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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2020 9:40:35 GMT
If I have flu like symptoms and I wonder if it might be Coronavirus I'm advised not to go the the Doctor's for a check up (that should be just the relief that the UK's failing heath service needs).
So I'm advised to phone 111 and, since they can't be sure from a telephone conversation, they will advise me to self isolate. But how do I do that in respect of my wife who lives with me?
Do we have to split up and one of us go looking to find a hole in the ground in which to self isolate?
And all because I am debarred from going anywhere to have a check up for what could well be nothing more than Flu.
In no time at all we are going to become a nation of self isolationists with insufficient places in which to self isolate.
With all employees being in isolation, shops will close, buses and trains will cease to run, cities will be deserted, there will be no one to man emergency services, there will be gas and water leaks which will not be repaired, and those lucky enough to be in isolation where there is a tap will be able to wash their hands incessantly (until the water supply packs in) and what about sanitation for those unfortunate enough to run out of toilet paper, and what about sustenance for those who have nothing to eat?
Funeral Directors would be having a field day if it were not for the fact that they were all in isolation.
Would carbon emission drop radically? or would the rotting carcasses of dead isolationists emit carbon?
Would I have to rely on solar power to charge the batteries on my various devices?
Would the last person to leave please turn off the lights that are no longer working.
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Post by james on Mar 3, 2020 10:57:15 GMT
I enjoyed that Mike. Poor old Gretta if we are all in isolation, no more carbon no more cause for her to fight.
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Post by Dave on Mar 3, 2020 17:15:16 GMT
That will preach Mike, a bit like a big C revelation given on the isle of England. A lot of questions, a miniscule amount of answers, maybe you could call a 'fast' or 'slow' which ever suits the situation.
I was chatting to my mate in Edmonton last night and he has a couple of trips planned, one, an Alaskan boat trip, a last Hurrah with an aging family bro's and sisters thing, plus a Mission trip to Africa in June, I gave him my great pearls, that as the aging family are in their 80's, a last hurrah of the virus on a boat probably is no on their menu, on the trip two, I asked him if he had the Word of the Lord or was he going because another bro asked him? Jesus said to his disciples, "lets cross over to-------" the story of the storm, His Word will not fail, but a bro's, as a good idea?? He was doing his three P's thing, at the Cowboy church last Sun as the resident guy was away. I do wonder if a mask will be mandatory at churches; maybe a greeting, no handshake and a free mask to boot, I have enough trouble hearing the preacher now!!!!! It's a bit of a laugh, all the 'big' time prophets never blew the big 'Cs' 'coming' but they are on the bandwagon as an after the event thing.
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Post by ivor on Mar 13, 2020 0:36:58 GMT
After dailing 111 ask the person on the other end "do you have any recognised medical qualification whatsoever" they will reply No!.. They will have done a two day telephone answering course though... So that's OK when dealing with a world wide pandemic
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Post by Dave on Mar 13, 2020 4:00:09 GMT
Ivor, pray they can speak understandable English, some of ours we need the gift of interpretation. .
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Post by ivor on Mar 13, 2020 7:24:07 GMT
My bank uses people in Bopal in India and their accent is so difficult. Yvonne and myself are on loudspeaker trying to repeat each word to put a sentence together.. We often give up
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2020 10:23:41 GMT
My bank uses people in Bopal in India and their accent is so difficult. Yvonne and myself are on loudspeaker trying to repeat each word to put a sentence together.. We often give up Just one of the reasons I've disabled internet banking....they now have to write to me in English or speak to me face to face in the branch.
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Post by ivor on Mar 13, 2020 19:48:39 GMT
Seems like Boris watched Yes Minister
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Post by Dave on Mar 13, 2020 20:25:08 GMT
Ivor one of our favourite shows, these two again showing civil service diplomacy but the logic is quite good .
