General Chat

From the devotions of Bishop Andrewes, a 17th century cleric.

"Give me
Humility, pitifulness, patience,
sobriety, purity, contentment, ready zeal.

One thing have I desired of the Lord
which I will require,
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the fair beauty of the Lord,
and to visit His temple.

Two things have I required of Thee,
O Lord,
deny Thou me not before I die;
remove far from me vanity and lies;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
feed me with food convenient for me;
lest I be full and deny Thee
and say, Who is the Lord?
or lest I be poor and steal,
and take the Name of my God in vain.

Let me learn to abound,
let me learn to suffer need,
in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content.

For nothing earthly, temporal, mortal,
to long for, nor to wait for.

Grant me a happy life
in piety, gravity, purity,
in all things good and fair,
in cheerfulness, in health, in credit,
in competency, in safety, in gentle estate,
in quiet;
a happy death,
a deathless happiness. "

This was one of his set devotions for the fourth day of the week. He is said to have prayed for at least five hours every day of his life :-)

I like the way he demands things rather than asks. We have lost that. Look at the model of prayer in our Lord's Prayer. We show humility and admire the majesty of God and claim the merits of the Lord Jesus. Then we are bold and DEMAND - just like any confident child does of a parent. True prayer is not only what we want, it is also what God wants. He requires our boldness in stating His will.

:-) <3

Good morning....... :-)


Spend a moment or two to reflect on God’s impact on your life. The things you say and do today will have an impact on all those you meet, it's unavoidable! How is that fact going to influence how you approach this day?



You have called us
to be your people,
to follow where you lead,
be obedient to your word
and bring your Good News
wherever we might go.

Forgive the impatience
and lack of faith
which causes us to stumble;
when we prefer our way
to yours.

Draw us back into your arms,
as prodigals to their Father
and grant us patience
and perseverance
in our journeying with you. Amen.



- John Birch.




Enjoy your day...... :-)

Thank you again Cynthia and John, enjoy
reading about your churches, sermons and
prayer for the day.

Emma :-)

Cynthia. I always think of you in a loving way - even when you have been cross with me. But yesterday when he mentioned ice, steam and water I nearly burst out laughing. I had thought it was quite a good analogy, and he dismissed it with such confidence :-) :-)

Another thing I noticed yesterday was that we had Communion because an ordained Minister was present and there is a special form of words for Trinity Sunday Communion or Eucharist. Part of it is the reciting of the Nicene Creed together, which I have never heard recited in the six years I have lived in the Valleys. He just omitted it, and I was really disappointed.

Nicene Creed (Fourth Century)

"I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. "

Good morning....... :-)


Nice to think you thought of me during the service John :-D

Every analogy of trying to explain the Holy Trinity falls short in some way, and many scholars and theologians have tried to get to grips with how to 'put it over' so to speak. Sometimes, the explanations are so in depth, that they are beyond our understanding because we are limited beings..................this is where we learn to walk in faith. :-)


Our morning prayer


Eternal God,

we don’t know what will happen to us this week. Whatever
happens, be with us to guide and to strengthen, to comfort and control.
If temptation comes to us, give us grace to overcome evil and the power to
do what is right.

If we have to make important decisions, give us the wisdom to choose the
right way, and the strength to refuse that which will lead us in the wrong direction.

If it will be difficult to witness for you, give us the courage not to be
ashamed to show whose we are and whom we serve.

If things go well with us, keep us from all pride, and keep us from thinking
that we don’t need you.

If we experience sorrow, failure, disappointment, loss, keep us from despair
and bitterness, and help us never to give in.

You are the light of the world. Be with us this week so that no matter what
comes to us or happens to us, we may live and walk as children of the light.

Amen.

- William Barclay



Hope everyone is keeping well........ :-)

Both our Ministers (they look after 8 chapels each) were out and about today. Both twice. Our Minister was planned for my chapel, but when I got there (quite late myself) he had not arrived.

One of the ladies said "if we choose hymns and readings, could you give the message, John?" Well, I could hardly refuse but was as nervous as a chicken. No idea what I was going to say, no notes etc. Anyway, he turned up midway through second hymn. Talked about adoption and that we were adopted children of God.

Later, I went to another chapel and the young trainee preacher gave a very competent sermon about the Trinity. He began by saying that some think of it as water, ice and steam but that was a poor example as all 3 do not co-exist. That amused me as I had thought it was quite a good illustration myself whne Cynthia mentioned it.

He then pinned triangles to the front of the pulpit - overlapping and inter-dependent triangles and said that they were glued together by love.

About 20 in my chapel and same in other. Some young ones at both (ie under 50) and all were appreciative at both services. Singing was wonderful, but it always is in the Valleys.

At end of service in my home chapel, a group of very young people (ie under 30) came in. There was going to be a wedding there next Saturday and they wanted to see chapel. About 20 of them - how I wished they would have all come an hour earlier and joined our service. :-) :-)

Had a lovely service this morning..... :-)


There was only one baptism this morning but they must have brought half of the town with them......... :-S

The retired priest did an excellent job and fitted in very well indeed. It was lovely for me, because there were some guests whom I knew from the church we used to go to before we retired. As they left, they said how much they had enjoyed the service and that 'there is a lot of love/joy in this church'. What a lovely thing to say.... :-)


We're having a BBQ for the church children tomorrow - but the forecast is for rain.... :-( Never mind, I'm sure we'll still have a good time. :-D

Hope everyone has had a good day.........

