revmusings

Malnutrition/nutrition advisor

and

Manicurist

Someone known to me has had their bank accounts hacked into with the help of a bogus parcel delivery which, despite someone else phoning the company and checking it out on the web, turned out to be a way of getting the person's phone number at work which put them at ease when the 'bank' phoned them at work to check something out! Thankfully it was discovered the same day but still a considerable amount of money which they were saving for a very special trip have been taken, and though it will probably be refunded by the bank in the future, has left them with no money, huge amounts of stress and considerable worry that these people know where the person lives - on their own.

For the theives its just about money but for this person it has struck at their personal security, caused huge stress and worry, been very time consuming  - its has left them considering not only moving banks but also house when they really can't afford to do so.

Beware internet banking and bogus parcels....

PS They apparently intercepted a bank card - why these are not sent registered post so you have to sign for it I don't know.

if you visit any of the places of worship around here that are not Christian you never fail to leave with something that yoou have recieved free, a book, a drink or even a full meal.

But if you visit a church you are asked for money in the service and then afterwards for your cup of tea!

Maybe its time we stopped taking up the offering in the service.(and charging for drinks even if it is a 'donation'!)  After all if we have all planned our giving then putting in a plate somewhere after the service should be no problem and then we don't have to ask for it.

I can hear treasurers throughout the land crying that the money will go down - I guess it will but then maybe we all should think a bit more about our giving and not be forced to give - it should be a joy and a priviledge to give not a duty we are forced into by guilt because someone shoved a collecting plate/bag in our faces.!

Went to see this new film last night and I really enjoyed it! There is always a risk for fans of the original with  a  film like this.

The film fills in the start of the crew's life on The Enterprise and the beginning of the friendship between Kirk and Spook but also gives you glimpse of what drives the two key characters in the future.

Chris Pine’s young Kirk, has William Shatner’s smug swagger and virile vanity down to a T: he even sits like him in the captain's chair and there is moment when he walks onto the bridge which was a real flashback.  Zachary Quinto  oozes intellectual arrogance as the forerunner to Leonard Nimoy’s Spock. By the end of the film the all crew is in place and we are ready to go forward into the future we all know and love so well. Bones, Scotty, Chekov, Sulu, Uhura are all there too. There is a very special cameo which I won't spoil but you will love it. The special effects are good and the story fits well with the Star Trek past.

There was enough for younger film goers who know nothing of the TV series but as an oldie who loved the original it reminded why I did love it in the past.

This seems to have been a constant thread in my life in the last few weeks: within the local church community,  ecumencially, and within the city of sucg diverse faith perspectives.

It was good to read Obama's speech to Notre Dame, in Indiana one of the largest Catholic universities in the US amid a row over abortion rights.

I found this report here

In the last major movement of his speech, the president again echoed Niebuhr in saying that "the ultimate irony of faith is that it necessarily admits doubt." The fact that we are not God, that we do not know everything, should not destroy our faith or ethics but should humble us, "temper our passions, and cause us to be wary of self-righteousness." It should make us open to the views of others, because we might just learn something we didn't know. And it should lead us into acts of loving service, which both meet immediate human needs and move the "hearts and minds" of others into openness to our core convictions, even the gospel itself.

That attitude of humility is, I believe, the best way to meet those with whom we profoundly disagree: not only does it maintain a bond of peace but it also opens us up to personal growth in ways that we could never have imagined.

I am pretty angry today - I was even angrier yesterday and last week - how is it, in this day and age, that someone in this country can suffer from malnutrition whilst under the care of a GP and now a hospital?

I know someone who has hardly eaten since an operation they had a few months ago - the person has lost several stone which, unlike me, they can't afford to lose and what does pass their lips is of no nutrional value at all - in hospital its water, orange juice and the occasional bit of a biscuit.

Lat week I had got them to ask their GP for a prescription for fortified drinks which you can live on indefinitely ( my daughter did after a jaw operation) which they agreed to but the person was admitted to hospital before they arrived. The doctor in A&E said a nutitionist should come and see the person and get these drinks for them - 5 days on this has not happened despite a recognition that maluntition is present - all they are doing is monitoring the fact that the person is not eating!

If it hasn't happened by my next visit in two days I may have to become a troublesome priest!

If people don't tell you that you have upset them (however unintended it may have been) how are you supposed to apologise and become reconciled?

Just heard the sad news that Roger Martin has died. Our prayers are with his family and firends, the church at Stockton Tab and with the wider Baptist family who are now deprived of his presidency next year.

Rest in peace thou good and faithful servant

Thanks to Simon for the link to this site.

I love these two:

Just attended a funeral in a purely official capacity - strange when you aren't leading it nor do you know the person or people concerned bar one! Last week the grand-daughter came to church to try to find the baptismal records of her grandmother who had just died - we found them, March 1931, in the first group to be baptised in the new church's baptistry apparently. Several church members remember the family from those days! I promised to attend if I could so she could meet the very large family which I did. Sher has said she may come to church on the back of this!

Its interesting to watch other people lead funerals - I am always loking for ways to improve my own skills - I was sadly disappointed - the person leading (not a minister I believe) managed to get the person's name wrong half of the time  ( he started off Ok) till eventually the family shouted at him! Its all our nightmare I know to get it wrong once but half the time? This is why I write it all out - not the time to make such a mistake!

And why oh why, do we have have hymns at services where no-one knows them? - its really sad in a full chapel to have only three or four voices ( especially when one is my awful voice)