General Chat

Good morning :-)


How about a hymn for today? One which many of us learned in our childhood but which is as pertinent today as it was then.......

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.



There are many versions on Youtube.....from Daniel O'Donnell to Dolly Parton :-)


Remembering our friends in prayer...... Cx :-)

Amen indeed Cynthia. Joining you, Emma and Vera in praying for everyone affected by the earthquake devastation in Nepal. Thinking of the rescue workers and medics who all work tirelessly and put their own lives at risk at such an horrendous time.

Adding an Amen to your prayers for everyone affected by this terrible disaster. Also in my thoughts are the rescue workers and the medical and aid teams who work so tirelessly at times like this.

A terrible disaster Cynthia and my prayers
are with the people who have and are in
need of comfort and support at this time.

Good morning :-)

I am sure we have all been affected by the news of the horrendous earthquake in Nepal.

Lord, in this time of great need we plead for your mercy for those who suffer the effects of the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

Today, many people are afraid, fearing for their lives, fearing their loved ones are among the dead and fearing for their future safety.

Those who are injured and ill cry for relief. Comfort them and give them hope. Console their hearts and ease their pain.

Lord, help us to help them, to know what to do and to have the compassion, fortitude and creativity to do it.

Move us to respond now to the urgent needs that cannot wait. Steady us to be there in the future as the victims of this disaster rebuild. Give us the grace of generosity—in our prayers and our contributions.

We are all brothers and sisters: we are the work of your hands. Receive the dead into your love. Comfort the survivors with the power and protection of your peace.

May we love as you love, and may we all find peace in this tumultuous world. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Amen.



Cx :-)

Good morning... :-)


The Collect for today:

The Collect

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

The psalm for today is a very familiar one....

The Lord is my shepherd; *therefore can I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters
He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his
name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.
Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.



Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


How lovely to hear such good news from our friends, we pray that the improvement in health may continue over the coming weeks.


Some thoughts for today :

Freedom is not the right to do as you please, but the liberty to do as you ought.

Don't become discouraged. It may be the last key in the bunch that will open the door.

God still speaks to those who take the time to listen.

God looks not to the quantity of the gift but to the quality of the giver.

Great minds discuss ideas; normal minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

A Christian is a living sermon whether or not he preaches a word.

Conscience is that small, still voice that makes you feel smaller.

When we have done what we can, God will do what we can't.

Every time you turn green with envy, you are ripe for trouble.

A Christian must carry something heavier on his shoulders than chips.

Genuine faith is assuring, insuring and enduring.


Cx :-)

Thanks for ongoing thoughts and prayers. My husband is gaining a little strength
after the latest nasty bug so we feel that our prayers are indeed heard and answered.. so "Thank You God", we pray that this small improvement will continue daily.

HSR is a very perceptive writer and very often I find her words hit the right spot.

Emma, I continue to pray for your daughter and friend. Illness is a real leveller I feel.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you: He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Remembering in prayer, those with long term illness and their carers today. xx

Thank you Cynthia x

My daughter is much improving after the initial disappointment
in not getting home till the next evening due to low potassium
levels. She has still a few objects to get over but is happy in
herself with what she has to go through in the next few weeks.

Our young friend continues to enjoy life and is at the stage where
things will go no further for her but family and friends are happy
that she survived at all.

Sending positive thoughts to all who have to face difficult times <3

Good morning :-)


Thank you for those words kandj - they made me smile... :-)

For today:

We walk in a world that is strange and unknown
And in the midst of the crowd we still feel alone,
We question our purpose, our part and our place
In this vast land of mystery suspended in space,
We probe and explore and try hard to explain
The tumult of thoughts that our minds entertain...
But all of our probings and complex explanations
Of man's inner feelings and fears and frustrations
Still leave us engulfed in the "mystery of life"
With all of its struggles and suffering and strife,
Unable to fathom what tomorrow will bring --
But there is one truth to which we can cling,
For while life's a mystery we can't understand
The "great giver of life" is holding our hand
And safe in His care there is no need for seeing
For "in Him we live and move and have our being."

