Let FIFA,the governing body of the World Cup, tell the story . . .
The contemporary history of the world's favourite game spans more than 100 years. It all began in 1863 in England, when rugby football and association football branched off on their different courses and the Football Association in England was formed - becoming the sport's first governing body
So there we have it. England are not only at the World Cup - England is the origin of the sport that the World Cup is about.
Though England is not the largest or most populous of nations it has been the place where many benefits to humankind have begun apart from sports like football, rugby and cricket.
Only this week I was reading about the start of the (now worldwide) Hospice Movement - in England. Penicillin was a great discovery that certainly delays many of our admissions to hospices and the like. Viagra (no further comment).
Of less life-saving significance the textile industry spawned many inventions including the sewing machine and polyester. Then there's pencils, bone china, typewriters, radio, the world-wide web, carbon fibre, tin cans for food, light switches, stainless steel, the tuning fork, DNA sequencing, the seismograph, seat belts and toy building bricks (Lego later obtained the patent and the rest is history). Yet this list is but a tiny sample.
Of more direct interest to this blog are those Christian ministries which started in England. The Salvation Army, the Baptist Missionary Society (followed by very many others), Methodism, the Quakers, the King James Version of the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. These spiritual gifts to God's world are much disregarded today and are quite similar to football (and Lego bricks) for though beginning in England many of the blessings from God are today valued more and used to far greater effect by other peoples of the world.
Losing what you launched is a nuisance for football and toy bricks but in things spiritual it is catastrophic - so here's (part of) the dying prayer of one of the great shapers of England, Oliver Cromwell:
Though England is not the largest or most populous of nations it has been the place where many benefits to humankind have begun apart from sports like football, rugby and cricket.
Only this week I was reading about the start of the (now worldwide) Hospice Movement - in England. Penicillin was a great discovery that certainly delays many of our admissions to hospices and the like. Viagra (no further comment).
Of less life-saving significance the textile industry spawned many inventions including the sewing machine and polyester. Then there's pencils, bone china, typewriters, radio, the world-wide web, carbon fibre, tin cans for food, light switches, stainless steel, the tuning fork, DNA sequencing, the seismograph, seat belts and toy building bricks (Lego later obtained the patent and the rest is history). Yet this list is but a tiny sample.
Of more direct interest to this blog are those Christian ministries which started in England. The Salvation Army, the Baptist Missionary Society (followed by very many others), Methodism, the Quakers, the King James Version of the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. These spiritual gifts to God's world are much disregarded today and are quite similar to football (and Lego bricks) for though beginning in England many of the blessings from God are today valued more and used to far greater effect by other peoples of the world.
Losing what you launched is a nuisance for football and toy bricks but in things spiritual it is catastrophic - so here's (part of) the dying prayer of one of the great shapers of England, Oliver Cromwell:
Lord, though I am a miserable and wretched creature, I am in covenant with Thee through grace. And if I may, I will come to Thee for Thy people.
Thou hast made me, though very unworthy, a mean instrument to do them some good…and many of them have set too high a value upon me, while others wish me dead and would be glad of my death.
Lord, no matter how thou dispose of me, continue to do them good….Forgive their sins and do not forsake them, but love and bless them ...
Teach those that look too much on Thy instruments to look more upon Thyself. And pardon ....the folly of this short prayer and give me rest for Jesus Christ’s sake, to whom, with Thee and Thy Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, for now and forever, Amen
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