General Chat

Good morning all

Lots to read up on - love the quotes, poems etc. A very beautiful warm sunny day here in the South East corner of the UK. Quite a lot of sea breeze too.

This year seems to be flying by cant believe its nearly June. Just booked our Anniversary lunch, its quite expensive but we only go twice a year (as its a Friday this year) it seems amazing to think that 24 years ago we were finishing off the wedding plans and booking our hotel stay for the 4 days before the big day and a very long drive to Scotland. We should start thinking of ideas for next year, perhaps a quiet weekend away. Would be lovely to book a big holiday, but cant at present, too many variables. Who knows what a year will bring us.

Hope everyone is keeping well and looking forward to the jubilee weekend.

Take care.

. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Good morning :-)

Interesting quotes from interesting people :

If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed.
If you look within, you’ll be depressed
If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.

- Corrie Ten Boom


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

TODAY IS ASCENSION DAY

Christians believe that this is the day for Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven, and the day has been marked since the year 68AD to end the Easter season. The celebration has different traditions by Christians in different countries. Some countries with a Christian population set Ascension Day as a public holiday. In Britain, there will be special services in many areas to celebrate this important day.

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we in heart and mind may also ascend and with him continually dwell; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Cx :-)

Lord, we pray for those who have been devastated by the mass shooting in Texas yesterday.

We remember those who have lost their lives so suddenly.

We hold in our hearts the families forever changed by grief and loss.

Bring them consolation and comfort. Surround them with our prayers for strength, may they have the courage to face the days ahead.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Good morning :-)

Interesting quotes from interesting people:

"No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says. He is always convinced that it says what he means." - George Bernard Shaw


1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Sending love to kandj as she and her family face those challenging times. <3


Interesting quotes from interesting people

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” - Mahatma Ghandi.

Mahatma Gandhi, was a Hindu thinker, lawyer, and politician who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule, and to later inspire movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. He was born in 1869, in Porbandar, India. He was assassinated by gunshot wound in January 1948.

Father, show me how to be more like Jesus Christ today so that You will be glorified!
Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, many thanks for your daily postings.

Vera, I hope that your granddaughter gets the grades that she has worked hard for.

An extremely challenging week for me and my family. I'm still singing the uplifting words from the last hymn sung in church this morning, this very
definitely "spoke" to me and was much needed.

Faithful One,
So unchanging,
Ageless One you're my rock of peace.
Lord of all I depend on You,
I call out to You, again and again.
I call out to You, again and again.

You are my rock in times of trouble.
You lift me up when I fall down.
All through the storm
Your love is the anchor.
My hope is in you alone.

Sending gentle hugs for all who are struggling today

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

God our redeemer,
you have delivered us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:
grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,
so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.



The New Testament lesson tells of St. Paul's vision where he is urged to travel to Macedonia to spread the gospel and where he meets Lydia - a seller of purple cloth.
Acts 16. 9-15

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



When You Can't Sleep
I have a secret that is very simple.
I’ll share it with you if I may.
When you can’t sleep,
Don’t count sheep.
Pray...

Pray for those you love,
And those who don’t love you.
Pray for your friends,
And for your enemies too.

Pray for your family-
All of them, not just one or two.
Pray for everyone who is sick, hurting, or lost.
And when you feel you are through,
Pray for you.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

WITHOUT GOD our week would be:
Sinday,
Mournday,
Tearsday,
Wasteday,
Thirstday,
Fightday,
Shatterday.
Seven days without God …makes one weak!!


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


If God came in a coffee cup
We’d seek Him every morn.
We’d look to Him for strength and wit
Then seek to have Him more.

We’d praise Him for the energy
That gets us through each day.
We’d share Him with a friend or two
To brighten up their day.

If God came in a coffee cup
We’d keep Him close at hand.
Never getting quite enough
Of this life bestowing man.

