General Chat

Hello all

Cynthia, I have just read last weeks prayers for all children and students. My Granddaughter has returned to final 6th form last week and visiting possible university sites for next year.......it seems no time at all since K went up into secondary school.

I am going out soon to spend a little time with a gentleman who celebrated his 90th birthday a week ago. He is an inspiration to many and I count my blessings to come back to a comfortable bungalow afterwards.

David, I agree with your words for the poem posted today.

Vera, nice to have you back again and I'm sure you and OH enjoyed your break.

Thank you for posting Owen Darnell's poem, says so much, concisely <3

Good morning :-)

You were not rabbiting Vera, you were, very eloquently, telling us lots of interesting things - thank you. So glad you enjoyed your holiday and how nice to go away with so many friends.

It's good to know that you have enjoyed the various posts over the last couple of week.....thank you.

For today:

Continuing to think of our elderly friends, we pray for those who have some form of dementia. We hear of so many who are suffering from this awful disease.

Loving God, Healer and Comforter,

we pray for those who suffer from the anxiety and confusion of all forms of dementia. Look with mercy upon their distress, confusion or isolation. Grant them understanding helpers and the willingness to accept the help need. As they face loss of memory and control of their lives, help them to know that you are with them and that you love them. Amen.

Do not ask me to remember,
Don’t try to make me understand,
Let me rest and know you’re with me,
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I’m confused beyond your concept,
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I can’t help the way I’m acting,
Can’t be different though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone,
Please don’t fail to stand beside me,
Love me ’til my life is done.
– Owen Darnell


Cx :-)

Good evening all
We returned last night from a holiday in Bulgaria so I am just catching up. We are a large group of friends who try to have a week away together every year, though numbers vary depending on individuals' circumstances at the time. This year there were 10 of us, the youngest aged about 65 and the eldest 86. Thinking of Cynthia's theme of "seniors" this week, I realise how very fortunate we all are to have enough money and good enough health to be able to do this.

I would also say "Amen" to your prayer for those in residential and nursing care. I wish all such homes could be brought up to the standards of the best. My late father-in-law lived some 75 miles from us. He had Parkinsons plus other medical problems and at one point was ill enough to be admitted to hospital. It became obvious that he could no longer live at home and he needed more care than we were able to provide at the time so when he was discharged the social worker at the hospital got him into a local nursing home. His second day there we went to visit and I came out crying. There was very little dignity and even less compassion. As soon as a room became available (luckily quite quickly) we got fil moved to a superb nursing home near us and he was very happy there. But good care is expensive. With his permission we were able to sell his home in London for a good price and use that money to fund his care but I still think of the poor elderly people in that first home who had no choice but to stay there. No-one should end their lives feeling unwanted and unloved.

Cynthia, I have also been interested to read your posts of last week which were about children. My daughter, a teacher, is responsible for child safety in her very large secondary school. She is very discreet and never discusses individual cases with us but I know in a general way that she often has to deal with cases of abuse and neglect, sometimes but not always arising from poverty. While doing her best to protect the children she often has to call on social services, and sometimes the police.

In the world I move in I see very little of this side of things and it is very easy for problems to be out of sight, out of mind. So a very big Amen to Cynthia's prayers for our youngsters.

Apologies for "rabitting on" a bit.

Amen to that Cynthia. My wife has a friend that she worked with as a nurse for

many years. She is in a care home suffering from dementia in her 80's. Her

husband at home is also an unhealthy man, but with 2 children and good attitude.

Good morning :-)

Today we think about those of our elderly friends who are in nursing homes and care homes.

Lord Jesus, we ask for comfort
and hope for those who are no longer able to cope by themselves and
are in nursing homes for their own well being.
Help them to feel your presence and your peace.
May they know that you love them and that they are precious in your sight.
We pray that they be treated with dignity, respect and love. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Last week we spent time thinking about and praying for the children in society. This week, we will go to the other end of the spectrum – to our elderly folk or, as I have read…our ‘senior adults’. Love that expression.

We live in a society that tends to celebrate youthfulness and looks down upon get-ting older. Billions of pounds are spent on products and procedures to keep people looking and feeling young. Our elders have seen things we couldn’t even imagine and survived things we could never comprehend facing. They are filled with wisdom and experience that our society needs. Take some time to pray for the ‘senior adults’ in your life. Let us not forget them.

