General Chat

Hello All

I do remember this way of bringing others to church for this particular Sunday service. I have to say that I don't remember that it ever really added to the regular numbers in our congregation. I do hope that this special service works better now.

Day 3 in the book of 90 Days to Stress-Free Living suggests the word BREATH
to focus upon and Feel Good About Yourself today.

Breathing is something we all do from the moment we are born until we take our last breath and we die. But I think that it is something that we take for granted and never really think about, unless medical conditions make breathing difficult.

Many years ago I attended a weekly Yoga class where we were all taught to breathe correctly. Thankfully, this method has never really left me but I do need to be reminded sometimes.

I woke up today breathing, seeing, talking, moving
I choose to thank God, rather than complain about
silly little things.

Thinking now of all who struggle daily with respiratory conditions. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today is known as 'Back to Church Sunday', a day to encourage people who have drifted away from the church, to return. I'm not awfully sure of the impact it has, but I would hope that folk would always be welcomed back to church. :-)


The Collect for today:

Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face; 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.


With my love

Cx :-)

Cynthia I certainly do remember those special words but I had no idea they were
called the Sarum Prayer.

Day 2 of my book suggests that we should take a few minutes to feel good and think about..... WHO YOU ARE............???

A thought balancing exercise is to sit quietly and remember that.....

I have a mind, a powerful intelligent mind. I love my mind for it allows me learn and to experience life.

For the next two minutes relax and repeat the power word for today which is BLESS.

Good morning :-)


Avoid your full length mirror kandj? In my case it would be better if I just wore a blindfold! :-D

It's a beautiful morning here, so I must make the most of it and get some washing out soon.

For today.......how many of you remember this........?

Sarum Prayer

God be in my head and in my understanding.
God be in my eyes and in my looking.
God be in my mouth and in my speaking.
God be in my heart and in my thinking.
God be at my end and at my departing.


We used to sing this at school if I remember rightly - back in the days when schools had 'proper' assemblies !


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qif2rfBmcTA


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello All

Another bright dry God-given day here in Yorkshire today, a real blessing indeed.

Vera, I was told that there is also a Methodist chapel in Walsingham village too but I must have missed that one. It is truly an amazing experience to walk beside so many other people with various faiths.

Cynthia, what a lovely idea and a good and positive gesture from your son and DIL to help make other aware of the effect PD has on patient and families too.

My daughter bought me a book a couple of years ago entitled
90 Days To Stress Free Living........ I have still never got beyond the first three chapters!! We both laughed as she handed the book over. It is important to keep a sense of humour I think. Now I have dusted the book off and I am going to try to read the daily recommendations...... whether I am able to follow the advice remains to be seen. I will share the quotes with you all on here each day, if I may?

Day 1. Feel good about yourself. Love your body....hmmmm that means I have to
avoid the full length mirror in the hall.

Thinking of all who will visit hospital outpatient clinics today. xxx

Good morning :-)


I have never been to Walsingham but would love to go one day as I have heard so much about it. :-)


Our son and his wife have decided that, next year, they want to do the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Parkinson's because of his dad. He has set up a FB page in his name to help raise awareness of this disease and hopes to be sponsored nearer the time. He wants me to add to the page by saying what life is like living with this illness etc. so I will do my best to comply. It is a very strenuous challenge and they will start training soon. We are very touched by their thought. <3

For today:

Do you want what you want when you want it?
Do you pray and expect a reply?
And when it's not instantly answered,
Do you feel that God passed you by?

Well, prayers that are prayed in this manner
Are really not prayers at all,
For you can't go to God in a hurry
And expect Him to answer your call.

Prayers are not meant for obtaining
What we selfishly wish to acquire,
For God in His wisdom refuses
The things that were wrongly desire.

And don't pray for freedom from trouble
Or pray that life's trials pass you by,
Instead pray for strength and for courage
To meet life's dark hours and not cry ...
That God was not there when you called Him
And He turned a deaf ear to your prayer
And just when you needed Him most of all
He left you alone in despair.

Wake up! You are missing completely
The reason and purpose of prayer,
Which is really to keep us contented
That God holds us safe in His care.

