General Chat

Thank you so much everyone for your kind thoughts. I have been thinking of the couple all day. I think it is going to be particularly hard on them over the coming weeks as the young lady's brother has in the last month become the father of twins. It will be very difficult for the whole family to delight in these babies while grieving for the lost one.

However the family are strong and very supportive of each other so I am sure they will get through these bleak times.

I'm keeping grieving parents everywhere in my thoughts today.

Vera, I have been thinking of this young couple coping with such heartbreak today.
I am relieved to know that this tragic event will be shared within a loving family unit.
My thoughts and prayers have been with them all throughout today and will be with them all in the weeks and months ahead.Sadly,our family have gone down a similar road.

The loss of a child is not an event, it is an indescribable journey of survival tomorrow and for evermore. A Mother never gets over losing a child, it doesn't matter how long it's been or how old the child was when they died or the reason they were taken away. When we love someone in heaven, then heaven is near us.
Grief does not ever go away. The price you must pay for grief is called love. xxx

Remembering all the babies and children who have gone too soon this week.xxx

Good morning :-)


It's very autumnal here this morning but not really cold. My CH doesn't know whether it is coming on or going off :-D


Good Morning Lord Jesus
Thank you for waking me up today
that I am able to see light for another day.
Help me to go through this day
with much peace and happiness and good health.
I pray for my wonderful friends and family
that you may bless them too.

Amen.


Remembering friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Hello All

HAPPY WEDNESDAY TO EVERYONE

With each new day comes new thoughts and new strengths for us all.
Have a blessed, beautiful and happy day today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Spent quite a bit of time with our grandchildren yesterday which was wonderful :-D

We were talking about our granddaughter's 18th birthday next year. Where exactly have those years gone? Where is that tiny baby with the mop of dark hair, or the school girl bring home a drawing? If anyone knows where they have gone, can you please let me know? :-D


For today:

Father, dear Father,

I am so grateful for everything that you have given me.
Thank you so much for the loved ones in my life,
For the many ways in which I am cared for and supported.
Thank you for the many ways I can serve and give to others.
Thank you for the rich tapestry of colours in creation,
For the beauty which is all around me,
For the skies and the ever changing cloud formations,
For the breathtaking sunsets and early morning mists.
My heart is so grateful and brimming with thanks.
I could write a thousand books about your great goodness,
And still have many stories to tell.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I thank you with everything I am.
All my being cries thank you Lord!

Amen.


Thinking of those who have no family Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia, I often wonder where years have gone and still haven't fathomed it out?!!

Early yesterday morning we received a "HELP PLEASE" phone call from our niece.
The childminder for her daughter was ill and so "Could you help us out PLEASE?"
Ofcourse I said yes and she dropped our great niece off before dashing off to work.

Hubby did drawing and colouring with Chloe and I amused her as we made biscuits and decorated them with funny faces and we made crispy buns and a BIG MESS.

An old net curtain turned Chloe into a "bride" with Auntie holding the train and we all sang "Here comes the bride", too many times to count, but all good fun with giggles.

Then Chloe was a hairdresser and I was the lady who had come to be made pretty.
Scissors weren't allowed after Chloe had cut my hair playing this game a month ago!!

We were shattered when Chloe was collected but her Mummy was very grateful for our help and doubly happy with a cake tin filled with crispy buns and fancy biscuits.

We used to play the same games with our niece, and have wondered where all those years have gone to, as we were happy to play with Chloe but feel weary today after our fun-filled day helping out yesterday. We had lots of laughs and we will relax and rest today, but were just happy to be able to help out in emergency.

"A day without laughter, is a day wasted" (Charlie Chaplin).

Blessings today to the young and to the young in heart. xxx

Good morning :-)

What a wonderful day you must have had kandj - it sounds great fun and I think it may have done you all good! The tiredness will have been worth it :-D



Grant me a sense of humour, Lord,
The saving grace to see a joke,
To win some happiness from life,
And pass it on to other folk.

