General Chat

Thanks for ongoing thoughts and prayers. My husband is gaining a little strength
after the latest nasty bug so we feel that our prayers are indeed heard and answered.. so "Thank You God", we pray that this small improvement will continue daily.

HSR is a very perceptive writer and very often I find her words hit the right spot.

Emma, I continue to pray for your daughter and friend. Illness is a real leveller I feel.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you: He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Remembering in prayer, those with long term illness and their carers today. xx

Good morning :-)


How lovely to hear such good news from our friends, we pray that the improvement in health may continue over the coming weeks.


Some thoughts for today :

Freedom is not the right to do as you please, but the liberty to do as you ought.

Don't become discouraged. It may be the last key in the bunch that will open the door.

God still speaks to those who take the time to listen.

God looks not to the quantity of the gift but to the quality of the giver.

Great minds discuss ideas; normal minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

A Christian is a living sermon whether or not he preaches a word.

Conscience is that small, still voice that makes you feel smaller.

When we have done what we can, God will do what we can't.

Every time you turn green with envy, you are ripe for trouble.

A Christian must carry something heavier on his shoulders than chips.

Genuine faith is assuring, insuring and enduring.


Cx :-)

Good morning... :-)


The Collect for today:

The Collect

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

The psalm for today is a very familiar one....

The Lord is my shepherd; *therefore can I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters
He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his
name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.
Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.



Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I am sure we have all been affected by the news of the horrendous earthquake in Nepal.

Lord, in this time of great need we plead for your mercy for those who suffer the effects of the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

Today, many people are afraid, fearing for their lives, fearing their loved ones are among the dead and fearing for their future safety.

Those who are injured and ill cry for relief. Comfort them and give them hope. Console their hearts and ease their pain.

Lord, help us to help them, to know what to do and to have the compassion, fortitude and creativity to do it.

Move us to respond now to the urgent needs that cannot wait. Steady us to be there in the future as the victims of this disaster rebuild. Give us the grace of generosity—in our prayers and our contributions.

We are all brothers and sisters: we are the work of your hands. Receive the dead into your love. Comfort the survivors with the power and protection of your peace.

May we love as you love, and may we all find peace in this tumultuous world. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Amen.



Cx :-)

A terrible disaster Cynthia and my prayers
are with the people who have and are in
need of comfort and support at this time.

Adding an Amen to your prayers for everyone affected by this terrible disaster. Also in my thoughts are the rescue workers and the medical and aid teams who work so tirelessly at times like this.

Amen indeed Cynthia. Joining you, Emma and Vera in praying for everyone affected by the earthquake devastation in Nepal. Thinking of the rescue workers and medics who all work tirelessly and put their own lives at risk at such an horrendous time.

Good morning :-)


How about a hymn for today? One which many of us learned in our childhood but which is as pertinent today as it was then.......

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.



There are many versions on Youtube.....from Daniel O'Donnell to Dolly Parton :-)


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

God is always there
When you think no one else is x

Good morning :-)

Your words are very true Emma and I think that this poem says something similar. :-)



He was just a little lad
And on the week's first day
He was wandering home from Sunday School
And dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass
He found a caterpillar
He found a fluffy milkweek pot
And blew out all the "filler."

A bird's nest in a tree o'er head
So wisely placed on high
Was just another wonder
That caught his eager eye.

A neighbour watched his zigzag course
And hailed him from the lawn
Asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.

"I've been to Sunday School," he said
And turned a piece of sod
He picked up a wiggly worm and said,
"I've learned a lot of God."

"M'm, a very fine way," the neighbour said
"for a boy to spend his time.
If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime."

Quick as a flash his answer came
Nor were his accents faint
"I'll give you a dollar, Mister
If you'll tell me where God ain't!"


- Anon.


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

I fully agree with you Emma, and just loving your butterflies too.

Cynthia, your words today are childlike and simple. Why do we adults forget to think as a child and then make life so much more complicated than it should be?

