General Chat

Hello All

Cynthia, I also had a little laugh at your post today. Family life can be hectic and feel like it goes on forever, then the years go by and children move out and life changes.
Our family visit us as often as school and work commitments allow. It's good to share hugs and laughs together. When they all go back home, then our bungalow seems rather quiet once again......... until next time.

"Laughter not only makes the journey endurable and even more enjoyable'
it also helps keep us healthy. Become like a child and learn to laugh more".
{Joyce Meyer}

Hope that Sylvia continues to improve each day. xx

Remembering all who are struggling with family relationships today. xx

Thank you Cynthia. That poem rings very true and made me smile. There were times when the family were young when I threatened to change my name so I didn't have to respond to endless calls of "Mum...."

Thinking today of all who are alone in the world and don't have the blessing of family.

Good morning :-)

Yes, I have been in touch with Sylvia in Canada and she has been poorly, the cause of which seems to have been a mosquito bite and her reaction to the antibiotics etc. Hopefully, she is now on the way to a full recovery.


Family are indeed a blessing - most times :-D


With this in mind, I thought a little humour might be in order :-D


Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my sanity to keep.
For if some peace I do not find,
I'm pretty sure I'll lose my mind.

I pray I find a little quiet,
Far from the daily family riot.
May I lie back and not have to think
About what they're stuffing down the sink,

Or who they're with, or where they're at
And what they're doing to the cat.
I pray for time all to myself
(did something just fall off a shelf?)

To cuddle in my nice, soft bed
(Oh no, another goldfish--dead!)
Some silent moments for goodness sake
(Did I just hear a window break?)

And that I need not cook or clean
(well heck, I've got the right to dream)
Yes now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my wits about me keep,

But as I look around I know,
I must have lost them long ago!
I ask you Lord, to keep me young
and thank you now for all you've done.


Cx :-)

Hello All

Thank you for your kind words. I'm still feeling tired but its nothing that a week's holiday won't cure (in my dreams ha ha). I'm still hanging on to my sense of humour though.
Our family visited yesterday so I got to be waited on for a change. We all enjoyed relaxing together and catching up with news face to face instead of Skype or text or phone calls. You can't easily give hugs with these methods of communication.

Cynthia I hope everyone in church will be comfortable with the baptism of the little ones today. It is a special family time to get together for a happy family celebration.

"Blood makes you related but love and loyalty make you a family"

Having somewhere to go is HOME
Having someone to love is FAMILY
Having both is a real BLESSING.

Thinking today of all babies and children who are ill in hospital needing treatment.xx

EDIT: Reading Sallie's comments then obviously Sylvia isn't very well right now.
I hope that Sylvia will feel better before long. Sending her love and prayers xx

kandj I hope you are feeling lots better today.x

Cynthia, thank you so much for letting us know about Sylvia. I have been wondering where she was and hoping that she was alright. If you are in touch with her again, please would you pass on our love and get well wishes. Hope we will see her back on GR very soon.
Hope that everything is alright with you and your family.


Thank you again.

Take care.

Love and best wishes.

Sallie. xx

Good morning :-)

Hope your get up and go returns soon kandj......you must get so exhausted at times bless you. <3


Four infants for baptism today.........we pray that God will bless them as they begin their Christian journey.

The Collect for today:

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you that we,
loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Praying for all those who are to be baptised today - wherever they may be.


Cx :-)

Hello All

My get up and go has got up and gone today and so everything has taken twice as long as it normally would and a lot of effort needed.... hey ho... tomorrow is another day and hopefully will be a whole lot better.

Cynthia, it's good to read that your husband's recent flare-up has improved and fingers crossed that you both might be able to join in worship at church tomorrow.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40 v 29 (NIV)

Thinking of all who are travelling on the busy roads whether for work or pleasure xxx

Remembering all in need of comfort at this time.x

Good morning :-)

Very grey, cloudy and damp here this morning but there is a promise of sunshine later in the day.

During this last week, my husband has been able to potter around our little patio tending the plants. Yesterday, he managed to get to lunches at church. It's all a matter of timing with his meds......not sure we will get them right for church tomorrow, but we will try.


For today:

As the sun rises bringing a new dawn
Help me this day to allow your hope to rise up within me.
That I may carry this new dawn
To my family, my work and my dreams.
And remember that I am forgiven
And I'm living anew today. Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello All

The sun is out and is a real blessing and a good tonic for everyone to enjoy today.

MY TO-DO LIST FOR TODAY

Count my blessings

Practice kindness

Let go of what I can't control

Listen to my heart

Be productive yet remain calm

Just breathe

Enjoy everything I do

Take time to smell the flowers.

(Reiki Precepts)

Wishing everyone a happy sunny Friday.
Remembering those who can see no brightness in their lives today. xxx

Good morning :-)


I do so agree with you re the Sunday opening hours kandj. Quite a long while ago, there was the 'Keep Sunday Special' campaign, but that seems to have disappeared. I'm sure it's all to do with greed on the part of the retailers, and a certain amount of boredom on the part of the consumer (apart from those whose shift work plays havoc with their daily routine.)


For today:

God in my waking
God in my thinking
God in my actions
Take my everyday life and live in me.
Amen.


