COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER

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May 8, 2020
77
56
18
UK
#1
Here, where I live in the UK, many local communities and streets are coming together in new ways, getting to know and supporting one another during this Coronavirus pandemic. So far over 30,000 have died and we are still in a critical phase. We are still in lockdown here (6 weeks now), only able to leave our homes (if under 70 and not in the extremely vulnerable category) for food, medical reasons, or emergency or short exercise. On Sundays the people in the row of terraced houses (about 10 of them) across the street, come out about 4 pm with their cup of whatever, to greet one another - at a distance - after the family in the middle of the have entertained us with their brass instruments (father, mother and children) and possibly other musical residents as well. I watch from my first floor window and have conversations and now know my near neighbours a lot better. I discovered that the tenants in one of the ground floor flats are christians and they kindly offered to do shopping for me last week. God seems to be joining His family in new and more meaningful and authentic ways, and delivering us from the doctrines, commandments and traditions of men that have hindered His Body for so long. Yesterday was the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day when World War II ended on 8th May 1945. I went for a walk and noticed that several streets had bunting up (right across the street in one case) and people had tables and chairs out on the gardens and pavements and were feasting and toasting at a safe distance from their neighbours. In my small corner, we are thinking about having a street party when this is all over. I am also meeting new people - new believers - online in my area; up to now it has been very difficult to fit into the rhythm of "churchianity" with an autoimmune illness and low energy, but Zoom meetings are making life so much easier for the disabled or housebound and now they are getting INCLUDED INSTEAD OF EXCLUDED. The Lord be praised for what He is doing. He is Lord of ALL!
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,650
6,841
113
#2
God can achieve good from bad.........and He loves to do just that! Glad you are having such a good experience. Stay safe.
 

tanakh

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2015
4,635
1,041
113
77
#3
Here, where I live in the UK, many local communities and streets are coming together in new ways, getting to know and supporting one another during this Coronavirus pandemic. So far over 30,000 have died and we are still in a critical phase. We are still in lockdown here (6 weeks now), only able to leave our homes (if under 70 and not in the extremely vulnerable category) for food, medical reasons, or emergency or short exercise. On Sundays the people in the row of terraced houses (about 10 of them) across the street, come out about 4 pm with their cup of whatever, to greet one another - at a distance - after the family in the middle of the have entertained us with their brass instruments (father, mother and children) and possibly other musical residents as well. I watch from my first floor window and have conversations and now know my near neighbours a lot better. I discovered that the tenants in one of the ground floor flats are christians and they kindly offered to do shopping for me last week. God seems to be joining His family in new and more meaningful and authentic ways, and delivering us from the doctrines, commandments and traditions of men that have hindered His Body for so long. Yesterday was the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day when World War II ended on 8th May 1945. I went for a walk and noticed that several streets had bunting up (right across the street in one case) and people had tables and chairs out on the gardens and pavements and were feasting and toasting at a safe distance from their neighbours. In my small corner, we are thinking about having a street party when this is all over. I am also meeting new people - new believers - online in my area; up to now it has been very difficult to fit into the rhythm of "churchianity" with an autoimmune illness and low energy, but Zoom meetings are making life so much easier for the disabled or housebound and now they are getting INCLUDED INSTEAD OF EXCLUDED. The Lord be praised for what He is doing. He is Lord of ALL!
Its nice to see another UK Chris. Welcome! I live in Lewisham SE London. No Parties in my neck of the woods but some Buntin in the windows. The atmosphere has changed regarding neighbors though. One thing I do disagree with is your mention of over seventies we are not ordered to stay in only advised to especially if we have underlying medical conditions. I am seventy two and have no intention of being imprisoned in my home for who knows how long. You may find that many over 70 year olds feel the same. I take the prescribed precautions of social distancing and wear a mask when entering shops. That is as far as I will go. Anyway I hope we will have some good exchanges on site in the near future. Best wishes
 
May 8, 2020
77
56
18
UK
#4
Its nice to see another UK Chris. Welcome! I live in Lewisham SE London. No Parties in my neck of the woods but some Buntin in the windows. The atmosphere has changed regarding neighbors though. One thing I do disagree with is your mention of over seventies we are not ordered to stay in only advised to especially if we have underlying medical conditions. I am seventy two and have no intention of being imprisoned in my home for who knows how long. You may find that many over 70 year olds feel the same. I take the prescribed precautions of social distancing and wear a mask when entering shops. That is as far as I will go. Anyway I hope we will have some good exchanges on site in the near future. Best wishes
Sorry, yes, you are right - it is only advice. I am not far off 70 myself, in my early 60s. I know some 80 year olds who are more sprightly than I am, anyway I am thankful to God that I am better recovered than I have been. Are you jewish or go to a Messianic fellowship when you go? I used to go to a prayer group for Israel and am encouraged with what God is doing in that land. I love the tanakh as much as I love the NT and trying to get to grips with Biblical Hebrew - there's a great series on Amazon Prime, free for the first 30 days, and Michael Carasik is a great teacher. Anyway today is Sunday and we are all awaiting the next step from the Prime Minister. All the best, see you around.
 

