General Chat

Good morning :-)

~~~~~~ waves to Vera and kandj…. <3

Here we are again – Shrove Tuesday, known as Pancake Day, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras………Why?

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Shrove Tuesday is a reminder that Christians are entering a season of penance and was originally a solemn day. But over the centuries, in anticipation of the Lenten fast that would begin the next day, Shrove Tuesday took on a festive nature. That is why Shrove Tuesday is also known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras (which is simply French for Fat Tuesday).

Shrove is the past tense of the word shrive, which means to hear a confession, a sign of penance, and absolution from sin. In the Middle Ages, especially in Northern Europe and England, it became the custom to confess one's sins on the day before Lent began in order to enter the penitential season in the right spirit.

From the earliest days of Christianity, Lent, the penitential period before Easter, has always been a time of fasting and abstinence. Christians abstained from all meat and items that came from animals, including butter, eggs, cheese, and fat. That is why Shrove Tuesday became known as Mardi Gras, the French term for Fat Tuesday.


Love to all Cx :-)

Thank you for your good wishes Kandj <3

Hello all and many thanks to Cynthia for your ongoing postings.

Very belated Happy Birthday Wishes to you Vera (I've only just read back!).

Emma I agree that a laugh is a really good tonic for everyone.

Sending ((hugs)) to those who need one today. xx

Good morning :-)

On Wednesday, Lent begins. No doubt we will be singing ‘Forty Days and Forty Nights’ in church soon. It’s interesting how often the number 40 appears in the bible.

Before his temptation, Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights in the Judean desert.

Forty days was the period from the resurrection of Jesus to the ascension of Jesus.

According to St. Stephen, Moses' life is divided into three 40-year segments, separated by his growing to adulthood, fleeing from Egypt, and his return to lead his people out.

In modern Christian practice, Lent consists of the 40 days preceding Easter. In much of Western Christianity, Sundays are excluded from the count.

Rain fell for forty days and forty nights during the Flood.

Saul, David and Solomon, all reigned for 40 years.

Whether days, months or years, 40 represents a time of testing, chastisement and trial. These times end with renewal, restoration and revival.


As Jesus resisted temptation by the devil in the wilderness, help us reflect on his faithfulness to God, his rejection of worldly values and hold these thoughts in our hearts throughout Lent and beyond. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Waves ~~~~ to Emma <3


The Collect (special prayer) for today

Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross:
give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened
to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness,
from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The gospel reading is based on how Jesus was transfigured on the mountainside and then goes on to heal the man with an evil spirit.

Cx :-)

Cynthia I see such a lot of things that are so me :-D :-D

To all who look in have a happy day

:-)

Good morning :-)


I'm pleased that you have both enjoyed this week's postings.....things will be quieter soon as Lent is almost on us.


A CATHEDRAL WELCOME
"We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, confused, filthy rich, comfortable or dirt poor.”

"We extend a special welcome to wailing babies and excitable toddlers.”

"We welcome you whether you can sing like Pavarotti or just growl quietly to yourself”.
"You're welcome here if you're 'just browsing', just woken up or just got out of prison”.

"We don't care if you're more Christian than the Archbishop of Canterbury or haven't been to church since Christmas ten years ago."

The message continues: "We extend a warm welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast.”

"We welcome keep-fit mums, football dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters.”

"We welcome those who are in recovery and those who are still addicted”
.
"We welcome you if you're having problems, are down in the dumps or don't like organised religion."

The message concludes: "We offer a welcome to those who think the Earth is flat, work too hard, don't work, can't spell or are here because granny is visiting and wanted to come to the Cathedral."

"We welcome those who are inked, pierced, both or neither."

"We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down their throats as kids or got lost in the city centre and wound up here by mistake.”

"We welcome pilgrims, tourists, seekers, doubters... and YOU!"


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia and Emma for your birthday wishes.

I enjoyed today's poem as well

Morning Cynthia,

Laughing is such a tonic which I did out loud with first verse of
The Perfect Church :-D

It has been a smiley week on this thread which I have enjoyed :-)

Happy belated birthday Vera <3

Good morning..... :-)

We missed your birthday Vera...….despite your lovely but dozy son getting all muddled up, we send belated birthday greetings dear friend. <3

(isn't it people of our age who are supposed to be dozy and muddled???) :-D :-D

Hope this makes you smile - there's a lot of truth in it.

The Perfect Church

If you should find the perfect church
Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake! Don't join that church;
You'd spoil the atmosphere.

If you should find the perfect church
Where all anxieties cease
Then pass it by, lest joining it
You'd mar the masterpiece.

If you should find the perfect church
Then don't you ever dare,
To tread upon such holy ground;
You'd be a misfit there.

But since no perfect church exists
Made of imperfect men,
Then let's cease looking for that church
And love the church we're in.

Of course, it's not a perfect church,
That's simple to discern
But you and I and all of us
Could cause the tide to turn.

What fools we are to flee our post
In that unfruitful search
To find at last where problems loom
God proudly builds His church.

So let's keep working in our church
Until the resurrection.
And then we each will join that church
Without an imperfection.


Cx :-)

Thank you for the smiles this week :-).

I have been in need of some cheering up. The past week has seen the anniversaries of the deaths of my mother, father and a much loved aunt. We have also learnt of the death of another friend and heard that my German friend is ill in hospital. I also tried very hard not to be disappointed when my son and his family appeared to forget my birthday on 24th.

I had a nice surprise 2 days later when I got texts from grandchildren and a large box of beautiful flowers from the family. My dozy, but lovely, son had muddled me up with OH whose birthday is 26th of a different month.