Gracious Father, we thank You for our ‘senior adults’. Thank you for blessing each day of their lives. Thank you for blessing them with an abundance of Your wisdom and knowledge. Remind our younger generations to treat the elderly with honour and respect. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

“Wasn’t that a lovely service?” “So uplifting” ….words after the service yesterday morning. True words. Everyone responded well to what was going on and singing heartily along to enthusiastic organ playing.

The reading was about two of the miracles of Jesus. The woman who asked for her daughter to be healed (she was) and friends of a man with speech and hearing difficulties. He was healed too.

Many years ago, in the baptism service, there was another part which we don’t seem to use today. The priest would touch the ears and mouth of those being baptised and say “The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May He soon touch your ears to receive His word and your lips to proclaim His faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.

May that be the prayer of each one of us….may our ears be touched to receive His word and our lips to proclaim His faith.

Cynthia :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit
upon your Church in the burning fire of your love:
grant that your people may be fervent
in the fellowship of the gospel
that, always abiding in you,
they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The reading for today tells us about Jesus getting rid of a demon from a little girl and healing a deaf and dumb man.

Today at our church, we look forward to the baptism of two babies.

We pray for these two children as they begin their Christian journey and ask for God’s blessing on them and on their parents and Godparents. We ask that they may make the promises in honesty and with full commitment to encouraging these children along the Christian pathway.


Love to all, Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Is that where cyclists travel over large areas to raise funds for their local church - sometimes just cycling to churches with the same name as their own Gwyn? I can vaguely remember that sort of thing round here. :-D

To end our week of thinking about children...….

God bless the children,
Keep them from harm.
Give your protection
Within your strong arm.
Send your defenders
In their behalf
Let little ones always
Be able to laugh.
May those who care for them
Do so with joy.
The happiest childhood
For each girl and boy.
Our most precious treasure
Deserves all our love.
God bless the children
And watch from above.
God bless the children and watch from above.
Please, God... the children. They need all our love. Amen.

Love to whoever is looking in. Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia for your meaningful posts as we start a new academic year.

Each and everyone of us has a responsibility to be a guide, leader and listener to help young people achieve their potential.

This weekend is Ride and Stride locally.
I will do a 2 hour stint signing in visitors at a nearby church and offering drinks and a snack. It's great to see them all, some riders travel quite a distance by bike to raise funds for their own local church.
Some fine weather is forecast and not too windy, so they should be OK.

Good morning :-)


Our children :

The number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in this country is well over 1m.

Since Jesus made it clear how important both children and those with special needs are to Him, can you imagine how much God loves a child with special needs? His heart must be overflowing with a love that cannot be contained!

When we encounter one of these children, we have the opportunity to be Jesus’ representative. We can follow His example and try to do what Jesus would do.

The next time we encounter a special needs child, let’s look at them through Jesus’ eyes. Let’s make time and room for them. Let’s show God’s love, kindness and acceptance to each of these children who He loves so much.

"Jesus, help Your people see children as You see them, remembering that what we do for them, we really do for You.”


With love. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Our children. It appears that over 100,000 children run away from home each year for various reasons.

The reasons for running away are various - arguments with the family; escaping from violence; problems at school; pregnancy or by being in a stressful situation. We pray for these youngsters.

Lord,
We pray for children who run away from home: those who feel unloved and worthless, those who believe they can cope alone but do not know who they can trust. Please give them your strong protection and comfort.

We pray for those who work to keep children safe:
social workers and police and the agencies who offer counselling and support. Give them courage and hope in this demanding but important work. Amen.

Runaway Helpline – advice for free online and on 116000.
Railway Children - 01270 757596
If a friend or relative has gone missing contact the police as soon as possible by dialling 999. Missing People
116 000 (freephone)
www.missingpeople.org.uk National 24 hour helpline for people who are missing someone. Support, advice and practical help for the families of missing people.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thinking of children living in poverty.

If you click on the map on the End Child Poverty webpage, you can find out how many children are affected in your area.

These families are really feeling the pinch. Stretched incomes mean that they are forced to make impossible choices for their children – between healthy meals, warm clothes and heating the home.’

