Musings of a seasoned traveller on The Way

Submitted by mustardseed on Mon, 03/15/2010 - 18:48

United we must stand. -

I don’t think I have every felt more proud to be Christian and British (English born) than I did in listening to the well-measured and very interesting programme, “Sunday” on Radio 4 this morning, - which will be available on BBC i-player for those who may be interested but may have missed it. For the first time ever, I felt a desire to visit the East End and explore it all, and made a comment to the BBC that it would make a wonderful TV programme, exactly as presented this morning.

In a special programme broadcast live from the East End of London, from a church destroyed by an IRA bomb and rebuilt as a peace centre which delves into its fascinating history, Edward Stourton was joined by a live panel of guests with their own stories from the East End, as well as providing a view on where the debate on religious tolerance is going. The Church is hosting part of this weekends East festival; a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the area with Hindu story telling and Bangla music as well as a walk around the Jewish East End and examining the changing Bangladeshi identities in the area.

I was left with a feeling of hope for my beloved country, that no politician seems able to generate at this time. Everyone who took part had a point of view that was well expressed and well worth hearing. Praise the Lord, this little island has been a place where all could make their home - and let us learn from each other in this rich tapestry of life. .

At the end of it all, as I made the inevitable ‘cuppa’, I couldn’t help reflecting on a meeting I had during the week on my usual cliff top walk with my faithful little hound, with a lady I knew vaguely but with whom I had not actually previously conversed It so happened that we were both enjoying the much needed warm sunshine, and felt inclined to stop and chat. It transpired that she is a Christian, but explained that she doesn’t attend a church at this time, as she was brought up Presbyterian - now, as I understand, the United Reformed Church, and as she was not aware of that denomination where she lived, she wasn’t attending anywhere. Oh, dear oh dear - There we were, two Christian Believers - yet standing in between us like a thin wall, was a name given to a denomination and down the years we have grown hundreds of these tiny walls, when right from the days of those first Disciples, when Paul was speaking to the church at Corinth he is having to say ‘I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought…..’(1 Cor.1:10 NIV). Oh how professionalism of the church has overshadowed the real message of Jesus Christ !

As a child, I can remember my dear mother, whose patience and love for her children must have been worn very thin at times, crying in desperation at the constant bickering of my two elder brothers ‘if you two don’t stop your bickering, I will bang your silly heads together’ . Of course, she would never have done such a thing - she was a gentle lady of great passion but very small stature, but very sadly without the loving support of a husband who, like so many today, didn‘t take his responsibilities as husband and father seriously - (God rest his soul) but unlike today, she had to work so hard and struggle with no social support whatsoever. Perhaps ‘Christian’ heads need a little spiritual banging together !

God have Mercy on us, every one.

Mustard seed.

RE united we stand

Submitted by guest on Wed, 03/31/2010 - 15:05.

Hi Mustard Seed, good to see you post again!
I am currently leading a small group as we study the Jewish Roots of our faith using a book titled, Sitting At The Feet of Rabbi Jesus. Your post sort of zeroed in on our last discussion this past evening, standing together in relationship as apprentices to our Mentor Jesus the Messiah. As I write I am listening to a Hill Song CD which occasionally ministers to my soul and spirit. Thanks for your post and your being a part of the family and the reminder in Him we are family of faith.
David in the USA

re: united we stand

Submitted by guest on Thu, 04/01/2010 - 13:17.

Dear David - hi ! If you have not heard Yacob Prasche this week from the Tree of Life on the meaning of the donkey - please do so - you will see I have commented on that and on an earlier work by him on Psalm 23. Utterly God-given.
Christ is Risen ! (I have enjoyed many of Hill songs CDs - all these wonderful things are part of our blessed journey.)
Blessings and love in Our Glorious Lord.
Mustard seed

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