General Chat

Good morning...... :-)


Oh John! Your humour does bring a smile to my face......especially when the penny drops! :-)

I know what you mean about those words being drummed into you at an early age kandj......and there are some you just cannot forget. Rather like old hymn tunes which pop up........and the Lord's prayer.

A busy night for me last night with 8 families staring at me as I tried to explain the meaning of baptism to them. It's quite daunting from both sides of the powerpoint!!

Our new priest-in-charge has decided to limit the number of baptisms each month to just three. I can understand the reasoning behind it, but I can also imagine that we will have overflowing 'waiting lists'. Time will tell.


A thought for today :

The Potter's Wheel

When you’re troubled and discouraged
In the darkness of the night;
When obstruction clouds your vision
And you just can't see the light.

When life’s trials overcome you
And you have nowhere to turn;
When you’ve reached the very bottom,
There are lessons you must learn.

For the clay is being molded,
It’s been twisted, pulled and tossed,
It’s been rolled and it’s been pounded,
Till the ego has been lost.

He will put you through the furnace,
You’ll be tested to the brim,
Your life will be in pieces,
Till you give your soul to Him.

From blemish to perfection,
His hands will form the clay;
This human piece of rubble
Must let God have His way.

When you come to Him all battered
In the form of mortal man,
When you cry to Him in mercy,
You will find the Potter’s hand.

He will grind you, mould and chisel,
The friction you will feel,
Till He gently carves and shapes you
Upon the Potter’s wheel.


- Marilyn Ferguson



Cx :-)

Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest......... I can hear Mrs Shepherd a lovely white haired Sunday school teacher repeating these special words to us time and time again....... very many years ago now, but how amazing the brain is as I was transported back into the church hall where our Sunday school was held... hmmmmmm..

Miserable day here. Woke at 7.30am, and it was still dark. And even at 10am it was pretty dark with car headlights on. Lashings of rain, I am reading Genesis Chapters 6 and 7 and a do-it-yourself book about boat building. :-( :-(

Winter is a funny season. You get lovely days like yesterday, which seem even better than sunny summer days because of the crispness and cleanness of the air. Then a day like today.

The most wonderful thing about the Bible is that everybody in all generations in all countries and speaking all languages has been able to access the word of God. For centuries, there was little or nothing in written form in the UK apart from fairly corrupted Latin Vulgate Bibles.

Yet we all (in many past generations) said our Lord's Prayer and the creeds in our own language and passed them on to our children. We prayed as families, we read Bible stories, we discussed them. Echoes of that Christian heritage still exist everywhere. I found myself praying in a coffee shop yesterday in a large superstore with another Christian. Eyes tight closed, hands together like my avatar. I had quite forgotten I was in the middle of a superstore. Opened my eyes slowly, as I was a bit embarrassed when I realised what I had done. But folk on tables nearby smiled at me and were clearly not upset in any way to see an elderfly man praying quite intensely.

It is a miracle, but the word of God continues to be pure for this generation as it has been for the last 60 generations or so. And we are promised that nobody, in any part of the world, will be left wanting if they approach Jesus and the Cross.

Good morning everyone and I hope you are all well and safe from the weather conditions.

The subject of bibles and the various editions, has been a matter for debate in our church recently. At one time, the C. of E. only allowed the use of certain translations which they felt were as close to the original as could be found. I think that is still the case for churches which use the Book of Common Prayer......lovingly known as the BCP.

However, for those of us who use the new Common Worship service, it appears that we can use any translation apart from from the one produced by the Jehovah's Witnesses as that is 'skewed' to fit their heretical teachings. Also, I don't think we can use the Mormon bible either.

I have just downloaded the Jerusalem Bible version of the New Testament onto my smartphone..... :-)


I thought these words may be apt.....

The Collect for Advent 2 - an original composition by Cranmer for the 1549 Prayer Book:

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.


Words which have been repeated by generations of Christians......food for thought indeed.


