Bishop John Francis

Here is a video I found on YouTube about Bishop John Francis whose the leader of the church Ruach Ministries in Brixton. It is very interesting. This is one church I would like to attend one day.

Veils Hats Coverings

1 Corinthians 11 has always been one of those sections in the Bible that gets mixed messages. It says

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. ³ But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. ⁴ Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonours his head.⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. ⁶ For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ⁷ For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man is not from woman, but woman from man. ⁹ Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. ¹⁰ For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. ¹¹ Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. ¹² For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. 

¹³ Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? ¹⁴ Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonour to him? ¹⁵ But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. ¹⁶ But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

I have always interpreted these verses to mean simply that in the presence of God especially prayer a woman should cover her head. However as you read on to Verse 15 it says a woman's hair is her covering. I used to attend a church where women wore veils over their hair and not their faces. Other churches I have attended the ladies wore hats of varying degrees. My current church does not stipulate any actual head covering for women at all. Should women cover their heads in church or in their everyday lives?

Check out below links
Ladies Church Hats Make Comeback
Head Covering according to Wikipedia
Bible Research The Woman's Headcovering

Jesus Statues

For years I have wondered why Europeans insisted on depicting Christ as a white man with blond hair and blue eyes. Yet these modern day artists never lived in the days of Christ and nor do they live where he lived. I remember growing up and being told by my mother that we should not try to recreate what is in heaven on Earth. Poland has just revealed their Jesus statue, there is one in Brazil and one in Bolivia. 

When reading the Bible I do not see the images of Christ as the statues proclaim. I do not get much description about his physical appearance only where he was born and to whom his family was. Could it be said that the pictures and statues have a political agenda that has no relation to Christianity or God. I have heard people get really upset at depictions of Christ as a black man with locs. Oh the irony. God made us in HIS image. Yet year after year people are making Christ in their own image. 

Does it matter what Christ looked like or should it matter? Are these statues idols as opposed to Jesus tributes? 

Help when you least expect

This may seem like such a small thing but help is always welcomed. I was in my hometown London for a few days over the half term. Having chosen to spend a few hours in Oxford Circus than head to the museums my friend chose the Underground as our mode of travel. I have a strong dis-like of the Underground. It is hot sweaty stuffy and over packed of people. It just does not suit me at all, especially with kids in tow one in a pushchair for long journeys.

So I was thinking. The whole underground journey was quite awful for me. The stairs were never ending and the escalators seem to have no end. However at every step and even on the escalators both in and outside the Tube I was greeted by complete strangers who offered their hand of help. In London you often see women with their buggies making do with the inaccessibility the Tube offers and not always getting help. So I can only say that God knew I was going to need a helping hand and sent me some Angels that day. 

I am thankful.