And God only answers our pleadings
When He knows that our wants fill a need,
And whenever our will becomes His will
There is no prayer that God does not heed.

~Helen Steiner Rice ~


Holding friends in need in prayer. Cx :-)

Good that your husband was able to enjoy a stroll with you Cynthia.

Kandj, I have also been to the Anglican shrine at Walsingham, though not the Roman Catholic one. It was several years ago and I remember being surprised at the Russian Orthodox Church in the village. I would like to go back and revisit. It is only about 2 hours drive from us so is quite "doable".

Thinking of all those in need of a friend tonight.

Thank you Cynthia, you are very good at finding snippets that bring a smile.

24th September is remembered as the feast day of Our Lady of Walsingham.
This title is given to Mary, the Mother of Jesus to promote unity and love to all.
Two shrines are built in Walsingham, Norfolk and described as England's Nazareth.

I have been privileged in the past to be a part of two pilgrimages.

One, was to the Roman Catholic shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham with my sister in law and her church.

Another time I visited the Anglican shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham with friends from my own church family. Both events gave me an amazing humbling experience
There is something magical walking in the Walsingham village streets where Christians have walked the "Holy Mile" for centuries. There is a Slipper Chapel at the start of the walk and an opportunity to wash feet and then walk the Holy Mile barefoot. Many chose to do this but I chickened out and I declined this invitation!

Remembering many who join in fellowship and Christian love at Walsingham. xx

So pleased to hear that your husband was able to
enjoy his stroll with you yesterday Cynthia x

Rembering all in need x

Good morning :-)

We had a lovely stroll yesterday morning and my husband coped well. The route we took led us past some Himalayan Balsam which, apparently, is considered a nuisance, but I love popping the seed pouches. Second childhood I think :-D


Now, did anyone know this about angels? :-D :-D


It's hard to become an angel. First, you have to die. Then you go to heaven and go through flight training. And then they make you agree to wear those angel clothes.

The only two angels I know of are Hark and Harold.

Angels work for God. They watch over little kids when God has to go do something else.

Certain angels are in charge of helping heal your sick pets. And if the pets don't get better, they help the child get over it.

Angels have lots to do and they keep really busy. Like when you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through the window and leaves money under the pillow. Then when it gets cold outside, they go south for the winter.

Angels live in cloud houses. These are made by God and His son, who is a really good carpenter.

What I don't understand about angels is why, if someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them.

When an angel gets angry, he takes a deep breath. Then he counts to ten. When he lets his breath out, there's a tornado somewhere.

All angels are girls because the boys didn't want to wear dresses.


Thinking of those who need some lightness in their lives just now. Cx :-)

Cynthia, I hope your husband was well enough for you both to enjoy a little stroll today.

My husband has commented on Cosmos flowers (pink and white) that are making our borders look pretty and cheering the two of us up. He was very impressed when I told him that I had bought both coloured Cosmos from seed and planted them earlier this year and then put them out in the front and back garden borders
A little time and effort from me has brought so much pleasure and joy, for just the small cost of the seed packets . A real bargain, recognizing God's creation around to enjoy for so many days. Thank you Lord.

Our small world is made brighter and more beautiful because of our Lord's help.

Thinking of people who can see no beauty in their lives today. xxx

Good morning :-)


It's such a pleasant morning that we are hoping to go for a little stroll later. We'll see how things go.....


For today:

God our Father,
if I could trace back through the last two thousand years, marking out routes from Jesus himself and then through people whose faith has touched others and so reached me, I would be astounded by the individuals I would encounter.

I give thanks, Father, for all those people over two thousand years who have inspired others and played their part in passing on to generation after generation the living heritage of their faith.

Especially I give thanks for those who lived their faith through difficulties and hardship and persecution.

I pray, Father, that I may grow in your faith and love through good times and bad.

Amen.


Remembering all who are facing difficult times at the moment. Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia..... I know the feeling and patience is high on my daily prayer list as each day is challenging but always rewarding imho.

I believe that God has a plan for us all. I pray for direction to follow it, patience to wait on it and knowledge to know and recognize daily miracles around.

