General Chat

Hello all

Cynthia, very many years ago a group of friends and I went on a yoga/exercise weekend. One of the exercises was to suggest a container that would hold all your worries that day. Way back then I said that a matchbox was alright for my concerns.
Others chose varying size containers. Today I would ask for a suitcase to fill with my worries, while others are sure to suggest a trunk to hold so many of their problems. Even now, after all those years ago, there are always very many others worse off than we are. Take a look around and be grateful for small cross above.

Chapter 30 Shaped For Serving God.
Your hands have shaped and made me.
(Job 10; 8. Good News Bible.)

Thinking of all who have felt stressed or upset for whatever reason today. xxx

Good morning :-)

I like the matchbox/trunk comparison. I remember a friend of mine who used to be a counsellor, offering a tin of buttons to those who saw her and asking them to choose a button which best described how they felt. If they were fairly upbeat, then they would choose a pretty button.....if they were very down, they would go for the dullest and plainest button they could see. All interesting stuff.

For today - a reminder that Spring is around the corner and we are moving towards Easter.....

BURIED TREASURE

Beneath the snows of Winter,
Spring treasures can be found
In seeds that lie there sleeping
Below the frozen ground.

While snow falls in the meadow,
The rose must get her rest.
Soon Spring will kiss his princess
And she must look her best.

Sleeping beauty shall awaken
And yawn without a sound
As sprigs of buried treasure
Come bursting from the ground.

All earth proclaims God's glory
When Spring is in the air.
Each bud fulfils a promise -
Each rose an unanswered prayer.

Spring is a resurrection -
Winter's stone is rolled away
To reveal God's buried treasure
Each sun-kissed springtime day.
- Clay Harrison


Remembering all those who feel like very dull buttons and are sitting on a very large trunk of trouble today........Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, my Mum always had a button box. All old clothes that were no longer any use had all buttons cut off before being discarded. Some of the buttons were so pretty and shiny. I loved playing and making patterns with them when I was a
small child......simple pleasures ha ha.

Quite a way now along a Lenten journey in faith. Day 31 of 40 Days of Lent.

Chapter 31. Understanding Your Shape.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and
knit them together in my Mother's womb.
(Psalm 139:13 The Living Bible.)

Praying for all the people whose lives have been devastated by rain and floods. xxx

Good morning :-)

I still have a button box - goodness knows why - I hardly ever sew a button on these days. There is something strangely calming in pushing them around the tin, but don't ask me why. :-)

For today:

Sometimes I wonder what I might say if I were to meet you in person Lord.
I think I might say "Thank You Lord" for always being there for me.
I know with certainty there were times when you carried me, Lord.
When it was through your strength I got through the dark times in my life.
Help me Lord to be more conscious of your presence.
Teach me to recognise your presence in others.
Fill my heart with gratitude for the times
Your love has been shown to me through the care of others.
Amen.

Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your prayer this morning Cynthia. It could almost have been written for me.

Chapter 32. Using What God Gave You.
In the same way, even though there are many of us, we are
one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other.
(Romans 12:5. Common English Bible.)

Remembering those who grieve for a loved one today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Within the church, today is know as Passion Sunday heralding the arrival of Passiontide - that time when we remember the suffering of our Lord as we head up towards Holy Week and Easter.

The Collect (Special prayer for today)

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
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.


Remembering those who suffer in any way....... Cx :-)

Remembering the children and their teacher
who died 20 years ago on this day in Dunblane.

<3

Hello all

Emma, such a tragic event. Hard to believe that it was 20 years ago.
Thoughts and prayers for family and friends of the children and teacher.
May those little ones, and the teacher continue to Rest In Peace.

Continuing with the reading of Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life. Day 33

Chapter 33: How Real Servants Act.
This, however is not the way it is among you. If one of you wants to
be great, you must be the servant of the rest.
(Mark 10:43 Good News Translation.)

Praying for people who have felt sad and upset today. xxx

Good morning :-)

I can remember that I was driving along a country lane when the news of the Dunblane shooting came over the radio. Such shock......such a terrible event.....such suffering.

Suffering is very much the theme for the next two weeks as we approach Easter.....

Passiontide (in the Christian liturgical year) is a name for the last two weeks of Lent, beginning on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, long celebrated as Passion Sunday, and ending on Holy Saturday.

The Passion of Christ is the story of Jesus Christ's arrest, trial and suffering. It ends with his execution by crucifixion. The Passion is an episode in a longer story and cannot be properly understood without the story of the Resurrection.
The word Passion comes from the Latin word for suffering.

The Passion is a story about injustice, doubt, fear, pain and, ultimately, degrading death. It tells how God experienced these things in the same way as ordinary human beings.


May the Christ who walks with wounded feet
Walk with us on the road.
May the Christ who serves with wounded hands
Stretch out our hands to serve.
May the Christ who loves with the wounded heart
Open our hearts to love.


