General Chat

Good morning :-)


A manic morning in church yesterday as our youth organisations and their families piled in. The tiny Rainbows led the service and they were so cute. When it came to Communion, the vicar invited them to come and sit in front of the altar so that they could see what was going on. The vicar is a former Head Teacher and certainly knows how to encourage little ones.


For today:

Last week we took a look at the word Love in all its meanings. This week…………friendship and some friendships found in the bible.

True Friendship - Recognition
How can we find true friendship in this often phony, temporary world? Friendship involves recognition or familiarity with another's personality. Friends often share likes and dislikes, interests, pursuits, and passion.

First Samuel 20 focuses on the friendship of David and Jonathan. These two men truly cared for each other and had great trust and confidence in one another. David was running for his life from Jonathan's father, Saul. Jonathan recognized that David was innocent. Because of the true friendship they shared, David survived Saul's assassination attempts and went on to become one of Israel's greatest kings.


Thank God for our friends.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Today is Thinking Day for our Girl Guiding friends.

Celebrated since 1926, World Thinking Day is a day of international friendship, speaking out on issues that affect girls and young women, and fundraising for 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world.

We will hear the story of creation and also the gospel where Jesus tells us not to worry about things… . “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

As we come to the end of our reflection on the word ‘Love’, I will leave you with these well known words which are heard at each service of Holy Communion......


Jesus answered, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”.

Today, our bellringers are celebrating 150 years of our church bells being hung. They are going to use the same method and changes as were made all those years ago. Coffee is being served to those who wish to hear them first hand.......ear muffs may be needed - but I think they will be slightly more melodious than those which Pat in Cyprus often tells us about :-D


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Almost at the end of our week at looking at the word 'Love' and the many forms it takes.

Love is patient and is kind.
Love doesn’t envy.
Love doesn’t brag.
Love is not proud.
Love doesn’t behave itself inappropriately.
Love doesn’t seek its own way.
Love is not provoked.
Love takes no account of evil.
Love doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness.
Love rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never ends.



Cx :-)

Cynthia, I am always amazed at how many different themes you manage to find to keep the thread going. Thank you.

Like Kandj, I had not heard of Storge love and I can relate to it as I am lucky enough to come from a very inclusive, close knit, extended family, at least on my father's side.

Kandj, you must take very gentle care of yourself. Sending you a hug <3

Good morning :-)


Awww a very gentle hug for you today kandj <3


Our ‘love’ for today is ‘Philia’ love……

Philia or philia love, is the love between friends as close as siblings in strength and duration. The friendship is the strong bond existing between people who share common values, interests or activities.

It refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. It's the kind of love which livens up the Agape love. ... It is a committed and chosen love.

Also known as ‘brotherly love’, the city of Philadelphia was thus named by William Penn the Quaker in 1681.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia I don't remember hearing of STORGE love before, so thank you for explaining it today. I am blessed to have a loving marriage and be a part of a loving family too.

I have somehow managed to pull my side muscle with all the constant coughing. I am
trying not to cough, but this isn't working and it is very painful.... hey ho. It goes on!!

Sending hugs for those in need today. Gentle ones, if you have a painful side too. xx

Good morning :-)


Today we take a look at another form of love….STORGE (Stor-jay)

Storge is family love, the bond among mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, and brothers.

When we become followers of Jesus Christ, we enter into the family of God. Our lives are bound together by something stronger than physical ties—the bonds of the Spirit. We are related by something more powerful than human blood—the blood of Jesus Christ. God calls his family to love one another with the deep affection of storge love.

As with any family, we may not always agree, but we should work hard to restore a loving and honest harmony amongst the members.



Cx :-)

In case you have missed it, today is St. Valentine’s Day – a day associated with romance and love…..but what sort of love?

Yesterday we looked at the unconditional Agape type of love, today we look at the love which is based on Eros.

In fact, there is no actual reference to Eros in the Bible, but Eros – or erotic love – IS portrayed in the Old Testament as the physical, sensual love between a husband and wife and that sex outside of marriage is forbidden.

As for the saint himself………..

The Legend of Saint Valentine

The story of Saint Valentine
Is a legend, it is true.
But legends are delightful
and very lovely, too.
The legend says Saint Valentine,
imprisoned in a cell,
Was thinking of his little flock
he had always loved so well.
He wanted to assure them
of his friendship and his love,
So he picked a bunch of violets
and sent them by a dove.
And on the violet's velvet leaves
he pierced these lines divine...
They simply said "I LOVE YOU
and I'm your Valentine."
So through the years that followed
from that day unto this,
Folks still send messages of love
and seal them with a kiss.
Because a Saint in prison
Reached outside his bars one day
And picked a bunch of violets
and sent them out to say
That Faith and Love can triumph
no matter where you are,
For Faith and Love are greater
than the strongest prison bar.
author

~ Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


My word it was perishing in church yesterday.......hopefully it is going to be sorted this week. I don't know how the lady in the bare shoulder dress coped :-D It really was one of those mornings. Despite the cold, the organist was poorly, the printer was broken and the vicar had dragged herself from her sick bed to be with us. She sounded like a walrus with croup poor thing. However, we all rallied round and the baptism went off well - the family were very happy with things. :-)


For today.....

This week brings us St. Valentine’s Day……..red roses, chocolates and proposals of marriage…..very much a day based on romantic love.

