General Chat

Good morning :-)

Last week we spent time thinking about and praying for the children in society. This week, we will go to the other end of the spectrum – to our elderly folk or, as I have read…our ‘senior adults’. Love that expression.

We live in a society that tends to celebrate youthfulness and looks down upon get-ting older. Billions of pounds are spent on products and procedures to keep people looking and feeling young. Our elders have seen things we couldn’t even imagine and survived things we could never comprehend facing. They are filled with wisdom and experience that our society needs. Take some time to pray for the ‘senior adults’ in your life. Let us not forget them.

Gracious Father, we thank You for our ‘senior adults’. Thank you for blessing each day of their lives. Thank you for blessing them with an abundance of Your wisdom and knowledge. Remind our younger generations to treat the elderly with honour and respect. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

“Wasn’t that a lovely service?” “So uplifting” ….words after the service yesterday morning. True words. Everyone responded well to what was going on and singing heartily along to enthusiastic organ playing.

The reading was about two of the miracles of Jesus. The woman who asked for her daughter to be healed (she was) and friends of a man with speech and hearing difficulties. He was healed too.

Many years ago, in the baptism service, there was another part which we don’t seem to use today. The priest would touch the ears and mouth of those being baptised and say “The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May He soon touch your ears to receive His word and your lips to proclaim His faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.

May that be the prayer of each one of us….may our ears be touched to receive His word and our lips to proclaim His faith.

Cynthia :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit
upon your Church in the burning fire of your love:
grant that your people may be fervent
in the fellowship of the gospel
that, always abiding in you,
they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The reading for today tells us about Jesus getting rid of a demon from a little girl and healing a deaf and dumb man.

Today at our church, we look forward to the baptism of two babies.

We pray for these two children as they begin their Christian journey and ask for God’s blessing on them and on their parents and Godparents. We ask that they may make the promises in honesty and with full commitment to encouraging these children along the Christian pathway.


Love to all, Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Is that where cyclists travel over large areas to raise funds for their local church - sometimes just cycling to churches with the same name as their own Gwyn? I can vaguely remember that sort of thing round here. :-D

To end our week of thinking about children...….

God bless the children,
Keep them from harm.
Give your protection
Within your strong arm.
Send your defenders
In their behalf
Let little ones always
Be able to laugh.
May those who care for them
Do so with joy.
The happiest childhood
For each girl and boy.
Our most precious treasure
Deserves all our love.
God bless the children
And watch from above.
God bless the children and watch from above.
Please, God... the children. They need all our love. Amen.

Love to whoever is looking in. Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia for your meaningful posts as we start a new academic year.

Each and everyone of us has a responsibility to be a guide, leader and listener to help young people achieve their potential.

This weekend is Ride and Stride locally.
I will do a 2 hour stint signing in visitors at a nearby church and offering drinks and a snack. It's great to see them all, some riders travel quite a distance by bike to raise funds for their own local church.
Some fine weather is forecast and not too windy, so they should be OK.

Good morning :-)


Our children :

The number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in this country is well over 1m.

Since Jesus made it clear how important both children and those with special needs are to Him, can you imagine how much God loves a child with special needs? His heart must be overflowing with a love that cannot be contained!

When we encounter one of these children, we have the opportunity to be Jesus’ representative. We can follow His example and try to do what Jesus would do.

The next time we encounter a special needs child, let’s look at them through Jesus’ eyes. Let’s make time and room for them. Let’s show God’s love, kindness and acceptance to each of these children who He loves so much.

"Jesus, help Your people see children as You see them, remembering that what we do for them, we really do for You.”


With love. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Our children. It appears that over 100,000 children run away from home each year for various reasons.

The reasons for running away are various - arguments with the family; escaping from violence; problems at school; pregnancy or by being in a stressful situation. We pray for these youngsters.

Lord,
We pray for children who run away from home: those who feel unloved and worthless, those who believe they can cope alone but do not know who they can trust. Please give them your strong protection and comfort.

We pray for those who work to keep children safe:
social workers and police and the agencies who offer counselling and support. Give them courage and hope in this demanding but important work. Amen.

Runaway Helpline – advice for free online and on 116000.
Railway Children - 01270 757596
If a friend or relative has gone missing contact the police as soon as possible by dialling 999. Missing People
116 000 (freephone)
www.missingpeople.org.uk National 24 hour helpline for people who are missing someone. Support, advice and practical help for the families of missing people.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thinking of children living in poverty.

If you click on the map on the End Child Poverty webpage, you can find out how many children are affected in your area.

These families are really feeling the pinch. Stretched incomes mean that they are forced to make impossible choices for their children – between healthy meals, warm clothes and heating the home.’

Maybe its time to remind ourselves of how fortunate many of us are and to support the foodbanks and charity shops. It is not much to ask of ourselves ….but it is a start.

Help us, Loving God, to see
beyond the smile of the child
who misses weeks at school,
to the embarrassment of the parent
who cannot afford their child's uniform.

Beyond the apology of the child
who misses a friend’s birthday party,
to the parent who can’t afford a gift
as they try to clear off a payday loan.

Beyond the bullying in the dinner hall
of the child with too little for lunch,
to the ache in the parent who
goes hungry for the sake of their child.

Help us, Loving God, to see
beyond the stereotypes and statistics
and inspire us to work to ease the burden
on children and their families
trapped in seemingly never-ending poverty.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you for that Vera - I am sure your grandchildren will soon settle down in their new environments because they have probably inherited their grandma's temperament :-D Hope you have a lovely break.


