General Chat

We arrived home safely late Friday night, thanks to the skill of drivers and pilots.

All our thoughts must be with those poor people affected by the hurricane. I tried to imagine what it must feel like to have your home and work and environment totally destroyed in such a short time and found it unimaginable. My heart cries for them.

You may remember my son married a lady last year who was the widow of an American. After his death she had remained close to his family and many came to the wedding. Her first husband's parents live in Florida and the man is now quite poorly. Daughter in law wants to see him again so she and my son are supposed to be flying to Florida on Thursday. I know they are in a region that has been affected but we don't know how badly. We can only pray that they,and others in the path of this hurricane, are safe.

Nature has a way of putting us in our place.

Good morning :-)

So nice to see you again Vera and I hope you will tell us more of your travels.

I do hope your son and daughter-in-law keep safe - maybe they will be advised not to travel just at the moment?

Watching the news and the terrible events going on, it has been good to see how many folk have been helping each other......and friendships formed.


There is a miracle called Friendship
that dwells within the heart
and you don't know how it happens
or when it even starts.
But the happiness it brings you
always gives a special lift
and you realize that
Friendship
is God's most precious gift.

- Helen Steiner Rice.

Love to all. Cx :-)

Hello all

Sunshine and showers here this morning plus a little breeze which is so very different from Hurricane Irma and all the devastation and flooding left in her wake.

So pleased Vera and hubby are home safely. I hope your son and daughter in law will be safe if they managed to fly out to check on her ex in-laws in Florida. A real worry.

Remembering all the many animals who have been affected by the flooding/storms.

Good morning :-)


I think we were fortunate, in our area, not to have suffered the high winds which were promised. Its a bit blowy now but not bad at all. Like kandj, I think of all the animals who suffer in horrendous weather conditions.

For today :

Loving God, I offer you today, my thoughts, words and actions. Help me to heed the promptings of your Spirit, to recognize your Son in those I encounter, and to be a witness to your kingdom. Help me to share your healing touch, your words of encouragement, your smile of friendship, your helping hand. Amen.

Must go and get showered.....new washer arrives this morning :-D


Cx :-D

I expect you have been trying out your new washing machine today Cynthia. Well, you've certainly got a good windy day for drying :-D

I still don't know how dil's Florida relatives are or whether she and my son will be flying there in the morning. Hopefully I will hear tonight.

I could write a book on our trip to Russia but perhaps a little more about the churches might be appropriate on this thread.

You may already know this but I hadn't realised that the number and colours of the domes and cupolas on Russian churches are full of symbolism. A single dome represents Jesus, 3 are symbolic of the Holy Trinity, 5 - Jesus and the four evangelists, 7 - ??, 9 - the nine ranks of angels and 13 - Christ and the twelve apostles. The reason I have a question mark for 7 domes is that I have forgotten what we were told so I googled and read that they symbolise the seven ecumenical councils at which the dogma of the church was formed. I am certain we were told something different but I didn't write it down and my memory isn't as good as it used to be.

As for the colours of the domes, the meaning varies a bit depending on who you are talking to or which article you are reading. Gold represents Jesus or the Light of God and many of the domes are gold. Blue of course is symbolic of Mary but may also symbolise the Holy Spirit or the Holy Trinity. Green may also represent the Holy Spirit or the Holy Trinity and is also often used at churches dedicated to saints. Red is the Resurrection and eternal life. Several of the domes we saw were coloured blue with gold stars and I know the star is also important in Russian Orthodoxy. I think, though I am not sure, that it represents the church leading the people from darkness into light.

Each cupola or dome is topped by the three barred Russian cross but underneath the bottom bar there is sometimes a crescent. In the 15th century Ivan the Terrible's forces captured Moslem Kazan and he decreed that a crescent should be placed under the Cross to represent the victory of Christianity over Islam. An uncomfortable idea these days but it was the 1400s! Sadly too many on all sides still think in those terms instead of pointing to the similarities between us.

