General Chat

Good morning :-)

I'm up early enough to do a paper round kandj......maybe something I should consider :-D


After the solemnity of Lent and the joy of Easter, maybe it is time for some humour...........plus 3 things each day to think about.


The temporary Sunday School teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply cabinet. She had been told the combination, but couldn't quite remember it. Finally she went to the parish office and asked for help. The vicar came into the room and began to turn the dial.

After the first two numbers he paused and stared blankly for a moment. Finally he looked serenely heavenward and his lips moved silently. Then he looked back at the lock, and quickly turned to the final number, and opened the lock.

The teacher was amazed. "I'm in awe at your faith, vicar" she said.

"It's really nothing," he answered. "The number is on a piece of tape on the ceiling."
:-D


Three things to think about :

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back :

1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity.



Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Not thinking of taking up a paper round are you Cynthia?? Amen to Collect today.

A Sunday well spent, brings a week of content.
(A Chinese Proverb)

It is a beautiful God given day here today. Blue sky, white fluffy clouds and sunshine. Another day, another blessing.

Thinking of young children who will enjoy playing outside today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Funny you should say about whistling kandj - I have taken to whistling around the house these days - no idea why and it's rather tuneless at times :-D


This Sunday is traditionally known as both 'Low' Sunday and 'Quasimodo' Sunday.
'Low' possibly referring to the contrast from the 'High' festival of Easter last week, and 'Quasimodo' from the Latin text of the traditional Introit for this day, which begins "Quasi modo geniti infantes..." roughly translated as "As newborn babes desire the rational milk without guile...".

It is also the day on which a newborn infant was found on the steps of Notre Dame cathedral and named Quasimodo - in the famous book by Victor Hugo.

The Collect (special prayer) for today.....

Almighty Father,
you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification:
grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness
that we may always serve you
in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, I was brought up in a home with lots of singing. It is second nature to me.
The postman/milkman used to whistle in the mornings too. I never hear anyone whistling now. How times change (and not always for the better, imho.)

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud,
and as the garden causes the things that grow in it
to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause
righteousness and praise to spring forth
before all the nations.
(Isaiah 61:11)

Goodbye Winter..... Hello Spring. Wishing you all the Joys of Spring. xxx

Good morning :-)


My word kandj, you have been doing lots of singing lately........and such lovely song too :-D

As we come to the end of our thoughts on Easter for this week, we end with this lovely poem...


God, give us eyes to see
the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty
in every living thing -

And may we see in lacy leaves
and every budding flower
The Hand that rules the universe
with gentleness and power -

And may this Easter grandeur
that Spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith
lying dormant in our hearts,

And give us ears to hear, dear God,
the Springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful
than man's often empty words

Telling harried human beings
who are lost in dark despair -
'Be like us and do not worry
for God has you in His care'.

- Helen Steiner Rice.


God bless all those who feel lost and lonely this weekend. Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia after reading your post I am now singing this old hymn, tra la la la la

LOVING SHEPHERD OF THY SHEEP.

Loving shepherd of Thy sheep
Keep Thy lamb in safety keep;
Nothing can Thy power withstand
None can pluck me from Thy hand.

We would praise Thee everyday
Gladly all Thy will obey
Like Thy blessed ones above
Happy in Thy precious love.

Loving Shepherd, ever near
Teach Thy lambs Thy voice to hear;
Suffer not our steps to stray
From the strait and narrow way.

Where Thou leadest we would go
Walking in Thy steps below,
Till before our Father's throne
We shall know as we are known.

I can't think of more appropriate words to follow today's thread.

Thinking of all who will work throughout this night. xxx

Good morning :-)


I can remember sing that kandj.........rarely hear it now though :(


Shortly after yesterday’s story of another resurrection appearance by Jesus, is the moving story of Peter’s re-instatement. Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus three times during his master’s trial, is questioned by Jesus… three times. It is during this questioning that Jesus gives Peter the famous charge to “Feed my sheep.” It goes like this...........


When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep."


Lord, we are your people, the sheep of your flock.
Heal the sheep who are wounded.
Touch the sheep who are in pain.
Clean the sheep who are soiled.
Warm the lambs who are cold.
Help us to know the Father's love through Jesus the shepherd, and through the Spirit. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Reading today's posting I recall there are several places in the bible where Jesus
spoke to the fishermen......He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men". (Matthew 4;19 NIV).

I am also reminded of the song (with actions) we taught the little ones to sing in church. It was a favourite of the young and the young at heart!

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.

Awww, that was very many years ago and we all had such a lot of fun back then.

Thinking of all the people who feel weighted down by worries today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Yes kandj, I am busy recalling the occasions where Jesus was seen after the resurrection.

This is the third occasion....and it went like this...........




It was soon after His death that several of the disciples returned to their old profession as market fisherman. Seven of them had been out all night with no success, when far away on the shore a man told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat.


"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"

As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed him in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from the shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead."


Praying for those who live in fear of losing their job. Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, you are kept busy sharing Scripture with us. Thank you, it is very much appreciated.

Looking around the garden I can see the tulips are almost in bloom and we have some shaded Daffodils that are about to bloom too. Spring is here!

I have been sorting some books and I came across a copy of a book that I bought when our Grandson was in Primary school (He is now at Uni). It has a great many poems all written by the children and published as a fund-raising effort for the school. This one won't be included in those marked for charity!

