General Chat

Good morning :-)


There are several interesting versions of the Lord's Prayer - this is a cockney version


Hello, Dad,
up there in good old Heaven,
Your name is well great and holy, and we respect you, Guv.
We hope we can all 'ave a butcher's at Heaven
and be there as soon as possible:
and we want to make you happy, Guv,
and do what you want 'ere on earth,
just like what you do in Heaven.
Guv, please give us some Uncle Fred,
and enough grub and stuff to keep us going today,
and we hope you’ll forgive us when we cock things up,
just like we're supposed to forgive them who annoy us and do dodgy stuff to us.
There's a lot of dodgy people around, Guv;
please don't let us get tempted to do bad things.
Help keep us away from all the nasty, evil stuff,
and keep that dodgy Satan away from us,
'cos you're much stronger than 'im.
You're the Boss, God, and will be for ever, innit?
Cheers!


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The various translations of the Lord's Prayer continue to be interesting....

This is from The Big Bible Storybook for children..

Praise you, God.
You are very great in every way!
Please give us the things we need to today.
For You will give us what we need.
We’re sorry that we do wrong things and disobey.
For You forgive us when we say we are truly sorry. God, help us in everything we do.
Please help us to live for you all through each day.
For You always listen when we talk – help us to listen when You Talk, Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yesterday, we thought about the Lord's Prayer, a prayer many are familiar with. It's a prayer which has been handed down through many generations across the world and a prayer that unites all Christian denominations.

Best known in its traditional form, there are, however, many versions of this famous prayer....take a look at this one.
This is taken from The Message Bible and published in 2002. The Message aims ..."to present the Scriptures in a language that resonates with modern readers, making the ancient texts accessible and engaging without the constraints of a word-for-word translation."

Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are.
Set the world right; Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

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. Amen


Today, the readings tell us of being rooted in Christ, and Jesus explains the Lord's Prayer.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Are You a Mary or a Martha?
Mary writes poetry
Martha writes to-do lists

Mary paints canvases
Martha paints the walls

Mary sings in the rain
Martha sings in the choir

Mary likes chocolate
Martha likes cheesecake

Mary wears sneakers
Martha wears heels
Mary goes to amusement parks
Martha goes to museums

Mary drives a convertible
Martha drives a mini-van

Mary throws a fiesta
Martha throws a tea party

Mary dyes her hair fun colours
Martha dyes hers to cover the grey


Mary loves tiger lilies
Martha loves daisies

But they are better together. Somehow we need to be a little bit Mary and a little bit Martha!

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I think many of us are in the same position kandj. There always seems to be a job that needs doing .............

Martha And Mary
by John Newton

Martha her love and joy expressed
By care to entertain her guest;
While Mary sat to hear her Lord,
And could not bear to lose a word.
The principle in both the same,
Produced in each a different aim;
The one to feast the Lord was led,
The other waited to be fed.
But Mary chose the better part,
Her Saviour's words refreshed her heart;
While busy Martha angry grew,
And lost her time and temper too.
With warmth she to her sister spoke,
But brought upon herself rebuke;
One thing is needful, and but one,
Why do thy thoughts on many run?
How oft are we like Martha vexed,
Encumbered, hurried, and perplexed!
While trifles so engross our thought,
The one thing needful is forgot.
Lord teach us this one thing to choose,
Which they who gain can never lose;
Sufficient in itself alone,
And needful, were the world our own.
Let groveling hearts the world admire,
Thy love is all that I require!
Gladly I may the rest resign,
If the one needful thing be mine!


John Newton was an English evangelical Anglican cleric and slavery abolitionist. He had previously been a captain of slave ships and an investor in the slave trade. He served as a sailor in the Royal Navy (after forced recruitment) and was himself enslaved for a time in West Africa. He is noted for being author of the hymns Amazing Grace and Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia many thanks for your postings about Mary and Martha.
I'm naturally inclined to be a Martha, but I'm working very hard to become more like Mary.

Sending out blessings to all in need today.

Good morning :-)

The names of Mary and Martha resound through the ages.......

For over 40 years, Mary & Martha House in Florida has been a place of safety for those seeking respite from domestic violence.

Mission: At Mary & Martha House, our mission is to offer a sanctuary of safety and support to women and their children who have experienced the profound challenges of domestic violence and homelessness. Guided by compassion and a commitment to restoring dignity and self-worth, we strive to empower survivors on their journey to healing and independence.

Support: Much like the wise Mary from the Bible, we know that it’s not just busy work that achieves results – it is the “good part.” Mary & Martha House provides individualized case management, which is the key to giving clients what they need to succeed. Spending time with each other, building relationships, and trust enables us to mend hearts, grow minds, and build spirit.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Mary and Martha

Mary was busy and hurried,
Serving the Friend divine,
Cleansing the cups and the platters,
Bringing the bread and the wine;
But Martha was careful and anxious,
Fretted in thought and in word,
She had no time to be learning
While she was serving the Lord,
For Martha was “cumbered” with serving
Martha was “troubled” with “things”—
Those that would pass with the using—
She was forgetting her wings.

But Mary was quiet and peaceful,
Learning to love and to live,
Mary was learning His precepts,
Mary was letting Him give—
Give of the riches eternal,
Treasures of mind and of heart;
Learning the mind of the Master,
Choosing the better part.
Do we ever labour at serving
Till voices grow fretful and shrill,
Forgetting how to be loving,
Forgetting how to be still?

