General Chat

Good morning :-)


I am happy that you are enjoying the home tour.......thank you. <3


After a good meal and a relaxed time spent with good friends, it is time for bed.


Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;
watch over us as we sleep,
that awake we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep,
we may rest in his peace.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.



Of course, there is always the old prayer many of us learned as a child...


Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Amen.


Hoping to have my hair cut today - that should be a weight off my mind... :-D



Thinking of those who find sleep difficult...... Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia, I fully agree with Vera and love your idea of going through each room in the home. It doesn't matter if we return from a wonderful holiday or staying with family or have been discharged from hospital, coming back home is always a joy.

For Mother's Day this year my daughter bought a plaque that says "Mum's are the heart of the home", this now has pride of place in the hearth of our lounge.
My Granddaughter gave me a wooden plaque and the words painted on this say,
"My Mum knows a lot of things, but my Nana knows...... everything".
We all had a good laugh together at Katie's choice of gift, and this now hangs on the wall in the hall.

Our extended family are like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions,
but our roots remain as one.We are blessed to feel happy for visits here at home.

Remembering those who have lost contact with their close family members. xxx

Good morning

I am enjoying your house tour Cynthia. Our homes should be places of peace and security but sadly for many people the reality is different, so thoughts today are for the homeless and for those whose homes are places of tension and fear.

Good morning :-)


A bit late this morning - my computer was in 'update' mode.........


After a very good meal, we move from our dining room through to the room where we relax...the lounge.

Blessed are you, Gracious God,
for you have provided this place
for unwinding and enjoying company.
Give your blessing to all who share this room, that they may find joy in their relaxation,
and may we always be generous hosts. Amen.


Love to all. Cx :-)

Hello All

It also is a dark rainy morning but forecast to become brighter this afternoon.
The gardens need rain and it is one job less as I won't need to water my plants.

I remember from schooldays a simple prayer said before school dinners

Thank you for the food we eat
Thank you for the world so sweet
Thank you for the birds that sing
Thank you God for everything............... my brain is working well this morning!

We are blessed to have food to put on our table and family and friends to share it.

Many churches hold luncheon clubs and charge a small amount for a hot meal and pudding. It is an opportunity for lonely people to come together to share friendship and fellowship together each week. Food for the body and for the soul.
I used to help out and it was a way of giving hugs while greeting people and listening to the concerns of folk who never saw anyone else from one week to the next. A real privilege indeed back then, and a very humbling experience too.

Remembering the many volunteers who work among homeless people today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Cold, dark, miserable and wet...........not a nice morning at all.

Never mind, we will continue our tour around our homes and, moving from the kitchen, we go to the dining room or wherever it is that we eat.


Lord,
Thank you for family and friends
Thank you for times like these
Where we can gather together,
Share in food, drink and relax.

Please bless this meal, and all that it means.
May the food nourish us,
And the fellowship enrich our lives.
Most of all, may we always invite you into our homes,
And into our hearts.

Amen.


Thinking of those who do not have enough to eat today. Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia I can see that it is going to be very interesting, going around the house.Thanks

I have a tea towel bought several years ago at a church bazaar which states:
Bless my crazy kitchen
Bless my pots and pans
Bless my stove, that warmly glows
Bless each friend, that comes and goes.

MY KITCHEN PRAYER

Bless my little kitchen, Lord.
I love it's every nook
And bless me as I do my work,
Wash pots and pans and cook.

May the meals that I prepare
Be seasoned from above,
With thy blessing and thy grace
But most of all thy love.

Bless FOOD before us
The FAMILY beside us, and
The LOVE between us all.
Amen

The kitchen is usually known as the heart of the the home. Praying now for those families who face eviction and are dealing with financial hardships right now. xxx

Good morning :-)


Had a lovely visit from our old friend and it was good to catch up. The flu jabs were soon done and dusted.......something else out of the way ! :-D

For today :

Having come through our front door, we make our way to the kitchen – probably the busiest room in the house.

Bless this little kitchen Lord,
And those who gather here each day.
Let it be a place where we can meet
To love and laugh and pray.

Bless this little kitchen, Lord
And all who enter in,
That they find peace, joy and
Happiness, abiding still therein.



Praying for all who are preparing meals for others today. Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia, you mentioning the Boys Brigade has brought memories of when our village had a Methodist Chapel (until it was sold and pulled down for new homes!). The Boys and Girls Brigade was always well supported and we used to go regularly to join the services where Will Your Anchor Hold was always sung so loudly.

How rude of the man videoing the baptism and being so intrusive! It must have spoiled the occasion somewhat, but he will no doubt have been oblivious to that.

I look forward to your daily posting of our homes with interest. Sr Harry Secombe
singing Bless This House came immediately to my mind..... here are the lyrics....

BLESS THIS HOUSE

Bless this house, O Lord we pray
Make it safe by night and day
Bless these,walls so firm and stout
Keeping want and trouble out.

Bless the roof and chimneys tall
Let thy peace lie over all
Bless this door that it may prove
Ever open to joy and love.

Bless these windows shining bright
Letting in God's heavenly light
Bless the hearth, a-blazing there
With smoke ascending like a prayer.