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Post by Poppy on Apr 3, 2020 10:01:24 GMT
*** A prophecy by David Wilkerson in 1986 ***
"I see a plague coming on the world, and the bars, churches and government will shut down. The plague will hit New York City and shake it like it has never been shaken. The plague is going to force prayerless believers into radical prayer and into their Bibles, and repentance will be the cry from the man of God in the pulpit. And out of it will come a third Great Awakening that will sweep America and the world."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2020 13:48:58 GMT
*** A prophecy by David Wilkerson in 1986 *** "I see a plague coming on the world, and the bars, churches and government will shut down. The plague will hit New York City and shake it like it has never been shaken. The plague is going to force prayerless believers into radical prayer and into their Bibles, and repentance will be the cry from the man of God in the pulpit. And out of it will come a third Great Awakening that will sweep America and the world." According to schoolhistory.co.uk/notes/the-first-second-great-awakening/ America's first wakening occured somewhere around mid 18th century, and was superceded by the second approx 50 years later; only for that to lose momentum by mid 19th century. However, what concerns me in particular is the dreadful state of American denominational divergence at the present time. Baring in mind that the second awaking didn't expunge the denomination theology of the first, but merely extended it by adding a further layer, would a third awakening caused by the Covid-19 pandemic straighten out the current mess.....only time will tell.
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Post by ritab on Apr 3, 2020 14:27:19 GMT
I am somewhat saddened that you can’t see beyond the denominational issue Mike - this isn’t about God separating the denominations, it’s about bringing people into the kingdom and bringing those far off back to him- whether you are a Christian in a baptist church, or a Methodist ect ect is another issue - it’s about revival, how that would pan out within those denominations is another story. What may well happen is that all the theological arguments that separate the denominations and Christians may actually seem irrelevant in the scheme of things as we all deal with life and death- it’s a bit of a leveller - what you may well see is that denominations may actually come together to pray in unison for a common goal - so even though people may still ‘ meet ‘ in certain churches, the barriers between them may well come down. I am somewhat skeptical that you will ever see the denominations go completely, unless of course Christians have to go underground because their freedom to meet together is taken away and it will be about survival and pulling together as Gods people. I guess we will need to ‘ watch this space ‘ and see how this all pans out ...... Rita
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2020 14:47:25 GMT
I am somewhat saddened that you can’t see beyond the denominational issue Mike - this isn’t about God separating the denominations, it’s about bringing people into the kingdom and bringing those far off back to him- whether you are a Christian in a baptist church, or a Methodist ect ect is another issue - it’s about revival, how that would pan out within those denominations is another story. What may well happen is that all the theological arguments that separate the denominations and Christians may actually seem irrelevant in the scheme of things as we all deal with life and death- it’s a bit of a leveller - what you may well see is that denominations may actually come together to pray in unison for a common goal - so even though people may still ‘ meet ‘ in certain churches, the barriers between them may well come down. I am somewhat skeptical that you will ever see the denominations go completely, unless of course Christians have to go underground because their freedom to meet together is taken away and it will be about survival and pulling together as Gods people. I guess we will need to ‘ watch this space ‘ and see how this all pans out ...... Rita I agree with everything you say. Nothing wrong with comments criticising a situation so long as you don't criticise a person for making them. God Bless....Mike
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Post by ritab on Apr 3, 2020 16:43:51 GMT
I agree with everything you say. Nothing wrong with comments criticising a situation so long as you don't criticise a person for making them. God Bless....Mike Sorry Mike, it was more an observation , but it came across as a critism in the way I worded it , my bad. I guess over the years you have often brought the denomination issue up, so I read your post in the light of that observation - as if the denominational issue would be a barrier to their being a revival. Rita
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2020 18:33:34 GMT
Dear Rita, the fact that you took my 'nudge' in true Christian spirit just underlines the fact that you didn't really mean to be personally critical. I know that, and so does God, to whom our hearts are open books. All I was trying to say was that it was not beyond the realms of possibility that what happened when the second 'awakening' took place could well be extenuated if ever a third awakening might occur. But, if it is prompted in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic then a positive side of the coin could well be a converse unifying of division. God Bless....Mike.