A few Irish blessings

May you have
No frost on your spuds,
No worms on your cabbage.
May your goat give plenty of milk.
And if you inherit a donkey,
May she be in foal.


May your troubles be as few and far between
As my grandmother's teeth.


May those who love us love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.


May your neighbours respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.


When the wind is howlin' in everyone's ears,
May you hear a soft, lilting breeze.
And if the rain is crashin' down,
May it only be dew at your knees.
If the ground 'neath your feet should quiver and shake,
I hope you'll be standin' with ease.
And never go hungry or wantin' for much;
May God grant you all that you need.



:-D I hope these blessings lifted some spirits today :-D


Love to all Cx :-)

It is good to have young children around some days. It is a privilege and a blessing to share time with them and see a world though a young one's eyes.

Continuing to pray for Vera's friends who have been through a traumatic week.

One never stands as tall as when you kneel to help a child. (Author unknown)

Thinking of children who live without hugs and laughter. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today is All Hallow's Eve

Halloween, no matter how commercialized, has almost completely pagan origins. As innocent as it may seem to some, it is not something to be taken lightly. Christians tend to have various ways to celebrate or not to celebrate Halloween. The New Testament teaching about the occult is clear. Acts 8:9-24, the story of Simon, shows that occultism and Christianity don't mix. With our freedom as Christians, we are at liberty to decide how to act.

A Prayer For Halloween
Father
We thank you
for your many blessings,
in particular for
all the holy men and women
we celebrate on All Saints Day.
Help us to contemplate
their holiness
on this eve of that holiday.
And may your protection
be upon all those
involved in Halloween festivities
during this night.
We pray in Jesus name. Amen.



Continuing to remember friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Hello All

Today is All Hallows Eve , held 31 October and a time to prepare for All Hallows' Day to keep a vigil and pray before the Feast Day tomorrow. 31st October is now known and celebrated by many as Halloween.

Tomorrow 1st November is All Hallows Day or All Saints Day. A time to remember all Saints and martyrs who dedicated or sacrificed their lives for Christianity

Monday 2nd November is All Souls Day. Traditionally a day set aside to pray for the souls of family members and friends and indeed all those who we have loved and who have died.

These three dates are connected. Each date is significant in the Christian calendar and each one is different and special in its own particular way.

A Prayer for Halloween

God of laughter and joy.
We turn to you in the way of our ancient ancestors,
grateful for the abundance of food and festivity
that surrounds us all at this time of the year.

Keep all children safe as they go out this Halloween night.
Light their way through the dark night and
enfold them all in your love.

May the real treat in their lives be goodness
that multiplies in depth as they grow older.
We pray this with all the Saints in heaven.
Amen

Good morning :-)


As kandj so rightly says, today is known as All Saints Day....... a day to remember the glorious departed. This afternoon in church, we are holding our Annual Service of Remembrance, where the names of those who have died during the last year are read out. Other names are also read out by request.

The Collect for today :

Almighty God,
you have knit together your elect in one communion
and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:
grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living
that we may come to those inexpressible joys
that you have prepared for those who truly love you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
Amen.


Two wonderful bible readings this morning........Jesus - the Alpha and the Omega and the raising of Lazarus.

Love to all

Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia, I will be praying for all who attend your Memorial Service this afternoon.

I awoke this morning remembering that today is All Saints Day and a very old traditional hymn came into my mind and so I will share the words with you now.
It seems appropriate for All Saints Day and I think others may remember it too.

FOR ALL THE SAINTS WHO FROM THEIR LABOURS REST
written by William W.Howe 1823-1897

For all the saints who from their labours rest
Who Thee by faith before the world confess
Thy name, o Jesus be forever blest
Alleluia! Alleluia.

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might
Thou, Lord their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light
Alleluia! Alleluia.

Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia.

O blest communion, fellowship divine
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet, all are one in Thee, for all are Thine
Alleluia! Alleluia.