Bless the people here within
Keep them pure and free from sin.
Bless us all that we may be
Fit O Lord, to dwell with thee
Bless us all, that we, one day
May dwell O Lord, with thee.

Remembering people who feel lonely or afraid in their own homes today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Certainly a busy morning.......but it was good to see so many people in church - we were full. It was also good to see the young men who belong to our Boy's Brigade, affirming their commitment to the organisation and the church.

The baptism went well also, but they had hired a photographer - even after having been told no photos because of child protection issues. He was extremely intrusive and, even though the churchwarden asked him to stop, he carried on - people were not pleased. If I had been in charge, I know exactly what I would have done!!!!

We press on......we have a visitor this morning and then we're off for our flu jabs. The excitement never ends...

I wondered about taking a look around our homes this week......so we will start with the front door................. :-)


Blessed are you, Welcoming God.
As your people come and go from this door,
be their constant companion on the way,
and welcome them upon their return,
so that coming and going
they may be sustained by your presence.
Bring to this door both friend and stranger
who come in peace,
and guard it from any who come in hostility.
May every grudge or malice be left at the door,
and may those who brought them
be so touched by grace here,
that they forget to collect them when they leave.



Love to all. Cx :-)

Hello All

Today is World Mission Day of Prayer, an opportunity for global movements of various faiths to come together in prayer. On this special Sunday, Christians are asked to pray and share the gift of faith and love of the Holy Spirit with all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Help us to live a Christian way of life and to share our faith with others.
Guide our humble efforts for unity in our church and in our world today.
Amen.

Cynthia, I hope you enjoyed the busy church with your daughter today and that your husband also was settled and relaxed watching TV when you returned home later.

Remembering all A&E departments and doctors/nurses on duty and patients who will be admitted into their care today. xxx

Good morning :-)


OH has decided not to go to church this morning.....we have the Parade Service led by the Boy's Brigade with enrolments .....and..... a baptism. He feels it would all be too much for him and I have to agree. I will make sure he is settled and watching tv whilst I go and pick my daughter up so that we can go to church.

I may need an aspirin when I get back :-D


The Collect for today :

God, the giver of life,
whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church:
by the Spirit’s gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ
and make us eager to do your will,
that we may share with the whole creation the joys of eternal life;
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.


Continuing to remember friends in prayer.......Cx :-)

Beautiful words from you both, my husband is my carer
and I am blessed to have him.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who are not
as fortunate as myself. x

Hello All

As my husband's Carer, I find strength and comfort in these words from scripture:
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love"
(Ephesians 4 v 2).

Cynthia, I haven't come across the Grail Prayer before, Amen to the words and many thanks for sharing them here.

It is Saturday and another God-given weekend. They come around really quickly.

Lord, thank you for a new day.
Please go before me and clear the way.
Thank you for protecting me.
Thank you for guiding me.
Thank you for loving me.
In Jesus name, Amen.

Thinking now of very many people who will be working this weekend. xxx

Good morning :-)

There are an incredible number of carers it seems. Folks who are willing to care for their loved ones when health fails and yes, it is tiring at times but many will find that they have peace within as they know they have done their best.


For today:

The Grail Prayer

Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work.

I give you my feet to go your way.

I give you my eyes to see as you do.

I give you my tongue to speak your words.

I give you my mind that you may think in me.

I give you my spirit that you may pray in me.

Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me
your Father and all mankind.

I give you my whole self that you may grow in me,
so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me.

Amen.


Hugs for carers..................Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia, I hope your husband will feel less weary today.

Vera, it's nice to have your thoughts and many thanks for your kind words too.

Daily life with ongoing ill-health conditions is indeed very very challenging and tiring, but also rewarding too. It's good to look around sometimes and count our blessings because you are sure to find others who are so much worse off than we are.

Thinking now of all Carers helping loved ones and all Carers who do this for a living.xx

Thank you to all you regular posters. You are read even if there sometimes seems little response.

I am fortunate in that my own health issues and those of my OH are minor, and my children and grandchildren are generally healthy. I am thankful for that so my thoughts today are for the sick and for those who care for them.

Good morning :-)

I always find that St. Theresa has some wonderful sayings attributed to her - thanks kandj.

Good and not so good days here......but we plod on...... :-D

At this time of year, we can't help but notice the changing scenery of nature around us and the glorious colours which surround us...........


So many shades of gold
Autumn
Another miracle we take for granted
Another expression of the artist's vision
The blending of the autumn hues
with the setting sun
Warm
Comforting
Perfect
Thank you for autumn, Lord


Thinking of those in any kind of need.........Cx :-)

Thanks to Cynthia and Emma for interesting posts today.

Today is the feast day of Saint Teresa of Avila
Born March 1515 in Gotterendura in Spain and
Died October 1852 in Alba de Tormes in Spain
A founder of the Carmelite order of Nuns.
Saint Teresa was beatified in 1614 and
Canonized in 1662 by Gregory XV, who
fixed her Feast Day in 15th October.
There is much written about Theresa, who is the Patron Saint of Headaches.

"I do not fear Satan half as much as I fear those who fear him"
(St Teresa of Avila).

Thinking now of the people who live in our road. xxx

This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Remembering all in need of prayer x