General Chat

You’re right David. We all have a lot to be thankful for. A while ago I was reading about some people with mental issues who kept a “gratitude diary”, writing down each day a few things that had made that day worthwhile. I thought it was a good idea. I don’t write anything down but last thing at night I do say a quiet thank you for the good things of the day. They are usually little things like getting the washing dry or finding a book I wanted in the library; sometimes nice things like an unexpected phone call from a distant friend. It’s surprising how much better it makes me feel, even if I have had a grotty day.

I hope your OH has settled in at the home and you are managing to get some rest Cynthia.

Hello and good evening to you all :-D <3
I hope you are well, or your problems are no worse.
I'm aware I've complained about this and that on these threads
over recent years. But, all things considered, looking at the bigger picture
I have survived much that once seemed insurmountable.
With, the benefit of TV, the internet, newspapers and thought
I see myself as fortunate, surviving each day realising that I am
no longer young, and "older" than some who helped me get this far,
yet immature in some ways.
Very fortunate I guess.
THANK GOD.

Good morning :-)

Thank you for the kind words - much appreciated <3

Continuing the prayer walkabout in our homes....


A prayer for the dining room

Prayer- "Heavenly Father, bless the time we spend together at this dining table. May we encourage one another and not criticize. Please fill our hearts with joy, laughter, and the grace to understand one another."

Cx :-)

You have my deepest sympathy Cynthia.
My wife is classified as my carer
and I can see the effect the role is having on her/

Cynthia, as others have said, rest as much as you can. I know the toll it took on my brother when he was a full-time carer for our father who was physically disabled, registered blind and then had dementia, so please accept all the help that is offered to you. You and your OH are in my thoughts <3

I like the idea of a prayer trip around the home. So many posts lately have reminded me of my young days. I have an aunt, only 6 years older than me, who had a lovely voice. At family gatherings everyone performed their party piece and she always sang Bless This House. Happy memories of happy times.

Good morning :-)

The Everyday Faith readings have finished….how about a prayer walk round our homes this week?

God, I thank you for this place where I live. Let this entire house be a place of comfort and peace that always seeks your Son. Please, protect our family in all ways.

A Prayer for the kitchen

Lord, May this kitchen be the heart of our home.
May our home be full of love.
May love be made anew here each day for others to taste and know your blessings.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

You needed the extra sleep Cynthia. I hope your husband is comfortable with his respite care.

Candlemas Service today combined with the Air Training Cadets who brought their new flag into church to be blessed. Really good to have so many youngsters sharing our worship this morning.

Good morning :-)

I actually had an extra hour in bed this morning......very strange. :-)

After a rather stressful night, it appears that OH is settling into his new environment. I had to type out the regime we have at home in order to help them, along with a list and details of his medication as he is on so much. Anyway, on to today


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and everliving God, clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ 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 tells of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.


Cx :-)

Evening all :-) <3
I was just thinking f our Bible, Apart from very few alterations it is
the same, unaltered despite the years. For the most part it is history,
but vey important history, leading to Jesus. His followers in the garden
dozed of and shared the same dream. They saw Jesus talking to Moses
and Elijah. Those who were Jesus' Disciples taught what Jesus had taught
them, up until their deaths, even Paul a Roman Jew.
Any alterations in the New Testament are due to successive translations
and Churches and denominations and schisms that differ from the original.
Much of the NT is prophecy, but it is built on the OT

'Care for the carers' was a slogan much promised some years ago.

Sadly - not much sign of it down here in the South-West.

Cyns ................

take care, and get as much rest and respite yourself as you can during the 2 week break in caring for G.

Take all the help you can.

Much love xxxx

Hello all

Cynthia make sure that you take the time to rest also.

Wishing all who look in Strength, Peace and Joy as we begin a new month today

Thank you Cynthia for your time to post on here.

I used to nurse people with dementia and it is a 24/7
job, respite is a must for you.
I know how much it takes out of those who are carers. <3

Good morning :-)

Thanks Vera - I'm not sure how long the Everyday Faith course lasts but I hope it has been interesting.

Life here is certainly interesting. Yesterday my OH went into a nursing home for respite for a 2 week stay in order to give me a break. The caring role has become very intense over the last few weeks as his dementia has suddenly galloped and impacted on our lives to quite an extent. I am happy to resume my role with a suitable care package in place. At times like this, I am grateful for my faith.

From Everyday Faith

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercy never comes to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3. 22-23

It’s not unusual for past events to affect us later on and we can often feel bad about things we have said or done. We can be shocked by things other people say and then be equally shocked at our reaction. Each new day brings fresh opportunities of receiving God’s mercy and love afresh.
Today’s reading reminds us that God’s love never ceases – great is His faithfulness indeed.

Cx :-)

Thank you for the Everyday Faith posts Cynthia. I have just re-read them. I envy those who are firm in their faith. Even at my advanced age I am still not 100% sure of what I do or don’t believe. I suppose like many I must just keep plodding on in hope.

I have had the hymn O Brother Man going round my brain all week. It seems particularly appropriate this Holocaust week.

O Brother Man, fold to thy heart thy brother
Where pity dwells the love of God is there
To worship rightly is to love each other
Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.

Hoping for calmer days ahead for you and your OH Cynthia <3

Good afternoon :-)

Sorry to be late - things are more than manic at home at the moment.

Today's reading:

“I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”
Ephesians 3.16–17


From Everyday Faith

Throughout our day things are often changing. Maybe we meet different people; perhaps we move from place to place. Wherever we are, we will be constantly reacting to what is going on, our thoughts and emotions shifting constantly.
If we keep ourselves rooted in our faith we will be able to draw on God’s love and wisdom which we hope will reflect in what we say and how we say it.


Back to the madhouse..... :-D

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The worldwide communities of L’Arche were established by Jean Vanier. L’Arche communities involve people with and without learning disabilities living out their lives together and learning from each other, even amid the routine of daily living. Many people have been inspired and changed by the life of these communities which reflect Jean Vanier’s words: “We are not called by God to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.”

Bringing in the Kingdom of God is about how we live our everyday lives - every moment of our day including all the ordinary and boring things. It's about our hearts and minds as well as our words and actions. and those things we do that are unseen by anyone else as much as it is about our visible behaviour.


“One of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



“There they gave a dinner for Jesus. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
John 12.2–3

Each of us has expectations about how people should behave and there are assumptions about what is considered to be acceptable behaviour in everyday life. It can come as a shock when we meet, hear or read about people acting in inappropriate ways and it can be really unsettling.

In the reading, Mary took what was considered to be ‘inappropriate’ action when she anointed the Lord’s feet with costly perfume – there was much criticism of her and the onlookers were unsettled. But Mary’s actions were rooted in her love for Jesus and she was not afraid to challenge people’s assumptions about Christ and his followers.

Cx :-)

Oooops Good afternoon.... :-)

I popped on earlier and answered messages, but then I forgot to come on here...doh....sorry folks.


From Everyday Faith

“I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvellous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.”
Psalm 131.1–2


I guess most of us would say that, in our everyday lives, we want to do our bit in making the world a better place and that we try to show love in the way we behave towards those around us. However, if we’re honest, those actions and words seen as love by other people are sometimes driven by our brokenness. For example, sometimes we are unhealthily motivated by a need to be needed, or a desire to succeed or to be seen as special.

Our genuine love towards the people and places around us begins with receiving God’s love in a place of complete dependence. God, like a perfect mother, longs to draw us close, to hold us and love us not because of who we are or what we’ve done, but simply because we are His child.

Cx :-)

Thankyou kandj <3