• Say a prayer for Fred Phelps

    wbcsignFor the last few years, the Westboro Baptist Church has become famous for picketting funerals and spreading a message of offensive hatred. There can be few who haven’t seen the “God Hates Fags” posters.

    When they first appeared, it seemed to be so vile that it might be a parody, but no, it turned out these people really did hate gay people (amongst others) as much as they said they did.

    A great deal of the responsibility for this lies with the founder, Fred Phelps who is apparently now dying and has been ex-communicated or disfellowshipped by his church. Once again, hatred seems to be the order of the day, even amongst those who have caused such trouble for others.

    I wouldn’t like to think that anyone died without someone praying for them. So, my challenge today is to those reading this to light a candle and say a prayer for Fred Phelps.

    I think Fred Phelps has behaved reprehensibly during his life. I also happen to believe he is a beloved child of God who is in pain and who is dying.

    You see, the things is, God loves.

    God loves Fred Phelps. That’s the point of the faith I believe. It is giddy, capricious love that gives meaning to life. Love that changes everything.

    So, I’m lighting a candle for him. I hope his pain is eased and that he is found by love.

    I pray that God blesses Fred Phelps.

    And praying for him, and blessing him is the only way to win.

4 responses to “Will no-one rid me of this turbulent plumber?”

  1.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Re: Will no-one rid me of this turbulent plumber?
    Argh!

    Latest update.

    I seem to be living in a parallel universe. I have been captured by plumbing aliens and have been taken to planet plumber. Either that or I am the living embodiment of a plumber’s online adventure game.

    The latest is that there is a crack in the hot water tank between the heating coil and the tank containing domestic hot water. Thus the tank needs to be changed. No useable hot water until this is done next week.

    This means showers instead of baths. (When will I get to think?). Boiling washing up water. No use of the washing machine. Fortunately I still have the dishwasher, which comes off the cold water supply and also the heating, so the house is not cold.

    However it appears that most of next week will be spent waiting for plumbers as well.

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Re: Will no-one rid me of this turbulent plumber?
    Easy solution.  Do what I do –  take your washing to your mother!

    Sorted!!!!!!!!!

  3.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Re: Will no-one rid me of this turbulent plumber?
    How I am supposed to be a mystic visionary with all this going on?
    *politely puts hand up*
    Um, aren’t mystic visionaries supposed to go without certain creature comforts in order to have such visions???? This will surely help, no?
    Alternatively, you could give up hot water for Lent.

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Re: Will no-one rid me of this turbulent plumber?
    Well, I don’t find it particularly difficult to imagine St Anthony making his way to the desert wadi looking for clear water, finding only muddy guck and crying: “How I am supposed to be a mystic visionary with all this going on?”

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