General Chat

Good morning :-)



Real indeed Susan - and it's how I pass quite a lot of my day. :-)


Every now and again, I take a look to see which saint is being celebrated in the church - both Anglican and Roman Catholic. Today is the feast day of St. Bernard of Clairvaux and I have been reading about him online. I am always impressed by the intellectual abilities and spiritual courage of men like Bernard. Their steadfastness in their faith in Christ is remarkable indeed.

Something I discovered, which I hadn't realised, was that the words from the following hymn are attributed to St.Bernard. It was one of the hymns my mother chose for her funeral if I remember rightly.



Jesus, the very thought of thee
with sweetness fills the breast;
but sweeter far thy face to see,
and in thy presence rest.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the memory find,
a sweeter sound than Jesus' Name,
the Saviour of mankind.

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
to those who fall, how kind thou art:
how good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah, this
nor tongue nor pen can show;
the love of Jesus, what it is,
none but who love him know.

Jesus, our only joy be thou,
as thou our prize wilt be;
in thee be all our glory now,
and through eternity.


Words: Bernard of Clairvaux, twelfth century;
trans. Edward Caswall, 1849



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Cl7YZmw6I


Thoughts and prayers go to all our friends. Cx :-)

Good evening


I quite liked that Cynthia .....seems so real :-)

Good morning..... :-)


Lovely to see you both posting - thank you for those words. The Seven Social Sins from 1925, were interesting Dermot and sadly, too many people are still living by them today.



When I think I've finished praying,
I don't always say, "Amen,"
For I keep a running dialogue,
Going on all day with Him.

Off and on throughout the day,
I speak aloud to God,
A fact that is so commonplace,
I do not think it's odd.

God can do what I can't do,
(Or, I can't do alone,)
I ask His help a thousand times,
For many tasks at home.

Be it opening a jar,
Or undoing knotted cords,
I always say, "Please help me, God,"
Then say, "I thank you, Lord."

It's "please" and "thank you" all day long,
It's natural - like breathing,
It isn't planned; it just comes out,
It's comfortable and pleasing.

I suppose my prayers are selfish,
(I need to work on that,)
But sometimes I merely talk to Him,
And ask for nothing back.

I think God knows what's going on,
He can recognize true need,
I may just want a Holy Ear,
And not a Holy Deed.

- Virginia Ellis


Lots to think about with these postings. Cx :-)

On BBC Radio 4’s ’Beyond Belief’ today was a very interesting discussion about ‘The 7 Deadly Sins’.

Mentioned during programme was the supposed Hindu equivalent as outlined by Mahatma Gandhi’s 'Seven Social Sins' (aka the Seven Blunders of the World)
published in 1925 & listed as follows: -

Wealth without work.
Pleasure without conscience.
Knowledge without character.
Commerce without morality.
Science without humanity.
Worship without sacrifice.
Politics without principle.

Amen to this mornings prayer Cynthia and I am remembering others too in need of prayerful support today.

Yesterday's Collect of the day "spoke to me" and I appreciate this bonding with other Christians, especially as I am not able to return to regular Sunday morning worship just yet.

I read Galatians Chapter 5 v 22-23 to remind myself of Paul's letter regarding the Fruits of the Holy Spirit which were 8 in number, namely:-

Love, Joy, Peace,Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

My Catholic neighbour tells me that their faith list 12 Fruits of the Spirit which are:-

Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control and Chastity.

I found this to be quite interesting and worthy of sharing with you all today.

Good morning :-D

Thank you for your kind words kandj......we're so glad you are back with us.


Our prayer for today:

Loving, living Lord,
in Jesus you come into this world in love,
light shining in our darkness.
So we dare to hope,
for in your love and light, hope, too, is born,
hope which is real,
for this world and all its people, for me.
So help me to live this day in hope,
your gift in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

- James Booth


Thinking of all our friends who have asked for prayer. Cx :-)

Thank you to Vera, Emma and Cynthia. It does feel good to be with you all again although my time is not my own I will add when I get a spare 5 minutes.

I am still not able to be back in church but I will get there at some point and I'm sure God will see how much my husband needs my help still.

Cynthia, the Collect is interesting to read and your presentation just great....
Well done you good and faithful servant!

Welcome back kandj and may your husband
continue to get stronger everyday.
My thoughts and prayers to you both and also
my young friend and her family.

Emma x

Good morning and how wonderful to see kandj back with us again. :-)

We have missed your input kandj, and it will be lovely to read your thoughts as and when you are able to post.


Over the past few weeks, I have been planning a special event for church. The theme was 'Peace'.......
Peace in our world (to commemorate the First World War);
Peace in our lives (gained by putting our trust in God) and
Peace in our Church (aimed at strengthening our relationships within our congregation).

The first part was a presentation in church with a PowerPoint I had put together on all of the above aspects. Afterwards, we adjourned to our meeting room and enjoyed an afternoon tea of sandwiches, cakes, strawberry scones and some 'home grown' entertainment which I had arranged. It was a lovely, lovely, afternoon and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Hard work, but well worth it. :-)


The Collect for today:

Almighty God,
who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church:
open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
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.


