General Chat

A real variety of events then Cynthia and it sounds as if everything went off very well.

I hope that your husband is improving a little. Did he manage to go to church?

Exam revision is very stressful for the students and can affect the whole family.
I can remember this period well, it is an important time in family life. Our niece is in her 2nd year as a teacher and through her, we see a very different scenario.

Heavenly Father, please be with all students as they go through exams
As they seek to grow in knowledge, may they also grow in faith
As they strive to do the best they can, we ask that they find You.
Please go where we cannot, protect when we cannot,
Give strength that we cannot and bring them through this anxious time. Amen

Continuing to uphold our friends in prayer. xx

Good morning.. :-)


Thank you for those lovely words kandj..... <3


A very busy day at church yesterday. Not only was it parade service, which was lead by our youth music group, but we also welcomed a newly baptised baby, congratulated 2 young men on gaining their Boy's Brigade Queen's Badge Award, and bade farewell to a much loved elderly member of church as their ashes were escorted by the BB flags, out of church, for burial in the church grounds. Quite a morning.

It is this time of year when many students are sitting exams..........we ask God's blessing on them.



Prayer for those doing exams


Lord, pour out your Spirit of wisdom
on all students doing exams at this time.
Help them to remain calm,
to attend carefully to the questions asked,
to think clearly, to remember accurately,
and to express themselves well.

Grant that they may reflect
the best of the work they have done,
and the best of the teaching
they have received.

When the results come out
may they be satisfied that
they did their best,
and may whatever path
they choose in life
bring them happiness.

May your love be upon
them O Lord as they place
all their trust in you.

Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning.. :-)


Thank you for those lovely words kandj..... <3


A very busy day at church yesterday. Not only was it parade service, which was lead by our youth music group, but we also welcomed a newly baptised baby, congratulated 2 young men on gaining their Boy's Brigade Queen's Badge Award, and bade farewell to a much loved elderly member of church as their ashes were escorted by the BB flags, out of church, for burial in the church grounds. Quite a morning.

It is this time of year when many students are sitting exams..........we ask God's blessing on them.



Prayer for those doing exams


Lord, pour out your Spirit of wisdom
on all students doing exams at this time.
Help them to remain calm,
to attend carefully to the questions asked,
to think clearly, to remember accurately,
and to express themselves well.

Grant that they may reflect
the best of the work they have done,
and the best of the teaching
they have received.

When the results come out
may they be satisfied that
they did their best,
and may whatever path
they choose in life
bring them happiness.

May your love be upon
them O Lord as they place
all their trust in you.

Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

In troubled times we need some help and support and should remember that we have a Guardian Angel ever near to watch over us and protect us in this life.

Guardian Angel

Sometimes in life we need to share
Our feelings that are hard to bear
When in our hearts we feel such pain.
That extra strength we have to gain
From someone who will keep us safe
And listen when we doubt our faith.

Continuing to remember in prayer Vera's Auntie and her ex-neighbour's grandson.
Thinking also of others who face life-threatening illness and their family & friends.

For those who are in need of support through prayer.x

Good morning :-)


Yes indeed, a wonderful hymn, the words of which I sing in my head most days. <3


I think the Collect for today ties in nicely with the hymn too.......

The Collect

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you,
leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.



Remembering those in need of prayer.... Cx :-)

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

Great is thy faithfulness O God My Father
There is no shadow of turning from Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thy forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me.

Summer and Winter and Springtime and Harvest
Sun moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, witness and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Vera, these wonderful words have encouraged me very many times in my darkest days. I pray they will give you the strength to help you support your Aunt and her family and also your ex-neighbour, the little boy and his family now.

Remembering all who will find it hard to sleep tonight for whatever reason. xx

Thank you everyone for your kind words. They are much appreciated.

Auntie unfortunately broke her femur in her last fall. She has accepted that she can no longer take care of herself and is in hospital but awaiting a nursing home place. Unfortunately she is finding difficulty in swallowing so is eating next to nothing and this is a bit worrying as she weighed very little to start with. We are just hoping the staff can make her comfortable and peaceful.

As for the little boy, he has had four months of chemotherapy to try to shrink the tumour which is taking up a large part of his tummy. The operation to remove the tumour is taking place on Tuesday and he will then have intensive chemo and other treatment which may have a damaging affect on both his physical and mental development. This must be so hard for his parents to bear.

I have just been sent a photo of the little lad. In spite of uncomfortable tubes up his nose, he has the sunniest smile and his personality just shines out. I know we all have to play the hand we are given but sometimes life seems very unfair.

At times like this I remember my favourite line from a hymn - "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow". That's all we can wish for.

Remembering all who have asked for prayer.x

Thanks Cynthia. A trouble shared is indeed a trouble halved I think.

Popping in now to remind Vera that prayers are ongoing for her Aunt and the little boy and all of their family and friends who must be feeling shocked and worried.

