General Chat

It is special to us as a family as it's our daughter's birthday - we have our very own witch. ;-)

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Halloween/

Good morning :-)

It’s that time of year again…..Hallowe’en and all that it involves.

Christians traditionally have an uneasy relationship with Halloween because, no matter how commercialized, it has almost completely pagan origins. As innocent as it may seem to some, it is not something to be taken lightly.

The New Testament teaching about the occult is clear. The promises made at baptism include ‘Do you reject evil?’ As Christians, we are placed in this world to be a light in a world of darkness.

Many church groups are increasingly embracing the event by holding ‘light’parties designed to add a religious significance to the festival. Halloween (October 31st) is connected with All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd). These three days taken together are also called Allhallowtide ("Hallow" means to honour as holy).

Halloween is, therefore, the first day of Allhallowtide, the time of year when the living honour all the dead in Christ and the saints in heaven. It is a beautiful celebration of the Communion of Saints!

“Lord Christ, your saints have been the lights of the world in every generation: Grant that we who follow in their footsteps may be made worthy to enter with them into that heavenly country where you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen”

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It's a very popular form of communication these days Emma, I seem to hear a lot about it and how lovely that your granddaughters are using it to help others. <3


We are encouraged to communicate the Good News far and wide. One of the methods of communication we are familiar with, is Braille.

Braille is a tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired. It is traditionally written with embossed paper. Braille users can read computer screens and other electronic supports using refreshable braille displays. It was created by 12 year old Louis Braille who was a Christian.

The bible is obtainable in Braille but making them available is not easy. The bible in Braille is made up of at least 40 large books, which, when stacked, stand around 2metres high and weigh about 40kg. Bibles in Braille cost about 50 times more than the normal version which is very expensive to those with limited means.

Thank you Lord for the various ways we can communicate your Good News to all people.

Cx :-)

Morning Cynthia,

My granddaughters use Makaton one teaches it to children
in her nursery the other teaches it to children and adults with
learning disabilities.
My great grandchildren apart from Connie all use it at their schools and nursery.
Its lovely to see them singing and using Makaton. x

Good morning :-)

Don't forget that the disciples were very ordinary men - mainly fishermen. Something was stirred within them when Jesus called them......beyond explanation really. Today, men and women are still called by Jesus - I am on Twitter and see many, many global posts about vocations and ordinations. It gives one hope that the gospel is still very much alive and kicking in this world of ours.


Moving on from widgits :-D

Thinking of communicating the Gospel to others, today we look at Makaton sign language

With Makaton, signs are used, with speech, in spoken word order. This helps provide extra clues about what someone is saying. Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot, or prefer not to sign.

For those who have experienced the frustration of being unable to communicate meaningfully or effectively, Makaton really can help. Makaton takes away that frustration and enables individuals to connect with other people and the world around them. This opens up all kinds of possibilities.

Take a look at the Lord Prayer signed in Makaton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEt9ihvsekU


Cx :-)

David "Why would twelve adult intelligent men drop everything to follow Jesus ?"

Adult intelligent men have dropped everything to follow much lesser beings.

But I assume because they believed in him, believed he was the Son of God and the light and the way. The same reasons I imagine that those on here who believe, still believe? ( over to Cynthia :-) )

https://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/12-disciples.htm


Cynthia, very interesting about widgits!

Good evening :-D <3

Were the twelve Disciples of Jesus symbolic of the twelve tribes ?

The twelve are known and named and their history available to death.

Why would twelve adult intelligent men drop everything to follow Jesus ?

Very interesting Cynthia, something I had never even
thought about, how selfish of me.

Good morning :-)

Communication – a way of imparting and sharing information.

As Christians, we are encouraged to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those we meet. However, there are those for whom this is not always easy – those with sight loss, deafness, mental capability or some other reason.

This is where various means of making communication easier comes in and today we look at Widgits.

