General Chat

Good morning :-)

Illness and death and funerals are sad at any time of years, but Christmas always brings that added poignancy doesn't it? Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are suffering in any way this Christmas time.


Today's Advent Calendar................

http://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/advent-and-christmas/advent-calendar/


Love to all Cx :-)

That was so moving and beautiful to read Cynthia x

I count my blessings that I have my husband, family
and friends around me at this time of the year.

My thoughts and prayers to those who are alone and
in need of comfort.

Good morning :-)


Christmas Eve and a busy day for many, but it is still a Sunday and churches will be functioning as normal. We have a service at 11.am and 11.30 pm. A very long day for those who are involved in church life. I would love to go to the Midnight service, but those days are long gone. Hey ho............................


The next to last door on the Advent Calendar........rather nice.

http://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/advent-and-christmas/advent-calendar/



Cx :-)

Hello all

Our family are on the road all excited to be spending Christmas here with us two. We all know that things could have been very different and we thank God that we are all together again at so very special and holy time of the year. God is good!!

Thank you to all who have taken time to offer prayerful support throughout a very difficult and challenging few months. Reading your kind words has helped so much.

Happy Christmas blessings to everyone who reads Cynthia's daily postings.

Remembering all who will be in hospital or are grieving the loss of a loved one. xxx

Good morning and a very happy and blessed Christmas to you all :-)


Kandj, our love and prayers stay with you and we hope you have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by your loving family. <3


The final door on the Advent Calendar we have been following, needs no explanation. Just beautiful.


http://www.methodist.org.uk/adventcalendar/


Love to all Cx :-)

A belated good morning :-)


I hope you all had a good day yesterday. We went to our son's for lunch with the family which was lovely as usual. My OH managed quite well and we stayed for about 3 hours. We also managed to get to church in the morning too....that was really good. <3


BOXING DAY………..
One of two main theories is that the day after Christmas was traditionally associated with the opening of boxes distributed by those wealthy enough to have servants. These would be filled with small gifts and leftovers from Christmas dinner, and were given to servants, who would have been expected to work on Christmas Day, essentially as an end of year bonus.

Another believable theory is that the name comes from the opening of alms boxes, collected by churches. These boxes, which are still seen in some churches, were filled with collections from parishioners throughout Advent, and then distributed to those in need on Boxing Day.

December 26th also commemorates the life of St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who was known for his service to the poor and his status as the first Christian martyr (he was stoned to death in AD 36).

PRAYER
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Love to all. Cx :-)

I understand our dear Kandj’s hubby is back in hospital Keeping Kandj, her OH and their family in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong <3 <3 <3

Good morning :-)


Yes Vera, kandj's husband was re-admitted to hospital on Christmas Day. Possibly pneumonia or heart attack, they are not sure till the tests are done. Fortunately, the family were visiting and so she does have their support bless her. God bless them. We continue to hold them all in our prayers. <3

A gentle prayer for today :

Lord, you know what it means to be vulnerable
A fragile young life, a defenceless young babe
So may my heart be vulnerable and open
to you this Christmas, walking closer each day by your side. Amen.


Cx :-)

Sorry to hear that kandj hubby is back in hospital <3

My thoughts and prayers are with them x

Good morning :-)

No news from kandj since we knew about her husband being re-admitted into hospital. We continue to hold them both in our prayers.

We are still in the Christmas season and continue to remember what it is all about...


Christmas is "peace on earth" for those who accept it and live in unity with God's will.

Christmas is a gift of love wrapped in human flesh and tied securely with the strong promises of God.

Christmas is angelic music in the form of a carol and oratorio with a celestial descant.

Christmas is "Glory to God," "Good will to man," and "Joy to the world."


Love and prayers Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Continuing through this festive season, we remember that.......

Christmas is the sparkle of anticipation and the steady light of faith in the eyes of a little child as he hears the old, old story.

Christmas is the shining star of hope in the sky of all mankind.

Christmas is more than words can tell, for it is a matter for the heart to re-ceive, believe and understand.
- Unknown


Still no word from kandj.........love to all. Cx :-)

Holding kandj and her husband in my thoughts and prayers x

Good morning :-)


A quick note from kandj tells us that she is absolutely exhausted but continuing on with caring for her husband. Holding them both in thoughts and prayers.

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind;
teach us to be patient and always to be kind.
- Helen Steiner Rice.


Cx :-)

Thank you for that update Cynthia x

Also that quote from HSR.

Thoughts and prayers for all in need of comfort.

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) set for today:

Almighty God,
who wonderfully created us in your own image
and yet more wonderfully restored us
through your Son Jesus Christ:
grant that, as he came to share in our humanity,
so we may share the life of his divinity;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The Gospel set for today re-tells the familiar story of the Shepherds and ends with Jesus being taken to the temple to be circumcised.


Loving thoughts to you all. Cx

Prayers and thoughts for Kandj, her husband and family and all in need of support at this time <3

Good morning :-)

A very happy new year to you all........I admit to going to bed at 11pm. :-D


I wonder how many of you have made New Year’s resolutions?

For this week, we will take a look at some Christian resolutions which you may like to consider……

Read and study the bible more – maybe 20 minutes each day.

Why?
It makes us wiser.
It helps us to overcome sin and temptation.
It gives us peace and direction and builds our relationship with God.
We learn a little bit of history and learn to understand Jesus better.


Love to all and thinking of kandj Cx :-)

Hello all

Popping in to wish everyone a very Happy and Contented New Year in 2018.

Helen went back to Durham yesterday to join her little family for the new year, and will be back again this coming weekend. Her Dad still isn't very good, but we are taking each day as it comes and finding the spiritual strength to cope from the little chapel inside the hospital. An oasis of peace and quietness away from the busy ward.

Thank you for all your ongoing prayers and kind words, it's brought tears to my eyes. XX

A very Happy New Year to you all. May 2018 bring us all peace and strength to cope with whatever the year throws at us.

You must be feeling very stressed and exhausted so thank you for taking the time to post Kandj. I hope this coming year is a better one and that your husband will start to recover very soon. You remain in our thoughts and prayers. <3

Good morning :-)

Lovely to hear from you kandj........we are all rooting for you <3


Suggested New Year resolution No. 2

Attend church regularly.

Why?

Because the bible instructs us to be in relationship with other believers. If we are part of Christ’s body, we need to fit into the body of believers.
The church is where we come together to encourage one another. God wants us in fellowship with other believers. There is no such thing as a Lone Ranger Christian.



Love to all Cx :-)