General Chat

Good morning :-) Oh dear - I missed yesterday so apologies. It was one of those days where you get up earlyish because a workman is coming and, when they don't turn up, you have to start phoning and contacting the firm. He arrived at around 6pm!! I even missed having my hair cut!

I am meeting myself coming backwards printing things for church at the moment. My grandson bought me a laminator for Christmas, so most of what I printed, I then laminated. Luckily, I enjoy this sort of thing! :-D

Vera, it all sounds pretty wonderful to me and you are truly blessed to have such a large, supportive and loving family around you. Yorkshire is a wonderful place. <3

FOR LENT DAY 15:

MEDITATE: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"

PRAY: Lord, do your resurrection work in me. Transform my heart and my life into one that gives you glory and praise in every way. Pull me deeper and bring me closer to your heart.

REFLECT: Why is it important for you to observe Lent rather than just go straight to celebrating Easter

Cx :-)

Hello all

I hope that Cynthia is well today.

Vera, your son and dil are sure to give all of your extended family members a really warm Yorkshire welcome. It's such a special gathering and begun by your Grandfather, family time is very precious.

Lent day 14

Merciful God.
Thank you for your gentle forgiveness.
Grant me the grace to live a life
that radiates peace.
In Jesus name,
Amen.

I pray that the gift of peace will bless us all today,
especially all who are coping with great worries.

Kandj, I pop in every day to read and think about the latest post from Cynthia and anyone else posting on the thread. I only vaguely know that hymn from hearing it occasionally on programmes such as Songs of Praise. I had to go on YouTube to remind myself of the tune. Now it will be going round my head all day.

It is great that between you, Cynthia and kandj, you keep the thread going. I don't post regularly and others only post on rare occasions, but there are probably quite a few who read and appreciate the thread.

Cynthia, you mentioned that I seem to have found a solution to meeting up with family. There is a longstanding arrangement on my paternal side that we will have a big family gathering once a year (Covid restrictions permitting!). This has been going on for maybe 50 years. Anyone who can get there does so, booking hotels, b&bs, or pitching tents according to their means. Not everyone can make it every year but we normally have about 50 people. This year my son & dil are the organisers so it will be in Yorkshire. The idea was started by my grandfather who was upset as his little "flock" moved away and to whom family was everything. It was a much smaller group at first but the original children have grown up and brought along their own children who are now starting to bring their children! Anyone who marries in or is adopted or fostered is immediately a welcome member of the family. It all sounds a bit insular but I think being part of a widely extended family helps us to embrace the idea of the importance of the family of man and the need for us all to be there for each other when there is a need.

I have rambled on a bit. I hope you are enjoying this God-given day <3

Hello all

Thank you for another Lent post Cynthia.

I now have this lovely hymn going around in my head. I'll probably be singing the words all day.
(Vera too, if she pops in and reads this.)

As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart's desire, and
I long to worship You.

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield,
You alone are my heart's desire, and
I long to worship You.

Good morning :-)


FOR LENT day 13:

MEDITATE: Psalm 42:1 As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.

PRAY: God, shine a light on the areas of my life where I have selfish motives that draw my attention away from you. Strengthen me as I fast from those things and instead prioritise you.

REFLECT: Do you need a fresh infusion of grace? Do you want to realize more of God’s Spirit? Do you want to feel more joy?

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today
Almighty God,
you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,
that they may return to the way of righteousness:
grant to all those who are admitted
into the fellowship of Christ's religion,
that they may reject those things
that are contrary to their profession,
and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel for today tells the story of Nicodemus, who wanted to know more.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

It all sounds quite wonderful Vera and, if it fits in with people's busy lives, then that is a bonus. Getting a large, wide-spread family together is a nightmare but you seem to have solved the issue. Hopefully, all the celebrations will bring you many new memories to make. <3


FOR LENT DAY 11:

MEDITATE: Psalm 35:13 “ But as for me, when they were sick, I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed on my bosom”.

PRAY: Lord, as I fast over these few weeks, may it be less about selfish gain and more about selfless worship. Help me to shift my focus away from myself and more toward you, Jesus.

REFLECT: What are you choosing to fast from? How is fasting helping you focus on Jesus?

Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you, I'm keeping up with your daily postings Cynthia, I've ordered a large print NLT bible and hope that this will be easier for me to read than the other bibles that I have bought over the years.

Vera, there's really no need to feel guilty sharing your Diamond wedding plans with us all. Sadly hubby and I only made it to our 56th wedding anniversary, but I know that you and your hubby will be excited to share such a very special occasion together. The hotel is sure to look after you very well and you both will have lots to share with your family and friends when you meet up
in May and June. When is your anniversary weekend away?

Thank you for the Lenten posts Cynthia. There's a lot to think about there.

