General Chat

Just letting Cynthia and Kandj know that they are not talking to themselves. I'm not posting much as I seldom have anything useful to add but I am reading the thread every day, as I am sure are others.

Hello all

Cynthia, I do try always to be thankful, and hopeful. My knowledgeable part could probably read "Could do better". It's good to read and gain knowledge each day.

Heavenly Father
Give wisdom, honesty and compassion to all in Parliament and local Authorities.
Guide them in their thinking and give them strength to stay away from bad ways.
Help them all to bring peace and healing to our Country and peace in all nations.
Amen.

Thinking of all who feel abandoned and let down by Politicians right now. xxx

Good morning :-)


I can understand needing to go through it again kandj and today is a bit the same. Wonder why these things have to be so 'wordy'?

Anyway, we press on with looking at the Archbishops' initiative leading up to Pentecost and today we look at praying for our government (not a bad idea really) :-D


Pray for our Government

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity….” — 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Praying for key decision-makers and leaders in our country is a powerful way to bring about change. In communicating with God, Creator of our world, and simply praying “Your Kingdom Come”, we are inviting God to intervene and move within our nation.

1. BE THANKFUL

We have so much to give thanks for when praying for our political system.
Around the world, so many nations are struggling because of corrupt leadership and governance. We are blessed with leaders who are accountable and democratically elected. Christians are able to worship without persecution and are even encouraged to play a positive role in society. We are able to engage with politics openly without discrimination or threat, and we have many Christians in positions of authority looking to God for guidance.

Start by giving thanks to God for these blessings in our political system.

2. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE

In spite of these blessings, our political system is far from perfect.
In the UK, injustice, suffering and poverty are very present, with around 13 million people living below the low-income threshold. Politics affects everyone; it is where we see not only the outcomes of injustice challenged, but the causes too. It is a spiritual battlefield we can’t ignore.

Continue by praying that God’s will is done in our country; that justice and mercy advance.

3. BE HOPEFUL

Many Christians across the UK are passionate about this country and its government. Christians in Politics is an organisation that seeks to positively engage in our political system, building relationships with those in positions of authority. These people need our prayers to be salt and light to our leaders. Find out more by going to christiansinpolitics.org.uk.

Finish by praying for those who God has called to politics, and that more will join them in this mission.



Cx :-)

Hello all

Interesting posting today Cynthia, I need to read it over again. Thank you.

A beautiful sunny day. There are several outside jobs waiting to be done,
but my get up and go, has got up and gone, and so it's a relaxing day here.

All healing occurs in a relaxed state.
There are times when we stop.
We sit still....... we listen and
breezes from a whole other world
begin to whisper. (James Carroll)

Thinking of those who have no sunshine in their lives today. xxx

Good morning :-)


My word, it was warm yesterday and it looks set to be the same today. I can cope if I am in the shade :-D

We had our parade service yesterday and it was good to see the uniformed organisations in church - happy little souls they were too :-)


The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have launched an initiative called 'Thy Kingdom Come' for the week leading up to Pentecost. It is aimed at encouraging us to pray for friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to discover the love of God in Jesus Christ.

The website for this initiative gives several ideas of how to go about this and so I thought we could look at some of them this week.

Today: Personal Prayer (you may need paper and pen)

Ask God to help you pray and read the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-15

Think of all the names you’ve heard God called 'Father', 'Jehovah', 'Lord' 'Almighty' etc.

— Which name do you most use when speaking to God?

— Read Matthew 6:12

— Think back through your last 24 hours, the things you’ve done the people you’ve met

— Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight things you’ve done wrong

— Next, ask the Holy Spirit to show you times you should have acted and did not

— Write everything that has come to mind on a piece of paper

— As you say sorry, tear it up and throw it into the bin or feed it through the shredder. Thank God for forgiving you.

“ I arise today through the strength of heaven...
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me” Amen.


I hope this is helpful. Cx :-)

Hello all

A night prayer for thankfulness

Tonight, before you sleep, think of something that makes you smile.
There is always something, no matter how bad your day has been.
You will rest better and you will awake in the morning and face
the world in a positive, thankful way. Take charge of your happiness.
(Dave Hedges)

Wishing sweet dreams to all who read this tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today is the first Sunday after the Ascension and the Collect and Gospel reading for today reflect this.


The Collect (special prayer)....

Eternal God, the king of glory,
you have exalted your only Son
with great triumph to be Lord of all;
leave us not comfortless
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
that we may labour for the coming of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Spirit,
one God now and for ever. Amen.

Love to all.......Cx :-)

Hello all

A family fun day here locally today. So glad that the sun is shining for everyone.

If you're happy and you know it clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands.

Remembering in prayer our Canadian GR members whose family and friends are
affected by the ongoing fires in the Fort McMurray areas and the firefighters too. xxx

Good morning :-)


.....and still the fires rage.......unbelievably dreadful. God bless all who are affected.


