General Chat

Good morning :-)


When I was a young child, I remember hearing this hymn being sung by choirs and it has stayed with me ever since. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.



ALL in the April evening,
April airs were abroad;
The sheep with their little lambs
Passed me by on the road.

The sheep with their little lambs
Passed me by on the road;
All in the April evening,
I thought on the Lamb of God.

The lambs were weary, and crying
With a weak, human cry.
I thought on the Lamb of God
Going meekly to die.

Up in the blue, blue mountains
Dewy pastures are sweet;
Rest for the little bodies,
Rest for the little feet.

But for the Lamb of God,
Up on the hill-top green,
Only a Cross of shame
Two stark crosses between.

All in the April evening.
April airs were abroad;
I saw the sheep with their lambs
And thought on the Lamb of God.

- Katharine Tynan Hinkson



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHpYFZwVz6s


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

For today:

Dear Child,


I heard you cry last night. I was there in the darkness when the tears slipped down your face and your heart broke within you. Did you think I didn’t see and didn’t care? Do you really think I don’t know how tired and weary you really are?

Child, I’ve been with you when life has dealt its bitterest blows. I’ve watched you handle all the sorrow and all the pain. But you are weary now, and I can see the broken spirit and the faded hopes and dreams.

Please don’t forget that I care. My touch and caress can restore and mend your broken heart and kindle the flame of hope once more within you. Let Me love you. Take down the barricades around your heart and lean on Me.

I am not tired and I am not weary and I have the strength enough to carry you if you will let Me.

You are not alone, and you never have been, for I am your friend and I will never, ever leave your side. Trust Me!


Your Friend,
Jesus



“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30



Cx :-)

Remembering all in need of support and prayer x

Good morning :-)


How about a little bit of humour to start the day off? :-D



KIDS SAY THE FUNNIEST THINGS



HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
- Kirsten, age 10


WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
- Camille, age 10

No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
- Freddie, age 6


HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
- Derrick, age 8


WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don't want any more kids.
- Lori, age 8


WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
- Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
- Martin, age 10


WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
- Craig, age 9


WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

When they're rich.
- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: if you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- Howard, age 8


IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
- Anita, age 9


HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
- Kevin, age 8


HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty even if she looks like a truck.
- Ricky, age 10


Out of the mouths of babes........................................ :-D


Continuing in prayer for kandj and her husband and any known to us.

Love

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you Emma - I do my best <3


I had a message from our friend JackBunion yesterday. He is, as ever, busy with one thing and another and especially during the Easter period. His little granddaughter is now 11 months old and a constant source of delight. How time flies - I guess it must be almost 12 months since his departure from these boards.


For today - Prayer for peace at work


Lord,

Be with me at work.

When I feel stressed, help me to lift my eyes heavenwards and breathe in your peace.

When I feel tried, help me to allow you to be strength to me.

When I feel irritable, help me to draw near to you and fill up my heart with love.

When I feel inadequate, help me to live in your grace and rest in the knowledge that you are with me.

When I fell down, help me to hear your voice bringing new inspiration and insight into my life.

Be with me at work Lord.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Thank you as always Cynthia, a big task indeed
but you never fail to give words of comfort and prayer
to all who look in everyday to this thread.x

Good morning :-)



Thank you Elizabeth - no easy task as you can image, but I hope it has helped those who joined me on the journey through Holy Week. I'm very grateful for your input and for your support. <3


As you can imagine, church was slightly 'manic' yesterday and it was lovely to see so many people of all ages joining in the worship. As we do not have flowers in church during Lent, it was wonderful to see the amazing arrangements which adorned the whole building. The whole place was simply vibrant with life :-)

In the evening, we were invited to our son's for a meal and our two young step-grandchildren were there, aged 5 and 6. I was mightily impressed as they told me what Easter is all about - they do not go to church but they attend a church school.

I had bought them Easter Eggs from the Meaningful Chocolate Company which contained a colourful Easter story booklet and the oldest one was able to read it very well indeed bless him.

