General Chat

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.

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 :-)

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.

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

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)

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.

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

Worth a mention. As an adolescent I was a choir boy at St. Jude's Church.
Sure I had a photo. If it ever surfaces I will post it.

Gave it up and got a paper round.

Hello all

Quite a change there then David. Did you sing hymns while posting the papers?

It is exciting but emotional seeing the medal presentations and thinking of all the
hours/days/weeks/months and years of commitment and dedication from them all.

"Gold medals aren't really made of Gold. They are made of sweat, determination
and a hard-to-find alloy called Guts. (Dan Gable).

No kandj, it was a mercenary thing.

I was paid one shilling a week for being in the choir

I was paid 2/6 for delivering newspapers, extra for
selling the Football Chronicle in the street.
The latter was easy, I sold them to the crowd flocking to the shop.

Good morning :-)


I'm not sure if choir members receive a remuneration any more - possibly in certain areas but probably not in many. Most church choirs rely heavily on committed volunteers. We have a new, young and very talented organist and are hoping that he will rejuvenate our small but exceedingly loyal choir.

For today:

The Olympic creed, which is meant to encourage the athletes to embrace the Olympic spirit and to perform to the best of their abilities ........

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

As Christians, we are reminded….

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."


Hold on to your hats and umbrellas today folks........Cx :-)

Not long since got up!! Had sickness in the night and throughout the day today.
No idea why as I was fine when we went to bed?? Here's praying for a better day
tomorrow. Banging headache and pain in my back and hips as well. Hey ho!!!

Oh dear, Kandj, I do hope you feel much better tomorrow. Take it very easy for a few days if you can. Thinking of you and hoping you have a peaceful and comfortable night <3

Good morning :-)


Oh poor kandj :-( How awful for you, especially when you are caring for your OH. Do hope that whatever ailed you soon passes and that you feel better very soon. Sending love and hugs <3


The Collect (special prayer) for today

Almighty God,
who called your Church to bear witness that
you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

In the Gospel from St. Luke, we hear the story of Jesus curing the woman who had been crippled for 18 years………..on a Sunday……. and the criticism he received from the leaders of the synagogue.


Cx . :-)

I hope you are much better today Kandj. Being poorly is bad enough but it is an extra worry when you are a carer. Thinking of you <3

Hello all

Many thanks for your kind words Cynthia and Vera. I feel like something the cat
has dragged in today but the sickness has stopped and it can only get better I hope.

I can't remember when I was last ill, but thankfully hubby has no sickness too, so
that is a blessing for us both. Tomorrow is another day!

"Be thankful for what you have; You'll end up having more. If you concentrate on
what you don't have, you will never ever have enough." (Oprah Winfey)

Something that puzzles me is the birth of God's son was forecast in the OT.
He shall be known as Emmanuel, Mighty Counsellor, Prince of Peace.

Yet during his brief life he was known as Yeshua, Muslims know him as Isa.
Yet we call him Jesus, Spanish for John.

Good morning everyone :-)


Hello David. I understand that Jesus is known by almost 200 names......and that the name 'Jesus' is a translation from the Jewish name of Joshua. Where there are translations, there are often variations.

It reminded me of helping someone with their family tree recently. There had a couple of ancestors named Mary and Joseph..................and they called their firstborn son......Immanuel. :-D

Glad you are feeling better kandj - and that each day you will grow stronger.

For today:

After a couple of weeks at looking at the Olympics and the symbols attached to the event including the Olympic rings……some other rings came to mind - Christian marriage rings….

We have had quite a few marriages in church over the summer months so it may be interesting to look at some of the symbols attached to this holy sacrament during the coming week.

Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God, one that should not be taken for granted. It is the right atmosphere to engage in sexual relations and to build a family life. Getting married in a church, in front of God, is very important.

A marriage is a public declaration of love and commitment. This declaration is made in front of friends and family in a church ceremony.

Marriage vows, in the form "To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part", have been recited at UK church weddings since 1552.

So, today we pray for those who are contemplating marriage….

Lord, in a world where the sanctity of marriage is becoming so unpopular, we pray that You would renew a deeper understanding and reverence for the true meaning of marriage, to all engaged couples.  We pray that You would prepare each one for the tremendous changes and challenges that their marriage will bring and help them to overcome all the difficulties that will arise as they adapt their single status into a meaningful marriage partnership. May they grow closer together in love with each other and with You, day by day - in Jesus name we pray, Amen.


Cx :-)