General Chat

Good morning... :-)


What sort of day are you going to have? :-)


Attitude Determines Altitude


I woke up early today, excited over all that I
get to do before the clock strikes midnight.
I have responsibilities to fulfill today.

I am important.
My job is to choose what kind of day
I am going to have.


Today I can complain
because the weather is rainy
or I can be thankful that the grass
is getting watered for free.


Today I can feel sad
because I don't have more money or
I can be more grateful
for the many things that I already have.


Today I can grumble about my health
or I can rejoice that I am alive.


Today I can lament over all that my parents
didn't give me when I was growing up
or I can feel grateful
that they allowed me to be born.


Today I can cry because roses have thorns
or I can celebrate
that thorns have roses.


Today I can mourn for my lack of friends
or I can excitedly embark upon a quest
to discover new relationships.


Today I can whine
because I have to go to work
or I can shout for joy
because I have a job to do.


Today I can complain
because I have to go to school
or I can eagerly open my mind and fill it
with rich new titbits of knowledge.


Today I can murmur dejectedly
because I have to do housework
or I can feel honoured
because the Lord has provided
shelter for my mind, body and soul.


Today stretches ahead of me,
waiting to be shaped.
And here I am, the sculptor
who gets to do the shaping.


What today will be like is up to me.
I'm the one who gets to choose
what kind of day I will have!

~ Author Unknown ~



Still remembering in prayer, kandj and her husband, Emma's young friend, Vera's widowed friend and all those who mourn. Cx :-)

That is truly shocking Cynthia, and so very sad.

Emma x

Good morning.. :-)

So sorry to hear that there has been yet another death of a long time member of these boards. I don't think I was ever in touch with BC but I had seen her name around for a long time. Thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad time.


I found the prayer I was thinking of yesterday; its 'doing the rounds' on FB and is stated to be written by a 15 year old school girl in America. Whatever it's origins, it is very cleverly put together.

The Lord's Prayer is, apparently, not allowed in most public schools in America anymore because the word 'God' is mentioned.....


New School prayer:


Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene..
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all..
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the United States.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...
Guns are allowed, but Not the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong..
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles...
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!

Amen


Something to ponder on this blustery Monday morning. Cx :-)

My condolences to family and friends of BC.

A lovely lady who will be truly missed on GR.

RIP dear Maureen (Mo) <3

Good morning :-)


Thank you for the link Susan. It has reminded me of an interesting version of the Lord's Prayer which I will try and remember to post tomorrow. (Try and remember being the operative words!) :-)



It's pouring with rain here - looks as though we are going to have some rather soggy Baptism guests turning up. Never mind, we will welcome them in out of the wet.


The Collect for today:

The Collect

Almighty Lord and everlasting God,
we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern
both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws
and the works of your commandments;
that through your most mighty protection,
both here and ever,
we may be preserved in body and soul;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever.
Amen.


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

Good evening :-)


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Living the Lords Prayer



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Lords-Prayer-David-Timms-ebook/dp/B00B853VB6/?_bbid=13580&_bbtype=email

Good morning... :-)


I had a very hectic evening last Wednesday. It was our monthly baptism preparation class and we had nine families present - it may have been ten thinking about it. I just know it was very noisy but in a nice way.

It's lovely to think that so many young folk still want their babies to be baptised, but they are usually reluctant to say as to why they want this Christian initiation service for their child.

We press on however and I do my best to explain just the basics of the faith that they want their child baptised into.

When it comes to looking at the promises and vow they are to make on behalf of their child, I think the meaning must be quite difficult for those who have not grown up within the faith, especially when they are to declare that they believe in God and that they will be bringing their child up to follow Jesus.

We can but do our best to help them.



Unclutter our lives, Lord
we have too much,
consume too much,
expect too much.

Grant us perspective;
to see this world
through others’ eyes
than just our own.

Grant us compassion;
where there is need
to play our part
not turn aside.

Grant us gratitude
for what we have,
our daily bread
the gift of life.

Unclutter our lives, Lord,
give us space,
simplicity
thankful hearts.




Cx :-)

Good morning ... :-)


Forgive me if I have posted this before, but I know there will be those who appreciate it.


Thank you, God, for everything,
The big things and the small.
For "every good gift comes from God"...
The giver of them all.

And all too often we accept, without any thanks or praise,
The gifts God sends as blessings, each day in many ways.
And so at this Thanksgiving Time, we offer up a prayer...
To thank you, God, for giving us a lot more than our share.

First, thank you for the little things
That often come our way,
The things we take for granted
But don't mention when we pray,
The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful, kindly deed,
A hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need.

Oh, make us more aware, dear God, of little daily graces
That come to us with "sweet surprise"
From never-dreamed-of places.

Then, thank you for the "Miracles"
We are much too blind to see,
And give us new awareness of our many gifts from Thee,
And help us to remember that the Key of Life and Living
Is to make each prayer a Prayer of Thanks
And every day Thanksgiving


--Helen Steiner Rice


Remembering kandj and her husband, Emma's young friend and her family and Vera's recently widowed friend.

Cx :-)

Thoughts and prayers to all in need of comfort. <3

Good morning :-)


There always seems to be so much new of war in the headlines, and so a prayer from someone who dealt with the casualties of war - over one hundred years ago.


O Lord God,
since you have called us to devote ourselves to the needs of others,
grant us the strength of your grace.
In the midst of our work let us not lose sight of your great purposes.
Let us not snatch the management of your world from your hands,
lest we faint and fall in the presence of your wisdom;
this we beg for Jesu's sake.
Amen.

