General Chat

Good morning ... :-)


Looking at the weather forecast, storms seem to be dominating the news. Personally, I love watching a storm - from inside of course. :-)

It set me thinking of the other kind of storms......the storms which can affect our lives : bereavement - illness - despair of any kind - and how much we can rely on God to help us through. I think the following words sum things up rather well.....


Storms Bring Out The Eagles

When the “storms of life” gather darkly ahead,
I think of these wonderful words I once read
And I say to myself as “threatening clouds” hover
Don’t “fold up your wings” and “run for cover”
But like the eagle “spread wide your wings”
and “soar far above” the trouble life brings,
For the eagle knows that the higher he flies
The more tranquil and brighter become the skies…
And there is nothing in life God ever asks us to bear
That we can’t soar above “On The Wings Of A Prayer,”
And in looking back over the “storm you passed through”
You’ll find you gained strength and new courage, too,
For in facing “life’s storms” with an eagles wings
You can fly far above earth’s small, petty things.

- Helen Steiner Rice


Thinking of all our friends who are going through 'storms' at the moment.

Cx :-)

Uplifting words Cynthia, thank you.

Emma x

Good morning...... :-)


Another Sunday is upon us......how the weeks fly!


The Collect for Today:



Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you
in holiness and truth to the glory of your name;
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.

Continuing in prayer for kandj and her husband, Emma's friend and family and for Vera's recently widowed friend.

Cx :-)

Good morning .... :-)


When the morning is good, and before I have my breakfast, I wander out to the wooden bench at the back of the house. There, I can close my eyes and take in the warmth of the morning sun, the whisper of the grass in the field and listen to the early morning birdsong. It's a perfect spot to have a quiet time with God before my day begins :-)


Creator God
who breathed this world into being,
who is discernible within
the harmony of nature,
the perfection of a butterfly's wing,
the grandeur of a mountain range,
the soaring eagle and humming bird,
thank you for this world
which you have created.
Thank you for summer sun,
which reminds us
that your creative breath
is still alive and active.
Thank you for the warmth of your love,
sustaining this world,
your garden

Amen.



Enjoy your day......Cx :-)

Enjoy your day also Cynthia x

Good morning ... :-)


Thank you Emma, my day was fine - I did lots of ironing and I actually enjoy ironing. I have a little summer house and, in this weather, it's lovely to be outside whilst doing a chore and listening to a thriller audio book!! :-D


I see that it is Prince George's first birthday already. That seems to have come round really quickly so, for him and for everyone who is celebrating a birthday today....



I said a Birthday Prayer for you -
And I asked the Lord above
To keep you safely in his care
And enfold you in his love -

I did not ask for fortune,
For riches or for fame,
I only asked for blessings
In the Saviour's Holy name -

Blessings to surround you
In times of trial and stress,
And inner joy
To fill your heart
With Peace and Happiness.

- Helen Steiner Rice


Thinking of kandj, Vera and Emma and all with those who have friends and loved ones who are suffering at this time. Cx
:-)

Lovely as always Cynthia <3

Thoughts and prayers to all In need. x

Good morning ... :-)


I have received a message from kandj to say that things are beginning to settle down for her; she hopes to be back on here as and when time allows bless her. She continues to be very grateful for all kind thoughts and prayers sent her way.


Tonight sees the opening of the Commonwealth Games. I am not a great sports fan, but I think that the following prayer applies not only to sport, but to life itself.



The Athlete's Prayer

God let me play well, but fairly.
Let competition make me strong, but never hostile,
In this and in all things, guide me to the virtuous path.
If I know victory, grant me happiness;
If I am denied, keep me from envy.
See me not when I am cheered, but when I bend to help my opponent up.
Seal it in my heart that everyone who takes the field with me becomes my brother.
Remind me that sports are just games.
Teach me something that will matter once the games are over.
And if through athletics I set an example, let it be a good one.

Amen.



Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia for another topical prayer. I shall keep it as it is particularly relevant to my lovely 14 year old grandson who has been selected as being particularly talented in his chosen sport.

