General Chat

Good morning :-)

As we near the end of the week looking at ‘You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian’ – I found these quotes.

Roger McGough, poet and broadcaster:
I've had my doubts about religion, but if I don't go to mass on a Sunday I feel as though something is missing. People are often surprised to find out that I'm a Catholic, but there is a real peace and perspective in it for me.

Tom Hollander, actor, describing his research for play the vicar in BBC’s ‘Rev’, 2010:
There's a yearning for there to be something super-real be-yond us ... I went to church in a tiny village in Norfolk. I heard a very old vicar deliver the most beautiful sermon. Just giving us some pointers on how to think about our lives, and come to terms with ourselves. In a beautiful building, full of people who were terribly kind to each other, with the sunlight streaming in. And I thought, 'This is fantastic!'

John Wesley
The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.

Dwight L. Moody
Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.

So there we are then..... Jesus never called us to be "Lone Ranger" Christians. He called us together as the Body of Christ.


Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I had a mad day yesterday........off to Liverpool for a hospital appoint for OH - all was okay thank goodness. Back to prepare an evening meal for the family when wham! I turned to go in another direction but the heal of my boot caught on the floor and down I went clutching a pan of cabbage. :-0 You couldn't make it up could you? :-D
Usually, I change my shoes when I come in, but because I was soon to go to baptism prep class, I had kept my boots on........doh! The cabbage was unharmed.

Hey ho.....such is life.

Still reading about ‘Can you be a Christian and not go to church’?

Believers are encouraged to fellowship as members of the Body of Christ. Without this, it is inevitable that one would grow cold in the faith. We need support and encouragement from fellow believers in order to grow in our faith.

There is no law that says one has to go to church. We are at liberty to worship God in spirit and in truth (read John 4), but if we are truly walking with Him, then His Spirit living in us leads us to do His will. Thus, going to church is not a must, but the true Christian will naturally seek fellowship with other believers. For many, this involves becoming faithful members of a church. Christians are also called to serve the Body of Christ, and church is often a great place to start.

Now I must get some housework done!!


Still thinking of kandj <3


Love to all. Cx :-)

Food for thought Cynthia x

My thoughts and prayers for all in need at this time x

Good morning :-)

I do hope that your daughter's move goes smoothly Vera.....such a stressful time - even in the best of circumstances. Love to you and to your daughter <3


Still thinking of kandj and hoping she is taking care of herself. <3


Some uncomfortable reading for me yesterday.

”I don’t go to church because it is full of hypocrites”.

“It's nice to know that God has rounded up all the hypocrites and put them in church buildings — at least on Sunday morn-ings — so that all the people in the world who have pristine motives and clear consciences don't have to put up with them.” (John Roberts)

What are the reasons behind the accusation?

The words "sinner" and "hypocrite" are frequently confused. A person will observe a Christian sinning, and then label him a hypocrite. The assumption is that a person who claims to be a Christian never sins.

The great thing about the gospel message is that a whole bunch of hypocrites can gather together and find purpose, hope and forgiveness from Jesus!

The church is a work in progress (and so are its members). Like a cathedral that may take decades or centuries to complete, the process is long and arduous, but someday it will be complete and stand as a beautiful testimony to the power of Christ to transform lives for the better.

Remember, too, that only some professing Christians act hypocritically. What about all those who do not? What about all those who consistently live out the love of Christ in the world?

Lord, help me to lead my Christian life out in the world. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning all ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for the continuing posts Cynthia. They are appreciated.

Thinking, as ever, of Kandj <3 <3

Tomorrow we are helping our dear daughter move house. A very stressful time for her as she faces the break up of her marriage and building a new life in a new home, so special thoughts for anyone in need of support and comfort as they face the difficulties in their lives.

Good morning :-)

Yes, I'm still reading!


If we choose to be a Christian without sharing that experience with others, we risk losing many of the good things that an active relationship with God can bring.

The Christian life was never meant to be lived solo, God has gifted each member of his church to serve one another, you can’t do that solo. It is near impossible to live a Christian life alone, it runs counter to everything God has done for us.

However, some people can’t help but live alone. The thief on the cross could not join a church, he had no choice; but where we have a choice, we really should become a part of God’s church.

It’s like someone who gets married, but never moves in with their partner. It is true that you can be married without living together, and there may be extreme circumstances that you can think of where someone may get married and not live together (if someone is on their death bed for example).

But a real marriage involves relationship. Becoming a Christian means being a part of God’s family.

Lord, help us grow closer to you and to your church. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good afternoon :-)

Yep, Monday afternoon and I have just got round to posting. I gave up this morning because I couldn't get on the site and had jobs to do.

Anyway, better late than never I suppose.....

I've been reading again!

If I had a pound (or even a penny) for each time I have heard the following statement, I guess I would be rather wealthy by now.

“You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian". In some ways that is right but...

If we want to follow Jesus, we need to remember that he went to the synagogue each Sabbath.

The early church leaders led gatherings during which Christians discussed Jesus and His significance in their lives, prayed and read the Bible together, sang songs about God together, and encouraged each other in their faith.

These same reasons are why most Christians today want to participate in a church. To be surrounded with like-minded people who are all pursuing God is actually a big help to one’s faith.

One writer in the Bible states: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.”

Lord, help us to help one another as we search for your truths. Amen


Cx :-)

Thoughts and prayers to all in need of comfort. x

Good morning :-)



The Collect (special prayer) set for today :

Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image:
teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and your likeness in all your children;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things,
now and for ever.


