General Chat

Good morning.... :-)

First of all, another update from our friend kandj......after a series of ups and downs, it seems as though her husband has now turned a corner towards recovery. He is able to get in and out of bed by himself thanks to the physio he has been receiving bless him. Kandj sounds so much more positive and that can only be a good thing. We continue to hold them both in our prayers. <3


A break from lukewarm Christians to a red hot Christian…….

Today is St. Andrew’s Day


Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia and was Christ's first disciple.

He was born between AD 5 and AD 10 in Bethsaida, the principal fishing port of Palestine. His parents were Jona and Joanna; his brother was Simon. Jona, along with his business-partner and friend Zebedee and his sons James and John, was a fisherman.

On the banks of the Jordan, Andrew met John the Baptist: he was the first disciple and the first apostle. It was he who brought the boy with the loaves and fishes to Jesus before the feeding of the five thousand.

After a life of proclaiming Christ, he was given the choice of being offered as a sacrifice to the gods or being scourged and crucified. By his own request the cross was diagonal. He, like his brother Peter, felt himself unworthy to be crucified on the upright cross of Christ.

He hung for three days on the cross, fixed not by nails but by rope round his hands and feet. Even in his last agony, he continued to preach. So ended the life of Saint Andrew.

We thank God for his life and years of service – and pray that he will encourage us to turn from being ‘lukewarm’ to ‘red hot’ in the service of Christ.

Cx :-)

Thought provoking indeed Cynthia.

Thank you for the update from kandj, thoughts and prayers
to them both and family x

Good morning :-)


Continuing from the sermon we heard on Sunday........we look at some points re 'Lukewarm Christians'. Very thought provoking.......

Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe “good Christians” do, so they go. Isaiah 29:13

Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church as long as it doesn’t im-pinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so, After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? 1 Chronicles 21:24, Luke 21:1-4

Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives. Luke 6:26, Revelation 3:1, Matthew 23:5-7 4.

Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don’t genuinely hate sin and aren’t truly sorry for it; they’re merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don’t really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one. John 10:10, Romans 6:1-2.


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :-(

With those sobering thoughts in mind, I send love and prayers to all - especially thinking of kandj.....xxx Cx :-)

Just popped in before bedtime because I realised I hadn't given the update on kandji's OH. He is still very poorly and Kandji is spending a lot of time with him and helping out bless her. It will be good when he is clear of the nasty MRSA bug.

Their family have been very supportive and loving which is a great comfort to them both.

Kandj is so very grateful for all the prayerful support and kind words from her friends on here and would like to thank you all. <3

Thoughts and prayers for kandj and her husband <3

Good morning :-)

Very pleased with my new laptop but having to adjust to some of its different functions. At least I can type properly now! :-D

I’ve been looking for some thoughts on what is a ‘Lukewarm Christian’ and found some interesting reading. I’ll break it up through the week.

Someone wrote………

“I went through an entire Sunday service assured in my polished ensemble only to face the fact that there was a big purple glob of lipstick on my tooth tarnishing my entire look. Isn't that frustrating? When you think everything is ok only to find out it never was? This is how I think about being a lukewarm Christian. You have the look but there’s just one problem: the look is not enough. Being lukewarm means you say you follow Jesus but really in your heart you don't. It's when your actions and heart for God don't match.”

Hmm food for thought.

Praying for kandj and OH Cx :-)

Good morning. :-)

Nyx that is a simply glorious picture thank you so much. The colours are incredible and the detail is amazing. There isn't one I have in mind specifically as I am having enough probs just using this ipad. No doubt I would get used to it in time but, having been trained on the old manual typewriter, I find laptops much easier than these fiddley little things.

Our Christmas Fair was a great event despite the grotty weather. We were shocked that so many people turned up to support us but it was fantastic and we raised 2,300 pounds - I can't find the pound symbol on here. :-D

Yesterday's sermon was worth sharing - not all of it obviously, but we were asked if we were 'lukewarm' Christians?? There is no point going to church week by week if we don't live a Christian life during the week. You could have heard a pin drop such was the effect on the congregation. Certainly food for thought.

