General Chat

A beautiful Easter Promise Cynthia.

Thank you for your unending dedication to this thread.

x

Good morning :-)

I had hoped you would be looking in Emma....I know HSR is one of your favourites :-D

What dreadful news from New Zealand this morning...….

Lord, we pray for all those affected by the terrorist attack in Christchurch during the last few hours - for those who were killed - for those who mourn and for those who are truly frightened. We remember and give thanks for the emergency services as they respond to this unprecedented event - for their courage, skill and determination. We pray for peace in this troubled world. Amen.


Continuing our Lenten thoughts....

Lord
Forgive those things we have done
which have caused you sadness,
and those things we should have done
that would have brought you joy.
In both we have failed
ourselves,
and you.
Bring us back to that place
where our journey began,
when we said that we would follow
the way that you first trod.
Lead us to the Cross
and meet
us there. Amen.

Cx :-)

My prayers and thoughts for all in Christchurch.

An horrific attack! So very sorry for the families and friends of the victims.

Amen to your prayer for Christchurch Cynthia. Another terrible example of "man's inhumanity to man".

I also join Emma in thanking you for keeping the thread going.

Good morning :-)

We continue to pray for those affected by the dreadful events in New Zealand.


An interesting story…….The pretzel

The pretzel has a deep spiritual meaning for Lent. In fact, it was the ancient Christian Lenten bread as far back as the fourth century. In the old Roman Empire, the faithful kept a very strict fast all through Lent: no milk, no butter, no cheese, no eggs, no cream and no meat.

They made small breads of water, flour and salt, to remind themselves that Lent was a time of prayer. They shaped these breads in the form of crossed arms for in those days they crossed their arms over the breast while praying. They called the breads "little arms" (bracellae). From this Latin word, the Germanic people later coined the term "pretzel."

The pretzel is the most appropriate food symbol in Lent. It still shows the form of arms crossed in prayer, reminding us that Lent is a time of prayer. It consists only of water and flour, proclaiming Lent as a time of fasting.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Very interesting reading about the pretzel. I have learned something new today
.
Joining with Emma and Vera in offering thanks Cynthia for your ongoing postings.

Thoughts and prayers to everyone involved in the Christchurch terrorist shootings.

Sending good birthday wishes to Emma...... Many happy returns of the day xx

Good morning :-)


I only usually nip on here once a day and I see that our Emma has had a birthday …..sending lots of love and many happy returns to our dear friend on her special day. <3 <3 <3


The Collect (special prayer) 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,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The gospel reading tells of Jesus’ sorrow over Jerusalem.

Thank you Cynthia and kandj for my birthday wishes xx

Like kandj learnt something about the pretzel Ididnt know.

My thoughts and prayers to all in need of comfort today x

Good morning :-)


Lord,
your commandment of love is so simple
and so challenging.
Help me to let go of my pride,
to be humble in my penance.
I want only to live the way you ask me to love,
to love the way you ask me to live.
I ask this through your son, Jesus,
who stands at my side
today and always. Amen


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


God in heaven and in my life,
guide me and protect me.
I so often believe I can save myself
and I always end in failure.
Lead me with your love away from harm
and guide me on the right path.
May your Spirit inspire the Church
and make us an instrument of your love
and guidance.
Thank you for your care for me. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A short story I found yesterday…….

‘During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:
“What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50’s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

The Bible tells us that all are equal in the eyes of God. We are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. We may be sinners, but the Lord loves us. Every person is important irrespective of his/her colour, cast, creed, job, nationality and ability.


Cx :-)

A well earned lesson Cynthia.

Be nice to people on your way up
Because you'll meet them on your way down.

