General Chat

Good morning :-)

Yes, it's lovely to see kandj back and thank you for the link RottenR. There are some superb choirs in many places.


For today:

Loving, living God,
you come to our world as light shining in our darkness.
Through Jesus, your Son, our Saviour, you offer our world
the bright burning flame of hope
which neither fear, nor doubt,
neither cynicism, nor despair can ever extinguish.
Yet that hope which is ours is no rose-tinted optimism:
it is a hope forged in the pain of the servant hanging on a cross.
Because of his life, death and resurrection we live in hope today.
So, Lord, this day may we live in that hope,
and work that the hope which is ours may be made real for all. Amen.

- James Booth.


Continuing in prayer.........Cx :-)

Thank you it is good to be back again.

Your link was great to watch and sing-a-long to. Thank you RottenR.

For all who are carrying a heavy burden and feel weighted down and upset today.

I look to you Heavenly Father for You are the One who can help me. Thank you for the joys and also the trials in my life right now. I'm grateful that I never walk alone.
Amen.

Good morning :-)


Kandj's words have reminded me of this very popular reading.....


One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."


Love and prayers to all Cx :-)

Ah yes The Footprints poem. I remember it well and know in my own darkest days I have been "carried"........ thank you Cynthia for the special words today.

I have this hymn going round in my head and would like to share it here.

HOW GREAT THOU ART.

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand has done.
I see the stars I hear the mighty thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.

Then Christ shall come with shouts of adulation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And then proclaim my God how great thou art.

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.

Hoping everyone enjoys a happy God-filled day today.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10672417_10152773311439669_8894519266807739984_n.jpg?oh=7f41e3e1f5100e2053f804d8677ae759&oe=55780700&__gda__=1437792022_d360a285379dc42aa0cf81900f2f3fab

Good morning :-)

A very succinct link RottenR - thank you for sharing.


Wonderful words from that hymn kandj - and an incredible experience when sung heartily with a large congregation.



Today is National Happiness Day apparently........

The Happiness Prayer

Grant to us, O Lord,
the royalty of inward happiness,
and the serenity which comes from living close to thee.

Daily renew in us the sense of joy,
and let the eternal spirit of the Father dwell in our souls and bodies,
filling every corner of our hearts with light and grace;
so that, bearing about with us the infection of good courage,
we may be diffusers of life, and may meet all ills
and cross accidents with gallant and high-hearted happiness,
giving thee thanks always for all things.


- Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)


I pray that everyone receives some measure of happiness during the day. Cx :-)

Aww RottenR, love the link one of God's creatures weathering the storm!

I had no idea there was a National Happiness Day Cynthia. Methinks that I was a little premature with my happy thoughtful wishes on the 19th??!!

I have a very tattered much used poetry book written by Robert L Stevenson which I won as a prize in junior school for a comprehension essay competition and so today's posting has reminded me of this special moment, though it was very many years ago.

I do hope that everyone is experiencing happiness today but gentle hugs if not. x

Dear All

Just popped in to say hello.

May you have a peaceful and contented weekend and
be refreshed by the promise of spring.


Take gentle care of yourselves, dear friends and colleagues
Love and affectionate thoughts,
Elizabeth,
xx

Good morning :-)


Such lovely words to be greeted with this morning.......thank you both <3


It is our Spring Fair at church today - so I will soon be off to add my support.




I got a dozen roses from a friend the other day
But I only have one left, for I gave them all away.

I gave one to my sister, who to me is very dear
In the hopes that it will bring to her a little floral cheer.

I took one to a friend who's not feeling very well
The flower or the visit, which helped more I could not tell.

The rest went to the ones who've helped me in so many ways
They have been a cheerful presence on my dreariest of days.

The roses were so pretty, I just could not keep them all
Except one single rosebud, standing beautiful and tall.

My friend gave me the flowers to help brighten up my day
But the biggest joy I received was giving them away.


--Author Unknown


Continuing in prayer for our friends....Cx :-)

Thank you Elizabeth for your kind words. Hope you will have a good weekend too.

Cynthia your posting today reminded me of Acts 20 v 35 where Jesus tells us that it is more blessed to give than receive...... I'm sure we have all experienced the feel-good factor when giving gifts to others. An old Sunday School song comes to mind. I can still remember the actions to this little song even now!

LOVE IS SOMETHING IF YOU GIVE IT AWAY

Love is something if you give it away,
give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away
You'll end up having more.

Love is like a shiny penny
Hold it tight and you won't have any
Lend it, spend it, give it away and
You'll end up having more.

I hope that your church Spring Fair was well supported Cynthia. These events are always hard work but very necessary to hopefully swell your church funds today.

