General Chat

Oh dear.... falling for the Vicar, Cynthia. Is this allowed??
He is sure to make light of this, but I seriously do hope that you have no ill-effects from your mishap.

Thank you for today's postings. I have a card on my kitchen board that always makes me smile. It was given to me many years ago by a neighbour and it reads:

AN IRISH PRAYER
Get down on your knees
and thank God you're still on your feet!

What a super prayer kandj - love it! :-D


My head is gradually recovering thank you all - still tender but getting there!


In the Christian faith, we are urged to be 'childlike' (as opposed to child-ish). I thought that this child's prayer covered all ages....


Thank You, God

The sun so bright up in the sky.
The moon I see way, way up high!
The soft green grass, the plants, the trees
are special gifts
God made for me.

All the people that I love
are blessed by Jesus up above.
My neighbours, friends and family
are special gifts God gave to me.

What gift can I give you my God
in heaven up above?
The thing you want the most from me
is pure and simple...
Love!

--Margaret Kennedy



Enjoy your day Cx :-)

What lovely thoughts for today, Cynthia. I always notice that congregations love it when there is a children's address. The "more mature" children (those over 60) listen so attentively and it is so true that, if we cannot connect with a child, we are making the Scriptures too difficult.

In the biography of the famous 20th century preacher Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones (died 1981) there is a story of a lady of certain years who developed a crush on him. When she was in the melee at end of service to shake his hand, each week she would collapse into his arms and blame her giddiness.

He was getting a bit fed up of continually catching this lady and discussed it with one of his Deacons and the following week he took one step back as she began to fall and his Deacon took one step forward to break her fall. The lady and the Deacon (who she most certainly did not have a crush on) finished up in the porch of Westminster Methodist Hall in London sprawled on the floor together.

It cured her giddiness :-) ;-) Miracles do happen ;-)

That made me laugh, John :-D

We all have Christians who have helped to alter our lives. For many of us, it is a Christian mother, a Christian friend, an evangelist.

I came under the preaching of Rev Charles Lawrence of Harrold In Bedfordshire as a "new" Christian. He and his brother Rev Sidney Lawrence (Knighton in Leicester) both died as elderly men in 1990's, and they were both ordained and blessed by Dr Lloyd-Jones.

I was mightily influenced by the preaching of all these 3 wonderful men. If you have 5 minutes to hear Lloyd-Jones, just try this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRJ4BQsAgLw

Hopefully, you will get an idea of the power and charisma of his fantastic preaching. He always pulled the Scriptures apart like the skilful surgeon he had been in his pre-ministry days (he was Surgeon to Duchess of York before she became Queen in 1937 and later Queen Mother).

I was wondering if you do fuzzy felts as well Cyns

I always paid that much more attention even as a "mature child" when we had fuzzy felts in church.


Persephone xx

Good afternoon everyone :-) Nice to see you posting John;-)
I went to our local war memorial to pay my respects to Lee Rigby. There were very few people there :-(, but as we fell silent at 11am the person tending the gardens just carried on snipping and cutting :-0 So little respect these days :-(

John, THAT would have been worth a picture being taken wouldn't it? Love the story. :-D I remember the name of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.


Persie........oh yes....fuzzy felts are still around according to Google - in fact they celebrate their 63rd birthday this year. In fact, on ebay you can get them under Vintage and Antique toys!

I used to like sand tray stories in Sunday School. Visual aids always help to get a point across but, nowadays, the PowerPoint is in favour although our S.School children have recently made a collage of Noah's Ark which included a pink zebra!


Lyndi........we have had some flowers laid at our war memorial but I don't know if anyone actually went to it. I agree about how little respect there can be.

A couple of months ago, we had a baptism in the main service, and one of the adults who was looking after the toddling child, had him wandering all over church.

