General Chat

Hello all

A brighter day here, and I hope that this brightness extends to everyone who reads this Christian thread and to those who feel weighted down by worries today.

Passing on some cheerfulness, praying that joy and happiness will surround you all xxx

Good morning :-)


It's good to hear that the situations are under a certain amount of control Vera.....we'll keep praying for you and for them... <3



We have had a fairly serious few days so maybe it’s time for a little humour.

Father,

the day to day living can be so challenging and easily drain us of the pleasures in life if we’re not careful.

We thank you for our friends and family who pull us away from that mindset and add laughter to our lives.

Please bring genuine laughter to the hearts of our readers today as they go about their daily duties.

May they hear laughter and may they make laughter, verbally, and in their hearts. In the name of Jesus we pray,amen.


The following was sent to me by a friend

The dentist's hymn:... "Crown Him with Many Crowns."
The weatherman's hymn:... "There Shall Be Showers of Blessings."
The contractor's hymn:... "The Church's One Foundation."
The tailor's hymn:... "Holy, Holy, Holy."
The golfer's hymn:... "There Is a Green Hill Far Away."
The politician's hymn:... "Standing on the Promises."
The optometrist's hymn:... "Open My Eyes That I May See."
The tax man’s hymn:... "I Surrender All."
The gossip's hymn:... "Pass It On."
The electrician's hymn:... "Send Out Thy Light."
The shopper's hymn:... "Sweet By and By."
For those of you who drive, if you must speed on the motorway, please sing these:
45MPH............................"God Will Take Care of You."
55MPH............................"Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah."
65MPH............................"Neared My God to Thee."
75MPH............................"Nearer Still Nearer."
85MPH............................"This World Is Not My Home."
95MPH............................"Lord, I'm Coming Home."
Over 100MPH..................."Precious Memories."


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia and kandj for your kind words and thoughts. I have heard today from both my children. My daughter, in her words, is "not great, but OK". My son's difficulties are harder to deal with and likely to go on for rather a long while but he seems to be coping with the stress, so that is a blessing.

I have also been talking today to a friend who was suffering severe depression a couple of years ago but with the help of her doctor, her husband and one or two good friends she has made a remarkable improvement. So tonight my thoughts are with those people who are suffering mentally. May they soon see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hello all

Nice to have you posting Vera, so sorry that you have family worries.

There is an old saying, "When young, children pull at your purse strings, when they are older, they pull at your heart strings." As a Mum myself, you have my sympathy.

I love Maya Angelou quotes, so thank you Vera for sharing one.
She was a remarkable lady, so powerful and inspirational to all who read her words.

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud". I think that one is my favourite.

Remembering all new parents and their tiny babies this night. xxx

Good morning :-)


How lovely to see you Vera but so very sorry to hear that you have family worries. It's hard enough seeing your children go through problems when they are small, but at least there is usually something you can do. However, when they are grown up and have left the nest, it's hard having to take a step back as you watch them struggle. I guess our parents felt the same about us when we hit those hard patches.

Be assured though, the sun will shine again and, hopefully, all the present problems
will be put into perspective as time moves on. Thinking of you... <3



We have just passed the date, but January 18th - 25th is traditionally known as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is the week when we think of our friends from different Christian denominations.

There are many different Christian churches and denominations, but all have the same basic calling – to worship God, to share the good news about Jesus Christ and to work for the good of all people.

Lord Jesus, you said that everyone will know that we are your disciples if there is love among us. Strengthened by your grace, may we work tirelessly for the visible unity of your Church, so that the Good News that we are called to proclaim will be seen in all our words and deeds. Amen.


Praying for all those facing huge problems at the moment...... Cx :-)

Cynthia and kandj, you must be thinking you are just talking to each other, but I have been reading each day, as I am sure others have. Thank you for your continuing efforts to keep the thread going.

Cynthia, your poem/prayer on 9th Jan. rang very true for me as it probably did for many others. Sadly both my son and my daughter are having to struggle and cope with difficult and serious problems at the moment and there is little I can do to help, other than provide a listening ear and moral support. On 24 Jan. kandj had a list that included "Let go of what I can't control". I am trying very hard to do that but it is difficult not to constantly worry when your children and grandchildren are shouldering very heavy burdens and you cannot help them.

When I am feeling particularly down I remember a simple quote from Maya Angelou which I always find helpful: “No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”

I am very thankful for the good things I have in my life so today I am thinking of those who don't have my advantages or a supportive husband and loving family. May they be given strength to carry their particular load.

Hello all

Hope you soon get used to your new glasses Cynthia. Please don't do what I did.
Last month I had new reading glasses and a couple of days later I trod on them, they had fallen off the sofa and I hadn't noticed, silly me. All sorted out next day.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5 v 10. New International Version.

Pray for persecuted Christians and their families, and peace in our troubled world. xx

Good morning :-)


Picked up some new specs yesterday - for driving and reading - I don't wear them all the time. No problem with those for driving, but those for reading are taking some getting used to....I hope they settle down soon or I will be going back to make sure the correct lens have been put in :-D

We will finish our look at the Beatitudes today :


"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Almighty God,
who has taught us through your Son Jesus Christ
that those who follow Him may be persecuted;
strengthen, comfort and encourage all those who suffer harassment, violence, imprisonment and even death for being followers of Jesus.

We pray for those who persecute your people; may their hearts
be turned towards you through the faithful witness of those they persecute.

Protect members of the families and church communities of those who are persecuted and bless the work and ministry of those working in difficult and dangerous circumstances.

