General Chat

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

The gospel for today tells of Jesus explaining to his disciples that if anyone wanted to follow him, they must take up their cross and follow him. An interesting read.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I love your feedback from your special holiday Vera - waiting to hear lots more :-D

Whenever I used to visit our cathedral for whatever reason, I was always struck by the fact that tourists were wandering around quite freely whilst there was a service going on. Not to the point of actually disrupting the service, but mooching around at the back. After a while, you tend to ignore them to be honest :-D

For today:

Our church receives numerous requests for baptisms. So much so that we are putting extra services on. I have to wonder if folk would be so keen on baptism if there was the likelihood of being killed if the authorities found out about it.

The Church of England has around 16,000 churches, serving every part of the country and open to every local inhabitant. There are 42 mainland Cathedrals. I have to wonder if people who have a love for the church, but maybe take things for granted and do other things on a Sunday, realise that we are living in a time of ‘use it or lose it’.

Reading just a little about the persecution of Christians throughout the world has helped me to understand just how fortunate we are.

We can walk into church freely; we can attend prayer meetings if we want to; we can buy as many bibles as we want; we can be baptised, married and buried without fear of persecution. We should give thanks.

Father, dear Father,
I am so grateful for everything that you have given me.
Thank you so much for the loved ones in my life,
For the many ways in which I am cared for and supported.
Thank you for the freedom I have to worship you and to serve others. Amen

Cx. :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, senior moments are a part of getting older, take and accept it gratefully.

Our remote control for the TV is missing. Usually this lives on the table beside hubbies chair, but he assures me that he hasn't moved it. Well I don't remember moving it either and as there are only two people living here then I am blaming Mr Nobody!! He is invisible and comes here often to keep me busy searching for things
If only the folk in the persecuted countries had so little to concern them!

Vera, you are very kind to share your amazing holiday sights and cultures with us.
Thank you. Carry on enjoying the new experiences with your OH. Enjoy it all.

Happy weekend to all, whatever you have planned. xx

Your posts this week Cynthia really are thought provoking and somewhat distressing. I think we tend to close our eyes to things we don't want to see.

A relation of my husband, a Roman Catholic girl, has recently married a Muslim man. I understand that there was a certain amount of disapproval from both families but they were free to go ahead without any fear of reprisals. Makes you realise how lucky we are to live here.

On our travels we got the train to Vladimir and then were brought by car to a lovely little town called Suzdal. Our guide took us round the town including various cathedrals. In one a service was going on, involving a lot of school children, and our guide told us to go in and look at the decoration and icons. We felt very awkward about this but it seems to be the norm for people to wander about during services. We couldn't quite bring ourselves to do this so just peeped in the door.

We had wondered why there was always a second smaller building next to the cathedrals. Apparently it was the tradition to build an unheated summer church and a smaller heated winter church.

I haven't quite worked out the meaning of cathedral. I am certain it is not used in quite the same way as we would use it.

Suzdal is lovely. It has had hundreds of churches, monasteries etc. and the buildings are wherever you look. At the moment there are 33 churches and 5 active monasteries or convents. This is in a tiny town of 10,000!

What has struck me is that we have only seen Russian Orthodox places of worship. I have seen no mosques or synagogues or even other Christian denominations so I am not sure how tolerant the government and society are.

We are now waiting for a car to take us back to Vladimir for a couple of days to continue our trip of a lifetime. I will continue to keep in my thoughts those suffering persecution.

Good morning............it looks like I have done it again.......grrrrr......I am sure I posted yesterday. I am going to have to watch the post appear I think. SO frustrating....

Here is what I thought I had posted........sigh

"Baptism is a crime, punishable by death".

There are 50 countries on the World Watch List for places where Christians are persecuted. We are looking at the top three and, when I read today's extract, I immediately thought of all the baptisms we hold at our church.

No. 3 is Afghanistan.

It is illegal for an Afghan person to be anything other than a Muslim.

Afghanistan is a tribal society, and leaving Islam is seen as a betrayal of the tribe. Discovered believers will sometimes be sent to a mental hospital, as families believe no sane person would leave Islam. Baptism is a crime punishable by death; several believers were killed in 2016 when their faith was discovered.

The Taliban, a radical Islamist group, remains active in Afghanistan and targets those who leave Islam.

Converts will keep their faith completely secret - simply meeting in small groups can be dangerous, and even the internet is closely monitored. Just the suspicion that you may have converted can lead to your arrest or the destruction of your home or business.

PLEASE PRAY
For courage and protection for secret Afghan believers
For change to take place within the country, and for openness to religions outside of Islam
For stability and peace in Afghanistan.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Your info about the persecuted churches gives food for thought Cynthia. We do take our own church services and fellowship very much for granted without question here.

How lovely to have Vera's post from Russia. It will be an amazing holiday for them.

Sending out Happy Wednesday wishes to all reading this today . xx

Good morning :-)


What a surprise to hear from you today Vera - but a lovely surprise :-) How wonderful to be able to see those breathtaking places....please tell us more..... <3


No. 2 on the list of countries which persecutes Christians is Somalia. A shorter read today, but nonetheless disturbing.

