General Chat

As we get older our 'real human friends' are thin on the
ground due to them passing away. Sad but true.

Hello All

Very true Emma, I agree with you.

It's not much fun getting older especially when family or friends die we are forced to cope alone. Life is precious and each day is a gift and a real blessing waking up each morning and having another day ahead...... despite aches and pains.

"You don't stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing". George Bernard Shaw.

Remembering the lonely people who won't see anyone at all tomorrow. xx

Good morning :-)


I agree with the comments made - it does seem sad that, despite the fact that the world is spinning on in the field of technology, so many people are lonely. Whilst we are advancing in the field of science, we seem to be losing the ability to connect one to another.

I love FB but my 'friends' are limited. My granddaughter has something like 1,000 on her 'friends' list - all a bit silly to me as I am pretty sure that, in terms of real people, she knows only a certain percentage.

Many folk find friendship within a church family........yes, there are squabbles and fallouts as in any family but, taken as a whole, the church family takes some beating! :-D

There is, of course, one person who is available to be a friend to all who wish it..


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.



Remembering all who live, work and struggle alone.

Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia, your hymn is familiar and especially this verse which I quite often sing to myself on difficult/challenging days. It reminds me I am never left to cope on my own.

Are we weak and heavy-laden
Burdened 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 will find a solace there.

These words never fail to help make me feel better/brighter.

Emma, HAPPY 55th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WISHES FOR TODAY.
I hope you and your husband will feel blessed all day today. xx

"The most romantic love story isn't about Romeo and Juliet who died together, but
Granddad and Grandma, who grew old together"
Author unknown.

kandj, how lovely, thank you very much xx

Good morning... :-)


It wasn't until after I had posted yesterday's prayer that I found out it was Emma's 55th Wedding Anniversary. When I looked it up, I see that the 55th is name Emerald anniversary so, it was Emma's Emerald day ! :-D <3


As this is such a fantastic achievement, this is for our friend.........


"Love is like magic
And it always will be,
For love still remains
Life's sweet mystery!
Love works in ways
That are wondrous and strange
And there's nothing in life
That love cannot change!
Love can transform
The most commonplace
Into beauty and splendour
And sweetness and grace!
Love is unselfish,
Understanding and kind,
For it sees with its heart
And not with its mind!
Love is the answer
That everyone seeks...
Love is the language
That every heart speaks...
Love can't be bought
It is priceless and free,
Love, like pure magic,
Is a sweet mystery!"

- Helen Steiner Rice.


Remembering all who are celebrating wedding anniversaries at this time Cx :-)

Cynthia <3

Also remembering all who are celebrating wedding anniversaries x

Hello All

Joining in with Cynthia and "Emerald Emma" and wishing everyone who is celebrating a wedding anniversary a wonderful blessed and happy day.

Another year to create special memories together
Another year to find out new things about one another
Another year to laugh and to be happy together
Another year to cry and support each other
Another year to strengthen the loving bond
Another year to feel grateful and blessed.

Good morning :-)


I hope Emma and her husband have had an enjoyable time over the last few days... <3

A prayer for those who may be struggling at this time...


When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless effort, God knows how hard you have tried.

When you've cried so long your heart is in anguish, God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by, God is waiting for you.

When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated, God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope, God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for, God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe, God has smiled on you.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are feeling, God knows.

--Author Unknown


With love to all who have asked for prayer :-)

Following on the same theme of those that
are struggling at this time.

When someone who is suffering
looks to you for compassion, it's
indeed a blessing; you are chosen
to be their Light in a moment of
sorrow.

Michelle Cruz-Rosado

Hello All
I shall pass through this world but once.
Any good therefore, that I can do or any
kindness that I can show to any fellow creature,
let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again.
Stephen Grellet, Missionary
1773 - 1855

Thinking of those who are struggling for whatever reason today. xx

Good morning :-)

Thank you for those lovely words my friends.... <3


The holiday season is still with us and many will be setting off or returning home today.

