General Chat

Good morning :-)


Hi Gwyn - love the story about Flossie and I think taking her in and out in a short space of time was probably wise :-D I do hope it stirred some to think about this holy season but, when I take the baptism preparation classes, I am disturbed by the number of parents who don't seem to have much of a clue what Easter is all about. Sad. Very sad. I do tell them though :-D

A prayer for Tuesday of Holy Week

Tuesday
God of such unwavering love,
how do I "celebrate"
the passion and death of Jesus?
I often want to look the other way
and not watch,
not stay with Jesus in his suffering.
Give me the strength
to see his love with honesty and compassion
and to feel deeply
your own forgiveness and mercy for me.
Help me to understand
how to "celebrate" this week.
I want be able to bring
my weaknesses and imperfections with me
as I journey with Jesus this week,
so aware of his love. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good to read that there is improvement with the young one Cynthia.

I hope he continues to make steady progress.

Before we leave Palm Sunday too far behind, I'd like to mention Flossie, a donkey, which was led through a nearby town followed by parishioners and anyone else who wanted to join in.Some dressed in flowing garments and carried palms.

They climbed the hill to the church, then with gentle coaxing of an apple, she went into church leading her followers down the aisle and stood in front of the congregation for a blessing before being taken outside again and back home.

Maybe the scene touched a few onlookers to remember the Easter story......

Good morning :-)


The little one with meningitis has been taken out of ICU apparently Vera. That is good news but he still has a long way to go apparently. As he is a pupil at our church school, the parents have allowed updates to go on our church page on FB. The page went bananas with comments, prayers and new people looking in. We already had a following of over 500 people but, over the weekend, that shot up to almost 700. It has been like a full time job keeping an eye on it as some folk have asked questions about church etc.

Lovely though this is, the cynical side of me wonders if, when hopefully the young lad is fully recovered, will a lot 'unlike' us?? I hope not, but I am prepared :-D

We have now reached Holy Week - the week that changed the world as it is sometimes called.

Monday of Holy Week

God of love,
My prayer is simple:
Your son, Jesus, suffered and died for me.
I know only
that I cannot have real strength
unless I rely on you.
I cannot feel protected
from my many weaknesses
until I turn to you
for forgiveness and your unalterable love.
Help me to share this
strength, protection and love with others. Amen.


Cx :-)

Thank you for those HOLD ON words Kandj. Sometimes the only way through a difficult time is to do just that - grit your teeth and hold on. I can only imagine how challenging life is for you at the moment but just take one day at a time. Sending you a ((((hug)))) <3

I have been keeping in mind the little one with meningitis that Cynthia mentioned and I hope he is beginning to recover. Thinking now of sick children everywhere and of their families who will be worried and upset, and hoping that they will receive the support they need.

Good morning :-)

I got on here so quickly this morning that my head shot back in disbelief! I will just realign my neck :-D



Today is Palm Sunday – the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and people scattered palm branches before him. In many churches, palm crosses will be blessed and distributed to the congregation. They may be taken home and put somewhere appropriate as a reminder of this special event.

Dear Jesus, we thank you!

You did not enter your holy city Jerusalem on the back of a war horse, but humbly and on a donkey.

You knew that you were surrounded by enemies, yet you came in peace. We pray today that your ‘kingdom may truly come’ so that your people can live in peace.

Watch over us this Holy Week and draw us nearer to yourself in faith, hope and love. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Lovely words kandj and yes, HOLD ON indeed. <3

I've had one of those weeks where I have been trying to hold on to my sanity as things have been a little hectic and busy. I think I still have some marbles left - but not sure how many :-D


For today :


Lord,

Guide my heart with love.
Guide my mind with truth.
Guide my actions with faith.
Guide my soul with hope.
I trust in You.

Amen.

Love to all Cx :-)

Kandj

Thank you for sharing HOLD ON !

ElizabethK :-)

Hello all

I agree with Emma and Vera and I am also adding my thanks to you Cynthia.

Life continues to be challenging to say the least right now. I came across these words I found yesterday and would like to share them with all who look into this Christian thread

When trouble assails you, HOLD ON.
When pressures surround you, HOLD ON.

When skies turn to grey
and you can't find your way,
When the outlook seems darkest, HOLD ON.

When you're lonely, HOLD ON.
When you're weary, HOLD ON

For Jesus is near you
To guide and to cheer you,
When you reach for His hand,
HE'LL HOLD ON.

Thinking of others who are also struggling with today, sending ((hugs)) to you now xxxxx

Good morning :-)

I don't know why I have so many problems logging on - have spoken to Support several times. Maybe its because my Inbox is huge due to all the messages I have sent over the years.

