General Chat

Good morning :-)


Thank you kandj - lovely to see you back on here.... <3


So sad about Notre Dame..... :-(


Praying through Holy Week.
Holy Tuesday
The Temple Debates: Matthew 21:23-23:39.

Lord Jesus, it was on a Tuesday that you spoke out against abuse of power, collaboration with oppressors, misuse of authority. So today we pray, comforter of the abused, strengthen those who live under corrupted rule or injustice; rescue the overwhelmed; be present to those who call on your name, to those we name on our lips, and in the silence of our hearts, those whose concerns are known only to you; Amen.

Cx :-)

In church yesterday it was hard to think it was Palm Sunday already, but good to sing the old traditional hymns and be given a palm cross to come home with.

I have read back and need to say THANK YOU Cynthia, for such interesting posts.
Like others who pop in all that you share is very much appreciated. xx

Good morning :-)


Thank you Emma <3

This is Holy Week, and during this most special week, we will go through each day as Jesus went through it...

Holy Monday : Jesus clears the money changers out of the temple. (John 2 13-17)

Jesus,
on that Monday you went into the temple,
you walked into your house and looked around.
On this Monday, draw us to you
that we may walk with you through our places and patterns of worship.

Jesus,
on that Monday you set foot in the Holy Place
and your jaw dropped.
God’s presence obscured by mammon’s throne,
God’s voice drowned out by the rattle of coins.
Profit being made from prayer.

Jesus,
on this Monday show us what you see in the places where we worship,
show us what you see in our hearts.
If we have obscured your presence – show us,
if we have drowned out your voice - show us.

Jesus,
on that Monday your hands gripped the edges of tables
with the strength of your arms you toppled them over -
coins spinning to the ground,
doves flying free.

Jesus,
on this Monday show us what needs to change.
Breathe the Holy Spirit upon us,
that as we worship,
Your ‘house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.’
Amen

Cx :-)

Amen.

Cynthia another wonderful week of posts.

Much appreciated by those of us who look in x

Good morning :-)

TODAY IS PALM SUNDAY WHEN WE REMEMBER JESUS ENTERING JERUSALEM ON A DONKEY.

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
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.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

God is our refuge
in times of trouble,
keeping our feet steady upon the road,
watching over us and keeping us from harm.
Where does our help come from?
Our help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth!


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you Vera, you're welcome :-D


Easter Reflections

With OUR EYES we see
The beauty of Easter
as the earth awakens once more...

With OUR EARS we hear
The birds sing sweetly
to tell us Spring again is here...

With OUR HANDS we pick
the golden daffodils
and the fragrant hyacinths...

But only with OUR HEARTS
can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD'S LOVE
which redeems all men...

And only with OUR SOUL
can we make our 'pilgrimage to God'
and inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE.


Cx :-)

Food for thought in this week’s posts. Thank you Cynthia.

Good morning :-)

It's a beautiful morning here - hope it is wherever you are too... :-D


Lent should be more than a time of fasting.
It should also be a joyous season of feasting.
Lent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others.

It is a season to turn to God:

Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on divine order.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives: feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Loving God,
You have heard my complaints, my impatience.
Sometimes I become frightened
when I move away from you.
Guide my heart back to you.
Help me to think beyond my own wants
and to desire only to do you will.
Thank you for the many blessings in my life
and for the ways I feel your presence. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you Emma <3


Browsing through various Lenten themes, I came across the following Spiritual Practices. We may not be able to do all of these things today, but there will be quite a few that we can do……
..

a. Practice humility today in all your actions.
b. Be generous today; help someone in need.
c. Look for ways to be helpful throughout the day.
d. Do a job that needs to be done without being asked.
e. Be courageous; walk away from any impure situations today.
f. Don’t be idle at all today. Always be doing something for others or for your spiritual growth.
g. Go out of your way today to help or talk to someone who is usually difficult.
h. Volunteer for an extra job today.
i. Pray for those who come to know Jesus today.
j. Visit someone who is sick or lonesome today.

Cx :-)

Thank you again Cynthia for your posts.
Always a daily visit for me x

Good morning :-)

Almost through our Lenten journey.....

