General Chat

Good morning :-)


Today is known as All Souls Day

In Christianity, All Souls' Day commemorates All Souls, the Holy Souls, or the Faithful Departed; that is, the souls of Christians who have died. Observing Christians typically remember deceased relatives on the day.

So we remember with love, all family and friends who have gone before us whether recently or in the past. We remember them with thanksgiving and gratitude.

I think most of you will be touched by the words of this hymn. The tune is well known.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPe-MDmyOW4


Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thinking of kandj and her husband as they struggle through another very difficult time and sending lots of love and prayers. <3


Today is All Saints Day - an opportunity for believers to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history.

What better way to celebrate than singing this beautiful hymn….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OaBgaMcOvM

"For All the Saints Who from Their Labours Rest"
by William W. How, 1823-1897


Taking the bull by the horns, I have decided that the time has come to get new bedroom carpets. Measured and ordered, we now wait to be told when they arriving. Really looking forward to it but not thrilled about having to empty everything from a freestanding wardrobe..........sigh.

It's baptism prep tonight - just one family apparently! Mind you, we did have 11 baptisms during October :-D


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

For many Christians, Catholic and Protestant, All Hallows Eve continues to be observed as a time of faith and hope. Remembering those who lived their Christian faith and served God with all their hearts, even to the point of giving their lives, provides inspiration and perseverance for those who still remain.


Lord, tonight
we will face all that most concerns us:
the fears, the shadowed places of the mind;
the coming of winter darkness;
the cold thin place between waking up and sleep.
We call to mind the powerless, the lonely;
those who most fear the knock at the door;
all those deceived by the world's empty promises;
all those cowed by menaces or threats.
We stand with those weak in body, mind or spirit
and those seduced by treats or hurt by tricks.
Lord, your light shines into every darkness.
You told us: pray "deliver us from evil".
Your spirit gives us hope, gives us courage,
a candle in the window, unhurt by the wind.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


So very sorry kandj......sending love, hugs and prayers. <3


Dear Lord,

Help me to remember what a difference it makes when I make time with you a priority in my morning.

Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with you and to hear you speak words of affirmation, assurance and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day.

For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Cx :-)

My thoughts and prayers for your husband kandj and yourself
at this time. <3 <3

Oh dear Kandj, your poor husband is certainly going through the mill at the moment and so are you as carer. It is so hard to watch someone you love in so much pain and I pray it will get easier for you both very soon.

Thinking of you and sending you a gentle hug <3 <3

Hello all

Amen to the Collect for today.

Loved being reminded of the words of Dear Lord and Father Vera. Thank you.

Had a very distressed husband here in so much back pain he was in tears!! Rang 999 and after 2 and a half hours two mature and very experienced paramedics arrived. Seeing what we were coping with they asked if they could do all necessary observations and ring A&E Doctor with the results and request strong pain relief for hubby so no need to go to hospital and wait for hours and hours when he was in bad pain..... we both gratefully accepted this kind offer. It worked and now we wait for the pain relief to kick-in. It can only get better..... please God.

We were truly blessed to have been sent such gifted and experienced paramedics and felt these were our very own Guardian Angels working here on earth yesterday.

Sending blessings to all in pain and to those who work daily to offer support to them. xxx

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

God, the giver of life,
whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church:
by the Spirit's gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ
and make us eager to do your will,
that we may share with the whole creation
the joys of eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.


The reading for today is taken from St. Matthew and tells of Jesus explaining the two greatest Commandments.

This morning, we have the baptism of a baby girl - daughter and granddaughter of a church family. We pray for her and for all who re to be baptised today, that they may be encouraged on their journey of faith.

I do hope that kandj's husband is beginning to feel a bit better. xx


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Balm for my soul (and my nose) would be extremely welcome Vera.....thank you. <3


And finally…………. A rather new way of studying the bible……The Journaling bible! An explanation…

‘Bible journaling is an exciting way to engage with Scripture. It can transform the way you spend time in the Word and it all begins within the margins of the Bible.

With Bible journaling, you will find a creative and fresh approach to the age-old discipline of Bible reading. With pen in hand, you can visually capture Scripture, meditate on God's Word and memorize the text.

Some choose to journal as an expression of private devotion, others journal as an act of worship and there are even some who consider it a creative outlet that can be shared.

No matter what your purpose for Bible journaling, the beauty of the movement is this: it doesn’t require a skilled artist. All that matters is that you’re willing to experience God and His Word in a creative way.’


Love and prayers Cx :-)

Balm for the soul - what a lovely phrase and brings to mind two verses of "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind".

Drop your still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of your peace,
the beauty of your peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
your coolness and your balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire,
speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm,
O still small voice of calm!

Cynthia and Kandj, I do hope that you and your hubbys soon feel better and that you lose all your strain and stress and find balm <3

Good morning :-)

Whilst OH's cough seems to be improving, I am sneezing for England......hey ho.

