General Chat

Did you know the Jews are not allowed to make ANY alterations to

what we refer to as the Old Testament , and specifically The Torah

but "Christians" can do what the like with the New Testement ?

You might find this interesting David, re the Torah

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/819698/jewish/How-Is-the-Torah-Interpreted.htm

Thank you Rose, that IS very interesting indeed.

There's enough info in there to keep me absorbed for a long time.

Strange how down the years there have been, even uo until present

time wars between Muslims and Jews and Christians. All three religions

are rooted in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. :-(

Good morning :-)

Thank you for that Rambling :-D

I know what you mean David - we always seem to be 'tinkering' with the Scriptures and I've recently been reading some posts on Twitter re Inclusiveness and Mother God. :-S




Lord, I do not walk in darkness
But in your light and love.
You carry me when my feet fail
And hold me high above.

And I do not drift in every tide
But stand upon your truth.
You are my map, my friend, my guide
I put my trust in you.

So as I walk, a shield of faith
Surrounds my every move.
You are my quiet fortress,
I know I'm safe in you.


Cx :-)

I was looking at Heaven wiki. Seems most of the nations have one.

In the Wiki there is an illustration of Dante and Beatrice gazing at the

heavens (taken from The Divine Comedy)

To my uneducated eye it looks as if they are looking at what we

would call the constellations.

Good morning :-)

Good heavens' David! :-D


I give thanks for my friends
For connection and laughter,
For comfort and strength,
For encouragement and unity,
For forgiveness and grace,
For celebration and joy.
They are so many things to me,
Such a rich tapestry of blessings,
Woven through my life.

Thank you.

Cx :-)

Thank you once again Cynthia for your posts x

Good morning :-)


Today is a special day...….it's Trinity Sunday when we remember the 3 in 1 - Father, Son and Holy Spirit and it's also Father's Day - a day to think of our fathers. As with any relationship, there are fathers who let us down in one way or another, but we can always be sure of the love of our heavenly Father.

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and everlasting God,
you have given us your servants grace,
by the confession of a true faith,
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity
and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity:
keep us steadfast in this faith,
that we may evermore be defended from all adversities;
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.

In the gospel reading, Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Yesterday was Trinity Sunday……..and most people enjoy a good mystery!
The lady cleric we had yesterday told us of her dread at having to preach on this particular Sunday, but she did a good job! Trinity = 3 = Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not 3 gods but just 1 God. Very convoluted indeed – but does it really matter? Electricity is complex – we don’t understand exactly how it works – but we know it does and we rely on it. The same with technology – we may not know how our mobile phones work, but we use them all the time.

We don’t have to understand all aspects of our faith to believe in God – we just know He is there and that He loves us.


Father,
You sent your Word to bring us truth
and your Spirit to make us holy.
Through them we come to know the mystery of your life.
Help us to worship you, one God in three persons,
You reveal yourself in the depths of our being,
by proclaiming and living our faith in you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Thank you for the recent posts Cynthia and the other posters.

I have been managing to read everything but have not responded. We have been in Vienna for 5 days but husband has developed a problem and we have only seen the inside of a hotel room so far. Doctor is making a second visit today and then we may be making arrangements to fly home rather than try to go on to another place as we had planned.

I am therefore thanking God for the medical staff and the compassion and care of the wonderful hotel staff.

Hope everything will soon be OK with your OH Vera. <3

Thinking of you both Vera <3

Good morning :-)

Oh Vera, I'm so sorry to hear that :-( I can more than understand how you would like to fly home sooner than arranged. There's no place like home. I do hope that your OH is soon feeling better and, meanwhile, look after yourself too. You are both in my prayers. Lots of love <3 <3

For today :

Who doesn’t love a good mystery? We began the week with a look at the mysterious Holy Trinity, so let’s take a look at a few things which may be a mystery to some people…

I am a member of an Anglican church, but what IS the Anglican Church, and what do Anglicans believe?

From the tip of an extremely large iceberg……….for today:

The roots of the Anglican, or English, Church go back as far as the 2nd century, but the church traces its current structure and status back to the reign of King Henry VIII, who ruled from 1509 to 1547. Its interesting to read up on The Reformation for more detail.

• Anglicans hold the Holy Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the highest and supreme authority in matters of faith.

• We believe that the Bible, Holy Scripture, tells the true story of the human race, from our creation, to our fall. And then it tells the story of God raising up the people of Israel, and then from that people a Messiah (promised one). It tells of Jesus being born of the virgin Mary, living, dying, rising again, and ascending to heaven.

