General Chat

SpanishEyes, that is wonderful news. Your family must be feeling so relieved and thankful. I hope your granddaughter will continue to get stronger every day and will soon be able to live life to the full.

My thoughts are with all who need support at this time

Good morning.... :-)


We both made it to church yesterday and, as per usual, my husband was cosseted and cared for, hugged and kissed - and the lipstick was wiped from his face.... :-D
Being part of a church family is a wonderful thing, despite the similar ups and downs that one experiences within everyday family life.

I am up before dawn each morning, and today I was chilled by the noise of the wind and rain beating against the back door.....brrrrr


A Celtic blessing for today :

As the rain hides the stars,
as the autumn mist
hides the hills,
as the clouds veil
the blue of the sky, so
the dark happenings of my lot
hide the shining of thy face from me.
Yet, if I may hold thy hand in the darkness,
it is enough, since I know,
that though I may stumble in my going,
Thou dost not fall.


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

Oh dear!

As I started liking on my messages I learnt that my granddaughter will be back to the place she has been for a long time! I do not know what has caused this but I will let you all know as soon as I can.

Praying that it something that can be a short time.

Bridget

Good morning... :-)


Bridget, I am so sorry to hear this news and, hopefully, it will just be a minor setback. Please us know how things go and, meanwhile, I will hold you and your family in prayer..... <3


Yesterday we had the hand basin in our new downstairs loo installed - it took them 6 hours!!!!!! Much of the time was spent trying to drill through the brickwork of the wall. Our house was built at a time when walls were walls! :-D


I spotted this hymn earlier and know I will probably be humming it all day ...


"I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say"

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till traveling days are done.



- Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqF4N7rdV-w


With love to all,

Cx :-)

Thoughts and prayers to those in need at this time x

Oh dear, that's very disappointing news for you and your family SpanishEyes, I do hope and pray that this is a "blip" that the doctors can sort out and that your Granddaughter will be back home before very long.

Cynthia, not heard that hymn for a very long time..... thank you.

Joining with Emma and offering prayers now for all in need tonight.

Good morning :-)



Waiting for the plumber to call.....my boiler is leaking. It's fixed to the wall of the smallest bedroom which we use as a study. Two pairs of my husband's gloves which he keeps on a box on the floor below the boiler are wringing wet :-(

Ah well............these things are sent to try us.............and they usually succeed :-)


Sometimes, we meet situations where, the less said, the better....... I love these pithy words...


Pray all the time. If necessary, use words.

God forgets the past. Imitate him.

Greed I've often regretted. Generosity--never.

Don't ask God to do what you want. Ask God to do what is right.

No one is useless to God. No one.

Nails didn't hold God to a cross. Love did.

You will never forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you.


- from Grace For The Moment by Max Lucado



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

Cynthia the same thing happened to our boiler just before Christmas. Our regular gas safe plumber came and found a fault with a valve that had stuck on the condenser boiler and with a replaced valve everything was back working very quickly. I hope that the plumber has sorted out your problem and all is warm now.

It is human nature to worry and I often think "What next?!!"
but I do try to remember the scripture Philippians 4: 6-7

Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.
If you do this you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Continuing to remember everyone who needs ongoing prayerful support tonight.

Good morning :-)


Thank you for those words kandj and yes, we are all sorted out once more. It was nothing the plumber had done during our recent work, simply a fault with a part within the innards - so we called British Gas out and they came within a good time :-)

Hoping to finally have the floor covering in the new loo fitted tonight.....and then that is another job done. I'm going to miss having all these men coming and going :-D


I'm certain most of us have one of these...........

Cherished Friends

God must have known there would be times
We'd need a word of cheer,
Someone to praise a triumph
Or brush away a tear.

He must have known we'd need to share
The joy of "little things"
In order to appreciate
The happiness life brings.

I think He knew our troubled hearts
Would sometimes throb with pain,
At trials and misfortunes,
Or goals we can't attain.

He knew we'd need the comfort
Of an understanding heart
To give us strength and courage
To make a fresh, new start.

He knew we'd need companionship,
Unselfish... lasting... true,
And so God answered the heart's great need
With cherished friends... like you!