For Travelers

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole
creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go:
Keep safe those who travel ;
surround them with your loving care;
protect them from every danger;
and bring them safely to their journey's end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Remembering those who are not able to take holidays for whatever reason - that they may still be able to find time to rest and relax.

Cx :-)

Hello All

Our family are into their second weeks holiday. Our granddaughter K uses this prayer.

Dear Jesus, please stay with us and keep us safe, all the way there and all the
way back again. Amen. Short and sweet. so why don't we adults keep it simple?

Hubby and I have spent time watching the TV coverage of the VJ 70th Anniversary celebrations from London. Absolutely amazing and so very, very humbling listening to the WW2 veterans recall the memories of time spent to keep our country safe.

The Far East Prisoner of War Prayer.

We that are left to grow old with the years.

Remembering the heartache the pain and the tears.

Hoping and praying that never again.

Man will sink to such sorrow and shame.

The price that was paid we will always remember.

Every day, every month, not just in November.

Good morning :-)


I missed the coverage of that anniversary but have seen snippets of the horror stories on the news. Thank you for that prayer kandj.


The Collect for today :
O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we,
running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
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.


A beautiful morning here..........I am hoping to visit our local agricultural show after I have been to church.


Love to all Cx :-)

Holidays

During these special times of year,
take advantage of the opportunity
you have to spend time with loved ones,
have real conversations and enjoy authentic
moments.
xx

Assisted Dying Bill - vote due on 11th September.

Our church is encouraging parishioners to write to their local MP asking him/her to vote against the Bill & to deploy more energy in providing 'assisted living' instead.

Hello All

Cynthia I hope you managed to get to the show after church today.

Emma, holidays are a good way to relax and unwind and to recharge energy levels.

Dermont, The Assisted Dying Bill is expected to have its second reading debate on
11 September 2015. The first reading being 24 June, there was no debate on this.

This bill is meant to enable competent adults who are terminally ill to choose to be provided with medically supervised assistance to own their own life;

A heartbreaking issue and one I doubt that would be taken without a great deal of soul searching and thought.

I believe that life is precious and each day is a gift. I might well think very differently if I was in constant pain 24x7 with a terminal illness or with a mind incapable of thinking straight, and not able to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Good morning :-)


We made church, came home and had some lunch, and then my daughter and I went to the Agricultural Show....................arrrrrgggghhhh.....nothing better than clomping round and round a farmer's field 3 times.........! :-D

A lot of hard work had gone into the event and there were enormous crowds there but it was quite tiring.


Dermot, both the RC and the C. of E. churches have issued statements regarding the Assisted Dying Bill. The C. of E. statement may be seen here

https://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2015/07/churchgoers-urged-to-voice-concerns-over-assisted-suicide-bill.aspx

The Roman Catholic article

http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/Home/Featured/Assisted-Dying-Bill/Q-A


For today :


Grant to us, O Lord, purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no passion may hinder us from doing your will, and no weakness from doing it; that in your light we may see light clearly, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Augustine of Hippo (354-430)


Holding all friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Hello All

Almost time for bed and hopefully a peaceful night sleep. It doesn't always happen but we forever hope and pray in a positive way, and continue to count our blessings.

Thank you Lord
There is a roof above me,
I have a good place to sleep
There's food on the table
And shoes on m feet.
You gave me your love Lord,
And a fine family,
I thank you Lord
For all your blessings on me.

Thinking of all who will be forced to sleep on the streets this night. xx

Good morning :-)

Thank you for the prayer of gratitude for our homes kandj, here is one in gratitude for our friends........


Thank you, Father, for friends -

Friends that listen instead of talk,
Friends that have time
instead of rushing away,
Friends that really care about others more than themselves,
Friends that have the compassion of Jesus.
We thank you for them all.
Amen.


Praying for all the friends on GR who pop onto this page now and again. Cx :-)