A CHILD'S VIEW OF GOD

There is nothing so innocent as a child
With eyes closed and head bowed in prayer
With a pure heart and simple faith
He gives thanks to the God who created him
Not asking complicated questions
But seeing God in the wonders that abound each day
Knowing Jesus loves him
And that's enough for now.
We all need to be like children
In our hearts
Finding joy and wonder
In the flowers and the sun of God's creation
Trusting and believing in Jesus
With a pure and simple faith.
Jesus came as a child
With all His innocence and wonder of life
As He grew, He still had
The innocence and wonder of God's creation
He loved us and died for us
So that we could believe in Him
With a pure and simple faith.
(Mary Ryan).

Remembering all in need of prayerful support today.

Good morning :-)


Such lovely words kandj, thank you. I will leave them for today's thought.


Continuing to remember those in need - especially those suffering in Nepal.


Love to all

Cx :-)

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God"
(Corrie Ten Boon)

A truly inspirational woman who suffered so much in the concentration camps.

Good morning :-)



I remember hearing about Corrie Ten Boom kandj, an inspirational woman indeed.


Something else I remember from the past is this prayer ......others may remember it too..







Teach us, good Lord,
to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to grudge the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and not to seek for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Ignatius of Loyola (c. 1491-1556)



Cx :-)

Yes Cynthia, I can remember the words of the prayer. Used to say it regularly at school assembly if my memory serves me right.

Here is a hymn that has been going around in my head all morning. It is an old one and others might also remember the words as well. (The old ones are the best ones)

LOVING SHEPHERD OF THY SHEEP

Loving shepherd of thy sheep
Keep Thy lambs in safety keep
Nothing can Thy power withstand
None can pluck me from Thy hand.

Loving Shepherd, ever near
Teach Thy lamb Thy voice to hear
Suffer not my steps to stray
From the straight and narrow way.

Where Thou leadest I would go
Walking in Thy steps below
Till within the heavenly fold
I my Shepherd shall behold.

Remembering family and friends of those affected by the earthquake in Nepal.

I have just read that today 1st May is the Feast Day of St Joseph the Worker.

St. Joseph, the husband of Mary the Mother of Jesus. Christian tradition places Joseph as Jesus' Foster Father. St Joseph is Patron Saint of Workers.

There is a St Josephs Mission Society which provide resources to help the unemployed to gain and maintain full employment.

I couldn't let this 1st May date pass without sharing such interesting information today.

Good morning :-)



Assembly! Yes kandj, I have a feeling that may have been when we said those words too. Fond memories eh?

I also remember the words of that old hymn.....a simple tune with lovely words.

It was interesting to read about St. Joseph. I always find that there is so much about these saints and patriarchs from the past which I do not know - it's good to read about them. Thank you. <3


We awoke this morning to the news that the Duchess of Cambridge is now in labour with her 2nd child. I thought it fitting to post a prayer on motherhood.


Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

We thank You for our mothers to whom You have entrusted the care of every precious human life from its very beginning in the womb.

You have given to woman the capacity of participating with You in the creation of new life. Grant that every woman may come to understand the full meaning of that blessing, which gives her an unlimited capacity for selfless love for every child she may be privileged to bear, and for all Your children.

Watch over every mother who is with child, strengthen her faith in Your fatherly care and love for her and for her unborn baby. Give her courage in times of fear or pain, understanding in times of uncertainty and doubt, and hope in times of trouble. Grant her joy in the birth of her child.

Amen.


Cx :-)

A baby girl for Prince William and Kate. Little George is sure to love his baby sister.
Very best wishes to them all. It is good to hear some happy news for a change.

A NEW BABY PRAYER

Thank you Lord for this new life
A precious gift from you
Draw near and bless this baby,
Lord, and bless her parents too.
Unite them all in love so sweet
A love that's strong and new,
No matter what the future holds
It will last their whole lives through.

Thinking of all new Mum's and babies and the midwives who deliver the babies.

Good morning :-)

Thank you for that prayer kandj, it was so lovely to see the young family yesterday. May God bless them all in the years to come. xx


The Collect for today.


Almighty God,
who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:
grant that, as by your grace going before us
you put into our minds good desires,
so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Amen.



Cx :-)

Dear Lord,

I pray to whoever reads this shall have Your comfort,
joy, peace, love and guidance and be carried by You.

I may not know their troubles, but You do.x