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long
Steals on the ear, the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are long
Alleluia! Alleluia.

But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory, passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia.

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's widest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Alleluia! Alleluia.

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia.

A rousing old traditional hymn that has given me goosebumps many times, when sung in church with an organ music almost lifting the rafters. Such lovely memories!

Good morning :-)

We sang 'For all the Saints' yesterday..........goosebumps indeed.

The Memorial Service went very well and was much appreciated. Apart from names being read out, everyone was invited to the front to light a candle in memory of loved ones. Very touching.

As we approach Remembrance Sunday, and whilst not forgetting all other conflicts, I thought we would take a look at various aspects of the two world wars during the next few days.

Today we think of those who died during those hostilities. The statistics are staggeringly dreadful.

The total number of military and civilian casualties in World War I was over 38 million: over 17 million deaths and 20 million wounded, ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history.

World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history in absolute terms of total dead. Over 60 million people were killed, which was about 3% of the 1940 world population (est. 2.3 billion).

Remember, O Lord, all those who died as a result of warfare.
In life they, like us, could see only a clouded and partial view; may they now see you clearly face to face. We ask that they may find eternal rest in the comfort of your love. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello All

2nd November 2015 is All Souls Day, when we remember and pray for all our family and friends (and GR friends) who are not with us in the physical sense any more.
Ofcourse, we don't need a special date to remember our loved ones, they are with us in our hearts and in our thoughts always, but 2nd November is the date chosen for All Souls Day in the church calendar this year..

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

The lighting of candles in church during a Memorial Service is poignant yet comforting for congregation who are able to bring light into a dark moment for all.

"Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness"
(words written by Anne Frank).

Praying for those who are in a dark place today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Not quite as foggy here this morning thank goodness.

I had a mishap yesterday.... :-(

I was using sellotape and tearing it with my teeth (as you do) and I broke off a corner of my front tooth ..... arggghh. I kept the tiny piece and am hoping my dentist can do some repair work later. Until then, please don't ask me to smile :-D

Today, leading up to Remembrance Sunday, we think of the war time nurses.


No nurses died in World War 1 from a result of enemy attack, as women were kept way away from the front line. However, about 260 died in the line of duty, mainly because of diseases and illnesses, some of which spread very quickly and were difficult to contain. Many nurses also died because of the influenza epidemic of 1918.

Over 200 nurses died in WW2. Women as well as men cared for the injured and ill. Thousands of women volunteered as nurses, and many worked at least a fourteen-hour day in the hospitals. They often had to come back on duty when hospital trains arrived with more wounded soldiers. Nurses also served in evacuation hospitals only eight or ten miles behind the front lines and well within the range of German artillery. Wounded soldiers remarked that having female nurses as part of the medical staff was very important. Their skillful care saved many lives, and they reminded the injured of their mothers, wives, girlfriends, and sisters back home.
________________________________________

A prayer from the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.

O God, who through the healing touch of thy dear Son didst recover the sick and relieve their pain, grant to us who serve beneath thy Cross in the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps such love towards thee and devotion to our duty that the shadows may pass from those entrusted to our care, their darkness lighten into faith and hope, and thy love bring healing peace, for his sake who was content to suffer for all mankind, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Thinking of all who are called to the nursing profession.

Cx :-)

Hello All

Oh dear Cynthia..... that could prove to be quite costly! Does the tooth fairy call for a piece of broken tooth?????

I have never given a thought to nurses during wartime. Quite remice of me really.

This is a nurse's prayer, which I think is very interesting.

A NURSE'S PRAYER

Give me strength and wisdom, when others' need my touch;
A soothing word to speak to them, their hearts yearn for so much.
Give me joy and laughter, to life a weary soul;
Pour in me compassion to make the broken whole.
Give me gentle, healing hands, for those left in my care;
A blessing to those who need me. This is my nurses prayer.
(Allison C.Coxsey).