I am picking up my new laptop this morning.......yipppeeee. Normal service will be resumed. :-D

Thinking of and praying for kandj and her husband. <3

Love to all. Cx :-)

Cynthia if you have a particular image you want posted, I can do so :-)

. Toomyvara St. Joseph's Church Window Tu Rex Gloriae Christe by William Earley 1933 ...

https://tinyurl.com/ybdt38gn

Chosen simply because I love the glorious colours of stained glass. :-)

Like you Cynthia I cannot copy and paste on my iPad.
nor put up a link :-S

kandj and her husband <3

Good morning. :-)

Hello Nyx and thank you for those lovely photos - more food for thought and I think both had an impact of their own. We could make this last for ages couldn't we....rather a nice thought.

Today is known as Christ the King day and I would love to post a link to a suitable picture but I am having to use my daughter's ipad whilst waiting for my new laptop, It's driving me bonkers because I am so slow on it and need to get ready for church. If anyone else can find a good image or two that would be great.

I don't know how to copy and paste on this either so am really hampered. Arrrrghhh

Love to all and thinking of Kandj and family Love Cx :-)

Thanks Rose. 9ft x 6ft would make a bit of an impact wouldn't it :-)

Sorry Vera I should have said, the first image is "Christ the Redeemer" by Andrea del Sarto. The second one is " Christ before the High Priest" ,1617, Gerrit van Honthorst. i think it's a picture you need to see full size for the impact it's around 9ft X 6ft.
:-)

Hello Rose,

I prefer your second image. It's been good to hear other views on
these images this week.
We differ again Vera :-)

Hi Nyx

Lovely to see a different name on here. I really like the first picture you put up and have tried to find out the artist and also who the subject is (a saint perhaps?). I tried to go into the static.artuk.org website but just got a message telling me I didn't have permission to access the site. Whoever it is, he looks a very gentle man but with a certain strength.

Not so sure about the second one you have put up. I think it is one of those paintings that might repay studying in detail, but you are right about the light. There is a source other than the candle.

Thanks for introducing us to these images.

A gentle hug for Kandj and her lovely hubby <3 <3 <3

Coming in late... ( maybe a metaphor for lack of faith?) :-)

This is a picture I like, because there is a gentleness, and that undefinable 'something behind the eyes'. it may not be the face of Christ, but it is the face of a real person.

https://static.artuk.org/w800h800/NTI/NTI_LKA_996480.jpg

and this painting, which I saw in the National gallery and stopped me in my tracks each time. The light is from the candle, and yet not wholly so?

https://static.artuk.org/w800h800/NG/NG_NG_NG3679.jpg


best wishes to all, especially Kandj.

kandj and husband <3

Good morning :-)

Love your thoughts on the different images we have looked at this week......... <3


No image of Jesus today – each of us has looked at the different portraits of Him and each of us has probably seen something different to what others have seen.

We may not know what Jesus actually looked like, but what we have to concentrate on is knowing Him and ‘seeing’ Him from a spiritual perspective. ‘Seeing’ him through faith.

Lord, open the eyes of our hearts, that we may see and know you. Amen.

This gentle hymn helps to put these thoughts into a prayerful context.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZsZkB-HcyE


As for the Grinch - what a good job I can't put photos on here.......lol :-D


Thinking of kandj and her OH with love and prayers. <3

Cx :-)

As you say Cynthia, Holman Hunt’s painting “The Light of the World” is very well known. For me, there is just too much in it. I think the message is in danger of getting lost in all the symbolism. it is a terrific piece of art and I do admire it but it doesn’t move me in the way a simple portrait can. It appeals to the intellect rather than the emotions.

It is interesting how we all see things differently. Emma sees sadness in the face - I see patience.

You are certainly making us think this week.

I hope your Christmas Fair is a great success Cynthia. I am sure you will be a wow as the Grinch

Thoughts and love as always for Kandj, her hubby and her family <3

I see what the artist was saying to us in this image but
his eyes say he is giving up hope on reaching into the soul.

But surely Christ would never give up. The sadness in the face
stands out for me.

Cynthia you as the Grinch lol, go green I say
:-D

In my thoughts as always kandj and her hubby x