General Chat

Hello all

Real food for thought with your list Cynthia. I already can tick 4 so still room
for improvement (as always).

The first Advent candle symbolizes HOPE and anticipation for Christ's birth.

"We obtain from God as much as we HOPE for"
(St Theresa of Lisieux)

Remembering the people in Cumbria who have been evacuated from their homes because of flooding and storm damage. xxx

Good morning :-)

What dreadful weather some people are experiencing.....prayers needed indeed.

Today in church, we will be lighting the Second Advent Candle – the Candle of Peace. We remember the prophets who foretold the birth of Jesus.

The Collect for today:

O Lord,
raise up, we pray, your power and come among us,
and with great might succour us; that whereas,
through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered
in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us;
Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all. Wishing a happy 2nd week of Advent to everyone.

Two candles now alight with HOPE and PEACE

Heavenly Father
We pray for PEACE in our community today,
We pray for an end to fear and and suffering.
Bring a calmness in our streets and cities
So we all may go about our lives in safety and PEACE.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Continuing to uphold others in prayerful support. xxx

Good morning :-)

My OH almost made it to church yesterday but, at the last minute, just as I was about to open the front door, he went into 'frozen' mode. Off came his coat and back to the chair he went. I knew he would sleep for a while and would be okay once he 'came round', so I went to pick my daughter up. He was fine when we came home.........but this is why we can never plan anything.

As kandj says, the 2nd Advent candle was lit yesterday.........Peace.



“I Have Come to Bring You Peace”


I have come to bring you peace.

Not the peace of the season, for it is too fleeting,

Not the peace of the carol, for it is too nostalgic,

Not the peace of the greeting card, for it is too slick,

Not the peace of the crib, for it is too wistful.

Rather, I have come to bring you peace,

Peace of the ordinary, the daily, the homely,

Peace for the worker, the driver, the student,

Peace in the office, the kitchen, the farm.



We pray for all those who would like peace in their hearts today. Cx :-)

Hello all

I hope that your husband is having a better day today Cynthia.

We could all do with more peace in our lives and in the world at this moment in time.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14 v 27 NIV).

Good morning :-)

What awful pictures from Cumbria and all those affected by the floods.....so sad to watch.

A prayer to help us through Advent..


You challenge us this Advent time
This season of preparation
To put aside our pride
And understand our need
For repentance
Forgiveness
And mercy
Less of self
More of you
Preparation for our journey
To the stable and beyond
Purify our hearts
Sanctify our lives
That we might serve you
Faithfully this day and all days. Amen


Hope all our readers are well........ Cx :-)

Morning Cynthia and kandj, popping in like I do
everyday to read your posts.

I would like to thank you and tell you how much I appreciate
the time you give to this thread. xx

Hello all

Such sad pictures of the homes that are flooded. I feel so very sorry for them all.

This second Advent week we are meant to concentrate on PEACE. I have these words going around in my head this morning and would like to share them today.

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth the peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father, brothers we are meant to be
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me let this be the moment now
With every step I take let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live each moment, with peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Warm thoughts, gentle hugs for all who can see no peace around them today. xxx

Good morning :-)


As we continue to look at the theme of Peace for this second week of Advent, we are reminded of the words of this hymn, a hymn we sing fairly regularly in church. Maybe we could use the words as a personal prayer.

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your
love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in
you.

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring
hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy.

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal
life.


How strange that you thought of your hymn kandj as that was one I had considered for this morning.........great minds eh? :-D



Thinking of all those so badly affected by the atrocious weather. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


As we continue to look at the theme of Peace for this second week of Advent, we are reminded of the words of this hymn, a hymn we sing fairly regularly in church. Maybe we could use the words as a personal prayer.

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your
love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in
you.

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring
hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy.

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal
life.


How strange that you thought of your hymn kandj as that was one I had considered for this morning.........great minds eh? :-D



Thinking of all those so badly affected by the atrocious weather. Cx :-)

Hello all

Nice to see you in your festive hat Emma.

Cynthia your choice of hymn today has never been a favourite of mine. However, the words are very appropriate for this 2nd week in Advent and focusing on PEACE.

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.
(Albert Einstein)

Remembering all households affected by the floods in Cumbria and Lancashire. xxx

Good morning :-)

Thank you for your kind words Emma......it's a pleasure <3


Ever felt like this?

Down Days in December

There are ‘down days’ in December –
We don’t like to admit it, but there are.
Days when we’re tired from extra jobs and cooking.
Days when the strain of social events and meetings
Takes its toll, however much we enjoy doing it all.
Can these ‘down days’ in December
Serve to help us along our Advent road?
Perhaps they can, if we consider Mary and Joseph –
Was it easy for Mary to cope with the stigma
Of being pregnant, her story too good to be true?
What of Joseph and his dilemma?
Should he abandon his betrothed or stand by her?
Before his vision, surely doubt and depression
Dogged his days when the future seemed so uncertain?
Yes, the Advent road was hardly a romantic affair!
Thank you Lord, for December blues!
I don’t like them but you can use them!
Days when I need to spend more time with you;
Days when I need to put my trembling hand in yours.
I do trust you, Lord, but keep me looking forward to your light!