Praying for all nurses on duty throughout this night. xxx

Good morning :-)


Tooth all fixed......no charge. We do have one of those dental plans though...so I think it may have come in handy! :-D

Today, we will think about those left at home during wartime.

Apparently, in WW1 the Zeppelin raids on London in April 1915 had the effect of drawing everybody into the war.

Wearing a uniform of some kind (whether in the forces or as a male or female police officer, postal worker or bus conductor) was an obvious way of contributing, but civilians working in a factory making uniforms, guns, ammunition, tanks or ships had every right to feel they were contributing as much to the war effort as a man with a gun. Those working on the docks and in the mines also played a valiant part.

Families with men at the front certainly felt part of the war, whilst clergymen who comforted the bereaved, or journalists who wrote stirring patriotic editorials, likewise were drawn in.

In WW2 things came closer to home and those homes had to be protected. Sandbags were used as protection against explosives and black blinds made out of black material were hung in windows to prevent light coming out during a raid. There were Anderson shelters in gardens and air-raid shelters in most cities.

There was the fear of gas attacks, and everyone was issued with a gas mask which they took everywhere. Barrage balloons soared overhead to try and keep bombers from important targets. Railings and all metal were taken for scrap metal for the war effort. Petrol was only given to essential workers like doctors, etc. Ration books were issued and housewives queued endlessly for food.

Lord, we thank you for those who worked and waited at home for the hostilities to cease. We thank you for all who played their part in keeping families together – industry going and people informed. We thank you for their bravery, their persistence and their spirit of comradeship. Amen.


Remembering friends in prayer. Cx :-)

We have dental check-ups soon. Not one of my favourite places, but hubby doesn't mind and the dentist is so patient and friendly towards him, that is always a bonus.

"Mankind must put an end to war, or war with put an end to mankind". A quote from
John F. Kennedy. Very poignant words indeed.

Remembering all who fought in war and will process this coming Sunday. xxx

Good morning :-)

Today, we think about the animals who played their part in the war effort.

Horses: Eight million horses and countless mules and donkeys died in the First World War. They were used to transport ammunition and supplies to the front and many died, not only from the horrors of shellfire but also in terrible weather and appalling conditions.

Pigeons: Often coming under fire and suffering injury, exhaustion or severe weather, pigeons were renowned for their perseverance in delivering their messages, helping to save the lives of many men.

Dogs: During two world wars dogs were given many duties including carrying messages, laying communication wires and helping to locate mines.

Camels: Camels were used as beasts of burden and often carried wounded men to safety. The Imperial Camel Corps Brigade (ICCB) was a camel-mounted infantry brigade that the British Empire raised in December 1916 during the First World War for service in the Middle East.

Elephants: . Sir William Slim, commander of the XIVth Army wrote about elephants in his introduction to Elephant Bill: "They built hundreds of bridges for us, they helped to build and launch more ships for us than Helen ever did for Greece. Without them our retreat from Burma would have been even more arduous and our advance to its liberation slower and more difficult."

There were other animals involved in the lives of the soldiers…..some were mascots, whilst others served a purpose……canaries to alert humans to gas….dolphins and sea lions for detecting mines…cats as mascots and for catching mice and rats on ships….and Glow worms - used in World War One to guide soldiers to read maps before going over the top of the trenches.

What all of our soldiers sacrifice and suffer is beyond words to describe. As we prepare to remember and give thanks for the brave men and women who have given so much in the service of our country, let us also remember the animals who provided them aid, comfort, and companionship.


Remembering friends in need of prayer. Cx :-)

Hello All

Family pets bring much joy and companionship to everyone. We have a lot to be thankful for to all God's creatures who helped in different ways during war times.

Hear our humble prayer, O Lord, for all animals who are suffering; for any that are lost or abandoned, hungry or frightened. We bring each one to your mercy and ask that they may all be helped by compassionate and caring people. Amen.

Thinking of those who will work with sick animals today. xxx