General Chat

Good morning :-)

Those medals……

At the first Olympic Games of the modern era in Athens in 1896, the winner was crowned with an olive wreath and received a silver medal.

The 1904 Olympic Games in St Louis, were the first at which gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded for first, second, and third place. The medal was attached to a coloured ribbon with a pin to fix it to the athlete’s chest.

It was not until 1960, in Rome however, that the medals were first designed to be placed around the winners’ necks.

Quite often, a Christian will wear a medal depicting a favourite saint or a special place. These are not to be thought of as ‘good luck’ charms but as reminders of the lives the saints led and for us to follow their example.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Sounds like an interesting thread that one David.

Looking forward to episode 3 Vera. I hope you are keeping the memories written down

Another good day for GB today at the Rio Olympics. Another good posting Cynthia.

Today A level students have received their exam results. I hope it has been a good
day for most after years of ongoing studying. xxx

Good morning :-)

Catharsis is, indeed, good for the soul David, and it comes in various forms.

Vera, I loved your description of that special wedding. I didn't know about that thread because I don't go on that board as I thought it was mainly about handicrafts - which I am useless at :-)

For today:

Since 1968, each Olympic Games has had its own mascot – usually an animal or figure representing the place or culture of where the Olympics are being held.

The success of those first mascots helped the idea of a mascot become a symbol of the Olympic Games and developed into an institution.

Mascots are very popular and despite the importance of the message they convey, they are designed in simple manner with bright, happy colours appropriate for the ‘festive’ atmosphere of the Olympic Games.

The mascot for Rio 16 is named Vinicius and represents Brazilian wildlife and combines ‘the agility of cats, the sway of monkeys, and the grace of birds’.

Vinicius has arms and legs which stretch unlimited distances and his mission is ‘to spread joy throughout the world and celebrate the friendship that flourishes between people from all over the world’ at the Olympic Games.

Lord, help us to be faithful to OUR mission – to spread your good news throughout the world and to celebrate being part of your church. Amen.

Cx :-)

I was reading a thread entitled Human Catharsis earlier.
Catharsis releases grief, embarrassment, hatred, fear, confusion etc in ways that do not require wholesale slaughter in retaliation.

Hello all

Good news Cynthia, you will both be relieved I'm sure.

Agree with you entirely David.

Loved the posting of your son and wife's wedding day Vera Will go and read other.

Interesting reading about the Olympic flame Cynthia. Thank you.

"Your spark can become a flame and change everything."
(E.D.Nixon)

In these increasingly tense times there's something to be said for catharsis.

Good morning

I am so pleased that your OH did well with the memory test Cynthia. My fil had quite severe Parkinson's but he was mentally alert to the end.

The Olympic stories are very interesting. I wish all our aggression and competitiveness could be channelled in this way, instead of into fighting each other.

Cynthia, 2 instalments of the wedding weekend saga are on the bird and wildlife thread on the hobbies board, one more to go when I find the time.

We are taking our granddaughters for a day at the coast today and I am thinking now of those children who do not have the privileges and love that ours receive. My thoughts too are with those who care for such deprived children.

Good morning :-)

So pleased that everything went well Vera.........and every blessing to the newly weds I only pop on GR a couple of times a day - if that, so do say when you have posted about the wedding <3

We have had another 'team' visit my OH - this time the Memory team. A very nice lady called a couple of weeks ago and chatted to us about how his memory is affected etc. She asked him a set of questions and, thankfully, he did quite well.

The results went back to the consultant who has decided that there is no sign of dementia as yet (quite common with Parkinsons) but that there is some mild cognitive impairment. I could have told them that!! We press onwards and upwards :-D


For today:

Another symbol of the Olympic Games is the Olympic Flame which was first introduced into our modern Games in 1928.

The Olympic flame is an important symbol of the Games, representing peace, unity and friendship. The torch is used to pass the flame from one bearer to another during the relay, until the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony.

The Ancient Greeks considered fire to be a divine element, and they maintained perpetual fires in front of their principal temples. The flame begins its journey in Olympia, Greece after an impressive ceremony.

