General Chat

Good morning :-)


Baptism preparation class last night. Four young families who have made the decision to have their child baptised into the Christian faith. They watched as the story of Jesus unfolded before them and how baptism is brought into that story.

When we went into church to make the seating arrangements, I explained that the church was bare of flowers through the solemnities of Lent whilst we pondered on Christ's sufferings and then, on Easter Day it would look like a flower festival.

Continuing our Lenten theme......

Lent is a time to take time to let the power
of our faith story take hold of us,
a time to let the events get up
and walk around in us,
a time to intensify our living unto Christ,
a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,
a time to place our feet in the streets of
Jerusalem or to walk along the sea and
listen to his Word,
a time to touch his robe
and feel the healing surge through us,
a time to ponder and a time to wonder….
Lent is a time to allow
a fresh new taste of God!
Perhaps we’re afraid to have time to think,
for thoughts come unbidden.
Perhaps we’re afraid to face our future
knowing our past.
Give us courage, O God,
to hear your Word
and to read our living into it.
Give us the trust to know we’re forgiven
and give us the faith
to take up our lives and walk.

- Ann Weems


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A thoughtful smile for today:


Good morning. I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems.

Please remember that I do not need your help. If the devil happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFJTD (something for Jesus to do) box. It will be addressed in MY TIME, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem.

If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution.

Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away.

- God.



Holding our friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Thank you for that Cynthia, it did make me smile :-)

Remembering all in need.

Good morning :-)

It made me smile too Emma........ :-)


Some thoughts for today:


I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said . . . Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.


-anon.

Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Down to three baptisms today as one of the babies is poorly apparently. We pray for the child and for his family at this anxious time.


The Collect for today:

Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life 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.



Continuing to hold folk in prayer. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The three babies duly arrived with their proud parents and lots of friends and relations. It's always a bit like Paddington Station on baptism morning as people move out of church from the main service and another crowd move into church for the baptisms. It's lovely to see such activity though.... :-D


Some thoughts for today:


I knelt to pray but not for long
I had too much to do
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer
And jumped up off my knees
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do
That was my constant cry
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time to die.

I went before the Lord, I came
And stood with downcast eyes
For in His hands God held a book
It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said,
"Your name I cannot find
I once was going to write it down
But never found the time."

- Anon


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


This afternoon I am going into our school to lead an assembly. I have a few 'butterflies' but am really looking forward to it. They are working towards the second stage of an award and the theme this term, is 'forgiveness' :-)

A prayer for today:





To you, O God most high, we lift our hearts and to you we give our praise. To you we confess our sins and to you we come for pardon. To you we pray for one another and to you we come for grace. To you we render our thanks and to you we ascribe all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)


Cx :-)

Remembering all our friends in thought
and prayer. x

Good morning :-)

Thankfully, assembly went well and there were thoughtful looks and happy smiles as we explored the word 'foregiveness'. :-)


A well known Lenten hymn for today :


“Take up thy cross,” the Saviour said,
“If thou wouldst My disciple be;
Deny thyself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after Me.”

Take up thy cross, let not its weight
Fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
And brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
Thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
And saved thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross then in His strength,
And calmly sin’s wild deluge brave,
’Twill guide thee to a better home,
It points to glory o’er the grave.

Take up thy cross and follow Christ,
Nor think til death to lay it down;
For only those who bear the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.




http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/a/takeuptc.htm

Praying for kandj and all our friends who have asked for prayer. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Last night I managed to get to the study group which is being held during Lent. We are few in number but it was well worthwhile.

We discussed out thoughts on the image of God and how we perceive him and the Christian idea of God as a parent. Some interesting thoughts were raised.

We were given 3 readings to think about during the week and I would like to share one of them with you this morning........it took me a couple of goes at reading it to fully appreciate it.


"The hope that we are travelling towards a destiny, rather than a mere collapse, is linked with the faith that our origins were already purposeful.

If we think that our existence is a mere fluke, the result of some wildly improbable mix in some primal soup that threw up the conditions required to sustain life, then our whole human story is a chance bubble; it has no purpose and can be pricked as meaninglessly as it was formed.

