General Chat

Good morning :-) :

Arrghh I forgot to come on here yesterday - probably because I have to rush to get to church these days. Apologies.

The end of this week has some interesting days coming up .....but, until then, here is something to read whilst you have a coffee :-D


I Don't Believe God Exists

"I don't believe God exists" Mike the barber said in a matter of fact way. It started simply enough. Bill went to a barbers to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation, telling stories as usual about their families and kids. They eventually touched on the subject of God, Mike said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'

"Why do you say that?" asked Bill.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me Bill, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there wouldn’t be any suffering or pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."

Bill thought for a moment, but he didn't want to start an argument. Mike finished his work and Bill left the shop. As he went out, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. Bill turned back and entered the barbers again and he said to Mike, the barber:

"You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" Bill exclaimed.

"'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me."

"Exactly!' Bill affirmed.

"That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! And that's what happens when people do not come to God too."


Cx :-)

Hello all

Vera, I knew Jane from AnnG birds and gardening threads. I posted there several years ago.

Such sad news as Jane was a lovely lady, kind, caring and with a good sense of humour too.

My condolences to the family. RIP dear Jane X

Sylvia this year has thrown challenges to everyone. So sorry to read about your cancelled train travels.

Amen to your posting Cynthia.

Stay safe everybody.

I am sorry to hear this Sylvia. I hope things improve quickly in Canada so you are able to visit early next year. I do understand how you feel as I haven’t seen my son for a year and he is only 220 miles away. Just as we were going to spend a couple of nights with him the “rule of 6” came in and there are already 6 in his family. Then his area came into the zone of extra restrictions and now my dil is isolating as she was at a funeral and another person there has tested positive for Covid. Hey ho, it will get better sometime.

I don’t know how many on this thread had contact with our lovely Jane Rose who sadly died yesterday evening. Her first grandchild is due in a very few weeks and it is so sad that she never got to meet him. May I ask for your thoughts and prayers for her loving, supportive family. RIP Jane <3

Good morning :-)


Oh Sylvia, that's such a shame and I can well imagine how you are feeling. Sending a hug to try and cheer you up a bit. Don't give up hope as you never know when an alternative arrangement may turn up. <3




Dear Father,

I give you this day, may your spirit be at work in me. Clear the mix of dreams and thoughts from my mind and help me to embrace everything that you have for me today. I give you the mental and physical tiredness I can feel and ask for your life to flow through me.

May your hope stir in those who are close to me and bring joy into their hearts. May your love cause me to find new energy, ideas, and solutions throughout the day. And may your truth allow me to stay on track and walk confidently in all that I do.

Father, I give you this day. Amen.


Cx :-)

That's it then :-(

Our Christmas trip is cancelled.

I got a phone call from the train company, and it was death in little steps .........this train was cancelled, that train doesn't look like it will be re-starting, etc

Discussion with her made it clear that there was no choice .............. no trains or uncertain trains meant we can't go.

Have already had a full refund of the points I used to pay for the first half of the trip, they're back in my account. The money refund will take 5-7 days to be credited to my M/C.

I'm putting up a thread with fuller details if you want to know more.


It's a dull, grey, rainy day, just fits my mood! :-( :-(

Good morning :-)


Praying everything went well for David's funeral yesterday - they are so difficult to plan these days.


Thank you, God, for all your blessings to me and my family; for the strength you give me each day and for all the people around me who make life more meaningful. As we begin a new day, help us to engage your will with a reckless faith. Teach us to trust in you and help us grow in righteousness and give us the courage to step out in faith this day. Fill our hearts with your spirit and let us speak your words with pride. Amen.

Cx :-)

Thoughts and prayers with David’s family today.

My thoughts are with Ellen and family <3

Hello all

My thoughts and prayers are for David and his family on his sad funeral day.

RIP David and may he rise again in glory.

Take care and keep safe everyone.

Good morning :-)

It's a very grey and miserable day for a funeral isn't it? Thinking of David and his family on this sad day. <3


We need some cheering up!

Celtic Blessing (An ancient prayer for happiness and joy)

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.


Cx :-)

Thinking of David and his family and friends this morning, as they meet for his service and to say Goodbye.

Good morning :-)


A grey rather miserable day and we are soon going into tier 3 - but we still smile :-)



Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Lovely responses from other members re David...... <3


So far this morning, I have spilt some milk and boiled my porridge over........looking forward to the rest of the day............sigh. :-D

I may need this prayer :

Good morning, Lord! Today's a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures I may have experienced. It's a good day to be glad and give thanks, and I do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, give, and be all that you want me to be. Amen.


Cx :-)

Very sad news indeed, RIP David


It is also a grey day, but it is very still, no breeze at all.

Today is the 5th day of advance voting in our provincial election ...... called very suddenly 3 weeks ago by our Premier who has been holding together a minority government with the help of 3 Green members of the legislature. We're hoping to get there later in the day.

He still had 6 months left in his tenure, and has done a superb job especially during the last 6 months during the covid crisis, but said he thought the people needed a say now in how to proceed through the next year or two.

Was he right? Who knows??

We'll find out in about 3 weeks time ........ the official voting day is Saturday, but there may be as many as 700,000 mail-in-ballots to be counted after the official count of in-person ballots has been completed!


Keep safe, keep calm, keep healthy, as numbers rise all over the world.

As you say, grey news for a grey day. David suffered so much in recent years; now he’s free of pain. I shall miss his posts as his questioning always made me think. RIP David <3

Thinking of Ellen and praying for strength and comfort for her.

I have put a note on Mel’s long running thread as David was an occasional contributor there.

Very sad news, RIP David and my thoughts and prayers are with Ellen at this sad time <3

Hello all

Sad news to read at the beginning of a new day.

I do agree that this obituary could well relate to our friend David, as so many details fit in.

RIP dear David, and rise again in glory.

Condolences to his wife Ellen and to the family.

Good morning :-)


A grey day here and I have posted a 'grey' thread on the General board. It rather looks as though our friend David has died. I googled yesterday and found the following:

David IRVINE
(Fawdon) David passed away peacefully in hospital on 3rd October aged 74 years, Beloved Husband of Ellen (Nee Wallis), loving Brother of Ralphy and Dennis and a Much loved uncle. Friends please meet for service at the West Road Crematorium, Newcastle on Thursday 22nd October at 11.45am. Flowers maybe sent c/o Richard Bird Funeral Services, 57 Great North Road, Gosforth, NE3 2DQ, Tel 0191 5111412


I have asked that if this information is wrong, then please message me and I will remove it immediately.

If it is correct, then we pray for David and for his poor wife Ellen. We will miss his offbeat questions and answers - he could always begin a conversation which would leave us wondering where it was going. It could be fun though. May he rest in peace.


For today:

Lord, grant me courage as I go through this day. When I am tempted to give up, help me to keep going. Grant me a cheerful spirit when things don't go my way. And give me the courage to do whatever needs to be done. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Wishing everyone a peaceful stress free day today.

Keep well and stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)


A flying visit and off to church......... :-D


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

O God, forasmuch as without you
we are not able to please you;
mercifully grant that your Holy
Spirit may in all things direct and
rule our hearts; 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 :-)