I hope all who read this thread are well. Sending a gentle hug to anyone who needs a little comfort today <3

Kandj, it is very kind of you to ask about our diamond wedding celebrations. I feel almost guilty talking about it when I am aware of how blessed and privileged we are to have reached this point in our lives. My own daughter in law was widowed at a very early age and left to bring up two young boys on her own (her wedding to my son was a second marriage for both of them). However, as you have asked, here goes:

Our plans have changed many times for a myriad of reasons. We would have liked to celebrate with our children, grandchildren and siblings but distance and other commitments make that impossible at the moment. However we will be seeing OH's siblings and partners, nieces and their families in May and all our immediate family and many of my extended family in July. After several attempts to arrange something we have finally booked a short break by ourselves in a very nice hotel on the Suffolk coast, not too far from home. OH had a long chat on the phone to the hotel manager and they have sorted out a package for us - a sea view room, a cream tea and two candlelit dinners.

We are not going to have any formal renewal of vows as we feel the promises we made 60 years ago are with us all the time and are as true now as when we made them.

Good morning :-)


FOR LENT DAY 10:

MEDITATE: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power[c] is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”

PRAY: I’m sorry Jesus. I let you down. It was the least I could do to give up a menial thing like sweet treats and I failed. But, today I feel a renewed sense of grace that’s been missing from my heart for a while. Thank you, Lord.

REFLECT: How can I renew my commitment today to daily approach the throne of grace and humbly receive forgiveness, awareness, assurance, and words of encouragement and direction?

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Oh yes, it was St. David's Day yesterday.........sending good wishes to all those who hail from that wonder place called Wales. <3


FOR LENT DAY 9:

MEDITATE: Luke 13:3 “ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.”

PRAY: God, thank you for not expecting perfection from me. You know I make mistakes, and that’s why you sent Jesus to save me from all of my sins. Here I am, Lord, trying again, despite all the times I have fallen short. Thank you for your grace.

REFLECT: When and why have I been tempted to “give up” on Lent? How can I try again?


Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you for your daily Lent posts Cynthia.

Sending Happy St David's Day wishes to all our Welsh GR friends who look at this Christian thread.

Good morning :-)


FOR LENT DAY 8:

MEDITATE: Philippians 3:10-11 “ I want to know Christ[and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

PRAY: Lord, in these next 40 days, help me to focus on you above all else. Show me how I can be your hands and feet in my community-- may I live out my faith in this season in new ways that give you glory.

REFLECT: What can I do this Lenten season to focus on Christ?


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

FOR LENT: Day 7

MEDITATE: Matthew 6:1 ‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven”.

PRAY: Lord, may I be gracious toward all who choose to observe Lent, and all those who don’t. May I be cautious in how I share about my Lenten practices this month, avoiding hypocrisy and choosing love for my neighbours above all else.

REFLECT: Why am I sharing this thought or desire in this season of Lent?

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, thank you for the daily Meditation,Prayer and Reflection during Lent.

I'm doing the Stations of the Cross Friday evenings.
I have lovely memories from many years of taking part in this very special weekly service during Lent and leading up to Holy week.

Vera, do you have any details of your Diamond wedding anniversary plans to share with us all? This is very exciting news and there's not a lot of happy news around just now.

Good morning :-)



FOR LENT; DAY 6

MEDITATE: Mark 1:12-13 “12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.”

PRAY: Jesus, focus my heart and my mind on what you endured for me. Everything you did, you did for the salvation of all mankind-- I am eternally grateful. I am in awe of you, Lord. Thank you for the cross.

REFLECT: How can I be more aware of the cross today?

Cx :-)

Good afternoon :-)

Bit of a manic day!

The Collect (special prayer) for today.

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save;
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 :-)

Good morning :-)

FOR LENT day 4:

MEDITATE: Matthew 4:1-2 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.”

PRAY: Jesus, help me to set aside time for worship and reflection in this season of Lent. Help me draw nearer to you and understand you more deeply. May I receive the overwhelming graces you have to offer me, today and everyday.

REFLECT: How can I honour the sacrifice of Jesus through my life?


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

FOR LENT - DAY 3:

MEDITATE: 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said,
‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices,
as in obedience to the voice of the LORD?
Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed than the fat of rams?

PRAY: Lord, I pray that I won't make Lent about myself this year, but instead about your great love for me through your sacrifice of Jesus. May I focus on your love above all else-- thank you, Jesus, for giving your life for mine.

REFLECT: Where am I focusing my attention?’

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


During Lent....

MEDITATE: Psalm 118:25-26 “ LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you”

PRAY: Lord, help me to dive into this season of Lent with intentionality and purpose. I want to know you better, love you more fully, and accept your grace more readily. Draw me closer to you, day by day.

REFLECT: How do you want to develop your Christian life this Lent? Praying more? Reading the bible more? Helping others more?

Cx :-)