General Chat

Good morning :-)

My goodness kandj, those hailstones sound horrendous...... :-0

As for the little things in life, I must admit that I enjoy having doors held open for me and seeing examples of good manners in general.

If someone looks at me, I tend to smile which seems to take some folk aback a bit but, yesterday, I managed to get into town and noticed that more folk than usual glanced my way. The I realised why.........my tee shirt bore the words "Don't follow me, I'm lost". I'd forgotten about that :-D


For today:

Lord God,

I trust in you today.
I thank you that you keep turning the pages of my life.
Everyday you give me a new beginning.
Help me to ride each new wave of temptation, and to overcome the things that can drag my life down. As I look to you I declare your promise of freedom over my life.

Amen.


Thinking of those who mourn, that they may feel God's love surrounding them.

Cx :-)

Hello All

Another day of sunshine for everyone today. Not as humid, so that's a blessing too.

Ongoing concerns for our family waiting for their insurance company to get back in touch. A neighbour has had a quote and been told it will cost £5000 to put his car right and H says it's nowhere near as bad as J's car....... oh dear, we wait and see!!

There are some funny words on tee shirts Cynthia. I have seen a heavily pregnant young lady wearing a bright pink tee shirt with Hands Off The Bump made me smile

We will be observing the one minute National silence today for the holiday makers shot dead in Tunisia....... just heartbreaking for their family and friends to cope with.

"Whatever you're facing today , keep going.
Keep moving. Keep hoping. Keep pressing on.
There's victory on the other side."
Words written by Mandy Hale.

Remembering all who need prayerful support for whatever reason today. xxx

I do hope your family get their insurance sorted without too much hassle Kandj. I saw a picture of the hail stones in the newspaper and they looked horrendous.

We could do with some rain here. Yesterday evening there was one rumble of thunder and a very brief shower of rain and that is all we have had for some time. Today looks beautiful but it is still very oppressive.

Your T-shirt slogan made me laugh Cynthia as it reminded me of an incident many years ago. My aunt, sadly long deceased, was renowned for being a bit of a scatterbrain. Driving one day with my father as passenger she got lost, saw a taxi and decided to follow him on the basis that he must know where he is going. Three or four miles later she found herself parking behind him in the town taxi rank! Luckily the taxi driver saw the funny side and kindly escorted her back through town and on to the road she needed to be on.

Kandj, I liked your Mandy Hale quote. It reminded me of one by Maya Angelou

“No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”

Hope is such an important human attribute. It's what keeps us plodding on through the darkest of times.

Today my thoughts are with everyone mourning a loved one, particularly the relatives and friends grieving for those who died in Tunisia. May they find the strength and support they need to see them through the coming days.

Good morning :-)

There are some funny tee shirts around I agree ..... but there are also some that make me think "How on earth can you wear that?" :-0

£5000 to repair your neighbour's car seems mighty expensive Vera - they may as well consider a new car!! Hope everyone gets sorted out soon - I would be lost without our car I must admit.

OH is showing slight signs of improvement in that he has been able to come to a garden centre with me for a short while and then later, he pottered around our little back garden for a while. Each day is different and we have to take it as it comes.


For today:

I come before you O Lord
As the sun rises may your hope rise up in me.
As the birds sing may your love flow out of me.
As the light floods into this new day,
May your joy shine through me.
I come before you, O Lord
And drink in this moment of peace,
That I may carry something of your hope, love and joy
Today in my heart.
Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Good to hear your husband is improving Cynthia x

Thank you Lord, for answering my prayers.

Hello All
Good news indeed Cynthia that your husband's flare-up has calmed down. Let's hope that this continues for some time to come.

It was my daughter's neighbour who was quoted £5000 damage to his car caused by the freak hailstones last Wednesday evening. One of my families car has been assessed as needing £4,500 to repair bodywork after the storm and the insurance company is less than helpful in wanting to pay for what it classed as an Act of God.
We wonder sometimes why we pay expensive insurance cover for them to wriggle out of their responsibilities when a genuine claim is put before them! An assessor is due to come next Wednesday and look at their 2nd car which may have to be written off...... we wait and see what happens next.