If you are even suspected of being a Christian in Somalia, you could be murdered on the spot.

At least 12 Christians were killed in 2016 when their faith was discovered. The militant Islamist group al-Shabaab has stated publically that it 'wants Somalia free of all Christians', and they are able to persecute Christians with impunity, as Somalia is basically lawless.

Somalia is a tribal society, and many tribal leaders see being Somali as being Muslim - leaving Islam is a betrayal of the tribe.

Christians must keep their faith completely secret - even a positive response to a Christian post on social media can have serious consequences.

Christians are able to gather together in small underground groups, but must constantly change the locations of their meetings to avoid monitoring by al-Shabaab militants or community leaders.

PLEASE PRAY
Praise God that, despite the terrible risks they face, there are men and women in Somalia following Jesus in secret. Pray for their protection - even reading about Christianity on the internet can be dangerous.
That Somali Christians will find ways to be disciples in secret.
Many Muslims in Somalia are seeking God. Ask God to reveal Himself to them.


http://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/worldwatch/somalia.php


Cx

It is so frightening that in the 21 st century people are still not free to practice their faith openly. These Christians are so brave.

We have seen several cathedrals/churches in the last few days. Some are still used for services, some more like museums. We had a guide with us when we saw the three main churches in the Kremlin so he was able to explain a lot of the icons to us. The icons often seem as though the perspective is wrong because the saints depicted are looking out at us rather than us looking at them, and the gold leaf and gilding surrounding them,which I had assumed was just expensive decoration, represents the light of heaven shining on us.

Today on our own we explored St Basil's Cathedral which is a warren of nine small interconnected churches and is more like a museum now, though I believe there is still a Sunday service. We also went to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour which is stunning. Very ornate, lots of iconography and lots of gold. While I generally prefer simpler churches, this one did have a more spiritual feel to it.

I am thankful that I am free to travel and see these wonderful places and tonight I will give a thought for those who don't have that freedom.

Good morning :-D

Last week we counted our many blessings. This week we will look at those who struggle to be Christians throughout the world.


The news headlines this morning make today's thoughts very pertinent. Its a longish read but I make no apologies for that and the information is taken from Open Doors, a charity which supports persecuted Christians. Much more can be found on their website and others.

CAN'T DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY? Consider yourself lucky that you are able to have the choice!

Imprisonment, torture, death: this is what you risk if you decide to follow Jesus in North Korea.

PERSECUTION IN NORTH KOREA It is estimated that many thousands of Christians are imprisoned in camps in that country; most will die there.

North Korea is ruled by Kim Jong-un, the third generation of the Kim dynasty who have ruled North Korea with an iron grip since 1948. The two ideologies used to govern the state are 'Juche', which points to man's self-sufficiency, and 'Kimilsungism', the god-like worship of the Kims; children are taught the name of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-un's grandfather, before they are taught the names of their own parents.

Any suggestion that there could be a higher authority than the Kims is immediately crushed. North Korean citizens are constantly scrutinised by the Inminban, a neighbourhood watch system in which the leader writes reports on their neighbours, trying to work out if anyone is disloyal to the ruling regime.

Christians must keep their faith completely secret; most do not even tell their own children about their faith until they are older teenagers for fear that they may let something slip. If a Christian has a Bible, or part of one, it will be carefully hidden and only read when the believer is sure they are alone.

A social stratification system in North Korea called 'Songbun', similar to the Indian caste sys-tem, divides people into three main classes: the loyal, the wavering and the hostile. These are further divided into 51 subclasses; Christians are part of the 'hostile' class, with Protestant Christians being number 37 and Catholic Christians being number 39.

If discovered, Christians face arrest, torture, imprisonment, and perhaps even public execution - they are considered spies and traitors of the nation, and are condemned for treason.

And yet, many have decided that knowing Jesus is worth the risks they face. The church in North Korea is not only surviving, but growing - and they have great hope for the future. One Christian has shared: "One day the borders will open and we will unite with the South Korean and the Chinese church to bring the gospel to some of the darkest places on this earth."

Your prayers and support make a real difference to believers in North Korea. One shared with us: "Whenever we faced difficult situations you supported our North Korean underground believers so that we could break through all difficulties with courage and spiritual power in Christ. We thank you and all supporters in Christ who encourage and support our believers."

PLEASE PRAY
For Kim Jong-un, that he would come to know the one true God. Pray for change within the regime and that the power of evil will be broken.
For protection for secret Christians, and for strength and endurance for those in labour camps.
Ask God to protect Open Doors secret workers as they smuggle food and Bibles into North Korea.


https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q7WL2gUNQ3o


Cx :-(

Good morning :-)

I'm hoping Vera has lots to tell us too kandj - its going to be a marvellous experience for them both.

Meanwhile......whilst we are enjoying a fine weekend, we think of those poor people who are affected by the horrendous floods in America.