Amen.


Remembering those who have asked for prayer Cx :-)

Hello all

Thanks for the reminder about the tonic water Cynthia, I will get some in (perhaps the gin might be better at helping me sleep ha ha).

I don't remember hearing about Education Sunday, I will have a quick Google now.

PEACE..........It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise or trouble.
It means being in the midst of those things and still calm in your heart.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children on God.
Matthew 5 v 9.

Good morning :-)

Cramp is horrible - I hope it soon passed kandj. Are you still drinking tonic water?

I've had 2 reasonable nights plus a daytime nap - it makes all the difference.

Yesterday was Education Sunday and Y3 from our church school led the service. They were very good and talked about 'vocations'. Some excellent little readers too.

We continue with our look at the Beatitudes for two more days...

"Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God".

God of Justice, God of Peace,
May we be peacemakers by
feeding the hungry,
tending to the sick,
planting good will, and
sowing justice,
always and everywhere.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Not a peaceful night here Cynthia. I got the cramp in my foot in early hours!!!

Congratulations to your church friend on his promotion. He will be pleased.

At the start of each new day I have a "jobs to do" list which consist of general household tasks. Today, it is Sunday and my "jobs to do" list is very different.

1. Count my blessings.
2. Be kind and share smiles.
3. Let go of what I can't control.
4. Share a smile with all today.
5. Give thanks for a brand new day.

Happy Sunday blessings to you all. Relax and enjoy this God-given day. xxx

Good morning :-)


A much better night thank goodness.....I can cope if I get my sleep, otherwise I get a bit narky :-D

We had some good news about a member of our congregation yesterday, an ex churchwarden in fact, he has been made Deputy Director of Nursing for the hospital trust in our area. Well done to him.



The Collect (special reading) for today:

Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power;
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 set for today tells of how Jesus, after he had finished reading the Holy Scripture in the synagogue, told the congregation that those scriptures which they had just heard, had been fulfilled.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

We have many disturbed nights sleep here Cynthia. I hope that you and your husband will have a restful day today and a better night sleep tonight.

Reading this mornings Beatitude, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God from Matthew 5:8, has me now singing the familiar hymn......... tra la la la la

Blest are the pure in heart,
For they shall see our God.
The secret of the Lord is theirs
Their soul is Christ's abode.

The Lord who left the heavens
Our life and peace to bring,
To dwell in loneliness with men.
Their pattern and their king.

Still to the lowly soul,
He doth himself impart
and for his dwelling and his throne,
Chooseth the pure in heart.

Lord, we thy presence seek;
May ours this blessing be:
Give us a pure and lowly heart,
A temple meet for thee.

On a bright dry day today, my prayers are for the flood victims who are still
trying to make good the damage to their homes. xxx

Good morning :-)


I am so pleased that I actually dried my towels outside yesterday! It doesn't take much to make me happy does it? :-D


On the downside, I had a disturbed night with my OH so am feeling a little delicate....sigh.


For today and continuing through the Beatitudes....

"Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God".


Lord, I want to have clean hands and a pure heart.
Please expose the darkness in my life so that I may clean out the dirt and come to you in repentance for forgiveness and cleansing.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.


Thinking of all those in America who are about to experience the severe storm.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your posting Cynthia.

Love life, engage in it, give it all you've got.
Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back,
Many times over, what you put into it.
Maya Angelou.

Thinking of all volunteer workers today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Rain and more rain.......I can't wait till we get a succession of days where I can hang the washing out and watch it dry. One of the simple joys of life. :-)


Day 5 of our look at the Beatitudes....

“Blessed are the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.”

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbours’ souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, O Lord, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbours’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbour, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbours and take upon myself the most difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, O Lord, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbour, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbour.

Grant that we may be quick to forgive and slow to condemn.

Amen.


Think of all those who are undergoing any form of trauma today. Cx :-)

Hello all

Very cold and frosty/icy morning here in Yorkshire this morning...... bbbbrrrrr!!!
How blessed we are to have central heating and a warm comfortable home.

How I live my life does not mean that my life is perfect.
It means I appreciate what I have and what God has
blessed me with.

Thinking today of the refugee crisis and praying for people who
are fleeing their homes and facing and uncertain future. xxx

Good morning :-)


Oh my word, it's hard work getting on this site nowadays......... :-(



The fourth day of our journey through the Beatitudes...

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled."


Make us thirsty for you Lord, and hungry to learn more about you. May we read and study the scriptures more and be willing to share your Good News in our private lives and in our community. Amen.



Praying all are keeping well.....Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you Cynthia. The Beatitudes are interesting.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5.

"Being meek does not mean weakness, but it does mean behaving with
goodness and kindness, showing strength, serenity, healthy self-worth,
and self-control."
(Ulisses Soares).

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

Good morning :-)

Yesterday seemed to be a day of constant food preparation for me....lunch for son and then main meal for daughter and son, plus something for him to take home for the family. Delia Smith I am not. :-D


Day three of our look at the Beatitudes..

Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth
.
Lord, help us not to be ruthless with one another, and to eliminate the discord and violence that exists in the world around us. Guide us in the ways of humility;
help us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and marginalized;
show us your presence in the faces of those the world forgets. Amen.

"Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth".


Lord, help us not to be ruthless with one another, and to eliminate the discord and violence that exists in the world around us.
Guide us in the ways of humility;
help us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and marginalized;
show us your presence in the faces of those the world forgets.
Amen.


Remembering friends in prayer... Cx :-)