General Chat

Good morning :-)

I'm a bit of both too Emma. If we take it back to the biblical facts, I really wish I could be more like Mary, but my life is so taken up in caring for OH and daughter at the moment, that finding a quiet time to consider the deeper aspects of life is quite difficult. Must try harder :-D

Thinking of Mary and Martha……When life gets busy, does your time with God tend to get pushed aside?

Lord be with me. Already I feel consumed and overwhelmed as I think about all that is before me today. Feelings of frustration have already started to surface as little annoyances pop up. Lord, I give these to you. Be with me now. Holy Spirit protect me from myself -- my tendency to anger or impatience. Help me see my life through your eyes, Father. Amen

Cx :-)

Life catches up with me and takes over as
it does with us all. Think we need to step back and
take time for ourselves, easier said than done.

Amen for your prayer today Cynthia x

Good morning :-)


Goodness me, it's been hot hasn't it? Mind you, we stayed indoors and kept the curtains closed - I think it worked. Come the cooler evenings and mornings - all doors and windows are thrown open :-D

Martha was a bit of a worrier.....I think most of us have times like that...….


O Lord, I am wound up inside.
I feel I cannot continue to meet the demands placed upon me.
I am close to burn out and I fear I may buckle under the weight of these worries.
I am tired of carrying this stress around, I so need to find some peace.

So I come to you.
To rest in your Father heart,
Shelter in your Almighty hand,
And cling to your promise of peace.

I trust that you can lead me to a new place,
Take the fabric of my life and weave in new colours.
I look to you.
I dwell on your words.
I open my heart.

Please restore me.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Hope everyone is keeping their cool in this weather :-D

Martha was really cross with Mary for not helping her.

Anger is in the air. It’s in our political climate, religions, the media, and social media. Mean speech, injustice, inequality in pay and opportunities, prejudice in all its forms, and let’s not forget anger about loss. The loss of relationships, loved ones, health.

Yes, there’s a lot to be angry about! But we can’t let anger consume us like a wildfire. Are we easily angered?

It’s okay to be angry - we were created in God’s image. God gets angry too - just read the Old Testament. Then there’s Jesus. He is often thought of as being ‘meek and mild’ but he has considerably more power and presence than that. Remember the story of Jesus acting out his anger by making a whip of cords and driving the sheep, dogs, cattle, and money changers out of the temple. Then he poured out all the coins and overturned all the tables, shouting, “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”

Father, give me a gentle answer that comes from a tender heart when my temper rises and my mind fills with the unkind words I’d like to speak. Please help me remember to put the relationships ahead of being right. Help me respond gently and forgive quickly. Help me love like You. Amen.



Cx :-)

Good morning Cynthia.
Anger is at the root of bereavement, grief, we feel robbed, we disbelieve.
The closer the relationship, a spouse, a parent, the greater the anger. It calms.

Hello all

Interesting post as always. Thank you Cynthia.

David I find in grief that anger is draining and no help to me at all.

I have always been blessed with lots of patience and positive thoughts.

"A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back" (Proverbs 29:11)

Far too hot for me, I'm staying indoors. Stay cool and drink plenty fluids everyone.

Good morning :-)

Anger is often an accompaniment to grief, but not always. In my experience, I have found that those who have a faith, whilst still grieving bitterly, are rarely very angry. There tends to be an acceptance - an understanding that, for the Christian, this is the beginning of a new chapter. There is always sadness at the parting of course.

I feel for those who have lost someone in totally unexpected and traumatic circumstances - whether they have faith or not - and can understand the initial anger and rage which accompanies this.

It's always moving to hear of those who forgive the person who has torn their lives apart. What courage! <3

For today:
Martha was very quick to find fault with Mary when Jesus was visiting them.

Sometimes we can see what’s wrong with someone else more easily that we can see what is wrong with ourselves. Jesus speaks about seeing a speck of dust in someone else’s eye, but not see a huge piece of wood in our own.

Father, please forgive me for being critical of others. Humble me and make me as loving and accepting and forgiving as You are. Make me aware of my own faults before I criticize others. Amen.

