General Chat

Hello all

7 years have passed quickly. It would be good if John was allowed to return and take over again to give Cynthia a much needed break. You've done well. Thank you.

Hello to John, if he is looking in. Happy Christmas to you and your family.

3rd Advent Candle lighted today. This is a Pink one and symbolizes Joy/Rejoicing.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness
be evident to all. The Lord is near. (Philippians 4: 4-5 NIV).

Good morning :-)


Would you believe it is now seven years since this thread began? John, who began it, was banned for 6 years so I volunteered to look after it. Never, ever thought it would continue for so long though. At the beginning, I used to write down the prayers I had used so as not to repeat them too often, but that soon stopped as I became more involved. Over 2,500 prayers later...………………………..whew!

I am not in touch with John, but if anyone is, please give him my regards - he may want to resume responsibility again :-


The link to today's Advent door...…

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=f72f8b2226aa3d9054c76612b1abec53


Cx :-)

Hello all

A big AMEN to the Advent Calendar Prayer for Peace today.

Emma, your lovehearts are so thoughtful and well received. Thank you x

Sylvia, Seasons Greeting to you and have a safe journey and a Happy Christmas with your daughter soon.

Remembering all who are feeling stressed with the commercialism of Christmas.

Good morning :-)


All good wishes to you too Sylvia - have a great time! <3


I don't know about anyone else, but I am all 'election-ed' out! :-\


The link to today's Advent door...…

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=f72f8b2226aa3d9054c76612b1abec53


Cx :-)

We're about to leave for our annual trip to see our daugther for Christmas, just having a quick look-in while having my lunch


A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all xxx

May 2020 be a happy, healthy and peaceful one.

:-D :-D :-D :-D

Good morning :-)

Anything interesting on TV this morning? :-D


Today's Advent door....

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=f72f8b2226aa3d9054c76612b1abec53

Cx :-)

Love today's prayer Cynthia a favourite x

kandj <3 <3

Good morning :-)

Oh Dermot, that rang bells for me. Not the quotation itself but the content. Our deanery is in the throes of being 'transformed' and it is causing no end of bother. I will let you imagine the picture! :-D

The link to today's Advent door....

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=f72f8b2226aa3d9054c76612b1abec53

Cx :-)

Hello all

A big THANK YOU everyone for your kinds words and hugs. Greatly appreciated X

Vera, that is the very best news and a good Christmas gift for your family and your brother after the operations and treatment that he has been through for so long.

Love reading the daily Advent Calendar messages Cynthia. Thank you.

'Congregations like to be scolded, but not to be reformed'.

An off-the-cuff remark by the rambling Preacher at the end of an occasional church service. A tad 'deep' for me at such an early hour. :-S

Good morning :-)

I know how much you miss your husband kandj, but I think you have been extremely brave and done very well in facing your loss. Sending love. <3

Great news Vera! It will make Christmas a little happier for your family <3

Yes, David. Each day is a blessing...…...x

The link for today's Advent calendar...

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=f72f8b2226aa3d9054c76612b1abec53

Cx :-)

Kandj, I have been thinking of you over the last few days remembering that this must be a difficult time of year for you. I’m sending you a gentle (((hug))) <3

I am feeling very thankful at the moment. We have heard that my brother, who has been through so much over the last 2-3 years, has at last had some good news from his doctors, which is a great Christmas present for us all.

I am still enjoying opening a door in the advent calendar each day Cynthia. Thank you.

I echo your late husband kandj <3

I'm 74 and in recent years have survived a lot.

On waking each day I thabk God and again before falling asleep.

Hello all

The 2nd Advent Candle was lighted in church last Sunday. This was purple coloured like the first one. The 2nd Candle represents Faith. It is called the Bethlehem Candle as a reminder of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.

David I'm past 3 score and 10 mark and count my blessings daily. I lost my lovely husband last year, he also had passed the biblical 3 score and 10 and used to tell me "Today is a gift and tomorrow is a bonus", I feel the same but miss him so much.

Remembering the elderly, the sick and the lonely people who feel sad today XX

Good morning :-)

Questioning biblical things isn't blasphemous at all, we don't learn unless we ask questions. As I have said before, for those with a questioning mind, there is much information out there for you but I recommend that you choose tried and trusted reading rather than weird and wacky :-D

Good to see the conversation....thanks all. <3

We pray for all those affected by the powerful force of nature - the fires in Australia and the volcanic eruption in New Zealand. We think of those who have been killed or injured and pray for them and their families and friends. We thank God for those who have gone to the rescue and those who will care for the sick and injured. Amen.

Here is the link to today's Advent door.....

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=f72f8b2226aa3d9054c76612b1abec53

Cx :-)

Good evening and thd thank you :-D Until the last couple of cebturies many were
illiterate. The Bible was weitten and taught by Priests, oral tradition
There maybe therein some plagarisms or perhaps legens ?

I hope I'm not being blasphemous, alyjough I know I'm far from righteous.

Vera I think you've put it very well :-)

Popping in to look at the advent calendar ( you're ever so clever to have done that Cynthia :-) ) and see if there's any excess coffee creams that Cynthia can't manage? ;-)

Hope you are all well and that you and yours have a peaceful and pleasant Christmas if I'm not back here before then. xx

That's not an easy question David and any answer will depend on whether you think the Bible should be taken literally. I find it difficult to take literally. You have to remember that when most people were unable to read or write stories were handed down by word of mouth and those stories were often meant to illustrate a particular point rather than be taken as something that literally happened. Also, as has been said before, the books of the Bible have been through so many languages and so many translations that any reading of them needs to be treated with care.

I am not sure of the lifespan of the average poor worker in biblical times but I doubt if it was more than about 40 years, so even 3 score years and 10 would have been amazing. Tales of men living hundreds of years are, I think, not to be taken literally but to be read in the context of what the rest of the story is telling you.

It makes no sense to me for the Bible to be just for one particular people in one corner of the world at one particular time. If the Bible is the Word of God, then it has to be the Word of God for all peoples in all times so must be capable of being interpreted by man according to his knowledge at the time.

I am sorry if this all sounds rather confused. I am not always very good at putting my feelings into words. I also apologise if my thoughts have upset or offended anyone.

Hello and good morning to you all <3

This question may have been addressed before but it's worth asking.

If our life span is between 70 - 80 yearswith the medicines at our disposal and our diet

is better (?) than it once was, Did people in the OT live hundreds of years ?