General Chat

Good morning :-)

You were certainly not rambling Vera - I could have read more! Thank you for the info on the domes on the churches in Russia. I had no idea of that so have learned something. Its really interesting.....so I will do my Oliver Twist bit.......please, can I have some more? :-D :-D

For today:

My Daily Bread

Lord,

May you take the dough of my life
And bake it fresh each day.
Come sift carefully the things
I do and think and say.
Blend them with some water
Like grace poured over me,
Sprinkle in the yeast of truth
That sets my life so free.
Knead the three together
With firm and loving care,
Give me rest and bless my dreams,
So I rise with more love there.

As I read your word O Lord,
Warm me with your hope,
Until I'm sweet and freshly made
And perfumed with your heart.
At times the things I face each day
Can sometimes break me down
Help me still to give and find
There's more to share around.

As I eat I'll take the wine
To dwell upon the cross.
And join with generations past
Who live to love the lost.
The miracle of Christ in me
Is how you multiply,
You bless the work of my hands
To bring more of your life.
Lord in this moment, I come to you,
Master baker and head chef.
For every day you make me new,
You are my daily bread.



Not had chance to use the washing machine yet......today is the day. However, I think I will have to go to college first so that I can understand the instructions.

Cx :-)

I expect you have been trying out your new washing machine today Cynthia. Well, you've certainly got a good windy day for drying :-D

I still don't know how dil's Florida relatives are or whether she and my son will be flying there in the morning. Hopefully I will hear tonight.

I could write a book on our trip to Russia but perhaps a little more about the churches might be appropriate on this thread.

You may already know this but I hadn't realised that the number and colours of the domes and cupolas on Russian churches are full of symbolism. A single dome represents Jesus, 3 are symbolic of the Holy Trinity, 5 - Jesus and the four evangelists, 7 - ??, 9 - the nine ranks of angels and 13 - Christ and the twelve apostles. The reason I have a question mark for 7 domes is that I have forgotten what we were told so I googled and read that they symbolise the seven ecumenical councils at which the dogma of the church was formed. I am certain we were told something different but I didn't write it down and my memory isn't as good as it used to be.

As for the colours of the domes, the meaning varies a bit depending on who you are talking to or which article you are reading. Gold represents Jesus or the Light of God and many of the domes are gold. Blue of course is symbolic of Mary but may also symbolise the Holy Spirit or the Holy Trinity. Green may also represent the Holy Spirit or the Holy Trinity and is also often used at churches dedicated to saints. Red is the Resurrection and eternal life. Several of the domes we saw were coloured blue with gold stars and I know the star is also important in Russian Orthodoxy. I think, though I am not sure, that it represents the church leading the people from darkness into light.

Each cupola or dome is topped by the three barred Russian cross but underneath the bottom bar there is sometimes a crescent. In the 15th century Ivan the Terrible's forces captured Moslem Kazan and he decreed that a crescent should be placed under the Cross to represent the victory of Christianity over Islam. An uncomfortable idea these days but it was the 1400s! Sadly too many on all sides still think in those terms instead of pointing to the similarities between us.

I am sorry if this post is rather long. I do tend to ramble on if I am interested in something.

Still keeping those affected by the hurricane very much in my thoughts. Also my granddaughter has gone off to uni today, so for all those starting on the next stage in their education I'd say work hard, have fun and God Bless.

Good morning :-)


I think we were fortunate, in our area, not to have suffered the high winds which were promised. Its a bit blowy now but not bad at all. Like kandj, I think of all the animals who suffer in horrendous weather conditions.

For today :

Loving God, I offer you today, my thoughts, words and actions. Help me to heed the promptings of your Spirit, to recognize your Son in those I encounter, and to be a witness to your kingdom. Help me to share your healing touch, your words of encouragement, your smile of friendship, your helping hand. Amen.

Must go and get showered.....new washer arrives this morning :-D


Cx :-D

Hello all

Sunshine and showers here this morning plus a little breeze which is so very different from Hurricane Irma and all the devastation and flooding left in her wake.

So pleased Vera and hubby are home safely. I hope your son and daughter in law will be safe if they managed to fly out to check on her ex in-laws in Florida. A real worry.

Remembering all the many animals who have been affected by the flooding/storms.

Good morning :-)

So nice to see you again Vera and I hope you will tell us more of your travels.

I do hope your son and daughter-in-law keep safe - maybe they will be advised not to travel just at the moment?

Watching the news and the terrible events going on, it has been good to see how many folk have been helping each other......and friendships formed.


There is a miracle called Friendship
that dwells within the heart
and you don't know how it happens
or when it even starts.
But the happiness it brings you
always gives a special lift
and you realize that
Friendship
is God's most precious gift.

- Helen Steiner Rice.

Love to all. Cx :-)

We arrived home safely late Friday night, thanks to the skill of drivers and pilots.