Vera I haven't seen that quote by Angela Mayou before but its so very true. Thanks

Here is a quote by Oprah Winfrey which I would like to share today:-

"Be thankful for what you have you'll end up having more
If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never
ever have enough." ( wise words indeed methinks)

Remembering those who feel lost in grief or all alone today. xxx

Good morning :-)


The phrase 'An Act of God', is one I haven't heard in a while.......what a shame it nearly always is used when there is a disaster of some sort, as though we have a vengeful God who delights in bringing disaster to His people. I can imagine it being used by people who never give God a thought at any other time and who certainly don't appreciate what He has done for us. Here endeth the lesson :-D


The Collect for today :

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.


The NT reading for today (2 Corinthians 12.2-10) is a convoluted one written by St. Paul. I greatly admire this saint of old, but he certainly leaves me having to take this reading carefully to make sure that I get the gist of it. And yes, guess who is reading it in church this morning................sigh.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello All

I don't think that Insurance Companies truly think about God in the same way that a Christian person would, to just use this Act of God in the small print to get out of paying out on genuine insurance claims imho.

I hope your reading went well in church this morning Cynthia, I read this scripture and thought that the Insurance Company dealing with our daughters hailstone damage are proving to be a thorn in the families side right now.

With each new day
comes new strengths and fresh new thoughts.
(Eleanor Roosevelt).

Remembering all who need prayerful support tonight. xxx

.

Good morning :-)


It was a lovely sunny morning yesterday, and I decided to wear a long summery skirt to church. However, as I climbed the steps of the lectern to do the reading, I was aware that I was in danger of treading on the front of my skirt and taking it with me as I went.........fortunately a quick 'hitch' saved the day. Could have been very funny :-D :-D


Quite a good number of people in church despite the holiday season and I was privileged to hold a 3 week old tiny weeny baby - he was gorgeous. They are regular attenders so it will be lovely to watch him grow up. <3


For today:

I do not walk in darkness
But in your light and love.
You carry me when my feet fail
And hold me high above.
And I do not drift in every tide
But stand upon your truth.
You are my map, my friend, my guide
I put my trust in you.
So as I walk, a shield of faith
Surrounds my every move.
You are my quiet fortress,
I know I'm safe in you.


Thinking of those in any kind of need...........Cx :-)

Hello All

Goodness Cynthia, it's a good job that you didn't go flying and hurt yourself.

We have had rain mostly today and we found it much more comfortable than the high temperatures lately. The gardens need the rain and I won't have to water any plants today. Two days of digging weeds and planting flowers means our borders are actually beginning to look half decent. My hard effort is showing good results

"God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done"
Author Unknown.

Remembering in prayer all who are feeling ill today. xxx

Good morning :-)

It wasn't falling that really concerned me kandj, it was the thought of the loss of dignity in arriving at the top step skirtless! :-D


Love the gardening quote.... :-D


For today:

Lord,
Guide my heart with love
Guide my mind with truth
Guide my actions with faith
Guide my soul with hope.
I trust in You.
Amen.



Thinking of all those who mourn today......Cx :-)

Good Morning All

A huge relief for you then Cynthia, as church family have long memories ha ha.

Today is the 10th year anniversary date of the 7/7 bombings in the London tube and bus services by the terrorists. We will be watching the commemoration service from St Paul's Cathedral and joining in the 1 minute silence to remember the 52 people who lost their lives and all who were affected by this horrific attack in London back then. The silence will be observed at 11.30am today.

Two verses from scripture come to mind on this very sad day, they are..........

Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Matthew 5 v 4 and

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147 v 3

Remembering with sorrow all who are coping daily with bereavement and grief.

Good morning :-)


I watched some of that service yesterday too, and I hope and pray that the bereaved found hope and comfort in the words and actions which were so carefully chosen.

I admit to having felt old when I saw Prince Andrew though. I can vividly recall him sitting up in what was possibly the same pram we saw on Sunday at the Baptism of Princess Charlotte. :-)

Tonight we have baptism prep for 7 or 8 young parents who wish their child to be baptised at our church. I will need to have my wits about me I think......