Trinity Sunday. Have just spoken on phone to a steward at another chapel and she has confirmed that it is a standing joke in Methodism that ordained men and women try best to avoid preaching today.

Not sure if it actually happens or not, but will have a quick look to see where ours are today.

I love preaching on Trinity Sunday - I always can find something new that I can develop, usually from the Old Testament. And I think what Jesus said to the Pharisees in the Temple Gate in last few days of his life is quite telling.

"I and the Father are one". And they tried to arrest him for that "blasphemy". Think about it. If he meant he agreed with everything God has caused to be written in the Old Testament (which he did say elsewhere) would the Pharisees (the great defenders of God in that day) have been so angry with him?

Anyway, am not preaching today. So am going to have the rare luxury of listening to two good preachers :-) :-)

:-D :-D You can borrow my hair dryer to get ready, Cynthia. No need for one now :-( :-(

I have heard of several ways to try and explain the Holy Trinity over the years John.


The three leafed clover - three leaves but all from the same plant.

An egg.......shell, yolk and albumen. Three components but still an egg.

I am a daughter, a mother and a grandmother. I am one person with differing roles.



Going back to last Sunday - Pentecost - I once remember a vicar illustrating the power of the Holy Spirit by using a hair dryer. He told us that the hair dryer was a very useful object, but only when plugged into the mains and switched on.

So with us, we aren't going to be Spirit led unless we are 'plugged into God and willing to be led by Him'. :-)


Must go or I will be late - and that would never do!!

Water, ice and steam. Never heard that before, but it is very easy to understand. I just know that I had a religion of sorts before I understood the Trinity. I always prayed to Jesus, because that was the tradition I came from.

But one day I felt a power coursing through me and suddenly knew God in all his full old Testament power. That He was three persons - one of which suddenly encamped in me (the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit). And that was why I changed - outwardly I knew the Holy Spirit would not appreciate sharing my old behaviour (swearing, smoking, drinking to excess) and inwardly I knew I was safe in the arms of God, whatever the world threw at me from then one.

And I have had a lot thrown at me. And I just love each challenge as I know God has saved me and has made me a child and co-heir with Jesus of all the riches of heaven. And all I want to do now is share that precious pearl with others :-) :-)

Here is an apt prayer from Mohatma Gandhi - "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Help us to see clearly". Not a Trinitarian prayer, not even a Christian prayer, but a prayer of faith from a great man of faith.

Good morning everyone, and it's a beautifully sunny morning where I am. :-)


As John has mentioned, today is traditionally known as Trinity Sunday - the Sunday after Pentecost, where we celebrate the most Holy Trinity - one God in three persons, and one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian faith to understand.

Many people have struggled with the concept of the Holy Trinity over the years, and one of the best explanations I have ever heard, which may be of help to others, is:


Water, ice, steam. All three are the same substance, but function differently from each other. Water is fluid while ice is hard and steam is a vapor, but they're all the same thing.


I'm not sure about clergy avoiding the subject - it is their duty to help others along the Christian path - difficult though that is at times.


A prayer for Trinity Sunday

Father,
You sent your Word to bring us truth
and your Spirit to make us holy.

Through them we come to know the mystery of your life.
Help us to worship you, one God in three persons,

You reveal yourself in the depths of our being,
by proclaiming and living our faith in you.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen



......and off I go to get ready for church....our vicar is away at the moment and so we have a retired priest taking the service. He has been several times before, so we all know him....... :-)


Have a lovely day............ :-)

The young trainee preacher I am mentoring has sent me his service plan for tomorrow. It all looks very good indeed.

His theme is the Trinity. Had not realised till I got his plan that tomorrow is Trinity Sunday.

I absolutely love preaching about the Trinity. Yet I know it is said in many churches that Anglican Vicars, Methodist Ministers and Catholic Priests avoid preaching on that day if they can. Possibly because you really have to search the Scriptures (particularly OT) to find clear indications that God has three distinct personalities - blessed Trinity.

He has picked the traditional Trinitarian hymn - Holy, Holy, Holy - to finish on.

Hi Cynthia
I've sorted the UCB problem thanks.

Thank you Joy.. :-)

Thank you Joy...........beautiful words at the start of a beautiful day. :-)

Many thanks for those thoughts at start of day, Joy.

"Beauty for your eyes to see" reminded me of those beautiful words of Fanny Crosby (Mrs Frances von Alstyne). "Visions of rapture burst on my sight". She was totally blind.

How often we forget to thank God for our senses to hear music and the chatter of children, to smell lovely flowers and to see so much beauty in our world. :-) :-)

I Wish for You…

Comfort on difficult days
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence for when you doubt,
Faith so that you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
And love to complete your life.
God Bless You!

~ Author Unknown ~

Thank you John and Cynthia, John for your kind words
and Cynthia for todays' prayer.

Emma :-)