General Chat

The HSR words beautiful as ever, thank you Cynthia.

John, I wish you happy and safe motoring in your new car and I like the idea that you are excited. Cars don't come cheaply and so it's nice for you to feel happy right now.

Ongoing thoughts and prayers for our friends who are sad or suffering today.

Hello everyone,

Thank all for your kind thoughts and prayers.

Sylvia my thoughts are with you and yours at this time and
God's blessing on your sister in law.

Emma xx

Good morning everyone.... :-

We had our first baptism preparation class of the year last night. I got to church a bit earlier than usual and exchanged some friendly banter with the captain of the bell ringing team who had nipped in to borrow something and our church treasurer who is part of the baptism team.

The treasurer is a young mum with twin boys who were hurtling around the room playing some sort of game, whilst she was balanced on a chair sorting out the timer for the heating. The rest of the team soon arrived and more friendly banter and New Year greetings were exchanged.

Three young couples and assorted Godparents were welcomed with friendly smiles and a hot drink on a very wet and windy evening.

I was a little anxious as I had prepared a new powerpoint presentation which explains the various aspects of the Christian faith and what baptism is all about. Our new priest-in-charge came along too, which was a little daunting but, thankfully, he was happy with how the evening went. :-)


A cheery thought for today:


Cheerful thoughts like sunbeams
Lighten up the "darkest fears,"
For when the heart is happy,
There's just no time for tears.

And when the face is smiling,
It's impossible to frown,
And when you are "high-spirited,"
You cannot feel "low-down."

For the nature of our attitude
Toward circumstantial things,
Determines our acceptance
Of the problems that life brings.

And since fear and dread and worry
Cannot help in any way,
It's much healthier and happier
To be cheerful every day.

And if you'll only try it
You will find, without a doubt,
A cheerful attitude's something
No one should be without.

For when the heart is cheerful,
It cannot be filled with fear,
And without fear the way ahead
Seems more distinct and clear.

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~



Love to you all.......Cx :-)

Got a long journey today to pick up a new car. I promise I will not covet it, but am as excited as a 4 year old when I got my first shiny pedal car. Not driven more than a few miles since last August when my old car ceased, so a bit anxious about a new car (57 plate so not brand new) on unknown roads.

I do hope Emma and Sylvia and others know that we are praying for you at this time. Death is part of life, but is so difficult for most of us to deal with. I think the "valley of death" (which is always quoted in funeral services) refers to this world - which taunts so many into death rather than life. But the words of the psalmist are still so familar and beautiful:

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23 verse 4)

Oh Emma how very sad to lose your brother and on the date of his 64th wedding anniversary on 24th December. What a sad Christmas your family will have had.
Doubly upsetting knowing your sister in law has Alzheimer and not aware her husband of very many years is here no longer. Big hugs to you right now. xx

Sylvia, hoping that your sister in law is as comfortable as she can be right now, she is sure to have a special place in God's heavenly kingdom after years of Ministry serving our Lord. xx

Emma ..........

I am so sorry to hear the news of your brother's death. That must have been very hard for you xxxx

A lot of sadness on thread over this Christmas period. Very sorry Emma. And thoughts with you, Sylvia. Every time I look at your lovely avatar, I think of your sil. So pleased she is still mentally active and able to appreciate the love all around.

I should imagine if anyone has "fought the good fight" it is that dear lady :-)

Oh Emma......so very sorry to hear of the death of our brother and on such a special day for him too. Sending love and prayers to you and your family........ <3

Sylvia my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

My brother passed away on 24th December although he was failing
it was a shock to us all...that day was his 64 th Wedding Anniversary,
my sister in law knows nothing of his death due to Alzheimer's.
His funeral was last Friday, a much loved and missed dear brother,
we shared the same birthday.

Emma

Thinking of you, Sylvia.


Watch thou, dear Lord,
with those who wake,
or watch, or weep tonight,
and give thine angels charge
over those who sleep.
Tend thy sick ones, Lord Christ.
Rest thy weary ones.
Bless thy dying ones.
Soothe thy suffering ones.
Pity thine afflicted ones.
Shield thy joyous ones.
And all, for thy love's sake.
Amen.

- Saint Augustine's Evening Prayer -




I hope that readers have enjoyed the carols in http://www.genesreunited.co.za/boards/board/general_chat/thread/979039 .

Good morning everyone. :-)


Sylvia, our prayers remain with you and your family as your sister-in-law's life draws to a close. I said to someone recently that I have often found that older folks who are ill, come to terms with their approaching death in a calm and gracious way. It reminds me of the words of Pope John XXIII who, on his death bed is reported to have said, "My bags are packed, I am ready to go". Much love to you all. <3



Whilst I was browsing for this thread, I came across the following. I feel it is pertinent for those of any faith ....... or none.


