General Chat

Thank you everyone for your kind words. They are much appreciated.

Auntie unfortunately broke her femur in her last fall. She has accepted that she can no longer take care of herself and is in hospital but awaiting a nursing home place. Unfortunately she is finding difficulty in swallowing so is eating next to nothing and this is a bit worrying as she weighed very little to start with. We are just hoping the staff can make her comfortable and peaceful.

As for the little boy, he has had four months of chemotherapy to try to shrink the tumour which is taking up a large part of his tummy. The operation to remove the tumour is taking place on Tuesday and he will then have intensive chemo and other treatment which may have a damaging affect on both his physical and mental development. This must be so hard for his parents to bear.

I have just been sent a photo of the little lad. In spite of uncomfortable tubes up his nose, he has the sunniest smile and his personality just shines out. I know we all have to play the hand we are given but sometimes life seems very unfair.

At times like this I remember my favourite line from a hymn - "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow". That's all we can wish for.

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

Great is thy faithfulness O God My Father
There is no shadow of turning from Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thy forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me.

Summer and Winter and Springtime and Harvest
Sun moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, witness and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Vera, these wonderful words have encouraged me very many times in my darkest days. I pray they will give you the strength to help you support your Aunt and her family and also your ex-neighbour, the little boy and his family now.

Remembering all who will find it hard to sleep tonight for whatever reason. xx

Good morning :-)


Yes indeed, a wonderful hymn, the words of which I sing in my head most days. <3


I think the Collect for today ties in nicely with the hymn too.......

The Collect

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you,
leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.



Remembering those in need of prayer.... Cx :-)

For those who are in need of support through prayer.x

In troubled times we need some help and support and should remember that we have a Guardian Angel ever near to watch over us and protect us in this life.

Guardian Angel

Sometimes in life we need to share
Our feelings that are hard to bear
When in our hearts we feel such pain.
That extra strength we have to gain
From someone who will keep us safe
And listen when we doubt our faith.

Continuing to remember in prayer Vera's Auntie and her ex-neighbour's grandson.
Thinking also of others who face life-threatening illness and their family & friends.

Good morning.. :-)


Thank you for those lovely words kandj..... <3


A very busy day at church yesterday. Not only was it parade service, which was lead by our youth music group, but we also welcomed a newly baptised baby, congratulated 2 young men on gaining their Boy's Brigade Queen's Badge Award, and bade farewell to a much loved elderly member of church as their ashes were escorted by the BB flags, out of church, for burial in the church grounds. Quite a morning.

It is this time of year when many students are sitting exams..........we ask God's blessing on them.



Prayer for those doing exams


Lord, pour out your Spirit of wisdom
on all students doing exams at this time.
Help them to remain calm,
to attend carefully to the questions asked,
to think clearly, to remember accurately,
and to express themselves well.

Grant that they may reflect
the best of the work they have done,
and the best of the teaching
they have received.

When the results come out
may they be satisfied that
they did their best,
and may whatever path
they choose in life
bring them happiness.

May your love be upon
them O Lord as they place
all their trust in you.

Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning.. :-)


Thank you for those lovely words kandj..... <3


A very busy day at church yesterday. Not only was it parade service, which was lead by our youth music group, but we also welcomed a newly baptised baby, congratulated 2 young men on gaining their Boy's Brigade Queen's Badge Award, and bade farewell to a much loved elderly member of church as their ashes were escorted by the BB flags, out of church, for burial in the church grounds. Quite a morning.

It is this time of year when many students are sitting exams..........we ask God's blessing on them.



Prayer for those doing exams


Lord, pour out your Spirit of wisdom
on all students doing exams at this time.
Help them to remain calm,
to attend carefully to the questions asked,
to think clearly, to remember accurately,
and to express themselves well.

Grant that they may reflect
the best of the work they have done,
and the best of the teaching
they have received.

When the results come out
may they be satisfied that
they did their best,
and may whatever path
they choose in life
bring them happiness.

May your love be upon
them O Lord as they place
all their trust in you.

Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

A real variety of events then Cynthia and it sounds as if everything went off very well.

I hope that your husband is improving a little. Did he manage to go to church?

Exam revision is very stressful for the students and can affect the whole family.
I can remember this period well, it is an important time in family life. Our niece is in her 2nd year as a teacher and through her, we see a very different scenario.

Heavenly Father, please be with all students as they go through exams
As they seek to grow in knowledge, may they also grow in faith
As they strive to do the best they can, we ask that they find You.
Please go where we cannot, protect when we cannot,
Give strength that we cannot and bring them through this anxious time. Amen

Continuing to uphold our friends in prayer. xx

Dear All

Hello

This beautiful poem is lovingly sent for those who are in need:

"FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND"


"One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.


This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.


So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.


But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"


The Lord replied:
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
is when I carried you."


By Mary Stevenson


Take very gentle care all
With many good wishes
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Good morning :-)


Yes kandj, my husband made it to church once more. Each day is different and brings it's own challenges, some bigger than others. I am just grateful for the strength which is given me on challenging days - even though I may get a bit ratty! :-D

Elizabeth and kandj have both left beautiful words for us - there is no need for me to add more. Thank you both.


