General Chat

Vera, attending a funeral gives us time to reflect. We also are blessed with support from our close family. Although they don't live near us, they are always here when the need arises.

Emma, I hope that your daughter will continue to improve after her operation and that her pain relief will be sorted out so that she can feel more comfortable soon.

Cynthia, Thank you for today's posting of the Celtic prayer.

Earlier I have been working in the garden and feeling grateful for the sunshine and of God's natural beauty in the flowers. I have been humming this lovely hymn..........

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies.
Lord of all to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night.
Hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light.
Lord of all to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child.,
Friends on earth and friends above, pleasure pure and undefiled.
Lord of all to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine, to our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine, flowers on earth and buds of heaven.
Lord of all to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.

For thy church which evermore, lifteth holy hands above
Offering up on every shore, her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.

Hoping that this warm sunshine will be a good tonic for everyone today.

Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.

My daughter sounds more clearer in her speech
these past two days and this morning although
still in pain seems brighter.

My prayers to those in need of comfort and support x

Thank you Cynthia.

I hope your daughter is feeling better Emma and soon makes a full recovery.

This week I attended the funeral of an acquaintance so my thoughts now are with those mourning the loss of a loved one. May they find strength and comfort.

Sadly the deceased's family were often at loggerheads with each other and it has made me realise how blessed I am. My close and my extended family are loving and supportive of each other but not everyone is so lucky, so I am also giving thanks for my own family and praying for those families who are not so united

Good morning :-)


Emma, like kandj, I do hope your daughter is beginning to feel much better <3


A Celtic prayer for today:


THANKSGIVING FOR RISING




Thanks to you, O God, that I have risen today,

To the rising of life itself;

May it be to your own glory,

O God of every gift,

And to the glory of my soul likewise.

O great God, aid my soul

With the aiding of your own mercy;

Even as I clothe my body with wool,

Cover my soul with the shadow of your wing.

Help me to avoid every sin,

And the source of every sin to forsake;

And as the mist scatters

on the crest of the hills,

May each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.



Remembering those who have asked for prayer........... Cx :-)

Oh yes Cynthia, I can remember the mutterings at previous church AGM meetings very well ha ha. These folk would then have their own meeting at the lychgate afterwards?!!

Thank you for today's posting, this very definitely hits the right spot for us both today!

Emma, I do hope that your daughter is feeling a little more comfortable today.

Remembering all who are in need of a gentle hug and prayerful support just now xx

Good morning :-)


I didn't know about your daughter Emma.......praying that she makes a full recovery. <3


No real disagreements kandj, just some muttering in the background which is fairly commonplace as you will know. :-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.

- Anon


Cx :-)

Thank you Vera. Your thoughts are much appreciated right now.

I have several Catholic friends who go to the Lourdes pilgrimage each year. It looks to be an amazing experience. It is on my "wish list". I am ever the eternal optimist!

I hope that the AGM went well Cynthia without too many disagreements?

Joining with Emma in remembering those (including her daughter) who are in need of prayerful support today.

For those in need of comfort and prayer today
you do not walk alone.
Also for my daughter recovering from an Operation <3

Good morning :-)


Nice to see you both Vera and kandj... <3

It was the AGM at church last night....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :-D

Today, we remember St. Bernadette of Lourdes.

Hers is a remarkable story and one of which a film was made in 1943 starring Jennifer Jones and Vincent Price.


As a young 14 year old girl, Bernadette Soubirous had 18 visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a grotto in the outskirts of Lourdes. Although, her visions were widely doubted at the time, her humility, truthfulness and modesty encouraged many to believe.
A few years after her reported visions, she became a nun and took the name Sister Marie Bernarde. She was later canonised by the Catholic Church. Lourdes has become one of the most popular locations of religious pilgrimage.


There is much to be found about her online and Lourdes remains a very busy and popular pilgrimage.

A prayer attributed to this remarkable woman.....


"Let the crucifix be not only in my eyes and on my breast, but in my heart.
O Jesus! Release all my affections and draw them upwards.
Let my crucified heart sink forever into Thine and bury itself in the mysterious
wound made by the entry of the lance."