I come home with a collection of Easter eggs which are not going to do my waistline any good whatsoever! :-)

For today:

God, give us eyes to see
the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty
in every living thing -

And may we see in lacy leaves
and every budding flower
The Hand that rules the universe
with gentleness and power -

And may this Easter grandeur
that Spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith
lying dormant in our hearts,

And give us ears to hear, dear God,
the Springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful
than man's often empty words

Telling harried human beings
who are lost in dark despair -
'Be like us and do not worry
for God has you in His care'.

- Helen Steiner Rice

Remembering kandj and her husband and all those in need of prayer at this special time.

Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello

Thank you Wendy for your kind comments.


Now, a few words about our Cynthia.

For the last week, she has carefully guided us through the often
confusing and emotional events of Palm Sunday to Easter Day.

Not an easy task.


THANK YOU, dear Cynthia for your hard work and your posts.

Hope you have had a contented day and look forward to Spring with its beauty.


Take gentle care
With best wishes
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Elizabeth - such lovely prayers for those in need. I'm sure they are much appreciated.

<3

ALLELUIA. CHRIST IS RISEN: HE IS RISEN INDEED. ALLELUIA!



The Collect for Easter Day.

Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour,
glory and might, now and in all eternity.
Amen.


I wish everyone a very happy and blessed Easter.

Cx :-)

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Dear All

Hello

This prayer is for all our friends in need at this moment:

"Dear God,
Sometimes, I feel so ill I am afraid I will let go of life.

Dear God,
Please never let go of me".

Thank you.

Amen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Dear Lord, please be with all those who are waiting and worrying in despair

about their family and friends, at home or in hospital".

Thank you

Amen

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

Take very gentle care
Sincere wishes
Much love from Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Good morning :-)


Another quiet and reflective service in a different church yesterday. The timing of the service at our own church didn't fit very well with my husband's medication routine, so we had to re-think our plans.


HOLY SATURAY

Jesus' body lay in the tomb where it was guarded by Roman soldiers throughout the day on Saturday, which was the Sabbath. When the Sabbath ended at 6 p.m., Christ's body was ceremonially treated for burial with spices purchased by Nicodemus:

"He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus' body with the spices
in long sheets of linen cloth." (John 19: 39-40, NLT)

Nicodemus, like Joseph of Arimathea, was a member of the Sanhedrin, the court which had condemned Jesus Christ to death. For a time, both men had lived as secret followers of Jesus, afraid to make a public profession of faith because of their prominent positions in the Jewish community.

.Similarly, both were deeply affected by Christ's death. They boldly came out of hiding, risking their reputations and their lives because they now realized Jesus was, indeed, the long-awaited Messiah. Together they cared for Jesus' body and prepared it for burial.

While his physical body lay in the tomb, Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin by offering the perfect, spotless sacrifice. He conquered death, both spiritually and physically, securing our eternal salvation:

"For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." (1 Peter 1:18-19).



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A quiet service last night. After Holy Communion, and during the reading of a psalm, the verger and servers moved silently around the altar, stripping it of cloths and silverware and leaving a plain but slightly ornate wooden table. The choir removed their white surplices and processed quietly out of church in their dark cassocks. Everyone else left in silence too. A sombre reflection on the age old story of the Last Supper.


Today we'll trace Jesus' steps on Good Friday, the most difficult day of Passion Week. Christ's journey turned treacherous and acutely painful in these final hours leading to his death.

According to Scripture, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, was overcome with remorse and hanged himself early Friday morning.

Meanwhile, before the third hour (9 a.m.), Jesus endured the shame of false
accusations, condemnation, mockery, beatings, and abandonment. After multiple unlawful trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, one of the most horrible and disgraceful methods of capital punishment.

Before Christ was led away, soldiers spit on him, tormented and mocked him, and pierced him with a crown of thorns. Then Jesus carried his own cross to Calvary where, again, he was mocked and insulted as Roman soldiers nailed him to the wooden cross.

Jesus spoke seven final statements from the cross. His first words were, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34, NIV). His last were, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46, NIV)

Then, about the ninth hour (3 p.m.), Jesus breathed his last and died.

By 6 p.m. Friday evening, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, took Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb.



Cx

Good morning :-)


We have now reached the Thursday in Holy Week - Maundy Thursday. Later today, the Queen will be handing out the Maundy Monies to deserving folk at Sheffield Cathedral. The history of this ancient tradition is easily found by googling.

