General Chat

Hope Friday is good for everyone.

Romans 1:16

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. "

I always find these words intriguing. Paul was of course the most Jewish of men before his conversion on road to Damascus. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews (which meant he could trace his Jewish ancestry back 8 generations at least through both his father and his mother).

"Greek" was a word they seemed to use for anyone in Europe, including Romans and all those further west and north. And no one outside Judaism was converted to Christianity until Cornelius, the Roman governor of the fortress town (Caesarea) on Lake Galilee. (Acts 10:10–48)

Edit. What a fantastic way of explaining Christianity, Cynthia. Thankyou
:-D :-D

Mazal Tov to you all.

My house is ready now for the start of our Shabbatt,
all cleaning done, food prepared, table set and candles
ready for lighting at sunset.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful weekend.

Shabbatt Shalom xx :-)


Lovely words Cynthiaxx

Trust you to be a day ahead of us, Jeniwren. When I worked in Hendon Tesco (more years ago than I like to remember), Friday was a busy day of preparation and shop was busy all day. Chicken, kosher wine, and fruit juice flew off the shelves. And Saturday was a dead as a do do :-( :-(

I remember the business and excitement of customers on the Friday and they seemed to have the magic of Christmas almost every week - eating together, lighting candles, praying together. And, of course, Hanukah will soon be upon us.

So have a great Shabboth. L'Chaim to all our Jewish friends.

Today's threads have made me smile,
thank you all, definitely a feel good
experience.

Have a good day all.

Emma :-)

All very interesting...... thank you everyone.

Good morning everyone and I hope you are all well. :-)

I came across these words from the inspirational Helen Keller, and I thought I would share them with you today:



"The marvelous richness of human experience
Would lose something of rewarding joy
If there were no limitations to overcome.
The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful,
If there were no dark valleys to traverse."

"I thank God for my handicaps,
For, through them,
I have found myself,
my work, and my God."

~ Helen Keller-


Helen Adams Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In 1882, she fell ill and was struck blind, deaf and mute. Beginning in 1887, Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan, helped her make tremendous progress with her ability to communicate, and Keller went on to college, graduating in 1904. In 1920, Keller helped found the ACLU. During her lifetime, she received many honours in recognition of her accomplishments.


An inspiration indeed!

Hope you all have a good day......Cx :-)

Helen Keller has so inspired Christians. Thank you so much, Cynthia.

I would like to bring forward a wonderful Scottish saint, Robert Murray M'Cheyne (pronounced "Mak-shayn" His dates were 21 May 1813 – 25 March 1843, and he was a minister in the Church of Scotland from 1835 to 1843. Son of Adam M'Cheyne.

He died at 29 of TB, and was painfully ill towards the end of his life. In a biography written by his friend and mentor Rev Andrew Bonar, he was said to have converted a man by his painful progress to the pulpit when he was gravely ill.

M'Cheyne said this in a sermon: "Set not your heart on the flowers of this world; for they have all a canker in them. Prize the Rose of Sharon . . . more than all; for he changeth not. Live nearer to Christ than to the saints, so that when they are taken from you, you may have him to lean on still."

Need I add the words of the famous blind hymnwriter from New York, Fanny Crosby: "Visions of rapture burst on my sight". Totally blind from the aged of 7, yet she could pen such a beautiful line :-) :-)

Cynthia and John thank you both for those
wonderful words from these amazing people.
Uplifting and inspirational in every way.

Emma :-)

How humbling to read both postings of two very special people.
Thank you to Cynthia and John.......as interesting as ever.

Assme you mean Helen Keller and Robert Murray M'Cheyne, kandj. Both fantastic people.

If you meant Cynthia and me, I would take issue with you. Only Cynthia is special. My ambition is to die ordinary and, like my 3 x great grandfather who died in 1853 after 47 years of Methodist preaching, be descibed as an "acceptable local preacher". Want no more :-) :-)

You assume correctly John, I did indeed mean Helen Keller and Robert Murray M'Cheyne , both very special individuals imho.

kandj The more we look into these great Christians over the centuries, the more it humbles us. :-)

Good morning my friends... :-)


John, sometimes I love your sense of humour.......so tongue in cheek :-D


Today is the monthly Family Service at church. Each organisation takes turn in doing a presentation about their work and, today it is the turn of the Boys Brigade as they hold their Annual Dedication and Enrolment service. I remember the BB being mentioned before on here and that it has special memories for some.

Apart from the fact that my OH was in it and made many good friends through this organisation, I know very little about it. I had a quick look at their website and love the way it is headed...."The Boys' Brigade - the adventure begins here".

The Object of The Boys' Brigade is:

"The advancement of Christ's kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness." Their motto is: 'Sure & Steadfast' - taken from the bible, the book of Hebrews, Chapter 6, Verse 19.

There are half a million members worldwide and I have the utmost admiration for those who volunteer to give up their time and energies to work with these youngsters.


So, the prayer for today is their prayer:


Bless, O God, The Boys' Brigade, and give to it greater power to advance your Kingdom throughout the world. Grant in your mercy that every member, past and present may prove Steadfast in his fight against evil, and true in his allegiance to you. Help us in times of temptation; make us strong when we are weak; give us courage in difficulty, faithfulness in duty, loyalty in friendship; and finally by your
mercy, bring us into your everlasting Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Hopefully, we will have a happy and fruitful morning..... :-)

I had to look up Boys Brigade, Cynthia. It was forerunner of scouting and heavily influenced Baden Powell a generation later to set up his first scout camp on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour in early 20th century.

