General Chat

Good morning :-)


Scooting across the Stepping Stones of on our journey of faith.. Today’s Stepping Stone….
When feeling a little unsteady…..

We have a God who loves us and has a plan and purpose for all our lives. It is understandable therefore that at times we feel the need to seek reassurance that we are following the right path on our journey of faith, as we seek to do God's will.
God listens. God answers.

Guide us, gracious Lord,
as we make our way
through this week,
your feet revealing
safe paths to follow,
your calming voice
giving confidence
to continue, through
unfamiliar, challenging
and often beautiful places.

As we journey together
in the footsteps of faith
may we never lose
our sense of direction,
keep eyes focussed
upon our destination,
drink from the well
and eat of the bread
that will bring us life,
and hold out our hand
to any who may falter
or stumble along the way.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thanks David.

Our Stepping Stone on our journey of faith today :


TEMPTATION
Temptation is something that we are all face at some time or other. Even Jesus was not immune to being tempted, from the very start of his ministry to the day when he hung upon the Cross, he was being tempted. Not just in the desert but by being asked to perform miracles to prove who he was etc. – all sorts of things liable to distract him away from his tasks.

Our temptations can often seem trivial, but if they impact on the lives of others then they can be very damaging. God gives us strength to resist and shows us through his Word that although this can be tough at times, it is ultimately rewarding.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
(Matthew 26:41)

I vaguely remember this old hymn - one of my grandmother's I think! You can find it on YouTube. Says it all really...

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
Refrain:
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.


Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God’s name hold in rev’rence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
Refrain: Ask the Saviour

To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown,
Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour, our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
Refrain: Ask the Saviour

Cx :-)

I looked to see who was given the title of author of Hebrews.

The scholars are divided between Clement, Luke and Paul.

Good morning :-)

Thanks David.

Today the Year 3 children from our school will be leading the worship.
We welcome the pupils, staff and parents on this special day.


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

O God,
the strength of all who hope in you,
mercifully accept our prayers,
and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature
we can do nothing without you,
grant us the help of your grace,
that in following your commands
we may please you in desire and in deed;
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.


Cx :-)

The Hebrews were the descendants of the Patriarchs (Israel)

until they conquered Canaan (Palestine)

Good morning :-)


Lovely to see people popping in. Vera, so glad you are both back home safely - a visit to the doctor's will, hopefully, help to sort things out for your OH. Sending love and prayers.


During the week, we have been looking at some of the 'mysteries' within our faith and within the Anglican church.

Anglicanism is a way of being a Christian. At the heart of the Anglican life is prayer

Holy God,
faithful and unchanging:
enlarge our minds
with the knowledge of your truth,
and draw us more deeply
into the mystery of your love,
that we may truly worship you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Vera what a relief for you both to be back home.
I wish you both time to get rested and enjoy all the home comforts <3

My prayer for all who find time to help others in difficult times x

Hello all

Vera you and your husband must be so relieved to be back home from a nightmare time in Austria. Hopefully he will settle and become much more comfortable with his back problem and the two of you relax together after so much worry and upsets.

I hope that all is well with Cynthia and her family today too.

Sending out positive thoughts and prayerful support for all in need today.

Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and prayers. Friends, cyber or “real life”, help a lot when you are under any stress.

We are now safely home. Our insurers arranged a flight for us yesterday with assistance, which was not good at Vienna airport but superb at Gatwick and I tackled the drive home from there. It’s years since I did any motorway driving and a long while since I drove any long distance but we got back without incident. This morning we have an emergency appointment with a doctor from our own practice. Two friends have called already.

Last night I said a little prayer of thanks for the help we have received, for our safe arrival home and for friends. God bless <3

Hello all

Yet another really interesting subject made easy to understand. Thank you Cynthia.

David many years ago a young curate gave a sermon on Hebrews 13 v 2 verse which I have never forgotten and so thanks for the reminder and lovely memory too.

Emma, I hope baby Connie is continuing to make good progress.

Vera, I have just read back and seen what a horrible time you and your poor husband have been having. Like Rambling, I do hope that the insurance will help
to fly you home safely before very much longer, thoughts and prayers for you both x

Heavenly Father, for today we pray that you would give us
STRENGTH in weakness
FAITH in fear
POWER in our powerlessness
We trust in you, in Jesus name.
Amen

Good morning :-D

This one David? Hebrews 13. New International Version.

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."

Dear Vera, like Rambling, I do so hope that you have managed to sort something out and return home without too much hassle. Sending love. <3

For today:

Continuing...Mysteries of the Church....the word 'Sacrament'. It is defined as 'a thing of mysterious and sacred significance; a religious symbol'.

It is understood that Sacraments are “An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace”.

The Church of England believes that there are seven sacraments.
Two of these Baptism and the Eucharist (Communion, Mass or the Lord’s Supper) are considered ‘Sacraments ordained of Christ in the Gospels’ ie, established by Jesus Christ Himself.