The word LOVE is everywhere this month, but it is not always used to mean the same thing. We LOVE pizza and we LOVE our children and we LOVE our spouse and we LOVE the new dress our friend is wearing. Love gets used a lot, so we have a responsibility to understand the different forms this takes – from a Christian perspective.

AGAPE (Ag-apay)
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ~John 15:13
Agape love is not based on any circumstances or feelings. It is unconditional love, acted upon on a regular basis, with no expectation of love in return. Love in action. Agape love is how God loves each and every one of us and it is how He wants us to love one another.

Lord, help us to love each other as you want us to. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Poor kandj.......it goes on and on. Sending lots of love and prayers.... <3


The Collect (special prayer) for today :
Almighty God,
who alone can bring order
to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity:
give your people grace
so to love what you command
and to desire what you promise,
that, among the many changes of this world,
our hearts may surely there be fixed
where true joys are to be found;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The reading is from Matthew 5 where Jesus states his very forthright views on anger, adultery and divorce.

We have another baptism this morning....a little girl of three and a half. The churchwarden has told me that we are fully booked with baptisms until the end of the year and that people are still enquiring. It looks as though we will have to put an extra service per month on to accommodate them all..................


Cx :-)

Oh dear, poor Kandj, you are having a rotten time of it. Surely things must get better for you soon. You are in my thoughts <3. Amen to your prayer for the sick.

Amen too to your prayer today Cynthia - something for us all to aspire to.

Hello all

What a horrible few days (and nights) we have both had here. This nasty bug
is dragging us both down....... please God,it can only get better.

So many people struggle with sickness. God is ever near to help us all.

A morning prayer for the sick.

My you all be wrapped up in God's love;
Found deep in His everlasting arms.
Carried and kept, safe and cherished.
May the healing power of Christ
Breathe across your being now. Amen.

Good morning :-)

Through me
let there be kind words, a warm smile, and a caring heart.
Through me
let there be a willingness to listen and a readiness to understand.
Through me
let there be dependability, steadfastness, trust and loyalty.
Through me
let there be compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love.
Through me
let there be every quality I find, O Lord, in Thee.
Amen.


Hoping all are well. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

*waving to anyone out there* :-D


So many times
I hear people say
"We are so busy,
And have no time to pray."

Yet there we are sitting
In front of the screen,
Texting or playing,
- You know what I mean.

Why is it so hard
To set aside time,
To find solitude
And pray for a sign?

Why do we struggle
With boredom each day?
Yet, not bother taking
Ten minutes to pray?

So many hours
Are wasted each week,
When we could be praying
For the answers we seek.

So let's make a plan
At the start of each day,
To make time for God
And in that time -Pray.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Haven't heard of that building Dermot, but saw an interesting piece on a church being built of snow somewhere in Russia where the temperatures fall to -30. And we complain if the heating isn't on in our churches :-D

For today:

In the midnight times of my life
when everything seems so wrong
Just help me to remember
that Your name will bring a song.

For when I whisper "Jesus"
My darkness turns to day,
I see You here beside me
I can hear the words You say.

You tell me that You love me
That Your son died to set me free,
That I'd never be alone
Because You are here with me.

Lord, help me to remember
my answer is in Your hands
When all else fails, You'll be here
And Your strength will help me stand.


Cx :-)

'A Christian monument built of a million bricks, each representing a prayer said to have been answered by Jesus, is being designed as a landmark to rival the Angel of the North.

A million people will be invited to pay £10 towards a brick and tell a story about their experience. It is hoped that the ‘Wall of Answered Prayers’ will be built near a motorway to attract the attention of passing traffic'. (The Times 08.02.17).

Perhaps President Trump may seek a quote for his Mexican project.

Good morning :-)

A prayer which means a lot to many people.......the full version

The Serenity Prayer

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

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Hello kandj, so good to see you <3

The liquid form of medication is certainly easy to take but I am not quite sure of its benefits just yet. Its only been a few days but OH is still having bouts of the 'coughing' problem some nights. I will give it another week and see what happens.

Like kandj, I do hope that Vera's neighbour's granddaughter is making a good recovery after her spinal operation.

For today:

I watch the sun rise in the sky
I ask God the question, WHY?
Why is there hatred in the world?
Why are there starving boys and girls?
Why is there addiction everywhere?
Why are there people not willing to share?
Why is there prejudice and fear?
Why are these people not willing to be near?
I say, God please tell me why.
Then he whispers a simply reply
You must experience bad to know the good
You must do right, as you know you should
You must love me, yourself and everyone
You must spread hope, faith and love ‘til your life is done
You must do unto others as you want them to do to you
You must persevere in all you do
All these things you must embrace
And God assures, everything else will fall into place.



Cx :-)

Hello all

Beautiful/meaningful words and food for thought indeed Cynthia. For me, God is near in the early hours as we cope with ongoing disturbed night's sleep. It is good to "talk" and share worries and hand our troubles over this way.
I hope your OH has the liquid medication now and it will help him to improve a little.

Bad back conditions can be so painful and debilitating, we know that from personal experience. so I hope things have calmed down for your OH now Vera.
Thank you for your condolences. It is not what we would wish for the start of 2017.

What a worry for your neighbour and her family. I pray her granddaughter's spinal operation went well and that this young girl will make a good recovery in the future.

Praying that tonight will bring a restful healing sleep for each and every one. xxx