I don't really feel much like commenting on news today. But I would like to get something off my chest, so to speak. I have been feeling very annoyed at something that happened in our assembly on Monday night. We have a prayer meeting in Bethesda on Monday nights, and it is one of the most enjoyable meetings in Bethesda, although there are few that attend. One member of Bethesda was not in attendance. He usually stands at the door and hands hymn books to those coming into the hall. Nobody asked him to do this work, but he took it on after another man who used to do it left some years ago. This man had an operation for throat cancer some years ago, and the cold weather affects him quite badly. On Monday night he was not at the meeting. Some wondered if he was not well. A few others mocked him, asking where the "security man" was, and my own grandfather who is the elder of Bethesda commented that "maybe he got the sack". This man also helps start the singing in our hall, and at the various nursing homes we visit in our town. He also wasn't able to attend the meeting at a nursing home last week, and of that my grandfather said they were missing the "choirmaster".

It really grieved me to listen to their comments on this man, especially considering the only times he misses the prayer meeting is when he is ill. And considering none of them would give of their time to stand at the door and welcome people in. Maybe he isn't the most inviting of people, but in my Bible it's availability that counts, not ability. I wasn't in the mood for praying when I went to the meeting that night as I had been feeling worn out and had a bad day in work, but I hoped that I would receive some encouragement by being there. But instead of receiving encouragement, I was only discouraged by the attitude of these men. So I didn't pray at the prayer meeting last week, and yet nobody asked why and nobody seemed to care. And only one person actually prayed for this man who was absent from our gathering. I didn't want to upset the meeting by saying anything, for Helen's mum was there and she has been through enough stress already without me adding to it.

On our letterhead for Bethesda a verse is written, "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity", Psalm 133:1. Yet it seems our gathering is not united.

Psalm 133
[[A Song of degrees of David.]] Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity! [It is] like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore.

How can we pray and expect God to bless us, if there is no unity? How can we pray and expect God to answer, while regarding iniquity in our hearts? Proverbs 6:19 states that one of the things God hates is people that sow discord among brethren. So at present I am feeling a little angry. I am not one to upset a meeting by accusing others of faults, but at the same time I can't bottle-up how I feel inside.

Anyway, tomorrow I go to see Helen in the hospital, and Friday I will be having a day off work too. Not sure what I will be doing, perhaps mostly trying to relax and do something different for a change. Talk later.