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Post by ivor on Apr 3, 2020 18:41:10 GMT
I posted this reply on another forum because all denominations take supervision away from the Holy Spirit and they then decide what truth is and how its applied to the brethren
replying to another I see where you are going with this, but Pentecostalism is not the denomination God uses - its the hearts of men wherever they are.. You appear to have the chicken and the egg the wrong way round. Men without God get God passionately and the Holy Spirit then gathers them together into any suitable building whether consecrated or not
.. the Welsh revivals had Methodists and Church of England churches used.... as teams of people not knowing Jesus all found him and began to live in the spirit there was only "church or chapel" and the brethren didn't care as long as inspired truth was preached in the building and God was in charge not the pastor or the denomination.
The Pentecostal revival was exactly the same God used individuals passion for him to inspire others - the tent gatherings of the people was where the Holy Spirit was and with those as they came into the churches on fire. The supervision they came under eventually quenched their spirits ability to pass on their passion
I enjoyed reading a book recently about John Oxtoby..
Filey East Yorkshire Coast UK
A call for revival presupposes the decline and weakness of the Church. The rise of the Primitive Methodists in the 19th century was the result of the decline of England's early Methodism. The Primitive Methodist movement, strived to return to the Christianity as taught and practiced by John Wesley. Only sixteen years after John Wesley's death, the English Methodist Conference found itself in conflict with some of its most zealous ministers. These ministers were eventually expelled from the Conference for holding camp meetings and open-air services. Many in the Conference considered such meetings out of order and void of proper supervision.
What had been esteemed by Wesley (open air services that the Holy Spirit lead) had become despised by his successors.
Like the Wesley's, the Primitive Methodists followed the pillar of fire, rather than the logical traditions of men which make void the commandments of God. This pillar of revival fire is always best seen from the heights of bent and calloused knees.
Chief among the Primitive Methodists' praying men was John Oxtoby, affectionately known as "Praying Johnny". Praying Johnny was not known for his culture or great intellect, he possessed neither. What he possessed was the faith that moves mountains. He was of average height, sharp features, light brown hair and brown eyes. His speech and words were not considered eloquent to the ears of men, yet they were always sweet to the Father's ear. "Six hours each day he usually spent on his knees, pleading with God, in behalf of himself, the Church and sinners." The Primitive Methodists loved to preach, pray, sing and shout. John Oxtoby was certainly no exception to this rule. "When travailing in anguish for a revival in the neighborhood in which he was laboring and when deeply anxious to see the glory of the Lord revealed, he spent many hours in secluded retirement; and has sometimes in this manner devoted whole days and nights to God."
Praying Johnny not only exercised the power of prayer in the closet, but also in the public assembly. Often in answer to his public prayers whole assemblies were slain by the power of the Holy Spirit. Strong men struck with conviction fell to their knees and cried for mercy. Through the testimony of John Oxtoby's prayer life, Jesus Christ was seen not only as a God who hears, but also as a God who speaks. On behalf of despairing saints, Praying Johnny touched the heart of Jesus and brought back precise words of direction and encouragement.
The legendary story of Oxtoby's intercession for Filey illustrates his persistence in prayer. The town of Filey had resisted the efforts of many preachers and each one had been driven out until all efforts were abandoned. "Oxtoby himself undertook the mission, and when he came within sight of Filey, he fell on his knees in agony of soul. Under a hedge he wrestled in prayer and wept and interceded for the success of his mission. A passing miller heard his voice and stopped in astonishment. The miller heard Johnny Oxtoby say, 'Will thou make a fool of me, God? I told them at Bridlington that thou was going to revive thy work, and thou must, or I shall never be able to show my face among them again, and then what will the people say about praying and believing?' He continued to plead for several hours. The struggle was long and heavy but he would not give in. At last he rose exclaiming, 'It is done, Lord, it is done! Filey is taken!' And it was. Fresh from the presence of God, Oxtoby entered Filey and began singing in the streets. 'Turn to the Lord and seek salvation' was his theme and soon a crowd of rough fishermen flocked to listen." The fire of God fell as he began to preach. Men trembled, hardened sinners wept and while he prayed many fell on their knees crying for mercy.
There was no Church in the debauched fishing village of Filey but a man with passion for God arrived from Bridlington - then afterwards the buildings came and denominations came and man ruled man again and the Holy Spirit stepped back letting them have what they desired.
