Holiday Pics 2: Poundland

British readers will probably feel a tinge of familiarity in this picture.  'Those are colours that look familiar', we think.  Even in our local High Street there is a store looking almost exactly like this - only with another name.

Yes, Muswell Hill - and many other British shopping streets  - has this colour scheme in the form of Poundland.  This is not a name that translates very easily into a country like Ireland that doesn't use the pound.

There are those who believe that this works for God too.  Jesus here, but something else in another context.

Not so, it turns out. 

8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11Jesus is

“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,

which has become the cornerstone.’ ^a

12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Holiday Pics: 1. In the Cell

St Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny is interesting in very many ways.

As with all ancient cathedrals in the Republic of Ireland it is Church of Ireland (Anglican, Protestant) not Roman Catholic.  This is an ecclesiastical remnant of British rule when Ireland's ancient foundations departed Catholicism with the English establishment rather than the local majority.

It also contains the remains of an Anchorite Cell.

The nun would enter the cell, thereby dying to secular life.  Dedicated to a life of prayer, the cells of Anchorites were usually by the altar so they could receive the Eucharist.  On entering the cell, the Bishop recited a rite that closely resembled the funeral liturgy: this really was dying to the world.

Protestants eschew such medieval practices.  I was, however, speaking to a Christian lady recently.  She had been baptised many moons before, but no longer attended any church (or Eucharist) on account of being far too busy.

I thought of this when I thought of the Anchorite. 

I'm too Protestant to believe it is a great thing for a young woman to be in a cell by the altar for life.  But I can't help feeling it has its strengths over against a life that has forsaken the altar entirely for a life barely Christian in its expression at all.

Top Funeral Songs 2018: 1. My Way

2018:  The Co-operative Funeral Services list of Top Ten Funeral Songs (now containing no Christian songs or hymns).  I'm looking at the merits and demerits of the top ten, and here is number 1 (no surprise to those of us who frequent crematoria) - 'My Way' (Frank Sinatra)

Why it's good for a funeral:

It celebrates individuality.

Why it's bad for a funeral:

The sentiment in the song is the direct opposite of Christian discipleship.  Without (presumably) intending to be,  it is about as deeply offensive to Christian faith as it is possible to be.

Line that's most like a Christian song:

And now, the end is near

Line that's least like a Christian song:

For what is a man, what he has got, if not himself then he has naught.

A Quote from (singer) Frank Sinatra:

'Alcohol may be a man's worst enemy but the Bible says, "Love your enemy"'.

Why I don't want this song at my funeral:

Because if I did it my way it was a waste of a whole life.

A better Christian alternative:

This is a hymn we sang (yes, I was there) at the memorial Service for Martin Lloyd-Jones in 1981.  If you can spare the time, absorb it and reflect on how opposite it is to the sentiments of Sinatra's mistakenly much-loved croon.

Here is a recording of that singing:

Top Ten Funeral Songs 2018: 2. Time to say Good-bye (orig. Con te partiro)

2018:  The Co-operative Funeral Services list of Top Ten Funeral Songs (now containing no Christian songs or hymns).  I'm looking at the merits and demerits of the top ten, and this time number 2 - 'Time to say Good-bye' (Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman) . . .

Why it's good for a funeral:

It IS 'Time to say Good-bye'.

Why it's bad for a funeral:

Its English translation from the Italian is widely regarded as gobbledygook [see example below].

Line that's most like a Christian song:

Then I know you are here with me

Line that's least like a Christian song:

Mm. A lot to choose from, including lines shouldn't be in any song.  How about
'over seas that I know now, no, they don't exist any more.'

A Quote from (singer) Sarah Brightman:

'We are all made up of stars and all of us are billions of years old.  That's what I believe, at least.'

Why I don't want this song at my funeral:

Because even if I did want a secular song I'd want one that I'd understood.

A better Christian alternative:

'When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory!'