We cling to hope that tomorrow will prove to be better, when we have our troubles
Agreeing with Emma that we never know how strong we can be unless we are tested. We are blessed with a belief that we are never left alone in our dark times.

"And we hold on to HOPE, in the glory of God's name.
Not only that, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
and character HOPE". words of encouragement from Romans 5: 2-4.

Remembering all who have family or friends in hospital today, and we give thanks for the skill and knowledge of doctors and nurses and for their caring ways. xx

Good morning :-)


What sad news to hear Vera - for both the elderly lady and for the little boy. They will certainly be remembered in prayer bless them.

I'm sure we are all grateful for the friendships in our lives - those people who make a difference - during good times and bad. I thought these words worth sharing.



God knows no strangers, He loves us all,
The poor, the rich, the great, the small ...

He is a friend who is always there
To share our troubles and lessen our care ...

No one is a stranger in God's sight,
for God is love and in His light
May we, too, try in our small way
To make new friends from day to day ...

So pass no stranger with an unseeing eye,
For God may be sending a new friend by.

(Helen Steiner Rice)


Love to all Cx :-)

Oh Vera you have had such upsetting news today, I am so sorry to hear this.

What a shock for your Aunt aged 91yrs to have fallen over twice, thank goodness she has not broken any bones, she must feel very fragile now bless her.

What a tragic story of your friends little 2yr old grandson diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and now facing surgery and ongoing cancer treatment.
Life can be very cruel. His parents and family will be devastated by this disease.

I will certainly remember your Aunt and her family and also the little 2yr old and his family in prayer. God bless and heal them and give strength to their families.

Vera I'm so sorry to hear of this sad news.
My thoughts and prayers are with this little
boy and his family <3

You never know how Strong you are
until being Strong is the only choice you have.x

Glad to hear that your husband is a little better today Cynthia. I hope Kandj's husband is comfortable and will begin to show an improvement soon.

Today I have heard two sad pieces of news. First my 91 year old aunt-by-marriage has had two very bad falls and spent considerable time in hospital. Her daughter tells me that she is now very frail.

Then I received an email from an ex-neighbour telling me that her 2 year old grandson is being treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital for an aggressive form of childhood cancer. He is shortly to undergo a complicated operation that will mean 2 months in hospital, followed by intensive chemotherapy and a year of treatment. Can I ask you please to remember this little one and his parents in your prayers tonight.

I am grateful for the skill and compassion of the medical and support staff.

Good to hear a little improvement for your husband Cynthia, hope that it continues.

Thank you Emma. Your kind thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 King James Version.

Thinking and praying for all the newly bereaved today.xx

Good morning :-)

Things improved slightly yesterday, and he seems more mobile this morning, so I am now hoping and praying that my OH will stabilise out for a while. Thank you for your caring words everyone... <3


I know of at least two funerals taking place today and thought I would offer this prayer :


Gracious God Surround Us

Gracious God,
surround us and all who mourn this day
with your continuing compassion.
Do not let grief overwhelm your children,
or turn them against you.
When grief seems never-ending,
take them one step at a time
along your road of death and resurrection
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Love Cx :-)

My thoughts and prayers to both your husbands.

I'm sure that you both have the strength at this
time to help you through. xx

God says in Exodus 15:26... for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

Oh dear Cynthia, I am so sorry to hear that your husband is struggling today.
I do hope that he improves so you both can enjoy a good day today.

Emma, my husband isnt very well but we are thankful he is home and not in hospital.

GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART.

Give thanks with a thankful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks.

We give thanks to You, O Lord
We give thanks.

Give thanks always and for everything in life to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.. (Ephesians 5 v 20).

Remembering today, all who face daily pain and ongoing poor health issues. xx

Good morning :-)

Oh dear.....we seem to be going through a bit of a bad spell here at the moment as my husband is very unsettled and slow. Hopefully it will pass as it has in the past.


For today:

Father, dear Father,

I am so grateful for everything that you have given me.
Thank you so much for the loved ones in my life,
For the many ways in which I am cared for and supported.
Thank you for the many ways I can serve and give to others.

Thank you for the rich tapestry of colours in creation,
For the beauty which is all around me,
For the skies and the ever changing cloud formations,
For the breathtaking sunsets and early morning mists.

My heart is so grateful and brimming with thanks.
I could write a thousand books about your great goodness,
And still have many stories to tell.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I thank you with everything I am.
All my being cries thank you Lord!

Amen.



Love to all. Cx :-)

What an interesting poem Dermot - quite powerful.

Cynthia, I hope your OH is having a good day and that your boiler is giving you no more trouble.

Hopefully your OH is gaining in strength Kandj.

My thoughts today are with those poor people in Nepal. What they are going through makes me feel ashamed of complaining about my minor difficulties. A fervent Amen to the prayers that have been posted.