General Chat

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Mathew 5:4

Hello all

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
Psalm 34 v 18.

Praying for the people in Paris and all who are mourning. xxx

Keep hope alive.

Good morning :-)

As we struggle to come to terms with the events of yesterday, we look at the rather pertinent Collect and Gospel for today.

The Collect

Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil
and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:
grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure;
that when he shall appear in power and great glory
we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
where he is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

The Gospel Mark 13.1-8

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.’


Cx :-)

Lost for words really.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who have lost family and friends in Paris.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people
of Paris today.

I echo Cynthia's words "Let peace begin with me".

I was listening to the radio in the early hours of this morning and couldn't believe what I was hearing. My heart goes out to all those affected by these terrible events.

What terrible news to wake up to..........those poor, poor people in Paris.

As we reach the end of the week of Remembrance, I had thought that the following hymn was suitable........now, in the light of what has happened in France, I still think so.…..


Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH2FekyDKdw


Cx <3

Hello all, from a very dark, wet and windy Yorkshire.

Another interesting posting Cynthia, thank you.

This poem seems to fit in for today.

ARMY CHAPLAIN. by James J. Metcalfe

He wears a khaki uniform, the same as all the boys
He eats and sleeps and lives with them, through troubles and through joys.
He shares their trenches and their tents, and everything they do.
Including all the dangers of the battles they go through.
He brings a smile to lonely eyes that gaze across the sea,
By painting pictures of the peace to follow victory.
He heals the wounds of heart and soul, wherever soldiers fight.
He is their guardian angel in the hour of their fright.
He moves among the fallen men, where darkness draws despair
And lights the lamp of faith in God, to guide their lips in prayer.

Thinking of all in need of a hug today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Last Friday, we looked at the role of the Military Chaplains during the wars and read of three brave Chaplains who were awarded the Victoria Cross.

The role of Military Chaplain continues today and describes all professionals specially trained to serve any spiritual need, regardless of religious affiliation.

In addition to offering pastoral care to individuals, and supporting their religious rights and needs, Military Chaplains may also advise the executive on issues of religion, and ethics, morale and morals as affected by religion. They may also liaise with local religious leaders in an effort to understand the role of religion as both a factor in hostility and war and as a force for reconciliation and peace.

Military chaplains normally represent a religion or faith group but work with military personnel of all faiths and none.

In the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Defence employs chaplains, but their authority comes from their sending church.

Lord

We remember those who preach the gospel to our servicemen and women.

Thank you for their ministry.

Thank you for your faithfulness.

Thank you for their sacrifice.

Comfort their families when they are deployed. Guard the marriages of husbands and wives, separated by the call of duty.

Give our chaplains wisdom and courage for the unique challenges they face:

that they may obey Christ even as they must obey their commanding officers,

that they may live for Christ, even as many of their friends and fellow soldiers live for the world,

that they may preach Christ, even as they must work side by side with others preaching a different gospel.

Help our chaplains to keep a close watch on their life and doctrine. May they be faithful and bold in ministering the gospel.

Amen.


Continuing to remember friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Hello all

Quite right Pat, thanks for the reminder.

An interesting quotation following on from Cynthia's animal posting today.

"We have more to learn from animals, than animal have to learn from us"
(Anthony Douglas Williams).

Good morning :-)


Yes Pat, all military nurses are included in our thoughts and prayers - they all do an amazing job. :-)

Last Thursday we took a look at the various species of animal involved in the World Wars. To this day, animals are still proving to be invaluable in helping in military affairs.

Dogs and horses are still very much a part of military life but there are some new additions …

Dolphin Spies - who are trained to detect, locate and mark mines and to locate suspicious swimmers or divers.

Bomb Sniffing Bees - Honey bees are natural born sniffers who are being trained to recognise the scent of bomb ingredients. They would be placed in tubes in boxes at places like airport security with a video attached and the authorities would be alerted when the bees waved their proboscises in union.

Leg-cuffing sea lions - The sea lions carry a spring clamp in their mouths that can be attached to a swimmer or diver by simply pressing it against the person’s leg. In fact, the sea lions are so fast that the clamp is on before the swimmer is even aware of it. Once a person is clamped, sailors aboard ships can pull the swimmer out of the water by the rope attached to the clamp.


Amazing indeed..........

Lord God, Who made the earth and every living creature,
help us to treat with compassion
the animals entrusted to our care,
that they may not suffer from our neglect
nor become victims of any cruelty;
and grant that in caring for them
we may find a deeper understanding of Your love
for creation, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Cx :-)

What about PMRAFNS and Queen Alexandra's Naval Nursing Service. Edit. Sorry Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service.

No service hospitals any more but these ladies will be found at the sharp end such as Afghanistan. :-)

We will remember them.

Hello all

A very poignant poem Cynthia.

Today is Armistice Day. Hubby and I are keeping our eye on the clock and will join with others observing two minutes silence at 11am today to mark the day in 1918 when the WW1 fighting stopped.

The Allies and Germany signed an armistice in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiegne in France at 5am on 11th November. Six hours later at 11am the conflict ceased and WW1 ended.

One year later King George V announced that a two-minute silence would be observed in 1919 and this act of remembrance continues to be observed every year on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month.

"We will remember them".

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Hello all

Nice to have your input Linda. Everyone is welcome to share thoughts here.

What would we do without the ongoing care and support of nursing staff here.
Yesterday a young male Health Care Assistant called to take hubby blood and we were pleased to have a man for hubby to talk to for a while. He had changed professions from an electrician to become a nurse and was loving every single day.

N-urturing
U-understanding
R-responsible
S-mart
E-xtraordinary!

Thinking of all who have chosen a career in the Medical profession today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Hello Linda....welcome to our thread. :-)

I'm sure that God had other plans for you as he guided your life.....and that you will be a blessing in your ministry. Please share some thoughts with us..........

Last Tuesday we thought about the nurses who served in the two World Wars.

Nursing in the military these days, is very different to that of 100 years ago obviously, but The Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps is still going strong.

Army nurses and healthcare assistants can find themselves in medical regiments and field hospitals dealing with a myriad of different casualties, many with poly traumas.

Postings vary from Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHU), primary health care, field hospitals, medical regiments, instructor posts (both military and academic courses), recruiting, management and staff (administrative).

Currently Army nurses are based and deployed around the world.

Almighty God,
in you alone we find safety and peace.
We commend to your gracious keeping
all the men and women medics who serve in the Navy, the Army, or the Air Force.

As they face danger and put their lives at risk to help others, we ask you to
Defend them day by day by your heavenly power.

Help them to know that they can never pass beyond the reach of your care or out of the reach of your love.

Keep alive in them and in us, your vision of that peace for which we yearn,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Cynthia I would have loved to hav been a forces chaplain but became a minister too late

Hello all

Hubby and I watched the service at the Cenotaph and the parade afterwards...... always a very emotional viewing seeing the veterans with medals and so proud.

Today's servicemen are so brave and we pray for safety in their daily work.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15 v 13.

Thinking of servicemen/women who are struggling with physical/mental illness. xxx