Supervising the Holy Spirit is never going to work in any denomination is it?
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Post by james on Apr 4, 2020 4:33:59 GMT
A call for revival presupposes the decline and weakness of the Church
This then in itself would seem to presuppose that there is therefore a decline and weakness in the church membership, who make up the Church. If that is the case then I am in need of revival even if I do happen to think that I am 'doing ok' and yes 'I can see how all those others need to get their act together'. I have always held the point of view that it is impossible to question the acts and motives of the church without at the same instance holding my own, as a church member, acts and motives in question. This then prompts me to consider how I might order my life to rectify any short falls and this then causes me to further question as to just how am I going to remedy the situation without becoming religious and eventually falling into the trap of trying to bring about self revival by pulling myself up by my own boot laces. Even the simply "stir up the gift that is in you" does require the intervention of the Holy Spirit if one is going to achieve a greater experience of revival life. Patience as one waits on the Lords timing to bring about church revival may in fact be the greater course of action, hope fixed in what God has done and therefore sure that God will in time reveal to all his bride as she truly is.
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Post by ritab on Apr 4, 2020 7:33:03 GMT
I posted this reply on another forum because all denominations take supervision away from the Holy Spirit and they then decide what truth is and how its applied to the brethren replying to another I see where you are going with this, but Pentecostalism is not the denomination God uses - its the hearts of men wherever they are.. You appear to have the chicken and the egg the wrong way round. Men without God get God passionately and the Holy Spirit then gathers them together into any suitable building whether consecrated or not .. the Welsh revivals had Methodists and Church of England churches used.... as teams of people not knowing Jesus all found him and began to live in the spirit there was only "church or chapel" and the brethren didn't care as long as inspired truth was preached in the building and God was in charge not the pastor or the denomination. The Pentecostal revival was exactly the same God used individuals passion for him to inspire others - the tent gatherings of the people was where the Holy Spirit was and with those as they came into the churches on fire. The supervision they came under eventually quenched their spirits ability to pass on their passion I enjoyed reading a book recently about John Oxtoby.. Filey East Yorkshire Coast UK A call for revival presupposes the decline and weakness of the Church. The rise of the Primitive Methodists in the 19th century was the result of the decline of England's early Methodism. The Primitive Methodist movement, strived to return to the Christianity as taught and practiced by John Wesley. Only sixteen years after John Wesley's death, the English Methodist Conference found itself in conflict with some of its most zealous ministers. These ministers were eventually expelled from the Conference for holding camp meetings and open-air services. Many in the Conference considered such meetings out of order and void of proper supervision.What had been esteemed by Wesley (open air services that the Holy Spirit lead) had become despised by his successors. Like the Wesley's, the Primitive Methodists followed the pillar of fire, rather than the logical traditions of men which make void the commandments of God. This pillar of revival fire is always best seen from the heights of bent and calloused knees. Chief among the Primitive Methodists' praying men was John Oxtoby, affectionately known as "Praying Johnny". Praying Johnny was not known for his culture or great intellect, he possessed neither. What he possessed was the faith that moves mountains. He was of average height, sharp features, light brown hair and brown eyes. His speech and words were not considered eloquent to the ears of men, yet they were always sweet to the Father's ear. "Six hours each day he usually spent on his knees, pleading with God, in behalf of himself, the Church and sinners." The Primitive Methodists loved to preach, pray, sing and shout. John Oxtoby was certainly no exception to this rule. "When travailing in anguish for a revival in the neighborhood in which he was laboring and when deeply anxious to see the glory of the Lord revealed, he spent many hours in secluded retirement; and has sometimes in this manner devoted whole days and nights to God." Praying Johnny not only exercised the power of prayer in the closet, but also in the public assembly. Often in answer to his public prayers whole assemblies were slain by the power of the Holy Spirit. Strong men struck with conviction fell to their knees and cried for mercy. Through the testimony of John Oxtoby's prayer life, Jesus Christ was seen not only as a God who hears, but also as a God who speaks. On behalf of despairing saints, Praying Johnny touched the heart