Cx :-)

You are not really talking to yourself Cynthia. We poppers-in are listening, even if we don't reply very often.

Lovely to see you posting kandj. You and your OH remain in my thoughts. <3

I do sometimes talk to myself Cynthia, at least I get the correct reply lol.

I have just read a quote by Billy Graham which I feel is worthy of sharing here.

"We do not understand the intricate pattern of the stars in their courses, but we know that He who created them does, and that just as surely as He guides them, He is charting a safe course for us".

Good morning :-)


It's lovely to see friends popping in and out of this page.......sometimes I feel as though I am talking to myself......(not an uncommon occurrence!) :-)

For today:

Dear Father in heaven, we turn to you.
Hear our longing, hear our hopes, hear our faith!
Our future lies in your hands.
Free each heart from discouragement and sadness over the many evils of the world.
Make us free from earthly things, free yet bound in spirit with you, O God.
Help us on our pilgrimage toward eternity.
As we walk with you, fill us with hope that the whole world will see the light, for in your light alone can we find fullness of life.
Protect us and bless us through your Spirit.
Amen.


Remembering those who are sick and in need of support and comfort at this time.

Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia......such an interesting, as always.

Let the Resurrection joy lift us from loneliness, weakness and despair to strength, beauty and happiness. ( Floyd W Tomkins).

Remembering all who are in need of prayerful support today. xx

Good morning :-)

For today:

Monday - Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.


Tuesday - Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.


Wednesday - Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example
for others.


Thursday - Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.


Friday - Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.


Saturday - Cooking Day

Help me, my Saviour, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with the clean, sweet bread of human kindness.


Sunday - The Lord's Day

O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart as my honoured guest so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

-Anon


Remembering those in need of a loving touch, a peaceful word or a sympathetic ear.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you for our prayer for today Elizabeth <3


The Sunday after Easter is traditionally known variously as 'Low Sunday'; 'Quasimodo' Sunday; 'Divine Mercy Sunday and 'St.Thomas' Sunday.
Yesterday, we heard the story of the man known as 'Doubting Thomas', the disciple who was reluctant to believe without proof. He was shown the proof in the wound marks of the risen Lord, uttering the words "My Lord, and my God".



Four babies for baptism yesterday- four proud families, including one from Lithuania, crowded into church for this special service. One toddler led his father a merry dance as he went round 'exploring' the building. The dad managed to catch up with him eventually :-D


Love to all Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello

A prayer for our sick and in need friends on GR:



"Dear Father, thank you for being with me in my time of need.

More than ever before, I need you to be beside me, your love all about me.

May your goodness, fill all the coming days with hope and help"

Amen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Dear Lord, be with me through the hours of the night.

Let all my questions, problems and decisions be enveloped in sleep.

Be with me Lord as I enter the new day, knowing that you are with me always".

Amen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sincere wishes
With love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Remembering family and friends in prayer x

Good morning :-)


Lovely to see you kandj. You are still being upheld in daily prayer... <3


The Collect for today



Almighty Father,
you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification:
grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness
that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Just a quick "Hello" to all who are thinking of us and upholding us in prayer right now.
Our very grateful thanks to you all. It is helping us to travel a long and difficult road.

Special thanks to you Cynthia for your daily postings. Always so welcoming and spiritually uplifting too.

All in the April Evening brought back very many memories as this was sung in morning assembly in junior school during Lent and also this beautiful hymn was a favourite with my parents and the 78 vinyl record was often played on the wind-up HMV record player at home........ that was a lot of years ago, but I remember this tune very clearly and can recall all the happy memories from back then.

Good morning :-)


Some more words of wisdom for today:


Exercise daily. Walk with the Lord.

He who kneels before God can stand before anyone!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.

The ten commandments aren't prefaced with "if you're in the mood."

A coincidence is when God performs a miracle and decides to remain anonymous.

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.

Laughter is life's shock absorber.

Live your life in the manner that you would like your kids to live theirs.

You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to.

The Bible contains the vitamins of soul health.

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet.



Remembering those who have asked for prayer. Cx :-)