their company. May they be comforted by the memories they share.
Lord of creation, may your will be done.
We thank you, Lord, for the love and teaching you have shown us through your son, Jesus Christ. Give us courage and strength to do your work in this world which we share.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lyn Tribe.
Until one has loved an animal,
a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
Anatole France.
To keep the body in good health is a duty,
For otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom,
And keep our mind strong and clear.
Water surrounds the lotus flower,
But does not wet its petals.
Buddha.
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts,
Don’t put up with those who are reckless with yours.
Mary Schmich.
The sun shines and warms and lights
us and we have no curiosity to know
why this is so; but we ask the reason
of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and
mosquitoes and silly people.
Ralpho Waldo Emerson.