tanakh

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2015
4,635
1,041
113
77
#5
Sorry, yes, you are right - it is only advice. I am not far off 70 myself, in my early 60s. I know some 80 year olds who are more sprightly than I am, anyway I am thankful to God that I am better recovered than I have been. Are you jewish or go to a Messianic fellowship when you go? I used to go to a prayer group for Israel and am encouraged with what God is doing in that land. I love the tanakh as much as I love the NT and trying to get to grips with Biblical Hebrew - there's a great series on Amazon Prime, free for the first 30 days, and Michael Carasik is a great teacher. Anyway today is Sunday and we are all awaiting the next step from the Prime Minister. All the best, see you around.
Im not Jewish. I used the tag because I was looking for something that would be accepted when I joined up. I am interested in the
Jewish roots of our faith though and have learned a lot from my studies. I have mixed feelings about the Jewish roots movement
mainly because very few I have met who attend meetings are actually Jewish. Thanks for the Amazon info. I will take a look at it.

At the time of posting I have heard the PMs speech. Basically it wont affect me much but may make a big difference for those still able to work away from home.
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#6
it's good to read both of your posts, very sweet and up-lifting...
over here in the us, especially in the 'big' cities, they have greatly comprised their health by
being ordered to 'stay-home', meaning the sick will evidently infect the well, who are not allowed to go out -
it's like a 'petrie-dish', or like those on a cruise ship' - the sick infect the well because the well
have been told to abide with the sick' - oh my, what a dilemma!!! we must ask, how do we fix this???
the answer is quite obvious - but alas, the sheep will follow up to the highest order = out of 'fear'...
hub and I say, 'follow God's rules' and you will find His Grace and Comfort and guide lines for every situation...
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#7
thats good to hear...In the UK you often get the stereotype of people being rather bit standoffish and stuffy, or valuing their privacy more than life itself...its not all Coronation Street. Nice to know people are coming out of their shells and helping each other out.

I dont know why ppl disparage sheep, sheep are actually pretty smart animals. They dont flock together out of fear...they actually WANT to keep together. Of course there is safety in numbers but a sheep trusts their shepherd because their shepherd knows them by name. its just false shepherds one needs ro be wary of thats all.

its goats who are taught to be independent and not trust anyone.
 
May 8, 2020
77
56
18
UK
#8
Im not Jewish. I used the tag because I was looking for something that would be accepted when I joined up. I am interested in the
Jewish roots of our faith though and have learned a lot from my studies. I have mixed feelings about the Jewish roots movement
mainly because very few I have met who attend meetings are actually Jewish. Thanks for the Amazon info. I will take a look at it.

At the time of posting I have heard the PMs speech. Basically it wont affect me much but may make a big difference for those still able to work away from home.
Hello again, just to say that I got quite carried away the extremes of the Jewish Roots movement and, like a grandfather clock pendulum swung one way too far and then back again and now hopefully balanced. As Jacob Prasch, a Messianic teacher, has pointed out, there is only one jewish root (Romans 9 - 11) "the root supports the branches" and we are grafted into an historical faith culminating in the arrival of the promised Jewish Messiah, and we are now part of the commonwealth of Spiritual Israel, part of the New Covenant as believing gentiles. I find it very exciting, but I have wrestled with the "do I keep the law" question and which bit of it, and had to work through all that to Acts 15 resolution of that very issue. It made the NT come more alive to me and I now understand the problems the early church faced much better. However, I have now steered away from what I believe are heretical fringes of the RootS movement, as I believe I have discerned a different spirit/spirits behind some of it. We know that the enemy loves to sow tares amongst the wheat to further the anti-christ agenda which has been around since the early church and which will culminate, as we know, in the arrival of the Man of Sin, masquerading as a person of peace. I'll stop there. God bless, hope you had a good weekend. Stay well and safe.
 