We’d carry Him to work and school
We’d take Him when we shop
We’d put Him in a travel mug
So we’d never miss a drop.

If God came in a coffee cup
We’d always seek him first,
We’d never go a day without
With him we’ll never thirst.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Vera, I certainly don't envy the children taking their exams this week. I hated exams at all times, but after the disruption they have had over the last 2 years, it must be very difficult for them.

Kandj, when I googled hymns with the word 'shepherd' in, I realised just how many there were. That is a lovely hymn which we don't sing often enough.


Lord, as I go through my day, please keep your arm round my shoulder and your hand over my mouth! Amen.


Cx :-)

Good evening all

I had heard yesterday's prayer before but today's Menopause Prayer was new to me. I think there will be a lot of ladies on the boards who can relate to that one.

I've been thinking today of all those youngsters, like my youngest grandchild, who are taking public examinations right now. They have had to cope with so much during this pandemic with missing much of their schooling and having to be taught remotely, with all that requires in the way of hard work and self discipline. I wish them all well.

I am joining kandj in sending a hug to anyone in need of a little comfort right now.

Hello all

I'm just catching up with last week's postings about shepherds and it's reminded me of a traditional hymn sung in school assembly many years ago.

Loving shepherd of thy sheep.
Keep thy lambs in safety keep:
Nothing can they power withstand,
None can pluck me from thy hand.

Sending hugs for all in need just now.

Good morning :-)

Listening to the news can be depressing at times, but one item which has been covered recently ..... is the menopause.

Maybe this will cheer some folk up........

Menopause Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord for no more heat
For if it comes, I’ll be awake
I pray the Lord, don’t make me bake

I’ll even get down on my knees
And pray the Lord “Lord, pretty please”
Please don’t turn my furnace on
My flesh is weak, my patience’s gone

I haven’t had a good night’s sleep
Since menopause turned on the heat
And it’s no good Lord, counting sheep
If into fire, Lord they leap

So Lord, please grant me this request
And take this fire from my chest
Let someone else be thusly blessed
And let me finally get some rest


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Dear Lord,
So far I've done all right.
I haven't gossiped,
haven't lost my temper,
haven't been greedy, grumpy, selfish, or overindulgent.
I'm really glad about that.

But in a few minutes, God,
I'm going to get out of bed.
And from then on,
I'm going to need a lot more help.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty God,
who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:
grant that, as by your grace going before us
you put into our minds good desires,
so by your continual help
we may bring them to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Gospel reading John 13. 31-35
Jesus tells us to love one another


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Supreme Shepherd

He is my Shepherd,
I am His lamb . . .
I know He loves me
just as I am.

I will follow Him,
wherever He goes
for I’m confident
the way He knows.

I’ll never leave Him,
beside Him I’ll stay
I will not from Him
wander off or stray.

I’ll remain by Him,
He’ll be at my side
my steps of faith
I trust He will guide.

Jesus is my Shepherd,
His voice I do hear . . .
as long as I follow Him
I have nothing to fear

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Wow! That's stunning Gwyn. Imagine staring out into that view whilst at church. Beautiful. Thank you. <3



Shepherds……and their role.

When anyone thinks of a shepherd, there is one thing that probably springs to mind and that’s the shepherd’s crook.

One of the symbols of authority of bishops are the crooks, known as croziers, which are carried on official occasions. The usual form has been like a shepherd's crook, curved at the top to enable the shepherd to rescue and save the sheep. This is symbolic of the bishops being the shepherds of their "flock" of Christians, reminding us of Christ as the Good Shepherd.

Official croziers can take many forms, ranging from the simple to the elaborate.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me..


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia for another interesting topic.

Another church with the same name..........

https://www.churchofthegoodshepherd.org.nz/

We visited this little church back in 2008.

Instead of stained glass, they chose to have a plain glass picture window above the altar, which shows the beautiful natural environment.

This can be seen by scrolling down after clicking on the link.