The gospel set for today is the wonderful reading we so often hear at Christmas………In the beginning was the Word……



Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I was just changing the bed when I realised that I hadn't posted on here :-0

We are waiting for a district nurse to come and dress OH's leg as the cellulitis has flared up again. We are happy and able to go to a clinic but couldn't get an appointment until next week - hence the quick home visit. We were told any time between 8.30 and 5pm........ Suffice it to say that I am now sitting all neat and tidy and waiting for the doorbell to ring. What's the betting it will be at about 4.30pm sigh.

Hi Kandj, lovely to see you posting and we are still holding you in prayer <3

For today and ending our week of looking at angels.......

We praise you, Almighty God, for the heavenly hosts you have created to carry out your will in marvellous ways.

We praise you, Lord, that you created angels to minister to us on earth, a sign of love for us that is beyond our understanding.

We thank you for all the times angels help us resist temptation, for we need all the help we can get.

We give thanks that angels lead and guide us on the right paths, although their ministry is not always evident to us.

We give thanks that angels inspire us as we lift our hearts in worship.

We give thanks for your gift of angels for their presence is a reminder that our loving God notices and cares for us.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.


Cx :-)

<3 kandj <3

Hello all

Feeling lost, lonely and out of sorts with myself. Our family are now back in Durham. They all wanted me to go back with them but I felt that I needed some time to shed tears and get my head around hubby not being here any more well not his physical presence. Seeing his empty chair doesn't feel right and our bungalow is too tidy and too quiet for me now. My legs feel like lead and my brain doesn't want to work at all.

We definitely made the right choice in asking for Fr Paul to officiate on Monday. Everyone (even the village church regulars who came) agreed how spiritual and Christian Fr Paul was and how blessed our family was for hubby to have the Christian service that we had asked for. God is good indeed. Now I must be patient and rest in His loving arms. I have little energy and find I am very weepy. It is early days.
It can (has to) get better. Very many thanks to Cynthia and to all for your kindness xx

Good morning :-)


To be honest Vera, what I have been reading about regarding the angels, has given me much to think about - so I can understand your hesitation. Looking through the internet, there is much interest in them but it does seem to be mostly folklore and superstition. I have found it good to be able to read something more 'grounded' but that probably isn't the right word... :-D


I've been reading again ??

In many informal folk beliefs among Christians concerning the afterlife, the souls of the virtuous dead ascend into heaven to be converted into angels. However, this belief is not supported by the Bible and theologians are quick to discount it.

So, we don’t turn into angels when we die; angels are a separate species. They care deeply about us, though, celebrating when we turn to God. Jesus said: “I tell you… there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

(The majority of this week’s thoughts, have been taken from
Church on the Net - Diocese of Ripon and Leeds).


Really hectic day yesterday......new fridge delivered and mega housework done. Am now trying to catch up with myself.

Love to all. Cx
:-)

It’s an interesting subject Cynthia but I have to admit I do have difficulty in getting my head around angels, particularly a hierarchy of angels. The older I get, the more difficulty I have with the concept. I certainly can’t accept angels in human form, whether that is as awe inspiring warriors or golden haired ladies with feathery wings.

I do think there is a spirit for good (and evil) in the world and maybe that’s what some people mean by angels guiding us.

Good morning :-)

I know what you mean Emma - I'm fascinated with the subject myself. I never used to be, but.............

As so often happens, there is a downside - Satan, the devil, has his own angels—called demons. While still in heaven they tried to mount a coup against God. It failed, of course, and they fell into hell. They’re great deceivers, whose lives' work is to turn you away from God!

A quick Google search, or a trip to a bookshop, shows how much interest there is in angels. But be careful: much of what is said in those pages is wrong, going directly against God’s teaching.

Some offer rituals for seeking out your personal angel or ‘spirit guide’ (spirit guides are not a Christian concept, and are totally unconnected with holy angels), for trying to get in touch with your angel, or even that your angel should be worshipped.

But angels are created lower than God, and only God is worthy of worship. We shouldn’t communicate directly with angels—that’s going behind God’s back, and cutting him out the loop. They work for him, not you, so don’t try giving them stuff to do! Deal direct with the boss.


Haven't heard from kandj since the funeral and I am wondering if she has maybe gone to stay with the family for a while. I haven't liked to bother her, but will send a note today

<3 <3 <3kandji <3 <3 <3


Cx :-)

Finding your reading of angels interesting Cynthia.

Thoughts and prayers to those in need of comfort <3

Good morning :-)

I find myself reading about angels when really, I should be ironing! Its quite fascinating to be honest and I am learning as I go along. The Book of Ezekiel has very vivid descriptions of angels, as does the Book of Revelation.

The Bible says there are many kinds of angels —cherubim and seraphim, for example—and there is a hierarchy, with archangels above lower orders, and the Archangel Michael over all. They are also beyond number, making up the heavenly host.

In the Bible, angels protect people, warn them, comfort them, bring good news, spring them from prison, and are a holy warring army—even spreading plague over 70,000 of God’s people. Mostly, though, they are messengers. Angels do whatever God commands (think of them as his task-force), and our prayers and testimony empower them.

Please excuse me whilst I carry on reading about these amazing beings.



<3 <3 Thinking of kandj <3 <3

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We all learn, all of the time. I have been looking at various articles on Christianity and angels, and they all come to the same basic conclusion – that the Bible is very clear on what an angel is and isn’t, but misinformation has spread about angels that is being taken as truth.

In the Bible, they appear in a series of different situations, roles and even guises. Don’t imagine cutesy baby cherubs, though: think of immensely tall, dazzling men in glowing robes. Fierce warriors with flaming swords.

When people in the Bible saw an angel their typical response was to kneel in fear and awe, not to reach out and smile at an adorable baby.

Food for thought indeed.



Cx :-)

<3 kandj <3

<3 Kandj <3

Thinking of you, especially today as you say your goodbyes. Be strong for each other and let the love of your wonderful family carry you through and your faith sustain you. God bless you.