General Chat

Good morning and how wonderful to see kandj back with us again. :-)

We have missed your input kandj, and it will be lovely to read your thoughts as and when you are able to post.


Over the past few weeks, I have been planning a special event for church. The theme was 'Peace'.......
Peace in our world (to commemorate the First World War);
Peace in our lives (gained by putting our trust in God) and
Peace in our Church (aimed at strengthening our relationships within our congregation).

The first part was a presentation in church with a PowerPoint I had put together on all of the above aspects. Afterwards, we adjourned to our meeting room and enjoyed an afternoon tea of sandwiches, cakes, strawberry scones and some 'home grown' entertainment which I had arranged. It was a lovely, lovely, afternoon and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Hard work, but well worth it. :-)


The Collect for today:

Almighty God,
who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church:
open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
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 :-)

Welcome back kandj and may your husband
continue to get stronger everyday.
My thoughts and prayers to you both and also
my young friend and her family.

Emma x

Thank you to Vera, Emma and Cynthia. It does feel good to be with you all again although my time is not my own I will add when I get a spare 5 minutes.

I am still not able to be back in church but I will get there at some point and I'm sure God will see how much my husband needs my help still.

Cynthia, the Collect is interesting to read and your presentation just great....
Well done you good and faithful servant!

Good morning :-D

Thank you for your kind words kandj......we're so glad you are back with us.


Our prayer for today:

Loving, living Lord,
in Jesus you come into this world in love,
light shining in our darkness.
So we dare to hope,
for in your love and light, hope, too, is born,
hope which is real,
for this world and all its people, for me.
So help me to live this day in hope,
your gift in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

- James Booth


Thinking of all our friends who have asked for prayer. Cx :-)

Amen to this mornings prayer Cynthia and I am remembering others too in need of prayerful support today.

Yesterday's Collect of the day "spoke to me" and I appreciate this bonding with other Christians, especially as I am not able to return to regular Sunday morning worship just yet.

I read Galatians Chapter 5 v 22-23 to remind myself of Paul's letter regarding the Fruits of the Holy Spirit which were 8 in number, namely:-

Love, Joy, Peace,Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

My Catholic neighbour tells me that their faith list 12 Fruits of the Spirit which are:-

Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control and Chastity.

I found this to be quite interesting and worthy of sharing with you all today.

On BBC Radio 4’s ’Beyond Belief’ today was a very interesting discussion about ‘The 7 Deadly Sins’.

Mentioned during programme was the supposed Hindu equivalent as outlined by Mahatma Gandhi’s 'Seven Social Sins' (aka the Seven Blunders of the World)
published in 1925 & listed as follows: -

Wealth without work.
Pleasure without conscience.
Knowledge without character.
Commerce without morality.
Science without humanity.
Worship without sacrifice.
Politics without principle.

Good morning..... :-)


Lovely to see you both posting - thank you for those words. The Seven Social Sins from 1925, were interesting Dermot and sadly, too many people are still living by them today.



When I think I've finished praying,
I don't always say, "Amen,"
For I keep a running dialogue,
Going on all day with Him.

Off and on throughout the day,
I speak aloud to God,
A fact that is so commonplace,
I do not think it's odd.

God can do what I can't do,
(Or, I can't do alone,)
I ask His help a thousand times,
For many tasks at home.

Be it opening a jar,
Or undoing knotted cords,
I always say, "Please help me, God,"
Then say, "I thank you, Lord."

It's "please" and "thank you" all day long,
It's natural - like breathing,
It isn't planned; it just comes out,
It's comfortable and pleasing.

I suppose my prayers are selfish,
(I need to work on that,)
But sometimes I merely talk to Him,
And ask for nothing back.

I think God knows what's going on,
He can recognize true need,
I may just want a Holy Ear,
And not a Holy Deed.

- Virginia Ellis


Lots to think about with these postings. Cx :-)

Good evening


I quite liked that Cynthia .....seems so real :-)

Good morning :-)



Real indeed Susan - and it's how I pass quite a lot of my day. :-)


Every now and again, I take a look to see which saint is being celebrated in the church - both Anglican and Roman Catholic. Today is the feast day of St. Bernard of Clairvaux and I have been reading about him online. I am always impressed by the intellectual abilities and spiritual courage of men like Bernard. Their steadfastness in their faith in Christ is remarkable indeed.

Something I discovered, which I hadn't realised, was that the words from the following hymn are attributed to St.Bernard. It was one of the hymns my mother chose for her funeral if I remember rightly.



Jesus, the very thought of thee
with sweetness fills the breast;
but sweeter far thy face to see,
and in thy presence rest.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the memory find,
a sweeter sound than Jesus' Name,
the Saviour of mankind.

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
to those who fall, how kind thou art:
how good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah, this
nor tongue nor pen can show;
the love of Jesus, what it is,
none but who love him know.

Jesus, our only joy be thou,
as thou our prize wilt be;
in thee be all our glory now,
and through eternity.


Words: Bernard of Clairvaux, twelfth century;
trans. Edward Caswall, 1849



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Cl7YZmw6I


Thoughts and prayers go to all our friends. Cx :-)

The words of that hymn are so beautiful Cynthia,
thank you for sharing.

My thoughts and prayers to all in need.

Emma x

Such a long time since I heard the words of the beautiful hymn, I agree with Emma and thank you Cynthia for the detailed write up too.

I have these words to share. It's a bit long, but well worth reading I think.

The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee.

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours
in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very
large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into
the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas
between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if
the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "Yes".