Good morning :-)


My word kandj, I haven't sung the words in an age and it was so nice to see them again...thank you. x

The Spring fair went well although a little quieter than usual. The total raised was £1500, just slightly down on last year apparently, but there was a good atmosphere. It will all help to keep the church doors open - it costs so much these days. I often wonder, when welcoming people in for the occasional services of baptisms. weddings and funerals, if they realise how much it costs, week by week so that they may pass through our doors for their special events.


The Collect for today:

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
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.


With love to all........Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A few thought provoking quotes to start the working week.........



If God is your co-pilot, swap seats.

In the dark? Follow the Son.

If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd.

If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again.

If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.

Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.

Don't go digging where God has buried your sins.

When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you please get that for me."

A clean conscience makes a soft pillow.

Don't wait for the hearse to take you to church.

A family altar can alter a family.

A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

Give God what's right, not what's left.



Happy thinking.... Cx :-)

I love these little snippets you come up with Cynthia :-)

Remembering all friends and their families who need
thoughts and prayers at this time x

Good morning :-)



Some thoughts for today :


I did not know His love before
The way I know it now
I could not see my need for Him
My pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care
The “self-sufficient” lie
My path was smooth, my sea was still
Not a cloud was in my sky.
I thought I knew His love for me
I thought I’d seen His grace
I thought I did not need to grow
I thought I’d found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark
The storm clouds quickly rolled
The waves began to rock my ship
I found I had no hold.

The ship that I had built myself
Was made of foolish pride
It fell apart and left me bare
With nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face
The trials that lay ahead
And so I simply spoke His name
And bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me
And then He helped me stand
He said, “You still must face this storm
But I will hold your hand.”
So through the dark and lonely night
He guided me through pain
I could not see the light of day
Or when I’d smile again.

Yet through the pain and endless tears
My faith began to grow
I could not see it at the time
But my light began to glow.
I saw God’s love in a brand new light
His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone
Could Jesus’ love shine through.

- Anon


Remembering kandji and all other friends in prayer......x Cx

Thank you Cynthia
I must agree with Emma that your postings are all very interesting. a joy to read.

I am thinking now of all who are troubled or feel anxious and lonely this night.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31 v 6

I have a bookmark which reads: "Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle"
I hope that we all can find a miracle in waking up tomorrow to a bright new day.

Good morning :-)


We are nearing the end of the Lenten period as next week is Holy Week and all is focused on our Lord's suffering.


For today:


We pray for countries where justice seems far away,
where human rights are ignored.

Let us remind those in power that prisoners are not forgotten.

We pray that the dignity of life is respected
and remember those who have lost that dignity
through age or infirmity or neglect.
We pray for situations

where the sex of a baby may lead to abandonment,
where women are not offered the same opportunities,
or are actively demeaned or mutilated.

May we act to challenge injustice
and seek to affirm your love for all humankind.

God of mercy and love let us serve you in our world.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Praying for the family and friends of everyone involved in the tragic airplane which crashed into the French Alps.

Good morning :-)


The news of yet another air crash is dreadful and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones.


Father,
God of all consolation,
in your unending love and mercy for us
you turn the darkness of death
into the dawn of new life.

Show compassion to your people in their sorrow.
Be our refuge and our strength
to lift us from the darkness of this grief
to the peace and light of your presence.

Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by dying for us, conquered death
and by rising again, restored life.

May we then go forward eagerly to meet him,
and after our life on earth
be reunited with our brothers and sisters
where every tear will be wiped away.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.



Cx :-)

Amen indeed to your words Cynthia. Such a traumatic and distressing event for family and friends of all those on board to have to come to terms with. It is made so much worse that this act by the co-pilot is being deemed as deliberate.... unbelievable!
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5v4.

Good morning :-)


As we draw ever closer to Holy Week, I find these words touch a spot.


What to give up for Lent
Give up watching television one evening a week
Visit some lonely or sick person instead
Give up looking at other people’s worst points
Concentrate on their strong points and positive attributes

Give up speaking unkindly
Let your speech be generous and understanding

Give up your worries
Trust God with your problems and frustrations

Give up hatred or dislike of anyone
Learn to love instead

Give up the fear which presents Christian witness
Seek courage to speak about your faith with others

Give up spending so much time with newspapers and magazines
Use some of that time to study your Bible

Give up grumbling
Learn to give thanks in everything

Give up ten to fifteen minutes each day
Use that time in prayer

Give up buying anything but essentials for yourself
Give that money to God’s work or someone in need

Give up judging by appearance and by the standards of the world
Learn to give up yourself to God


- Author Unknown



Words to ponder indeed.


Cx :-)