Thanks for those kind words.....appreciate them. :-D


Lord on this day I am aware of the troubles and darkness in our world.

Please come and lead me in prayers for my community, my nation and the world. You are the light that shines in the bleakest times, let your Kingdom be built on earth.
May those who suffer be comforted, may those who are at war search for peace, and may those who are in pain find healing. Amen.


Cx :-)

I second what Emma has said. It’s always good to read your posts no matter what the time is. Thank you.

I wonder why you have trouble getting on the site. I think I must be lucky as I seldom have a problem logging on.

Thoughts for anyone in need of a little tlc tonight <3

Cynthia it makes no difference to those
who look in to this thread what time you
get here, always a pleasure to read your
thoughts for each day. Thank you x

Good afternoon :-)

I am thoroughly cheesed off with the length of time it takes me to log onto this site. I wait around for ages and then go off to do something else and forget to come back. My apologies.


May Thursday be a hope filled day,
That floods my fears with light,
A day that quiets all anxious thoughts
As I encounter Christ.
Let Thursday always prompt my heart
To stop and find Your peace,
And live upon the truth You give
My eyes to You I lift.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Oh I remember that saying Emma! :-D

Not too bad getting on here today thank goodness, so my patience is preserved :-D

One of the tiny pupils at our school is in a hospital in Manchester and in a coma due to meningitis. We pray for this child and for his family at this worrying time.


For today :

A prayer for each one of us this morning:

Lord, thank You that You are with me. Help me to trust and depend on You today. It’s easy to lean on my own understanding but sometimes my understanding is wrong.

Help me to sense Your presence with me. Give me a stronger desire to read the Bible and to understand what You are saying to me.

Show me what I need to clear from my heart and life today.

Give me a greater desire to take quiet moments to be aware of You in my day.

Help me choose to interact with other Christians and to keep Your word central in my life. Grow my faith as I face this new day. Amen.

Cx :-)

When you said you lose patience Cythia I smiled
and rembered the saying we used long ago.

Patience is a virtue
Possess it if you can
Seldom found in woman
Never in man. :-D :-D

Good afternoon :-)

It just takes me so long to get on here in the mornings that, quite frankly, I sometimes have to give up because I lose patience. tuts.

Tuesday prayer

Lord, on this day I chose to put You first
May this day be a gentle time
Of love and kindness shown,
To all my friends and family
A love that helps us grow.

Let Tuesday always prompt my heart
To place my life in You.
To see Your holy will be done
I give my life anew.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Another Monday is upon us!


Monday morning prayer

Lord,

Sometimes, Monday can be a hard day.
Dreaded on Sunday and fled from on a Friday.

Yet why Lord as Monday could be the beginning of a work adventure, the new challenge of a week filled with potential? So I pray you would help me to embrace this day.

Let it be a new day and a wonder day. Help me to see not the clouds but the sunrise, not the rain but the ripples of falling drops.

Show me the joy of the embrace with loved ones, not the tensions and troubles. Monday need not be the grudge day to be endured but the fun day to be embraced.

This day, help me to turn my eyes towards your Kingdom, of love, hope and new beginnings. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning - belatedly! :-)

I couldn't get on here first thing and got distracted. Have not been to church this morning because of the weather........hate not going, it feels really strange. :-(
Yes, I have been thinking of the homeless as well - and for those animals left out in the cold too.

So pleased to hear that you and your OH are recovering Vera. Our son seems to have had something similar and has still not recovered yet.

Glad your birthday went well Emma - lovely to celebrate it with family and friends.

We had our Spring Fair yesterday and raised £1140 which wasn't bad at all - it all helps.

The Collect (special prayer) set for today.

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Gospel set for today tells of Jesus speaking of his forthcoming death.

Love to all Cx :-)

OH and I are not yet 100% but are getting there. Thank you for your good wishes.

You are right Emma - loving family and friends are a great blessing.

With the apparent return of winter, my thoughts are with those who are homeless or in poverty and in need of support.

Thank you both for your birthday wishes,am so blessed with family and friends
to celebrate with me.

My prayers for those who are alone and in need of
someone to care x

Hello all

Just seen that it was Emma's birthday yesterday so sending belated
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS to Emma.. hope you had a good day, ((hugs)).

Vera I hope that you and your OH are feeling a lot better in health now.

Sharing this special Serenity Prayer with all looking in today.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Trying to snow here this morning. Thoughts and prayers for all the homeless xxx