A few years ago, my husband and I were invited to one of these ceremonies at our cathedral, in support of a friend. As Craig Revel Horwood, from Strictly Come Dancing would say.......It was a-ma-zing. Every nerve ending tingled with anticipation as soon as the Yeoman began the procession.


So, we continue Christ's journey:

Our tour through Holy Week takes a sombre turn on Thursday.

From Bethany Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to the Upper Room in Jerusalem to make the preparations for the Passover Feast.


That evening after sunset, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as they prepared to share in the Passover. By performing this humble act of service, Jesus demonstrated by example how they were to love one another. Today, many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as a part of their Maundy Thursday services.


Then Jesus shared the feast of Passover with his disciples saying, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." (Luke 22:15-16, NLT)


As the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfil the meaning of the Passover by giving his body to be broken and his blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. During this Last Supper, Jesus established the Lord's Supper, or Communion, instructing his followers to continually remember his sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine:


"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.' "


Later Jesus and the disciples left the Upper Room and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony to God the Father. Luke's Gospel says "his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44, ESV)


Late that evening in Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the Sanhedrin. He was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the whole council had gathered to begin making their case against Jesus.


Meanwhile, in the early morning hours as Jesus' trial was getting underway, Peter denied knowing his Master three times before the rooster crowed.


Cx :-)

Thinking of Kandj and her husband and Emma's friend <3

My thoughts and prayers to kandj and her husband at this time. <3

Barb, stay strong my friend <3

Good morning :-)


We continue to follow Our Lord's journey through Holy Week


The Bible doesn't say what the Lord did on Wednesday of Passion Week. Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of the Passover.


Bethany was about two miles east of Jerusalem. Here Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha lived. They were close friends of Jesus, and probably hosted him and the disciples during these final days in Jerusalem.


Just a short time previously, Jesus had revealed to the disciples, and the world, that he had power over death by raising Lazarus from the grave. After seeing this incredible miracle, many people in Bethany believed that Jesus was the Son of God and put their faith in him.

Also in Bethany just a few nights earlier, Lazarus' sister Mary had lovingly anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume.


While we can only speculate, it's fascinating to consider how our Lord Jesus spent this final quiet day with his dearest friends and followers.


Cx :-)


Edit: I have receive a message from kandj. Her husband is back in hospital once again so, unfortunately, she will find it difficult to post on here. I'm sure we will all understand and send our loving prayers to them both. <3

Good morning :-)


So sorry to hear about the death of your friend's husband Emma. They will be held in prayer. <3


Very wet and windy here too kandj and, like you, I think of those who are unable to find shelter from the weather.


Continuing our Lord's journey through this Holy Week:

Today our journey with Jesus through Holy Week takes us back to the Temple in Jerusalem and then to the Mount of Olives.

On Tuesday morning, Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. They passed the withered fig tree on their way, and Jesus taught them about faith.

At the Temple, the religious leaders aggressively challenged Jesus' authority, attempting to ambush him and create an opportunity for his arrest. But Jesus evaded their traps and pronounced harsh judgment on them:

"Blind guides! ... For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness...Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?" (Matthew 23:24-33)


Tuesday afternoon Jesus left the city and went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives, which overlooks Jerusalem due east of the Temple. Here Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse, an elaborate prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. He taught in parables using symbolic language about end times events, including his Second Coming and the final judgment.

Scripture indicates that Tuesday was the day Judas Iscariot negotiated with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16).

After a tiring day of confrontation and warnings about the future once again, Jesus and the disciples stayed the night in Bethany.


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia. My friend kindly brought a palm cross yesterday and this now has pride of place on the kitchen notice board where it can easily be seen by one and all.
I find Holy week so very humbling. Thanks for sharing our Lords journey with us all.

Emma, my thoughts and prayers go to your friend and her family in their time of loss.

Tonight it is very cold, wet and windy and I'm thankful to have a warm home and safe place to relax and sleep. I pray now for all who have no such place and are living rough on the streets coping with the uncertainty and dangers of this night. God bless them all.

My thoughts and prayers for my GR friend Barb
and her family, for the loss of her husband Graham. <3

R.I.P Graham