General Chat

Thank you Cynthia for another thought provoking week. I imagine a lot of us struggle with prayer.

Keeping Kandj and her family in my thoughts <3

Good morning :-D


The Collect (special prayer) set 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 our Lord.

The Gospel reading for today is taken from St. Mark and gives us Jesus’ teaching on marriage – divorce – adultery and children.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Lord, please strengthen my prayer life. Help me to pray more.

Nudge me to pray when I’m doing mindless tasks. Help me to truly know who I am in Christ. Help me to understand that You always hear me even if your answers are not what I expect.

Help me to know my bible better and to write down my own prayer needs and the needs of others. I know you love me Lord. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Struggling with your prayer life? Various thoughts and ideas have been offered this week.....how about this?

Pray Holding Your Dog or Cat

We are a nation of pet lovers apparently. I’ve certainly adored all the dogs we have had over the years. God loves animals even more than we do. In fact, our relation-ship with them in many ways mirrors our relationship with God. As we love and care for our pets, so God cares for us. Thank him for your pet, and remember that you can trust God as your pets trust you.

Pray While Reading the Newspaper or watching the news.

God cares about the world and the pain and suffering affecting all people. Reading the news may cause you to despair, but channel that despair into an opportunity to ask for God's help in the specific crises at hand.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Two more thoughts to help you in your prayer life.....


Pray looking up at the stars at night.

Looking up at the sky makes us realise how tiny we are compared to the vast uni-verse but praying as we look out across the galaxies gives God a chance to show us how special, and powerful his love can be. On a dark night, share with God your "biggest challenges." In that context, God will grant you peace that he is big enough to care for you!

Pray Out Loud

Sometimes we want to shout with joy. Other times we want to shout because we are angry or sad. There's a great tradition of speaking up – even shouting – to God. Try it. Go off somewhere where no one – no one else but God – can hear you. Speak aloud to God. Let your words ring out so that you can hear them. If you're really bold, give a shout of the things welling up in your heart. The Bible says it: "Shout to the Lord!"


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Two more ideas for your prayer life...…


Pray During Household Chores

Vacuuming, washing dishes, ironing……all are ideal opportunities for prayer.
Ask God to use this time to clear out your heart and life of anything which is wrong.

Pray Through a Family Photo Album
We all usually have pictures of the precious people in our lives. Ask for God's blessing on them. Ask God to heal any relationship problems within your family and, if needed, to help you heal from the grief of loved ones lost.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I am having some computer issues at the moment which is a nuisance. Spent an hour doing an 'online chat' with HP (not the sauce) technicians. Not sure it is fixed so am hoping I don't have to be without one whilst this is sorted. Ah well, life will go on. :-D

Ideas for prayer...….we all need them.

Pray On a Solitary Walk in Nature
We all know areas where it is lovely to take a walk. Creation is a window into God's heart. In the woods, by the sea, beside a stream, or in our own garden, God is there. As you walk, talk with God about what you see; then listen. God will respond!
Pray to Your Favourite Song or hymn.

God loves music: it's all over the Bible. Happy songs, sad songs, love songs, they all reflect aspects of God's heart. Sing your prayer as a celebration, an appeal, or a hope expressed to God.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation...….

Cx :-)

Thinking of Kandj who has had more than her fair share of stress over the last couple of years <3 <3

Good morning :-)

Our friend kandj is going through difficult times again with more serious illness in her family. Please remember her in your prayers.

Last week we looked at prayer. Yesterday’s sermon was about prayer. Prayer is a huge subject :-D

Some more ideas to help you grow your prayer life – have you ever thought of…….

Praying When Brushing Your Teeth?
The words that come out of mouths can create things or tear things down. Pray that your words today will be good and helpful and that the things you say are in line with what God wants you to accomplish in your corner of the world.

Praying on the Move?
Are you driving to work? Taking the children to school? Catching a train or a bus? Use familiar landmarks to remind you to thank God, ask God, seek God, and listen to God. (But don’t close your eyes if you’re driving!)

Pray Now
God is down to earth, here and now. He comes to meet us, where we live, to prepare us to meet him, where he lives. Communicate with him now, simply, directly, personally. Good morning God - here I am.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Hi Vera. Bye Vera. Thanks for popping in :-D

Such dreadful news from Indonesia. We pray for the people of that country and for the rescue missions who are setting out to help them.


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us your gift of faith
that, forsaking what lies behind
and reaching out to that which is before,
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


The gospel is taken from Mark and tells of Jesus teaching the disciples many things about following him and what is involved. We are encouraged to be salt in the world.

Cx :-)

Thank you for the week’s posts Cynthia. Life is a touch hectic at the moment so I am just having a quick read each morning but the posts are appreciated.

A quick wave to other lookers-in as I fly by ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I hope you all have a good week.

Good morning :-)


BE SILENT

We live in a noisy world full of distractions. Whether you love or hate silence, there is an incredible peace and connection to God when we practise stillness:

Try building times of silence and stillness into your day. Choose a time and place with few distractions. Turn off your phone, computer, music and any other sources of noise or connection.

