General Chat

Hello all

Hubby being housebound for so many years meant holidays were not for us, but we made the best of things and remembered lovely special holidays over past years.

Vera, that is so very sad, tragic even having to come to terms with the loss of a 15 year old son/grandson and pupil at your daughter's school. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family and his friends at such a hard time.

Now the schools are closed for Summer there will be great excitement as families go away for a break. Happy holidays and safe travelling to them all.

Oh heaven's above! I forgot to pop in here yesterday. I remember that I had had a bad night with OH and grabbed a bit of sleep after breakfast. Apologies.


Good morning :-)

Vera, that is so, so sad. It always hurts to hear of the death of a young person in whatever circumstances. That poor lad, we pray that God will be close to his family and friends as they come to terms with his death.

I have someone coming this morning who is going to arrange some help for me and give me a couple of hours respite a week. OH's condition is gradually deteriorating and it can be hard work at times. Hopefully, this will help me to recharge my batteries a little.



Its summer and the sun shines! Does anyone remember this old hymn?


1 Summer suns are glowing
over land and sea;
happy light is flowing
bountiful and free.
Everything rejoices
in the mellow rays;
all earth's thousand voices
swell the psalm of praise.

2 See God's mercy streaming
over all the world,
and his banner gleaming
everywhere unfurled.
Broad and deep and glorious
as the heaven above,
shines in might victorious
his eternal love.

3 Lord, upon our blindness
your pure radiance pour;
for your loving-kindness
make us love you more.
And, when clouds are drifting
dark across the sky,
then, the veil uplifting,
Father, still be nigh.

4 We will never doubt you,
though you veil your light;
life is dark without you,
death with you is bright.
Light of light, shine o'er us
on our pilgrim way;
still go on before us
to the endless day.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK0ToFWDr8M


Once you start singing it - the tune sticks...… :-D

Cx :-)

Dear Cynthia,
Life must be so busy for you and no wonder you needed to catch up on your sleep.

I hope today's visit goes well and a suitable input of help is arranged. It's often having time to do quite ordinary things in life, which really helps. It takes courage to 'let go' and allow that help to be given, so that one can better cope and find a balance before returning to full caring duties.

That is not a hymn I know, but seems just right for these sunny days.
I will have a listen......................

Good morning :-)

Thank you Gwyn - yes life is a touch tough at times but we plod on. The visit went well, lovely ladies, very flexible to our needs and we hope to start in a fortnight. We can cancel at any time if it doesn't work.

We are having uncertain times in church circles in my area....lots of changes which are found to be rather strange and a touch of arrogance on the part of the hierarchy.

This poem - which I think we have used before - fits the bill quite well. I will conclude it tomorrow.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble –
needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


To complete yesterday's poem.....

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Such weather we are having...………………………..


Loving God, Creator of all times and places,
we thank you for the gift of summertime,
the days of light, warmth and leisure.
Thank you for the beauty that surrounds us everywhere we look:
the multi-coloured flowers,
the deep blue of the sky,
the tranquil surface of lakes,
the laughter of children at play,
people strolling in park,
families gathered around picnic tables and
the increased time to spend with family and friends. Thank you Lord.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Let your merciful ears, O Lord,
be open to the prayers of your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions
make them to ask such things as shall please you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


The Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the Bread of Life and we thank God for the Eucharist.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The excellent sermon I heard yesterday has provoked a thought.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus told us that He is the Bread of Life and that those whoever comes to him will never be hungry. We then thought about the word hunger. What do we ‘hunger’ for?

The first thought is probably to associate the word ‘food’ with hunger, and we often hear the words “I’m starving”, but are we really starving, in the proper sense of the word? The word ‘hunger’ can also mean a craving/strong wish/desire. We’ll take a look at some other ‘hungers’ this week.

Lord God, we pray for everyone who is hungry today – whether they live thousands of miles away or in our local communities.

We pray urgently for food prices around the world to stabilise and fall, so that more countries do not fall into extreme hunger.

God we ask for wisdom for leaders and experts working to tackle hunger, and that they would be willing and able to make progress in identifying ways to combat food security and help communities adapt to changing weather patterns.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Hunger.

Should all hungers be totally satisfied?

The hunger for knowledge. This is a good and useful hunger, it helps us to move forward, learning and understanding more about the world around us. It is a good hunger unless we become totally boring ‘know-it-alls’, those people who act as though they know everything and dismiss the opinions and suggestions of others.