of Jesus and brought back precise words of direction and encouragement. The legendary story of Oxtoby's intercession for Filey illustrates his persistence in prayer. The town of Filey had resisted the efforts of many preachers and each one had been driven out until all efforts were abandoned. "Oxtoby himself undertook the mission, and when he came within sight of Filey, he fell on his knees in agony of soul. Under a hedge he wrestled in prayer and wept and interceded for the success of his mission. A passing miller heard his voice and stopped in astonishment. The miller heard Johnny Oxtoby say, 'Will thou make a fool of me, God? I told them at Bridlington that thou was going to revive thy work, and thou must, or I shall never be able to show my face among them again, and then what will the people say about praying and believing?' He continued to plead for several hours. The struggle was long and heavy but he would not give in. At last he rose exclaiming, 'It is done, Lord, it is done! Filey is taken!' And it was. Fresh from the presence of God, Oxtoby entered Filey and began singing in the streets. 'Turn to the Lord and seek salvation' was his theme and soon a crowd of rough fishermen flocked to listen." The fire of God fell as he began to preach. Men trembled, hardened sinners wept and while he prayed many fell on their knees crying for mercy. There was no Church in the debauched fishing village of Filey but a man with passion for God arrived from Bridlington - then afterwards the buildings came and denominations came and man ruled man again and the Holy Spirit stepped back letting them have what they desired. Supervising the Holy Spirit is never going to work in any denomination is it? Thanks for sharing that Ivor - it’s not something I had considered, and yet I have seen the ‘ supervision ‘ put out the fire in my last church - so Mike, your earlier post makes a valid point on one level. Despite the quenching, God still used the revival, and still continued to work in the lives of men and women. What I would add is that those within my last church who moved in the power of the Holy Spirit were not quenched themselves, they simply left and moved to a church that was more open, where they could still function. I moved churches years ago because the supervision limited me growing - then I left the last church for the same reason. So even though denominations do quench the Spirit, some don’t. It’s difficult to tell what the lockdowns will do while people are away from their denominations - it may wake many up !! Also, if David’s prophecy was given by the Holy Spirit to him, then it will happen won’t it, that is surely the test of prophecy, guess we will not truly know until testimonies are conveyed ...... Rita
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Post by ritab on Apr 4, 2020 7:34:43 GMT
A call for revival presupposes the decline and weakness of the Church This then in itself would seem to presuppose that there is therefore a decline and weakness in the church membership, who make up the Church. If that is the case then I am in need of revival even if I do happen to think that I am 'doing ok' and yes 'I can see how all those others need to get their act together'. I have always held the point of view that it is impossible to question the acts and motives of the church without at the same instance holding my own, as a church member, acts and motives in question. This then prompts me to consider how I might order my life to rectify any short falls and this then causes me to further question as to just how am I going to remedy the situation without becoming religious and eventually falling into the trap of trying to bring about self revival by pulling myself up by my own boot laces. Even the simply "stir up the gift that is in you" does require the intervention of the Holy Spirit if one is going to achieve a greater experience of revival life. Patience as one waits on the Lords timing to bring about church revival may in fact be the greater course of action, hope fixed in what God has done and therefore sure that God will in time reveal to all his bride as she truly is. I think it is a ‘ wake up call ‘ to many of us James - I know I have been too distracted, So God has got my attention .......and allowed me time to reflect on that while I am in isolation for 14 days xx Rita
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2020 12:54:29 GMT
This prompts me to consider how I might order my life to rectify any short falls and this then causes me to further question as to just how am I going to remedy the situation without becoming religious. I remember seeing a post, in another forum, from a member who tried to use James 1:27 to substantiate 'Religion' as being a perfectly wholesome word to use in respect of the Christian 'Faith'. But of course that was twisted thinking, since James 1:27 (KJV) refers to "pure religion"; implying that there must also be a form of 'religion' that was 'impure'. So when I have, many times, used the word 'religion' as being distinct from 'faith', it would have been the 'impure' variety that I had in mind, since I would in no way wish to negate James 1:27. Just me nitpicking as usual.
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