BB was founded in 1880's in Scotland and now has 500,000 members. The original BB led to many other similar movements for boys. The Boys' Life Brigade (1899) was one of many similar movements formed as 'clones' of the Boys' Brigade. The BLB was formed by the National Sunday School Union (Pacifist). Others included the Church Lads' Brigade (1891, Anglican), the Jewish Lads' Brigade (1895) and the Catholic Boys' Brigade (1894). There were many more smaller Brigades in other denominations and even some in individual churches.

Scouting now had 41m adherents worldwide so has rather swamped BB.

I chose a third route, which was Army Cadet Force (from 13-19). So at least many youngsters learned how to march, how to read a map and how to rub sticks together. And to have fun camping, keeping your uniform smart and clean and gaining all sorts of badges and lanyards. I can also launch a 25lb shell at anyone who gets in my way :-) ;-)

My best friend is a Queens Scout and has led packs in North Wales. He is very knowledgable and dedicated and all his own children have been been through scouting.

Any leaders of scouts or Boys Brigade must find it so difficult these days. There is a great skill and patience in leading and teaching the young - much more so that a generation ago imo.

So our prayers go out to Boys Brigade, to similar associations and clubs in all local areas, and particularly for the health, strength and wisdom of those called to be leaders.

Thanks for BB prayer, Cynthia, and hope you have an excellent day today. :-D

Definitely a busy morning!!!

There were so many in church for the second service that lots of additional chairs had to be brought from the meeting room. The recently baptised babies and parents received their baptism cards and were given a round of applause and then the BB were re-dedicated and led a presentation. It was very good too. :-) It was lovely to see the church humming with activity and friendliness again.

I remember mentioning my neighbour who was very much involved for many years with the BB and he sadly died with cancer. At the funeral service we sang his favourite hymn from BB days...... Will Your Anchor Hold..... such beautiful words which will always remind me of a special neighbour. It was our privilege to have known him.

WILL YOUR ANCHOR HOLD

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cable strains
Will your anchor drift or strong remain.

Chorus
W have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock that cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.

It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand
For 'tis well secured by the Saviour's hand
And the cables passed from is heart to mine
Can defy that blast from strength divine.

Yes kandj, we sang that with gusto this morning....... :-D

Good morning everyone......I hope you are all well. :-)

Here are some words which apply to most people - of any faith or none :-D


THE THINGS A HUG CAN DO.


It's wondrous what a hug can do,
A hug can cheer you when you're blue.
A hug can say, "I love You so,"
Or, "Gee, I hate to see you go."

A hug is "Welcome back again!"
And "Great to see you!" or
"Where've you been?"

A hug can soothe a small child's pain,
And bring a rainbow after rain.
The hug! There's just no doubt about it ...
We scarcely could survive without it!

A hug delights and warms and charms,
It must be why God gave us arms.
Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,
Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers.
And chances are some favorite aunts
Love them more than potted plants.

Kittens crave them, puppies love them;
Heads of states are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier,
And make the dullest day seem merrier.

No need to fret about your store of 'em ...
The more you give, the more there are of them.
So stretch those arms without delay
And give someone a hug today!!!

~ Dean Walley ~


I hope each one of you manages a hug today........(((hugs))) xxx

Good morning everyone, I hope your Sunday was peaceful and happy.

Cynthia, such lovely words, (((hugs))) to you.

Very wet here today, but the gardens will benefit from it.

Sharing a hug with everyone, ((((hugs))))

Mazal Tov xx :-) :-)

The weather does not help, but I am in a sombre mood today. I note that a lovely thread about Aberfan has been put up this morning. It is 47 years exactly since those children were buried in a slide of coal slurry on their little school. Well over 100 of them - a whole generation went missing in that little village near Merthyr in the peaceful little Taff valley. It polarised belief in God. Many say they "lost" their faith that day, some sought God even more and blamed man's greed for the tragedy.

Aberfan is one of the chapels where I preach occasionally and also where I have worked a couple of times. It seems to have a sombre air, even today.

I went to a funeral last year of a man who was a miner in the Rhondda nearby. He rushed over and helped. He joined the chain gang who tried to relieve the weight of the slurry off these tiny bodies so that they could be recovered. I never knew he had done that till I attended his funeral. People still don't like to talk about it

I noticed this poem on the Aberfan memorial site (not religious, but very moving):

On Visiting the Memorial Garden in Aberfan

Playing ‘Alleys’ in the
School yard
And swapping cards from
Packs of tea
And on their walk to school
That day
They were very much
Like me.

Although I never
knew them
And could not count them
Friend
Remembering that
October day
I shall carry to
My end

The News Broadcast told
The story
Of school friends
Far away
Of how their story
Ended
That grey October
Day

Oh Mother Father was it
Worth it?
Those few extra watts
Of power
Enough to put the
Kettle on
Or keep the lights on for
An hour?

Oh Mother father was it
Worth it
To pile that tip
So high
To keep the home fires
Burning
Did these children have
To die?

As I sit here and
Remember
And feel that cold
Wind’s blow
This six year old
She weeps again
And it’s forty-five years
Ago

I remember they found
The Register
I remember Bulldozers
And Lights
I remember the anguished
Waiting
Rescuers working through
The night

In school next day, our prayers
We said
Not by habit or by
Rote
But for our fallen
Comrades
Their loss so keenly
Felt

I’ve lived a life since that
Day on
Learned things they could
Have known
Oh I’d love to come and tell
Them of
All the things I’ve seen
And done.

But I can only sit here
Quietly
And weep for long
Ago
Oh mother father was it
Worth it
This grey stone plaque says
‘No!’