What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • 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.

    , ,

9 responses to “Tales of the City #6”

  1. Ritualist Robert Avatar
    Ritualist Robert

    Thank you for introducing the word “stoor” to those of us in the non-Scottish world.

    Reply
  2. Hermano David | Brother Dah•veed Avatar
    Hermano David | Brother Dah•veed

    Have you been glowing again?

    Honestly, I think that it really says something great when they know, even if in a setting where they might not know!

    Reply
  3. Ruth Avatar
    Ruth

    I agree! As daughter of a C of S one, I’ve spent time in the company of more than my fair share. Some have ‘the aura’ and some, most definitely do not…..

    Reply
  4. PamB Avatar
    PamB

    Did we know that the Norwegian for vacuum cleaner is “stoorsooker”?

    Reply
  5. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    Huge compliment.

    And any time you want to come here and be calm at workmen, feel free. Then I can be free to go somewhere quiet and just lose it, as I have been longing to do for some weeks …

    Reply
  6. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    @PamB – we didn’t, but we are delighted.

    @Rosemary – thanks but no thanks. Being calm at someone else’s workmen is surely too much for anyone.

    @Ruth – the day I was ordained, the wife of a bishop told me my aura was golden. She saw them regularly.

    @Hermano David – You couldn’t see the glow for the dust.

    @Ritualist Robert – happy to be of service. It is the perfect word for what is produced when you mess with chimneys.

    Reply
  7. Ritualist Robert Avatar
    Ritualist Robert

    @PamB – delighted indeed!

    Reply
  8. Hermano David | Brother Dah•veed Avatar
    Hermano David | Brother Dah•veed

    You couldn’t see the glow for the dust.

    It is obvious that the VDW could. Good on yer.

    Reply
  9. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    What I now need is somebody to come back and be very very UNcalm at a joiner. Very very unclam indeed – new floor ends two foot short of the wall, and yes, there WAS enough wood. And good neighbour/joiner is hors de combat following a RTA.

    Or you could try coming and being very calm at me, if your nerve is good enough.

    Reply

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