The bible is a book which, as we have seen, comes in many forms, many variations and many languages. You can also colour it in!

Adult colouring books are extremely popular at the moment, and the bible is not excluded……as one write up states…..

Adult Colouring Books are not only helpful for reducing stress but they are also a wonderful meditative tool for your prayer life.

Colouring in scripture or a kind saying not only feeds your creative spirit but can help to put a balm on your soul.’

'Balm for your soul'..........and relax. Just what I could do with :-)


Cx :-)

Hello all

I hope your husband will begin to feel a little better soon Cynthia.
Many thanks to Vera and Emma for your kind words and thoughtfulness to all.

Flu jab given here on Tuesday by our Practice Nurse and hubby now has a chesty cough that he didn't have on Tuesday. Not a good combination whilst his serious spinal condition has flared up again. Hoping and praying for better days ahead..

I spotted a mouse near me in our garage yesterday!!!......... anyone want a lodger??

Difficult roads often lead
To beautiful destinations.x

Hope your OH and all who are unwell at this time feel better soon.x

Good morning :-)


Another unusual version of the bible. Punctuation matters!

THE BLASPHEMOUS COMMA
In several editions of the King James Bible, Luke 23:32 is changed entirely by the absence of a comma. The Blasphemous Comma – “And there were also two other malefactors, led with him to be put to death.” There should be a comma after “other.” Without the comma, the text indicates that Jesus was a malefactor.


Father I pray that You would open the eyes of my heart as I read, study and medi-tate on Your Word – so that I may see You more clearly and love you more dearly in Jesus name I pray,

Amen


Life is busy here. OH has a cough and a sniffle and that makes things a wee bit harder - but we carry on! :-D

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Having got bibles on the brain, so to speak, it is interesting to note that, throughout history, there have been many printers’ errors appearing in bibles published through the world.

One of the most famous is "Vinegar Bible", from 1717. The chapter heading for Luke 20 reads "The Parable of the Vinegar" instead of "The Parable of the Vineyard." These bibles are rare and highly valuable.

Anybody have one on their shelves? :-D


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Yes it was good kandj - one of those sermons that kept you listening and all done without notes!


Emoji, Klingon or Manga bibles? Hmmmmm maybe it's time to dust off our bibles and look for a new version. ??

Actually, that's just what I have done - I have downloaded a different version to my kindle and I can view it on my laptop too. So what have I gone for? Ahhh ... that would be telling! I looked at the tried and trusted Bible Society webpage where you are advised to 'First of all, consider how you'll be reading the bible'. You are then gently guided through the different versions.

https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the-bible/which-is-the-best-bible-translation/

O God, by your Spirit tell us what we need to hear, and show us what we ought to do, to obey Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.



Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

What an interesting sermon that was. Definitely food for thought there Cynthia.

Happy Monday and I hope everyone has a happy/blessed week ahead. xx

Good morning :-)


We had a thought-provoking sermon from our visiting vicar yesterday. She reminded us that we are the church and that some people will only ever know about Jesus because of us.

She invited us to think of 5 family/friends who were not Christians and to pray for them regularly, in the hope that they will want to find out more about Jesus and the Christian faith.

We all have friends and acquaintances who don't know Jesus. We live beside them, work beside them, and even go to church with them. Often we just don't know how to bring the subject up. It may feel awkward or too personal. But it doesn't have to be that way. The following thoughts may help…..

Be yourself. Don't try to use churchy words or spiritual expressions. Talk to your friend conversationally. Tell him or her what your life was like before you became a Christian and how Jesus has made a difference in your life.

Be willing to answer questions but don't be afraid to say you don't know the answer. Search for answers in God’s Word to questions you don't know and get back to your friend.

This was quite a challenge for the congregation I have to say. It will be interesting to know how many will rise to the occasion!

Love to you all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I think storm Brian has landed on my doorstep :-0 It certainly sounds very windy outside...........shivers.



The Collect (special prayer) set for today:


O God, forasmuch as without you
we are not able to please you;
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may in all things direct and rule our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


The gospel reading for today tells of the Chief Priests and Pharisees asking Jesus if it is lawful to pay taxes………

This afternoon, at 12.30pm and then 2.00pm, there are seven babies to be baptized. We pray for these little ones as they begin their journey of faith and for their parents and Godparents, that they will remain true to the vows they are to take.

Baptisms are booked in until about April/May next year..........


Love to all. Cx :-)

Hello all

Sympathy to you Pat.... I wonder if anyone has thought of muffling the clanging??
Getting exciting for you now that your husband's special birthday is getting nearer now.

Vera, I can remember the Good News Bible not being welcomed by many in church.
I have one and also the King James and a couple of others too. All old now, like I am.

Thank you for your daily postings Cynthia. What would we Christians do without faith?