Brothers in Arms - Bible Study
Brothers in Arms - Bible Study
by Tim Marshall
A Bible Study which relies heavily on discussion rather than leading. Using the song "Brothers In Arms" (by Dire Straits) as a starting point and then looking at a variety of passages (which can be obtained from the web in a variety of different translations) There are questions …
Times and Seasons - Lives laid down
Times and Seasons - Lives laid down
by Jan Berry
LIVES LAID DOWN “No one has greater love than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13) We remember the lives laid down in courage and comradeship, in futile battles at immense cost, in dreams of hope and glory. We remember the lives laid down without choi…
Times and Seasons - Wiping out the past
Times and Seasons - Wiping out the past
by Marjorie Dobson
Wiping out the past Wiping out the past is not an option. History has happened. Regrets alone will not scour the pages clean. The facts are known. Embroidered by memory, or malice, but their significance is plain. Mistakes are made and crimes committed. Errors of judgement cause …
Times and Seasons - Poppies and snowdrops
Times and Seasons - Poppies and snowdrops
by Marjorie Dobson
Poppies and snowdrops A blood red symbol of the field of war, the poppy stands and bows its head before the wind that sweeps its petals to the skies, until the field is black and colour dies. A frail, white symbol of a winter passed, the snowdrop’s bud breaks through iron ground …
Times and Seasons - One hundred years ago
Times and Seasons - One hundred years ago
by Marjorie Dobson
One hundred years ago How brave they were, they thought, one hundred years ago. Enthusiastic, full of zeal and ready for the sport, one hundred years ago, they thought. How cheerfully they went, one hundred years ago, as town and village sent their companies of pals hell-bent for…
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (9) KEEP THE PEACE
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (9) KEEP THE PEACE
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(9) KEEP THE PEACE Intercessions often benefit from focusing on one important theme which runs through the whole, rather than four or five diverse themes which try to cover everything we can think of! The theme of peace is one which concerns us all. As ever, current events and lo…
Times and Seasons - Foreign Fields
Times and Seasons - Foreign Fields
by Marjorie Dobson
Foreign Fields In mud-bespattered ranks men marched through foreign fields, once fertile as the farms at home: their hopes, once high, soon shattered by mud, gas, guns, barbed-wire and no-man’s land. The fields were wet with rain and scarlet blood and vomit; peppered with shells,…
Times and Seasons - Agony
Times and Seasons - Agony
by Marjorie Dobson
Agony Agony etched on faces. Pain screaming from tortured limbs. Blood running from open wounds, mingling with sweat, diluted by tears. Victims dying. Soldiers doing their duty. Enemies looking on with hatred blazing. Mothers weeping inconsolably. Friends standing, lost and helpl…
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (7) SEASONS OF THE SPIRIT
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (7) SEASONS OF THE SPIRIT
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(7) SEASONS OF THE SPIRIT Images from the natural world evoke a response in most of us. It can be helpful therefore to use one of nature’s patterns as the pattern of our prayer. The seasons of the year are full of resonances which make them especially useful as a vehicle for our …
Meditation of a grandparent in a war zone
Meditation of a grandparent in a war zone
by Josephine M Smith
MEDITATION OF A GRANDPARENT IN A WAR TORN LAND I should be able to relax a little at my age. My children are grown up, happily married and with children of their own. Instead I live in a constant state of fear. The bombardment is relentless. A constant blast of missiles all aroun…
Prayer: Discerning God
Prayer: Discerning God
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Discerning God Discerning God, how often our behaviour must frustrate and concern you. We behave so foolishly, thinking that you do not know when we have been selfish, greedy and uncaring in our attitudes towards others. We forget that when our petty squabbles turn into o…
Intercessions - Love will come again
Intercessions - Love will come again
by Jane Bingham
Based on the Hymn – Love will come again like wheat that springs up green (204H&P) Lord we bring to you our prayers for others We pray for those people across the world who do not know love. Who have in their lives only experienced war and hatred, neglect and hunger, sadness and …
Poem: Heavenly vision
Poem: Heavenly vision
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Heavenly vision A city of gold wrapped in a vision of light, where there is no night, nor a temple in sight, but with a river pure and crystal bright flowing between twelve trees of life planted to heal the nations’ strife. Such is one vision of heaven. Continues... ©Marjor…
Reflection on Psalm 124