General Chat

Even in the UK during 2014, many things have been experienced by the public on a day-to-day basis: shootings, stabbings, muggings, suicides, poverty, depression, robberies, fear, repossessions, bankruptcies, homelessness, leaderless & bullying.

But we carry on as best we can.

Good morning :-)


And so more bad news continues to filer through with the deaths of those eight children in Australia. So very sad.


A Prayer For Those Who Mourn

Lord, we pray for those who mourn,
for parents and children,
friends and neighbours.
Be gentle with them in their grief.
Show them the depths of your love,
a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.
Spare them the torment of guilt and despair.
Be with them as they weep beside the empty tomb
of our risen Saviour,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.



With love to all and remembering our friends in prayer... Cx :-)

Remembering those in need. x

Good morning :-)


Why? That's the question everyone is asking Vera.......it's just so very sad.


On a happier note, I have been to two school productions this week, both based on how Christmas is celebrated around the world. The children were full of excitement and happiness as they took turns to explain the various activities which happen and the food that is eaten.

The 5 and 6 year olds were especially appealing - there were angels with wonky haloes; angels with handbags; angels with the usual childhood unsavoury habits which make you smile. After each little group had finished explaining about the country they were representing, they took a gift to the baby Jesus in the manger. It was very touching.


For today:

Not Only Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Saviour
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequalled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."

And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day

-- Mary Fairchild


Remembering our friends in prayer Cx :-)

Amen to that

RIP Peshawar children

Why?

Amen.

Amen to the familiar prayer Cynthia.

Words fail me with such an horrific attack and my heart goes out to the children's parents and their families right now.

Suffer the little children to come unto me....... Matthew 19v14.

Safe in the arms of Jesus and all are little angels now. May each one Rest In Peace.

Good morning..... :-)


I don't think anyone can fail to have been horrified by the massacre of those innocent children in Peshawar.

It is beyond imagination that human beings can treat each other this way.

We fail to understand the logic behind such behaviour.

I can but leave you with the prayer which is familiar to most :


Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


My word SpanishEyes, that's a tall order and it's something that people will have differing view about I should think.

There's the clue. People. I think it's important to remember that God didn't create all the many faiths - people did.

The heritage of faith is passed down from generation to generation - some will interpret it in a different way to others.

Some will be scathing and others will refute it. It's up to each and every one of us to make our own decision based on experience and learning.

That's why churchgoing is considered to be important. Not just for the friendships made, but for the teaching which is offered and the prayer which is shared.

So many folk have their own views about faith based on very little understanding of what faith is all about.


For today:

O Lord my God,
Teach my heart this day where and how to see you,
Where and how to find you.
You have made me and remade me,
And you have bestowed on me
All the good things I possess,
And still I do not know you.
I have not yet done that
For which I was made.
Teach me to seek you,
For I cannot seek you
Unless you teach me,
Or find you
Unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire,
Let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you,
Let me love you when I find you.

-St. Anselm

Love to all Cx :-)

Recently I was asked by a friend Who is God and if there is only this one person why is it that we have people living around the world and have a different view.

I must be honest about this,I was unable to explain

Any advice ??

One more ! What about Jews, non believers , people who have different ideas etc.
Bridget,




I could not give an answer, sorry.
:-(

I agree Cynthia it has been a very good thread
and thanks to JJ for starting one.
There are times in our lives when we need to
go to a quiet place and gather our thoughts
together, this is such a place. x

Good morning :-)


Lovely to see you popping in again kandj <3


Yesterday went well if a little hectic. Three services all well attended plus four baptisms - a very busy time indeed. Mind you, I was a little taken aback by the fact that some of the baptism guests wore so little in this weather. I had to do a double take when I saw a young woman wearing a backless dress, and several more wearing very, very short and flimsy outfits. They must have been absolutely freezing :-0


I've noticed that today is the 2nd anniversary of this thread started by JustJohn. It may not be the most popular thread on these boards but, to me, it has been a tiny beacon in a very dark world.

I would like to thank JJ for beginning this thread which has given many folk the opportunity to share their thoughts on the Christian faith.

Dear Lord,

Every single evening
As I’m lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head:

God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm and safe from harm
For they’re so close to me.

And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don’t mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too.

Now I know that it’s unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you, Lord.

You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.

I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.

By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew.

Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That’s filled with so much love.

Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail inbox
And each person who hits “send”.


With love, Cx :-)

Reading through the earlier postings and sending prayerful support and warm thoughts to all who are grieving, feeling upset or facing challenging times just now. xxx

Good morning :-)


Thank you for sharing your story with us SpanishEyes. Sending love.... <3


A busy day........I stepped in at the last moment to offer to help with a presentation at the last moment, so my mind is whirling with that. Also, it is our Carol Service - a week earlier than we would normally have it, but we have to fit in with our priest's other church. All systems go once more..... :-)


The Collect for today:

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Remembering our friends in prayer.... Cx :-)

Thank you
Emma <3

Spanish Eyes <3 <3

I have just come back to this group and want to say Thank you to Dermot for the kind way he left a message.

When I was having my last child, or so I thought I discovered that I was having Triplits! Now I was a nurse and knew that I had been told that I must not have more children......
I went to see the person I worked with and he was shocked that I had not taken his decision......I beged him to care for me and he did. I was in hospital for 3 months and then realised that I was about to deliver my children, what we dis not know was that I was about to deliver 3 children.........
Sadly only two lived and. I never mentioned this to my twins, then when thy were about 12 someone in the family told them...I was very upset....
However we all got over it. The priest came to,the hospital and said a few words to me and my husband which helped us.
Thank you for reading this, , , <3 <3 <3

Good morning :-)


There has been quite a lot of talk about how many people will be spending Christmas alone this year. It's a sobering thought.



Loving God,
there are times in each life
when there is no one.
No one with whom to share
a word,
a laugh,
a sad remembrance,
a gentle touch,
a fond embrace,
a kiss of love.
Bless each one who suffers
from such loneliness.
Enrich life with a friend
or gentle stranger
who will spend a moment
noticing
and loving.
In those times
your love shines through,
the world is reborn,
and Christ is known.
So be it!
Amen.


- Vienna Cobb Anderson


Remembering our friends in prayer....... Cx :-)

Remembering those in need of comfort. x

Listening now to Daily Service on my digital radio. The theme is loneliness.