Cx :-)

Wonderful hymn and beautiful words in each verse Cynthia. Thank you.

I also have several bibles. The KJV was the one given when I was in secondary school but we had school assemblies back then and Religious Education lessons that I still recall as being really interesting. I find children's bibles interesting for the simple stories that most folk can relate to. Perhaps I am still a child at heart? I like "simple" and feel adults often think too deeply and complicate situations.

Peek a boo to you John. These special moments can be found anywhere/anytime.

Another peek a boo day.

Must read Luke again. Had not realised it was so easy to understand. I think I started with familiar passages like Matthew Chapters 5, 6 and 7 and Psalm 23. You just get drawn in, and it is a joy to read the Bible in a simple version. Worth shopping round in a good Christian bookshop that stocks more than 10 versions. Because each person may find one particularly suited to them.

Same with commentaries. I do look at quite a lot, but I never stray far from Matthew Henry - who was a Vicar in Flintshire who wrote abolut 1710!!! And I can understand every (and I mean every) word he wrote - whereas some modern commentaries could be in Greek for teh amount I understand them.

Just off to take some rubbish down to the tip (fortnightly collections :-(). Now can I find a peek a boo moment when I am down at the dump? The computer says "No". God says "YES" :-D :-D :-D

Good morning all.

A variety of bibles indeed John.....so many versions, so many translations and sadly, so many left untouched.


When I am attempting to explain, very inadequately I may add, the basics of the Christian faith to those parents who wish to have their child baptised, I always mention the bible. However, I also explain that they do not need to go out and buy one - they can simply download it onto their smartphone or ipad etc. :-)

Actually, come to think of it, I had forgotten that it is recommended that folk who are new to the bible, actually begin by reading the Gospel of Luke. Glad I thought of that.....I can use it tomorrow.... :-)


It is another beautiful morning here..........so I thought the following would be apt...


Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

- Eleanor Farjeon


Love to you all....Cx

I posted almost exactly same time as kandj last night, then went to bed and have only just seen her post. Very interesting. Hope the little wriggler and family become members fully of your church :-D :-D

Recently, I saw some cheap Bibles in a remaindered book shop. Rather nice, beautifully bound, pristine. £9.99 for quite a large one and £14.99 for a mammoth one with illustrations, maps etc. Nelson was the publisher and it didn't take a clairvoyant to tell me they were KJV.

Probably the hardest version of Bible to read, and I would never suggest anyone started with the KJV. Gideons now provide a modern version in hotel rooms. And I started with the Good News, which was about the only version my simple brain could take in 30 years ago. Still often check it even today (though I always prefer KJV now).

Nelson apprently have to pay a fortune in royalties for these modern versions like NKJV, NIV, RSV etc. So you will seldom see any cheap one. Great shame imo. Same with hymns - people like these modern hymns but you have to get all sorts of legalities sorted out before you can put them in hymn books or even use them. "Fully Guaranteed" absolutely makes the point. Fortunately we manage to keep all this nonsense away from congregations, who just enjoy reading and singing the Word.

The wine was in 6 x 100 litre casks. 600 litres. That would have filled 800 bottles. 30 gallons a cask!!! 180 gallons in total - 90 two gallon buckets full. Makes some of the jokes about this first miracle of Jesus seem rather silly - it was such a miracle as to make none of the others necessary, I would have thought. :-) :-). Each miracle should almost be sufficient on its own to convince us he was "very God, of the same substance as the Father".

Good morning everyone........


I love reading the stories from you all.......kandj's service sounded as though it was a very lively event which brought smiles to many faces - John, I'm absolutely hopeless at maths - Sylvia, the baptism of a whole family sounds very biblical indeed. :-)


We had a lady Lay Reader from a neighbouring church to lead the worship and she did it very well indeed. Many of the congregation were away on the parish weekend and I am waiting to hear some reports of how things went.