Wilson Mizner 1876-1933

Good morning :-)

Yes indeed Emma - that is so true. <3

Loving God,
I hear your invitation, "Come back to me"
and I am filled with such a longing to return to you.
Show me the way to return.
Lead me this day in good works I do in your name
and send your Spirit to guide me and strengthen my faith.
I ask only to feel your love in my life today. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Lent Calls

Lent calls to me again . . .
To do what?
Like Martha, I tend towards doing
Doing is something I understand
Chairing a committee
Taking food to the sick
Reading the Bible

Lent calls to me again . . .
He wants more of me than I’ve ever given
More than Lenten study
More than giving up dessert
More than extra church services

Lent calls to me again . . .
He wants more of me and I’m frightened
Frightened of losing control
Frightened of letting go
Frightened of what He might ask me to do if I really listened

Lent calls to me again . . .
I feel a yearning, a tugging towards something more
Whispers of a love unimaginable
Glimpses of a relationship unshakable
Tastes of a water so clear and sweet that my thirst is slaked forever

Lent calls to me again . . .
A step is all I can manage, Lord
A hand extended
A head bowed
A conscious placing of myself on your Potter’s wheel

Lent calls to me again . . .
Help me with the hard part, Lord
Help me surrender
Help me abandon myself to you
Help me reconcile myself to you

Lent calls to me again . . .
Here I am, Lord

Cx :-)

Interesting, thoughtful words today. Do you know who wrote them Cynthia?

Thoughts and a gentle hug today for all who are facing difficulties in their lives <3

Good morning :-)


I thought yesterday's words were interesting too Vera - the author was Elizabeth Cottrell.

For today



AN EASTER PROMISE

If we but had the eyes to see
God's face in every cloud,
If we but had the ears to hear
His voice above the crowd,
If we could feel His gentle touch
In ever Springtime breeze
And find a haven in His arms
'Neath sheltering, leafy trees...
If we could just lift up our hearts
Like flowers to the sun
And trust His Easter Promise
And pray, "thy will be done",
We’d find the peace we're seeking,
The kind no man can give,
The peace that comes from knowing
He Died So We Might Live!
-Helen Steiner Rice.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We continue to have baptisms at quite a rate.....four per month at the moment and we are fully booked for the year. I do not wear rose coloured specs and am well aware that there are various reasons for people for wishing to have their children baptised. We just pray that the parents and Godparents do their very best to fulfil the promises they take during the service.

The Collect (special prayer) 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 your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

In the reading for today, Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree.

Cx :-)

Your church seems to be very popular still Cynthia. I remember some of the stories of your old vicar and your concerns for your church when he sadly died.

I think baptism was actually taken more lightly when we were young, simply because pretty much everyone was "done" and it was taken for granted. I think people think more deeply about it now which must be a good thing. I understand parents having their child baptised or choosing to just have a church blessing or making a conscious choice to do neither. What I don't really understand is the concept of a "naming ceremony". I can't see the reason for it.

Sending a gentle hug to anyone in need of a little love <3

Good morning :-)


I suppose the word 'popular' is one way of describing it Vera but, as the Church of England stands at the moment, we have a legal duty to baptise anyone who fulfils the present criteria - living in the parish etc. We have some new housing estates going up and a lot of them seem to come from these.

Our lovely late vicar is not easily forgotten and is thought of so often by the church folk. We miss the love, encouragement and support he gave us. We miss his sense of humour and his hard work. Life is very different now. We have different clergy leading our services and their styles differ. This is unsettling to the loyal core of worshippers as we are never sure what is happening.

We continue to go through the process of being 'transformed' - an initiative from the powers that be which, whilst there are some good ideas, is causing much distress to various congregations. So very much a curate's egg I'm afraid :-(

Wittering apart.......a thought for today!

During Lent, we remember how Jesus experienced a wilderness period in his life For 40 days and 40 nights, he endured a trying period where he ate nothing and was tempted by Satan.

Reflect on times of shared wilderness experiences in your society and life.

Wilderness could represent a place of danger, chaos, confusion, uncertainty and even scarcity or drought. Do wilderness experiences provide a reality of what living really means?

People sometimes wonder whether going through the wilderness is a punishment from God, a result of poor life decisions or even at times a strategic push or guide from God to help us accomplish some greater goals in life.

What remains encouraging, is that irrespective of all the trials and tests Jesus was subjected to, he did not succumb to the ploy of the enemy. He emerged victorious. It is after this period that he launched his world-changing three-year ministry before his crucifixion.

For many the wilderness is far from metaphorical

Cx :-)