General Chat

Dear Emma

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your SIL.

May she rest in peace.


Take very gentle care of yourself
Sincere wishes to you and your family
Elizabeth,
xx

Good morning :-)

Emma, I join the others in passing on my condolences and love on the death of your sister-in-law.

I know you are particularly fond of Helen Steiner Rice poems and send this in love.....



"May tender memories soften your grief,
May fond recollection bring you relief,
And may you find comfort and peace in the thought
Of the joy that knowing your loved one brought...
For time and space can never divide
Or keep your loved one from your side.
When memory paints in colours true,
the happy hours that belonged to you."

~Helen Steiner Rice




Meanwhile, the work continues on our downstairs loo. Yesterday, we had the builder hammering away, the electrician drilling madly and a friend from church repairing the curtain rail which I had accidently broken.......ooops! It was reminiscent of a mad house, but at least the work is getting done. :-)


Remembering our friends in prayer........ Cx :-)

Thank you kandj, Vera, Elizabeth and Cynthia for
your kind words.
Joan did not know us due to Alzheimer's but
we remembered a lovely beautiful woman who was
much loved by us all.

Thank you Cynthia for HSR poem she is as you know
my favourite. x

My brother died after living for 5 hours.....my mother thought of him every day of her life. When she was dying she called for her son ..it was so sad for all of us.
Whenever I am in England I go to where he was placed to be buried and leave some flowers

It is almost beyond believe that the Church refused him to be but in a grave so he was put against The wall out side.

Each year I visit and 3 years ago the priest apologised and he asked if there was anything he could do. My reply was yes. Please each year if I send some money would you place flowers by his place and say a prayer for him.
Thankfully. When I went to my brother this year , the priest had done what I had asked for.

If only my mother has still be alive
<3 <3

SpanishEyes - not an unusual set of circumstances even in mid-50s Ireland where I was reared.

Babies who died before being baptised were buried outside of 'consecrated ground' - that's outside the cemetery walls to you & me. Our local graveyard has such a spot & soil mounds are still the only burial indicator there to this very day. The miserable practice has been allowed to ‘lapse’.

Cruel times.

Good morning.. :-)


Those were sad times indeed.....but it is good to know that the priest was willing to help and comfort you in that way SpanishEyes <3


For today:

Have you ever wondered what happened to the child in us?

The inner child who used to be capable of
Wide-eyed wonder
And brave trust….?

Do you remember when we
were once pioneers and adventurers
Now, more often, we’re concerned with safety- caution, suspicion:

There used to be a restlessness –
now there is complacency.

Time was we were hungry for ideas
now we are resistant to change, afraid of innovation.

Then it was asking all the questions – thousands of questions …
Now it’s knowing all the answers.

Where did it go.. how did it happen
Where are the children we were?
Where are we?

Once it was child-like trust
–now it’s cynicism - and a pride that won’t bend.
It used to be love, open arms, generous eager hugs
Now it’s fear of being hurt and a pride that won’t submit.

Then, our imagination ran free – now, the vision is jaded and jaundiced.
What has happened?

How did it get like this? How did we get like this?

Once there was a kind of intuitive feel for spiritual things, an openness to something beyond ourselves -
Now there are structures, and rigidity and the formalities of religion.

Time was there was no agenda
Now there is a whole raft of agendas…

Then there was awe and wonder –
now it’s routine and taking it all for granted

We lose a lot when we silence our inner child…
But all is not lost - we can rediscover that spontaneity, that willingness to try new things, explore the unknown.

It just takes a shift of emphasis – a wee change of direction. It’s not about how old you are on the outside –but how alive you are in the inside!

Lord, show me what you meant about becoming like a little child.
And finding your kingdom when I do.

Amen.




Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I quite excelled myself yesterday by preparing lunch wedged between the washing machine and the fridge which had been moved into the centre of the kitchen by the plumbers! It is quite a small kitchen, so it was no mean feat...... :-D


In this season of Advent.....

Jesus our Prince of Peace, we pray that every time a carol is sung, a Christmas greeting spoken, a nativity play performed, that your name be honoured and glorified and that hard hearts be melted to receive you afresh.

Lord Jesus, from the repetitive muzak carols heard in every shop and supermarket to the frantic shopping for glitzy gifts, may we, your disciples, be ready to grasp every opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas with others.

Lord Jesus, as we await your coming, help us to look for you in the hoodie on our

estate, the beggar on the street, the outcasts in our society and open our hearts to love others as you do.

Lord, I pray that your Spirit of truth and love will fill the hearts of those for whom Christmas has no meaning. Amen

- Lynne Newland

Cx :-)

Listening now to Daily Service on my digital radio. The theme is loneliness.