Unfortunately, we have had some lead stolen from the church roof which has meant some damage to the roof tiles and caused us to have a very wet meeting room... :-(

The ironic thing is, some of the 'lead' which was stolen was not lead at all....it was made of a different material which had been used to replace lead stolen previously - if that makes sense. :-)



Fully Guaranteed...

I read an ad the other day,
That made me stop and smile,
BIBLES! CLOSE OUT SALE! LAST CHANCE!
Hm-m, are Bibles going out of style?

The ad said different sizes,
Different colors, different hues,
Different versions, different printings,
Sealed in plastic, never used.

They had robust blues for little boys,
Soft pinks for little girls,
Pure white to hold at Christenings,
And dark black for funerals.

Some had pictures; some had maps,
Print choices ... large or small,
Italics, bold, or fancy script,
Or combinations using all.

Deluxe or standard bindings
Would determine basic price;
Hardbacks or paperbacks were good,
But leather-bound was extra nice.

The ad forgot to mention,
Or give credit where it's due,
To the Author of the Manuscript,
Or to any of His views.

But the piece' de resistance,
That I really slowed to read,
Was the ad's very final statement,
ALL BIBLES - FULLY GUARANTEED!

Guaranteed? That's interesting,
How does one guarantee a Bible?
In other words, if it doesn't work,
Does that mean the publisher is libel?

There are no written guidelines,
Nor advice on how to use it,
And it has no warning labels,
On the ways one might abuse it.

It comes with no suggested dosage,
Like, "Take three chapters every day;"
There're no instructions or directions,
On how to hold it when one prays.

So, fully guaranteed for what?
Fire, flood, or theft?
Hurricanes or earthquakes?
Let's see, what else is left.

It seems to me a guarantee,
Is good coming only from its maker,
So, if it's offered on a Bible,
It should come from the Creator.

God keeps every promise made,
That's good enough for me;
With a Cross, He sealed His Word,
And guaranteed eternity.

I sighed and put my paper down,
Bibles should be free;
Their price was paid long, long ago,
Fully guaranteed!

~ Virginia Ellis



Cx :-)

OH said there was a baptism at his church this morning ............

........ a whole family, from adults down to children.

They were a Chinese family, but no-one seemed to be able to find out whether they were converts, or just not been baptised before.



He was late getting home .............. he'd been ambushed by one of the other parishioners who had been a member of a walking group that his sister belonged to.

............... they had walked together in the Rockies only last August.

Sis-i-l's home town and church are about 800 km north of here .............. yet these 2 ladies had belonged to the same group.

She wanted to know all about the Memorial Service!

Cynthia. I noticed it was the Sunday where we celebrate the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. I was delighted to see those readings you gave.

We did not seem to follow the Lectionary today. And I was asked to do the Gospel reading and it was John Chapter 2 (the first miracle performed by Jesus - at the wedding in Cana).

And you keep seeing new things in these familiar passages. It was obviously a big marriage. And lots of water and wine available for the guests.

Here is a question for everyone. A bottle of wine is typically 750ml. Jesus turned casks of water into wine. How many bottles of 750ml wine would have subsequently been provided by this miracle?

The baptism included in our morning service this morning was a rather boisterous little boy of 3 years old who had "ants in his pants" and was never still bless him. His parents had 3 other children all really well behaved. Rev Jan showed overhead pictures on the screen of Mary and Joseph presenting the 40 day old baby Jesus into the temple and a rather old Simeon and Anna declaring Jesus as "a light for the nations". Jan shared this story and focused on parents bringing children into church to be welcomed as a part of our church family.

The toddler was baptized Ely and Jan struggled to hold the wriggling little boy over the font and so wisely handed the youngster over to his Dad whilst she continued. There were many smiles as Ely protested and yelled loudly when water was poured over his head.

It is quite a rare occasion now to include the baptism during our morning service but this young couple have recently moved into the village and were happy to be invited to have their young son baptized at this time. We all made everyone very welcome and hope to see them back to share our service on a regular basis.