The other five are ‘commonly called Sacraments but not to be counted as Sacraments of the Gospel’ and these are Confession and Absolution, Holy Matrimony, Confirmation, Ordination (also called Holy Orders) and Unction (anointing of the sick).

In Anglicanism a different emphasis is placed on sacraments by the two wings of the Church – Anglo-Catholics and Evangelicals.

This is from the 1662 Prayer book
Question. How many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church?
Answer. Two only, as generally necessary to salvation, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.


Cx :-)

Vera I'm sorry to hear about your OH I hope you can get home asap and safely, though what a shame to miss out on such a lovely holiday. I'm glad the hotel staff and doctors are being helpful. Safe journey home and a good recovery for OH x

I recall a NT text where it says be kind to all persons

as you may be entertaining angels .

Good morning :-)


What a lot of stress for you Vera..….hoping and praying that your plans work out smoothly and that you get home without too much hassle. C. of E. is the normal thing to put I think :-D



For today:

Continuing with the mysteries of the Church of England……..

Holy Communion is often referred to as ‘The Holy Mysteries’. This is to do with the fact that what happens at the altar when the bread and wine are consecrated to become His Body and His Blood is beyond our human understanding.

We remember how Christ suffered for us and gave Himself for us – with thanksgiving.

Prior to receiving the Eucharist, it is required that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people.

When we receive our Lord in Holy Communion, we should receive him in the way we encounter a loved one: with reverence, care, gentleness and humility.

Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.


Cx :-)

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. They are much appreciated. OH doesn’t actually feel ill but he is in pain and has lost mobility. It’s all to do with muscles and nerves. He has again seen a doctor who has said he shouldn’t continue the trip but is fit to fly. Everything is with the insurance people but they are taking a time to consider our case and will probably turn us down as, thankfully, he is not at death’s door. However he can’t possibly undertake the next part of our journey and we are supposed to be checking out from this hotel in the morning so I am unsure what is going to happen.

I am however grateful for the doctors and for the wonderful hotel staff who could not be kinder.

I have enjoyed reading your last two posts Cynthia. I think over the years I’ve just about got to grips with the Trinity though it is a difficult concept. However, when filling in my religion on forms etc, I have never been sure whether I should put Protestant which I think covers a wider range, or Anglican. I usually opt for the more common CofE.

Good morning :-)

Oh Vera, I'm so sorry to hear that :-( I can more than understand how you would like to fly home sooner than arranged. There's no place like home. I do hope that your OH is soon feeling better and, meanwhile, look after yourself too. You are both in my prayers. Lots of love <3 <3

For today :

Who doesn’t love a good mystery? We began the week with a look at the mysterious Holy Trinity, so let’s take a look at a few things which may be a mystery to some people…

I am a member of an Anglican church, but what IS the Anglican Church, and what do Anglicans believe?

From the tip of an extremely large iceberg……….for today:

The roots of the Anglican, or English, Church go back as far as the 2nd century, but the church traces its current structure and status back to the reign of King Henry VIII, who ruled from 1509 to 1547. Its interesting to read up on The Reformation for more detail.

• Anglicans hold the Holy Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the highest and supreme authority in matters of faith.

• We believe that the Bible, Holy Scripture, tells the true story of the human race, from our creation, to our fall. And then it tells the story of God raising up the people of Israel, and then from that people a Messiah (promised one). It tells of Jesus being born of the virgin Mary, living, dying, rising again, and ascending to heaven.

• The Bible also tells the story of the founding of his Church, and its mission to the world in his name through the Holy Spirit. We believe that each and every person is loved by God and that salvation is offered in the name of Christ to all who will believe in him.

Although the Bible isn’t a magical answer book, it is the place where one learns about God’s plan and purposes. The Bible offers a foundation of faith so that we can find answers to many of life’s toughest questions within the larger story it is telling.


Cx :-)

Thinking of you both Vera <3

Hope everything will soon be OK with your OH Vera. <3

Thank you for the recent posts Cynthia and the other posters.

I have been managing to read everything but have not responded. We have been in Vienna for 5 days but husband has developed a problem and we have only seen the inside of a hotel room so far. Doctor is making a second visit today and then we may be making arrangements to fly home rather than try to go on to another place as we had planned.

I am therefore thanking God for the medical staff and the compassion and care of the wonderful hotel staff.

Good morning :-)


Yesterday was Trinity Sunday……..and most people enjoy a good mystery!
The lady cleric we had yesterday told us of her dread at having to preach on this particular Sunday, but she did a good job! Trinity = 3 = Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not 3 gods but just 1 God. Very convoluted indeed – but does it really matter? Electricity is complex – we don’t understand exactly how it works – but we know it does and we rely on it. The same with technology – we may not know how our mobile phones work, but we use them all the time.

We don’t have to understand all aspects of our faith to believe in God – we just know He is there and that He loves us.


Father,
You sent your Word to bring us truth
and your Spirit to make us holy.
Through them we come to know the mystery of your life.
Help us to worship you, one God in three persons,
You reveal yourself in the depths of our being,
by proclaiming and living our faith in you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Cx :-)