I am sorry if this post is rather long. I do tend to ramble on if I am interested in something.

Still keeping those affected by the hurricane very much in my thoughts. Also my granddaughter has gone off to uni today, so for all those starting on the next stage in their education I'd say work hard, have fun and God Bless.

Good morning :-)

You were certainly not rambling Vera - I could have read more! Thank you for the info on the domes on the churches in Russia. I had no idea of that so have learned something. Its really interesting.....so I will do my Oliver Twist bit.......please, can I have some more? :-D :-D

For today:

My Daily Bread

Lord,

May you take the dough of my life
And bake it fresh each day.
Come sift carefully the things
I do and think and say.
Blend them with some water
Like grace poured over me,
Sprinkle in the yeast of truth
That sets my life so free.
Knead the three together
With firm and loving care,
Give me rest and bless my dreams,
So I rise with more love there.

As I read your word O Lord,
Warm me with your hope,
Until I'm sweet and freshly made
And perfumed with your heart.
At times the things I face each day
Can sometimes break me down
Help me still to give and find
There's more to share around.

As I eat I'll take the wine
To dwell upon the cross.
And join with generations past
Who live to love the lost.
The miracle of Christ in me
Is how you multiply,
You bless the work of my hands
To bring more of your life.
Lord in this moment, I come to you,
Master baker and head chef.
For every day you make me new,
You are my daily bread.



Not had chance to use the washing machine yet......today is the day. However, I think I will have to go to college first so that I can understand the instructions.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The temperature is beginning to drop and frost is forecast at the weekend. Did I miss summer?


For today:

Lord,
May Friday be a thoughtful day
When Your Spirit leads my prayer.
I trust each trouble small and wide,
With faith into Your care.
Let Friday always prompt my heart
To stand upon the truth.
Darkness has been overcome
The Earth belongs to You.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


And yet more terrorist activity........

Lord on this day we are aware of the troubles and darkness in our world. Please come and lead us in prayers for our community, our nation and the world. You are the light that shines in the bleakest times, let your Kingdom be built on earth. May those who suffer be comforted, may those who are at war search for peace, and may those who are in pain find healing. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, it is so worrying watching TV coverage of yet more terrorists injuring and upsetting people who are going about their business. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected and also for the
Police and Fire Service who do an amazing job in these difficult times.

Vera your postings have been very interesting. Many thanks for sharing your Russian holiday experiences with us. Very best wishes to your Granddaughter and I hope she settles well at her University..

Good morning :-)


Yesterday, I was treated to afternoon tea in Manchester by some friends. They know it is hard for me to get any free time these days, and so they arranged for my son to dad sit whilst we went out. It was a lovely thought and much appreciated.

We arrived at Manchester Victoria and it was rather sobering to see how many armed police were milling about the station. However, people were simply getting on with their lives. I could have sat and watched the folk pass by for hours. There was every fashion sense, every hair colour, every tattoo, every size, every language you could possibly imagine - a complete kaleidoscope of humanity :-D


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God,
whose only Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence:
give us pure hearts and steadfast wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
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.

The gospel reading for today tells of Peter asking Jesus how many times should you forgive someone. Interesting answer!


Cx :-)

Hello all

Whose the lucky one to have "escaped" for the afternoon? What kind friends you have Cynthia and a thoughtful son who lives near and is able to spend time with his Dad.

With so much unrest and upset around just now, I am sending out a Sunday Smile to everyone reading this now. Please pass the smile around to others during the day. xx

I am glad you enjoyed your afternoon out Cynthia. A little break can make a big difference and it was kind of your friends to organise it

You mentioned how people in Manchester were going about their normal business in spite of the armed police and the threat of terrorism. It is amazing how resilient people are, but those affected by these awful events may be damaged for years and will need all the support available to them. May they be given the strength they need.

