St. Bartholomew The Great

We saw many wonderful churches as we roamed the streets of London, but the one that quickens my heart the most was St. Bartholomew the Great. It is London’s oldest surviving parish church, built in 1123, with the Hospital of St. Bartholomew the Less. St. Bartholomew the Great is the central parish, while St. Bartholomew the Less is a chapel within the parish, situated within St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.

The priory gained the reputation of healing powers, with many people filling its aisles on St. Bartholomew Day. Many disabilities were noted as being cured, and others were cured within the hospital that is still in operation today.

This entrance was adjacent to the hospital and an entrance to the used for the St. Bartholomew Festival, on August 24, England’s largest medieval market attracting aristocrats as well as the poor.

Inside the church is a different kind of beauty, knowing the church’s era and some of its history. Several movies were filmed in this church – Robin Hood, Shakespeare in Love, Sherlock Holmes, and even Transformers.

Like most of the churches we saw, graves and tombs were above ground and on display.

But the beauty of this church was lost on me, even now, because it reminds me of the cruelty of man. An artist, Damien Hirst, created an amazing statue of gold overlay depicting St. Bartholomew’s death as he was skinned alive before being decapitated for preaching Jesus’ love.

Then you go just outside and see where William Wallace was drawn and quartered within sight of the church near the entrance of the hospital.

Have we gotten any better as human beings? I look at today’s news, and still, we see horrific ways that we treat each other. I pray that God reaches our hearts and shows us a better way.

9-11

To most places around the world, this day is called September 11th. But to us here in the US, it will forever be called 9-11. A day of horror, a day of unmitigated cruelty, a day of where the jealousy and hatred of another country unleashed itself on the innocent people of America.

It is a reminder to all believing Christians, that satan is in charge here on earth and we must stay tightly connected to our Lord and Father to survive until He calls us home to our real home in Heaven.

For ages, all around this planet, there have been acts of cruelty and atrocities to fellow mankind that were never the intention of God. God’s intention was the Garden of Eden, but satan found a way to destroy that beautiful garden throwing mankind out where he can continually torment him in an effort to strike out at God.

I am in continuous prayer against the cruelty of war and oppression that is everywhere on this earth. And as we, in the US, mourn again on this day where over 2,000 lives were senselessly lost, it is a reminder of the damage hate can cause.

In February, my daughter and I visited the site of the twin towers where now a large hole still remains in the ground. It has been turned into a memorial fountain with granite walls engraved with the names of the lives lost…people that were never found. Some were just ordinary people going to work, some were bystanders as the buildings began to fall and some were people sworn to protect others with their very lives, which they gave willingly trying to save as many as they could.

Even though the busy city still moves about today, there is a reverent quiet all around the square of the memorial fountain. People move quietly about as they remember the horrors of the day and pay their respects to those they lost. Even today, strangers weep over this devastating act of cruelty.

May we forever understand that this is no way to be and lift our voices to Heaven for the cruelty to stop. If it means that Jesus needs to come back…then come Lord Jesus and save us from ourselves.

For through kindness, understanding of our differences, and working together as one in Love, then and only then will we find Peace.

Tuesday Writing Prompt, 3/22

Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. We hope to offer all of you something that will spark your creativity and willingness to participate.

Today’s prompt—use the words for reasons they don’t understand in a piece of poetry.

With all of our eyes looking across the ocean, or maybe even next door, we see the greed and cruelty being dumped by one man onto the tenderness of those who don’t understand. So I give you my thoughts through “Who What Why”

For reasons we don’t understand

Greed and cruelty have fill the land

We start this life hoping it to be so grand

Then life surrounds us as though unplanned

Time moves quickly through the hourglass sand

Leaving us confused for reasons we don’t understand

As many of us have asked and prayed, remember those misplaced by the cruelty of war and the oppression of “bullies” all over this world. Especially for Ukraine. For if this door does not get closed, we could be the next saying – “for reasons we don’t understand”

Never forget the power and beauty of kindness, regardless of how small. It can have ripple effects to touch us all.