Author: Carol Purves

The Holy Name

Carol Purves Carol's Blog ,

At critical times in our lives it seems that secular words fail us; we need a touch of the divine. In times of national disasters, the country holds services and times of prayer, no doubt attended by many who never darken the doors of a church. But nevertheless it meets a need.

‘Lord, if You act, I promise …..’ No doubt this is a promise which will never be kept but it shows that earthly promises are not sufficient. When one of the Chinese women of Gladys Alyward’s acquaintance was being attacked and abused by Japanese soldiers, she cried out repeatedly, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,’ Her attacker fled at at the sound of that name.

Sadly, that same name is often used as a swear word. ‘How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear.’

Music and Faith

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

Following on with the thoughts of the influences of Christianity in our lives today, I turn to music. The tradition of Christian music still has impact on our lives today.

‘Amazing Grace’ is the most recorded song ever (yes, it beats I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas!) I didn’t know but it has featured in the films Star Trek, The Wrath of Khan and the TV Simpsons series. The hymn has been quoted by President Barak Obama and other people of note.

Another well-known and much-sung hymn is ‘Abide with Me.’ Even I have been known to stand at football matches with tears running down my face.(Maybe the tears were for the state of my team rather than my faith!). But I also have used it in time of need and meant every word.

When thinking of Christian music, we mustn’t forget Handel’s ‘Messiah’ which is an example of music and Biblical words merged together. To hear it played and sung at the Royal Albert Hall in London stirs the soul.

Quote, Unquote

Carol Purves Carol's Blog ,

It has been researched that there are 257 phrases used today in the English language which have been taken from the King James Version of the Bible. ‘At our wit’s end,’ ‘escape by the skin of your teeth,’ ‘eat, drink and be merry,’ ‘all things to all men,’ .I could go on , 253 still to go. At a recent church quiz each team was given 20 phrases and had to choose whether they came from Shakespeare or the Bible. Oh dear, I’ll only say that our team didn’t come top!

The first written words in the English language were created by the religious orders when the country converted to Christianity in the 6th century. The Bible is still the top of the best-selling list, though sadly some surveys choose not to include it in their lists.

God’s Plan for Humanity

Carol Purves Carol's Blog , , ,

One book, over 1,200 years in the making, many authors, poetry and prose, the best book that this world affords – the Bible, the God-breathed and inspired word of God. Nevertheless we don’t worship the book, we worship the author – God.

Containing 66 books, we read of God’s love, the history of the Israelites as well as the life of Jesus, wisdom literature, prophecies, apocalyptic writings along with psalms, lamentations, poetry of the deep longings of the heart. We learn of the life of Jesus and His disciples and the doings of the early church

It’s amazing how up to date the Bible and Christianity is. Our system of numbering the years is fixed by the date of the birth of Jesus – BC, AD. Many of our modern festivals are rooted in the Christianity. Valentine’s Day is a saint’s day, Pancake Day was a time of using up luxury food before Lent, Halloween had it’s roots in All Hallows Eve and Christmas Eve was All Saint’s Day or Hallowmas.

Greatest Story Ever Told

Carol Purves Carol's Blog ,

What a story! One book which tells us about before the beginning of time, through to the present and on to eternity. It can only be the Bible. The story tells us of a time when the ‘earth was formless and empty’ and the time when God prepared ‘good works for us to do.’ This book explains to us about banishment, servitude, wandering and rebellion.

The Bible also tells us of the coming of Jesus to die for our sins and the chance of our redemption and restoration. At the end we can read of the city of gold to which we are welcome.

We are grateful to those who gave the Book to us in our own language and to those many languages round the world. In my country we get the book for a few pounds. Now that’s what I call getting your money’s worth.

The Final Hospitality

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

‘In my Father’s house are many mansions.’ (today we say rooms) God will be the ultimate and supreme host and will welcome us home. There won’t be any leaving times or curfews; it will be for ever and ever. I can’t get my head round this. The party will go on and on.

Like everyone else I don’t know exactly what heaven will be like. I don’t know if there will be a feasting or dancing or resting or partying. What I do know is that because I acknowledge that Jesus died for my sins, I will be welcome, very welcome. Our tiny hospitalities in this life will fade into insignificance in this great and wonderful welcome.

The Widow at Zarephath

Carol Purves Carol's Blog ,

There was a great famine in the land and Elijah was in need of food. God directed him to go to Zarephath in the region of Sidon. The widow was down to her last handful of flour and a little olive oil. Nevertheless she was willing to share with this man of God. Her generosity was repaid as the flour and oil didn’t run out during the whole time of the famine and later Elijah restored her son back to life.

Our reward for generosity is not always so evident; sometimes the reward will not be until heaven. But do we give unstintingly and begrudgingly? Do we give the best cake or most expensive glass of wine? Jesus told us that giving in His name even a glass of water was special. When I nearly fainted the other day, I was given a glass of water by a concerned hairdresser. As far as I know she wasn’t a Christian, but my glasses of water are given in the name of Jesus.

Zaccheus

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

Zaccheus was an unprepared host. When he thought he was just climbing a tree to see Jesus, he ended the day throwing a party for Jesus and his friends. That hadn’t been his plans for the day at all.

We too will get unexpected guests. Will it matter that we haven’t tidied the house or our hair isn’t combed. Fortunately I have the reputation that if anyone appears on my doorstep they are invited for a cup of tea. Often they have to rush away but sometimes my visitor has had a need to talk and unburden themselves. It is so much easier over a tea or coffee.

I don’t want to be like an acquaintance of mine, when I heard she was ill I knocked on her door. ‘Don’t bother me, I’m watching the soaps on television.’, she retorted. I didn’t even risk visiting her again.

Martha and Mary

Carol Purves Carol's Blog ,

Two sisters who practised hospitality were surely Martha and Mary. When they entertained Jesus no doubt many of His friends came along as well, so it was no small matter. Theirs was a home where Jesus could relax and rest. So much was demanded of Jesus during His life that it must have been great to have been able to rest or switch off as he needed..

I pray that our own homes are places where we can provide what people really and not what we think they need. It is not our agenda but that of our visitors. It is their needs not ours that matter.

Disturb the Comfortable, Comfort the Disturbed

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

This a rather neat description of the Bible. Consider the times when Jesus challenged the Pharisees. They considered themselves comfortable by obeying the Jewish rules and regulations. His words disturbed them in their complacent lives; they were quite comfortable as they were.

Today many people are upset by what they read in the Bible and prefer to leave it alone. They don’t want to obey the exhortations they read within the pages.

Then the Bible is also the book for the disturbed. In the times of the Bible, people had great needs; they were sick, hungry and afraid. Comfort was found in reading these encouraging words.

Today, after covid more and more people are stressed and suffering anxiety. They need to hear the comforting words of Jesus; they need the reassurance of the psalms. ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.’ These are the words they are gladdened to read. The Bible is so full of words of comfort. The encouragement of the Lord is there for them.