Good morning and what a lovely surprise to see so many friends popping in for a brief word.......and don't worry Vera, whilst I know that HSR is very popular on here, I do try and intersperse with a variety of other types of prayer which I hope you find helpful.

Thank you all for your wise and beautiful words.


Today is the Sunday when we celebrate The Presentation of Christ in the temple - such an interesting event which can be found by reading Luke 2.22-40.


The Collect for today

Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


This morning is my turn to read the New Testament lesson which is as follows

Second Reading Hebrews 2.14-18

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.


Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello


I found this prayer about unity amongst the differing Christian churches:


"Dear Father, we pray for the church.

Fill it with your truth and keep it in peace.

Where it is corrupt, purge it,

where it is right, strengthen and confirm it,

where it needs help, provide for it;

where it is divided, heal it,

and unite it with your tender love.

Thank you.

Amen.

Take gentle care
best wishes
Elizabeth,
xx

Cynthia it's wet, windy and bitterly cold here in Yorkshire today so I am pleased you are experiencing Spring-like weather today. Maybe we too will have that joy tomorrow.

HSR words as inspirational as always and John sharing such wise words also today. I feel that we often take for granted the very things that need our gratitude.

First of February motivational quote to share with you all written by Oprah Winfrey.

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate".

Good morning everyone and thank you for all your posts. I read them most days.

Thank you for today's verse Cynthia. I'm not usually a fan of Helen Steiner Rice's poetry - I feel almost wicked saying that; I can hear the howls of rage from here! However I did enjoy today's poem. It's good to be reminded sometimes that, however dark your own particular tunnel may be, there will be a light at the end of it if you can just keep plodding on. Reminds me of the old saying "Today's the tomorrow you worried about yesterday"

Vera

Thank you Cynthia for HSR wonderful words <3

John I agree we are truly blessed.

Emma :-)

"And (don't) let the brightness of our mind
Grow cynical and dim"

How true that is. When I am in the company of my son and his friends, all they seem to see is better things ahead in this world. And, whilst many of us oldies look ahead now to better things after our life's span here, we also do have wonderful things happen to us still.

And we can so easily forget to thank God for 1. putting us in such a beautiful acre of his world 2. giving us such wonderful partners, children and friends 3. giving us enough (often just enough) to sustain us and keep us well and 4. giving us so many foretastes of the heavenbly banquet and the heavenly mansion even now being prepared for us. :-) :-)

Good morning my friends........and, despite all the weather warnings of torrential rain and gale force winds, the morning here is clear and bright. I am beginning to get the feeling that Spring is on it's way.... :-)



Today's Joy


Who said the "darkness of the night"
Would never turn to day.

Who said the "winter's bleakness"
Would never pass away.

Who said the fog would never lift
And let the sunshine through.

Who said the skies now overcast
Would nevermore be blue.

Why should we ever entertain
These thoughts so dark and grim,

And let the brightness of our mind
Grow cynical and dim.

When we know beyond all questioning
That winter turns to spring;

And on the notes of sorrow,
New songs are made to sing.


For no one sheds a teardrop
Or suffers loss in vain;

For God is always there to turn
Our losses into gain.

And every burden born TODAY
And every present sorrow,

Are but God's happy harbingers
Of a joyous, bright TOMORROW!


~ Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

I was surprised at the connection between Freylinghausen and Methodism. Methodism had hardly started when Freylinghausen died in 1739 and he was a mainstream German Lutheran, as far as I know.

I am not sure the early Methodists in UK and America ever knew him, but they were heavily influenced by the Moravian Church, a Protestant movement over in eastern Europe. And the Moravians spoke German and probably would have known Freylinghausen.

So the Protestant links throughout Europe were very interlinked and fragmented, at a time when Roman Catholicism was the dominant European Christian faith.

I doubt Methodism has any more right to claim Freylinghausen than the Church of England. No matter, he seems to have been a great man. Many thanks, Cynthia