If you find silence hard, just try 3 minutes to begin with, and build from there.
If you find your head full of unwanted thoughts, give each one to God, and consciously keep focusing back on Him.

Posture can help or hinder our focus - sit up and open your hands as a symbol of willingness to meet with God. Breathe deeply and slowly invite the Holy Spirit into your life.

Lord, help me to find some peace in my day to think about you. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Am I coming or am I going? That is the question!! :-D


For today:

If you often find yourself praying about the same things, bring some variety and balance to your conversation with God by using the ACTS acronym:

A is for Adoration – spend time thinking about Jesus and how amazing he is.

C is for Confession – Think about the things you have done wrong, however small.

T is for Thanksgiving – think, speak or write a list of good things in your life today and thank God for each of them.

S is for supplication – supplication is an old fashioned word for asking. Ask God to be with you in each situation you face today. There's no special language needed, keep it simple.



Lord, teach me to pray so that I may draw closer to you. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good afternoon...…..sorry I'm late. One of those days!!

Thanks for that lovely bible reading kandj.

For today :

Quite often you hear people say that they don’t know how to pray…….. maybe these ideas will help….hope so!

Learn to be constantly aware of God's presence - come up with ways to remind yourself to think about God every hour; then every half hour; then every 15 minutes - until you’re thinking of God unprompted. Talk to Jesus throughout the day and look for His presence in ordinary events.

Dear Lord, I pray that you would give me strength to be strong for You in the world today. Lord, you know the struggles that I will face today. Be with me as I go through them. Carry me if I am too weak to move. If I stumble in them, forgive me Father. When I succeed in them, I will thank You! Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all.............. no Cynthia?? I hope all is well with her and her family today.

I have just read a bible passage that is helping me today and I hope this verse from scripture will help others who are facing anxious times right now.

This quote is from 2 Corinthians chapter 1 v 3-4

God is the source of every mercy, and the one who strengthens and comforts us in
our hardship and trials. Why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement , we can pass on to them this same
help and comfort that God has passed on to us. (taken from The Living Bible).

Good morning :-)

Thank you kandj…..I hope these words help as well. x

Broken Pieces

If you are broken by life trials
and weary from life's defeats,
If you have been badly battered
and have no joy or peace, then
Give God your broken pieces
He will mould them back in place.
He can make them better than before,
with a touch of His sweet grace.

If your dreams perhaps have shattered
after much struggle, tears and pain
your life may just seem hopeless, but
God can restore you once again.
He can take your broken pieces
and He can make them whole,
It matters not how badly broken-
God has the power to restore.

So we’re never without hope
no matter the shape we’re in-
God can take our fragmented lives
and mould them together again.
So if you're broken beyond measure
and you don't know what to do.
God specializes in broken things-
so His glory can shine through.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you for today post Cynthia and Amen, the words really speak to me today.

A murder, a suicide and a death of a little boy!!! Such sadness and heartache around and I'm joining Vera and feeling the pain that relatives and friends will be coping with
and sending prayerful support and gentle hugs to all in need right now.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. (Psalm 41 v 6)

Good morning :-)

For today:

When

Tragedy strikes and you’re grieving
When you’re held in the depths of despair
When you know that the world cannot help you
Be patient - for God will be there.

If

You call out His Name in your darkness
If you cry for His help in despair
If your tears are rivers of anguish
Be silent - for God will be there.

Then...

He will lift you above all your darkness
He will carry you through your despair
He will watch through your long night of sorrow
Be confident. God’s always there.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


In the community surrounding the church I attend, it has been a very emotionally charged week. There has been a murder, a suicide and the tragic death of a small boy. It has become apparent how much the church means to people at times of crisis in their lives. I thought I would share this with you.

There is so much emotion in our community at the moment and, as a church, we want to be there to help and support you and to show how much God loves us all.

Our church, as a building, has been a focal point (you can't really miss it can you?) for over 150 years and has welcomed both sinners and saints across those worn steps. Our altar has witnessed both tears of happiness and of sadness with marriages and funerals; over 7,000 have been baptised at our font.

On Saturday night, we welcomed over 500 people who were mourning the loss of a small boy. The building seemed to enfold and comfort these sad people.

Within these walls, people are helped and encouraged to learn about God, to hear the story of Jesus and to learn how to forgive . When this happens, we become 'the church' to our friends and family and to the community. We are known as the Body of Christ in this place.

We are happy to talk about learning more about the Christian faith without embarrassment or threat - to just simply chat and explore.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Hundreds and hundreds of people queued outside our church last night in order to pay tribute to the small child. It was an amazing scene. We printed some small prayer cards for people to take home with them. We printed some more and more and more. Quite a night.

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The gospel reading is from St. John and we hear how Jesus tells us that that is room for us in heaven. He is the Way and the Truth and the Life.

Cx :-)