General Chat

Dear All

Just popped in to say hello.

May you have a peaceful and contented weekend and
be refreshed by the promise of spring.


Take gentle care of yourselves, dear friends and colleagues
Love and affectionate thoughts,
Elizabeth,
xx

Aww RottenR, love the link one of God's creatures weathering the storm!

I had no idea there was a National Happiness Day Cynthia. Methinks that I was a little premature with my happy thoughtful wishes on the 19th??!!

I have a very tattered much used poetry book written by Robert L Stevenson which I won as a prize in junior school for a comprehension essay competition and so today's posting has reminded me of this special moment, though it was very many years ago.

I do hope that everyone is experiencing happiness today but gentle hugs if not. x

Good morning :-)

A very succinct link RottenR - thank you for sharing.


Wonderful words from that hymn kandj - and an incredible experience when sung heartily with a large congregation.



Today is National Happiness Day apparently........

The Happiness Prayer

Grant to us, O Lord,
the royalty of inward happiness,
and the serenity which comes from living close to thee.

Daily renew in us the sense of joy,
and let the eternal spirit of the Father dwell in our souls and bodies,
filling every corner of our hearts with light and grace;
so that, bearing about with us the infection of good courage,
we may be diffusers of life, and may meet all ills
and cross accidents with gallant and high-hearted happiness,
giving thee thanks always for all things.


- Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)


I pray that everyone receives some measure of happiness during the day. Cx :-)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10672417_10152773311439669_8894519266807739984_n.jpg?oh=7f41e3e1f5100e2053f804d8677ae759&oe=55780700&__gda__=1437792022_d360a285379dc42aa0cf81900f2f3fab

Ah yes The Footprints poem. I remember it well and know in my own darkest days I have been "carried"........ thank you Cynthia for the special words today.

I have this hymn going round in my head and would like to share it here.

HOW GREAT THOU ART.

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand has done.
I see the stars I hear the mighty thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.

Then Christ shall come with shouts of adulation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And then proclaim my God how great thou art.

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.

Hoping everyone enjoys a happy God-filled day today.

Good morning :-)


Kandj's words have reminded me of this very popular reading.....


One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."


Love and prayers to all Cx :-)

Thank you it is good to be back again.

Your link was great to watch and sing-a-long to. Thank you RottenR.

For all who are carrying a heavy burden and feel weighted down and upset today.

I look to you Heavenly Father for You are the One who can help me. Thank you for the joys and also the trials in my life right now. I'm grateful that I never walk alone.
Amen.

Good morning :-)

Yes, it's lovely to see kandj back and thank you for the link RottenR. There are some superb choirs in many places.


For today:

Loving, living God,
you come to our world as light shining in our darkness.
Through Jesus, your Son, our Saviour, you offer our world
the bright burning flame of hope
which neither fear, nor doubt,
neither cynicism, nor despair can ever extinguish.
Yet that hope which is ours is no rose-tinted optimism:
it is a hope forged in the pain of the servant hanging on a cross.
Because of his life, death and resurrection we live in hope today.
So, Lord, this day may we live in that hope,
and work that the hope which is ours may be made real for all. Amen.

- James Booth.


Continuing in prayer.........Cx :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knY-obH9ZoY

kandj how lovely to see you back, always in my thoughts and prayers
for you and your husband. <3

Hello All..... I am back after another challenging journey (which is still far from over).

My thanks to everyone for your ongoing prayers and kind words of support which have really helped, especially on the dark days. Today the sun is shining brightly in a blue sky........ God is good!

Thank you Cynthia for the history regarding St Patrick.... all very interesting.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again.
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

This Irish blessing was one that a now retired Vicar used to end all our services.
I send it now to all our Irish friends who may pop in here and wish everyone a
Happy St Patrick's Day today.

Good morning :-)

A very happy St. Patrick's Day to all our Irish friends and relations.


Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he reunited with his family.

He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane..

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

Why a shamrock?

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.

Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.


The beginning of the famous prayer of St. Patrick.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you for that Emma, that was a new one on me, but how lovely it was... <3


Our church was crowded yesterday - the atmosphere was happy - the youngsters music group sang and played extremely well and each lady went home with a bunch of daffodils. Good stuff....... :-D


A story for today:

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighbourhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. He jumped out of the car, grabbed some kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what do you think you are doing?"