When they ended up behind the altar in the roped off Lady Chapel where there was a large floral cross from a coffin from a few days before, I took the bull by the horns, went quietly down the side aisle and politely, but firmly, asked her to remove herself and the child from that special area. I'm not at all sure she understood why, but she did come out, much to the relief of the congregation.

Can you imagine the upset there would be if they had done that in a cinema and disrupted the screening? :-S

Lindi. Thanks :-) I did say I would continue posting on this particular thread from time to time and I try to read all posts. I have been very pleased to see so many new people posting, and so many lovely thoughts.

I saw a lot of people dressed in black this afternoon in a village near Bridgend. They were outside a club on the main street and enjoying the sun and a pint and cars were driving past tooting their horns and waving and smiling.

Yes, it was the aftermath of a large funeral. A lady told me that a very popular young man in the village had died. He had had cancer but had recovered from that apparently and died of pneumonia. She was as shocked as I was about the noisy departure for their friend, but perhaps that is what he would have wanted.

I think Lee Rigby would have been on the minds of a lot of people today, and our prayers and love must be extended to his family.

Also today, our Vicar took a funeral (not at our church but as a stand in for a colleague who was on holiday) of a young man in his late twenties. He died in the local hospice this week and today was to have been his wedding day. It was, in fact brought forward and he was married just 5 weeks ago. He and his wife have two very small boys.

The family had asked that mourners dress in blue and white as the deceased was an avid Everton fan. In order to show support, our Vicar wore a white stole which had a blue Christian symbol on it. Apparently, he told the congregation about it and added that he was also wearing his Man. United socks though. Everyone laughed and he has the knack of bringing a smile to the saddest face. He said the church was packed to capacity and many were left outside.


Three young lives cut short so very sadly. Yes, our thoughts and prayers should be with those families at this difficult time.


Cx :-)

heartbreaking - I just watched part of Lee Rigby's funeral on the TV news - rarely do I weep at things on TV, last time was for Diana when watching her funeral - could have sobbed my socks off watching this one - I think if I'd started I would never have stopped - brings all sorts of things back - still raw from Sandie's funeral, then sitting with my pal watching her husband die last week - that funeral yet to come - life goes on I know, but things like this just bring all the old things flooding back and you weep as you did the first time round

Lord,
your wisdom governs the length of our days.
We mourn the loss of Lee and others,
whose lives have passed so quickly,
and we entrust them to your mercy.
Welcome them into your heavenly dwelling
and grant them the happiness of everlasting youth.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

AnnC. Have been so impressed how you have handled last few weeks. Sandie, and the other great sadnesses. I was talking to a local shopkeeper (who used to do a double act in 1970's with his wife, mainly round South Wales) and he had not heard the news about Kenny Smiles. He was genuinely shocked that such a character had been lost to showbusiness and life.

thank you - there will be an article on Ken in the South Wales Echo in the coming week - already been in Swansea papers, [his birthplace], and on Swansea Sound

Heartbreaking indeed Ann. So much sorrow always around and, it's at times like this that we are grateful for our family and friends. It's touching to see how many communities are willing to rally round and support families suffering sorrow and distress.


I hope this helps


Everyone Needs Someone


People need people and friends need friends
And we all need love for a full life depends
Not on vast riches or great acclaim,
Not on success or on worldly fame,

But just in knowing that someone cares
And holds us close in their thoughts and prayers.
For only the knowledge that we’re understood
Makes everyday living feel wonderfully good,

And we rob ourselves of life’s greatest need
When we “lock up our hearts” and fail to heed
The outstretched hand reaching to find
A kindred spirit whose heart and mind

Are lonely and longing to somehow share
Our joys and sorrows and to make us aware
That life’s completeness and richness depends
On the things we share with our loved ones and friends.

- Helen Steiner Rice



Today I am going to a service in the great cathedral in Liverpool. Haven't been for a while so I am looking forward to it.

Have a good day my poppers-inners Cx :-)

A thoughtful and meaningful prayer this morning when there is so much sadness about, and bereaved families in need of prayerful support.