Creator God, we remember at this time all those whose homes and communities have been damaged by flooding in America.

In the name of Jesus we give thanks for the courage and dedication of the emergency services who have come to the help and rescue of all in need.

We celebrate the kindness of neighbours in caring for the most vulnerable.

Lastly, we ask in the power of your healing Spirit to rebuild not just the physical communities which are coping with many problems today but also to give us a sense of trust in your goodness through the kindnesses of one another, in Your Holy Name. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

What a wonderful surprise your family gave you yesterday Cynthia. You're sure to have a happy weekend as your Granddaughter shares lots of news with you all.

Safe travels now to Vera and OH as they begin a very special holiday of a lifetime.
Vera is sure to have lots to tell us when they both get back home again.

The fall on Tuesday has knocked hubby for six and me too... we can really do without these ongoing "challenges" hopefully things can only get better.

A sunny Sunday morning;..... a time to refuel your soul and be grateful for your blessings. Take a deep breath and relax a while. Enjoy your surroundings, your family and one another.... wishing everyone a Happy Sunday today. xxx

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Let your merciful ears, O Lord,
be open to the prayers of your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions make them
to ask such things as shall please you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The gospel reading for today is where Jesus asks the disciples who they think he is and tells Peter that he will give him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Oh my word! I didn't know you were off to Russia Vera! How wonderful.....I do hope you both have a fabulous time.

I had a wonderful surprise yesterday. Our granddaughter has been working in Ibiza since May and is due back in October. Whilst having our lunch at church yesterday, my son suddenly appeared.....I was totally confused....why wasn't he at work? And then.......in comes the rest of the family, including our granddaughter. Apparently, my face was an absolute picture - one of those occasions where there should have been a camera on me :-D I was totally stunned but so, so happy. She had planned to have a weekend at home which everyone else, apart from me, knew about. They got the reaction they expected :-D :-D

Ending our week of looking at 'blessings', I couldn't finish without posting this........


When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT5qk8bx3ZM

Cx :-)

A brilliant set of marks - well done to Katie. You must be very proud of her, and rightly so..

I hope your husband is feeling a little better after his fall.

As kandj knows, we are off to Russia at the crack of dawn tomorrow and I am looking forward to seeing some of the amazing churches and cathedrals. It is a belated celebration of OH's 80th birthday which was a couple of months ago and our greatest blessing is our health, without which we wouldn't be able to undertake what promises to be a hectic couple of weeks.

Thinking of everyone who is in need of a little support today
<3

Good morning :-)


Wow! Well done Katie - that's wonderful news for the whole family. You must be so proud of her kandj. <3


Blessings - something the Irish are famous for.............


May there always be work for your hands to do
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.



Cx :-)

Hello all

Thanks to Cynthia and Vera for you kind words. Hubby has a black bruise but we are still managing to count our blessings as usually his falls cause much serious problems and often hospital admission too.

We have both been cheered up today by a Skype with our Granddaughter Katie
crying with relief and excitement as she shared her GCSE exam results with us.
1 A*, 7 A and 2 B......brilliant grades but down to hard work and long hours of revision on Katie's part. Our family are just so happy that her efforts have been
rewarded. There does seem to be so much more pressure on youngsters now.

BIG (((hugs))) to students and families facing re-sits in months ahead. xx

Good morning :-)


Oh dear.......so sorry to hear about your husband's fall kandj - the last thing you need. Hope you both soon settle down after the shock. <3


Each day there are showers of blessings
Sent by the father above
For God is a great lavish giver
And there is no end to his love.

His grace is more than sufficient
His mercy is boundless and deep
And his infinite blessings are countless
And all this we are given to keep.

If we but seek God and find him
And ask for a bounteous measure
Of this wholly immeasurable offering
From God's inexhaustible treasure -

For no matter how big man’s dreams are
God’s blessings are infinitely more
For always God’s giving is greater
Than what man is asking for.

- Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

Sorry to hear about your husband's fall kandj. I hope his back isn't too sore today. Best wishes to him for a quick recovery and sending you a hug <3

I have always loved the Irish blessing. It is so gentle yet heartfelt. I remember the comedian Dave Allen always ended his programmes with the words "May your God go with you" which I liked because it was so inclusive.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing today may your God go with you.

Hello all

Hubby had a fall yesterday so not the best of days here and he now has a big black bruise on his back, poor love. We are calming ourselves down and counting our blessings knowing that it could have been so much worse... phewww. Never a dull moment here.

One of our Vicars several years ago used this lovely Irish blessing after many services.

Irish Blessing.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rain fall soft upon your fields, and
Until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Sending out warm and gentle blessings to all in need today. xxx

Good morning :-)

The blessings given in church at the end of a service, give us strength to go out into the world and live our lives. One of the most powerful blessings I think, is this one......

Go forth into the world in peace;
be of good courage;
hold fast that which is good;
render to no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak;
help the afflicted; honour everyone;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Cx :-)