Cx :-)

A recent comment from the radio: ‘Every word from a good preacher’s lips should fall intelligibly into the eager listener’s heart’.

Elizabeth, the Footprints words are so familiar and a real comfort in troubled times.

Dermot...... sounds good advice in an ideal world. Not sure how often this actually happens in churches during Sunday mornings sermon. Some preachers I have heard are truly gifted and amazing. Others are nothing short of boring and minds wander to other things.

Good to read such interesting words shared here. Thank you Elizabeth and Dermot.
Many thanks as always to Cynthia for her daily input to this Christian thread.

Today is the patron Saint of Dunstan. Born near Glastonbury to a wealthy family.
He became a Benedictine monk in 934 and was ordained by his uncle St Afege as , Bishop of Winchester about 939. After a time living as a hermit in Glastonbury, Dunstan was recalled to the royal court by King Edmund, who appointed him Abbot in Glastonbury Abbey in 943.
Dunstan developed the Abbey into a great place of learning as well as revitalizing other monasteries in the area.
Dunstan went to Ghent in Flanders and returned and was made Bishop of Worcester and London in 957. Soon after Dunstan was appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury. The king and archbishop then planned a thorough reform of the church and the state. Duncan served as a chief advisor for 16 years. Ethelred became king and under his reign Duncans role waned. He retired from the priesthood and took and interest in politics, and taught at Canterbury Cathedral school until he died on 19th May, 988, Dunstan was patron saint of goldsmiths, locksmiths an jewelers.
There is so much more and like all other Saints, Dunstan's life story is fascinating.

Remembering all who are in need of prayerful support right now, thinking especially of those who feel alone and low in spirit tonight. xx

Good morning :-)

Thank you for that insight into the life of St. Dunstan kandj. I had vaguely heard of this saint but knew little about him.


Dermot, there are preachers, and then there are preachers. :-D



Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.

A smile confuses an approaching frown.

People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile.

Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available.

A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks.

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home.

Everyone smiles in the same language.

:-) :-) :-) :-)



Continuing to hold friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Remembering all in need of prayer today x

'Old English' language version of The Lord's Prayer as recited by English people in the year 1,000:-

Fæder ure.

Fæder ure þu þe eart on heofonum
si þin nama gehalgod
tobecume þin rice
gewurþe þin willa
on eorðan swa swa on heofonum
urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us to dæg
and forgyf us ure gyltas
swa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum
and ne gelæd þu us on costnunge
ac alys us of yfele soþlice.

Crumbs Dermot. Looks like "double-dutch" initially. All very interesting though.
I had to google to find a translation of the Old English Text.

Father our thou that art in heavens
be thy name hallowed
come thy kingdom
be-done thy will
on earth as in heavens
our daily bread give us today
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive-those-who-have-sinned-against us
and not lead thou us into temptation
but deliver us from evil, truly.

and the familiar Lord's Prayer version.

Our Father, which art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation.
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.
(Taken from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 1662).

Continuing on from Cynthia's posting and sending a happy smile to everyone,
also remembering Vera and all who are in need of prayerful support right now. xx

Good morning :-)


Kandj, it was easy for Dermot to recite that old English version of the Lord's Prayer, he remembers it from when he was young :-D ;-)

We now have news that the work on our wetroom is to start in a couple of weeks' time. That should be fun - we cannot use the bathroom fully for about 8 days!

For today:

Lord, help me to be fully alive to your holy presence.
Enfold me in your love.
Let my heart become one with yours.


Remembering those who are in need of comfort and prayer today. Cx :-)

Keep focused when the wet room work begins Cynthia, it is sure to make life very much easier for your husband and you too in the long term.

The news today is that the unions have suspended proposed strike, so less disruptions to all who plan to travel this weekend, which is a relief for many I'm sure.

TRAVELLER'S PRAYER.

We thank you for the freedom to travel
and the resources to do so.
Surround all who travel with your love, and
Guardian Angels, and bring
them home again renewed and refreshed.
Help them to see the joy in the journey
as much as in the destination,
and keep them free from accidents,
injury and harm.
We ask this in your son Jesus' name.
Amen.

Ongoing prayers for all in need today. xx

Good morning :-)


I am really looking forward to the wet room being completed I must admit. It will certainly help my husband to retain more independence and dignity bless him.





For today :

Discouragement and Dreams


So many things in the line of duty

Drain us of effort and leave us no beauty.

And the dust of the soul grows thick and unswept;

The spirit is drenched in tears unwept.

But just as we fall beside the road,

Discouraged with life and bowed down with our load,

We lift our eyes, and what seemed a dead end

Is the street of dreams where we meet a friend.

-Helen Steiner Rice


Love to all. Cx :-)

Such a help for your husband Cynthia, most important
for him that wee bit of independence and dignity that
we all need at certain times x

Remembering all in need of prayers and support x