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table
and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space
between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now", said the professor as the laughter subsided. "I want you to recognize
that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things --
your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite
passions -- and if everything else was lost and only they remained,
your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter
like your house, your job and your car.

The sand is everything else-- the small stuff. "If you put the sand in the jar first"
he continued, "There is no room for the golf balls or the pebbles. The same
goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will
never have room for the things that are important to you".

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with
your children. Take time to get medical check-ups. Take your spouse out
to dinner. Play another 18 holes There will always be time to clean the
house and fix the rubbish bins. Take care of the golf balls first--things that
really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand".

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no
matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups
of coffee with a friend".

Please share this with someone you care about. I JUST DID.

Good morning :-)


What a great story kandj - love it.....and so very true. :-)


Just a brief prayer for today as those words from kandj are so meaningful in themselves.

May you experience God's
vast, infinite, indestructible, expansive love,
that has been yours all along.
May you discover this love is as wide as the sky,
and as small as the cracks in your heart
that no-one else knows about,
and may you know deep in your bones
that you are welcome, invited and loved. Amen.

- Brian Anderson


Praying for Vera's widowed friend, Emma's young friend and her family and not forgetting kandj and her husband. Cx :-)

Thank you kandj a lesson to remember in today's
busy life we all lead.

Emma :-)

Thanks Cynthia and Emma, the post was a bit long but a really interesting story that gives us food for thought. How blessed we are to believe that God understands our needs.

I love the Lord for He heard my voice, He heard my cry for mercy. (psalm 116 v 1)

I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. The Lord is gracious and righteous: Our God
is full of compassion. Psalm 116 v 3,5.

Continuing to remember our friends in prayerful support for their special needs today.

Thank you for that story Kandj. Plenty of food for thought there.

Last Sunday the hymn "O God you search me and you know me" was sung on Songs of Praise and it has been going round and round my brain ever since. It is slowly driving me barmy, but it is a lovely melody.

My thoughts are with those in need

Good morning :-)


It's so nice having your thoughts and prayers on this thread and to know that we are not alone in our musings.... :-)


Some words for today:

We cannot all be famous
Or be listed in "Who's Who,"
But every person, great or small,
Has important work to do.

For seldom do we realize
The importance of small deeds,
Or to what degree of greatness
Unnoticed kindness leads.

For it's not the big celebrity
In a world of fame and praise,
But it's doing unpretentiously
In an undistinguished way.

The work that God assigned to us,
Unimportant as it seems,
That makes our task outstanding,
And brings reality to dreams.

So do not sit and idly wish
For wider, new dimensions
where you can put into practice,
Your many good intentions.

But at the spot God placed you
Begin at once to do,
Little things to brighten up
The lives surrounding you.

If everybody brightened up
The spot where their standing,
By being more considerate,
And a little less demanding.

This dark old world would very soon
Eclipse the evening star,
If everybody brightened up
The corner where they are!




Remembering those in any kind of need today.....Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It's looking rather damp outside but there is still a new day awaiting us......


Dear God,
grant me this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life,
Letting go every thought of anxiety, discouragement, self-seeing,
Cultivating joy, generosity, love, and the habit of holy silence.
Grant me to be faithful in the habits of prayer, work, study, exercise,
eating and sleeping.
As I cannot by my own strength do this,
nor even with the hope of success attempt it,
I look to you, O Lord my Father,
in Jesus Christ my Saviour
and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.


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

Amen to your prayer this morning Cynthia.

A beautiful God-given morning here in Yorkshire. Blue sky, white fluffy clouds with no rain clouds in sight although it has forecast heavy showers for this afternoon.

I have been reading through old church magazines this week. All very interesting as we no longer have them but only a single news bulletin instead... not quite the same.

This article caught my eye and so I am beginning the day by sharing this with you.

FAITH

This is the beginning of a new day.
God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it, or use it for good.
What I do today is important,
for I am exchanging a day in my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone.
Leaving in its place, something I have traded,
I want it to be gain, and not loss;
Good and not evil;
Success and not failure,
So that I shall not regret the price that I have paid for this new day.

Thinking and praying this morning especially for those who are facing a troubled and anxious day.

The Lord will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid. Amen. (Deuteronomy 31 v 8)

Amen to your prayer Cynthia and also kandj
for Deuteronomy 31 v 8.

Emma :-)

Good morning :-)


It's funny you should mention parish magazines kandj - we still produce one and I have been typing it out for the last few months. The issue for September is quite a large one as several people have written articles for it, including the widow of our dearly beloved late incumbent. It is almost 12 months since his sudden and tragic death and we still feel his loss keenly.

As with any bereavement, there has been sadness, anger and some bitterness to overcome. Rivalries have broken out here and there and hasty words have been spoken which have caused pain. Despite the fact that someone was 'put over us' from the beginning, we have been like a ship without a rudder....without a captain and have been drifting hither and thither. Unfortunately, the 'hierarchy' have left a lot to be desired - they have failed to understand the depth of feeling and seem out of touch with life at grass roots level.

However, I can see signs of recovery and, maybe once the anniversary of his death is in the past, we will be sailing on less troubled waters. We desperately want to return to the happy, faithful and fruitful church we once were. Pray God it will not be long in coming.

The Collect for today:


Almighty and everlasting God,
who gave to your apostle Bartholomew
grace truly to believe and to preach your word:
grant that your Church may love that word which he believed,
and may faithfully preach and receive the same;
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.


Our prayers continue for all those of whom we have been thinking recently.

Cx :-)