Povey Prattle

I have reformatted Clay Thomas’s sermon (my blog yesterday), to make it easier to read. ** HUMA. I was at a Target Store this morning, and as I wandered a food aisle, a Dad and Son passed me. The boy was maybe four, five, six years old. He was wanting his Dad to purchase some snack food. “No” said Daddy, “you had thus and such for your breakfast” “But I am still hungry” said the child. “Too bad” was Dad’s reply. Then as they passed me in the aisle the lad said “Daddy, please don’t say ‘too bad’ to your old son”. I laughed out loud, as did the Dad. ** I had lunch with Lisa and Lisa, (a couple each with the same first name). They shown up at the gay and lesbian bowling group about a year ago, and I have tried to stay in touch. Both have busy lives and it’s been hard to get together. But our patience was worthwhile, and we had a fine old visit over a simple lunch. ** Last week I, for the first time in my life, sent a small amount of money to the campaign chest of a candidate for na...

The story of Pentecost narrates the birth of a new community. A community where the Spirit is abundant and falls “on each of them.” A community where each is heard in their native language. An important distinction from everyone speaking the language of the dominant empire (Greek or English). At Pentecost, diversity was preserved. But our Corinthians reading tells of another kind of story. A new community has emerged in Corinth, and the community has been blessed by the Spirit with many gifts, but problems have arisen. In the chapter just previous, ch.11, Paul chastises the Corinthians for violating the Lord’s Supper and especially for being exclusive. In the chapter following today’s reading, ch.13, Paul rails against those who would create false hierarchies based on spiritual gifts. You might recall the bit about speaking in tongues being nothing but a noisy gong without love. So in today’s reading Paul is right in the middle of sorting out a variety of church conflicts (tongues...

My Grammar (High) School held a reunion for my class, some 12 years ago. I happened to be in England on holiday, so I was able to attend. I discovered that many in my year group had something in common. We each hated Fairfield whilst we were there, but looked back at the school with fondness! We especially remembered the teachers. I’ll tell you about some of them in the next few days. Our teacher of Latin was Miss. Worthington. Even then we thought that she was a bit prissy, and having discovered that her first name was Dorothy, we always (behind her back) referred to her as Dot. We thought that we were smart, as only pubescent boys can be. We had discovered that the barrel of a ball point pen, sans the ink cartridge, made an excellent “rice shooter”, our home made version of a pea shooter. So of course we “shot” bits of uncooked rice at each other between lessons. “Dot” called us to task on this. She wondered out loud “why our classroom floor was covered with bit of rice” (Of...

Boring Blog Tonight! The wonderful Hispanic guys have finished with their work on my mansard, (if it is a mansard.) I am very happy with the results. See pics on right, (captions are above the picture) and check the following for a wikepedia article on mansards. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansard The cats, Adelaide and Ada continue to bring delight. (again see pictures- captioned above). Ada is the more affectionate, but also very shy. Once I cajole her, she loves to be caressed. She eats well. Adelaide follows me everywhere. I call her “Miss Nosey Cat”. She demands to be hand fed with her dried food, and disdains canned food. They are still quite wary of each other. Ada is the more aggressive and will “bat” Adelaide if she gets too near.

NOT MUCH Why do we say that “I printed it up” (e.g. from my computer) when “I printed it” would be sufficient? Why do they say “It was auctioned off”, when “It was auctioned” would make perfect sense? Why do British people say “She is in hospital”, whilst Americans say “She is in the hospital”? Why did I used to say “I got off of the ‘bus”, when I could have said “I got off the ‘bus”? =================================================== VOLUNTEERS The following was posted by a guest at Resurrection House. “ WE the willing, led by the unknowing, Are doing the impossible, for the sometimes ungrateful. We have done so much, for so many, For so long, with so little. We are now qualified to do anything with nothing. (And still have something left over!) ” =============================== Shalom jmp

I live in Glen Oaks Ridge Condominium community. Our single storey units have flat roofs and mansards. The latter have worn out after 35 years (a long time since they are made from Styrofoam - yes Styrofoam). They are being replaced with a superior metallic material which, although it comes in strips, looks like tile. It’s been a long process. My “old” mansard was removed in February. But the “tiling” has not yet been completed. The workers tell me that they will apply the finishing touches on Wednesday, (14th May ‘08). They are hard workers. Their work day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. Every day they come up to SRQ from Naples - at least 100 miles south of here, and return there at night. I have a soft spot for them. Most are immigrants from Mexico and from Central America. Few speak English. I say it again - they are hard workers - toiling in the heat of the day. We exchange our “holas” and grins. The “first team” was at my house three weeks ago. In a day ...

Jean Fulton is one of the finest volunteers at Res. House. The place would be hard pressed without her. She was good enough to come out to All Angels by the Sea on Longboat Key when I preached there in March. So I was happy to accept her invitation to attend her Church “First Presbyterian” today. The service began at 8:25 a.m. (what an odd time!). I sat with Jean and her husband in a very relaxed and friendly congregation. The music was great, with a brass quintet delighting our ears, especially as they rendered “Just a Closer walk with Thee” (New Orleans style) at the end of the service. And the Associate Pastor (ordained but six months ago) preached a sturdy and edifying sermon. Of course I missed Communion, and also a sense of participation by the congregation. It was a bit “front directed”. After Church I sped over to Whole Foods Market to purchase the superb coleslaw which they prepare and sell. I was lucky enough to find my favourite cashier at the check out. She is Ma...