General Chat

Hello all

So very sad to read that lovely Fly's husband had passed away too. ((hugs to Fly)).

Welcome back Pat..... can you send a little warmth to us all from Cyprus please?

Been to join my two nieces and their little children aged 7, two 4 year olds and a 2 year old sweetie and they had written messages to great uncle and let helium balloons fly high into the sky....... I had to swallow hard as all the little ones shouted, "Goodbye Uncle, we love you sooo much"... Oh dear, I had to quickly wipe the tears away but it was so lovely being with the children and seeing their excited faces.

I was surprised when a beautiful arrangement of flowers was delivered in a box so I don't have to put them in a vase. These were sent by our family in Durham with love and hugs from them all. Martin is bringing Katie here for a couple of nights as it is half term next week, so they will come and keep me company. How blessed I am!!

Thank you Cynthia for your ongoing support and to everyone else for your kind words and prayers which are also a great blessing to me at such a sad time. xxx

Good morning :-)


Hello kandj how lovely to hear from you and what a lovely gesture by your nieces and their little ones. <3

*Waves* to Pat.......good to see you have rejoined us again. How are the bells? :-D


The Collect (special prayer) set for today…..

Almighty Father,
whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross:
give us grace to perceive his glory,
that we may be strengthened to suffer with him
and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The reading set for today tells of the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain.

I think we have a forecast for snow today.................. :-(

At church, we have the baptism of three little ones. I do hope the female Godparents are not wearing backless, topless mini dresses as per usual - they will freeze big style ...... :-D

Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It's taken me SO long to get here that I am now in a rush......hey ho.

LOOK ON THE SUNNY SIDE
by:
Helen Steiner Rice

There are always two sides the good and the bad,
The dark and the light, the sad and the glad.
But in looking back over the good and the bad,
We're aware of the number of good things we've had,

And in counting our blessings, we find when we're through,
We've no reason at all to complain or be blue.
So thank God for the good things He has already done,
And be grateful to Him for the battles you've won,

And know that the same God who helped you before,
Is ready and willing to help you once more.
Then with faith in your hearts,
reach out for God's Hand
and accept what He sends,
though you can't understand.

For our Father in Heaven always knows what is best,
And if you trust in His wisdom, your life will be blessed.
So always remember that whatever betide you,
you are never alone, for God is beside you.


Cx :-)

HSR never disappoints me, comforting words for all x

Good morning :-)

We are almost in Lent……today is Shrove Tuesday also known as Pancake Day! (I adore pancakes ??) But what does Shrove mean?

'Shriving' is a ritual that Christians used to go through in the past where they confess their sins and receive absolution for them. The absolution frees the person from the guilt and pain that their sins have been causing them. So there is more to this day than pancakes - it is the day before the beginning of Lent.

Years ago, there were many foods that observant Christians would not eat during Lent eg eggs, and milky foods. To avoid wastage, families would have a feast on the shriving Tuesday, and eat up all the foods that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off – hence pancakes.

Lent is traditionally associated with fasting and giving things up
Fasting or giving things up in Lent should be an optional discipline. If it helps you concentrate your mind on God, overcome your weakness of will then it is a fine thing to do, and follows the example of Jesus himself. Otherwise, it is pointless—or even spiritually dangerous.

Some Christians prefer not to fast or give things up, but to use Lent as an opportunity to revive their Christian life, or to seek grace to overcome some sin or weakness in their lives, in the hope that habits learned in Lent will continue with God’s help throughout the year. (Actually, this is something which all Christians need to do, whether they give things up or not!)

Lord, help us to seek you more closely this Lent. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A Valentine Prayer

I said a Valentine prayer for you
and asked the Lord above
to fill your heart and bless your soul
With the precious gift of love.

I asked Him for sincere love
The kind that's meant to stay
Just like the generous love
You give to those you touch each day.

I prayed for love from family
And from every cherished friend
Then I asked the Lord to give you
His love that knows no end.

(Author unknown)