- Helen Steiner Rice


Continuing to pray for kandj and her husband, Emma's daughter and young friend and all who are in need of comfort and support.

Cx :-)

A Happy St Georges Day to you too Cynthia and to everyone today.
Thanks for the research on our Patron Saint of England.

St George for England!
What a Saint! A Dragon Slayer!
Let's give a cheer
And down a beer
For current Georges (and Georginas)
Who slay the Dragons
Of Poverty and Hunger
And fight for Righteous Causes................. written by Kathy Randle

Praying today for all who feel low in spirit. Sending a gentle hug to all in need. xx

Good morning :-)


A Happy St. George's Day to everyone........ :-D

Some facts about St George :
•Born in Turkey (in Cappadocia)
•Lived in 3rd century
•His parents were Christian
•Became a Roman soldier
•Protested against Rome's persecution of Christians
•Imprisoned and tortured, but stayed true to his faith
•Beheaded at Lydda in Palestine

St. George is believed to have been born in Cappadocia (now Eastern Turkey) in the year A.D. 270. He was a Christian. At the age of seventeen he joined the Roman army and soon became renowned for his bravery. He served under a pagan Emperor but never forgot his Christian faith.

When the pagan Emperor Diocletian started persecuting Christians, St. George pleaded with the Emperor to spare their lives. However, St. George's pleas fell on deaf ears and it is thought that the Emperor Diocletian tried to make St. George deny his faith in Christ, by torturing him. St George showed incredible courage and faith and was finally beheaded near Lydda in Palestine on 23 April, 303.

As for the dragon.........

There are many versions of story of St George slaying the dragon, but most agree on the following:

1.A town was terrorised by a dragon.
2.A young princess was offered to the dragon
3. When George heard about this he rode into the village
4.George slayed the dragon and rescued the princess



Heavenly Father, give us the bravery of St George
to stand up for the truth and the glory of God
that we have seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
Give us the strength to overcome
in our lives and in the world,
all that is contrary to your rule of justice and love.
Help us to be good news to the poor,
proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind;
let the oppressed go free, and
proclaim the good news of God's favour and Jubilee.
Amen



Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia. Another short while in the garden again today while the weather is dry.

Thinking of those who are needing prayerful support just now. xx

Good morning.. :-)

It's good to know that your daughter is now home Emma. Praying that her recovery will go from strength to strength.

kandj's words are reminding me that I must get out with the weedkiller whilst the weather is good. We have mostly pots and I am beginning to wonder what to fill them with this year. Percy Thrower I must certainly am not! :-D

For today:


I did not know His love before
The way I know it now
I could not see my need for Him
My pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care
The “self-sufficient” lie
My path was smooth, my sea was still
Not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me
I thought I’d seen His grace
I thought I did not need to grow
I thought I’d found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark
The storm clouds quickly rolled
The waves began to rock my ship
I found I had no hold.

The ship that I had built myself
Was made of foolish pride
It fell apart and left me bare
With nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face
The trials that lay ahead
And so I simply spoke His name
And bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me
And then He helped me stand
He said, “You still must face this storm
But I will hold your hand.”
So through the dark and lonely night
He guided me through pain
I could not see the light of day
Or when I’d smile again.

Yet through the pain and endless tears
My faith began to grow
I could not see it at the time
But my light began to glow.
I saw God’s love in a brand new light
His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone
Could Jesus’ love shine through.

- Anon


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

A meaningful prayer today Cynthia, thank you.

Emma, your daughter will be happy to be home. Hospitals are so often noisy places with little opportunity to relax at all. Hope she will begin to improve each day now.

More time spent in the garden again today and I have aching muscles to prove it.
I am not complaining really because the sun has been shining and my hard work is showing good results too.

