Povey Prattle

From today's London Guardian. "...  Brits bitch and moan about everything all the time. They are characterologically piss-takers and doom-mongers, fearing (and predicting) national embarrassment always around the corner. But if a non-Brit joins in the doom chorus, the ranks will close, and the anger will be intense" The "Guardian" has it right. Smart-ass Americans should bear this in mind. They should lay off we Brits....  we are not as dumb as many  Americans think we are. In fact, as a mature people,  we are much more capable of self criticism than the  "Johnny come lately" Americans..

I am not sure when I first met Betty. She lives in the neighbouring community of Glen Oaks Manor, so it’s more than likely that we met on one of those days when I was walking my beloved dog Penne around the Glen Oaks Manor pond. As I got to know her I also met one of her sons. His name was Stephen. He was a former Methodist Minister.  He died from cancer seven months ago. He was a sweet man. Betty was born in 1924.  She and her deceased husband were Marines during WW II. As Penne and I walk-about we often encounter Betty.  I have to announce our presence because Betty’s sight is all but gone. Betty came to my home for lunch on July 3rd this year.   On that day she met my good friends Jack and Donna Chrisman.  We had a lovely visit. Betty was at my home again this evening.  I had a “drinks party” for her, for my friend Bob Lewis, and for my neighbours Ed Green and Eddie Palmer. We had such fun. This was because my octogenarian friend Betty...

I have been preaching a bit this summer in various parishes in South West Florida.  (Three down, two to go). It’s been my pleasure to preach from the (alternative) Old Testament readings which have been about the saga of ancient Israel’s monarchy, and more especially about King David. Next Sunday I’ll be preaching about the time when David lusted after Bathsheba, had sexual intercourse with her, and then arranged for her husband to be killed in battle. It’s a story of lust, lies and treachery, and it’s in the bible!. It fascinates me that the chroniclers of ancient Israel were perfectly candid about the flaws of their leaders. Those chroniclers never gild the lily.  Their stories of lust, violence, betrayal and double-dealing are remarkably contemporary! ------------------------------------------------------------------- One of the great benefactors of my home city (Bristol, U.K.) was a man names Edward Colston (1636-1721).  H made a ton of money. He was a ...

American readers of this blog are doubtless familiar with the wretched, evil and sordid sexual abuse of boy children by an assistant football coach (Jerry Sandusky)  at Penn State University.  That man has been found guilty in a court of law. A former Director of the FBI conducted a civil inquiry, and he concluded that the University was guilty of negligence and failure to act (perhaps even a desire to cover up) when the coach’s evil behaviour became known. The Head Coach of Football at PSU for 45 years was a man called Joe Paterno. He died recently and cannot speak for himself.  From what I have read it seems to be that he was at the very least “guilty” of myopia and negligence in the matter. Into the picture comes the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), the “governing body” for college sports. The NCAA has penalised Penn State.  As a result of this the University will pay a “fine” of $60 million, and the football team will be effectively clo...

The storm came out of nowhere yesterday afternoon soon after 3:30 p.m.  What had been an overcast sky became dark within minutes. Then there was an hour long deluge, with utterly fierce winds. Parts of my lanai got flooded. Trees or parts of trees in the neighbourhood were felled. It was almost as dark as midnight. I was not afraid.  Nor was I scared.  But I was apprehensive. In a Movie house in Aurora, Colorado a storm came out of nowhere soon after midnight last Friday. Twelve people were killed.  Some fifty eight were injured.  What a ghastly horror. The storm here in Sarasota was unexpected and fierce. The storm on Aurora was fierce and deadly. Here's the truth. In the end none of us are safe. Physical security is an illusion. We live in a world in which a falling tree, or a suicide bomber, or a landslide, or a determined shooter, or a heart attack, or some other illness could triumph over our all too brief lives. ...

2 Samuel 7:1-16 7Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.” 4But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from f...