The poem written by our Grandson Jack is entitled: SPRING.

S is for the singing of all the birds
P is for the plants that are re-growing
R is for roses, for pretty girls
I is for the insects that eat the pollen
N is for No, because there is no noise
G is for the grass, all the daisies come out.

Aww, I'm sure Jack has forgotten all about this poem. I need to ring and remind him. He will probably be a little embarrassed, but I'm his Nana and it's my job lol

Remembering all families affected by the Port Talbot steel crises right now. xxx

Good morning :-)


Continuing with some of the stories from after the resurrection ......

When Jesus showed himself to the disciples on the evening of the day of his rising from the dead, only ten of the disciples saw him - Judas was dead and Thomas was missing. The other disciples said to Thomas, "We have seen the Lord!"

But Thomas said, "I will not believe that he has risen unless I can see in his hands the marks of the nails on the cross. I must see them with my own eyes, and put my hand into the wound in his side, before I will believe."

A week passed away, and on the next Sunday evening the disciples were together again, and at this time Thomas was with them. The doors were shut but suddenly Jesus was seen again standing in the middle of the room. He said, as before, "Peace be with you."

Then he turned to Thomas, and said to him, "Thomas, come here, and touch my hands with your finger, and put your hand into my side; and no longer refuse to believe that I am living, but have faith in me!" And Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."


I have seen a good cartoon where the disciples are eating together but looking stunned. Thomas is going on about the fact that dead men don't come alive......then stops and says "He's behind me, isn't he?" :-D :-D


Cx :-)

Hello all

May this Easter tide bring untold happiness
and joy in your life, knowing that even when
we feel like giving up, there is still hope in the Resurrection.

Thinking of all in need of prayerful support tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)

Easter may be over, but the resurrection of Jesus is not the end of things…….there are several interesting stories where people come face to face with the risen Lord……

One of the most famous stories is where Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus.

With tantalizing but confused rumors of the empty tomb still spreading, Jesus appears in disguise to a pair of his followers. After visiting with and teaching them for some time, Jesus reveals himself in a beautifully-described scene:

‘When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ‘

This story of the disciples on the Emmaus Road is important for many reasons.

It provides an emphasis on the Old Testament prophecies related to Jesus.

It gives evidence regarding an additional appearance of Jesus.

It is often seen as a model of the journey that Jesus makes with many of us today, as He opens our eyes, points us to the Word, and reveals Himself along life’s walk as the resurrected Saviour and Lord.

Food for thought indeed. Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your prayers Cynthia.

What heartbreaking scenes on TV from Brussels and Lahore.... words fail me.

Spread love everywhere you go,
Let no-one ever come to you without leaving happier.
(Mother Teresa)

He has risen.
Have faith in Him
And He will always be there for you.

Remembering in prayer, the family and friends of people in Brussels/Lahore. xxx

Good morning everyone and what dreadful news to wake up to - the killing of so many of the Christian community, many of whom were women and children, as they celebrated Easter in Lahore.

Loving God,
Welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism.
Comfort their families and all who grieve for them.
Help us in our fear and uncertainty,
And bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love.
Strengthen all those who work for peace,
And may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts.
Amen.

A prayer to cheer us.....


AN EASTER PROMISE

If we but had the eyes to see
God's face in every cloud,
If we but had the ears to hear
His voice above the crowd,
If we could feel His gentle touch
In ever Springtime breeze
And find a haven in His arms
'Neath sheltering, leafy trees...
If we could just lift up our hearts
Like flowers to the sun
And trust His Easter Promise
And pray, "thy will be done",
We'd find the peace we're seeking,
The kind no man can give,
The peace that comes from knowing
He died so we might live!

- Helen Steiner Rice


Lovely to see the comments from yesterday. Cx :-)

The old ones are the best ones Ann. imho.

Oh yes always loved Thine be the Glory, another rousing tune.

Just checked and Up from the grave He arose wasn't in the Baptist hymn book but I found it in the Alexander hymn book. I have three hymn books here inherited from my Mum ( the other one is a very delapidated Billy Graham one). I don't have a piano so not sure why I keep them. However, it is surprising how often I refer to them. :-D :-D

Back again. Hello Emma and Ann. Nice to have you both join in today, and thanks for your kind words. Very much appreciated.

I can't leave this special Easter hymn out! I'm singing this one now ha ha.

THINE BE THE GLORY............ tra la la la la

Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death has won;
Angels in bright raiment's rolled the stone away.
Kept the folded grave clothes, where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
Let the church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing
For her Lord now liveth, death has lost it's sting.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
Life is naught without thee, aid us in our strife;
Make us more than conquerors, through they deathless love;
Bring us safe to Jordan to thy home above.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

I hope everyone is enjoying a Happy Easter Day, whatever you have planned. xxx

Kandj, I had forgotten the second hymn you put up there. Shall be singing it all day now Lol!! I can hear my dad singing it at church (Baptist). He loved to sing and had a very good voice (as did my Mum).

Happy Easter to all on here.

I agree with Emma, thank you for this thread, I don't look in every day, but quite a few, a haven of peace. :-) :-) :-) :-)

Happy Easter Day to you both x

Thank you for keeping this thread going,
a blessing and a joy to read every day x