Your board name has changed and I was interested to read about this special man. We learn something new every day. Thank you John.

Cynthia. We do indeed need someone around us every day and have to count our blessings. Liverpool Cathedral service sounds amazing and the plus side is that it will be very cool inside on a red hot day. Enjoy the experience and thank you for prayers.

kandj. :-) :-) Every generation seems to throw up religious giants. I think most Christian leaders at the time Fletcher of Madely was around (Vicar of Madeley from 1759-1785 when he died) believed he was the greatest of their generation. And that generation included the Wesley brothers, George Whitfield, Daniel Rowlands, Jonathan Edwards and Hywel Harries. They all sought his wise counsel and looked up to him. Quite amazing.

And I have just been thinking about Christian influences on 5 generations of my own family. Many lived in Madeley area at end of 18th century and beginning of 19th century. So would have been influenced by Fletcher and his wife Mary Bosanquet - who was a real leader in those days. And the saintly John Eyton of Wellington, Salop - who incidentally employed the father of the Bronte sisters as a curate about 1808 (Rev Patrick Brunty as he was then known).

And my family have been greatly blessed ever since. And I am thrilled that I have been able to hear and absorb so many of the wonderful sermons of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981). And have heard so many of his friends preach also :-) :-)

Cynthia -


<3 <3 <3

Have had a lovely but tiring day. :-D


Took my friend who has mobility issues and uses a wheelchair when out. I've told her she needs to lose some weight.....:-D


Had lunch in the refectory and then an inspiring service in that magnificent building. Met up with lots of friends I haven't seen for ages which was lovely. :-D


Can't believe it isn't yet 9 pm..................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :-)

Hello all,

Haven't posted for a while, but today went to a UMW meeting (United Methodist Women). We had a salad luncheon - such good food. We had invited ladies from another church, and had a nice friendly little crowd. Anyway, we were given a quiz entitled "Mothers In The Bible". I didn't do very well I'm afraid - 7 right out of 18 questions! Only one lady answered every question correctly. Thought some of you might enjoy having a go. If anyone is interested in it, I'll give you the answers tomorrow.

1. This mother of Reuben was Jacob's first wife.

2. She bore Isaac late in life.

3. She encouraged her son's gracious widow to wed.

4. She took her young boy, and to the wilderness fled.

5. She hid Joshua's spies, a very brave thing.

6. From her sprang the line of the prophesied king.

7. Bringing Samuel to Eli, she fulfilled her word.

8. She said, "I've received a man from the Lord".

9. She gave birth to one known as the wisest of men.

10 Her two boys, Jacob loved more than his other ten.

11 Saluted by Mary, great was her joy.

12 She was good to Elisha and he raised her dead boy.

13 She looked at the cross, and she went to the tomb.

14 She looked out a window and was thrown from her room.

15 She slew her grandchildren so she could be queen.

16. As a judge, was this "Mother in Israel" seen.

17 She helped one son get what belonged to another.

18 She was Timothy's good and commendable mother.

No peeping in your bible!!

I enjoy the daily words of comfort.
Ruby.

Aaarggh Ruby! You certainly know how to test our knowledge (or, in my case, lack of it). I've got some of the names; others I remember the story but can't remember the name; some I am totally lost on. Must admit that I am better on the stories than I am on the names. :-(



The weekend can be a time for entertaining of family and friends..........but what about those we don't know....


A Familiar Stranger

I saw a stranger today.
I put food for him
in the eating-place
And drink
in the drinking-place
And music
in the listening-place.

In the Holy name
of the Trinity
He blessed myself
and my family.
And the lark said in her warble
Often, often, often
Goes Christ
in the stranger's guise.

O, oft and oft and oft,
Goes Christ
in the stranger's guise.

- Celtic Rune of Hospitality


I've a bit of a busy day - baptisms this morning and a Strawberry Tea this afternoon.


Cx :-)