A GARDENER'S PRAYER

Thank You God for sun and shower
Thank You for each lovely flower
Thank You for each stately tree
Through all these, You speak to me.

Remembering all who feel anxious and upset in any way today.

My daughter is getting out of hospital sometime today.
Pain has subsided quite a bit and is getting around
although finding it very tiring.

To all recovering from treatment in hospital or at home
my thoughts and prayers to all x

Good morning :-)


Thank you for the story of St. Bueno kandj, I haven't heard of him either. Stories like this always make me think of how many amazing people have passed the faith down to us.


For today:

Father, I'm praying that my circle of family and friends will be free from worry...

Help them not worry when things don't go the way they expect. Jesus said we're not to fret, not to worry, not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid. He said we're to trust in You— and also in Him. May it be so in their lives and ministry, no matter how impossible things seem.

Keep them from worrying about tomorrow, for each day has enough trouble of its own. When such trouble comes, help them to cast all their anxiety on Christ because He cares for them.

Help them not to be anxious about anything but to pray about everything with thanksgiving—for when they do, You'll give them Your peace that surpasses their understanding, and such peace guards their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Keep their minds steadfast in trusting You, and give them Your perfect peace. May they turn to the Lord of Peace who will give them peace at all times, in every way.

Help them leave every worry at Your feet where it belongs.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.


Cx :-)

Cynthia, your posting today is amusing and interesting...... where do you find them?!!

Today 20th April is the feast of St Beuno ( to be honest I had never heard of him) and so I now share with you what I have just read about this priest. Just a small snippet here though.
He was born around 454 AD and died 640 AD. He was a monk in Wales who founded his own community and performed numerous miracles. He was an excellent preacher who evangelized much of North Wales and founded a monastery in Caernarvonshire.
I am sure that if John was still posting he would be able to tell us so much more.

I hope that Emma's daughter is making a good recovery and that Vera is coming to terms with her recent loss. There is a lot of illness and death just now, so I give thanks for the sunshine and for the beauty of Spring that surrounds us today.

Good morning :-)


I got it wrong! It wasn't the youth group leading the service yesterday, but the curate from a neighbouring church. She was very good and the children enjoyed her presentation very much.


For today, a prayer with a difference!


Let us give thanks for a bounty of people:

For children who are our second planting, and, though they grow like weeds and the wind too soon blows them away, may they forgive us our cultivation and fondly remember where their roots are.

Let us give thanks:

– For generous friends. . .with hearts. . .and smiles as bright as their blossoms;

– For feisty friends as tart as apples;

– For continuous friends, who, like scallions and cucumbers, keep reminding us that we've had them;

– For crotchety friends, as sour as rhubarb and as indestructible;

– For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as eggplants and as elegant as a row of corn,

– and the others, as plain as potatoes and as good for you;

– For funny friends, who are as silly as Brussel sprouts and as amusing as Jerusalem artichokes, and serious friends as complex as cauliflowers and as intricate as onions;

– For friends as unpretentious as cabbages, as subtle as summer squash, as persistent as parsley, as delightful as dill, as endless as zucchini, and who, like parsnips, can be counted on to see you throughout the winter;

– For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the evening-time, and young friends coming on as fast as radishes;

– For loving friends, who wind around us like tendrils and hold us, despite our blights, wilts, and witherings;

And, finally, for those friends now gone, like gardens past that have been harvested, and who fed us in their times that we might have life thereafter;

For all these we give thanks.

– Max Coots

Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It's good to hear that your daughter is making progress Emma - these things take time. I do hope that she is soon free from pain.

Funerals do indeed give us time to reflect on life as a whole - and where we are going with our own lives. It's wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends at such times.

The Collect for today:

The Collect

Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
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.



Today is Parade Sunday and I think our bellringers and youth group are leading the worship. I may need an aspirin and a lie down when I come back...:-D

Cx :-)