For today :

Good Morning, God!
You are ushering in another day
Untouched and freshly new
So here I come to ask You God,
If You'll renew me , too.
Forgive the many errors
That I made yesterday
And let me try again, dear God,
To walk closer in thy way.
But, Father, I am well aware
I can't make it on my own -
So take my hand and hold it tight
For I can't walk alone!

- Helen Steiner Rice


Love to all. Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia, you are sure to be given the right words to help all the couples though the pre-baptism evening tonight. 7-8 families is a lot and very encouraging for your church family to welcome so many new members. I hope that at least some will come back often to share worship with you all. In our village a baptism is like an adult fashion show with little thought and almost no interest in the actual ceremony of the occasion. Perhaps your church is different?

Children are a real blessing and a joy to share within a close family unit and beyond.

Heavenly Father
We give thanks for all children who will come to you for baptism
May Your blessing of peace and joy be with them and protect them always
Bless all parents that they may be good examples for their children
Bless the children's Grandparents as they see their family growing
Bless all Godparents as they commit to support the little ones.
We ask this is Your son Jesus name. Amen.

Remembering all who feel anxious or upset for whatever reason tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)

It's a similar situation in most churches I think kandj.....especially where the baptism guests are concerned. Lots of impossibly high heels and skimpy dresses and sometimes behaviour which would not be tolerated in other public places. Never mind, we do our best with the parents and Godparents and leave the rest to God.

It was interesting last night that one young woman who had been asked to be a Godmother had not been baptised. This sort of thing has happened before and most choose to be baptised before they make the promises on behalf of the child. However, this young woman decided that 'it wasn't for her' and declined the offer of baptism. I admire her honesty.

For today:

I call to you, Lord
at the dawn of this new day,
and place into your hands
family and friends,
work to be done,
decisions I shall make,
obstacles I encounter,
strangers who pass my way,
the service I shall offer.


Remembering those who have asked for prayer Cx :-)

Good Evening All

I'm sure that all those who joined you yesterday Cynthia came out of church enlightened by your talk on the true reason for babies baptism.

Today is the feast day of Saint Augustine Zhao Rong. Christianity arrived in China in 600's. Augustine was a Chinese soldier who accompanied his Bishop to his martyrdom in Beijing. Augustine was baptized and not long after was ordained as a diocesan priest. He was martyred in 1815.

Saints are holy people but humble human beings who lived extraordinary lives and I am always fascinated to learn about each one of them.

I am very disappointed that the retail outlets may well open for longer hours each Sunday. We are a Christian Country and as such should at least honour and recognize this one special day. That is only my opinion and I know that very
many others will disagree with my views.

Remembering those who will find it difficult to have a peaceful sleep tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)


I do so agree with you re the Sunday opening hours kandj. Quite a long while ago, there was the 'Keep Sunday Special' campaign, but that seems to have disappeared. I'm sure it's all to do with greed on the part of the retailers, and a certain amount of boredom on the part of the consumer (apart from those whose shift work plays havoc with their daily routine.)


For today:

God in my waking
God in my thinking
God in my actions
Take my everyday life and live in me.
Amen.


Remembering those in any kind of need at this time. Cx :-)

Hello All

The sun is out and is a real blessing and a good tonic for everyone to enjoy today.

MY TO-DO LIST FOR TODAY

Count my blessings

Practice kindness

Let go of what I can't control

Listen to my heart

Be productive yet remain calm

Just breathe

Enjoy everything I do

Take time to smell the flowers.

(Reiki Precepts)

Wishing everyone a happy sunny Friday.
Remembering those who can see no brightness in their lives today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Very grey, cloudy and damp here this morning but there is a promise of sunshine later in the day.

During this last week, my husband has been able to potter around our little patio tending the plants. Yesterday, he managed to get to lunches at church. It's all a matter of timing with his meds......not sure we will get them right for church tomorrow, but we will try.


For today:

As the sun rises bringing a new dawn
Help me this day to allow your hope to rise up within me.
That I may carry this new dawn
To my family, my work and my dreams.
And remember that I am forgiven
And I'm living anew today. Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

Remembering all in need of comfort at this time.x