For over 30 years, Widgits have used in the field of developing materials for people who have difficulty in understanding and using text. They are used in hospitals, schools and anywhere they can be helpful. I would love to be able to show you a morning prayer on here, but because of the limitations of this site.....I can't :-(

Here is a link to give you an idea of what witgits look like....

https://www.widgit.com/resources/curriculum/re/prayer_books/index.htm

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A new one to me Emma, thank you <3




The Collect (Special prayer) for today:

Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them,
to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast
the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
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 of Jesus telling the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

Cx :-)

Faith is a Mighty Fortress

We look ahead through each changing year
With mixed emotions of hope and fear
Hope for the peace we long have sought
Fear that our hopes will come to naught
Unwilling to trust in our Father's will
We count on our logic and shallow skill
And in our arrogance and pride
We are no longer satisfied
To place our confidence and love
With childlike faith in God above
And tiny hands and tousled heads
That kneel in prayer by little beds
Are closer to the dear Lord's heart
And of his kingdom more a part
Than we who search and never find
The answers to our questioning minds
For faith in things we cannot see
Requires a child's simplicity
Oh, Heavenly Father, grant again
A simple, childlike faith to men
Forgetting colour, race and creed
And seeing only the hearts deep need
For faith alone can save man's soul
And lead him to a higher goal
For there's but one unfailing course
We win by faith and not by force.

Helen Steiner Rice

Good morning :-)


My Life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colours
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the underside.
Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skilful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia, I have read a lot of HSR poems
but not that one <3

Good morning :-)


Ecclesiastes is a fascinating book David...…..some very wise words indeed.

Calling Emma :-D :-D

We cannot all be famous
Or be listed in "Who's Who,"
But every person, great or small,
Has important work to do.
For seldom do we realize
The importance of small deeds,
Or to what degree of greatness
Unnoticed kindness leads.

For it's not the big celebrity
In a world of fame and praise,
But it's doing unpretentiously
In an undistinguished way.
The work that God assigned to us,
Unimportant as it seems,
That makes our task outstanding,
And brings reality to dreams.

So do not sit and idly wish
For wider, new dimensions
where you can put into practice,
Your many good intentions.
But at the spot God placed you
Begin at once to do,
Little things to brighten up
The lives surrounding you.

If everybody brightened up
The spot where their standing,
By being more considerate,
And a little less demanding.
This dark old world would very soon
Eclipse the evening star,
If everybody brightened up
The corner where they are!

- Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

Kandj, in recent years, especially since 2013 I thank God through his son Jesus
on waking and before falling asleep.

Interesting book is Ecclesiasties.
Finishes with Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, and striving after after wind.

Hello all

Loving the inspirational words Cynthia.

Vera, WOW... is how what I think after reading your words, and only aged 19 too...!!

David, I also think that it is so good to give thanks for each and every day we are blessed with.

"The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason
of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and
sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."
Psalm 90 v 10 (from the King James Version Bible).

A survivor of the 9/11 terrorist attack, a NYFD officer named John gives

his account of that day and how it reinforced his faith God

https://youtu.be/oo3PGkDEzEc

https://youtu.be/b48bCMNyxos

Good morning to you all :-D <3

The years of a man are three score and ten, ten more if he's strong.

Despite the knocks and bumps and and breaks, I'm still here, THANK GOD

Good morning :-)

Awful news from Essex - and imagine having to try and identify these poor people :-(


This piece of inspiration is on a similar theme to your verse Vera..... <3


Love is close
In the moments when you feel you are unloved, unnoticed, and insignificant, remember who you are to Jesus.
Because of his great love for you, never a day in your life will go unnoticed, unvalued or unloved.

Jesus will always be there and never leave you. Even if it is sometimes seems as he is far away, the truth is, he is closer than your next breath. You never will be unloved, unnoticed or unvalued because Jesus is constantly present, mindful of you in every moment, and so passionately and constantly loves you.

Lean into his love, remain in it, have faith in it and allow it to consume you and take over completely. Never forget his love is close and that’s where it will always stay.


Cx :-)

It is indeed a tragic event kandj. I cannot conceive how anyone could hold life so cheap that they would act like this towards another human being. I just cannot express how I feel.

Cynthia, I also enjoyed today's poem. May I add one that I came across recently which is in blank verse. It is by Londeka Zondi who is from South Africa. I don't know when it was written but she was 19 at the time and I found it very moving. It is called "They Say I'm Nothing But I'm Something".

They say I’m poor,
They say I’m nothing.
They say I’m poor and they say I’m nothing because I’ve got nothing to offer to any living soul.
I’ve got no money, no food, no child, no wife nor husband and no home to go home to that is because I’ve got no money.
But I say I’m blessed
I’m blessed because God told me so.
He loves me the same way he loves every life on earth. I’m blessed because I’m still alive.
I breathe the same air that rich men breathe,
I walk on the same ground that rich men walk . . . therefore I am no different.
I am rich with life
I am rich with love
I’m rich with hope that one day they will see the beauty that God treasured in me because I am something indeed