But if there is a Creator who stands outside the whole cosmic revolutionary process, and yet works his will within it by a wisdom and love that are present in its every tiniest movement, then human life has a purpose".


- Dame Maria Boulding (1929-2009) Nun and author.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


For today:


A different 'take' on something which is so familiar to many of us...




The Lord is my Shepherd – That’s Relationship!

I shall not want – That’s Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures – That’s Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters – That’s Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul – That’s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness – That Guidance!

For His name sake – That’s Purpose!

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – That’s Testing!

I will fear no evil – That’s Protection!

For Thou art with me – That’s Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me – That’s Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies – That’s Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil – That’s Consecration!

My cup runneth over – That’s Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – That’s Blessing!

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord – That’s Security!

Forever – That’s Eternity!

AMEN

-Anon


With love ... Cx :-)

Thank you for that Cynthia, I had never seen that before.x

Remembering all in need of comfort at this time. x

Good morning :-)


I hadn't seen it before either Emma, and thought it worth posting.


A Celtic prayer for today:


Lord of the day
Lord of the sunrise,
we give thanks for the birth of each child,
for the freshly opening rose,
for all newborn animals.

Lord of the morning,
we give thanks for energy and enthusiasm,
for the challenges of a new day,
for your Resurrection power.

Lord of the noonday,
we give thanks for the ability to work,
for all we can achieve,
for unrealised potential.

Lord of the sunset,
we give thanks for those who have died
in the faith of Christ,
for all who have inspired us, for our loved ones.

Lord of the night,
we give thanks for rest and refreshment,
for all your love and care,
for the promise of a new day.


Thinking of kandj and those in any kind of need at this time. Cx :-)

Good morning and a very happy Mothering Sunday to all...... <3

This is the day when we remember not only our mothers, but our Mother Church.

Maybe take a little time to the pray for the church(es) which we have been involved in over the years. Maybe the church where we were married or which has special significance for us. Pray for those who are keeping church doors open for worship and witness to the community.


Collect for today:
Merciful Lord,
absolve your people from their offences,
that through your bountiful goodness
we may all be delivered from the chains of those sins
which by our frailty we have committed;
grant this, heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake,
our blessed Lord and Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Cx :-)

Remembering my Mum on this day and a song she taught me <3

M....is for the million things she gave me
O....is only that she's growing old
T....is for the tears she shed for my sake
H....is for her heart of purest gold
E....is for her eyes with love light shining
R....is right and right she'll always be
Put them all together they spell Mother
The word that means the world to me.

R.I.P

Good morning :-)


Thank you for that Emma, that was a new one on me, but how lovely it was... <3


Our church was crowded yesterday - the atmosphere was happy - the youngsters music group sang and played extremely well and each lady went home with a bunch of daffodils. Good stuff....... :-D


A story for today:

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighbourhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. He jumped out of the car, grabbed some kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what do you think you are doing?"

Building up a head of steam, he went on. "That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

"Please, mister, please. I'm sorry, but I didn't know what else to do!" pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop." Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car.

"It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the kerb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you and God bless you," the grateful child said to him. The man then watched the little boy push his brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long walk back for the man to his Jaguar...a long, slow walk. He never did repair the side door. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention.

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your heart. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a "brick" at you. It's you choice. Listen to the whisper - or wait for the brick. - Anon


Words to ponder.............Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A very happy St. Patrick's Day to all our Irish friends and relations.


Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he reunited with his family.

He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane..

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

Why a shamrock?

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.

Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.


The beginning of the famous prayer of St. Patrick.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.



Cx :-)

Hello All..... I am back after another challenging journey (which is still far from over).

My thanks to everyone for your ongoing prayers and kind words of support which have really helped, especially on the dark days. Today the sun is shining brightly in a blue sky........ God is good!

Thank you Cynthia for the history regarding St Patrick.... all very interesting.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again.
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

This Irish blessing was one that a now retired Vicar used to end all our services.
I send it now to all our Irish friends who may pop in here and wish everyone a
Happy St Patrick's Day today.

kandj how lovely to see you back, always in my thoughts and prayers
for you and your husband. <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knY-obH9ZoY