General Chat

Good morning.........and thank you everyone :-)


We seem to be in a musical mood at the moment because, as I was coming downstairs, I was thinking about that great hymn by William Williams - Cwm Rhondda.

I looked into it's history and, was interested to see that the original version was first published in 1762 in Welsh.

I'm sure it's a hymn we have all sung many times before - especially AnnC's husband who was, I believe, in a Male Voice Choir.


Enjoy!



Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more.
Feed me till I want no more.

Open thou the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream shall flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer
Be thou still my strength and shield.
Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee.
I will ever give to thee.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3NmfmVGblw


Cx :-)

kandj and Emma :-D :-D

So many lovely hymns. Difficult to pick a favourite for me.

I do like :

O the bitter shame and sorrow
That a time could ever be
When I let the Saviour's pity
Plead in vain, and proudly answered
All of self, and none of thee.

The story of "perfect submission" leads from that self-centred base in the following verses. The author was Theodore Monod (1836-1921).

He was a French pastor. By a very strange coincidence a few years ago I was looking at the Telegraph obituaries (comes with age) and there was Theodore Monod. He was a biologist ( I think) in Africa and was the great grandson of the hymnwriter.

I agree Emma that is a beautiful hymn. Thank you John.

I am now off to bed and singing words from the final verse;

Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I and my Saviour am happy and blessed,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my Saviour all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Saviour all the day long.

During an interregnum our congregation often had services named
This is my story, this is my song......... always really interesting because we would volunteer to chose a hymn that was special to us and give the reason why.

Such a lovely thread and uplifting in so many ways.

John that is such a beautiful hymn.

Emma :-)

The lovely prayer this morning and the words yesterday from Helen Keller and the discussion about crosses has been most inspirational. I hope that those who occasionally look in have enjoyed them as much as I have.

You may remember we looked at a lovely hymn called Blessed Assurance a short while ago. It was written by blind Fanny Crosby aka Mrs Frances von Alstyne (1820-1915). Her first verse mentions "O what a foretaste of glory divine".

But second verse seems apt also:

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

And what about her words from final verse:
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blessed. :-) :-)

Thank you kandj. Yes, I've seen the little cross stitched crosses on sale too. I also remember small wooden ones which were 'hand' curved for people to hold onto when in some sort of need.


I hope today's prayer helps someone.......



The Way to Love and Peace

There is no thinking person
Who can stand untouched today
And view the world around us
Slowly drifting to decay..
without feeling deep within them
A silent, unnamed dread
As they contemplate the future
That lies frighteningly ahead...

And as the "CLOUDS OF CHAOS"
Gather in man's muddled mind,
And he searches for the answer
He ALONE can never find,
Let us recognize we're facing
Problems man has never solved,
And with all our daily efforts
Life grows more and more involved,

But our future will seem brighter
And we'll meet with less resistance
If we call upon our Father
And seek Divine Assistance...
For the spirit can unravel
Many tangled, knotted threads
That defy the skill and power
of the world's best hands and heads,

And our plans for growth and progress,
Of which we all have dreamed,
Cannot survive materially
unless OUR SPIRITS are redeemed...
For only when the mind of man
Is united with the soul
Can LOVE and PEACE combine to make
Our lives complete and whole.


Cx :-)

Several years ago a gifted crafts lady used to make The Cross in my Pocket
in several colours and they were a good seller for our church bazaars.
I have bought many over the years and passed them on to family and friends and so it was good to read the words once again.

Todays Celtic prayer is very special. Beautiful words to remind us how blessed we are.
Thank you very much Cynthia. Your daily choices are inspirational and welcomed.

So very true Emma. I remember hearing about Helen Keller in my youth - I see there is plenty about her on Google - I must refresh my memories of that amazing woman. Thank you.



A Celtic prayer for today..


You've blessed me with friends and laughter and fun
With rain that's as soft as the light from the sun
You've blessed me with the stars to brighten each night
You've given me help to know wrong from right
You've given me so much, so please Lord give me too
A heart that is always Grateful to you.


Cx :-)

The best and most beautiful things in the world
Cannot be seen or even touched
They must be felt with the heart.


Helen Keller



Emma :-)

Another lovely verse John. Thank you. I agree about how smelly and dirty the temple and courtyards must have been back in the Old Testament. Urgh.

One thing I love about the altars in 'middle to high' Anglican churches, is the way they are decorated at Christmas and Easter. Many have their ancient silver chalices and patens on display and, in gleaming candlelight, it looks absolutely stunning.

I'm not talking about the value in monetary terms, but about the way it turns the mind to the wonder and glory of heaven. It's also a reminder of those folk who have gone before us who once used those objects as they knelt at that same altar many years ago.