• The Bible also tells the story of the founding of his Church, and its mission to the world in his name through the Holy Spirit. We believe that each and every person is loved by God and that salvation is offered in the name of Christ to all who will believe in him.

Although the Bible isn’t a magical answer book, it is the place where one learns about God’s plan and purposes. The Bible offers a foundation of faith so that we can find answers to many of life’s toughest questions within the larger story it is telling.


Cx :-)

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. They are much appreciated. OH doesn’t actually feel ill but he is in pain and has lost mobility. It’s all to do with muscles and nerves. He has again seen a doctor who has said he shouldn’t continue the trip but is fit to fly. Everything is with the insurance people but they are taking a time to consider our case and will probably turn us down as, thankfully, he is not at death’s door. However he can’t possibly undertake the next part of our journey and we are supposed to be checking out from this hotel in the morning so I am unsure what is going to happen.

I am however grateful for the doctors and for the wonderful hotel staff who could not be kinder.

I have enjoyed reading your last two posts Cynthia. I think over the years I’ve just about got to grips with the Trinity though it is a difficult concept. However, when filling in my religion on forms etc, I have never been sure whether I should put Protestant which I think covers a wider range, or Anglican. I usually opt for the more common CofE.

Good morning :-)


What a lot of stress for you Vera..….hoping and praying that your plans work out smoothly and that you get home without too much hassle. C. of E. is the normal thing to put I think :-D



For today:

Continuing with the mysteries of the Church of England……..

Holy Communion is often referred to as ‘The Holy Mysteries’. This is to do with the fact that what happens at the altar when the bread and wine are consecrated to become His Body and His Blood is beyond our human understanding.

We remember how Christ suffered for us and gave Himself for us – with thanksgiving.

Prior to receiving the Eucharist, it is required that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people.

When we receive our Lord in Holy Communion, we should receive him in the way we encounter a loved one: with reverence, care, gentleness and humility.

Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.


Cx :-)

I recall a NT text where it says be kind to all persons

as you may be entertaining angels .

Vera I'm sorry to hear about your OH I hope you can get home asap and safely, though what a shame to miss out on such a lovely holiday. I'm glad the hotel staff and doctors are being helpful. Safe journey home and a good recovery for OH x

Good morning :-D

This one David? Hebrews 13. New International Version.

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."

Dear Vera, like Rambling, I do so hope that you have managed to sort something out and return home without too much hassle. Sending love. <3

For today:

Continuing...Mysteries of the Church....the word 'Sacrament'. It is defined as 'a thing of mysterious and sacred significance; a religious symbol'.

It is understood that Sacraments are “An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace”.

The Church of England believes that there are seven sacraments.
Two of these Baptism and the Eucharist (Communion, Mass or the Lord’s Supper) are considered ‘Sacraments ordained of Christ in the Gospels’ ie, established by Jesus Christ Himself.

The other five are ‘commonly called Sacraments but not to be counted as Sacraments of the Gospel’ and these are Confession and Absolution, Holy Matrimony, Confirmation, Ordination (also called Holy Orders) and Unction (anointing of the sick).

In Anglicanism a different emphasis is placed on sacraments by the two wings of the Church – Anglo-Catholics and Evangelicals.

This is from the 1662 Prayer book
Question. How many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church?
Answer. Two only, as generally necessary to salvation, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Yet another really interesting subject made easy to understand. Thank you Cynthia.

David many years ago a young curate gave a sermon on Hebrews 13 v 2 verse which I have never forgotten and so thanks for the reminder and lovely memory too.

Emma, I hope baby Connie is continuing to make good progress.

Vera, I have just read back and seen what a horrible time you and your poor husband have been having. Like Rambling, I do hope that the insurance will help
to fly you home safely before very much longer, thoughts and prayers for you both x

Heavenly Father, for today we pray that you would give us
STRENGTH in weakness
FAITH in fear
POWER in our powerlessness
We trust in you, in Jesus name.
Amen

Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and prayers. Friends, cyber or “real life”, help a lot when you are under any stress.

We are now safely home. Our insurers arranged a flight for us yesterday with assistance, which was not good at Vienna airport but superb at Gatwick and I tackled the drive home from there. It’s years since I did any motorway driving and a long while since I drove any long distance but we got back without incident. This morning we have an emergency appointment with a doctor from our own practice. Two friends have called already.

Last night I said a little prayer of thanks for the help we have received, for our safe arrival home and for friends. God bless <3