General Chat

Good morning :-)


I love Celtic prayers and blessings too kandj. Maybe time to have a Celtic week soon :-D


For today:

Today we take a look at a Christian symbol which is quite familiar… The Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end.

These symbols represent the eternal nature of Jesus Christ and God. Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last – together, form a symbol for one of the names of Jesus, meaning ‘the beginning and the end’.

As symbols, the Alpha and Omega were used in early Christianity and appeared in the Roman catacombs. Putting the two together, they represent the eternity of Christ as the Son of God.

Lord, we thank you that you are with us always, from the beginning of our lives to the end and beyond.  Amen



Cx :-)

Hello all

So the GP says to keep taking the tablets? We will all be rattling together then Cynthia

I love this Celtic knot symbol for the Trinity. I love all the Celtic blessings too.

May the God of peace
bring peace to this house.
May the Son of peace
bring peace to this house.
May the Spirit of peace
bring peace to this house.
This day and all days.
Amen.

Good morning everyone :-)


"Keep on with the painkillers" was the gist of the advice from the doctor yesterday......yeah......right. Double Ouch.

For today :

Triquetra - Also known as The Trinity Knot.

Like all Celtic knots the triquetra is constructed of one continuous line interweaving around itself symbolising no beginning or end, an eternal spiritual life.

The Celts favoured the idea that everything important in the world came in threes; three stages of life, three elements, three domains; earth, sea and sky, past, present and future.

The triquetra is sometimes drawn weaving around a circle, symbolising the unity of the three parts.

The Christians adopted this knot because it fitted in so well with our belief system. To us it came to represent The Son, Father and Holy Spirit.

I DO wish we could post images on our threads sometimes.........sigh


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Can I join in with an occasional OUCH when I turn too quickly and pull my neck.
I hope all will be straightforward with your son's knee scan Cynthia.

Vera I hope your OH will get good results when he has his tests.

After reading today's post I am now singing the lovely BB hymn..... join in.

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

Chorus
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.

Good morning :-)


So glad your OH has recovered Vera......but I think that having some tests done is a wise decision.

I think I will have to visit the doc soon - my back and leg are really playing up - sciatica. I think it stems from the fact that I have to pull my OH out of chairs quite a lot.....:( Ouch and double ouch.

My son is waiting for the results of a scan on his knee which will probably be followed by an operation.......we could make quite an odd couple if people watched us walking down the road together - limp, hop, limp. Limp, hop limp :-D

Anyway, for today....

The next Christian symbol we will look at is the anchor.

The anchor became a key Christian symbol during the period of Roman persecution. The first century symbol wasn't the cross; it was the anchor.

First century Christians, hiding in the catacombs, would have been encouraged by the sight of an anchor. It would remind them that Jesus was their anchor, and gave them hope. It reminds us that God is there during the storms of life.

The Boys' Brigade hymn "Will your anchor hold" is a great example and contains the chorus :

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!


Another hymn to keep singing during the day :-D


Cx :-)

Hello all

Like Vera, I have also heard of the pelican symbol but very many years ago now.

Vera, I hope your OH keeps well. That must have been scary for you both.

Happy moments.............................Praise God.

Difficult moments............................Seek God.

Quiet moments...............................Worship God.

Painful moments.............................Trust God.

Every moment.................................Thank God.

I had heard the pelican story a long while ago but had forgotten it. It's good to have a reminder and a re-think on the symbolism.

Thank you Cynthia for your kind thoughts for my OH. In fact, you would not think anything had been wrong with him - at the moment he is in the garden weeding. Our doctor thinks it is going to be one of those never-to-be explained mysteries but has ordered various tests to be on the safe side.

Like most people our age we have our aches and pains but I never cease to be thankful for our general good health. So today my special thoughts are for all who are coping with long term conditions and remembering their carers for whom life can be hard at times.

Good morning :-)

Oh dear Vera, I do hope that your OH is alright now. It's very frightening when that sort of thing happens. Sending love and prayers. <3

I'm glad folk are enjoying the Christian symbol theme - I'm actually finding it all very interesting myself........ :-)


A symbol of Christianity which many may not be familiar with, is the pelican.

It’s not uncommon to come across an image of a pelican—usually stabbing itself in the chest with its own beak—in ornate stained glass windows or depicted on sculptures on the sides of churches.

The avian symbol stems from a variation of a legend that circulated during medieval times that said if her chicks were starving, the mother pelican would pierce her own chest and feed the young her blood. The mother pelican would later die from the injury.

Another version says that the mother’s blood actually revived chicks that were near death.

Either way, the myths had such strong allegorical ties to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, that they became a common symbol associated with Christianity.


Love to all Cx :-)

Thank you for picking another interesting theme this week Cynthia.

Your mention of the hymn "I will make you fishers of men" brought back some childhood memories Kandj. It was a favourite of many of the children at Sunday School, though we were a little bit naughty and would often sing "I will make you vicious old men" ;-)

I add an Amen to Kandj's thoughts of those working through the night as a couple of nights ago we had cause to be grateful to two young lady paramedics who came to help OH when he had a "funny turn".

Hello all

There are several Christian signs and I look forward to reading about them.

Symbols are often good to focus and concentrate on God when worshipping.

Thinking of all who will be working throughout this night. xxx

Good morning :-)


Cheerful old hymn but can't remember when we last sang it......I will probably sing it all day now! :-D

Looking at another symbol of our faith, we look at the Chi-Rho which is the oldest known monogram for Christ. It's such a pity we can post images on the page but there are plenty of examples on Google.

Some call this symbol the "Christogram" and it dates back to the Roman Emperor Constantine (A.D. 306-337). Though the truth of this story is questionable, it is said that Constantine saw this symbol in the sky before an important battle, and he heard the message, "By this sign, conquer." Thus, he adopted the symbol for his army.