Good morning :-)

Yes, I have some very good friends I must say. Yesterday, was quite a morning in church. We said farewell to someone who has been working with us for a couple of years, our Rose Queen had baked cakes to sell for church funds and we had a separate service of Holy Baptism for two little ones. Phew......... :-D

For today:

Over the past few months, we have heard so much about how our emergency services have responded to dangerous situations. This week, I thought it would be good to pray for those brave folk who come to our rescue when we are in need.

Today - our police force

Lord, we pray for our policemen and policewomen as they go about their daily tasks.
Protect them from harm In the performance of their duty to stop crime, robbery, riots and violence.

We pray, help them keep our streets and homes safe, day and night.

We commend them to your loving care because their duty is dangerous.

Grant them strength and courage in their daily assignments. Dear God, protect these brave men and women.

Grant them your almighty protection, unite them safely with their families after duty has ended. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

When there is an emergency and someone is ill or injured, we tend to dial 999 to get help. Today, we thank God for those paramedics who rush to our aid.

Lord, We give thanks for the skill and dedication of all paramedics. Bless them with clear minds to make quick, accurate decisions, so that through their skills and gentle care, they may bring your healing and comfort to those in their care. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Where would we be without the paramedic who turns up much quicker than the ambulance crew. They are worth their weight in gold as they come and take control and support patient and relative alike. We have had good cause to be grateful to these angels in disguise more time than I care to remember. Thank you one and all.

Good morning :-)

Yes indeed kandj, so many of us have reason to be grateful to these men and women who rush to our aid.

More details of the horrendous fire at Grenfell Tower block, are emerging. With this in mind, we think of those brave men and women who are our firefighters……..

Merciful Father in heaven, look down in Your love upon all those who protect us and ours from the ravages of fire and flame. Grant them the courage and skills to carry out their duties well and safely. When they must go into the face of danger, be by their side in the smoke and flames. Watch over their families, ever reminding them that those who fight fire are also in Your loving care. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.


Cx :-)

We must indeed all be thankful for our emergency services, of which the paramedics are an important part. I would include with them the "First Responders". I expect you know of them, but in case you haven't come across them, they are volunteers who give up their time to train in first aid and certain medical procedures, and then to be on call. I think they are alerted by the ambulance service when there is an emergency and, as they work in their own neighbourhood, can get to people in that vital first few minutes.

Until 4 years ago we lived in a rural area, a good way from ambulance stations and hospitals. There was more than one person in our group of hamlets who was grateful to the First Responder on call for keeping them alive until the paramedics could get there.

Heartfelt thanks to them all <3

Good morning :-)

Thank you for that information Vera....I knew about St. John's Ambulances but the First Responders was new to me. I have googled and read about the good work they do and what a brilliant idea it is. I need to see if they are used in our area.


For today:

Lord, we offer you thanks for all crews onboard air ambulances who give their time, experience and skill to rescue those who have become ill or injured in inaccessible areas, or where speed is needed to get people to hospital.

We thank you for the comfort and reassurance they give to those in distress and for their patience and compassion with the relatives and friends.

Please bless them and their families as they fly to the aid of those in need. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

We have a lot to be thankful for. We were watching the scenes of devastation from Mexico and also horror scenes caused by Hurricane Maria in the Caribbean islands.
We continue to count our blessings...... there, but for the grace of God, methinks.

Vera we used to have a First Responder as a neighbour until he moved to a different area. Edward would share stories of what was involved. He is a caring man and well suited to this sensitive and committed role, supporting the ambulance services.

Cynthia our village supermarket has the local Air Ambulance as their chosen charity for this year and we agreed that it's a very worthy cause and well worth supporting.

Good morning :-)


All too often we see vivid pictures of storms at sea and hear about people in danger…..when this happens, the emergency service that is run by volunteers, comes to the rescue…..

Lord, we ask you to protect and bless the crews of the lifeboats who risk their own safety to bring help to others. May they always be seen as a beacon of hope and light to those who find themselves in danger on the sea. Amen.


Our electricity is going off for a couple of hours this morning, so I am hastening about all jobs which need power. :-D


Cx :-)