General Chat

Hello all

Happy Birthday Wishes to the Duke of Edinburgh and also to your Grandson Cynthia.

Our Grandson Jack shares the same birth date 21 April with HM The Queen.

"To give and not to expect return, that is what lies at the heart of love."
(Oscar Wilde)

Thinking of all patients anxiously awaiting hospital results today. xxx

Good morning :-)

What a lovely service at St. Paul's to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday. I had to record most of it but enjoyed it later. We managed to get to see our lovely grandson and he didn't mind having his photo taken with his Nana who resembled The Phantom of the Opera :-D


Today, our Gift of the Spirit is............Leadership

Christian leadership is the art of being a good steward of the people who God has entrusted to us.

Lord Jesus Christ,
watch over those who are leaders in your Church.
Keep them faithful to their vocation
and to the proclamation of your message.
Teach them to recognize and interpret the signs of the times.
Strengthen them with the gifts of the Spirit,
and help them to serve their subjects,
especially the poor and lowly.
Give them a vivid sense of your presence in the world
and a knowledge of how to show it to others. Amen.



Cx :-)

Hello all

I hope whoever was taking the photograph with your Grandson, chose your
best side, so the pretty coloured bruises were well and truly hidden Cynthia.

We are being treated to a weekend of celebration for HM the Queen's 90th year.
The Duke of Edinburgh is now 95 and both look amazing to me.
The fly past on the balcony showed very many younger members of the royal family,
we were trying to work out who was whom..... we got there in the end though.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more,
do more and become more, you are a leader."
Words by John Quincy Adams.

Praying for the leaders who have organized all the activities for this special weekend
xxx

Good morning :-)

I enjoyed watching most of the Trooping the Colour yesterday....the Queen, once again, looked amazing. Also, how Prince Philip at the age of 95, could maintain wearing the heavy uniform and bearskin, was beyond me. What a fantastic couple to be sure.


Today is our annual Walking Day. The weather forecast does not look very promising so, if the worst happens and it pours down, we will hold a service in church - complete with the bands and processions. That could be fun... :-S :-S


Our Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts
whereby we call you Father:
give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,
that we and all creation may be brought
to the glorious liberty of the children of God;
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 :-)

Hello all

We love all the traditional ceremony associated with Trooping of the Colour.

When I was little I had a jigsaw of this event, which kept me quiet for a while.
Wasn't keen on the green outfit the HM wore yesterday. Absolutely loved the
yellow one worn at Friday's service. Waiting to see what colour outfit the Queen
will be wearing for the Patron's Lunch in London today. HM and the Prince are amazing for their age and an inspiration to very many people. God bless them both.

Cynthia, I hope it has been a fine day for your annual church walk. It is good to be in a procession with a brass band in front. It helps to keep the weary legs moving.

One more step along the road I go,
One more step along the road I go,
From the old things, to the new
Keep me travelling along with you.
And it's from the old I travel to the new
Keep me travelling along with you.

Sending Sunday blessing and hugs to all in need today. xxx

Good morning :-)


The sun wasn't exactly 'cracking the flags' yesterday, but at least the walk went ahead. So good to see several hundred men, women and children happy to walk in the name of Jesus.


Sadly, we wake to the news of violence at football and a mass shooting in America. We pray for all those involved in these dreadful events and ask God to be with those who have been bereaved.

This morning, we finish our look at the Gifts of the Spirits taken from Romans, with the gift of Mercy..........

So, what exactly IS mercy......

MERCY - compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.

The discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.

An act of kindness, compassion, or favour:

Something that gives evidence of divine favour; blessing.


Father, by rights we should be eternally separated from you, for we have rebelled against you in thought, word and deed. Yet you reached down to fallen humanity and lifted us up to be with Jesus who died that we might live.

We live in a world where there are so many hurting people that at times it can become overwhelming and we find ourselves stepping back, and almost hoping that the problem will go away. And yet Jesus demonstrated a life that overflowed with deep-compassion and tender-mercy towards all those that were wounded and abused, troubled or hurt.

Help us to stretch out a willing arm of comfort, when we see other people hurting or in pain, and may we extend a godly mercy that only comes from You, to those that are the unlovely or unlovable. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Thanks Cynthia for a clear explanation of the meaning of Mercy.

