General Chat

Good morning :-)

Don't forget that the disciples were very ordinary men - mainly fishermen. Something was stirred within them when Jesus called them......beyond explanation really. Today, men and women are still called by Jesus - I am on Twitter and see many, many global posts about vocations and ordinations. It gives one hope that the gospel is still very much alive and kicking in this world of ours.


Moving on from widgits :-D

Thinking of communicating the Gospel to others, today we look at Makaton sign language

With Makaton, signs are used, with speech, in spoken word order. This helps provide extra clues about what someone is saying. Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot, or prefer not to sign.

For those who have experienced the frustration of being unable to communicate meaningfully or effectively, Makaton really can help. Makaton takes away that frustration and enables individuals to connect with other people and the world around them. This opens up all kinds of possibilities.

Take a look at the Lord Prayer signed in Makaton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEt9ihvsekU


Cx :-)

David "Why would twelve adult intelligent men drop everything to follow Jesus ?"

Adult intelligent men have dropped everything to follow much lesser beings.

But I assume because they believed in him, believed he was the Son of God and the light and the way. The same reasons I imagine that those on here who believe, still believe? ( over to Cynthia :-) )

https://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/12-disciples.htm


Cynthia, very interesting about widgits!

Good evening :-D <3

Were the twelve Disciples of Jesus symbolic of the twelve tribes ?

The twelve are known and named and their history available to death.

Why would twelve adult intelligent men drop everything to follow Jesus ?

Very interesting Cynthia, something I had never even
thought about, how selfish of me.

Good morning :-)

Communication – a way of imparting and sharing information.

As Christians, we are encouraged to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those we meet. However, there are those for whom this is not always easy – those with sight loss, deafness, mental capability or some other reason.

This is where various means of making communication easier comes in and today we look at Widgits.

For over 30 years, Widgits have used in the field of developing materials for people who have difficulty in understanding and using text. They are used in hospitals, schools and anywhere they can be helpful. I would love to be able to show you a morning prayer on here, but because of the limitations of this site.....I can't :-(

Here is a link to give you an idea of what witgits look like....

https://www.widgit.com/resources/curriculum/re/prayer_books/index.htm

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A new one to me Emma, thank you <3




The Collect (Special prayer) for today:

Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them,
to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast
the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour 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 telling the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

Cx :-)

Faith is a Mighty Fortress

We look ahead through each changing year
With mixed emotions of hope and fear
Hope for the peace we long have sought
Fear that our hopes will come to naught
Unwilling to trust in our Father's will
We count on our logic and shallow skill
And in our arrogance and pride
We are no longer satisfied
To place our confidence and love
With childlike faith in God above
And tiny hands and tousled heads
That kneel in prayer by little beds
Are closer to the dear Lord's heart
And of his kingdom more a part
Than we who search and never find
The answers to our questioning minds
For faith in things we cannot see
Requires a child's simplicity
Oh, Heavenly Father, grant again
A simple, childlike faith to men
Forgetting colour, race and creed
And seeing only the hearts deep need
For faith alone can save man's soul
And lead him to a higher goal
For there's but one unfailing course
We win by faith and not by force.

Helen Steiner Rice

Good morning :-)


My Life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colours
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the underside.
Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skilful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia, I have read a lot of HSR poems
but not that one <3

Good morning :-)


Ecclesiastes is a fascinating book David...…..some very wise words indeed.

Calling Emma :-D :-D

We cannot all be famous
Or be listed in "Who's Who,"
But every person, great or small,
Has important work to do.
For seldom do we realize
The importance of small deeds,
Or to what degree of greatness
Unnoticed kindness leads.

For it's not the big celebrity
In a world of fame and praise,
But it's doing unpretentiously
In an undistinguished way.
The work that God assigned to us,
Unimportant as it seems,
That makes our task outstanding,
And brings reality to dreams.