All our thoughts must be with those poor people affected by the hurricane. I tried to imagine what it must feel like to have your home and work and environment totally destroyed in such a short time and found it unimaginable. My heart cries for them.

You may remember my son married a lady last year who was the widow of an American. After his death she had remained close to his family and many came to the wedding. Her first husband's parents live in Florida and the man is now quite poorly. Daughter in law wants to see him again so she and my son are supposed to be flying to Florida on Thursday. I know they are in a region that has been affected but we don't know how badly. We can only pray that they,and others in the path of this hurricane, are safe.

Nature has a way of putting us in our place.

Good morning :-)


More and more dreadful news re the hurricanes which are battering so many places. It may be wet and windy here but, oh my goodness, nothing compared to what is happening elsewhere. God bless all affected.

A Prayer on Monday

Lord, it’s Monday.
It’s not everyone’s favourite day;
Back to school.
Back to work,
Back to all the chores.
Yet each day is a gift,
Each day is an opportunity.
Each day is special.
Help me to make the most of this day.
Help me in my work,
Help me in my relationships.
May you be glorified in my life,
This and every day.
Amen


Cx :-)

Good morning :-D

As news of the dreadful hurricanes continues to dominate the headlines, our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people who are affected in any way. God bless them.

This morning, in our church, we welcome two little boys who are to be baptised into the Christian faith. We pray for these little ones as they begin their Christian journey, and for their parents and Godparents that they may take their vows and promises honestly and sincerely.
.
The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The gospel reading ends with that famous passage where
Jesus tells his disciples that wherever two or three are gathered in His name, He will be with them.


Love to all Cx

Hello all

Oh dear Cynthia, I find that my household appliances usually breakdown in threes!!

Thought and prayers for all who are affected by the devastating ongoing hurricane.

Hopefully Vera and her husband are back home safely after an amazing time away.

Thinking now of all who have trained for many months and will take part in the Great North run tomorrow. Our Grandson ran this in extreme heat last year and on the finishing line Jack said , "Never again"!!!. We were so proud as he made over £500 for the Asthma UK charity.

Good morning :-)


I had 'one of those days' yesterday! My washing machine has died......sob. Had someone come and look at it but it is well and truly dead. bah....now I have to get my washing to the launderette and look for a new machine. Sigh. My cooker and hob are also playing up - something to do with the ignition. I am waiting to see if that too, is about to pop its clogs. However........my troubles are as nothing compared to some.

.........we continue to think of and pray for, those poor people who are affected by the various hurricanes and earthquakes which are touching the lives of so many folk throughout the world. It makes our little bit of rain seem as nothing.

We have looked at countries where Christians are persecuted; we have looked at countries where Christianity is thriving. For today, we look at ourselves and our local churches, and we thank God that we have the freedom and the pleasure to worship there.

God our Father,
you will never allow the power of hell
to prevail against your Church,
founded on the rock of the apostle Peter.
Keep us faithful to your truth
and secure in your peace.
Lord, help us to do your will
that your Church may grow
and become more faithful in your service.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Definitely not boring at all Vera hearing all about the culture and sights in Russia. Thank you for sharing your holiday experience of a life time here with us all.

Amen to your prayers Cynthia for the people who are caught up in the devastation and sufferings cased by hurricane Irma in and around the Caribbean areas. Heading on to Florida and coast of USA.Hard to even think of the wreckage left behind this hurricane

Good morning :-)


Such awful news about the devastation caused by hurricane Irma...

Eternal and merciful Father
We pray for everyone affected by hurricane Irma.
Remember them Lord and bring them hope,
help and comfort.
Provide them with the means to rebuild their lives.

May the lost be found and the dead be mourned.
Return to these people affected by the devastation - love, peace and security.
In your loving name. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Vera, you are not boring us in the slightest.......your insights into your holiday are fascinating and interesting.....love reading them. Thank you. <3

We had baptism prep last night - 4 families who managed to bring all of their children with them - at least, that's what it felt like! I managed to keep my voice above child level for most of the time but it was exhausting!!!

Its pretty obvious that people do not realise how lucky they are to live in a country where baptism is freely available and that the church is always there for them. Hey ho.


It’s interesting to see that there is a huge amount of growth in the Christian faith on the Arabian peninsula, including countries such as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

Christianity in the Gulf states is surging. Amid a shocking exodus in neighbouring countries, this strictly Islamic region has seen a jump in its Christian population.
Churches across the Middle East have reported a rise in attendance, mostly coming from new Muslims moving into the area.

They have already seen thousands of Muslims converts - and some are expecting to see millions turn to Christianity over the coming years.

Some amazing facts......and we thank God for all his blessings.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Vera, you just beat me to it now. You and your OH have chosen a really interesting country and your guide is doing so much to help you to enjoy your special holiday.

Thanks to Cynthia for reminding us that Christianity is thriving in other places.
We are blessed to be so open about or faith here in England. We are so lucky.