- Anon


With my love and prayers Cx :-)

Good morning.... :-)



Two prayers for today:


Give to us, Lord, the peace of those who have learnt to serve you, the joy of those who are glad to obey you and the delight of those who rejoice in your praise; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Aidan of Lindisfarne (d. 651)



We offer our thanks for people in every age
who have been moved to acts of courage and sacrifice,
in their concern for the well-being of others
and their commitment to the common good.
May their sacrificial living and dying
inspire us in our shared quest
for the fullness of life promised in Christ.
May we be more firmly rooted and grounded
in God's love for all people, and for the whole of creation.
Life-giving God, stretch our hearts and our horizons,
in the name of Christ. Amen.

- Liz Smith


Continuing to remember our friends in prayer Cx :-)

Lord. Jesus ,
we ask you to bring your healing touch
to those whom we know
to be sick, afraid or worried.
Bring them your peace and healing.
Amen

Cynthia and Emma......... thank you and Amen to your words.

Let's remember those for whom January is a difficult month. Pray blessings for those who are feeling under pressure or anxious for whatever reason, that they might be helped or supported a little by reading today's postings.

Good morning.... :-)



Thank you for that prayer Emma xx


Prayer for today :


God of the mountain-top and of the valley,
when the mountain is steep and I am tired,
bless me with your strength.

When the mountain is misty and I am afraid,
bless me with your peace.

When the mountain is covered
in the snow of uncertainty,
bless me with your courage.

When the mountain is beautiful,
bless me with gratitude
and a sense of wonder that
you are with me always.

Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

Beautiful words and lovely thoughts.... thank you Cynthia.

Have just been reading about Saint for today 17 January, who is St Anthony the Abbot. St Anthony was an Egyptian hermit. He was a very spiritual person who believed in living the Jesus life.

When people eventually found him, he moved even further away, eating only bread and water, praying, fasting and wearing skins as clothing.
Wise men from as far away as Greece sought his guidance. Some were healed physically, many were comforted by his words and others stayed to learn from him.

We have much to thank the many Saints for their belief and commitment.

Continuing to think and pray for those who are in need of support tonight.

Good morning :-)


Thank you for those words kandj - the lives of the saints are always interesting.


Oh my word! It is cold outside......brrrr Don't think OH will be going to church this morning - it's bad enough him staying upright when the weather is good, but when it is frosty and icy, we could turn into a circus.... :-D


A busy morning at church though as today is Education Sunday and parade service. Year 3 are leading the worship apparently, so what with them and their eager parents and the members of our uniformed organisations.............chaos could descend upon us. :-D


The Collect for today:

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory;
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.



I notice that the reading from the Old Testament is the lovely story of Samuel and Eli........I wonder if year 3 will build on it?


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Yes, chaos DID descend, but it was rather nice chaos. There were so many people in church that chairs had to be ferried in from the meeting room. Year 3 did very well with their presentation on 'Vocations' - they had some very good readers indeed. Three new babies and their families were welcomed into the church family and given their baptism certificates.



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.

It is the work that we're assigned,
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 fantasize about
Your many good intentions.

But at the spot you are right now
begin at once to do
Little things to brighten up
The lives surrounding you.

If everybody brightened up
the spot where they are 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!

Brighten up your corner today!

~ Helen Steiner Rice



Love to all Cx :-)

Thank you for that Cynthia x

Reminded me of when I was little and sang....

Jesus bids us shine with a clear pure light
Like a little candle burning in the night
In this World of darkness we must shine
You in your small corner and I in mine.

Good morning.... :-)



I remember singing that too Emma - so long ago.... :-)


A prayer for today :

God of serenity,
as we think of the cost of war,
we are reminded of the price of peace.
Watch over and protect all people who dutifully serve you
in areas of conflict throughout the world.
May their presence achieve the stability sought
and may harmony be restored. Amen.

- Hilary Cheng



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

Thank you everyone for your recent words.

Emma, I remember Jesus Bids Us Shine fondly as well. When I was very little I wouldn't go to sleep till my mother had sung three songs. The first was Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, then Go to Sleep My Baby and we always ended with Jesus Bids Us Shine. So I will forever associate that hymn with feeling calm and safe.

I might add that my mother had the most terrible tuneless voice which I have inherited.

Keeping in my thoughts all our friends in need of comfort and strength at this time.

Emma..... thanks for the memories that we all seem to have of the lovely words sang in our childhood days, which have brought back warm and special moments once again.

It's hard to believe that we are half way through the month of January already!

Dear Lord, we pray today, for leaders in government, health, education, police,
church ministry and our community. Give them all the wisdom to make the right choices and to implement them well. Amen.