General Chat

Thank you Cynthia, Amen indeed.

Hubby and I exchanged our Valentine cards today but no roses or chocs..... a warm hug though, which is precious and priceless.

Alleluia, God is love;
Let us love one another
As God has loved us.

To crown all things there must be love
to bind all things together and make the whole,
Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Colosians 3:14

Warm and loving thoughts to all who are anxious or sad this night.

Good morning :-)


Red roses, chocolates and romantic cards............it must be St. Valentine's Day :-D


But just who was St. Valentine?


There are several stories about this saint but most of them seem to agree that he was a Roman Priest at a time when there was an emperor called Claudius who was persecuting the church and who had an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people.

This was based on the thought that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married soldiers might be afraid of what might happen to them or their wives or families if they died.

It was, at the time, a very permissive society but obviously the church thought that marriage was very sacred between one man and one woman for their life and that it was to be encouraged. And so it immediately presented the problem to the Christian church of what to do about this.

The idea of encouraging people to marry within the Christian church was what Valentine was about but, because of the edict, he married them in secret.

Valentine was eventually caught, imprisoned and tortured for performing marriage ceremonies against command of Emperor Claudius the second. There are legends surrounding Valentine's actions while in prison.

There was a man called Asterius who supported the edict and whose daughter was blind. It is understood that Valentine prayed with and healed the young girl with such astonishing effect that Asterius himself became Christian as a result.

In the year 269 AD, Valentine was sentenced to a three part execution of a beating, stoning, and finally decapitation all because of his stand for Christian marriage. The story goes that the last words he wrote were in a note to Asterius' daughter. He inspired today's romantic missives by signing it...........

"from your Valentine."


Lord,
Help us to love unselfishly
and to find great joy in giving.
Enable all true lovers
to bring out the best in each other.

Amen.



Cx <3

Such lovely words to ponder on Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing them.

Remembering those who feel down hearted or sad for whatever reason today. xx

Good morning :-)


Thank you for those lovely words Elizabeth............they will be our thoughts for today.



Keeping our friends in our prayers......Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello

Some words to ponder:


"Let it Be....Kindness Matters.

"The purpose of life is not to pursue happiness,

It is to be useful, to be honourable,

to be compassionate,

to have it make some difference

that you have lived and lived well."


By RALPH WALDO EMERSON

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

Take gentle care
With best wishes
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Dear All

Hello

Hope you are okay and doing well.

One of my favourite poems and the inspiration for music of all kinds:

I AM MUSIC


"I am music


I am music

I am music

I enter the room with percussion

Or a gentle rise

You will feel me beating at skin

Or stirring emotion

I am an ice-blue vein

Ticking in your wrist

I am life

I am music



I remember you

And I lead you to places

You’ve known before

I am music and memory

I was there in the room

When you first made love

I echo your ecstasy

I aid your grief

I will come to your funeral

I am all things to all people

I am music

I am life



I am the loner in the corner

And the dancer in the spotlight

I am laser beam and strobe

Attuned to your mood

I can lift you or sink you

I carry the words

You repeat in my presence

In smoke-wreathed bars

And sun-warmed squares

I will come to your party

And stay the night

I am life

I am music

An ice-blue vein

Ticking in your wrist

I will make you happy

(or sad)

But will comfort you

And make you dance

In my crescendo

I am music

I am music, I am music".

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

Take gentle care
With best wishes
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Good morning :-)


Stair lifts are, indeed, a blessing........ :-D


For today - a Hebrew prayer from North America

Blessed art Thou
O Lord our God
King of the world
who makes the fruit
of the tree.

Blessed art Thou
O Lord our God
King of the world
whose word makes all
things on earth.


Blessed art Thou
O Lord our God
King of the world
who brings food
out of the earth.

Blessed art Thou
O Lord our God
King of the world
who gives clothes
to cover our bodies.

Blessed art Thou
O Lord our God
King of the world
who makes sweet smelling
wood and plants.

Blessed art Thou
O Lord our God
King of the world
who has kept us alive
until now so we may
find joy in what has
just come to us.

Blessed art Thou
O Lord our God
King of the world
who has created
the wonderful things of
earth and heaven.



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

How good that both stairlifts get the approval of the young and the young at heart!!
We are in a bungalow and have no need of a stairlift but we do have neighbours whose quality of life and independence have been greatly improved by them.

Remembering all who are struggling today.... sending gentle hugs their way. xx

Cynthia my great grand daughter refuses to
walk up stairs, she likes my special lift as she
calls it....she will be three in April :-)


Remembering our friends in need of prayer. x

Good morning :-)


Our new stair lift has the seal of approval - from our grandson! He was most impressed and insisted on a test run :-D


For today:


WASTE NOT - WANT NOT

A song is never wasted,
If it's sung into the air,
It can reach many people,
It can go anywhere.

If it's a song of praise and joy,
That comes from deep within,
Be it loudly sung or gently hummed,
It then becomes a hymn.

A poem is never wasted,
If it's written from the heart,
True, it may expose the poet,
And reveal his inner part.

But it can provide for others,
Thoughts or words they'd like to say,
Release something deep inside them,
And soothe them on their way.

A prayer is never wasted,
Though replies aren't quickly seen,
God answers when He's ready,
In manners that He deems.

Prayers may be prayed with others,
Or whispered all alone,
Their style doesn't matter,
Nor their volume nor their tone.

And love is never wasted,
Though it may not be returned,
Better to have loved and lost,
Than not give love a turn.