So do not sit and idly wish
For wider, new dimensions
where you can put into practice,
Your many good intentions.
But at the spot God placed you
Begin at once to do,
Little things to brighten up
The lives surrounding you.

If everybody brightened up
The spot where their standing,
By being more considerate,
And a little less demanding.
This dark old world would very soon
Eclipse the evening star,
If everybody brightened up
The corner where they are!

- Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

Kandj, in recent years, especially since 2013 I thank God through his son Jesus
on waking and before falling asleep.

Interesting book is Ecclesiasties.
Finishes with Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, and striving after after wind.

Hello all

Loving the inspirational words Cynthia.

Vera, WOW... is how what I think after reading your words, and only aged 19 too...!!

David, I also think that it is so good to give thanks for each and every day we are blessed with.

"The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason
of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and
sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."
Psalm 90 v 10 (from the King James Version Bible).

A survivor of the 9/11 terrorist attack, a NYFD officer named John gives

his account of that day and how it reinforced his faith God

https://youtu.be/oo3PGkDEzEc

https://youtu.be/b48bCMNyxos

Good morning to you all :-D <3

The years of a man are three score and ten, ten more if he's strong.

Despite the knocks and bumps and and breaks, I'm still here, THANK GOD

Good morning :-)

Awful news from Essex - and imagine having to try and identify these poor people :-(


This piece of inspiration is on a similar theme to your verse Vera..... <3


Love is close
In the moments when you feel you are unloved, unnoticed, and insignificant, remember who you are to Jesus.
Because of his great love for you, never a day in your life will go unnoticed, unvalued or unloved.

Jesus will always be there and never leave you. Even if it is sometimes seems as he is far away, the truth is, he is closer than your next breath. You never will be unloved, unnoticed or unvalued because Jesus is constantly present, mindful of you in every moment, and so passionately and constantly loves you.

Lean into his love, remain in it, have faith in it and allow it to consume you and take over completely. Never forget his love is close and that’s where it will always stay.


Cx :-)

It is indeed a tragic event kandj. I cannot conceive how anyone could hold life so cheap that they would act like this towards another human being. I just cannot express how I feel.

Cynthia, I also enjoyed today's poem. May I add one that I came across recently which is in blank verse. It is by Londeka Zondi who is from South Africa. I don't know when it was written but she was 19 at the time and I found it very moving. It is called "They Say I'm Nothing But I'm Something".

They say I’m poor,
They say I’m nothing.
They say I’m poor and they say I’m nothing because I’ve got nothing to offer to any living soul.
I’ve got no money, no food, no child, no wife nor husband and no home to go home to that is because I’ve got no money.
But I say I’m blessed
I’m blessed because God told me so.
He loves me the same way he loves every life on earth. I’m blessed because I’m still alive.
I breathe the same air that rich men breathe,
I walk on the same ground that rich men walk . . . therefore I am no different.
I am rich with life
I am rich with love
I’m rich with hope that one day they will see the beauty that God treasured in me because I am something indeed

Hello all

How tragic for 39 people to end their lives inside a lorry on an industrial site.

Thoughts and prayers for them, for their families and for all the police and ambulance workers who have witnessed such an horrific/shocking scene in Essex today. RIP.

How beautiful was that poem, very moving x

Good morning :-)

Very sad indeed David :-(


C.S. Lewis had a wonderful way with words and his quotes and writings are still very popular. <3

For today:

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

T'was battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar, then, two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three . . ."
But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a carolling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low, said:
"What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
"Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
"Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
And going and gone. "said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand,
what changed its worth -
Swift came the reply:
"The Touch Of The Master's Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A 'mess of potage,' a glass of wine;
A game - and he travels on.
He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,
He's 'going' and almost 'gone'.
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's Hand.

by Myra B. Welch (1877-1959)


Cx :-)

In 1945 my maternal grand father lost his youngest son, killed WWII, his ship

torpedoed, and his wife he had been nursing to bowel cancer, within days. :-(