Fenia City Cathedral

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Sendile
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Re: Fenia City Cathedral

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With Wednesday coming, the deaconess - or better to say, the priestess, as she had recently been promoted - put on her best attire again and walked to the Cathedral to share her thoughts with her flock.


Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,



Today I would like to speak about rewards. What do rewards do in our lives? What do we mean under the term of a reward? Does it mean some financial compensation? Or a sign of appreciation for our efforts? Either way, rewards play an important role in everyone's life, and when we don't get them, we can feel awful.


Here is a story about it.


On a cold winter day Akbar and Birbal took a walk along the lake. A thought came to Birbal that a man would do anything for money. He expressed his feelings to Akbar. Akbar then put his finger into the lake and immediately removed it because he shivered with cold. Akbar said “I don’t think a man would spend an entire night in the cold water of this lake for money.” Birbal replied “I am sure I can find such a person.” Akbar then challenged Birbal into finding such a person and said that he would reward the person with a thousand gold coins.


Birbal searched far and wide until he found a poor man who was desperate enough to accept the challenge. The poor man entered the lake and Akbar had guards posted near him to make sure that he really did as promised. The next morning the guards took the poor man to Akbar. Akbar asked the poor man if he had indeed spent the night in the lake. The poor man replied that he had. Akbar then asked the poor man how he managed to spend the night in the lake.


The poor man replied that there was a street lamp nearby and he kept his attention affixed on the lamp and away from the cold. Akbar then said that there would be no reward as the poor man had survived the night in the lake by the warmth of the street lamp. The poor man went to Birbal for help.


The next day, Birbal did not go to court. The king wondering where he was, sent a messenger to his home. The messenger came back saying that Birbal would come once his Rice was cooked. The king waited hours but Birbal did not come. Finally the king decided to go to Birbal’s house and see what he was up to.


He found Birbal sitting on the floor near some burning twigs and a bowl filled with Rice hanging five feet above the fire. The king and his attendants couldn’t help but laugh.


Akbar then said to Birbal “How can the Rice be cooked if it so far away from the fire?”


Birbal answered “The same way the poor man received heat from a street lamp that was more than a furlong away.”


The King understood his mistake and gave the poor man his reward.


Blessings to you all.
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Priestess * Lady of Nettlebane Tower * Baroness of Linbridge
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Sendile
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Re: Fenia City Cathedral

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,



Today I would like to speak about slyness and cheating. No doubt, you surely know creatures who try to avoid hard work on a cunning way thinking they would never get caught.



Let me share with you a story about a donkey, that tried about the same. Here it is:



A salt seller used to carry the salt bag on his donkey to the market every day. On the way they had to cross a stream. One day the donkey suddenly tumbled down the stream and the salt bag also fell into the water. The salt dissolved in the water and hence the bag became very light to carry. The donkey was happy.



Then the donkey started to play the same trick every day.



The salt seller came to understand the trick and decided to teach a lesson to it. The next day he loaded a cotton bag on the donkey.



Again it played the same trick hoping that the cotton bag would still become lighter. But the dampened cotton became very heavy to carry and the donkey suffered. It learnt a lesson. It didn’t play the trick anymore after that day, and the seller was happy.



Dear Brothers and Sisters, don't forget: Luck doesn't favour all the time. Those who try to cheat, will be caught sooner or later. Therefore do you work and everyday tasks always with honesty and humility, so that you can keep the respect and appreciation of your fellow creatures.



Blessings to you all.
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Priestess * Lady of Nettlebane Tower * Baroness of Linbridge
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Sendile
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Re: Fenia City Cathedral

Post by Sendile »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,



Today I would like to speak about honesty. We all know, how important this attribute is in our life. But still, let me share a short story with you about disonesty and its consequesnce.



There was a farmer who sold a pound of butter to a baker. One day the baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting the right amount, which he wasn’t. Angry about this, he took the farmer to court.



The judge asked the farmer if he was using any measure to weight the butter. The farmer replied, “Honor, I am primitive. I don’t have a proper measure, but I do have a scale.”



The judge asked, “Then how do you weigh the butter?”



The farmer replied;



“Your Honor, long before the baker started buying butter from me, I have been buying a pound loaf of bread from him. Every day when the baker brings the bread, I put it on the scale and give him the same weight in butter. If anyone is to be blamed, it is the baker.”



Dear Brothers and Sisters, don't foget the truth: in life, you get what you give. Don’t try and cheat others, because it always come back to you. Stay always honest and true to your fellow creatures.