Must stop wittering and get on.... :-D


I have seen this prayer many times - I'm sure others have too. Only with me, it's a case of 'around my neck' rather than 'in my pocket'.


A Cross in My Pocket


I carry a cross in my pocket
A simple reminder to me
Of the fact that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic,
Nor is it a good luck charm
It isn't meant to protect me
From every physical harm.

It's not for identification
For all the world to see
It's simply an understanding
Between my Saviour and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or a key
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me, too, to be thankful
For my blessings day by day
And to strive to serve Him better
In all that I do and say.

It's also a daily reminder
Of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my Master
And give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life
If only I'll let Him be.

- Verna Mae Thomas.



Cx :-)

Thanks so much, Cynthia. Forgiveness of our sin is dependent (according to Lord's prayer) "as we forgive those who sin against us". Hard teaching by Jesus.

Slaughtering of animals and grain offerings was considered the way to a heart right with God in the Old Testament. Those altars must have stank, and how wonderful that we can now approach altars that only represent the loveliest of things.

O Lord open my lips
And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
You take no pleasure in sacrifice or I would give it
Burnt offerings you do not want.
The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise

(Psalm 51)

amen

Good morning all poppers-inners.... :-D



Our prayer for today.....


A Brand New Start


God sometimes brings us to a place
where answers can't be found...
Where we cannot see tomorrow,
for confusion all around.

Yet deep inside we realize
that all things work for good...
Even times when we've been wounded
and we feel misunderstood.

Don't dwell on the injustice
and stay focused on God's heart...
Find forgiveness and go on,
you can make a brand new start.


- Jill Lemming.




Now back to carpet cleaning! :-)

You gotta be joking kandj!!!! I am exzzzzzzzausted! Did two for daughter and upstairs for us. Hope to tackle downstairs tomorrow..........zzzzzzzzzzz :-\



When I was very young, I can remember ladies in the choir who would strut in like peacocks, showing off their finery. I much prefer the choir to wear cassocks so that there is no 'rivalry' or off putting sights...... :-D


Edit. wrong spelling......tuts!

Lovely words once again by Helen Steiner Rice, thank you Cynthia.

Any chance that you could come to Yorkshire and clean our carpets (long overdue but I'm lacking in energy!).

What a lovely thought to start the day, Cynthia. As I get older, the days seem to get longer and you can achieve so much more than when you were young. You look ahead and you have perhaps ten years left, twenty, perhaps less, perhaps more. But even an hour can be so much. And remember how old and experienced in life a 7 year old was when we were 6 :-) :-)

This fashion thing in church is interesting. When I used to go to my conservatiove chapel in Northants, every lady would wear a hat, no make up. I remember the shock of then moving to a big chapel in a town and sitting behind a lady with fine clothes and - horror of horrors - lippie!!!!!!! She seemed out of place. A very nice person though who attended fairly frequently and was always well suited and decorated on other days than Sunday..

John Wesley during his unsuccesful early ministry in America once preached on painted sepulchres. Beautiful outside, but full of all filth and depravity within ;-) Next week not a sign of fashion or make up or even perfume. And no one stayed away. :-)

Thank you Cynthia....lovely words <3

Emma :-)

Very sad indeed kandj. There is, indeed, no charge for a baptism service (or there shouldn't be!).

Fashion seems to be very important and we see some weird and wonderful outfits as young girls totter into church on 4" heels and wearing, what appears to be, a wide belt :-D


I'm carpet cleaning for most of the day, but hear are some thoughts to help people on their way.......



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 it comes
brings a chance to each one
To love to the fullest,
leaving nothing undone.

That would brighten the life
or lighten the load
Of some weary traveller
lost on life's road.

So what does it matter
how long we may live
If as long as we live
we unselfishly give.



- Helen Steiner Rice.



Cx :-)

Thank you for sharing the psalm John, interesting to read this one.

Baptisms in our village church seem to have become fashion statements amongst the relatives rather than the meaningful service it used to be. I have even heard parents say that they can't afford to have babies christened ???, there is never a charge for this service but they are obviously talking about the cost of outfits and the "party" afterwards. Each to their own, but rather sad in my humble opinion.

I hope they had a meaningful time too John.........it was packed to standing room only.... :-0


The main service passed off very peacefully - even when the creche came through. I helped someone who has twin grandchildren to take one of them up for a blessing. Gorgeous little ones about 8 months old..... :-D


One of the things we do at baptism which are held outside of the main service, is to sing a chorus and include the names of the children who are being baptised. We ask one of the parents to stand up and show the child to the congregation as their name is sung..... It goes down a treat. I :-D :-D


Thank you for the psalm. Some of them are very beautiful. :-)