Like the messengers who proclaimed the sacred Olympic truce, the runners who carry the Olympic flame carry a message of peace on their journey.

Lord, help us to be torch bearers ........... for Jesus.

.

Cx :-)

Hello all

What interesting information regarding the Olympic Rings Cynthia. Thank you.

Vera, it sounds like a very happy wedding day for your son and wife and family. Lots of lovely special memories for everyone to think of in the years to come.

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom, wishing them many happy years together.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers for my son and his new wife. It has been a very hectic few days. Sunday, the wedding day was truly blessed. It was a civil, rather than religious ceremony, but I have never been to anything so moving. Most of the congregation shed a tear at some point. During the evening several people remarked to me that the atmosphere was absolutely full of love and joy. A very special day.

If anyone is interested I will put a description of our weekend on the bird and wildlife thread when I get time.

Thoughts and prayers for all newly weds, whatever their ages.

Good morning :-)

My illusions are shattered Pat :-( I was imagining strolling along peaceful streets and listening to the melodic tones of a nearby church bell. Obviously not. Sounds rather as though you need ear muffs and an aspirin :-D

For today:

Another symbol of the Olympics which we see every day – the Olympic Rings.


These rings of blue, black, yellow, red and green, make up one of the most recognized symbols in the world. Traditionally, they represent the five different areas of the world involved in the Olympics (North and South America are considered one area, along with Africa, Australia, Asia and Europe).

We can also associate them to our Christian lives...

A background of pure white – represents purity

The black circle – represents our sin

The red circle – represents Christ’s blood which was shed on the cross

The green circle – represents our continuing growth in the faith

The blue circle – represents the waters of baptism and the Holy Spirit

The gold circle – represents our heavenly destination.

Heavenly Father, when we see the circles as symbols of the Olympic Games, help us to remember the Christian thoughts we have attached to them, and may we draw closer to you each time.


Cx :-)

Earplugs needed perhaps Pat??

I think I would much prefer the UK church bells and my garden wind chimes.

I bought a different sounding wind chime last week, but not of metal. This is of large bamboo pipes, I'm not quite sure if they are my "thing" or not?? Time will tell I guess.

These aren't UK bells, churches have 1 bell per church and someone rings it and pulls very fast. The bell is toneless so you get an awful clang and when they ring at slightly different times you hear one start then before they finish another starts and then a third gets going. All at slightly different pitches so it's terrible.

I love UK bells and used to listen to them on Radio 4. This is noise out here not the melodious notes you have Kandj. :-)

Hello all

All very interesting information regarding the statue of Christ the Redeemer Cynthia.
It look amazing on TV and must be awesome to see actually see this in Brazil.
We are enjoying the TV coverage of the Olympic games and the variety of sports.

Christ the Redeemer statute is huge 98 feet tall with arms outstretched 92 feet wide.

We have seen and visited the Angel of the North several times and that is also
amazing to see but very small in comparison to the Brazilian statue, standing 66 feet
tall but having wings measuring 177 feet across.
It stands at the side of the A1 motorway near Gateshead and was commissioned and designed in 1998 by the British sculptor Sir Antony Gormley.
Made of copper and steel out of the pit head baths of the Lower Tyne Colliery, it is
a reminder of the closures of the steel and coal industry in this North East area.
That also is awesome, with the Angel of the North standing 65 feet from the ground and it dwarfs all who go to see this fantastic spectacle close up.

Pat I love the sound of church bells and find wind chimes in our garden calming.

Good morning :-)

Hi Pat..........a peaceful morning with the sound of church bells. My idea of bliss :-)

The Spink family I am looking at is for someone at church. I have offered to do some family tree work for folk in return for a donation to church funds. This particular chap was amazed when I told him they hailed from Walsall as opposed to Wakefield, where most of his family now live. He doesn't yet know that there is a touch of Scotland thrown in for good measure too! He is very particular about the fact that it is Spink without an 's' at the end. I agree that it is very likely that his past relatives and yours would have known each other. Small world syndrome again.