I am so pleased things are a little more settled for Kandj and her OH. I am still keeping them in my thoughts as also Emma's young friend.

Thank you Cynthia as always <3

Kandj I'm so pleased to hear that things are settling
down for you and Vera wonderful, exciting news about
your grandson and wish him well for the future.
My thoughts go to the family of my young friend to give
them comfort and strength.

Emma x

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

(Mother Teresa).

Dermot thank you for those wonderful words
from Mother Teresa

Good morning :-)


I've always liked those words Dermot - something to strive for. Thank you.


As we are in such a spell of glorious weather here in the UK, I offer the following:


Father, Creator of all, thank You for summer!

Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight.
Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.

Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season.

Draw me closer to You this summer.

Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.

As I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I've always liked those words Dermot - something to strive for. Thank you.


As we are in such a spell of glorious weather here in the UK, I offer the following:


Father, Creator of all, thank You for summer!

Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight.
Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.

Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season.

Draw me closer to You this summer.

Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.

As I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning... :-)


I found this simple prayer - really for a child - but suitable for adults too........


Lord, in the morning I start each day,
By taking a moment to bow and pray.
I start with thanks, and then give praise
For all your kind and loving ways.

Today if sunshine turns to rain,
If a dark cloud brings some pain,
I won't doubt or hide in fear
For you, my God, are always near.

I will travel where you lead;
I will help my friends in need.
Where you send me I will go;
With your help I'll learn and grow.

Hold my family in your hands,
As we follow your commands.
And I will keep you close in sight
Until I crawl in bed tonight.

Amen.


Thinking of kandj and her OH; Vera's widowed friend and Emma's young friend. Bless them all.


Cx :-)

I love this thread.

When you are posting and feel alone Cynthia.....There is at least one other watching and reading......me included :-)

Good morning .... :-)


Thank you Susan, it's comforting to know that there are others looking in and appreciating the daily prayers.

I thought to myself this morning that we haven't had a hymn to hum along to for a while. I have chosen one which is of fairly recent origin - 1977 and I think the words say something to each of us.

I have posted two links......one is from Songs of Praise with a congregation singing away; the other is of two young choristers with beautiful voices. Both versions are worth listening to I think.


The Servant Song

Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.


We are pilgrims on a journey,
and companions on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.


I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.


I will weep when you are weeping;
when you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we’ve seen this journey through.


When we sing to God in heaven
we shall find such harmony,
born of all we’ve known together
of Christ’s love and agony.


Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.


- Richard A.M. Gillard


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


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


We continue to remember our friends in our prayers.

Cx :-)

Cynthia a lovely way to start the day and thank you <3

Today as always my thoughts and prayers to those in
need of comfort.

Emma x

Thank you Cynthia. I've always enjoyed that hymn and now it is going to be going round and round my brain for the rest of the day.

Good morning ... :-)

I'm glad you liked the hymn Vera. Often, the words of a hymn can move you more than the words of a prayer.

The holiday season is upon us so I don't know how many will be in church at the moment. We are going through a period of unrest sadly. Due to a shortage of clergy within the deanery, service times and formats are having to change.

At the moment, we are fortunate in that we have two services of Holy Communion each Sunday.......an early one and a later one. However, from September the early service will become a service of Morning Prayer, leaving just one Holy Communion. Some folk are very unhappy about this..........:( No doubt it will sort itself out - given time.

The Collect for Today :


Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward you that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain our promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


The reading for today is the parable of the mustard seed.......and I like this prayer which can go with today's reading.

Lord,
again and again you renew your promise,
putting a new heart and spirit within us.

You demand no unthinking obedience,
no loyalty blind and correct.

You do not try to control us,
but instead seek the pledge of our wills and our hearts,
freely given in love for you.

You have bound yourself to us,
and we belong inextricably to you and to each other.

Keep us giving and receiving your presence among us,
protecting those who are weak and in need,
our trust deepening through sacraments of love.

Amen.


Cx :-)