Chi (x = ch) and Rho (p = r) are the first three letters of "Christ" or "Chris-tos" in the Greek language.

Though there are many variations of the Chi-Rho, most commonly it consists of the overlaying of the two letters, and is often surrounded by a circle.

Thank you Lord for these signs by which we may recognise you.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, I have just said the very same thing to my husband.... how good it will be
for everyone to enjoy a dry Bank Holiday outside without the usual rain.

Today, here in our village it is Gala Day with lots of activities and a great number of
people attend and so we both keep away and don't risk hubby being knocked over.

I have baked and passed on buns, scones and fruit pies which will be sold at the
church cake stall today for much needed church funds. Every little helps I know.

I used to have a Christian fish lapel pin....... no idea where that is now though??

Matthew chapter 4 v 18-19 from the King James Bible reads:
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee saw two brethren, Simon called Peter and
his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea for they were fishers.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Young children, and the young in heart can sing these words now.

I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN

I will make you fishers of men,
Fishers of men, fishers of men,
I will make you fishers of men,
If you follow Me.

If you follow Me,
If you follow Me,
I will make you fishers of men,
If you follow Me.

Hear Christ calling, "Come unto Me,
Come unto Me, come unto Me."
Hear Christ calling, "Come unto Me
And I will give you rest."

"I will give you rest,
I will give you rest."
Hear Christ calling, "Come unto Me
And I will give you rest."

Have a Happy Bank Holiday Monday whatever you have in mind. xxx

Good morning :-)


Good heaven's! Its a Bank Holiday and it isn't raining :-0 :-D


We live in a world full of symbols, whether it’s a logo on a car or coat, or a picture on a door telling us where to find the toilet! A symbol is something that makes us think about something else – either as a personal reminder or as a sign to others to express a particular identity.

For two thousand years Christians have used symbols to speak about what they believe – this week we will look at some of them.

The fish is a very old symbol. In the Greek language the first letters of the words "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Saviour" spell “icthus”, which means fish. Today, Christians may wear a fish badge, or have a fish sticker on their car.

Dear God,
We are glad that in this country we can make choices about so many things.
Please help those people all over the world who have to keep their beliefs secret from others.
Thank you that you see us on the inside and know what goes on in our hearts. Amen.

Hello all

A definite coincidence..... or perhaps a God incidence there Cynthia?
I have found your daily wedding posting fascinating. Thank you.

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or the
last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory." (Betty Smith)

Happy Sunday blessings to all who read this. xxx

Good morning :-)

Fittingly enough, after our week of looking at Christian marriage, we find that today's gospel is about.....a wedding banquet :-)


The Collect (Special prayer) for today....
Almighty God,
whose only Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence:
give us pure hearts and steadfast wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
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.


In the Gospel reading from Luke, we hear Jesus telling the parable of the wedding banquet – ‘for those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Followed by the story of when giving a luncheon – invite those who cannot repay you.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Sooooo much better than last Saturday. Thank You God!

I have small cakes in the oven which I will decorate tomorrow, then make a
couple of apple pies and perhaps some scones as my contribution to the cake
stall to be held in the village Community Centre on Bank Holiday Monday for
much needed church funds. I have happier memories of our own church fairs.

The very popular and familiar 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 reading of LOVE at weddings
reminds me of the words of the last line which reads.............

"Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these
is love." from the Good News Translation Bible.

Good morning :-)

Bringing our look at Christian marriage to an end........

Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being,
look graciously upon the world which you have made
and for which your Son gave his life,
and especially on all whom you make to be one flesh
in holy marriage.
May their lives together be a sign of your love to this broken world,
so that unity may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt,
and joy overcome despair;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Cx
:-)

Hello all

I was just so pleased that my sickness bug earlier in the week had cleared so I
could join in the packed church, with my own special thoughts for Ernest yesterday.

Cynthia I am really finding the marriage words so very interesting. Thank you.

"No relationship is all sunshine, but two people can share one umbrella and weather
the storm together." (Author Anon).

Good morning :-)


David, I think compromise tends to come under the wording of courtesy, consideration and encouragement. A touch of blindness to each other's faults can help too :-D


What an interesting version of the 23rd Psalm kandj..... love it. What a lovely thing for the family to find.

For today:

In a marriage ceremony, it’s interesting how important hands are.

The bride enters the church on her father’s arm – sometimes clutching at his hand – probably because of nervousness.

Although there are options these days, the traditional service asks “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” and whoever is giving the bride away, passes the bride’s right hand to the bridegroom.

During the ceremony, the couple hold hands as the wedding rings are slipped on.

Possibly the most meaningful hand action is when the priest wraps the end of his stole around the couples hands, holds them tightly and says “Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder”.

Lord, we lift our hands to you in prayer as we think about marriage. Bless those who are contemplating marriage and those who are happily married. Comfort and strengthen those whose marriage is in difficulties and those who mourn marriage. May we and they commit ourselves and our loved ones into your loving hands. For Christ’s sake. Amen.


Cx :-)

Today has been the funeral service of our 85 years old church family friend.
who had been happily married for 58 years. This was read out by the vicar
at the families request. The girls had found it hidden in Dad's bible.

PSALM 23 - A version by the Japanese poet Toki Myashina.

The Lord is my Pacemaker. I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness
which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency, through calmness
of mind, and His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish
this day, I will not fret for His Presence is here.
His timelessness, His all-importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my
activity by anointing my head with the oil of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness
shall be the fruits of my hours,
for I shall walk in the place of my Lord,
and dwell in His house forever.