Thinking of those who are suffering at this time......Cx :-)

Hello all

The days of Lent are going by quickly. Day 34 now of the 40 days of Lent.

Chapter 34: Thinking Like A Servant.
But my servant Caleb was different. He follows me completely.
So I will bring him into the land that he has already seen, and his
people will get that land.
(Numbers 14:24. New International Version.)

Thinking of all in need of prayerful support tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)

It's a beautiful morning here - I hope others are experiencing the sunshine too. :-)


Something to ponder on.....

One Solitary Life

He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him

He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself

He was only thirty three

His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth

When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life

Dr James Allan Francis 1926.


Christianity is about a relationship with a risen Saviour.

Hello all

Day 35 now of the book I chose to read during the 40 days of Lent.

Chapter 35: God's Power In Your Weakness.
We are weak....yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.
(2 Corinthians 13:4 New International Version.)

It is both challenging and interesting to read Scripture taken from
so many different bibles.

Thinking of new babies born today and the staff who care for Mothers and babies. xx

Good morning :-)


Confirmation classes have started in our church school. These classes are offered to them and are not compulsory, but the children need to show some sort of commitment to what they are about to undertake. They may also drop out of the class if it is not what they expected.

I try and join in these classes as part of my role as church rep and enjoy my time with them. What I find sad, is the fact that once they are confirmed, there are so many that we never see again. This is a well known occurrence in both the C. of E. and the R.C. churches and one wonders how to tackle it.

It reminds me of a very old story of three clergymen talking about the problem of having bats (an endangered species) in their church towers. These creatures were leaving a great deal of mess behind them, causing some concern to those below. One clergyman had solved the problem......his answer? "We just need to baptise and confirm them, and we will never see them again!" :-D


A peaceful start to the day :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI_v5WnkDGM


Praying for all those who are considering a commitment within the church at this time. Cx :-)

Hello all

Day 36 of the Lent reading book..... A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.
Not many chapters left to read now. I am finding it a difficult but worthwhile challenge,

Chapter 36: Made For A Mission.
I have sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world.
(John 17:18. Easy-to -read-version.)

Thinking of people who feel depressed this evening, xxx

Good morning everyone and a Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those who have connections with Ireland. :)

St Patrick is traditionally associated with the Shamrock plant, which he used to explain the concept of the Trinity.

St Patrick's value doesn't really come from the historical details but from the inspiration of a man who returned to the country where he had been a child slave, in order to bring the message of Christ.

Facts in brief
• St Patrick really existed
• Taken to Ireland as a slave at age 16
• Escaped after 6 years
• Became a Christian priest, and later a Bishop
• Returned to Ireland as a missionary
• Played a major part in converting the Irish to Christianity



The shortened version of St. Patrick's prayer...

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all.

Thanks Cynthia for the history of St Patrick. Happy St. Patrick's Day wishes to Irish.

May your day be touched, by a bit if Irish luck,
brightened by an Irish song in your heart.
and warmed by the smiles of the people you love.

Continuing with Day 37 of my chosen book during the 40 days of Lent. Almost there!

Chapter 37; Sharing Your Life Message.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you,
with meekness and fear.
(1 Peter 3:15 King James Version)

Praying for neighbours in our road and surrounding streets today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Apologies for lateness.......got carried away as our routine is up the spout today. :-D


A reminder that we are heading towards Holy Week...


Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief
your only Son was lifted up
that he might draw the whole world to himself.
May we walk this day in the way of the cross
and always be ready to share its weight,
declaring your love for all the world.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.


Remembering those who have asked for prayer.....Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your morning prayer today Cynthia.

Day 39 of a journey in faith during Lent, and so the penultimate reading.

Chapter 39: Balancing Your Life.
Don't let the errors of evil people lead you down
the wrong path, and make you lose your balance.
(Contemporary English Version Bible.)

Thinking of people who are coping with sickness within their family right now. xxx

Good morning :-)


Some reassuring and cheerful words for today.......(I hope Emma is around) :-D



It’s amazing and incredible,
But it’s as true as it can be,
God loves and understands us all
And that means you and me–
His grace is all sufficient
For both the young and old,
For the lonely and the timid,
For the brash and for the bold–
His love knows no exceptions,
So never feel excluded,
No matter what your past has been,
Trust God to understand,
And no matter what your problem is
Just place it in His Hand–
For in all of our unloveliness
This great God loves us still,
He loved us since the world began,
And what’s more, He always will!

- Helen Steiner Rice


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Tra la la la la la.... The very last day of the Christian book that I chose to read throughout the 40 days during Lent. Here is the last chapter....I made it.... pheww!
I admit to struggling to find the time to read a chapter each day. Being sole Carer for my husband takes 24x7, but I have persevered and learned a lot. I have enjoyed the challenge reading Purpose Driven Life written by Rick Warren these past 40 days

Chapter 40: Living With Purpose.
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
(Proverbs 19:21. New International Version.)

Remembering all in need of prayerful support right now. xxx