General Chat

Hi everyone :-)

I’m still here and look in everyday keeping an eye on you all lol x

Enjoy your day and take care x

Hello all

Very dark with heavy rain. Looks set to last all day.

God grant me courage and hope for every day, faith to guide me along my way, understanding and wisdom too and grace to accept whatever life gives
me to do. More inspirational words by HSR.

Have a good day everyone and stay safe.

Good morning :-)


The role of women in church is a big step for your church Dermot - even after so many years of having women priests within the C. of E., there are still pockets of resistance. Human nature eh? ;-)

Now, where's our Emma?? :-D

Prayers are the stairs
We must climb every day,
If we would reach God
There is no other way
For we learn to know God
When we meet Him in prayer
And ask Him to lighten
Our burden of care –
So start in the morning
And. Although the way’s steep,
Climb ever upward
‘til your eyes close in sleep –
For prayers are the stairs
That lead to the Lord
And to meet Him in prayer
Is the climber’s reward.
HSR


Cx :-)

'Since his election, the Pope has made noises about wanting to see a greater role for women in the Catholic Church. But for many of those hoping for change, this papacy has so far proved a bitter disappointment, with Francis talking the talk but failing to walk the walk'. (The Tablet weekly magazine.)

Hello all

Vera such lovely words on the card. Your friend will love them I'm sure. Emma always liked HSR too.
I hope Emma and David are both well. It's a while since either posted.

A very dark rainy day here but it saves me a job watering the garden borders and tubs.

Take care and keep safe everyone X

Good morning :-)

I know Emma used to love HSR poems, haven't seen her for ages on here - is she okay?

Had to buy a new printer and feeling pretty pleased with myself for setting it up all by myself - wifi connection and all!! :-D

Dear Lord,

As we rise to meet each new day, please let us be filled with Your spirit.

Wherever we go, let us spread love, joy, peace, goodness, and faithfulness.

Let us desire to become more like you and to worship you in all we do.

Help us desire these things so much more than the sin that entices us.

Thank you for always going before us.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Cx :-)

I was writing a 70th birthday card today and it included words by Helen Steiner Rice. I know some people looking at this thread like her verses so I thought I would post it here.

Time is not measured by the years that you live
But by the deeds that you do and the joy that you give
And each day as that comes brings a chance to each one
To live life to the fullest, leaving nothing undone.

I hope you all have a peaceful night.

Hello all

I read your poem years ago Cynthia. Thanks for the reminder.

Vera, thank you for your kind words. It's good to be back once again now that my subs have been sorted.

A much better day now storm Francis has gone by, leaving me feeling thankful and blessed today.

Lord, you've brought me through hard times and you've brought me through trials. I never let a day go by without recognising that. Thank you Lord.
Had it not been for you always being by my side,
I would not be the person that I am today.

Have a Happy Wednesday and stay safe everyone.

That’s so true Cynthia. We all plead lack of time but it’s amazing how we manage to find the time if we really want to do something.

It’s good to see you are back Kandj :-)

Good morning :-)


I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"


Cx :-)

Hello all

Many thanks for the welcome Cynthia, it's good to be back and able to post once again.

Heavy rain and strong winds here from storm Francis looks set for the next couple of days.

"A positive attitude, can turn a storm into a sprinkle."
(Robert M Hensel)

Keep safe everyone.

Good morning :-)

Welcome back kandj - you were missed! <3

Lack of vocations affects all churches I guess Dermot, but have you noticed how the tide turns periodically? I was watching Twitter over the lockdown and was interested to see how many young people, from Anglican churches all over the UK were being ordained during Petertide - it was heartening to say the least. I'll have a word with our good RC priest friend and see what he has to say. :-D


Good morning, Lord!

Despite the rain, today's a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures I may have experienced. It's a good day to be glad and give thanks, and I do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, give, and be all that you want me to be. Amen.


Cx :-)

The vocations crisis in Ireland is becoming pretty serious. The problem of the ageing clergy has been exacerbated by Covid-19, with many priests having no choice but to quarantine, due to being vulnerable.

While some dioceses are inviting priests from abroad, the fundamental problem, a lack of vocations, shows no sign of going away. One day, it will have to be addressed. (The Tablet magazine).

Hello all,

I'm finally back after being reinstated once again!