"A little bit of Mercy makes the world less cold and more just."
(Pope Francis)

Praying for all who are affected by the atrocities in today's news. xxx

Good morning :-)

I ha a staying in day yesterday as my ankle was really painful - thankfully feeling easier today. Still got my ironing one though........



Whilst we have finished looking at the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, we will round them up, remembering that not all of us have the same gift nor does anyone possess all of the gifts….

If your gift is to prophesy, then prophesy with discernment.
If your gift is to serve, then serve willingly.
If God has given you the gift of teaching, then teach faithfully.
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.
If it is giving, give generously.
If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
And if you have a gift for showing mercy, do it gladly.

Maybe we should take time to consider which gift God has given us and which fruits do we bear?


Cx :-)

Hello all

I hope your ankle is less painful Cynthia, perhaps Sunday's walk was too much?

Prayers go up and blessings come down each day. Look around and see them.

Praying for all volunteer workers in NHS hospitals. xxx

I hope your ankle is feeling less painful now Cynthia. Thank you for continuing your daily posts.

Having spent time with a number of friends lately I realise just what a blessing they are so my thoughts tonight are for those who feel friendless and alone.

Good morning :-)



As a break from thinking and praying about God Spiritual gifts to us, here is a poem I think each one of us can relate to……and especially within the family of the church.
It's funny that Vera should mention friends...................


Friendship is a priceless gift
that cannot be bought or sold,
But its value is far greater
than a mountain made of gold.
For gold is cold and lifeless,
it can neither see nor hear
And in the time of trouble
it is powerless to cheer.
It has no ears to listen
nor heart to understand,
It cannot bring you comfort
or reach out a helping hand.
So when you ask God for a gift
Be thankful if He sends
Not diamonds, pearls, or riches
But the love of real true friends.
– Helen Steiner Rice



Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Friends..... where would we all be without friends to help us through dark times?

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and grief to bear.
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

Here is a different version of the "friends for a reason, season lifetime" theme.

Life is like a book:
Some persons are in there for a page, some are there for a chapter,
but true ones are there throughout the whole story.

Strangers are friends waiting to happen, smile and find a new friend today. xxx

Indeed where would we be without our friends.

xx

What A Friend We Have In Jesus has been going round and round in my head ever since you posted it Kandj. I do like the hymn but it's become a bit of an "ear-worm"!

Good morning :-)


I love that old hymn......what a friend we have in Jesus indeed <3


My bruises are fading to a rather ghastly yellowy blue colour....most unbecoming. My foot/ankle is still very painful to touch but at least I can walk on it. My elbow is much better but my wrist hurts now. The good thing is.......I'm fine :-D


For today:

A touch of glory

Lord, touch our lives with your glory
that we may reach out to others.
Fill our hearts with your love
that all may see the love of Christ.
Inspire us to dare new things for you
that we may encourage those without hope,
Open our lives to your Spirit
that we may reflect your praise.



Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Just very shocked hearing the news of the lady MP shot in West Yorkshire.
Words fail me. Condolences to her husband, family and friends. RIP Jo Cox.

In the blink of an eye, everything can change.
So forgive often and love with all your heart.
You never know when you may not have that chance again.

Remembering in prayer, all who are coping with the loss of a loved one. xxx

Good morning :-)

Such dreadful news from yesterday.........a young MP, wife and mother of two, killed whilst simply doing her job. So very sad.

Lord, we pray for those who have been devastated by this dreadful event.

For Jo’s family, whose lives have been forever changed by grief and loss. Bring them consolation and comfort. Surround them with our prayers for strength and give them the courage to face the days ahead.

For Jo’s friends, colleagues and constituents that they may take up challenge to continue the good work in which she was engaged.

For us, help us to respond with generosity in prayer. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Today brings sadness and heartache following the horrendous death of Jo Cox.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, children, her parents and all
family, friends and work colleagues of this young woman. Taken much too soon.

To those who mourn.......... PEACE

To the despairing................HOPE

To the brokenhearted.........CONSOLATION

Praying for all who are in a dark place today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Its looking a bit grey here today, but the weekend lies ahead........


Heavenly Father,
Whether I am at work or at play,
sitting quietly alone or hanging out with others,
running errands or doing chores,
no matter what path I journey on with You this weekend,
May I walk in uninterrupted fellowship with You. Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

" The Journey of a thousand miles begins
with a single step."

Lao Tzu