General Chat

Thank you Cynthia, you are very good at finding snippets that bring a smile.

24th September is remembered as the feast day of Our Lady of Walsingham.
This title is given to Mary, the Mother of Jesus to promote unity and love to all.
Two shrines are built in Walsingham, Norfolk and described as England's Nazareth.

I have been privileged in the past to be a part of two pilgrimages.

One, was to the Roman Catholic shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham with my sister in law and her church.

Another time I visited the Anglican shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham with friends from my own church family. Both events gave me an amazing humbling experience
There is something magical walking in the Walsingham village streets where Christians have walked the "Holy Mile" for centuries. There is a Slipper Chapel at the start of the walk and an opportunity to wash feet and then walk the Holy Mile barefoot. Many chose to do this but I chickened out and I declined this invitation!

Remembering many who join in fellowship and Christian love at Walsingham. xx

Good that your husband was able to enjoy a stroll with you Cynthia.

Kandj, I have also been to the Anglican shrine at Walsingham, though not the Roman Catholic one. It was several years ago and I remember being surprised at the Russian Orthodox Church in the village. I would like to go back and revisit. It is only about 2 hours drive from us so is quite "doable".

Thinking of all those in need of a friend tonight.

Good morning :-)


I have never been to Walsingham but would love to go one day as I have heard so much about it. :-)


Our son and his wife have decided that, next year, they want to do the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Parkinson's because of his dad. He has set up a FB page in his name to help raise awareness of this disease and hopes to be sponsored nearer the time. He wants me to add to the page by saying what life is like living with this illness etc. so I will do my best to comply. It is a very strenuous challenge and they will start training soon. We are very touched by their thought. <3

For today:

Do you want what you want when you want it?
Do you pray and expect a reply?
And when it's not instantly answered,
Do you feel that God passed you by?

Well, prayers that are prayed in this manner
Are really not prayers at all,
For you can't go to God in a hurry
And expect Him to answer your call.

Prayers are not meant for obtaining
What we selfishly wish to acquire,
For God in His wisdom refuses
The things that were wrongly desire.

And don't pray for freedom from trouble
Or pray that life's trials pass you by,
Instead pray for strength and for courage
To meet life's dark hours and not cry ...
That God was not there when you called Him
And He turned a deaf ear to your prayer
And just when you needed Him most of all
He left you alone in despair.

Wake up! You are missing completely
The reason and purpose of prayer,
Which is really to keep us contented
That God holds us safe in His care.

And God only answers our pleadings
When He knows that our wants fill a need,
And whenever our will becomes His will
There is no prayer that God does not heed.

~Helen Steiner Rice ~


Holding friends in need in prayer. Cx :-)

Hello All

Another bright dry God-given day here in Yorkshire today, a real blessing indeed.

Vera, I was told that there is also a Methodist chapel in Walsingham village too but I must have missed that one. It is truly an amazing experience to walk beside so many other people with various faiths.

Cynthia, what a lovely idea and a good and positive gesture from your son and DIL to help make other aware of the effect PD has on patient and families too.

My daughter bought me a book a couple of years ago entitled
90 Days To Stress Free Living........ I have still never got beyond the first three chapters!! We both laughed as she handed the book over. It is important to keep a sense of humour I think. Now I have dusted the book off and I am going to try to read the daily recommendations...... whether I am able to follow the advice remains to be seen. I will share the quotes with you all on here each day, if I may?

Day 1. Feel good about yourself. Love your body....hmmmm that means I have to
avoid the full length mirror in the hall.

Thinking of all who will visit hospital outpatient clinics today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Avoid your full length mirror kandj? In my case it would be better if I just wore a blindfold! :-D

It's a beautiful morning here, so I must make the most of it and get some washing out soon.

For today.......how many of you remember this........?

Sarum Prayer

God be in my head and in my understanding.
God be in my eyes and in my looking.
God be in my mouth and in my speaking.
God be in my heart and in my thinking.
God be at my end and at my departing.


We used to sing this at school if I remember rightly - back in the days when schools had 'proper' assemblies !


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qif2rfBmcTA


Love to all Cx :-)

Cynthia I certainly do remember those special words but I had no idea they were
called the Sarum Prayer.

Day 2 of my book suggests that we should take a few minutes to feel good and think about..... WHO YOU ARE............???

