General Chat

Good morning :-)


Emma, I vaguely remember reading Little Women but, I have to confess, I was much more of an Enid Blyton fan when young. I loved her adventure books but wasn't too keen on the fairy stuff - maybe I was too much of a realist. I still have all my Famous Five books tucked away in the attic somewhere I think. :-)


I hope those who pop in for a look at this thread are keeping well and, of course, we continue to send our love and prayers to kandj and all who are going through difficult times.


Our prayer for today:


Benediction
May the loving God embrace us
may the healing Christ restore us
may the powerful Spirit encourage us
may God, the three in one, go with us.
Amen.

- Colin Bemrose



Cx :-)

Good Morning :-)


We've just bought a compact power hose......and ever since, it has rained! :-)

We have a couple of baptisms after the service again - hopefully the rain will have eased by then or we will have some extremely soggy party dresses......


The Collect for today:

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him,
from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Old Testament lesson for today is a very familiar reading to many of us and is frequently read/sung at funeral services.....the 23rd Psalm


The Lord is my shepherd; *therefore can I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
He shall refresh my soul
and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.
Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.



I hope these words bring comfort to kandj and all those whom we know who are going through troubled times.


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia and regular posters. I am still popping in most days.

Continuing to keep Kandj and others in need in my thoughts

Vera

Good morning :-)

Good to see you popping in Vera....


Well, there were no soggy dresses at the baptism yesterday, but I am guessing that some of the young women were slightly chilly in the cold wind.

Things are beginning to settle down somewhat at church, but we still miss our vicar terribly. It has taken some time to get used to the new man but we are getting there. Mind you, as he has oversight of two churches, we don't see that much of him as he is here, there and everywhere.

Our late vicar's widow has finally moved and is settling down in her new home. It's still near enough for her to get to work and for folk to visit. I went there yesterday afternoon for a simple house blessing service, led by one of her husband's friends, which was rather nice.


So, thinking about our friend, kandj and others who are bearing a heavy load at this time, I use this poem for today's prayer:


Before You Can Dry Another's Tears - You Too Must Weep

Let me not live a life that's free
From "the things" that draw me close to Thee,
For how can I ever hope to heal
The wounds of others I do not feel?

If my eyes are dry and I never weep,
How do I know when the hurt is deep?
If my heart is cold and it never bleeds
How can I tell what my brother needs?

For when ears are deaf to the beggar's plea,
And we close our eyes and refuse to see,
And we steel our hearts and harden our mind,
And we count it a weakness whenever we're kind,
We are no longer following the Father's Way
Or seeking His guidance from day to day.

For without "crosses to carry" and "burdens to bear,"
We dance through a life that is frothy and fair;
And "chasing the rainbow" we have no desire
For "roads that are rough" and "realms that are higher."

So spare me no heartache or sorrow, dear Lord,
For the heart that is hurt reaps the richest reward,
And God enters the heart that is broken with sorrow
As He opens the door to a "brighter tomorrow" ...
For only through tears can we recognize
The suffering that lies in another's eyes.

~ Helen Steiner Rice




Cx :-)

I don't post on here much (if at all), but that is lovely Cynthia and so true :-)

That poem is so true Cynthia. Wishing Kandj and other friends in need "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow".

That is beautiful Cynthia :-)

As always Cynthia, HSR words always touches my heart,
thank you <3

To kandj and others in need my thoughts and prayers are
sent to you.

Emma xx

Good morning :-)


My word, that poem evoked some response - I'm so pleased it was appreciated and helpful.

Varying the style as usual, some celtic words for today :


Always Remember To Forget

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.


Love to all.......Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Within our faith, there are so many beautiful prayers to choose from - prayers of gratefulness : prayers of comfort : prayers which are hundreds of years old : prayers which are modern.

There are prayers which rhyme and prayers which just flow : prayers from saints and prayers from pilgrims.

I think I have used this prayer before, but make no apology for doing so. The words are wise and inspiring.


People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

- Mother Teresa


Remembering kandj and all whom we know who would appreciate our prayers today. Cx :-)

Another beautiful prayer Cynthia, thank you :-)

Kandj and all in need of comfort my thoughts are
with you. x

Good morning :-)


There is much discussion re Creation and suchlike on another thread on here. Sometimes I am frustrated because 'philosophising' is not my forte. However, I take comfort in those simple words from Philippians:


" Rejoice* in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."


