General Chat

Hello all

"We can never obtain peace in the
outer world, until we make peace
with ourselves." (Dalai Lama)

Living Lord
Deliver us from a world without justice and a future without mercy.
Turn our hearts to your ways of love and peace. Amen

Good morning :-)


Despite all the grey news surrounding us, it is a beautiful morning..................

Our last Beatitude......."Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".


How can you rejoice or be blessed, when you are going through insult, persecution, suffering, even death for doing good or right? Yet, Jesus very clearly proclaims ‘blessedness’ for those who are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness.


There are parts of the world, where people are being persecuted for Christ. For them, following Christ means suffering, rejection and even death. They are blessed or privileged to share in suffering with Christ. However, this is not the end. Jesus offers those who are persecuted for his name, the inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven. At present, we don’t see it, yet we believe in it - and we rejoice in that hope and future.


Something to ponder.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

There has been bombing and gunfire in Instanbul airport this evening.

28 people have been killed and 60 people seriously injured. It is believed that
3 suicide bombers have caused this tragic event.

Condolences to the family and friends of those killed. May they all Rest In Peace.

Prayers for the injured and for the medical workers caring for all these people. xxx

Good morning :-)


More dreadful news to wake up to. So tragic for all those involved. God bless all those who mourn and who have been injured. <3


Today we celebrate the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Peter’s original name was Simon but Jesus changed it to Peter, which means ‘the rock’. It was to Peter that Jesus gave the ‘keys of the kingdom’.

Peter is remembered as the fisherman who became the right hand man of Jesus himself, the leader of the early church and a father of the faith. There are many bible stories which involve this great saint and its always worth re-reading them.

Eventually, he was crucified for his faith and it is said that he was crucified head down-ward as he didn’t feel worthy of being crucified in the same way as his Lord and master.

COLLECT FOR ST. PETER’S DAY.
Almighty God,
who by your Son Jesus Christ
gave your apostle Peter many excellent gifts,
and commanded him earnestly to feed your flock:
enable, we pray, all bishops and pastors
diligently to preach your holy word,
and your people faithfully to follow it,
that they may receive the crown of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen



Today is our 48th wedding anniversary. We thank God for his blessings to us and hope to continue the journey for at least a little while longer. :-)


Cx :-)

Such tragic news yet again. Thinking of all those who are affected by it and, sadly, many will be traumatised physically or mentally for years to come. May they find the strength and support they need <3.

Congratulations on your wedding anniversary Cynthia. Here's wishing you happiness and blessings for many years to come <3

Happy Anniversary to you both Cynthia.x

Hello all

Joining with Vera and Emma, sending Congratulations and all good wishes Cynthia
It is good to have some happy news to share, with our world in turmoil just now.

"Life is a lot like tennis, you need to put your goals on the
sidelines and focus on how to deal with what's on hand."
(Leander Paes.)

Thinking of all who take part in many sports and all who will watch them. xxx

Good morning :-)

Thank you for your good wishes - we had a good day all things considered :-D


We have the neuro physio arriving quite early today so I had better pull myself together and get the show on the road :-)


I come before you O Lord
As the sun rises may your hope rise up in me.
As the birds sing may your love flow out of me.
As the light floods into this new day,
May your joy shine through me.
I come before you, O Lord
And drink in this moment of peace,
That I may carry something of your hope, love and joy
Today in my heart.

Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

I do hope everything goes well again for you and your husband Cynthia.

Heavenly Father
We pray for those who are facing sickness in body, mind and spirit.
We ask that you would restore their health, soothe their pain and anxious minds.
Share your peace Lord and comfort the sick now, In Jesus name.
Amen.

Good morning :-)

The nice young neuro physio is arranging for my husband to have one of those push along trolleys, for use when he is a bit wobbly. Sounds good but I am not sure about his confidence. Time will tell.


For the Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme ....100 years ago today...

Eternal God, our refuge and strength,
on this day we remember before you all who experienced
the battle on the Somme: those who faced the terrible waste and devastation,
who fought against all the odds, endured the clinging mud,
and the squalor of the trenches.
We recall with thanksgiving the loyalty shown to comrades
and the bravery of those who overcame their fear,
the courage of those who daily faced the pounding of artillery,
gun-fire and shrapnel.
May we never forget the devastating loss of this battle,
the anxiety on the home-front, and the sacrifices that were made.
Through our remembrances today,
strengthen our resolve to oppose naked aggression,
to defend the weak, and to speak your word of peace in times
of conflict and insecurity.
This we ask in the name of the Prince of peace, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.



