General Chat

John you really must be the most thick skinned, unchristian, self-contradictory, self-centred person I have ever encountered. It is people like you that show why the church is in decline and highlight the few wonderful people like Cynthia

It is very nice to see a lot of people posting today. Would it be rude of me to ask if you are a member of any church? If you are, it would be nice if you could write a little about that, about why and when you became a Christian.

Humility? Learn John, learn!

Probably enough quotes for one day John.

Cynthia you have nothing to worry about Johns' random ill thought out ramblings say far more about him than he imagines. Sometimes I find his comments amusing and contradictory and other times he is patronisng beyond belief, He seems to enjoy making a fool of himself, or perhaps it is the attention he enjoys.

Cynthia :-D :-D :-D

That hit home. I too love Proverbs

A brother (or sister) offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and their contentions are like the bars of a castle (Prov 18 v 19)

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility (Prov 18 verse 12)

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies (Prov 31 v 10) :-) :-)

Oh dear!


I have to admit that I am finding some of John's comments extremely exasperating in the extreme this week and it's causing some tension within me as to how to react.

My human self really wants to give him a jolly good 'rattling' and tell him to 'get over yourself'. My spiritual side, however, is feel rather sorry for him because I know the Christian path can be a rocky road to travel.

So that leaves me...........where?


John, if you say your heart was changed 30 years ago, then surely you have learned some self-control re your short-temper? I would have hoped that, in that time, you would have put the past behind you and moved into your new life in Christ.


As for your admitting to being a waffler, the thought of the dangers of the rashly spoken words came to mind.

I rarely quote scripture because I know a lot of folk find it off-putting but have to admit to having a fondness for Proverbs.......


Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.


Proverbs 17:14
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.


Proverbs 17:27-28
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.


Proverbs 18:2
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.


Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.



Those are very wise words indeed.

Hypocrisy hypocrisy hypocrisy.
I was labelled a hypocrit by our self-styled pope and yet I think he needs to look to himself!
Enough of that though - I hope Cynthia brings the thread back around with her genuine and lovely posts

I am not upset, even though you have ignored my question. John, I think that sometimes you make a comment, such as the one about 'speaking correctly' without thinking about what you really mean, and then cannot give an answer when asked. I am still curious but will not press, as this is essentially a thread for talking about religion :-)

John you often post about services you have "lead". But there are times when I feel that maybe the minister allows you to sit at the back with your laptop.

Errol and lilybids. Last thing I want to do is upset anybody on this thread.

I have never written about any church service I have been involved in without being involved in it (very often leading it). Surely you are not suggesting I am making it up. I attend chapel an average of twice every Sunday and attend a couple of midweeks every week. Over 30 years of that very willing commitment to my Lord.

And I love to hear of what has happened in other places of worship and hopefully my own experiences are of some interest too. The reason I do it is because the church that Cynthia attends is C of E and about 200 congregation. My chapels are all smaller than that and there is a spread of congregations. And three different denominations (URC, Methodist and Welsh Annibynwyr (Independents)). It would be nice, I think, if anyone from a Catholic tradition or Scottish Presbyterian tradition also contributed what had happened in their worship.

Tomorrow I am in a little village near Merthyr Tydfil that knows more about coal tragedies than almost anywhere. And we will pray for the family of Lady Thatcher and pray that funeral next Wednesday is respectful and meets the wishes of her family. And next week another mining village up near Heads of Valleys road. Very hard lives, but very happy faces. Love to worship with both congregations - they both give me such a lift.

John you often come across as a bit of a fraud. For example, you posted relatively recently pontificating about what happened in chapel that morning and yet we could all read posts from you that had been written at exactly the same time you were supposedly in chapel.
I sincerely hope I have got you wrong but that sort of thing does not exactly aid your crusade.
On a lighter note, I think that Cynthia is the most genuine, level headed, sensible and mild mannered prson on these boards!

I want to come across on this thread in particular as a "know very little". And in comparison to several others on this thread, that is evident. Even I can see that.

Life is a journey and I still feel that I need to go a long way yet. I hope I am a very humble and gentle Christian, and try very hard to make that obvious in my life through the week. But I can be sparky and short-tempered and waffle a lot - doesn't make me a bad person though, does it?

Lilybids please say something contentious so I can actually disagree with you lol

Sheila may I just say that your post was perfectly written without the benefit of any religious coaching.

John please read what you have written - I have never heard so much poppycock in all my life.

Exactly what words and expressions do you mean?

Just curious - from one who never learned anything about Jesus at a young age, and yet can speak, read and write perfectly well :-D

So, what are you saying lilybids? That my heart is not genuine? That I do not do my best to help God's kingdom on earth? :-S

Not quite sure how I would explain what I mean by "speak correctly", Errol. But I often find it difficult to find the right way to explain something or the right way to challenge somebody. I think when you have learned about Jesus from childhood, even if you later reject the merits of Jesus, you have a big advantage. You tend to use some of the words and expressions that Jesus used.

I have still been a rebel to God for most of my life and it was a big shock when he chose me just over 30 years ago. And I still feel very unworthy. So perhaps I agree with lilybids to a degree :-( But my heart was changed completely 30 years ago - of that I am very clear. :-) :-)

Lilybids I agree wholeheartedly with you and look forward to her posts

John you do not disappoint because I have no expectations of you.
Interested to know how the church teaches people to speak correctly.

Errol. I too agree that Cynthia writes some lovely posts that I am sure inspire people. Sorry I disappoint you :-(