Mr and Mrs Know-it-All do not really think that they have to learn anything. They are already there. They are, in effect, unteachable.

Dear heavenly Father,
I pray that you would give Your servant a discerning heart, an honest and true heart that seeks to put You first in all things – a heart of understanding and a genuine desire for a deeper knowledge of You. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Dare I say that your words on "Hunger" have given me food for thought Cynthia?


The King James Bible scripture from Matthew 5 v 6 came immediately to mind..........
Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Already hot here again. Take care and enjoy today whatever you have planned.

Good morning :-)

Thanks kandj, I have found 'hunger' to be an interesting topic too. <3

Another 'Hunger'

The hunger for acceptance. This is probably something we all suffer from at times.. We want to be part of something – accepted by our peers, but should it be acceptance at all costs?

Do we follow the crowd – go with the flow no matter how alien it is to our Christian beliefs? Sometimes we have to stand up to be counted.

There is the old saying, ‘If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?’

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Hunger.

Many hunger for a feeling of self-importance, very like self-worth. We all need to feel we matter even if only to one person or a group of people, or our family.

But self-importance goes against the Christian ideal of life, where we are taught that the least shall be the greatest! We are encouraged to serve others – just as Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.

Father,
Allow me to serve others as You serve,
With gentleness, compassion, and tenderness,
Never diminishing the worth of another,
Choosing to extend mercy to the brokenhearted,
As You have repeatedly shown it to me. Amen.

Cx :-)

Just letting you know that I am looking in each day Cynthia. Another interesting topic this week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a quick wave and a smile to everyone as I dash through :-D

Good morning :-)

Whoops! Nearly flattened by Vera rushing through :-D Hello and goodbye Vera and there she was.....gone! :-D

Haven't seen Emma for ages, is she okay?


Continuing to look at various 'Hungers'

We hunger for love – we only thrive when we are loved. We can’t have too much love and neither can we lose it if we give it away. Sadly, those who receive little love when young, can be damaged for life.

The desire to be loved is one thing that separates human beings from the rest of creation. We're deeply emotional and deeply social human beings.

A quote attributed to Mother Theresa…… “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.”

Lord, thank You that we were made for connection and intimacy with others and with You. We pray You help us grow closer to those who matter most in our lives. Thank You for loving us so deeply. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning everyone :-)

Ending our time of looking at thoughts on hunger………..

Our greatest hunger should be for God. A hunger for our future life with him, a hunger for eternal life a hunger to know ourselves to be his child.
This hunger is truly a blessing, because as we hunger for his love we grow closer to him.

I go to the supermarket, spend a fortune on food and a week later it is gone and without another visit we would go hungry; but all of that food does not touch my greatest hunger, only God can do that.

We are offered, through Christ, the gift of life, life in all of its fullness now, and life eternal afterwards.

Jesus said, I am the bread of life, he (or she) who eats this bread lives for ever. The bread and the wine we partake of at Holy Communion, are our promise of eternal life - they are our food for the journey. May we always hunger after the bread of life.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

O God, you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Today’s reading is from St. John and explains about Jesus being the Bread of Life.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Deal only with the present —
never step into tomorrow,
For God asks us just to trust Him
and to never borrow sorrow,
For the future is not ours to know,
and it may never be,
So let us live and give our best
and give it lavishly. . .
For to meet tomorrow’s troubles
before they are even ours
Is to anticipate the Savior
and to doubt His all-wise powers,
So let us be content to solve
our problems one by one,
Asking nothing of tomorrow
except “Thy will be done.”

Cx :-)

Hello all

Wise words indeed Cynthia. Thank you.

I need this in BIG LETTERS on my kitchen noticeboard methinks.

Sharing ((hugs)) with all who are having challenging days. xxx

Good morning :-)


It's rather grey here this morning - maybe this hymn will brighten the day for us :-D


Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

2. Each little flow’r that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

3. The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

4. The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

5. The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.

6. He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.


Love to all Cx :-)

As Kandj says, Cynthia, your post of 13th August contains some wise words, but my goodness they are difficult to follow.

For some reason I have disliked "All Things Bright and Beautiful" since I was a child. I don't know why; and I feel almost guilty about it as it is very popular. I prefer this one - not quite the same but with similar sentiments.

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.