Do we strive for “things” in possession,
And toil for the perishing meat,
Neglecting the one thing needful—
Sitting at Jesus' feet?
Service is good when He asks it,
Labour is right in its place,
But there is one thing better—
Looking up into His face;
There is so much He would tell us,
Truths that are precious and deep;
This is the place where He wants us,
These are the things we can keep.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


In Antrim in Northern Ireland, there is a village tea shop called Mary & Martha’s Vintage Tearoom. There is a sign in the shop which reads ‘Mary or Martha? You choose’

What does that mean? The explanation…….

“It’s taken from the story in the Bible about Mary & Martha. It’s a reminder – are you always busy like Martha? Or like Mary, will you take time to sit down and rest with the ones you love?”

Interesting thought.

It has some excellent reviews, and they have a Facebook page that regularly features a Christian thought or saying.

A good way of sharing the Gospel.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Following on from yesterday's gospel reading.........................


Women of the Bible, so many in this book.
Let’s focus on two sisters who we read about in Luke.
Both were friends of Jesus who knew He’d come to save.
They’d watched Him raise up Lazarus, their brother from the grave!

They loved their Saviour equally, their feelings didn’t vary
And yet there’s quite a contrast here with Martha and with Mary.
Revealing hearts of worship in the way each sister acts
But Jesus draws attention to the thing which Martha lacks.

Her preparation not a flaw but a pleasing course of action,
The fault lay not in servitude but lay in her distraction.
Though Martha’s heart desired to bring honour to her King,
Jesus gently showed her that it meant she missed one thing.

The thing which every spirit needs, where every soul is stirred;
To simply sit before her God and listen to His Word.
To rest before the Saviour is no small, unmeaning thing.
It’s where we find the kind of peace that only Christ can bring!

It’s at the feet of Jesus where we’re given sound instruction,
Resting by our Father keeps our soul from deep destruction.
It’s where the things of good report can gladly be accrued,
It’s in the Saviour’s presence where our strength can be renewed.

Where Jesus’ holy counsel overrules the wicked flesh.
Where wisdom, joy and righteousness can wash our souls afresh.
Oh keep us from distractions, Lord and may we take a seat.
Help us always be prepared to rest at Jesus’ feet."


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer for today)
Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen


Today, we learn about Jesus being the image of the invisible God, as well as about Mary and Martha, the two sisters who were closely associated with Jesus.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Children ask questions!

Question: Why can’t we see God?

Answer: We can't see God because He's invisible, but we can certainly see His work in our lives and the lives of others around us. Just like balloons are filled with air that we can't see, we do see the balloon getting bigger and bigger as it's blown up. God is invisible because He is a spirit, but we can see Him by looking to Jesus and in following his commandment to love others more and more.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Children ask questions:

Question: If God is everywhere, why do we have to go to church?

Answer: We enjoy getting together with our friends and families. We like going to watch sports matches with other people because it makes it more fun and interesting. It’s all part of doing things together.

Christians need to attend church to meet with other Christians, discuss topics, pray together, and learn more about their faith. Jesus used to go to a synagogue to help people learn more. God’s house is a good place for that to happen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Children ask questions!

Question: Can God make mistakes?

Answer: No. We might make mistakes, but God doesn’t!

Making mistakes is part of being human. Some mistakes are followed by consequences. Some mistakes are even silly, like putting too much hot mustard on your sandwich! We all make mistakes. But God doesn’t make mistakes. He is all-knowing, so nothing can take Him by surprise. You and I can only guess what tomorrow might bring, but God sees into the future, so there is nothing that can catch Him off-guard.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Children asking questions!

Question: Is the Bible really true?

Answer: Yes, it is.

First, other historical evidence shows that the Bible's stories are true and its people really lived.

Second, the Bible proves its truth through prophecies—things that were predicted before they happened. Even though more than 40 people wrote the Bible, God guided them to share His message of love.

Third, the Bible can change lives. It teaches us about God's love and how He wants us to live. Reading the Bible helps us understand these messages.

Cx :-)

Hello all

St Swithin's day today, we have had a tiny shower so I'm ok about that.

Legend has it that if it rains on St Swithin's day then it will rain for 40 days.

So much cooler and a lot more comfortable than the really high temperature of last week.

Good morning :-)

Children, being children……..

Question: Do animals go to heaven when they die?

Answer: The Bible doesn’t say what will happen to animals when they die. Our pets are fun to play with and often seem like members of our families. But animals aren’t the same as people. God didn’t give them a spirit or a thinking brain like we have. They can’t pray to God or trust Jesus as their Saviour.

We can’t know for sure if our pets will go to heaven, but God knows everything. He is perfect. So we can be sure He has a good plan for us and for our pets.

What the Bible says: “Those who do what is right take good care of their animals” (Proverbs 12:10a).


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Questions, questions, questions.
Yesterday, in church, we were encouraged to keep asking questions about the faith – Jesus was always asking questions!

Children, being children, are very, very inquisitive, and they can ask some fascinating questions about the faith:

Question: Who made God?

Answer: No one made God. He has always been living. God was never made, and He has always existed. He created all things, so He didn’t need anybody to create Him! God was never a baby, and He didn’t grow up into an adult. He never gets any older. Everything else in the world starts and stops, but God has no beginning or end. He is the greatest!

“Before anything was created, he was already there. He holds everything together” (Colossians 1:17)


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Collect (special prayer) for today:

O God, the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:
increase and multiply upon us your mercy;
that with you as our ruler and guide
we may so pass through things temporal
that we lose not our hold on things eternal;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen


This morning, we hear the story of the Good Samaritan.

Cx :-)