General Chat

Good morning :-)


Oooooh....Madeira.....how lovely for you Vera. Have a great time...... <3


A thoughtful day today...


A Litany for Lent

God, all-loving and all-caring,
We come before you with hesitant steps and uncertain motives
Our hearts are parched from wandering in a desert of sin.

We want to sweep out the corners where sin has accumulated
And uncover the places where we have strayed from your truth
Our hearts are parched from wandering in a desert of sin.

We ask for courage to open our eyes and unstop our ears
That we may be aware of all that distracts us from a whole-hearted commitment to Christ
Our hearts are parched from wandering in a desert of sin.

We want to see ourselves as you do and live our lives as you intended
Expose in us the empty and barren places where we have not allowed you to enter
Our hearts are parched from wandering in a desert of sin.

Reveal to us our half-hearted struggles,
Where we have been indifferent to the pain and suffering of others
Our hearts are parched from wandering in a desert of sin.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and put a right Spirit within us
Nurture the faint stirrings of new life where your spirit has taken root and begun to grow
Our hearts are parched from wandering in a desert of sin.

We long for your healing light to transform us into the image of your Son,
For you alone can bring new life and make us whole
In your mercy, shine upon us, O God, and make our path clear before us.


Love to all Cx :-)

I am just catching up with posts. Haven't been on for a few days as I am lucky enough to be in Madeira at the moment.

I am so glad that your back is now improving Cynthia. Nothing worse than back pain.

Kandj, 1 Corinthians 13 was always read in assembly at school on the first and last day of every term so it always seems very personal to me.

On the bus in Madeira today I met an English lady who was there to recuperate from a major operation for cancer and all the attendant chemotherapy and other treatment. This was the second time she had been through it in five years and she wasn't very optimistic about her future. Therefore tonight I am thinking specially of those undergoing treatment for serious illnesses. May they have the strength to face whatever their future holds.

Hello all

Loving your walk around the garden today Cynthia, much more relaxing that in reality.

A beautiful bright dry sunny morning here in Yorkshire. Yesterday we had snow??!!!

Chapter 16. What Matters Most.
Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but
have no love, I gain nothing.
(1 Corinthians 13:3. International Standard Version.)

Thinking of those who feel unloved and unworthy, may they find comfort today. xxx

Good morning :-)


It makes such a difference to be free from pain.......God bless all those for whom pain is an everyday occurrence - that relief may soon be given.


For part of our Lenten journey, let's take a walk outside and do a little gardening............

Planting a lent garden

Plant three rows of peas:
Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul

Plant four rows of squash:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be obedient
Lettuce really love one another

No garden without turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.
There is much fruit in your garden
Because you reap what you sow.

To conclude our garden we must have thyme:
Thyme for God
Thyme for study
Thyme for prayer


Remembering friends in prayer Cx :-)

Hello all

The Carer's pamper sounds just what you needed Cynthia. I'm so pleased that you are feeling a little more comfortable now.. I hope that it will last.

Continuing day 15 of the 40 day journey in faith during Lent.

Chapter 15 : Formed For God's Family.
God is the one who made all things for his glory. He wanted
to have many children to share in his glory.
(Hebrews 2:10. New Century Version Bible)

Praying for all new babies and their parents and family tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)

Yesterday I went for my massage at the Carer's Centre and the lady worked on my back - and she worked wonders! It seems as though the problem is a couple of torn muscles which are trapping my sciatic nerve (or something like that). She pummelled away and it has helped enormously. :-D

For today :

A Prayer for Lenten Grace

Loving God,
During the sacred season of Lent, bring me closer to you.
Prepare a place in my home and heart for silence and
Solitude, so that I may re-discover the grace of a
Prayer-full life.

Help me to fast from those things that threaten the
Well- being of body and soul and remind me of the grace of simplicity.

Enlarge my heart so that I give to those in need and, in so doing re-discover the grace of gratitude and generosity.

May this season be a grace-filled time to rekindle my love for and faith in you.
Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your video prayer today Cynthia.I hope your back pain continues to improve.

Chapter 14 : When God Seems Distant.
The Lord has hidden himself from his people,
but I trust him and place my hope in him.
(Isaiah 8:17. Good News Translation).

Thinking of all hospital administration staff today. xxx

Good morning :-)

At long last my back problem seems to be easing..... :-D

I think it would help if I could get some unbroken sleep, but that doesn't look like happening anytime soon. Never mind......I'm still here to tell the tale :-)


For today - a video prayer


A video prayer for today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WifMnuUpgRE


Remembering friends in prayer.... Cx :-)

Hello all

Thirteen days into the Lenten journey. Sharing words from my chosen reading book in the 40 days of Lent. Rick Warren's The Purpose Given Life.......... very interesting!

Chapter 13: Worship That Pleases God.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind
and with all your strength.
(Mark 12:30. New International Version.)

Remembering all in need of prayerful support today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Thank God for painkillers :-D



As we journey through Lent we think of the other journeys we will make today....

We pray for everyone we travel with today:
those with whom we share physical journeys;
those we meet for business;
those with whom we find unexpected joy;
those we would rather not encounter;
those with whom we laugh and those with whom we cry;
those we serve and those who serve us.
As we travel through this day,
may we share the load of others,
may our concerns be lessened,
may we be the best of companions,
may the light of Christ shine through us to all we meet.
In his name we pray. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all from a wet and windy Yorkshire.