A thought balancing exercise is to sit quietly and remember that.....

I have a mind, a powerful intelligent mind. I love my mind for it allows me learn and to experience life.

For the next two minutes relax and repeat the power word for today which is BLESS.

Good morning :-)


Today is known as 'Back to Church Sunday', a day to encourage people who have drifted away from the church, to return. I'm not awfully sure of the impact it has, but I would hope that folk would always be welcomed back to church. :-)


The Collect for today:

Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face; 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 my love

Cx :-)

Hello All

I do remember this way of bringing others to church for this particular Sunday service. I have to say that I don't remember that it ever really added to the regular numbers in our congregation. I do hope that this special service works better now.

Day 3 in the book of 90 Days to Stress-Free Living suggests the word BREATH
to focus upon and Feel Good About Yourself today.

Breathing is something we all do from the moment we are born until we take our last breath and we die. But I think that it is something that we take for granted and never really think about, unless medical conditions make breathing difficult.

Many years ago I attended a weekly Yoga class where we were all taught to breathe correctly. Thankfully, this method has never really left me but I do need to be reminded sometimes.

I woke up today breathing, seeing, talking, moving
I choose to thank God, rather than complain about
silly little things.

Thinking now of all who struggle daily with respiratory conditions. xxx

Good morning :-)

I agree kandj,, I have never found Back to Church Sunday particularly effective either. The trouble is, I think, that the church tends to bend over backwards in order to appear 'trendy' and, in doing so, they bend into a complete circle and end up back where they started. I'm not sure that church 'trendiness' actually appeals to the non church goer to be honest. Hey ho. :-D


For today:

An atheist scientist came to God and said, "We've figured out how to make a man without you."
God said, "OK, let me see you do it."
So the atheist bent down to the ground and scooped up a handful. But God stopped him and said, "Oh, no you don't. Get your own dirt!"

------------------

In your time, Creator God
this world was put in place
and in your time
became beautiful
through the craftsmanship of your love.
Remind us always
as we look at sunrise
landscape or tiny child
to look beyond the artist brush
or created thing
to the artist and creator.
Amen.


Continuing to hold friends in prayer Cx :-)

Cynthia, many must have looked in awe at the Blood Moon in the early hours of this morning. It was far too late for us to think about watching this marvelous event, but we were both amazed at the splendor of a huge bright moon before we went to bed.

Day 4 of the Stress-Free Living book suggests RELAXATION as a way of coping with stressful situations. It is recommended that spending an hour in daily relaxation is good for the body, mind and soul......... well I can't argue with that, but some of us don't have an hour to call our own each day...... perhaps 10-15 mins would do???

Remembering in prayer all who are in hospital wards facing an operation. xxx

Good morning :-)

It's very hard to relax at times because it seems as though there is always something which needs doing.

Yesterday, I went to our school because the bishop was presenting the Church School award and I have been helping. When I got there, 3 of my friends from church were talking outside and, because we were early, we sat in the sunshine for a while just idly chatting. I found that to be a pleasant relaxing 10 minutes.... :-)

Talking of children........

'Moses was the next important man. His real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel lights out of Egypt because of the bad Pharaoh. God sent ten plagues on the Egyptians. Some of the plagues were mice, frogs, bugs, lice and no cable.'


------------------------------------


A prayer of Moses the man of God.
Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.


With love, Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia that must have been good to sit and relax with friends before going into school and the sunshine would have been a bonus for you all.

Day 5 of the Stress-Free suggestions in the book are

FEEL GOOD TO YOURSELF...... FEEL PULSES. A bit strange I think but it suggests we should feel the pulses in various parts of our body and notice the warmth and pleasant feeling of life flowing around our bodies.

Can't say that I am very comfortable with this book. Not surprising that I have never read beyond Chapter 3 in all the years that it has sat in the bookcase. I have decided to stick to 7 days and then pass the book over to the village charity shop.
Hopefully someone else may well benefit from this much more than I am.

Thinking now of all who await body scan appointments at this time. xxx

Good morning :-)


I think I mis-read your post at first kandj......my mind immediately sprang to lentils! :-D


Another smile for today:


A child’s explanation.
'Every day in the desert, God fed the Israel lights some manicotti. He gave them His "Top Ten" commandments. They were things like: don't lie, don't cheat, don't dance, don't smoke, don't covet your neighbour's stuff (whatever that means). He also told them to humour their fathers and mothers.'