We end our journey of looking at hands by thinking of prayerful hands....

The hands which are used in spiritual healing.
The hands used to consecrate, baptise, confirm and bless.
The hands within our church which offer us the Body and Blood of Christ.
OUR hands as we receive that precious sacrament.

Lord, as we look at the way hands are used…..help us to always be useful to you and to offer ourselves to your service. Amen.



Cx :-)

I'm also thinking of those poor people
in Canada and the devastating fear and
heartbreak they are going through.

I pray for their safety and for the safety of those
who are trying to control the fires.x

Hello all

Our lives are in His hands, and He keeps our feet from stumbling.
(New Living Translation Bible)

A beautiful sunny day. Thinking of young children in parks with parents. xxx

Good morning :-)


Those fires in Canada are absolutely dreadful.......we pray for all who have lost their homes and livelihood..........


We think of the hands that are used in communication.

The hands that use sign language for those who are deaf.

The hands that signal when it is safe to move….. or not.

The hands that type and send messages around the globe.

The hands that wave to welcome us.

The hands within our church that are offered during the Peace.

Thank you Lord for these hands which help us to communicate and understand each other. Amen.



Cx :-)

Hello all

I loved singing this during the Ascension Day service. A good rousing hymn.

All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem.
And Crown Him, Crown Him, Crown Him
Crown Him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race
Ye ransomed from the fall;
Hail Him who saves you from His grace
And Crown Him, Crown Him, Crown Him
Crown Him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe
On this terrestrial ball.
To Him all majesty ascribe
And Crown Him, Crown Him, Crown Him
Crown Him Lord of all.

O, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall.
We'll join the everlasting song
And Crown Him, Crown Him, Crown Him
Crown Him Lord of all.

Remembering all who are affected by the fires in Canada. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today is ASCENSION DAY

According to the accounts in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus appeared to many of his disciples during the 40 days following his resurrection. On the 40th day, he came again to the Apostles and led them out to the Mount of Olives where he instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Then, as they were watching, he ascended into clouds. As they continued to watch, two angels appeared and declared to them that, just as he ascended, Jesus would return in glory.

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend
and with him continually dwell;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.



I'll continue with the hands theme tomorrow . Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your posting today Cynthia.

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands,
One for helping yourself and one for helping others".
(Audrey Hepburn)

Remembering all in need of prayerful support tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)

I think I have green fingers which come and go kandj. Sometimes plants thrive and sometimes they don't. :-D


Our journey with hands.....

Today we think of the hands that are skilled in the preparation of food and the hands that polish and clean.

The hands that care for our families and homes.

The hands that prepare meals for those who are sick or homeless.

The hands that clean for those who are now unable to do this for themselves.

The hands that bake and create for special occasions.

The hands which decorate and repair and bring order to our homes.

The hands that care for our churches and provide meals for the community.


Thank you Lord for these skilful hands. Amen.


Praying for those in need at this time. Cx :-)

Hello all

I have green fingers...... always have had from being a tiny tot "helping" my lovely Dad plant vegetables and flowers. He taught me the joy of being in a garden and the love of planting seeds and watching God's creation at work. I loved spending time with Dad and I still miss him such a lot.

"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting hands dirty without feeling guilty and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity."
(Lindly Karstens).

Thinking of those who have a heavy heart this morning. xxx

Good morning :-)


Max Bygraves - a blast from the past :-D


Following our theme of thinking about 'hands'.......

Today’s hands to think about, are those which have green fingers……the hands that tend gardens and farms and grows our food.

The hands that plant tender seedlings and the hands which prepare and plough the soil.

The hands that drive the machinery which brings in the harvest and the hands which pack the produce ready for us to buy.

The green fingered hands within our churches that care for the flowers both inside

and out, and those that tend the church grounds.

We thank you Lord, for those green fingered hands. Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

I remember the song made popular in the 1950's You Need Hands, sung by
Max Bygraves. I look forward to reading about hands in the coming days Cynthia.

I hope that everyone has enjoyed a happy BH weekend with family or friends.

Thinking of those who have suffered a bereavement today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Fun? Well you could put it that way I suppose :-D An enormous crowd of people for just two babies. Despite the numbers, there was no unruliness we sometimes get. We had our American Archdeacon with us and I do wonder what she makes of all these northern folk. One older chap, on his way out said to her "Ah didn't know whether you wuz Irish or American". :-D


This week we will be taking a look at hands……those valuable extremities which we often take for granted…

Today……….we think of the hands that care for the sick and dying.

The hands that soothe those who are in pain or distress.

The hands that wipe away tears and hold trembling hands.

The hands that bandage wounds.

The hands that are skilled in surgery and the hands that smooth bedding for our comfort.

We think of the caring hands within our churches and thank God for them.

We thank you Lord for all those who care and comfort. Amen.


Cx :-)