Sorry you have had a disturbed night Cynthia, hope you both are able to relax today.

Chapter 12: Developing Your Friendship With God.
The Lord dislikes the perverse, but takes the upright into his confidence.
(Proverbs 3:32. New International Version.)

Praying for all who are struggling with loneliness today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Oh dear I had a really bad evening with my back and took some advice from our churchwarden who is a pharmacist. She helped considerably thank goodness. However, bad back or no bad back, I still have to get up in the night to help my husband. I think that I will have to miss church this morning as I am going to try and catch up with some sleep. I hate missing church but............... :-(


Today is Thinking Day for the Girl Guiding movement. Our own groups will be leading the service this morning.


The Collect for today:

Almighty God,
who shows to them that are in error the light of your truth,
to the intent that they may return to the way of righteousness:
grant to all that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion,
that they may avoid those things which are contrary to their profession,
and follow all such things that are agreeable to the same;
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 forever, Amen.

Remembering friends in prayer Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, that legend was really interesting and all new information for me. Thank you.

Day 11 of a Lenten journey in faith. I am finding the Rick Warren book
The Purpose Driven Life just amazing. I used this book for a Lent Course
in church in 2003. I had highlighted several sentences and readings from
Scripture from all those years ago. I don't actually remember much from then.

Chapter 11. Becoming Best Friends With God.
Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him.
(Psalm 25: 14. Living Bible.).

Prayers for those in Government and all in authority to make wise and compassionate decisions regarding the future for us all. xxx

Good morning :-)


In an effort to keep a variety on our Lenten theme, today I offer you a legend....



The Legend of the Dogwood Tree

At the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood had reached the size of the mighty oak tree. So strong and firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber for Jesus' cross.

To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, and in his compassion said. "Because of your pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross–two long and two short petals.

In the centre of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the centre of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember."



Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

I tried earlier and got an error page, so here goes for a second time tonight.

Chapter 10 : The Heart of Worship.
Nor must you surrender any part of yourselves to sin to be used for
wicked purposes. Instead, give yourselves to God, as those who
have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being
to him, to be used for righteous purposes.
(Romans 6:13. Good News Translation.).

Sending out a gentle hug to all in need tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)

It is a Lenten penance indeed kandj.....and very painful first thing in the morning until the painkillers start to work. :-(

For today:

O God, who makes all things new,
new stars, new dust, new life;
take my heart,
every hardened edge and measured beat,
and create something new in me.
I need your newness, God,
the rough parts of me made smooth;
the stagnant, stirred;
the stuck, freed;
the unkind, forgiven.
And then, by the power of your Spirit,
I need to be turned toward Love again. Amen.


Remembering friends in prayer Cx :-)

Hello all

Aww Cynthia, sorry you are still in pain. A real penance during Lent.

A lovely old traditional hymn I remember form school days...... thank you.

Chapter 9: What Makes God Smile?
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
(Numbers 6 : 25. NLT.).

Remembering all in need of prayerful support today.

Good morning :-)

My back and leg pain continues to plague me but I am trying to carry on as normal as possible. ouch!

For today, one of the most popular hymns which is used during Lent....

Forty days and forty nights
Thou wast fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.

Sunbeams scorching all the day;
Chilly dew-drops nightly shed;
Prowling beasts about Thy way;
Stones Thy pillow; earth Thy bed.

Should not we Thy sorrow share
And from worldly joys abstain,
Fasting with unceasing prayer,
Strong with Thee to suffer pain?

Then if Satan on us press,
Jesus, Saviour, hear our call!
Victor in the wilderness,
Grant we may not faint nor fall!

So shall we have peace divine:
Holier gladness ours shall be;
Round us, too, shall angels shine,
Such as ministered to Thee.

Keep, O keep us, Saviour dear,
Ever constant by Thy side;
That with Thee we may appear
At the eternal Eastertide.


Remembering friends in prayer Cx :-)

Hello all

A heavy frost overnight with rain, rain and more rain today.

Like all your problems Cynthia, this can only get better, we hope and pray.

Continuing to share my Lent reading with you. It is already past 7 days and today is;

Chapter 8: Planned For God's Pleasure.
Thou art worthy , O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure, they are and were created.

Thinking of those who work outside on this cold and rainy day. xxx

Good morning :-)


Not had a good night with OH - back and leg still painful - now I have a nosebleed. Sigh.....never rains but it pours :-D

For today:

Indifference
When Jesus came to Golgatha,
They hanged Him on a tree,
They drove great nails through hands and feet,
And made a Calvary.
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns,
Red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days,
And human flesh was cheap.

When Jesus came to Birmingham
They simply passed Him by,
They never hurt a hair of Him,
They only let Him die;
For men have grown more tender,
And they would not give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street,
And left Him in the rain.

Still Jesus cried, ‘Forgive them,
For they know not what they do!
And still it rained the winter rain
That drenched Him through and through;
The crowd went home and left the streets
Without a soul to see,
And Jesus crouched against a wall
And cried for Calvary.

G A Studdert Kennedy (1883-1929)


Love to all Cx :-)