I didn't know anything about the leather industry until I started looking into this but I am learning as I go along :-D


Yes kandj, more twins to be baptised and, believe it or not, there were two other sets of twins in their buggies in church. We were all twinned out :-D

With so much coverage of the Olympics these two weeks, no-one can have failed to notice the awe-inspiring statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

This magnificent structure was created by a Polish-French sculptor, Paul Landowski and built by a Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and a French engineer Albert Caquot.

Work started on the statue in 1922 and it was eventually opened in 1931. It is covered with 6million soapstone tiles. According to the BBC, workers who made the tiles frequently wrote on the back, meaning Christ the Redeemer is littered with hidden messages.

In 2006, the authorities built a small chapel at the base and it is possible to be married there.

For many years, there were over 200 steps to climb but escalators have now been installed.

Is it a cross or a hug? This question has been debated over time. The architect originally designed it to resemble a cross with His arms outstretched. However, nowadays, it is more likely to be viewed as a symbol of welcome and peace.

Lord, as we see this statute during the rest of the Olympic Games, may we be inspired to share your love with others. Amen.


Cx :-)

Today it's a very quiet day. No one rushing to work. Saw no other person when walking the pup this morning, most were still asleep.

The only noise was of bells booming out for early morning service and they have just sounded again for a 9 am service.

It's Assumption today and a public holiday here. It's usually an excuse to have a family shindig. It's still quiet so perhaps the get togethers were yesterday leaving today to get over it. lol

Noted your look at the Spink family in Walsall - my home town. I lived near a lady maiden name Spinks. Walsall is known for it's leather trade Cynthia, the football team is known by the nickname The Saddlers. My sister has worked all her life stitching leather products and my cousin used to work for the leather museum. All my paternal aunts were in the leather trade. Know the areas the Spink family lived in and they would have known some of my ancestors as they lived very close to them. :-)

Hello all

Thinking of Vera and her son's marriage today. Praying this will be a happy day for all.

Another set of twins for baptism Cynthia? We have two sets of twins in our family.
The girls are in their 30's now and William and Hannah are in their teens.

"Twice as much to love, two blessings from above" All healthy and bring great joy.

Good morning :-)

We have 3 more baptisms today including yet another set of twins.......must be the water round here :-D


The Collect (special prayer for today)

Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation of 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.



In the Gospel reading we hear of how people and families will be divided about their faith in Jesus. Luke 12 vs 49-56


Praying for Vera and her family as they celebrate this special day <3


Cx :-)

Hello all

A thought provoking message from you today Cynthia. Thank you.

I mind immediately thought of the words of this courageous hymn.

Be brave, be strong
God the Lord your God is with you.
Be bold, be strong
For the Lord your God is with you.
I am not afraid.
I am not dismayed.
Because I'm walking in faith and victory,
Come and walk in faith and victory,
For the Lord your God is with you.

Today SuffolkVera and her family are gathering for the wedding of her son tomorrow.

This weekend weather is meant to be sunny, we pray all goes well tomorrow Vera.

Good morning :-)


I'm pleased you mentioned the chaplains kandj..............because........ :-D


At the beginning of the week we looked at the places of worship within the Olympic Village. Today we listen to one of the Chaplains.

Jules Wilkinson, a member of Christians in Sport’s Performance Team, is at Rio 2016 as one of three international Protestant chaplains. Jules talks about what she will be doing at the Olympics and how we can pray for her.

“It’s a real privilege to be in Rio as a chaplain for the Olympics. It’s hugely exciting to be in the Olympic city, but I won’t be watching any sport! Like most others, I will be searching for it on the TV, but without the benefit of having the BBC.

I feel a great responsibility too. Just as I’m often encouraging the athletes to cling to God’s word, a verse I’m clinging to is Joshua 1 v 9. This says: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)

At past Olympics, athletes have often wanted to be prayed for or simply have a quiet place to pray.

Please pray that I would be bold and brave for Him. There is a part of me that is thinking what am I doing here? I don’t belong in this village. Pray that I would be a real help to Christians and those who are seeking God. Pray too that the Lord will bring seekers across my path. “


Cx :-)