Remembering those in any kind of need at this time. Cx :-)

Good Evening All

I'm sure that all those who joined you yesterday Cynthia came out of church enlightened by your talk on the true reason for babies baptism.

Today is the feast day of Saint Augustine Zhao Rong. Christianity arrived in China in 600's. Augustine was a Chinese soldier who accompanied his Bishop to his martyrdom in Beijing. Augustine was baptized and not long after was ordained as a diocesan priest. He was martyred in 1815.

Saints are holy people but humble human beings who lived extraordinary lives and I am always fascinated to learn about each one of them.

I am very disappointed that the retail outlets may well open for longer hours each Sunday. We are a Christian Country and as such should at least honour and recognize this one special day. That is only my opinion and I know that very
many others will disagree with my views.

Remembering those who will find it difficult to have a peaceful sleep tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)

It's a similar situation in most churches I think kandj.....especially where the baptism guests are concerned. Lots of impossibly high heels and skimpy dresses and sometimes behaviour which would not be tolerated in other public places. Never mind, we do our best with the parents and Godparents and leave the rest to God.

It was interesting last night that one young woman who had been asked to be a Godmother had not been baptised. This sort of thing has happened before and most choose to be baptised before they make the promises on behalf of the child. However, this young woman decided that 'it wasn't for her' and declined the offer of baptism. I admire her honesty.

For today:

I call to you, Lord
at the dawn of this new day,
and place into your hands
family and friends,
work to be done,
decisions I shall make,
obstacles I encounter,
strangers who pass my way,
the service I shall offer.


Remembering those who have asked for prayer Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia, you are sure to be given the right words to help all the couples though the pre-baptism evening tonight. 7-8 families is a lot and very encouraging for your church family to welcome so many new members. I hope that at least some will come back often to share worship with you all. In our village a baptism is like an adult fashion show with little thought and almost no interest in the actual ceremony of the occasion. Perhaps your church is different?

Children are a real blessing and a joy to share within a close family unit and beyond.

Heavenly Father
We give thanks for all children who will come to you for baptism
May Your blessing of peace and joy be with them and protect them always
Bless all parents that they may be good examples for their children
Bless the children's Grandparents as they see their family growing
Bless all Godparents as they commit to support the little ones.
We ask this is Your son Jesus name. Amen.

Remembering all who feel anxious or upset for whatever reason tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)


I watched some of that service yesterday too, and I hope and pray that the bereaved found hope and comfort in the words and actions which were so carefully chosen.

I admit to having felt old when I saw Prince Andrew though. I can vividly recall him sitting up in what was possibly the same pram we saw on Sunday at the Baptism of Princess Charlotte. :-)

Tonight we have baptism prep for 7 or 8 young parents who wish their child to be baptised at our church. I will need to have my wits about me I think......


For today :

Good Morning, God!
You are ushering in another day
Untouched and freshly new
So here I come to ask You God,
If You'll renew me , too.
Forgive the many errors
That I made yesterday
And let me try again, dear God,
To walk closer in thy way.
But, Father, I am well aware
I can't make it on my own -
So take my hand and hold it tight
For I can't walk alone!

- Helen Steiner Rice


Love to all. Cx :-)

Good Morning All

A huge relief for you then Cynthia, as church family have long memories ha ha.

Today is the 10th year anniversary date of the 7/7 bombings in the London tube and bus services by the terrorists. We will be watching the commemoration service from St Paul's Cathedral and joining in the 1 minute silence to remember the 52 people who lost their lives and all who were affected by this horrific attack in London back then. The silence will be observed at 11.30am today.

Two verses from scripture come to mind on this very sad day, they are..........

Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Matthew 5 v 4 and

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147 v 3

Remembering with sorrow all who are coping daily with bereavement and grief.

Good morning :-)

It wasn't falling that really concerned me kandj, it was the thought of the loss of dignity in arriving at the top step skirtless! :-D


Love the gardening quote.... :-D


For today:

Lord,
Guide my heart with love
Guide my mind with truth
Guide my actions with faith
Guide my soul with hope.
I trust in You.
Amen.



Thinking of all those who mourn today......Cx :-)

Hello All

Goodness Cynthia, it's a good job that you didn't go flying and hurt yourself.

We have had rain mostly today and we found it much more comfortable than the high temperatures lately. The gardens need the rain and I won't have to water any plants today. Two days of digging weeds and planting flowers means our borders are actually beginning to look half decent. My hard effort is showing good results

"God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done"
Author Unknown.

Remembering in prayer all who are feeling ill today. xxx

Good morning :-)


It was a lovely sunny morning yesterday, and I decided to wear a long summery skirt to church. However, as I climbed the steps of the lectern to do the reading, I was aware that I was in danger of treading on the front of my skirt and taking it with me as I went.........fortunately a quick 'hitch' saved the day. Could have been very funny :-D :-D


Quite a good number of people in church despite the holiday season and I was privileged to hold a 3 week old tiny weeny baby - he was gorgeous. They are regular attenders so it will be lovely to watch him grow up. <3


For today:

I do not walk in darkness
But in your light and love.
You carry me when my feet fail
And hold me high above.
And I do not drift in every tide
But stand upon your truth.
You are my map, my friend, my guide
I put my trust in you.
So as I walk, a shield of faith
Surrounds my every move.
You are my quiet fortress,
I know I'm safe in you.


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