Love to all Cx :-)

~~~~~~~~ Cynthia :-D <3

The bells are quiet at the moment although we've had a few weddings. It'll soon be lent here so no wedding allowed until after Easter.

The equivalent to Pancake Day is Green/Clean Monday which will be on Monday. Much eating and kite flying on Monday and a public holiday. No meat eating then until Easter Sunday (the week after UK). Many ignore the ban on meat but for us it means cheaper meat for about 1 month as the meat mounts up. They do tend to over do the meat on Easter Sunday and the local paper will report about the people turning up at A & E with stomach upsets.

The Greek Orthodox Easter is the correct Easter if you take the bible stories as correct timing. Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover - the Jewish Passover 2018 starts 30th March which is Good Friday in UK. 2024 shows how far UK Easter can be out, that year Passover starts 22nd April but Easter Sunday in UK will be 31st March and here it will be 5th May.

I have no doubt over the next few weeks the bells will be clanging away. The early bells start at either 6 am (working days) 6.30 am (Sundays) :-S

Good morning :-)


As soon as I saw the words Pat in.....I thought, 'O good...bells' :-D :-Ds

Its confusing about the Easter dates within the Christian calendar isn't it? We go with where we are though. ;-)

With the cheapness of meat during the Lenten season, it would be worth buying an extra freezer just to make the most of it :-D

Hope your bells are soon clanging away........get your ear muffs ready! :-)


Our Lenten thought for today :

The Israelite prophet Micah said:

"What does the Lord require of you? Only to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

God of mercy and source of justice,
pour on your people such love and compassion that
we cannot remain silent,
we cannot tolerate injustice and poverty.

As your grace fills our hearts
so may we be stirred into action
to demonstrate your love for all the world
and for all creatures that live and move on this earth. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus still calls us today. Martin Luther King Jr said “Take the first step of faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step.”

Father in heaven, please give me your directions for my life. I want to follow you. Amen.

Cx :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ just a quick wave to everyone as I fly by on another errand.

Nice to see you again Pat.

I hope Kandj is feeling comforted by having her son in law and granddaughter with her. A supportive family is a great blessing.

Today is glorious, a real God-given day. After weeks of wind and rain, it is mild and sunny, albeit with a stiff breeze, so I am thinking especially of those who, for whatever reason, cannot enjoy the day.

Good morning :-)

~~~~~~ Waving to Vera - and anyone who is passing by :-)


Yesterday was glorious for the main part - really spring-like and lifted ones spirits somewhat.

A short prayer which is probably familiar.......

God be in my head
And in my understanding;
God be in mine 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 mine end,
And at my departing.

I have to sing these words whenever I hear them, so I hope your volume was switched off :-)

Cx :-)

Anyone got a blueprint for an ark - we had storms during the night - have some wood left outside the gate so could make a start ;-)

Looks bad for the carnival weekend before Lent starts here. :-(

Good morning... :-)

Hm........blueprint for an ark? There are details of the dimensions in the Old Testament of course - all cubits and wotnots. Gopher wood is mentioned I think....so that suits me......I am a 'gopher' ........I go fer this and go fer that :-D


The Collect (special prayer) for today.

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save;
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

The Gospel reading for today tells of the Baptism of Jesus.

Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

I am still here although feeling a bit of a wreck to be honest. I haven't read all of the previous posts so apologies for that,I am guessing that Cynthia has been amazing as always.

I watched Songs of Praise earlie which hubby and I always watched together. They had Love Divine, All Love Excelling which we sang on our wedding day 55 years ago
I tried hard to hold the tears back but that was never going to happen. Feeling in bits!
Just had an hours chat over the telephone with our daughter who lives in Durham, she is coming to spend next weekend with me so we are both looking forward to that.

Very many thanks to everyone for your ongoing thoughts and prayers. Appreciated!

Good afternoon.... :-)

Yes I am late today. I tried for ages to get on here this morning but had things to do - its so frustrating.

Lovely to see you again kandj......sending love, prayers and (((hugs))) <3 <3

For today........

Do not be anxious,
said our Lord,
Have peace from day to day
The lilies neither toil nor spin,
Yet none are clothed as they.
The meadowlark
with sweetest song
Fears not for bread or nest
Because he trusts
our Father's love,
And God knows what is best.
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Looks as though we are on the Marie Celeste for a while kandj..........hey ho.


For today:

Said the Robin to the Sparrow:
"I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so."

Said the Sparrow to the Robin:
"Friend, I think that it must be,
That they have no Heavenly Father,
Such as cares for you and me."
~ Elizabeth Cheney ~



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


And the Marie Celeste sails gently on :-D


May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow
May the soft winds freshen your spirit
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of this day rest lightly upon you
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His Love.


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia :-)

I continue to "pop in" most days !

It's not the Marie Celeste Cynthia. People often "pop in" and I'm sure for some it's because it brings comfort.

You do a great job. If you're just looking in and reading this just leave your name so Cynthia can see she makes a difference.


Pat <3

Don't feel down Cynthia - you may be alone on the boat but there's a few of us swimming along behind. There are sure to be lots of others like me who quickly pop on every day but only post from time to time.

I am amazed at the variety of themes you introduce and often feel that I have nothing useful to add. Perhaps we should just let you know more often that we are here.

Lovely to see you post Kandj. I can understand how a special hymn can bring on the tears but there is nothing wrong with that. Tears are healing and show how much you care. Enjoy a gentle weekend with your daughter. Sending you a cyber (((((hug))))) <3.

This time of year is always a little difficult for me. It's the anniversary of my mother's death on 23rd Feb, and although she died in 1974 I seem to miss her more each year. The 23rd was also the date of a dear aunt's funeral, and 27th Feb. is the anniversary of my dear dad's death. An added worry this year is that also on 23rd my only brother is undergoing his second major operation in 5 months. And all this happens on my birthday weekend!

I am not really moaning about my lot - just letting off steam a little. I know how very fortunate I am and how easy my life is compared to many others. Thoughts and prayers for everyone facing their own particular problems at this time.