To love one another,
Is the greatest of God's laws,
And it is His plan for man,
Regardless of man's flaws.

Songs, poems, prayers, or love,
None are wasted - no, not one,
Not all are printed or recorded,
And some are left undone.

But of all these fine expressions,
By far, love is the best,
No way can it be wasted,
It is the basis for the rest.

~ Virginia Ellis



Cx :-)

Amen to that Cynthia. Such a tragic event and so sad for all concerned.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of everyone involved is such a shocking accident.

Life is indeed precious. I have a poster which says.................

"Today is a Gift. That's why it is called The Present!"

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118 v 24

Good morning :-)


What dreadful news about the crash in which four people have been killed. As I heard one bystander say..."It makes you realise how precious life is". So very true.


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.



With love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A young woman came shivering into church for the baptism service yesterday morning. "I'm freezing" she complained as she shivered her way down the aisle. Yes, well.....perhaps if she had been wearing something warmer it would have helped! Backless flimsy mini dresses are not exactly known for keeping the wind chill out! :-D


For today:

Shepherd-King
As I travel the road of life,
Shepherd-King walk beside me.
As I fall into pot-holes,
Shepherd-King raise me.
As I baulk at the rough places,
Shepherd-King encourage me.
As I wander away from you,
Shepherd-King lead me.
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Shepherd-King surround me.


Continuing prayers for friends. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I love the words of that hymn kandj and understand how much you must miss the love and fellowship of your church.


Today is the second Sunday before Lent.......... Easter is very early this year.

The Collect

Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image:
teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and your likeness in all your children;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit
reigns supreme over all things,
now and for ever.
Amen.



Cx :-)

Thank you for the link Cynthia. This is indeed a beautiful hymn with incredible words.

I used to go monthly to a Christian meeting for ladies and a member always used to interpret the words in sign language. It was fascinating to see Laura do this. I "saw" her again in my minds eye whilst I was viewing this link.

I do miss the fellowship, praise and worship sessions which were always so lively and a warm greeting was extended to one and all. Hubby still is far from well and so this is the reason I am unable to join in now, but I never say never and I'm ever hopeful to join like minded friends again when I can.

Wishing everyone a relaxing and stress free weekend.

Good morning :-)


Thank you for those words kandj.


One of the hymns sung at last week's Confirmation service was 'In Christ Alone'. I love this modern hymn and was interested to find out that it is the nation's No.2 favourite according to a poll carried out by Songs of Praise in 2013.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Stuart Townend & Keith Getty


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8welVgKX8Qo


With love to those in need of prayer. Cx :-)

Thank you for surrounding me with Your favours as protection, with Your glory as adornment, with Your wisdom as words for life, with Your generosity as a gift of goodness and with your many blessings as a down pouring of joy. Amen

Wonderful words by Roy Lessing...... just too amazing to keep to myself.

That is good news to share Cynthia. The stair lift is sure to be a real help in maintaining your husband's independence and keeping him safe. The bonus is that it has been fitted quickly with little fuss.

Hello Emma, I hope that you are well and keeping warm during this cold spell. I am wearing red today to support the BHF.

Sending warm thoughts and prayers to all in need today xx

:-D :-D :-D

Good morning :-)


We have lift off! Our new stairlift was installed yesterday with the minimum of fuss. It looks neat and works a treat! :-D

Some smiles for today:

The Sunday School teacher asked, "Now, Johnny, tell me, do you say your prayers before eating?" "No sir," he replied, "We don't have to. My mom is a good cook!"


A little boy was riding the elevator at a breathtaking speed to the 20th floor of a skyscraper. With eyes as big as saucers he asked his father, "Daddy, does God know we're coming?"


CHURCH SIGN:
Count
Recount
And then hand count -- your blessings!


Question: How many wives does the Bible allow a man to have?
Answer: 16 -- 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer and 4 poorer


I know a friend who goes to a church that is so progressive that when they do the Christmas story, the three Wise Men are bringing gift certificates.


After preparing a sermon one night Rev. Mary Brown must have looked tired and worn out. Her husband came into the den to cheer her up with this riddle:
"What do you call a woman minister when she gets older?"
Answer: "Pastor Prime."


Quiz: The man who smiles when things go wrong is either
(a) a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, or
(b) has found someone he can blame it on.


Maybe the reason children aren’t taught good manners is that there aren’t enough qualified instructors around.


If clergymen can be defrocked and lawyers debarred, doesn’t it follow that:

electricians can be delighted,
musicians denoted or decomposed,
cowboys deranged,
models deposed, dry cleaners depressed,
laundry workers could decrease (eventually becoming depressed and depleted), bed-makers will be debunked,
bulldozer operators will be degraded,
organ donors will be delivered,
software engineers will be detested,

On a more positive note though, perhaps we can hope politicians will be devoted.

:-D :-D :-D :-D


Remembering our friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Good morning... :-)


Four families faced me last night as I undertook the explanation of Holy Baptism to them - ready for their big day on Sunday. Hopefully, they have been given something to think about before publically declaring the promises involved. :-)


For today:



Prayer for Clarity

Lord,

May your words be like a lamp that lights my way.
May your love be like a compass that gives me direction.
May your truth be like a signpost bringing clarity.
May your peace be like a measure that guides my decisions.
May your hope be like a flag that declares I walk with you.
May your words be in my mind,
Your love guide my feet,
Your truth be a sign,
Your peace be a measure,
And your hope be a flag,
As I walk close to you at this time.


Amen.


Love, Cx :-)