General Chat

Good morning :-)


And so we reach New Year's Eve...…


God our Father, we give thanks for all that has been and, trustfully, we place the past into your hands.

We ask you to inspire us in the year ahead to seek and fulfil your will. May we truly look on each new day as the start of the rest of our lives.

Enable us, with the power of your Spirit, to remain positive and confident, and live fully and joyfully with those people you have placed into our lives.

Lead us to bring out the best in one another that we may all grow as the people you call us to be. Amen.



Enjoy your celebrations. Love. Cx :-)

Good morning..... :-)


And I see I missed yesterday......oh dear....apologies to those who look in. It really was one of those days I'm afraid. I am hoping that normal service has now been resumed :-D Happy new year to you all. <3

Thank you Lord for giving me
The brand new year ahead
Help me live the way I should
As each new day I tread.
Give me gentle wisdom
That I might help a friend
Give me strength and courage
So a shoulder I might lend.
The year ahead is empty
Help me fill it with good things
Each new day filled with joy
And the happiness it brings.
Please give the leaders of our world
A courage born of peace
That they might lead us gently
And all the fighting cease.
Please give to all upon this earth
A heart that's filled with love
A gentle happy way to live
With Your blessings from above.


by Charlotte Anselmo


Love to you all. Cx :-)

Happy New Year Cynthia to you and yours x

Good morning :-)


Thank you Emma and to you and yours too <3

So glad to be returning to some sort of 'normality'...…. :-D


It was interesting to read that, in the US, New Year resolutions fall into 4 categories :

1. Improve my health
2. Improve my life
3. Improve my behaviour
4. Get closer to God

These resolutions are kept for very long but there is one resolution that when kept, helps in all four areas… and that is…..reading your bible.

Regular Bible reading improves your health, improves your life, improves your be-haviour, and gets you closer to God. How come?

Many physical and emotional health issues are the result of stress which can affect your body, thoughts and feel-ings. Throughout the bible we are reminded that God created us in His image and loves us deeply – even when we wander away.

The bible offers encouragement. Comfort. Reassurance. Strength. Peace. Hope. Interesting reading.

Cx :-)

Happy New Year everyone.

People out here are still in holiday mood. We've had Christmas Day and New Year holidays but the big event out here is still to come on Sunday the 6th January, it's Epiphany a religious bank holiday. I'll see food being piled into cars as families get together and if warm enough it'll be BBQ time.

The bells will be ringing Sunday morning :-( ;-)

:-D :-D <3 <3

Good morning :-)

As soon as I saw your name Pat, I thought BELLS! :-D Epiphany sounds like fun out there! :-D


Oh God, we long to know you and to love you, but the busyness of life often gets in the way.
Help us to recognise the ordinary daily ways that our family can learn about you and grow closer to you.
We know that you are near us, leading and guiding us. Amen.

Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Lord,
May we not keep our blessings,
but give them away:
so that others might learn new dance steps,
so children might be fed,
so bridges might be built
and so grace may flow to all in your world. Amen.

Good morning :-)


Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany.

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; 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 tells of the arrival of the Three Kings.

Epiphany is a Christian festival which is celebrated 12 days after December 25, the date which signals Christmas has officially ended.

Apparently, up until the 19th century, the Epiphany was more important than Christmas Day, and it was used to celebrate both the three kings' (or three wise men's) visit to Jesus after his birth and also Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist.
However, the Bible does not say there were only three wise men. There could have been many more. Tradition says that there were three and that their names were Gaspar/Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar/Balthazar, but since the Bible does not say, we have no way of knowing whether the tradition is accurate.
They were certainly men of great learning. Today we'd called them astrologers
When the Wise Men found Jesus and Mary, they would have been living in a normal house, probably in Bethlehem or Jerusalem, because by this time Jesus would have been aged between one and two. Then they gave their gifts to him. The gifts seem quite strange to give to a baby, but Christians believe that they had the following meanings:
• Gold: is associated with Kings and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings.
• Frankincense: is sometimes used in worship in Churches and showed that people would worship Jesus.
• Myrrh: is a perfume that is put on dead bodies to make them smell nice; Christian believe that it showed that Jesus would suffer and die.

Cx :-)

(Thinking of Pat and her ear muffs) :-D

No bells heard above strong winds and rain lashing down in a prolonged thunder storm :-0 :-D

I have been catching up on posts today having been out of action for a while, first staying at son and dil's for Christmas and then being unwell for several days.Thank you folks for all your posts.