Blessings to you all.
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Priestess * Lady of Nettlebane Tower * Baroness of Linbridge
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Sendile
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Re: Fenia City Cathedral

Post by Sendile »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,



Today I would like to speak about help. We all know, that there are times in our lives, when we do need help. And there are other occasions, when others need our assistance and support. Let me share a nice story with you about the importance of mutual help. Here it is:



Once there was a young woman who lived simply but happily with her husband and their three children until one day a strange illness of the eyes came into their home. First her husband and then their eldest son started having trouble with their eyesight. Everything looked blurry and grey to them. They went to the local doctor and they tried medicine after medicine. But nothing worked, and soon they found they could not see at all.


Within a week, the illness had spread and now their middle son also could not see, and their youngest, a daughter, was showing the beginning symptoms of the illness, rubbing her eyes and complaining that everything looked blurry. Some of their neighbors, as well, were afflicted with this strange illness. The people of the village began to wonder if they would all soon lose their eyesight.


The woman was beside herself with worry. She visited doctor after doctor until finally one doctor told her of a miracle herb that might cure this illness. This healing herb was a plant that grew only in the deepest part of the forest. The woman decided she must leave her family to seek the herb.


Early the next morning she headed into the forest. She looked under bushes. She looked behind trees. She looked everywhere, but the herb was nowhere to be seen. Many hours later, exhausted, but still determined, the woman came upon a small stream. She sat down to rest, still looking around her for the herb.


Then she noticed a big rock had fallen into the stream, making the water run out of the stream to form a little pool. That little pool of water was flooding an anthill. Although she was in a hurry to find the herb, her heart went out to the ants. The woman stopped looking for the herb long enough to remove the big rock and dig a new channel for the water. With satisfaction, she watched as the water flowed away from the anthill. "We are all one," she stated simply, and she continued on her way.


The woman slept soundly that night, curled up under a large tree with a blanket to keep her warm. As she slept a strange dream came to her. In it she was inside the anthill, surrounded by cheering ants. The queen ant stepped forward majestically. "Do not be afraid," she reassured the woman. "We have brought you here to thank you for saving our home and our lives. In return, if you ever need our help, all you need do is call for us, and we will hear you and come to your aid." As the dream faded and the woman began to wake, she heard the queen ant's voice calling after her, distinctly saying, "We are all one."


All through that day, the woman searched for the herb. She wondered if she were already too late — and if everyone in her village was already blind. She was startled from her thoughts by the sound of a bird, intent upon catching a small centipede. The centipede was scurrying across the ground as quickly as his many legs would carry him. Taking pity upon the defenseless centipede, she quickly scooped him up and frightened the bird from her prey. Saying, "We are all one," she carried the centipede to some leaves and placed him gently in their cover.


That night she again had strange dreams. This time she was visited by the centipede. "Thank you for saving my life," the tiny voice proclaimed. "And now I will help you as you helped me. The herb you seek can be found by an ancient oak tree, in the very center of the forest." An image of a gnarled and twisting trunk came to her mind as she heard the centipede state, "We are all one." Then she awoke.


The woman spent the next morning making her way into the heart of the woods, searching for the oak tree. As the day progressed she noticed that the trees around her were getting blurry. Gazing towards the sky, she saw that the sun was still high in the sky. With a dawning horror she realized that she, too, must have contracted the strange illness. Quickening her pace she continued toward the center of the forest, but with every step her eyesight worsened.


Just as she was giving way to despair, she found the ancient oak tree! Even though she could barely see, she could tell it looked just like the one she had seen in her dream. Stumbling and out of breath, she began to search for the herb frantically. It was no use — her eyes could no longer tell one plant from another. Crying with frustration she wept for her husband, her children, herself, and the people of her village.


She turned to try to retrace her steps to her home and then she remembered. The ants! Perhaps they could help her now. She called to them and soon enough small voices responded.


" Bend down," the queen ant's voice called. "The herb you seek is right here. I am standing on it."


Gently the woman knelt and reached towards the sound. With cautious movements so as not to harm the queen ant, she found the herb and plucked it. Slowly and carefully she tore a small piece of the leaf and chewed it. Almost instantaneously, her sight was restored! Joyfully she harvested the herbs and prepared to return to her village. Before she left, however, she thanked the ants and proclaimed one last time, "We are all one."


The woman walked as swiftly as she could — all day and then all night, by the light of the moon. She hoped, oh, how she hoped, that she would return on time to save her village from blindness.


Finally she reached her home. As she called to her children they followed her voice, for by now they were all completely blind. Anxiously she gave them bits of the herb and then she waited to see what would happen. One minute passed — and then another — and then her eldest son laughed with joy. "I see you!" he shouted, "I truly see you!"