tanakh

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2015
4,635
1,041
113
77
#9
Hello again, just to say that I got quite carried away the extremes of the Jewish Roots movement and, like a grandfather clock pendulum swung one way too far and then back again and now hopefully balanced. As Jacob Prasch, a Messianic teacher, has pointed out, there is only one jewish root (Romans 9 - 11) "the root supports the branches" and we are grafted into an historical faith culminating in the arrival of the promised Jewish Messiah, and we are now part of the commonwealth of Spiritual Israel, part of the New Covenant as believing gentiles. I find it very exciting, but I have wrestled with the "do I keep the law" question and which bit of it, and had to work through all that to Acts 15 resolution of that very issue. It made the NT come more alive to me and I now understand the problems the early church faced much better. However, I have now steered away from what I believe are heretical fringes of the RootS movement, as I believe I have discerned a different spirit/spirits behind some of it. We know that the enemy loves to sow tares amongst the wheat to further the anti-christ agenda which has been around since the early church and which will culminate, as we know, in the arrival of the Man of Sin, masquerading as a person of peace. I'll stop there. God bless, hope you had a good weekend. Stay well and safe.
We seem to be on the same wavelength. I have read Jacob Prasch and have two Kindle versions of his books. I also have seen his web site. God Bless
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,650
6,841
113
#10
Hello again, just to say that I got quite carried away the extremes of the Jewish Roots movement and, like a grandfather clock pendulum swung one way too far and then back again and now hopefully balanced. As Jacob Prasch, a Messianic teacher, has pointed out, there is only one jewish root (Romans 9 - 11) "the root supports the branches" and we are grafted into an historical faith culminating in the arrival of the promised Jewish Messiah, and we are now part of the commonwealth of Spiritual Israel, part of the New Covenant as believing gentiles. I find it very exciting, but I have wrestled with the "do I keep the law" question and which bit of it, and had to work through all that to Acts 15 resolution of that very issue. It made the NT come more alive to me and I now understand the problems the early church faced much better. However, I have now steered away from what I believe are heretical fringes of the RootS movement, as I believe I have discerned a different spirit/spirits behind some of it. We know that the enemy loves to sow tares amongst the wheat to further the anti-christ agenda which has been around since the early church and which will culminate, as we know, in the arrival of the Man of Sin, masquerading as a person of peace. I'll stop there. God bless, hope you had a good weekend. Stay well and safe.
While you are working all this out, I suggest you find the room to include the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit..........being Sanctified is essential for spiritual growth
 
May 8, 2020
77
56
18
UK
#11
While you are working all this out, I suggest you find the room to include the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit..........being Sanctified is essential for spiritual growth
Every believer already has the Holy Spirit - therefore your remark comes across as veiled criticism and insensitive - I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume this was probably unintentional, but sorry - thumbs down.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#12
?? some people feel they have to comment on everyone elses spiritual status here as if they are the only one in the room to ever encounter the Holy Spirit


when people gathered in the upper room, He touched everyone who believed. Only the unbelievers didnt receive and mocked them, saying they were drunk.

I do hope those that were unbelieving, will come round to believing. Sometimes God is not obvious to some people even when He is doing miracles right in front of their very eyes.
 
May 8, 2020
77
56
18
UK
#13
Point taken, Lanolin. No worries, a minor issue - let's drop the matter now; it was probably just intended as an observation as to a means in the process of growth and discernment. THE POINT OF THIS THREAD IS COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER. Could we possibly go back to the discussion on this, if anyone has anything to add - any interesting observations or photographs of COMMUNITIES IN YOUR PART OF THE WORLD COMING TOGETHER, AND SIGNS OF GOD AT WORK? For all our mutual encouragement, may I suggest we now all try and get back to topic and stay on that if we can? Many thanks for your contributions in advance. God bless you all.
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,754
4,119
113
63
#14
Its nice to see another UK Chris. Welcome! I live in Lewisham SE London. No Parties in my neck of the woods but some Buntin in the windows. The atmosphere has changed regarding neighbors though. One thing I do disagree with is your mention of over seventies we are not ordered to stay in only advised to especially if we have underlying medical conditions. I am seventy two and have no intention of being imprisoned in my home for who knows how long. You may find that many over 70 year olds feel the same. I take the prescribed precautions of social distancing and wear a mask when entering shops. That is as far as I will go. Anyway I hope we will have some good exchanges on site in the near future. Best wishes
Hi @tanakh ...
I am from the UK also ...
I live under the borough of Lewisham although I am ten minutes walk away from Surrey Quays :)...
...xox...
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#15
I think God has always been at work in our communities its just much of it has been hampered by those who are anti-community and put profits over people...corruption and bureaucracy basically.
I think lockdown has given people a chance to rebuild connections with their own families and households and neighbours, that were maybe lacking before.
 

tanakh

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2015
4,635
1,041
113
77
#16
Hi @tanakh ...
I am from the UK also ...
I live under the borough of Lewisham although I am ten minutes walk away from Surrey Quays :)...
...xox...
Hello Rosemaryx I live in Lewisham too! My wife and I hang out in Honor Oak Park on the Overground line It would be great if we could meet up some time when all this Pandemic allows. Meanwhile if you want to contact me I will use the private message gismo to send you my Email address and phone number.
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,754
4,119
113
63
#17
Hello Rosemaryx I live in Lewisham too! My wife and I hang out in Honor Oak Park on the Overground line It would be great if we could meet up some time when all this Pandemic allows. Meanwhile if you want to contact me I will use the private message gismo to send you my Email address and phone number.
Good morning @tanakh ...
That will be wonderful , I will look forward to that God willing...
...xox...
 

tanakh

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2015
4,635
1,041
113
77
#18
Good morning @tanakh ...
That will be wonderful , I will look forward to that God willing...
...xox...
I sent my details via CC this morning. Im not very savvy about that side of things. So can you confirm that you got them.

Thanks
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,754
4,119
113
63
#19
I sent my details via CC this morning. Im not very savvy about that side of things. So can you confirm that you got them.

Thanks
Yes @tanakh , I have put your details in my phone...
I will wait for you for when the right time to meet up with you and your wife :)...
...xox...