Remembering all who face worries and difficulties this day. xx

Good morning :-)

Lovely words from both Emma and kandj......thank you. <3

The hospital appointment was over quite quickly - they are just keeping the medication as it is - it seems as though my OH is as good as he is ever likely to be...which is what I suspected. He has been given antibiotics for his leg, which he has been advised to keep raised. He has had his 'awkward head' on re this though and I am about to administer a severe reprimand..... :-D :-D :-D


For today :


When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless effort,
God knows how hard you have tried.

When you've cried so long your heart is in anguish,
God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by,
God is waiting for you.

When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated,
God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope,
God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for,
God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe,
God has smiled on you.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are feeling,
God knows.



Praying for all those with hospital appointments today.....Cx :-)

Emma, very simple but meaningful words....... thank you.

Cynthia, Harvest Festival services are indeed very different, but we all are sure to keep close the happy memories of a much simpler church way of life many years ago.
I do hope that all went well at the hospital for your husband today.
My husband has ongoing hospital outpatient appointments with various Consultants and so I can appreciate how anxious and worrying these visits can be.

Today it is the International Day of Peace, although there are little signs of this now.

In the quite stillness of your heart, pray for peace in the world and dignity for us all.

FACE EAST and pray for the beginning of peace around our world.

FACE SOUTH and pray for the warming of hearts among enemies.

FACE WEST and pray for the steeling of violence and hostilities.

FACE NORTH and pray for the discovering of our way to love and peace.

Remembering all refugees who are wanting food and shelter and love and peace. xx

Life always offers you a second chance.
It's called Tomorrow.

Remembering all in pain who pray for a better tomorrow. x

Good morning :-)


Harvest has certainly changed over the years and your words brought back happy memories kandj........thank you. <3

Our modern day harvest went well yesterday - lots of people in church - lots of tinned food everywhere. The school are holding their harvest service in church this morning, after which, during the week, the food will be taken by a local food bank for distribution to the needy.

OH didn't make it yesterday but it's possibly just as well because it was such a busy service. Today we are off to Walton Hospital for an appointment with the Registrar. There really isn't much they can do, apart from tweaking his meds I think.


For today:

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation,
for having made us all different.
What I don’t know about you I need to learn
from others because they reflect your image
and likeness in a different way.
I ask you to lead me to seek to understand the many people of good will who are different from me.

Lord our God, may we grow as people
who think of others and see their needs
never “passing by on the other side”,
but being willing to make sacrifices
and be generous for the good of others.
Amen.


Praying for all sick children at this time.......... Cx :-)

Hello All

I can remember how busy the village used to be in digging up fresh produce for the Harvest Festival service in church very many years ago now.

The village baker would always bring a huge flat bread shaped as a sheaf of wheat and this was given pride of place on the altar. After the traditional Harvest Festival service good were auctioned bagged and taken to the elderly folk in our village. They were always so grateful and it was a good way to knock on doors and bring church and villagers together in this way.

The Harvest Supper was always another very important church event, held in the church hall (sadly sold off many years ago and never replaced??!!). The village drama group would present a little entertainment and a good time was had by one and all. I seemed all so simple back then. Hard work as I recall, but very rewarding and I have lovely memories now to look back upon.

For our cereals and our grain, we thank you Lord
For our cereals and our grain, we thank you Lord
For our cereals and our grain
For the sun and for the rain
For our cereals and our grain, we thank you Lord.

Thinking now of families who have a need to use the food banks. xxx

Good morning :-)


Yes, Harvest time once again. I hope we will be singing some traditional harvest hymns too.......it's the only way the youngsters will learn them as they aren't taught in school.

The Collect for Harvest Sunday

Eternal God,
you crown the year with your goodness
and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season:
grant that we may use them to your glory,
for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being;
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.


Thinking of all those who need food and shelter today.

Cx :-)

Oh goodness Cynthia, is it really that time of year again?

I used to love the traditional Harvest Festival hymns and felt quite cheated if they were left out of the service. This is one of my favourites and goes way back to school days

We plough the fields and scatter
The good seed on the land
But it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand
He sends the snow in Winter
The warmth to swell the grain
The breezes and the sunshine
And soft refreshing grain.

All good gifts around us, are sent from Heaven above
So thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
For all His love.

Remembering all in need of prayer tonight.