General Chat

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 :-)

Thinking of you both Vera <3

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

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.

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 :-)

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 :-)

Thank you once again Cynthia for your posts x

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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. :-(

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

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 ?

Good morning :-)


Hello to you both :-D I know what Rose means as the prose can flow quite beautifully at times but, people being people - and the church is no different - they want to 'update' constantly. There is this thing about making the church 'relevant' to younger people, to put the bible into 'everyday' language. Whilst I can understand that to a point, it is interesting to discover that the more traditional language services are becoming popular. Maybe something to do with wanting stability in a crazy old world?

There are various committees whose life work is scouring the scriptures and the various translations and generally tinkering about with things. It gets wearisome when yet another bright spark wants to 'Transform' us. :-D

As for versions of the bible - well, the list is endless...you only have to google 'Bible translations' to see what I mean. There are sites where you can compare chapters and versions and how they are published.

Did you know that the bible has been translated into Klingon, Scouse, Emoji, Rap and various other wacky things? :-D I kid you not. I always advise that people take care when thinking about buying a bible.

ps. The JWs have tinkered with scripture to their own ends.


Am exhausted now! :-D


For today:
Dear God,

You have given me such wonderful blessings. I am rich in so many ways and aware of your love for me. I am so grateful for such lovely friends and family, for their warmth and their love and support. I am blessed by the beauty of your creation that I enjoy each day. And I am so thankful for the grace you have poured into my life, for your truth that guides me, your hope that leads my heart and your love that dwells in my spirit.

I am surely rich
And so thankful.

Amen.

Cx :-)

David, though I am not a fan of changing the accepted prose of the bible ( modernising any manuscript, religious or secular, can lose the poetry of the original imho) but I would guess that changes have sometimes been made because scholars have paid greater attention to the likely interpretation ( relevant to the times) of the original language in which the earliest texts were written?

I do wish myself I was able to read the 'original'.

Thank you Cynthia. Without any disrespect intended to any of the Churches,

I've already done enough to answer for , I find it remarkable that long after the event

a Council of Bishops can meet discard that and insert that, the result ? Our Bible.

Since then there have been many revisions and translations to get to what we

swear to tell the truth on in a court of law.

And in the 50's a denomination come up with a New World Translation :-S

Aren't they merely modifying the original ?

Good morning :-)

I don't have the answer to that David, but I love the (not that they had ever been lost) bit! :-D

Maybe the majority of the population were converted? Maybe the ruler imposed it on his people? Maybe someone, somewhere, has the answer?

Last night, a friend popped in.....



You have blessed us, O God,
with the gift of friendship,
the bonding of persons
in a circle of love.
We thank you for such a blessing:
for friends who love us,
who share our sorrows,
who laugh with us in celebration,
who bear our pain,
who need us as we need them,
who weep as we weep,
who hold us when words fail,
and who give us the freedom
to be ourselves.
Bless our friends with health,
wholeness, life, and love.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Through the centuries as new lands were found (not that they had ever been lost)

The "finder" would plant his King's flag claiming the nation for him.

But how can you convert all the population of this new land to Christianity ?

more correctly to Catholicism ? Had they any choice ?

Good morning :-)


Hi Vera. Whit Walks are very much a northern occurrence I think and were once very commonplace. Unfortunately, police restrictions have put pay to many but, I think if you can produce enough 'marshals' for traffic restrictions, you are more likely to get the okay. As for the hymn, you have now got me singing......ear plugs may be worn!

For today:

Spirit of wisdom, help us to understand the mystery of your love.
Spirit of right judgment and courage, help us to follow in your steps.
Spirit of knowledge, help us to learn more of you through the scriptures and then to share the good news.
Spirit of reverence, help us to worship you in adoration.
Spirit of justice and mercy, help us to respect others and to respect life.
Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope and love into new action each day. Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence which penetrates all creation. Amen.



Cx :-)

Good morning Cynthia and all

I am glad your Walk of Witness went well. I have been googling to see whether these Walks take place in Suffolk as I have never seen them mentioned. There are several, though not in my area, and they all seem to have been on Good Friday this year.

Cynthia’s post today took me back to my schooldays. Our school hymn was Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost which was sung in assembly on the first and last day of term.

Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost
Taught by Thee, we covet most
Of thy gifts at Pentecost
Holy, heavenly love.