This week, we are thinking about children ……there is so much in the news about child abuse and child pornography.

We bring these abused children before our Lord. In Matthew’s gospel, after He has called a child to him and talked about us becoming like little children, Jesus states…..”but if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Lord Jesus, we bring before you the children who are abused, the children who are suffering silently within and the children who are led, unawares, into dreadful situations. Give them courage to speak out and to share their pain, reveal their struggles and expose the hurtful actions of others.

May those who work to help them be blessed with sensitivity, wisdom and compassion. We ask this in your holy name. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning all

Amen, Cynthia, to your prayer for students everywhere whatever their ages. I have one granddaughter about to enter sixth form where the work will be more intense and another just going off to university and feeling quite apprehensive about it, so your prayer resonates with me.

My daughter has a quote from Albert Einstein on her Twitter account which says “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge”, so I would like to say a little prayer for the teachers and support staff. May they be an inspiration to their pupils.

I will probably not be on here for several days as we are going away at silly o’clock tomorrow morning and I understand the WiFi at our hotel may not be very good.

God bless

Good morning :-)

Not sure what happened yesterday - but I thought I had posted...… oooer…..confused.com :-D

For today.

There are going to be some anxious mums and dads this week as the new term begins.

There may be tears and upsets (and that’s just the parents!) as little ones are all dressed up in their very first school uniform and ushered through the school gates.

The older children may be a bit more nonchalant as they exchange holiday memories with their friends. Those going to senior school may be experiences serious ‘butterflies’.

A prayer from a parent...

Lord, I give this school year to you. I pray that each of my children will learn exactly what is right for them to learn. Help them to master new skills and increase in their love of learning.

Prepare them for what you have for them in their futures. Protect them from what is harmful to them and expose them to good things only. I pray that they will have good attitudes and a willingness to work hard. I pray that they will show respect and obedience.

Please give our family peace during this school year. Thank you for loving them, protecting them, and caring for them. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Dear Father in heaven,

open our hearts to see and feel how our lives have been blest.

Open our hearts to your blessings so that we may look forward in thankfulness and joy to what lies ahead.

Grant that we may be faithful to what we have received from you and never again lose ourselves in the passing moment. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-D

Dear Father in heaven,
open our hearts to see and feel how our lives have been blest.

Open our hearts to your blessings so that we may look forward in thankfulness and joy to what lies ahead.

Grant that we may be faithful to what we have received from you and never again lose ourselves in the passing moment.

May we hold to all you have brought to our hearts from eternity, that your name may be honored and our lives shaped anew in Jesus Christ.

Give us courage to overcome the evils in life and to look with joy and confident expectation to the future, when the powers of your kingdom will be ever more clearly revealed.

Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you for that hymn kandj - lovely words and a very catchy tune!

So pleased to hear that Emma is okay, but she will be missed on here. Please send her our love Pat and thank you for letting us know. x

The Prayer for Today

Just for today, help me, God, to remember that my life is a gift,
that my health is a blessing,
that this new day is filled with awesome potential,
that I have the capacity to bring something wholly new
and unique and good into this world.

Just for today, help me, God, to remember to be kind and patient
to the people who love me, and to those who work with me too.
Teach me to see all the beauty that I so often ignore,
and to listen to the silent longing of my own soul.

Just for today, help me, God, to remember You.
Let this be a good day, God, full of joy and love.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Thank you Pat. Pleased to know she is fine :-D

Catching up on the thread today I saw your concern about Emma so I contacted her.
Emma wanted you to know she hasn't renewed her subscription to GR.

Emma is fine but has had her cataract op delayed due to NHS backlog.

I will try to keep you up to date with Emma. She sends her love to you all.

:-D

Hello all

Amen to your morning prayer today Cynthia and thanks for your daily postings.

Vera I hope that you and hubby enjoyed the family reunion last weekend. I'm sure your cheesecakes went down a treat with everyone there.

Was Emma having a cataract operation, or have I got that wrong? I hope Emma is alright and maybe just too busy doing other things right now.

Whilst reading the words for today, this lovely hymn came into my mind and worthy of sharing imho.

You are the King of Glory
You are the Prince of Peace
You are the Lord of heaven and earth
You're the son of righteousness.
Angels bow down before You
Worship and adore, for
You have the words of eternal life
You are Jesus Christ the Lord.

Hosanna to the Son of David
Hosanna to the King of Kings
Glory in the highest heaven
For Jesus the Messiah reigns.

Good morning :-)


Early Morning Prayer

You are the glorious morning,
You are refreshment and peace.
You are the sounds as the dawn breaks,
You are the rose that smells sweet.

You are the Lord, my creator,
You are the wonder of life.
You are the great words of wisdom,
I read them and fill up inside.

You are the wonderful sunrise,
You are restorer of hope.
You are the air that we breathe now,
You are the warm winter coat.

You are the Lord, my creator,
You are a love without end.
You are all grace and forgiveness,
I stand loved and free as your friend.


Cx :-)

Belated good morning :-)


Thanks Vera, I was wondering about Emma too. Is anyone in touch with her?

I quite liked this prayer I found....

Knowing me better

I thank you, Lord,
for knowing me better than I know myself,
and for letting me know myself
better than others know me.
Make me, I pray you,
better than they suppose,
and forgive me for what they do not know.

Amen.



Cx :-)

Thank you for that prayer Cynthia. It could almost have been written for me.

Has anyone heard from Emma lately? It seems to be weeks since she posted anything, on this thread at least. I do hope she is OK.