Remembering those in need of comfort. x

Good morning :-)


There has been quite a lot of talk about how many people will be spending Christmas alone this year. It's a sobering thought.



Loving God,
there are times in each life
when there is no one.
No one with whom to share
a word,
a laugh,
a sad remembrance,
a gentle touch,
a fond embrace,
a kiss of love.
Bless each one who suffers
from such loneliness.
Enrich life with a friend
or gentle stranger
who will spend a moment
noticing
and loving.
In those times
your love shines through,
the world is reborn,
and Christ is known.
So be it!
Amen.


- Vienna Cobb Anderson


Remembering our friends in prayer....... Cx :-)

I have just come back to this group and want to say Thank you to Dermot for the kind way he left a message.

When I was having my last child, or so I thought I discovered that I was having Triplits! Now I was a nurse and knew that I had been told that I must not have more children......
I went to see the person I worked with and he was shocked that I had not taken his decision......I beged him to care for me and he did. I was in hospital for 3 months and then realised that I was about to deliver my children, what we dis not know was that I was about to deliver 3 children.........
Sadly only two lived and. I never mentioned this to my twins, then when thy were about 12 someone in the family told them...I was very upset....
However we all got over it. The priest came to,the hospital and said a few words to me and my husband which helped us.
Thank you for reading this, , , <3 <3 <3

Spanish Eyes <3 <3

Thank you
Emma <3

Good morning :-)


Thank you for sharing your story with us SpanishEyes. Sending love.... <3


A busy day........I stepped in at the last moment to offer to help with a presentation at the last moment, so my mind is whirling with that. Also, it is our Carol Service - a week earlier than we would normally have it, but we have to fit in with our priest's other church. All systems go once more..... :-)


The Collect for today:

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Remembering our friends in prayer.... Cx :-)

Reading through the earlier postings and sending prayerful support and warm thoughts to all who are grieving, feeling upset or facing challenging times just now. xxx

Good morning :-)


Lovely to see you popping in again kandj <3


Yesterday went well if a little hectic. Three services all well attended plus four baptisms - a very busy time indeed. Mind you, I was a little taken aback by the fact that some of the baptism guests wore so little in this weather. I had to do a double take when I saw a young woman wearing a backless dress, and several more wearing very, very short and flimsy outfits. They must have been absolutely freezing :-0


I've noticed that today is the 2nd anniversary of this thread started by JustJohn. It may not be the most popular thread on these boards but, to me, it has been a tiny beacon in a very dark world.

I would like to thank JJ for beginning this thread which has given many folk the opportunity to share their thoughts on the Christian faith.

Dear Lord,

Every single evening
As I’m lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head:

God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm and safe from harm
For they’re so close to me.

And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don’t mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too.

Now I know that it’s unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you, Lord.

You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.

I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.

By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew.

Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That’s filled with so much love.

Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail inbox
And each person who hits “send”.


With love, Cx :-)

I agree Cynthia it has been a very good thread
and thanks to JJ for starting one.
There are times in our lives when we need to
go to a quiet place and gather our thoughts
together, this is such a place. x

Recently I was asked by a friend Who is God and if there is only this one person why is it that we have people living around the world and have a different view.

I must be honest about this,I was unable to explain

Any advice ??

One more ! What about Jews, non believers , people who have different ideas etc.
Bridget,




I could not give an answer, sorry.
:-(

Good morning :-)


My word SpanishEyes, that's a tall order and it's something that people will have differing view about I should think.

There's the clue. People. I think it's important to remember that God didn't create all the many faiths - people did.

The heritage of faith is passed down from generation to generation - some will interpret it in a different way to others.

Some will be scathing and others will refute it. It's up to each and every one of us to make our own decision based on experience and learning.

That's why churchgoing is considered to be important. Not just for the friendships made, but for the teaching which is offered and the prayer which is shared.

So many folk have their own views about faith based on very little understanding of what faith is all about.


For today:

O Lord my God,
Teach my heart this day where and how to see you,
Where and how to find you.
You have made me and remade me,
And you have bestowed on me
All the good things I possess,
And still I do not know you.
I have not yet done that
For which I was made.
Teach me to seek you,
For I cannot seek you
Unless you teach me,
Or find you
Unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire,
Let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you,
Let me love you when I find you.

-St. Anselm

Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning..... :-)


I don't think anyone can fail to have been horrified by the massacre of those innocent children in Peshawar.

It is beyond imagination that human beings can treat each other this way.

We fail to understand the logic behind such behaviour.

I can but leave you with the prayer which is familiar to most :


Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen.


Cx :-)