General Chat

Good morning :-)


Final New Year Resolution to consider……Make church a priority.


“Some believe that going to church every Sunday is enough. While attending services and being in fellowship with Christians is indeed a great thing, your church participa-tion shouldn't be limited to that. Your church is your spiritual home and its activities help fortify your faith.

Take advantage of any prayer or bible groups……activities like this will help you to know more about your brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember, that being part of your church helps it to grow and, when it grows, it becomes a better home for fellow Christians as well as those who need God in their lives.”


I almost feel that I should be holding up a placard saying "Support your local church". :-D :-D :-D

Good morning :-)

On to day four of our possible New Year Resolutions…..

GIVE AND GIVE MORE….

As the old saying goes, "the more you give, the more you'll receive." This doesn't only apply to the Christmas season. In fact, in Luke 6:38, it says "Give and it will be given to you....for with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."

This coming year, let’s consider being more giving and charitable. When we see a homeless man, willingly give him something without any judgment.

When a relative approaches us asking for help, give what we can. We should always have a heart big enough to help others throughout the year because God commanded each and every one of us to love and care for one another.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Poor kandj - you really don't need to catch a nasty bug with all you have to do. Hope you feel better very soon.

I am propping my eyes open with matchsticks this morning as my husband is a fidget and keeps waking me. :-( I am going back to bed shortly to zonk out for another hour hopefully.


The week is galloping away already...

Day three of our New Year Resolutions...

BE MORE COMPASSIONATE
It has been said that, in this world we live in, it's always going to be the survival of the fittest. We may not notice it but we've been brainwashed to think that all that matters is "me, me and me" only.

We do everything we can to buy what we want and live a comfortable life. However, what we fail to see is how self-centered we have become.

God's second commandment is to "Love your neighbour as yourself..." (Mark 12:31). This only means that we should practice the same compassion we have for our family and loved ones with strangers and people who are in need.


Food for thought indeed............... Cx :-)

Hello all

I have never forgotten a member of our congregation telling me that God has a
"telephone number" ??? It is Jeremiah 33 v 3 and in that chapter and verse are
written the words:-

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you GREAT and MIGHTY things you
do not know."

I think hubby has shared his bug with me....... just what I could have done without! xx

Good morning :)


As people return to some sort of normality after the Christmas and New Year break, we look at Day 2 of our New Year Resolutions for Christians....

PRAY MORE AND HARDER!

If we are honest, there may be days when we pray and days when we don’t. There are times when our prayers are, perhaps, done without much thought or we maybe don’t know what to pray about.

Our talks with God should be more meaningful than this as prayer is our only line of communication with God, so we need to take time with our prayers and make the most of that time.

Reading the bible and prayer goes hand-in-hand, we need to constantly ask God for wisdom to help us understand what we are reading. Prayers don’t have to be mega long we just need to open our hearts and minds to God………………..that’s prayer.

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up”.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you for the greetings........ <3

I was pleasantly surprised at how many folk turned up for church yesterday - many more than I anticipated. I also noticed other churches that I pass had folk round and about. The Christian faith is still alive and kicking :-D


Dermot poses the question... "What can I do?"

How about some New Year Resolutions..............for Christians?

As we begin 2017, I have been looking around for ideas – so let’s take a gentle look at some this week.

For today: READ GOD'S WORD MORE

Why? We may remember to pray but reading God’s word has a different effect on us. When we pray, we are talking to God, but when we read the bible we learn more about God and His story.

The bible may not be the easiest book to read, but just a few minutes a day reading a verse or maybe a chapter, will help us to become more familiar with it. For guidance, I would suggest maybe the Bible Reading Fellowship scheme .....

https://www.brf.org.uk/

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path".

If anyone takes up this challenge, it would be interesting to let us know how you get on. :-)


Love to all Cx :-)

Happy New Year xx

Our prayer for the coming year needs to be more than just: “Lord, do something!” It needs to be: “Lord, what can I do?”

Happy New Year

Thank you Cynthia for your welcome daily contributions.

Let's hope that we can look forward to the New Year and be ready to face it's challenges.



...........From the poem by Minnie Haskins.....

I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year,
"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."
And he replied, "Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way."


Gwyn

Good morning :-)


Did something happen whilst I was fast asleep? :-D


It is still Sunday and churches will still be holding services thankfully.

The Collect (special prayer for today) :

Almighty God,
in the birth of your Son
you have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word,
and shown us the fullness of your love:
help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love
that we may know the fullness of his joy;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Gospel reading tells the story of the Angel of God telling Joseph to go to Egypt away from Herod.


My thanks to those who support this thread and I wish you all a very Happy and Blessed New Year. <3

Cx :-)

A quiet evening with just the two of us tonight. I expect we will be tucked up before midnight too.

Thank you Kandj for the reminder of The Gate of the Year.

Thank you Cynthia for your daily postings throughout 2016. Even though I don't post regularly this is my "turn to first" thread, so you are never talking to yourself even though it must seem like it sometimes.

I wish all my GR friends a happy, healthy and blessed 2017. HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello all

We won't see the New Year in either Cynthia but be tucked up in our warm bed.