There may be some things in this life which puzzle and perplex us - but we are not to worry. We are to trust in God. :-)


Our prayer for today:

Father, we thank you for your Spirit which surrounds us,
in the air we breathe,
the glory that transports us in wonder,
the light by which we see all that you have created,
the fruitfulness of the earth and the joy of its creatures.
Thank-you for making us part of the web of life,
depending on the rhythms and fruits of the earth for our existence.
As you have granted us our daily bread, teach us how to receive it, and grant us one thing more, O Lord,
and that is grateful hearts.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It is lovely to be able to share some good new with our friends on here. I have received a message from kandj to tell me that, hopefully, her husband will be discharged from hospital at the weekend.

New adaptations and routines will have to be put in place, and much care will have to be taken but, as you can imagine, kandj is delighted that things have progressed so well.

As a family, they have shared some very dark times together over the last few weeks and have been so grateful for the many prayers which have surrounded them. They have been well cared for by the chaplains at the hospital, and this has meant much to them.


I thought that, today, it would be good to read again, the words which many of the older church folk grew up with.....and which they learned by heart.

The General Thanksgiving.


Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants do give you most humble
and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all people;

We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life; but above all
for your inestimable love in the redemption
of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ,
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And we beseech you,
give us that due sense of all your mercies,
that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful,
and that we show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives;
by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you in holiness
and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Ghost
be all honour and glory, world without end.
Amen


Cx :-)

Pleased to hear the good news from Kandj. Will keep them in my thoughts as her OH continues his recovery at home.

So pleased to hear kandj good news <3

Good morning :-)


As we hear that there is yet more unrest in this world of ours, I offer these thoughts for today:


PRAYER FOR PEACE


Our Father, up in heaven,
Hear this fervent prayer--
May the people of All Nations,
Be United in Thy Care,

For earth's peace and man's salvation
Can come only by Thy grace
And not through bombs and missiles
And our quest for outer space.

For until all men recognize
That "The Battle Is The Lord's"
And peace on earth cannot be won
With strategy and swords,

We will go on vainly fighting,
As we have in ages past,
Finding only empty victories
And a peace that cannot last.

But we've grown so rich and mighty
And so arrogantly strong,
We no longer ask in humbleness -
"God, show us where we're wrong".

We have come to trust completely
In the power of man-made things,
Unmindful of God's mighty power
And that He is "King Of Kings".

We have turned our eyes away from Him
To go our selfish way,
And money, power and pleasure
Are the gods we serve today.

And the good green earth God gave us
To peacefully enjoy,
Through greed and fear and hatred
We are seeking to destroy.

Oh, Father, up in heaven,
Stir and wake our sleeping souls,
Renew our faith and lift us up
And give us higher goals,

And grant us heavenly guidance
As war threatens us again.
For, more than Guided Missiles,
All the world needs Guided Men.

- Helen Steiner Rice




Cx :-)

Amen to that Cynthia xx

Good morning :-)

We are now on the 5th Sunday of Easter and working our way through the church's year.

Today, we hear about the first Christian martyr - Stephen - whose death, ultimately, led to the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. St. Stephen's Day is actually celebrated on 26th December but tends to be overlooked by the Christmas festivities.



The Collect
Almighty God,
who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:
grant that, as by your grace going before us
you put into our minds good desires,
so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord.

Amen.


The Gospel reading for today contains these precious words :

Jesus said:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me."


Remembering kandj and all those in need of any sort.

Cx :-)

I am so pleased to read the good news that kandj's husband should be home soon. (((xxx)))



Also nice to see that John has apparently visited the site ....................... the OP is very different today :-)

Good morning :-)

Well spotted Sylvia.......John sent me a message to say that he was altering the OP to keep it more seasonal. :-)


At the start of the working week, how about some more smiles from the things that children pray?



"Our father who are in heaven, Harold be thy name"


“Jesus, please bless daddy so his t-shirt won’t get wet on his way home. Love you. Goodnight.“


“Dear God, please take away the pimples from my mama’s face.”


“Papa God, please buy me a tricycle, okay? Amen.”


“Dear God, Thank you for this wonderful day. Please help me sleep well tonight and have a good day at school tomorrow. And please, if sickness is coming our way or is already on us, make it go away. Oh and can you make mommy get some more sleep so she ís not cranky? In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”


"God, I read the bible. What does begat mean? Nobody will tell me".


"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from E-mail. Amen."


"“Dear God, my favorite food is rice and chicken. Do you have rice and chicken in heaven? Because if you don’t I don’t want to come to heaven….”


" Dear God, I didn’t think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset
you made on Tuesday night.That was really cool."



Enjoy your day Cx :-)