Help us today, O God, to examine the level of our faith - to look seriously at our resistance to talk about the Cross and about sacrifice; and to consider in prayer our reluctance to give up the things of this world - to risk our reputations, our comfort, and our security for the sake of following you - for the sake of witnessing to you - for the sake of obeying you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I apologise for not appearing yesterday, but I was without internet - my laptop had an update which threw it out of kilter. Thanks to a kind tekkie friend, I am now sorted! :-D



The Collect (special prayer) for today

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
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 gospel tells of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus.


Cx :-)

Good morning...... :-)


As we journey through Lent.....

I haven't got a lot of riches
and sometimes the going's tough
but I've got a friend in Jesus
and that makes me rich enough
I thank God for his blessings
and the mercies he's bestowed
I’m drinking from my saucer
because my cup has overflowed

I remember times when things
went wrong
my faith wore somewhat thin
but all at once the dark clouds broke
and sun peeped through again
so lord, help me not to gripe
about the tough rows that I've hoed
I'm drinking from my saucer
because my cup has overflowed

If God gives me strength and courage
when the way grows steep and rough
I'll not ask for other blessings
I'm already blessed enough
and may I never be too busy
to help others bear their loads
then I'll keep drinking from my saucer
" because my cup has overflowed!"



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Loving and merciful God,
I am so aware of my sins and weaknesses.
But as painfully aware of my faults as I am,
Let me also remember your tender love,
your gentle and limitless forgiveness.
I come before you filled with pain and guilt
but look into your eyes and see the forgiving love
I so long for in my life.
Help me to forgive the same way.
Teach me to love as you love. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Dear Vera, what a time you are having to be sure. I do hope that your brother's health improves soon. Thank you for the hug.....much appreciated... <3

Hot Cross buns.

A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun made with currants or raisins and marked with a cross on the top, traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and India. As such, they mark the end of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus and the spices inside reminding Christians "of the spices put on the body of Jesus."

In many historically Christian countries, the buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of the crucifixion.

According to food historian Elizabeth David, the buns were seen by Protestant English monarchs as a dangerous hold over of Catholic belief in England, being baked from the consecrated dough used in making the communion wafer.

Protestant England attempted to ban the sale of the buns by bakers but they were too popular, and instead Elizabeth I passed a law permitting bakeries to sell them, but only at Easter and Christmas. Nowadays, of course, they are on sale all year round.

Prayers for making of the Hot Cross buns

As you stir the mixture: Thank you Jesus that you came into the world and stirred things up so that people thought about what really mattered.

As you lay the cross on top of the bun: Thank you Jesus for coming to save us by dying on a cross and taking the punishment for the bad things I do.

As they go in the oven: Thank you that, although you were buried in a tomb, you rose three days later and you are still alive today.

As you eat a hot cross bun: Thank you Lord Jesus for giving me all I need to live a life following you. Amen.


Cx :-)

Oh dear Cynthia, I do hope your days are getting a bit less hectic. I appreciate you finding time to keep the thread going. Here’s sending you a gentle, soothing hug <3

We have also had a bit of a week of it. We had the funeral of a friend, who lived a considerable distance from us, so a lot of travelling at an upsetting time and then my brother has had yet another major operation, this time in a hospital in London. He was discharged into the care of his local medical team last night so after an early lunch we are going to visit him at home - only 100 mile round trip this time.

I am not really moaning about this as I am very grateful for the skill and kindness of the doctors who have been looking after him. We do have much to be thankful for.

I have managed to look at the thread each day and at the interesting Lenten prayers. Thank you Cynthia.

Good morning :-)

Thanks Emma I needed that. Life has gone into hectic mode at the moment :-D

Some countries have different traditions during Lent. On the 4th Friday of Lent, Mexicans celebrate La Samaritana where people give water, ice cream and fruit to passers-by in homage to the Samaritan woman who gave Jesus water at the well.


Lord, give me the eyes to see the true spiritual thirst in the people around me.
May I see those who seek to hide from their shame in broad daylight.
Give me the opportunity today to hear the spiritual thirst in a conversation and grant me the grace to engage the person in conversation about it.
Grant me the patience to avoid the conversational detours. Amen.


Cx :-)

Cynthia, relax....now breathe in for four ..hold
breathe out for four ..hold :-D