With all this it has been good to start the day with a bit of humour :-D

Can I also share with you a quote from the Dalai Lama that I came across recently which says a lot in a few words. “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible”.

Good morning :-)

Continuing to smile...…….today, prayers from children.

1. Dear God, my Mum tells me that you have a reason for everything on Earth, I guess broccoli is one of your mysteries.
2. Please make my parents understand that if I don’t eat salad, I do better at school
3. Please forgive me for hiding my sister’s favourite doll…and please don’t tell her where it is.
4. Dear God, I need you to make my mom not allergic to cats. I really want a cat and I really don’t want to ask my mum to move out.
5. Dear God…can you get me a Smartphone…Santa must have forgot.
6. I saw my big brother walking out of the shower on accident, God, can you erase that from my brain.
7. Dear God, when will my sister stop being annoying, I’m down to my last patience.
8. Dear God, I promise to never say those words again, at least until my next shots.
9. Dear God, please don’t let it rain on Saturday, the first ball I hit will be for you.
10. Dear God, I hope my dog is with you in Heaven, please take care of him…sorry if he chews on your sandals.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I think a lot of us can relate to this! :-D


A Parent's Prayer
by David Axton
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my sanity to keep.
For if some peace I do not find,
I'm pretty sure I'll lose my mind.

I pray I find a little quiet,
Far from the daily family riot.
May I lie back and not have to think
About what they're stuffing down the sink,

Or who they're with, or where they're at
And what they're doing to the cat.
I pray for time all to myself
(did something just fall off a shelf?)

To cuddle in my nice, soft bed
(Oh no, another goldfish--dead!)
Some silent moments for goodness sake
(Did I just hear a window break?)

And that I need not cook or clean
(well heck, I've got the right to dream)
Yes now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my wits about me keep,

But as I look around I know,
I must have lost them long ago!


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The little boy was staring at the war memorial in his church and asked the vicar what it was. The vicar replied that it was to remind us of all the men and women who had died in service.
The little boy went quiet and then he said…..”Which service? The early one or the family one?

-----------------------------------

The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible. George Burns


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Next week we will be approaching the start of Lent – a time of quietness and reflection.

Before we reach that time, I thought it would be good to share some happiness……something good, funny or quirky during the next few days.

Today, we have a prayer for laughter…

Dear God,
As I stumble through this life, help me to create more laughter than tears, dispense more cheer than gloom, spread more cheer than despair. Never let me become so indifferent, that I will fail to see the wonders in the eyes of a child, or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.

Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people, make them happy, and forget momentarily, all the unpleasantness in their lives. And in my final moment, may I hear You whisper: When you made My people smile, you made Me smile.
Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning... :-)


I totally agree Vera....without those unsung heroes, the volunteers, many charities and helpful agencies would flounder. We thank God for those who are able and willing to give up their time to help others.

This past week we have been praying for various aspects of our communities.
To end, we pray for our church communities scattered across the area. We are blessed to live in a country where we have religious freedom and many churches of all denominations.

Lord, we pray for ourselves and for our friends in these other churches. Enable our churches to do your will. Make them outward looking to care deeply. Make them communities of peacemakers and bridge builders in the midst of a troubled world. Let our churches make space for the hearing of your still small voice. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning all

Lovely to see you Kandj. I have never thought of prayer-walking. It seems a good idea.

I hope your eye is comfortable Emma and the cataract removal will improve your sight for you.

Amen to the prayers this week, Cynthia, which must be relevant to all of us. Can I add a prayer of thanks for the volunteers who bind local communities together. I’m thinking of those who give so much time and effort to run the neighbourhood clubs and social groups, the youth organisations, the local newsletter and so on. Thanks to them all.

Hope you all have a peaceful and enjoyable weekend.

Good morning... :-)

Lovely to hear from you both this morning.. <3 Emma, I do hope the cataract op is really successful and that your sight is much improved. Sending love.

Also very glad to hear about your daily prayer walks Kandj…..you will be wearing lycra and jogging soon!! :-D

Prayers for our communities..

Sadly, each community has its share of crime in all its forms. Today we think of those who are involved in such a life but who would desperately like to leave it behind.

Heavenly Father, please hear me tonight,
I need so much guidance to live my life right.
Sometimes the pressure is too hard to bear,
I even often wonder if anyone cares.
How can I wake up and face a new day,
Knowing I must live this crazy way?
Heavenly Father, forgive all my sins.

Give me strength to resist the life I desire.
Help me escape temptation and the fire.
Please help my family, whose eyes silently plead,
For me not to do wrong, as they pray for me.
God bless my mother who cries every night,
worrying if I might be killed in a fight.

Heavenly Father, answer my prayer,
Please let me know you’re listening up there.
When will it end? What’s it all for?
To prove to my peers, 'I'm down? I'm hardcore? '.
Sometimes I wonder how I will die...
By a bullet to the chest, or a knife in my side?
Heavenly Father, please hear me tonight.

Show me the way Lord; show me the Light,
Give my heart peace so I don't have to fight.
Thank you for your forgiveness, and for being there.
But most of all, thank you for hearing my prayer.

Cx :-)

Hello Cynthia and all :-)

Have just caught up with your posts Cynthia as had a cataract op on Tuesday.

As always much appreciate your time and knowing you are
busy doing nursing duties hope you are able to take time
for yourself.
I do hope your husband and daughter are coping.

xx

Hello all.

Amen to your prayer for the community today Cynthia and thank you for your postings

I push myself to go for a daily walk around the block. It gets me out of four walls for fresh air and gentle exercise. I also use this time to "prayer-walk" for all neighbours which is a good and productive way to spend my time.

Gentle hugs to all struggling a little today xx