Like Cynthia I had a smile when I saw Pat's name. Pat you will forever be associated with bells I am sure they must make your ears ring at times but I would sometimes like to hear a few more ringing here.

Why do you think the Feast of Epiphany is so important overseas but less so here. I had a phone call today from a cousin who lives in Spain and she was just off to a special Epiphany lunch. Is it because we make so much of Christmas Day?

Anyway, I belatedly wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2019 <3

Good morning :-)

Oh Pat! I am quite disappointed now...…..but I do like thunderstorms too :-D

Hello Vera, sorry to hear you have been unwell and do hope you are much better now. I was reading about the Epiphany season and its interesting to see how different countries have their own ways of celebrating this special time. Apparently, the Monday after Epiphany is called Plough Monday - well, I never knew that!! :-D

I was recently asked about easy bible readings for those who may be interested in finding out more. I am happy to try that for a week or so and see how it goes.


The bible is made up of 66 books and isn’t really the sort of book you can pick up and begin at the first page. For new readers, it is recommended that you perhaps being with the New Testament and one of the 4 gospels. Each gospel has its own merits and its rather like reading about 4 friends who have been on a journey together and, through them, you begin to get familiar with the life of Jesus. This week, we will look at the Gospel of Mark which is the shortest gospel.

I will use the New Revised Standard Version.

St. Mark chapter 1. The Proclamation of John the Baptist

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”


Lord, we thank you for giving us your word as a guide to living our lives. May we read with humbleness and honesty and, if we don’t understand, give us the courage to ask questions. Amen.

Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello

A very happy new year.

Here is a prayer for "Plough Monday":


"Prosper throughout the year

The work done on our local farms.

Bless all who work with the world’s resources

And enable them to be good stewards of your creation;

Fulfil the farmer’s hopes in a plentiful harvest;

Feed your people with wholesome food;

And may town and country, united in gratitude to you,

Be drawn nearer to the understanding

And true service of each other;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord".

Amen.

In the big cities, we sometimes lose touch with rural traditions; it would be good
if we could all see and appreciate nature more.

Take gentle care
Best wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Hello all

I've not read back but just popped in to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.

Giving out ((hugs)) to all who need one right now. xx

Good morning :-)

Lovely to see you both popping in and much love to you. Thank you for that prayer Elizabeth - I had meant to look into it more - but life took over. <3


For today:

From the gospel of Mark. The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”


Eternal Father,
you have given us your only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him,
and revealed him to us
at his baptism in the River Jordan,
grant that we, who have been born again of water and the Holy Spirit,
and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Continuing with the gospel of St. Mark

The Temptation of Jesus
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Some words from an old hymn we tend to sing when we remember Jesus in the wilderness....


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.


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Continuing our trial journey through St. Mark

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news[ of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.


Lord Jesus Christ, you call us to follow you as disciples. Help us to respond wholeheartedly without counting the cost. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning..... :-)

Oh dear...I see I missed a day...apologies - I was expecting visitors and got carried away.
Another visitor today, but I have my act together this time!

Continuing with St. Mark.

Jesus Heals Many at Simon’s House
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with de-mons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.


Cx :-)

..

Good morning......just went out to the garage and boy, it's certainly windy out there.....brrr ????

The collect (special prayer) for today :

Eternal Father, who at the Baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; 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.

The gospel reading tells of the baptism of Jesus by his cousin John.


Love, Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

As I am unsure as to how people have reacted to the daily bible reading, I have reverted to a daily prayer.



God our Father,
Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all that is:
Thank you for calling me to faith,
for planting your Word in my heart,
and for delivering me from my sin.
Thank you for calling me to your service,
for giving me the ability to teach your Word
and share this good news with others.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today we think about those affected by Leprosy - a disease which has affected humanity for thousands of years and still affects us today sadly.

The Leprosy Mission Prayer

Almighty Father, the giver of life and health, look mercifully on those who suffer from leprosy. Stretch out your hand to touch and heal them as Jesus did during his earthly life.

Grant wisdom and insight to those who are seeking the prevention and cure of the disease; give skill and sympathy to those who minister to the patients; reunite the separated with their families and friends; and inspire your people with the task set before The Leprosy Mission, that it may never lack either the staff or the means to carry on its healing work, in accordance with your will, and to the glory of your holy name.

We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.


Cx :-)