Soon everyone in the village had been cured of the strange illness and the woman who had saved them all returned to her simple but happy life with her husband and their three children. And she never forgot that "We are all one."





Dear Brothers and Sisters, don't forget: we are dependent on each other one way or another. Sometimes even the strongest one needs support, and it's nice and proper to give that support back to those who are in need. Therefore never hesitate to help your fellow creatures - you can never know, when their help would come in handy. After all, "we are all one".



Blessings to you all.
Last edited by Sendile on Tue Mar 02, 2021 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Priestess * Lady of Nettlebane Tower * Baroness of Linbridge
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Sendile
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Re: Fenia City Cathedral

Post by Sendile »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,


We all know the saying: "Birds of a feather flock together". Yes, sometimes we all tend to forget, how very important it is to stick together with the right companion, or to choose good and faithful friends. Please allow me to share a short story about this theme.



A Man who wanted to buy an Ass went to market, and, coming across a likely-looking beast, arranged with the owner that he should be allowed to take him home on trial to see what he was like. When he reached home, he put him into his stable along with the other asses. The newcomer took a look round, and immediately went and chose a place next to the laziest and greediest beast in the stable. When the master saw this he put a halter on him at once, and led him off and handed him over to his owner again. The latter was a good deal surprised to see him back so soon, and said, "Why, do you mean to say you have tested him already?" "I don't want to put him through any more tests," replied the other: "I could see what sort of beast he is from the companion he chose for himself."



Dear Brothers and Sisters, choose your companion always wisely. You might be judged based on the creatures you stick with.


Blessings to you all.
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Priestess * Lady of Nettlebane Tower * Baroness of Linbridge
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Sendile
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Re: Fenia City Cathedral

Post by Sendile »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,


Today I would like to preach about selflessness. Of course we all know creatures who concern more about the needs and wishes of others, than with their own. However, their number is sadly pretty low. Yet, selflessness is one of the nicest and most imortant attribute one can own. Why? Here is a short story with the answer.


Kim and Ray were very close companions. They were neighbours, classmates at school, and later, colleagues at work.


One day, they decided to go on a sea voyage to explore strange lands. They began their voyage in a cruise ship, and travelled far and wide. However, in the course of their trip, the weather turned very destructive. The ship was wrecked in the middle of the ocean. Most of the passengers were killed, but Kim and Ray could swim to a nearby island.


The island was deserted; not even a tree was there. Kim and Ray realized that they could not survive on the island without divine intervention. They decided to pray to God. They wanted to see whose prayer would be more powerful. Kim moved to the eastern tip of the island, knelt down and began to pray there. Ray went to the western tip of the island and prayed there.


Kim prayed to God to give him food to survive. Surprisingly, he got a pile of food, fruits and vegetables on the sea shore.


After two days, he requested for a beautiful girl as his wife, as he was feeling very lonely on the island. In a few hours, there was a ship wreck near the island and a lone survivor; a beautiful girl. Kim married the girl.


Whatever Kim prayed for, was granted to him.


Almost a month after the ship wreck, Kim decided to move back to his hometown. He prayed to God to send him a ship to take him home. Sure enough, there came a ship to take Kim and his wife home.


As the couple was about to enter the ship, Kim heard someone speak to him. It was just a voice. “Are you going alone, leaving your companion of life here?”


Kim was surprised, “May I know who is this and whom you are referring to? I have my wife with me!”


The voice said, “I’m the one to whom you offered your prayers, whom you requested to save your life, and whom you requested food and shelter and of course, a wife!”


Kim knelt down in awe and said, “Thank you God!”


Then Kim remembered about Ray, whom he had forgotten all this time. He was overcome with guilt.


God said to him, “I was not answering your prayers. I was only fulfilling Ray’s prayers. He prayed for only one thing! He said ‘Please fulfill all of Kim’s prayers’. That was his only prayer.”


Kim was in tears and rushed to the other side of the island. He realized that he had not even thought about his best friend Ray, and was happily enjoying his own life.


He could not find Ray there. He asked God, “Where is Ray?”


God replied, “I took him with me. The man with the golden heart should be with me! But I will fulfill all your prayers as I promised him to do so!”


Kim was completely broken. He realized why his friend’s prayers were more powerful. It was because Ray’s prayers were totally selfless.




Dear Brothers and Sisters, don't forget the truth: Selflessness is the highest form of prayer.


Blessings to you all.
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Sendile
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Re: Fenia City Cathedral

Post by Sendile »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,


Today I would like to preach about the value of Love. Without further ado, please allow me to share a short story about this topic.


Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.


Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment. When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.


Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, “Richness, can you take me with you?”


Richness answered, “No, I can’t. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you.”


Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. “Vanity, please help me!”


“I can’t help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat,” Vanity answered.


Sadness also passed close by, so Love asked, “Sadness, let me go with you.”


“Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!”


Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.


Suddenly, there was a voice, “Come, Love, I will take you.” It was an elder.


So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went his own way. Realizing how much she owed to the elder, Love asked Knowledge, another elder, “Who helped me?”


“It was Time,” Knowledge answered.


“Time?” asked Love. “But why did Time help me?”


Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is.”


Blessings to you all.
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Priestess * Lady of Nettlebane Tower * Baroness of Linbridge
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Sendile
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Re: Fenia City Cathedral

Post by Sendile »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,



Today I would like to share a well-known short story, just to remind you of the importance of working hard and planning ahead. Here it is:


One summer’s day, in a field, a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great effort an ear of corn he was taking to his nest.


"Why don’t you come and chat with me," asked the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling your life away?"


"I am helping to store up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and I recommend you to do the same."


"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper. "We have got plenty of food at present."


But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.


When winter came, the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing, every day, corn and grain from the stores they had collected in summer.


Dear Brothers and Sistersm don't forget the moral of this short story. Work today and you can reap the benefits tomorrow!


Blessings to you all.
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Priestess * Lady of Nettlebane Tower * Baroness of Linbridge
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Sendile
Posts: 175
Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:24 pm

Re: Fenia City Cathedral

Post by Sendile »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,



Today I would like to share a short story with you about small acts of kidness or mercy. Indeed, these little helpful deeds can alter our lives and sometimes they can relieve us even from tough situations, as it stands in the following tale:


Once when a lion, the king of the jungle, was asleep, a little mouse began running up and down on him. This soon awakened the lion, who placed his huge paw on the mouse, and opened his big jaws to swallow him.


"Pardon, O King!" cried the little mouse. "Forgive me this time. I shall never repeat it and I shall never forget your kindness. And who knows, I may be able to do you a good turn one of these days!”


The lion was so tickled by the idea of the mouse being able to help him that he lifted his paw and let him go.


Sometime later, a few hunters captured the lion, and tied him to a tree. After that they went in search of a wagon, to take him to the zoo.


Just then the little mouse happened to pass by. On seeing the lion’s plight, he ran up to him and gnawed away the ropes that bound him, the king of the jungle.


"Was I not right?" said the little mouse, very happy to help the lion.




Dear Brothers and Sisters, don't forget the truth: Small acts of kindness can be rewarded greatly.


Blessings to you all.
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Priestess * Lady of Nettlebane Tower * Baroness of Linbridge
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Sendile
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Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:24 pm

Re: Fenia City Cathedral

Post by Sendile »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,



Today I would like to speak to you about dreams. Everyone knows, that dreams are very important: they keep urging us to do great hings, or to achieve more in our lives. However, only from dreaming itself nobody can achieve anything. Here is a short story about this.



Long time ago there lived a priest who was extremely lazy and poor at the same time. He did not want to do any hard work but used to dream of being rich one day. He got his food by begging for alms. One morning he got a pot of milk as part of the alms. He was extremely delighted and went home with the pot of milk. He boiled the milk, drank some of it and put the remaining milk in a pot. He added slight curds in the pot for converting the milk to curd. He then lay down to sleep.


Soon he started imagining about the pot of curd while he lay asleep. He dreamed that if he could become rich somehow all his miseries would be gone. His thoughts turned to the pot of milk he had set to form curd. He dreamed on; “By morning the pot of milk would set, it would be converted to curd. I would churn the curd and make butter from it. I would heat the butter and make ghee out of it. I will then go to that market and sell that ghee, and make some money. With that money i will buy a hen. The hen will lay may eggs which will hatch and there will be many chicken. These chicken will in turn lay hundreds of eggs and I will soon have a poultry farm of my own.” He kept on imagining.


“I will sell all the hens of my poultry and buy some cows, and open a milk dairy. All the town people will buy milk from me. I will be very rich and soon I shall buy jewels. The king will buy all the jewels from me. I will be so rich that I will be able to marry an exceptionally beautiful girl from a rich family. Soon I will have a handsome son. If he does any mischief I will be very angry and to teach him a lesson, I will hit him with a big stick...”


During this dream, he involuntarily picked up the stick next to his bed and thinking that he was beating his son, raised the stick and hit the pot. The pot of milk broke and he awoke from his daydream.





Dear Brothers and Sisters, don't forget: There is no substitute for hard work. Dreams cannot be fulfilled without strong efforts and committed, hard work.


Blessings to you all.
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Priestess * Lady of Nettlebane Tower * Baroness of Linbridge
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