Cx :-)

Silent Tears

Each day as evening starts to set
The ache builds in her chest
She knows that she must go to bed
And try to get some rest

She hugs her tearstained pillow close
When no one is around
And cries for one she loved and lost
And screams without a sound

Others see her in the day
And think she's doing well
But everyday as evening sets
She enters her own hell

Time hasn't healed her pain at all
Or quieted her fears
So every night, alone in bed
She sheds those silent tears.

More than 20 years ago at a time when I was martially and financially in a mess I
started praying, vocalising my problems. Twice a day, morning and evening I thanked God for everything, the day, my life, my next breathe. It calmed me.
In 2013 I sustained a very serious injury that meant a six week stay in a trauma ward and several surgical operations to my leg. Before and after each operation I thanked God. I believe this his helped me through some trying times.
Take a few minutes to talk to God, you might find it helps you too. <3

Hello Cynthia, Emma and David.

I wrote on this thread earlier but obviously didn't submit......... what am I like!!

A few night time words to share with you all.

Day is over, night has come.
Today is gone, what's done is done.
Embrace your dreams,
throughout the night.
Tomorrow comes
with a whole new light.
(Anonymous)

Time to dream now, Goodnight all, sleep peacefully. xxx

Good morning :-)


It's always good to see comments from others on here........thank you. <3


A prayer which most of us can relate to at some time I think... :-D


Father, clear my sleepy head and fill my mind with expectation
Awake my slow body and energise my heart with love in action.
Ignite my spirit and set this day on fire with promise.
Make the ordinary extraordinary.
Engage me, show me your kingdom alive
Help me to see that every waking moment
Is full of promise because of you.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

A good point from David by reminding us to thank God for all the good and not so good times in our lives. Today I am counting my blessings and not my worries.

Thank you Lord,
For always being there for me.
Amen.

Sending out Happy Saturday Blessings to one and all today. xxx

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you that we,
loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire;
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.


In today's gospel reading, we hear about Jesus sending out his followers in pairs, to places he would shortly visit......saying "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest"


A blessed Sunday to you all. Cx :-)

Hello all

This is the day that the Lord has made;
We should rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118;24)

For people struggling today, a reminder that Faith makes things possible, not easy. xxx

Good morning :-)

After a time spent looking at the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, maybe a musical week is in order – and we can have glorious hymns going round in our heads all day! :-D

Let’s start with hymn which we sang in our church yesterday……..’Angel voices ever singing’… please click on the link below to hear it.

This hymn was written by Revd. Francis Pott (1832-1909), to celebrate a new organ at the church of St. John the Evangelist, Wingate, Lancs in 1861. This was a time of great religious revival and church building.

Revd Francis Pott, had come under the influence of the Oxford [High Church] move-ment. He had received a classical education at Brasenose College, Oxford, and took Holy Orders in 1856.

After serving three curacies he became Rector of Norhill, Bedfordshire, in 1866 where he stayed for the remainder of his ministry. He served on the committee of ‘Hymns Ancient & Modern’ which was published in 1861.

Angel voices, ever singing,
Round Thy throne of light,
Angel harps, forever ringing,
Rest not day or night;
Thousands only live to bless Thee,
And confess Thee
Lord of might.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nFEjJKuDe4


Enjoy! Cx :-)

Hello all

Thanks for the link Cynthia. A lovely old hymn and will be singing it for a while now.

Monday and the start of another week. They do go by so quickly!
May God give us all the strength needed to get through this new week.

Sending a hug to those who need one. xxx

Good morning :-)


For the second day of our musical week................a slightly more modern hymn ..... ‘Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God’.


This gentle hymn was written by Karen Lafferty, a Christian song writer and singer working in the Christian Music Ministry. In 1971, things were very up and down and she had been trying to support herself with teaching guitar lessons but only had 3 students. When her savings were all gone and she had no money to make her car payments, she became by discouraged and confused.

One evening she went to a bible study at church and where they talked about Matthew 6.33. She was tremendously encouraged and challenged by the words about Christ’s kingdom. She went home, wrote the tune, recorded it on a tape record and sang the descant part. She taught the song at church the next week and it caught on right away.

The rest is history…..modern history :)

A gentle way to start the day - please click on the link....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH8bV7rUVaU

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And his righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you,
Allelu, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia,
Alleluia, allelu, alleluia.

Ask, and it shall be given unto you,
Seek, and ye shall find.
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you,

You shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of the Lord,


Cx :-)