Remembering all the pupils returning to school after the Summer break,praying they will all have good teachers to help and encourage them each and every day. xxx

Another interesting post Cynthia. Thank you. I had read somewhere that Christianity was growing in China but hadn't realised the extent.

We are certainly having an amazing holiday. Our young guide is so talented. He speaks excellent English, knows St Petersburg like the back of his hand and is extremely knowledgable about history, art, architecture and many other subjects. He also has a lovely sense of humour. Today he took us to The Hermitage museum which is fabulous. Of course we only saw a minute amount of all there is but he knew what to take us to see. As we left I saw wheelchairs by the exit so took the opportunity to ask him about disabled living in Russia. He did not think there were any laws about such things as access so the disabled can only go to places where they knew they would be able to get in. Staff in shops etc will offer assistance but it seems to be pot luck.

After our official "guide time" was over he offered to show us a few other places in his own time. He explained that in Soviet times many churches were closed down or put to other use. One had become a swimming pool, one had become first a morgue, then a vegetable storage place and yet another had become a museum of atheism! It is now a normal non-active church that is a tourist attraction. He also pointed to a dome in the distance and told us that this is a mosque that was built in 1880.

There is much more I could write but I don't want to bore you. I would just say that we feel very privileged that we have been able to undertake this trip and give thanks for the many talented people who have made it so interesting and exciting for us.

Good morning :-)

I love your updates Vera thank you. It sounds as though you are having an amazing holiday. How interesting that musical instruments aren't allowed - I know they do a lot of chanting etc but hadn't realised about the lack of accompaniment. I hope you manage to find out about how disabled people are catered for - more food for thought.


Sometimes, from the media and other sources, you get the impression that the Christian faith is dying out. Not so.....

The second country where Christianity is growing is, remarkably, China.

The number of Christians in Communist China is growing so steadily that it by 2030 it could have more churchgoers than America.

Officially, the People's Republic of China is an atheist country but that is changing fast as many of its 1.3 billion citizens seek meaning and spiritual comfort that neither communism nor capitalism seem to have supplied.

Christian congregations in particular have skyrocketed since churches began reopening when Chairman Mao's death in 1976 signalled the end of the Cultural Revolution.

Less than four decades later, some believe China is now poised to become not just the world's number one economy but also its most numerous Christian nation.

We thank God for the amazing growth of faith in that immensely populated country.

Cx :-)

I have been without wifi for a few days but now we are in St Petersburg and I am catching up on posts.

It was good to read today's post Cynthia; something hopeful after the sadness of last week's posts and the doom and gloom of the world news.

Before we came here my knowledge of Russia was confined to what I had read in a few books and the impression given by the newspapers but I now view the country differently. The people are just like people everywhere, generally friendly and eager to help and the bureaucracy is not a tenth as bad as I had expected.

In this city we have a charming young guide and have visited more churches with him. In one there was an unseen choir singing and he told us that their choirs are made up of unaccompanied male voices. Musical instruments and female voices are not allowed. The Church still seems very male dominated. We talked to him a bit about the social situation in Russia today. He told us the gulf between rich and poor is enormous. Russia has more multi millionaires than anywhere in the world but also more people in poverty than in other developed nations. We haven't seen much evidence of poverty but we are, of course, in the tourist areas.

OH and I both noticed that there don't seem to be many facilities for disabled people. In fact I have seen hardly any less able people. Presumably they stay in their houses because they can't negotiate all the steps or get into the shops. If I get a chance I might ask our guide about it.

I have the health and the wealth to be able to enjoy our very special trip so I am thinking tonight of everyone in any nation who is being brought low by poverty and disability.

Good morning :-)

Last week we spent some time looking at some of the countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith – it made for some sad and disturbing reading. However, I hope it helped to make people aware of how fortunate we are in this country with freedom to worship as and when we want to.

Let’s flip the coin over and look at the other side of the picture and take a look at a few of the countries where Christianity is thriving! NEPAL

Once untouched by Christianity, this country now has one of the fastest growing Christian populations in the world. In 1961 there were approximately 458 Christians and there are now thought to be over 375,000.

Churches are mushrooming rapidly throughout the Kathmandu Valley and across the terraced hills. We thank God for this growth in faith in this beautiful country.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

It's a bit of a gloomy morning to wake up to. The news headlines are somewhat worrying and depressing but hey, what a mighty God we serve!

O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things.

(By St. Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGL15yoqsJI


Cx :-)

Hello all

Reading back to your prayer for yesterday Cynthia. I join you and say Amen too.

Thinking of Vera and her OH holidaying in Russia right now.

"Every morning when we wake up we have 24 brand new hours.
What a precious gift. We can bring PEACE, JOY, HAPPINESS to
ourselves and to others" (Thich Naht Hanh.)

Happy Sunday wishes to all reading this today. xxx