----------------------------------------------
Gracious God, thank you for the privilege and pleasure of children.
Thank you for what they represent both for the present and the future and what they give us as they explore life and make their discoveries.
Help us to slow down, to pause and make a moment.
Help us to share their world and enjoy their wonder.
Help us to walk at their speed and find it's your speed, and so lead us together into life and joy in the company of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen.



Thinking of those who are caring for children today.....Cx :-)

Hello All

Yes, I can see the connection Cynthia...... but a different kind of PULSES ha ha

FEEL GOOD TO YOURSELF........... CALM AND SERENE (Day 6)

The reading for today suggests;

Remaining calm and poised is one key factor to feeling good.
A way of remaining CALM AND SERENE is to practise consistently,
day after day and hour after hour. Take yourself to a quiet place and practise one hour x twice a day as well as consistently throughout the day......??? In my dreams!!

I have decided that this book is definitely not for me. At this present moment in time the suggestions are just not doable..... except maybe in my dreams ha ha.

Remembering all in need of prayerful support today. xxx

Good morning :-)


We had a lovely visit from old friends yesterday and it's good when you can just pick up where you left off. We haven't seen them for ages but it was as though it had been just a few days ago. :-D


How about some relaxation with a smile? :-D


Top Ten hymns for the older generation……


Just a (slower) Walk with Thee

Go Tell It on the Mountain, (but speak up)

Here I am Lord (but not sure where)

Nobody Knows the Trouble I Have (seeing)

Guide Me O Thou great Redeemer (I've forgotten where I've parked the car)

It Is Well With My Soul (but my knees hurt)

Be Thou My Vision (I need to go to Specsavers)

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (my teeth are soaking in a glass)

Peace perfect peace (I’ve taken my hearing aid out)

I Cannot Tell (where I am supposed to be)

--------------------------------------

Lord Jesus,
As the new day dawns, we arise with your spirit amongst us.
We remember your resurrection morning and give you praise,
for you are our Lord.
We long to be with you this day and thank you with our voices,
our hearts, and our lives.
Amen.





Thanking God for the generations of folk who have kept the faith alive. Cx :-)

Love those little snippets you come up with Cynthia :-)

Well it's goodbye to September,
hello October.
Lovely to see the colours changing all around us. x

Hello All

Cynthia I agree it's good to spend time with special friends who you can relax and pick up chatter even if you haven't seen one another for a long time.

Emma, is that gt grandson baby Ollie?....... he is a little cutie and you are blessed.

The 90 Stress-Free Days book is in the car ready to take to the charity shop. I just hope that someone will enjoy reading daily suggestions more than I have.

Remembering those who will have no one to speak to today. xxx

Yes kandj that is him, four weeks old
and putting on weight every week.
We are truly blessed x

Good morning :-)


Ollie is simply gorgeous Emma......love the look on his face :-D


For today:

A Sunday school teacher asked her class, "What was Jesus' mother's name?"
They all knew. "Mary," they answered in unison.
The teacher then asked, "Does anyone know what Jesus' father's name was?"
A little kid shot up his hand and said, "Verge."
The teacher asked, "Where did you get that?"
The little kid said, "You know, Verge n' Mary.

--------------------------

Lord, we thank you for our family
For the talents and good things that you have given each of us
Please guide us, protect us and equip us
This day and every day
As we grow together in Your love.
Amen.


Praying for families who lives are in turmoil........Cx :-)

Good Morning All

Today 2nd October is the feast day of the Guardian Angels. A comforting thought accepting Guardian Angels around to protect and support us in times of distress.

This feast day began as far back as 1500 by Franciscan Order. Many Catholic churches set up altars in honour of Guardian Angels as early as the 4th Century
This feast day is also recognized and celebrated by some Anglo-Catholic churches

Several years ago I used to regularly attend monthly Christian ladies meetings for Praise and Worship. One of the Leaders told us she often saw Angels.... hmm??
More than once during our meetings Shirley would describe the Angels she could see in the room....... more than once pure white fluffy feathers were found on the floor... I now believe in Angels. Shirley convinced quite a lot of ladies they were real.

Angel of God, my Guardian dear
To whom His love, commits me here
Ever this day, be at my side
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

Remembering all people who feel alone and anxious today. xxx