General Chat

You are never alone on this thread Cynthia.

I like others pop in and read what you have to say.

I may not add to it but I appreciate it all the same x

Good morning :-)


Oh my word! How lovely to see such encouraging thoughts......thank you. <3 Please don't think that you have to post - just to know that folk are looking in is fine. I think I would still post anyway, simply because you never know if someone catches a glimpse when they are googling, and may be helped. :-D

There are often times of the year which affect people more than often - and you certainly have a lot going on in February Vera <3

My daughter was taken ill at the weekend so she is staying with us for a few days. Move over Florence Nightingale.............. :-D

On our church facebook page throughout Lent, we are gently looking at a book called '40 Stories of Hope'. It tells the experiences of former prison inmates who were converted to Christianity during their time in jail. There are some interesting stories indeed. This is why the theme 'hope' is popping up on here now and again.


I need hope for a better life.
I need hope for love and kindness.

Some say that the sky is at it’s
darkest just before the light.

I pray that this is true, for all seems dark.
I need your light, Lord, in every way.

I pray to be filled with your light from
head to toe. To bask in your glory.

To know that all is right in the world,
as you have planned, and as you want
it to be.

Help me to walk in your light, and live
my life in faith and glory.

In your name I pray, Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Lord Jesus,

Hope overcomes

Hope heals

Hope restores

Hope inspires

Hope conquers

Hope frees

Hope is your gift to the world

Thank you.



Love to all Cx :-)

I hope your daughter is recovered now Cynthia. I am sure a bit of TLC from Mum is helping her to feel much better.

I am enjoying this week’s theme of hope. Without it, this would be a desolate world. I have always loved the line in the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness that asks for “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow”. It always seems so positive and life-affirming.

Special thoughts today for all those who, like my brother, are undergoing operations or medical treatment. May they be given strength and hope.

Good morning :-)


Thank you Vera.......praying that your brother's operation is successful and that he makes a speedy recovery. <3

I too, love those words from that hymn....and can often be heard humming it..... :-D

For today:

Dear Lord,
Where does my hope come from?
When I wait on you.
Yes, hope flies in with wings of truth
And changes life anew.
For love has risen up with Christ,
It reigns for all to see.
And more than this I know your life
And Spirit work through me.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Oh my goodness - the weather forecast is rather ....er....white! Time to batten down the hatches methinks. :-D


The Collect (special prayer) set for today

Almighty God,
you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,
that they may return to the way of righteousness:
grant to all those who are admitted
into the fellowship of Christ's religion,
that they may reject those things
that are contrary to their profession,
and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen


The gospel for today has several famous snippets in it, one of which tells us how Jesus said that if anyone wished to become a follower, they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow him.


Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello

As it is the season of Lent, many find reading helps.

The following books have much to offer, to someone who wants to know more about the faith or deepen their faith.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"KNOW YOUR BIBLE"
All 66 books explained and applied.

Much smaller writing but full of detail.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"BIBLE STUDY GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS"

Each of the 66 books explained for getting started

By Brian Gugas

Less information on each book but larger writing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

" A HANDBOOK OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH"
By John Schwarz

Divided into chapters, with much content and thought provoking comments.

1. The Bible

2. The Old Testament

3. Jesus of Nazareth

4. The Gospels

5. The Outward Movement

6. The Church

7. Christian Beliefs

8. Other Religons

9. Growing and sharing in Christ

10. Living Christianity

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take gentle care
With best wishes
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Dear All

Hello

As it is the season of Lent, many find reading helps.

The following books have much to offer, to someone who wants to know more about the faith or deepen their faith.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"KNOW YOUR BIBLE"
All 66 books explained and applied.

Much smaller writing but full of detail.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"BIBLE STUDY GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS"

Each of the 66 books explained for getting started

By Brian Gugas

Less information on each book but larger writing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

" A HANDBOOK OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH"
By John Schwarz

Divided into chapters, with much content and thought provoking comments.

1. The Bible

2. The Old Testament

3. Jesus of Nazareth

4. The Gospels

5. The Outward Movement

6. The Church

7. Christian Beliefs

8. Other Religons

9. Growing and sharing in Christ

10. Living Christianity

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take gentle care
With best wishes
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Good morning :-)


Hello Elizabeth and thank you for that helpful list. Reading is certainly popular during Lent and many churches of all denominations run easy and informal courses looking at various aspects of the faith. Some of the members from our church are reading '40 Stories of Hope' which tells of ex-offenders whose lives have been turned around for the better.


Teach me a new freedom.
Freedom to reject comparison
And to embrace uniqueness.
Freedom to cut ties with greed
And feast on love.
Freedom to abstain from over indulgence
And feast on self-control.
Freedom to leave behind selfish thoughts
And to focus on the needs of others.
Freedom to fend off insecurity
And to embrace grace.
Lord, at this time of Lent,
Thank you for the freedom you bring.

Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning all

I hope you are all staying warm and safe in this cold snowy weather. Not a lot to add today except to say I am giving thanks for our NHS staff. I have been so impressed with the hospital my brother is in. The staff, from the top surgeon down to the young lad with the tea trolley, are unfailingly kind, cheerful and extremely hard working. I am sure the attitude of the staff helps patients recover more quickly. We have much to be thankful for.

Sending love to Kandj and anyone else in need of a (((((hug))))) <3

Good afternoon........oh dear, I have had problems with both my internet connection and my landline. It has only been sorted within the last hour or so. How much we rely on this technology.

Vera, what lovely words about our NHS - and its lovely to know that you have had such positive experiences with them during your brother's illness. Please pass on our good wishes to him for a speedy recovery. xx


Almighty God,

Author of life, Lord of all creation, from whom comes the beauty of each flower bud and every new born child. Thank you for your everlasting forgiveness and eternal hope.

You turn the pages of our lives, filling everyday with forgiveness, erasing our failings and encouraging us to try again.

You are the author of life, who brings fresh expectation into each day.
Come flood this heart with your hope.

Amen.


Thinking of kandj and love to all. Cx :-)

My thoughts and prayers today go to those who
are saying a last farewell to a loved one.

My special thoughts go to my son in law, family and friends
who are saying their last farewell to son in law's father. I
will be thinking of them as due to ill health am unable to attend
the funeral.

<3

Good morning :-)


Sorry to hear about the bereavement within your family circle Emma and that you are not too well either. Sending love. <3

For today:

Father,
Thank you that in a world of despair,
You are our Hope.
In a world of darkness,
You are our Light.
In a world of sorrow,
You are our joy.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Thick snow here as it has been coming down since yesterday. Looks pretty, but will be difficult to drive and walk on, so take care everyone who needs to go out and about and stay safe.

So sorry Emma to read of the family funeral today. Thoughts and prayers with them.

Vera, we also had nothing but praise for the years of care and kindness hubby received from everyone who work hard in the NHS under difficult conditions.

Very many interesting book titles to read throughout Lent Elizabeth thank you, but my brain doesn't seem to want to focus on anything at all right now.

I'm not feeling great here by myself. Life is very different without my lovely hubby.
All your kind words, prayers and hugs are really very much appreciated. Thank you.
XXXX

Hope everything is well with Cynthia and her family x

Hoping Cynthia is well and that perhaps it is just internet problems which are causing problems with posting.


Today is Women's World Day of Prayer, organised this year by the people of Suriname

https://www.wwdp.org.uk/

Good afternoon... :-)


Oh boy, am I having a time of it!! Our boiler has thrown a fit and isn't working properly so we have been without proper heat for 2 days. :-( I have spent so much time trying to phone, email, message the Gas Board that I seem to have done nothing else. Fortunately, our daughter is staying with us and she has been really useful whilst I have been busy with trying to keep my husband warm.

I would have been on here this morning except for the fact that it takes soooo long to get here and I had to get on with doing things. My apologies.

Of course, yes, Women's World Day of Prayer......haven't been to one of those for ages - its interesting the way they work their way around the world.

Waving to kandj <3


For today :

ONE DAY AT A TIME
by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.
One day at a time to be patient and strong,
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.
One day at a time - but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.
Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."
Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.
One day at a time, and the day is His day;
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.


Love, Cx :-)

Cynthia as long as you are all well, hopefully
you are all cosy now :-)

My thoughts and prayers to those who are in need.

Good morning :-)

Made it on here quite easily this morning and..............we are warm! The central heating has stayed on all night so I am not rushing around with blankets and cups of tea etc :-D

Being so cold has made me even more aware of those who do not have heat or shelter......

Winter Prayer

Let us huddle together this morning,
our community a place of warmth in our lives
as we share the flame of hope and connection.

Let us allow the frost of isolation and bitterness to melt away
as we open ourselves to a sense of peace and spirit.

We extend our thoughts to all those who are cold this morning,
lacking shelter or love to keep them warm.

Let us wrap our prayers around them and each other like scarves,
and wish each other safe journeys through the storm.

May we be insulated from fear as the earth is insulated by the snow,
And, like bulbs, may we continue to grow and open inside, despite the cold,
Ready for the spring, to stretch and grow towards justice.

Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Made it! Still taking ages to get on here :-(



The Collect (special prayer) set for today
Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Gospel set for today tells of Jesus throwing the money changers out of the temple.


Hope Emma is feeling better and that kandj is coping <3

Cx :-)