Cx :-)

Lovely to see you posting again Kandj. Welcome back <3

Hello to you all....... the happy wanderer has returned and I give my very grateful thanks to everyone who has supported me and my husband over very many months.

We have travelled a long hard road and still have a long way to go yet, but God is good and helping hubby with healing and I am given the strength to cope as Carer.

I have returned to read of a modern miracle and what a joy and blessing this is for Emma's young friend and her family. The power of prayer is vital and powerful indeed.

Special thanks to Cynthia for such beautiful and meaningful daily prayers and words to inspire and encourage all who read them. When we pray together and think of others in need this is such a simple act but when we are burdened and worried we can feel lifted high just knowing that others care and we are not alone.

Psalm 28 v 7
The Lord protects and defends me; I trust in Him.
He gives me help and makes me glad;
I praise him with joyful songs.

Thank you Cynthia, I love the idea
of being covered by a rainbow of hope :-)

Good morning :-)



I was so pleased with that news Emma and I do so hope that she continues to gather strength and improve day by day bless her. In any situation, there is always hope.............


Lord God,

I give you all the members of our family.
You know them all so well and love them all.
I ask that you would cover us with a rainbow of hope.


Hope that draws us together to work out our differences.
Hope that helps us to celebrate together and care for one another.
Hope that rides like a banner in our lives and watches our us wherever we go.
Hope that overcomes adversity and gathers strength to overcome.
Hope that guides us and gives us vision for our future alone and together.
Hope filled with love.
Hope that fuels faith.
Hope that breathes peace.


May our family live in you
Underneath your promises.

Amen.


Remembering all those who are in need of prayer at this time. <3


Cx :-)

Thank you Vera <3

My thoughts and prayers to those in need
of comfort at this time.

Emma x

Emma, that is wonderful news. She has a long way to go but hopefully she will continue to recover steadily. She will stay in my thoughts as will her family.

Your prayer today Cynthia is appropriate for our friend who
has come out of her coma and over the past week or two
is showing signs of emotions ie giggling, crying etc
She has been moved to another hospital to learn to speak
and walk again, from being told she was brain dead to this
wonderful news is unbelievable.

I would like to thank you all for keeping her in your thoughts
and prayers.

Emma x

Good morning.. :-)


I'm a little late today. My husband is taking longer to 'come round' in the mornings and I have been a bit delayed in helping him get into his daily routine.


Our prayer for today:

Thank God for Miracles

It took a miracle from above
To create the world we see,
And it took a miracle of love
When Christ died on Calvary.
It took a miracle of God’s power
To raise Jesus from the grave,
And it takes a miracle this hour…
For a lost soul to be saved…
Thank God for Miracles.

Yes, it takes a miracle of grace
To redeem a sinful soul,
And a wondrous miracle takes place
When God warms a heart grown cold.
Our Lord is good at miracles, friend,
His love and mercy are great,
His arm is stretched out to heal and mend…
And lift to a holy state…
Thank God for Miracles.

When we humbly serve our Lord each day,
And walk on the righteous path,
We see miracles along the way…
Souls saved from judgment and wrath.
Nothing is too hard for our great God
Who gives life forevermore…
Receive Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
And you’ll enter heaven’s door...
Thank God for Miracles.



I hope you all have a good day. Remembering kandj and her husband, Vera's widowed friend and Emma's young friend and her family in our prayers.

Cx :-)

Good morning.... :-)

Sometimes, the bad news in the world seems to outweigh the good that is going on.

Leprosy is widely believed to be the world's oldest disease and has much stigma attached to it. The World Health Organisation estimates that over a quarter of a million new cases are diagnosed around the world each year. It is found in areas where there is dirty water, poor nutrition and generally poor standards of living.

The Leprosy Mission is working in 11 countries providing healthcare, education, rehabilitation, housing and clean sanitation facilities. Wonderful work done by wonderful people - good news often outweighed by bad.

The Leprosy Mission Prayer

Almighty Father,
the giver of life and health,
look mercifully on those who suffer from leprosy.
Stretch out your hand to touch and heal them
as Jesus did during his earthly life.
Grant wisdom and insight to those who are seeking
the prevention and cure of the disease;
give skill and sympathy to those who minister to the patients;
reunite the separated with their families and friends;
and inspire your people with the task
set before The Leprosy Mission,
that it may never lack either the staff
or the means to carry on its healing work,
in accordance with your will,
and to the glory of your holy name.

We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord.

Amen.



Continuing to remember our friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I may be getting some visitors later this morning as one of my Goddaughters and her mother are hoping to pop in. I rarely see them as my Goddaughter is all grown up and living away from home, so it is nice that she wants to keep in touch.


Being a Godparent is considered to be an important role with the church family - and the C. of E. explains it thus:

What does being a Godparent involve?

As a Godparent you have a special role. It's about helping a child to come to know God, encouraging them in their spiritual life and supporting them in their membership of the local church.

You need to be at the Christening where you will make promises to help bring them up in the Christian faith. It's a role that will grow over time, as your Godchild grows up and develops their own faith.

There's a lot to live up to there........ :-)


Lord God,

I pray that you will guide and help me in being a Godparent.

Give me your wisdom and your love.

Help me to be a good example of Christian living

And help me remember my precious godchild.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Thoughts and prayers to all in need.

Emma x