- Ruth Russell.


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

Hello all

"When peace, like a river, attended my way,
when sorrow like sea billows roll; whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul".
(Horatio G. Spafford).

Heavenly Father
Keep me cheerful and always grateful for small mercies.
May each day be spent in thankfulness and encouragement.
Grant that I may be sympathetic and helpful towards others, because of
the peace that you have passed on to me,
In Jesus' name.
Amen

Good morning :-)

We ended up at the doctors yesterday as OH had a painful and sore looking eye - his good one!! He has been given antibiotic drops which have lessened the pain, but he still looks as though I have smacked him in the face... :-D


Dear God,
I need your peace now.
Silence my thoughts of confusion.
Silence my thoughts of anxiety.
Silence my thoughts of grief or despair.
Silence my thoughts of hurt or anger.
When there is chaos and turmoil surrounding me, shelter and protect me with your peace and loving, powerful presence.
As I take this time to stop and pray, fill me with your peaceful presence.
With each breath I take, I breathe in your peace that surpasses all understanding.
Help me to focus on peace instead of unrest.
I surrender my unrest to you so that I may receive peace.
Help me to be a spark that ignites peace in others.
Amen


Continuing to remember those affected by the dreadful floods. Cx :-)

Hello all

Sorry your husband is having eye problems, hope the antibiotic will clear this soon.

In the busyness of this second Advent week, the words of Graham Kendrick are worthy of reading and then perhaps reflecting on the theme of PEACE.

I'D NEVER KNOWN A PEACE SO SWEET.

I'd never known a peace so sweet
Till I found this at my Father's feet
I'd never known such peace divine
Till Jesus said "I'll give you mine".

"Be still my child and understand
I hold your life in my two hands
Now see my hands now see my pain
And see your way to peace again".

"Be still my child, enjoy my peace
And find the place of pure release
This place is here, it is your rest
To you my child, I give the best".

"And like a child, sleep in my arms
Where none can hurt and none can harm.
For there I give such sweet repose
To you my child, the one I chose".


Thinking now of all the family pets caught up in the flooded areas. xxx

I am sorry your husband is having eye problems Cynthia. I hope the antibiotics work quickly.

I am enjoying the posts on the theme of peace. Let There Be Peace On Earth has long been a favourite hymn of mine. They are big themes but the recent posts have got me thinking of what little things I can do to make my corner of the world more peaceful for those around me. I've come to the conclusion that I need to listen more, smile more and hold my tongue more!

Tonight I am asking for wisdom for our leaders who must work for peace in the wider world.

Hope your husband recovers quickly from his eye infection, Cynthia.

Thanking God for the miracle pregnancy, baby expected next year. As one of it's siblings aged 6 years said, 'God must have loved our family very much!' Long awaited and already much loved <3

edit * I already posted earlier we have two babies expected in our family next year, prayers gratefully received for their safe deliveries, thank you in anticipation :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you all for your kind thoughts. The eye is looking better and the pain has subsided - at least he hasn't mentioned it, so I guess it must have done! <3

How wonderful to have two new babies expected in the family Lavender, please keep us posted as to how things go. <3

As we come to the end of the Second Week of Advent with the theme of Peace, we offer this prayer ....

Prayer for family peace

Lord, bless our family
May we be a beautiful garden for you.
Help us to live in harmony, to provide support to each other when needed and at other times space for each of us to grow.
Help us to take the time to receive the warmth of your grace in our lives and to drink from the water of life daily.
Guide us as we live our lives to have the right balance of work, rest and play.
May we be healthy, contented and giving in all that we do.
Create in us an oasis of love and hope that others can rest within and enjoy.

Amen.


Remembering all families who will be welcoming a new baby during the next few months.

Love, Cx :-)

Hopefully it will soon clear up Cynthia x

My prayers and thoughts to all who are looking
forward to the arrival of new babies into their family.

Hello all

Very dark and wet day here today. I feel so very sorry for all the flood victims.

Cynthia, I hope that the antibiotic drops will continue to make your hubby comfortable.

Lavender, how nice to have you popping back again and what good news you are sharing with us all. Two new babies expected for next year! Prayers for everyone.

Continuing the 2nd Advent week of PEACE. We all could do with more peace in our daily lives. If we put our problems in God's hands, he is able to put PEACE into our hearts.

I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
John 14 v 27. (New Living Translation).

Praying for the skills of all Consultants, Doctors, Nurses and Midwives who care for Mums-to-be and unborn babies every working day. xxx