The Wolves Within

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil ... he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."

He continued, "The other wolf is good ... he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."


Cx

Sylvia,
Gentle hugs just for you, for all the support that you are giving to your family now. xx

<3 Sylvia

OH came back yesterday from 4 days helping with his sister. Now it is just a matter of waiting for the end. She is being kept comfortable, and pain-free. She requested to die in her own home, and the local hospice is helping with her care. It sounds as if it is all superb!

She is never left alone, there is always someone sitting in the room with her ....... friend, member of the family, grandchild, member of the congregation where she preached, etc

OH says she seems very peaceful, brain is still working very well even though speech is difficult. Her heart and breathing are both strong ......... so I think she will be with us for a few more days.


I just pray that she goes easily and painlessly.



Thank you all for your support xxxx






s
xx

Someone has asked on another thread what is a "born again Christian". That lovely hymn says it all, kandj.

There are two things that make me cry EVERY time (not very manly, I know):
1. The end of the film Carousel when Billy sees his daughter at her graduation.
2. Singing "from sinking sand he lifted me". Cos He did :-D :-D

Many hymns make me cry often, but not every time. Always struggle emotionally with the words of "When I survey the wondrous cross" - and they were written 300 years ago :-0 Start coughing and blubbering as soon as the organ starts up (or, these days, the guitar starts strumming) :-D

John, I had forgotten this lovely hymn. Like Cynthia who has humming my choice, then you have left me remembering and hummming your favourite hymn....
thank you............ All together now:-.

In loving kindness Jesus came,
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace He lifted me.

Refrain
From sinking sand He lifted me,
With tender hand He lifted me;
From shades of night to plains of light,
Oh, praise His name, He lifted me!

He called me long before I heard,
Before my sinful heart was stirred.
But when I took him at His word,
Forgiven, He lifted me.

Refrain

His brow was pierced with many a thorn,
His hands by cruel nails were torn,
When from my guilt and grief, forlorn,
In love, He lifted me.

Refrain

Now on a higher plain I dwell,
And with my soul, I know 'tis well;
Yet how or why, I cannot tell,
He should have lifted me.

From sinking sand He lifted me,
With tender hands He lifted me;
From shades of night to plains of light,
Oh, Praise His name, He lifted me!

Hoping and praying that Sylvia's sister in law and all the family are being lifted and strengthened right now.

Have had a weary start to the day, so words for this morning have cheered me up (how I hate January and February, and all the cold and dark). And Brightest and best is a favourite. Call me weird, but I just love all these old-fashioned words. "Ample oblation" :-D Yes, you can say it in modern English - something like "the fullness of his sacrifice, once offered for all us sinners" but amp. ob. is so simple.

Have just spotted the last words of Jesus at the end of Sermon on the Mount (Matthew Chapter 7 verse 25):

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

"And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and does not obey them, shall be likened unto a foolish person, which built his house upon the sand.

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

"And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

"For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

:-D :-D

My favourite hymn? "From sinking sands, he lifted me" by Charles Gabriel

Good morning... :-)


'Brightest and best' - that brought back some memories kandj - thank you. I can't remember when we last sang that but you had me humming along for a while. :-)



For today:

Today I Smiled

Today I smiled, and all at once
Things didn't look so bad.

Today I shared with someone else,
A little bit of hope I had.

Today I sang a little song,
And felt my heart grow light.

I walked a happy little mile,
With not a cloud in sight.

Today I worked with what I had,
And longed for nothing more,

And what had seemed like only weeds,
Were flowers at my door.

Today I loved a little more,
And complained a little less.

And in the giving of myself,
I forgot my weariness.

~ Author Unknown ~



Cx :-)

Prayerful thoughts for Sylvia and her family as they face uncertainty today.

6th January is the traditional Feast Day for Epiphany. This word is derived from the Latin word meaning Arrival.

Epiphany is the Christian festival celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus into the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.

Thank you to SuffolkVera and Cynthia for their special poems for today.

I offer my very favourite Epiphany hymn, just for today.

BRIGHTEST AND BEST OF THE SONS OF THE MORNING.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts in the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all

Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion
Odors of Edom, and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean
Myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?.

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favour secure;
Richer by far is the heart's adoration
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Thank you for the link Cynthia. I had heard it before but it was good to be reminded of it.

I enjoyed the poem you have posted today.

Vera