Cx :-)

Is there any record of what became of Jesus' adoptive Father Joseph ?

There is no mention (that I am aware of) of Joseph being a follower or disciple of Jesus or present at the Crucifixion of Jesus.

Interesting posts this week that I can
see a lot of myself in them, food for thought x

David it is thought likely that Joseph died before Jesus began his ministry

You can find some of the possible indications that this is probable here:

https://jesusalive.cc/ques428.htm

Hello all

Just popped in and spent longer than I had intended reading Rambling's link and subsequent ones regarding Joseph following on from David's earlier question. All very interesting so my thanks to David and to Rambling too. I have learned something new.

A little cooler and much more comfortable today. Have a good weekend everyone.

Good morning :-)

I think you are probably right on that David - I need to have a google :-D

Ending our time with Mary and Martha……

This interesting little story points to our need to make Jesus and His word our first priority in life.

Some of us tend to be more like Mary in our Christian walk, while others resemble Martha. Many folk have a little bit of both qualities. We may be inclined at times to let our busy lives of service distract us from spending time with Jesus and listening to His word.

It's significant to note, though, that Jesus gently admonished Martha for being "worried and upset," not for serving. Service is a good thing but sitting at Jesus' feet is best. We must remember what is most important. When we give Jesus the attention He deserves, He empowers us to serve others.

Lord, help me to put you first in my life, that I may be of use in your name. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today

Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you that we
loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
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.

In the gospel reading, Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer. This is closely followed by his famous saying…”Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Cx :-)

The parenthood of Jesus would have been know from his infancy.

The Jews have a strict moral code. Had Mary been suspected of other than

the Bible's description she might well have been stoned to death. Which makes us

wonder how such a man (?) who many witnessed performing miracles could

killed in such a manner. Crucifixion is a cruel form of execution.

Good morning :-)

Crucifixion is vile David, but it wasn't unusual at the time sadly.

As for why Jesus had to die - the explanation can be found in many places. I would recommend that you google the Alpha Course which is a very popular resource for questions such as this. Many people have come to faith through doing this course. Worth a try.

For today:

A prayer for those who face a difficult day.....

Lord, grant me tenacious winsome courage as I go through this day. When I am tempted to give up, help me to keep going. Grant me a cheerful spirit when things don't go my way. And give me the courage to do whatever needs to be done. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Cx :-)

Indeed it is vile Cynthia, and the prelude brutal.. Over the years I have often

paused and looked at life size Crucifixion statues in Church gardens and

thought that is such a barbaric way to kill any man, least of all him.

Good morning :-)

Very true David. Sometimes I have found that even church folk haven't stopped to consider just how barbaric crucifixion is. Having grown up with the story, the reality seems to have passed them by. I once read a description of what actually happens to the various parts of the body during the time it is hanging.....horrific. :-(


For today:

God, help me love the life I live right now.
Show me the good things I often overlook and help me be content with what I have. Forgive me when I compare myself to others, forgive me for longing for things outside of you and your kingdom. Thank you for loving me right where I am, right as I am. Help me keep my eyes on you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Cx :-)

Amen to today’s prayer, Cynthia.

David, crucifixion is barbaric but sadly it had been a common punishment for serious crime for several hundred years BC. It is depressing to think that we have learnt so little since then and still act so inhumanely towards our fellow men.

Today my brother is having another operation and, while praying for his recovery, I am saying a quiet thank you for the strength and bravery with which he faces each new challenge and for the skill and care of the medical team looking after him.

Approx 70 BC the captured Spartacus and all his followers

were Crucified along the Appinine Way for revolt and rebellion.

In more recent times captured Christian in a middle east war zone were

subjected to the same cruel death.

Good morning :-)


A bit belated due to unforeseen circumstances :-D


Your brother sounds a very brave man Vera - praying things go well for him with his latest operation.


Regularly I hear of people who are suffering from depression – an awful thing to have.

Heavenly Father, please strengthen our hearts, and remind us to encourage one another when the troubles of life start to overwhelm us. Please guard our hearts from depression. Give us the strength up to rise up each day and fight against the struggles which seek to weigh us down. Amen.

Cx :-)