The Talk Place

Prayer is special and it has to be done the right way doesn’t it. Or does it! You can’t talk to God in any old fashion can you?

In my reading the other day, I was struck by the prayer of Hannah (1Sam. 1:9-20). The scriptures say that she did something that I believed you were not supposed to do when you prayed. She pleaded with God. I had always been taught that you couldn’t plead with God because that would indicate a lack of faith. Since Hannah’s prayer was answered it seems to me that this bit of advice is quite wrong.

I have a dear friend in America whom I met when he was working in Australia as a Missionary. Not only is he a talented musician, but also a deep thinker and a man of God. He regularly ponders on different aspects of life and asks a series of questions to his friends in an effort to come to a conclusion.

Some people are very proud of their language.

The first time I was in France, my friend and I rocked up to the train station only to discover that the trains were all on strike. This resulted in me having to make a phone call to make sure that the people who were expecting us knew what was going on.

At Yaounde  

I'm excited about my latest project for GRN. It involves re-writing some Bible stories for children in a way that is fresh and has not yet been done. As a writer of fiction, I find this project filled with promise and creativity.

What a great time was had over Easter by a group of twenty new storytellers. I joined them as we gathered at Northmead Uniting Church, attending for three day over Easter.

I wondered if this way of storytelling would be a helpful tool in the hands of our new recordist trainees.

I have a problem, theologically, with delving into my past and seeking forgiveness.

Matt. 5: 23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you; Leave your gift before the altar, and go and first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Is this the epitomy of taking communion or what. We are so often admonished not to eat the bread or drink from the Lord’s cup in an improper way. We are called upon to examine ourselves to avoid this. In many churches, children and non members are excluded from communion just in case they eat and drink judgment against themselves.

Mt 16:24* Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

A pastor gathered all the children around him to give a brief lesson before dismissing them for children's church.

He started out by saying, "I'm going to describe something, and I want you to raise your hand when you know what it is."

The children nodded eagerly.

"This thing lives in trees (pause)

and eats nuts (pause)..."

No hands went up.