Building up a head of steam, he went on. "That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

"Please, mister, please. I'm sorry, but I didn't know what else to do!" pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop." Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car.

"It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the kerb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you and God bless you," the grateful child said to him. The man then watched the little boy push his brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long walk back for the man to his Jaguar...a long, slow walk. He never did repair the side door. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention.

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your heart. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a "brick" at you. It's you choice. Listen to the whisper - or wait for the brick. - Anon


Words to ponder.............Cx :-)

Remembering my Mum on this day and a song she taught me <3

M....is for the million things she gave me
O....is only that she's growing old
T....is for the tears she shed for my sake
H....is for her heart of purest gold
E....is for her eyes with love light shining
R....is right and right she'll always be
Put them all together they spell Mother
The word that means the world to me.

R.I.P

Good morning and a very happy Mothering Sunday to all...... <3

This is the day when we remember not only our mothers, but our Mother Church.

Maybe take a little time to the pray for the church(es) which we have been involved in over the years. Maybe the church where we were married or which has special significance for us. Pray for those who are keeping church doors open for worship and witness to the community.


Collect for today:
Merciful Lord,
absolve your people from their offences,
that through your bountiful goodness
we may all be delivered from the chains of those sins
which by our frailty we have committed;
grant this, heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake,
our blessed Lord and Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I hadn't seen it before either Emma, and thought it worth posting.


A Celtic prayer for today:


Lord of the day
Lord of the sunrise,
we give thanks for the birth of each child,
for the freshly opening rose,
for all newborn animals.

Lord of the morning,
we give thanks for energy and enthusiasm,
for the challenges of a new day,
for your Resurrection power.

Lord of the noonday,
we give thanks for the ability to work,
for all we can achieve,
for unrealised potential.

Lord of the sunset,
we give thanks for those who have died
in the faith of Christ,
for all who have inspired us, for our loved ones.

Lord of the night,
we give thanks for rest and refreshment,
for all your love and care,
for the promise of a new day.


Thinking of kandj and those in any kind of need at this time. Cx :-)

Thank you for that Cynthia, I had never seen that before.x

Remembering all in need of comfort at this time. x

Good morning :-)


For today:


A different 'take' on something which is so familiar to many of us...




The Lord is my Shepherd – That’s Relationship!

I shall not want – That’s Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures – That’s Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters – That’s Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul – That’s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness – That Guidance!

For His name sake – That’s Purpose!

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – That’s Testing!

I will fear no evil – That’s Protection!

For Thou art with me – That’s Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me – That’s Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies – That’s Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil – That’s Consecration!

My cup runneth over – That’s Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – That’s Blessing!

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord – That’s Security!

Forever – That’s Eternity!

AMEN

-Anon


With love ... Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Last night I managed to get to the study group which is being held during Lent. We are few in number but it was well worthwhile.

We discussed out thoughts on the image of God and how we perceive him and the Christian idea of God as a parent. Some interesting thoughts were raised.

We were given 3 readings to think about during the week and I would like to share one of them with you this morning........it took me a couple of goes at reading it to fully appreciate it.


"The hope that we are travelling towards a destiny, rather than a mere collapse, is linked with the faith that our origins were already purposeful.

If we think that our existence is a mere fluke, the result of some wildly improbable mix in some primal soup that threw up the conditions required to sustain life, then our whole human story is a chance bubble; it has no purpose and can be pricked as meaninglessly as it was formed.

But if there is a Creator who stands outside the whole cosmic revolutionary process, and yet works his will within it by a wisdom and love that are present in its every tiniest movement, then human life has a purpose".


- Dame Maria Boulding (1929-2009) Nun and author.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thankfully, assembly went well and there were thoughtful looks and happy smiles as we explored the word 'foregiveness'. :-)


A well known Lenten hymn for today :


“Take up thy cross,” the Saviour said,
“If thou wouldst My disciple be;
Deny thyself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after Me.”

Take up thy cross, let not its weight
Fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
And brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
Thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
And saved thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross then in His strength,
And calmly sin’s wild deluge brave,
’Twill guide thee to a better home,
It points to glory o’er the grave.

Take up thy cross and follow Christ,
Nor think til death to lay it down;
For only those who bear the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.




http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/a/takeuptc.htm

Praying for kandj and all our friends who have asked for prayer. Cx :-)