My church is only offering Praise Worship Services.
Don't know of any HC services done here locally.
I'm sure that this would have been emotional Cynthia

Heavenly Father
It is my prayer that You will be able to say to me,
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant" but I know that there are many occasions when I let You down. Please forgive me and fill me with the Holy Spirit of love and compassion for all I meet today.
Amen.

Good morning :-)


I actually went to a church and received Holy Communion yesterday (bread only) - first time since March. My own church has only opened for private prayer so far, so I took the bull by the horns and went to the main church in town. It was much appreciated.

It rather looks as though kandj is having problems renewing......oh dear.


Prayer for a good day

Lord Jesus Christ,

I trust in your unfailing love, in your promises.
I give this day and all that it holds to you.

May I walk in your goodness,
knowing your gentle hand will guide me,
and keep me. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


You're very welcome Elizabeth <3


The Collect (special prayer) for today



O God, you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia :-)

I look in most days and have enjoyed this week on C.S.Lewis

Elizabeth

Good morning :-)


Concluding the story of C. S. Lewis...


In 1963 Lewis wrote a letter to a correspondent named Thomas Van Osdall. He wrote of his sadness to learn that Van Osdall’s only child, Thomas, had been killed in a car crash at the age of 18. Recalling his own grief at his wife’s death, he wrote: “You tell a most moving story. I too have lost what I most loved. Indeed, unless we die young ourselves, we mostly do. We must die before them or see them die before us. And when we wish – and how agonizingly we do, o how perpetually! – it is entirely for ourselves, for our sakes not theirs.”

C. S. Lewis died on 22nd November 1963 - the same day as President Kennedy was assassinated. He is buried in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church, Headington Quarry near Oxford. The famous writer was a regular at the church’s 8:00 a.m. service. In 1992, a gorgeous etched glass window featuring beloved Narnia characters was installed in the church. The fantasy scene is located adjacent to the pew where he always sat.

Since his death, his books and influence have continued to grow. He has been rated as one of the top English writers of all time and his books have been translated into numerous languages.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Continuing the story of C. S. Lewis (Jack), author of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.......

Jack's wife, Joy died July 13, 1960. Two of the last things she said were, “You have made me happy,” and “I am at peace with God.” She certainly brought Jack happiness. As he wrote to one friend soon after their marriage, "It's funny having at 59 the sort of happiness most men have in their twenties ... 'Thou hast kept the good wine till now.'

The loss of Joy plunged Lewis into the depths of grief and pain. Following Joy’s death, Lewis kept a journal and wrote down his thoughts because he was personally helped by doing so—with no intent of publication. However, he eventually had it published as A Grief Observed under a pen name – N.W. Clerk. Interestingly when the book first came out, many people thought it would be helpful to C.S. Lewis and he received many gift copies of his own book!

“And grief still feels like fear. Perhaps, more strictly, like suspense. Or like waiting; just hanging about waiting for something to happen. It gives life a permanently provisional feeling. It doesn’t seem worth starting anything. I can’t settle down. I yawn, I fidget, I smoke too much. Up till this I always had too little time. Now there is nothing but time. Almost pure time, empty successiveness.”

? C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It seems as though our kandj is having problems with her renewing her membership to the site. Hope she can get it sorted soon.


Continuing the story of C.S Lewis (Jack) author of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.....


Preaching sermons, giving talks, and expressing his theological views over the radio throughout the United Kingdom bolstered Lewis's reputation and increased his book sales. With these new circumstances came other changes—not the least being a marked upswing in annual income. In his youth, money had always been scarce but now, even though money no longer an issue, Lewis refused to upgrade his standard of living, and instead established a charitable fund for his royalty earnings. He supported numerous impoverished families, underwrote education fees for orphans and poor seminarians, and put monies into scores of charities and church ministries.

Jack did not marry until he was 58 years old. His wife, Joy, was of Jewish background and she was also a writer. Early in her life she had become a Communist but made the journey from that to Christianity. She was a divorcee with 2 sons and became friends with Jack through correspondence about faith issues. She had been diagnosed with cancer and they were married at her bedside in the hospital. She experienced a remarkable remission of the cancer and they were able to have 3 happy years together before she died.

Continued tomorrow…….


Cx :-)