Remembering all who are coping with illness and pain or going through troubled times or feel lonely at this time of year. Sending a warm hug to those in need of one.

The Gate of the Year wonderful words written by Minnie Louise Haskins 1875-1957

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year;

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."

And he replied;

"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be
to you better than light and safer than a known way." So I went forth and finding
the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the
breaking of the day in the lone East.

Thanks to Cynthia for daily postings and to all who pop in or just look in this site
I send HAPPY NEW YEAR BLESSINGS. GOOD HEALTH & HAPPINESS IN 2017
XXX

Good morning :-)


I hope everyone enjoys their New Year's Eve celebrations tonight..........I think I may be fast asleep :-D

What shall I ask for the coming year
What shall my watchword be
What should you do for me, dear Lord
What can I do for thee?

Lord, I would ask for a holy year
Spent in your perfect will
Help me to walk in your very steps
Help me to please you still.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Continuing our journey towards the end of the year......

Lord,

As we approach the new year, I offer you my life.
Come take my voice, may the words I speak be filled with encouragement and goodness.
Come take my hands, may the work they create be generous and giving.
Come take my feet, may the journeys I walk be led by your Spirit within.
Come take my life Lord, for I love your goodness, your kindness and your leading.



Hope everyone is okay.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Some thoughts as we approach the new year......


Dear Lord, please give me…

A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
A work to do which has real value,
without which the world would be the poorer;
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
An understanding heart;
A sense of humour;
Time for quiet, silent meditation;
A feeling of the presence of God;
The patience to wait for the coming of these things,
With the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Oh poor kandj and husband......I'm so sorry that you have had yet another visit to the hospital. I do hope that things settle down soon.....sending love and prayers <3

For today :

If You Look For Me at Christmas
...you won't need a special star -
I'm no longer just in Bethlehem,
I'm right there where you are.

You may not be aware of me
amid the celebrations -
You'll have to look beyond the stores
and all the decorations.

But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you'll find
I'm waiting there for you.

You're the one I want to be with,
you're the reason that I came,
And you'll find me in the stillness
as I'm whispering your name.

Love,
Jesus.



Cx :-)

Hello all

We are just back home from yet another A&E visit since 5am this morning.
Hubby's breathing problems increased greatly and so I followed the ambulance
where two very young crew were kindness itself to the two of us.

A chest infection and fluid in his lung has been diagnosed poor love. Antibiotics,
increased diuretics and a stronger cough medicine all prescribed. We have nothing
but praise for the NHS staff and have so much to thank them for once again.

Good morning :-)

Hahahahaaaaaaa. Love it Pat. :-D

It reminds me of our churchwarden a couple of weeks ago. We sang a hymn containing the words 'Most highly favoured Lady' and she was telling me how, when she was younger, they used to sing 'Most highly flavoured gravy'. :-D

My laptop is still playing up and I am using my daughter's ipad at the moment. Please don't be alarmed if I suddenly disappear. :-D

For today:

Father God,
As Jesus shared the life of an earthly home, help our churches to be places where people are united in love and obedience, in fun and in fellowship, so that we may show your love to the world. Amen.

Cx :-)

I promise this is a true story.

I was at Sunday School aged about 8/9. Each week we sang a hymn together and had the collection then went to our classes for our weekly lesson. Our teacher used to start each week with a few questions on last week's lesson. The previous week we had learnt about St Stephen the first Christian martyr. Teacher asked a girl who didn't usually answer any questions who St Stephen was and her answer was

"St Stephen was the first English tomato".

:-D Happy St Stephen's day

Edit - forgot to say it's St Stephen's (Stephanos here) tomorrow in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Good morning everyone....I hope you have all recovered, or are on the road to recovery from your Christmas festivities. Waking up to the news of the death of another famous person and the dreadful plane crash in Russia will dampen a lot of spirits today. We hold those who mourn in our thoughts and prayers.


This is a day with several names.......Boxing Day - St. Stephen's Day and Wren's Day.

BOXING DAY According to some Boxing Day can be traced back to the Victorian era when churches often displayed a box into which their parishioners put donations.

Also in Britain, on the day after Christmas Day, servants of the wealthy were given time off to visit their families because their services were required for the Christmas Day celebrations of their employers. They were therefore allowed the following day for their own observance of the holiday and each servant would be handed a box to take home, containing gifts, bonuses and sometimes leftover food.

ST. STEPHEN'S DAY - the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stoned outside Jerusalem, he died praying for his executioners. He was one of the seven deacons who helped the apostles; he was "filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit," and was "full of fortitude."

WREN'S DAY - The celebration of the day seem to have little relation to St. Stephen himself, although there is one tale that recounts the 'chattering' wren betraying St. Stephen to his enemies as he tries to hide from them in a bush.
Thereafter, the wren, much like poor St. Stephen, was to be hunted down and stoned to death! This treatment of the wren, in Ireland, however, was to be an annual event, accompaniment by strolling musicians going door to door in disguise. It is believed to go back hundred and hundreds of years and is still practiced today in parts of Ireland.


Grant, Lord, we pray, that we may imitate what we worship, and so learn to love even our enemies, for we celebrate the heavenly birthday of a man who know how to pray even for his persecutors. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Cx :-)