Maybe its time to remind ourselves of how fortunate many of us are and to support the foodbanks and charity shops. It is not much to ask of ourselves ….but it is a start.

Help us, Loving God, to see
beyond the smile of the child
who misses weeks at school,
to the embarrassment of the parent
who cannot afford their child's uniform.

Beyond the apology of the child
who misses a friend’s birthday party,
to the parent who can’t afford a gift
as they try to clear off a payday loan.

Beyond the bullying in the dinner hall
of the child with too little for lunch,
to the ache in the parent who
goes hungry for the sake of their child.

Help us, Loving God, to see
beyond the stereotypes and statistics
and inspire us to work to ease the burden
on children and their families
trapped in seemingly never-ending poverty.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you for that Vera - I am sure your grandchildren will soon settle down in their new environments because they have probably inherited their grandma's temperament :-D Hope you have a lovely break.


This week, we are thinking about children ……there is so much in the news about child abuse and child pornography.

We bring these abused children before our Lord. In Matthew’s gospel, after He has called a child to him and talked about us becoming like little children, Jesus states…..”but if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Lord Jesus, we bring before you the children who are abused, the children who are suffering silently within and the children who are led, unawares, into dreadful situations. Give them courage to speak out and to share their pain, reveal their struggles and expose the hurtful actions of others.

May those who work to help them be blessed with sensitivity, wisdom and compassion. We ask this in your holy name. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning all

Amen, Cynthia, to your prayer for students everywhere whatever their ages. I have one granddaughter about to enter sixth form where the work will be more intense and another just going off to university and feeling quite apprehensive about it, so your prayer resonates with me.

My daughter has a quote from Albert Einstein on her Twitter account which says “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge”, so I would like to say a little prayer for the teachers and support staff. May they be an inspiration to their pupils.

I will probably not be on here for several days as we are going away at silly o’clock tomorrow morning and I understand the WiFi at our hotel may not be very good.

God bless

Good morning :-)

Not sure what happened yesterday - but I thought I had posted...… oooer…..confused.com :-D

For today.

There are going to be some anxious mums and dads this week as the new term begins.

There may be tears and upsets (and that’s just the parents!) as little ones are all dressed up in their very first school uniform and ushered through the school gates.

The older children may be a bit more nonchalant as they exchange holiday memories with their friends. Those going to senior school may be experiences serious ‘butterflies’.

A prayer from a parent...

Lord, I give this school year to you. I pray that each of my children will learn exactly what is right for them to learn. Help them to master new skills and increase in their love of learning.

Prepare them for what you have for them in their futures. Protect them from what is harmful to them and expose them to good things only. I pray that they will have good attitudes and a willingness to work hard. I pray that they will show respect and obedience.

Please give our family peace during this school year. Thank you for loving them, protecting them, and caring for them. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Dear Father in heaven,

open our hearts to see and feel how our lives have been blest.

Open our hearts to your blessings so that we may look forward in thankfulness and joy to what lies ahead.

Grant that we may be faithful to what we have received from you and never again lose ourselves in the passing moment. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-D

Dear Father in heaven,
open our hearts to see and feel how our lives have been blest.

Open our hearts to your blessings so that we may look forward in thankfulness and joy to what lies ahead.

Grant that we may be faithful to what we have received from you and never again lose ourselves in the passing moment.

May we hold to all you have brought to our hearts from eternity, that your name may be honored and our lives shaped anew in Jesus Christ.

Give us courage to overcome the evils in life and to look with joy and confident expectation to the future, when the powers of your kingdom will be ever more clearly revealed.

Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you for that hymn kandj - lovely words and a very catchy tune!

So pleased to hear that Emma is okay, but she will be missed on here. Please send her our love Pat and thank you for letting us know. x

The Prayer for Today

Just for today, help me, God, to remember that my life is a gift,
that my health is a blessing,
that this new day is filled with awesome potential,
that I have the capacity to bring something wholly new
and unique and good into this world.

Just for today, help me, God, to remember to be kind and patient
to the people who love me, and to those who work with me too.
Teach me to see all the beauty that I so often ignore,
and to listen to the silent longing of my own soul.

Just for today, help me, God, to remember You.
Let this be a good day, God, full of joy and love.
Amen.

Cx :-)