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)



Remembering all those who need prayer at this time. Cx :-)

Good morning .... :-)


To fit in with the remembrance of the outbreak of the First World War, I thought a hymn would be appropriate and, what better than Onward Christian Soldiers. :-)

This hymn was written in 1869 by Revd. Sabine Baring-Gould who used it as a processional hymn for children going to St. Peter's church in Horbury, Yorkshire. It took him all of 15 minutes to write apparently. The tune we are familiar with was composed by Arthur Sullivan and this hymn has been used at countless events ever since.


Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

Chorus: Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never 'gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honour unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.


Continuing to pray for our friends kandj and her OH, Vera's recently widowed friend, Emma's young friend and her family and any known to us who would appreciate prayer at this time.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Elizabeth, thank you for those beautiful words. If I may, I would like to leave that as our prayer for today, but would like to add a small story which reflects some of the words in your prayer.....

"Follow with reverent steps the great example
of him whose holy work was doing good;
so shall the wide earth seem our Father's temple,
each loving life a psalm of gratitude."



Trooper George Jameson, 1st Battalion, Northumberland Hussar - WW1

"I'd give full marks to the Salvation Army. They had one place I used to drop into often. And it was a most uncomfortable spot to be in. It was at Vimy. The main road came through Vimy and down on to the plain that way.

Well, you didn't take that main road if you could avoid it, it was under constant shellfire. At night it got even worse, as the Germans reckoned that transport used it at night, so they would keep strafing it the whole time.

But tucked into the side of the hill was the Salvation Army. And they used to have tea and whatever going all hours of the day. How they survived there I don't know. Wonderful people. In the middle of nowhere to suddenly walk into a place and get a piping hot pot of tea, it was a great reviver".


The Salvation Army - following the great example of Him whose holy work was doing good.

Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello

This is a small tribute for the all the people who died in World War One.


"O brother man, fold to thy heart"


"O brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother;

where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;

to worship rightly is to love each other,

each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.



he whom Jesus loved has truly spoken:

the holier worship which He deigns to bless

restores the lost, and binds the spirit broken,

and feeds the widow and the fatherless.




Follow with reverent steps the great example

of him whose holy work was doing good;

so shall the wide earth seem our Father's temple,

each loving life a psalm of gratitude.



Then shall all shackles fall; the stormy clangor

of wild war music o'er the earth shall cease;

love shall tread out the baleful fire of anger,

and in its ashes plant the tree of peace".


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

With deep respect
Elizabeth,
xx

Amen.

Good morning.. :-)


Our prayer for today centres on the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the First World War.


Gracious Father,
we pray for peace in our world:

for all national leaders
that they may have wisdom to know and courage to do
what is right;

for all men and women
that their hearts may be turned to yourself
in the search for righteousness and truth;

for those who are working to improve international
relationships,
that they may find the true way of reconciliation;

for those who suffer as a result of war:
the injured and disabled,
the mentally distressed,
the homeless and hungry,
those who mourn for their dead,

and especially for those who are without hope to
sustain them in their grief.

Amen.


Cx

Thoughts and prayers to those in need of comfort <3

Good morning :-)


I have a busy day ahead of me and so I will leave you with the Collect for the day.




Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
graft in our hearts the love of your name,
increase in us true religion,
nourish us with all goodness,
and of your great mercy keep us in the same;
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.


Love and prayers to our friends in need. Cx :-)

Good morning .. :-)


I hope everyone is keeping as well as possible. A prayer for the busyness of life.....


God, who is with us
in the midst of traffic chaos and noisy commerce,

remind us to stop and listen to the sounds of longing hearts.
In the dark loneliness of crowded living,

remind us to look for glimpses of your light.
When tempted to see only struggle and bad news,

remind us that the city is full of stories of hope and human flourishing.
Help us to be the human agents of your divine grace. Amen.

- Michaela Youngson


Remembering all our friends......Cx :-)

Well Cynthia I wonder who that special friend is :-D

My message to special friend...Lang May your Lum Reek and
Haste ye Back <3

Emma :-)

Hello Vera, it's so sad when folk don't have a family around them at times like this, but it does sound as though there will be friends and neighbours to help your friend during the difficult days ahead.

I have received a message from a special friend..........no names.....no pack drill :-D :-D :-D


"I am reading almost every day and love to see posts from Cynthia, Emma, Susan. Dermot, his Mother and others. And I can sense "spiritual groanings" from others.

Working through my ban slowly and not so long till I will be re-instated (1st January 2021) and will be able to tell you again how much Jesus loves this naughty sunbeam.

3 things to report during my incarceration:

1. Granddaughter Amelie is so beautiful. Going to see her Monday 4th (day after my 68th birthday). She is a real smiler and a huge tonic - what life is all about.

2. We have had a steady decline in church membership in Valleys since I came here 7 years ago (not all my fault). Now attending meeting after meeting where we are praying and taking practical steps to arrest that decline. Looking do-able, and even our Chair of Welsh Synod (sort of Methodist Archbishop of Wales) attended our little meeting last night in an unpronouncable Valleys village to show prayer and financial support.

3. Finished my draft of the biography about a famous Victorian aunt who was a maid of all work for 30 years then married a pre-Raphaelite poet and Barrister (as all our ancestors did probably). Has been a labour of love, but not an easy labour. To submit end of next week to an agent to see if it is publishable. But quite good, I think. And 250 pages minus photos, maps etc so feel I have really achieved my first goal since retiring 9 months back. " :-) <3

Here endeth the lesson. ;-) Cx :-)