General Chat

Amen

Thank you Cynthia :-)

Good morning.......... :-)


A Scottish Blessing for today......


May the blessing of light be on you - light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire,
so that stranger and friend may come and warm himself at it.

And may light shine out of the two eyes of you,
like a candle set in the window of a house,
bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm.

And may the blessing of the rain be on you,
may it beat upon your Spirit and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there a shining pool where the blue of Heaven shines,
and sometimes a star.

And may the blessing of the earth be on you,
soft under your feet as you pass along the roads,
soft under you as you lie out on it, tired at the end of day;

And may it rest easy over you when, at last, you lie out under it.
May it rest so lightly over you that your soul may be out from under it quickly; up and off and on its way to God.
And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly. Amen.



Hope everyone is well.......... Cx :-)

Hello Dermot :-)


John, your point about adult baptism is very true. I was 21 when I was baptised and then I was confirmed a short time afterwards. My parents were in the Salvation Army when I was born and, in the SA, you are Dedicated not Baptised. :-)


Some thoughts for today....



Take Nothing for Granted


Take nothing for granted,
for whenever you do
The “joy of enjoying”
is lessened for you…

For we rob our own lives
much more than we know
When we fail to respond
or in any way show....

Our thanks for the blessings
that daily are ours…
the warmth of the sun,
the fragrance of flowers.

The beauty of twilight,
the freshness of dawn,
The coolness of dew
on a green velvet lawn.

The kind little deeds
so thoughtfully done,
The favors of friends
and the love that someone ...

Unselfishly gives us
in a myriad of ways,
Expecting no payment
and no words of praise…

Oh, great is our loss
when we no longer find
A thankful response
to things of this kind,

For the Joy of Enjoying
and the Fullness of Living
Are found in the heart
that is filled with Thanksgiving.


- Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

There are two fundamental needs - a) the need to belong & b) the need to be unique.

Happily, we humans have both - and don't let anyone persuade you otherwise.

I hope I have put across that I am in favour of children being baptised as infants. And I have loved to hear these stories of so many people wanting to go through this ceremony in your church, Cynthia.

The parents and even Godparents may not fully understand what they are doing, but they appreciate the tradition to a degree and have a good family celebration day built round a church ordination. So all good, and the patience that you have to explain all of this to them is great, Cynthia.

Methodists of course do same thing. We are still very Anglican in our ordinances.

I did see one "introduction of an infant to the church" in one independent church I was a member of. It was very similar in some respects, but no water was used and the purpose of the service was to introduce child to God and to the wider church of which he would become a member. The child is now 15, appears to be a committed Christian and is preparing for an adult baptism in a Baptist chapel baptistry nearby in a couple of years time. The local Baptist Church was happy to allow non-Baptists to adult baptise in their little baptistry.

Good tip for genealogists. Almost all got baptised years ago, but some (not only Baptists) would have been adults when it occurred.

I am involved in baptism preparation classes and, one of the things which we strongly stress, is that infant baptism is the beginning of the child's Christian journey - it is not the end of it.


It is hoped that the promises made by the parents and Godparents, will be undertaken in a serious manner and that, hopefully, it will lead to the child being confirmed and making the promises for themselves.


I always add, that if the parents are uneasy about the baptism promises, there is a service of blessing available as an alternative.


In an ideal world, it would be great if the child could be encouraged by the whole family but sadly, that is not the case in so many instances. :-(


As we are part of the state church, we have a duty of responsibility to the people living within the parish boundaries re baptisms, marriages and funerals .....whether they understand the faith or not. We can only try to help them understand what it is they are undertaking. It's an uphill battle at times.

Cynthia. I hope I did not imply that baptism was an idea from Wesley.

What I wrote was that Wesley was firmly committed to the rules of his church, which was the Anglican Church. He was always a very devout member of the Church of England and in fact reintroduced one or two of their traditions that they had lost - like the Covenant Service of Rev John Alleyn which had been very popular in C of E in 1700 but had almost disappeared by 1750.

You will know that Baptists and one or two other denominations do not like the idea of paedo baptisms. I do, and I was baptised as an infant and am pleased my parents did that. But what I was suggesting is that a baptism in church or chapel is a "nice to do" not a "must do". And that a child does not necessarily need to be covered for sin by a *parent* who is Godly. That a child can be covered for sin by a Godly grandparent, uncle or aunt or even a close friend of the family.

As long as someone close is looking out for their spiritual growth. That was what I was suggesting. :-)

Thanks very much for hymn this morning. We finished service yesterday (my theme was original sin, that's why baptism was on my mind) with Amazing Grace. 80 Welsh people in congregation (many of them members of choirs) and an excellent organist. A foretaste of heaven :-) :-)

Good morning...........


How about a hymn for a change? :-)


Some of you may remember this one - we sang it yesterday and it's been rattling around in my head :-D

Chorus: It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer;
It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Not my mother, not my father
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Chorus: It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer;
It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Not my brother, not my sister
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Chorus: It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer;
It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Not my elder, not my leader
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Chorus: It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer;
It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Chorus: It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer;
It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Not the preacher, not the sinner
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Chorus: It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer; It's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

- author unknown.


Here it is, sung by children.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMxfCVeCt_s


Do hope you are all well....... :-)

Baptism wasn't an idea from Wesley John, it is part of the Christian church's belief in 'original' sin and that, in baptism, by the water.....we are taking part in the dying and rising of Christ.

The Methodist church also believe in it....... ;-)

Have been thinking a lot about child baptism this weekend. I was reading what John Wesley said about it (Sermon 44 of his 44 published sermons) and how it clashed with the psalmist King David "All are born in sin and shapen in crookedness"

Wesley believed babies were born in sin and that an infant (paedo) baptism "covered" them until they were of an age to decide for or against God. He was a very traditional Anglican and was totally committed to the rules of his church - which was always C of E. But I think Roman Catholics also hold same view about children ie born in sin, but covered by water baptism.

I have formed the opinion this weekend that neither the ceremony nor the fact that one of the parents is a committed Christian is what covers the infant. It is having a relation or a close friend who is truly praying that the child will grow up to believe in the truth. It may be a Godly grandparent or a Godly "aunt". Thus the church service in front of hundreds is a "nice to do" rather than a "must do" imho.

Mind, there is no excuse (other than a health problem) why a small child should be dashing round a church during a baptismal service. There is a time and a place. When I am eating my chips and cheeseburger in MacDonalds seems to be considered the most appropriate time for children to whoop and dash round. Church is slightly different - whoops, there goes my coke again :-( :-(

How dare he go away Cynthia :-D

Goodness me what a lot....can't understand it myself
so rude and if it happened to them bet they would say
something...none as queer as folk :-)

Emma :-)

Oooops. So I did Emma.........will delete one....thanks.


No quips from my vicar today - sorry - he is away!!


2 babies baptised in the main service = mayhem! I do wonder how people would react if, whilst they were watching a play or a film, others got up and wandered around.........ah well.......only another 14 baptisms to go this month...... ;-)

Cynthia :-D..so good you said it twice :-)

Emma :-)

Good morning all...................................


A short prayer for those of us who are coming and going today.....




Comings and goings

In our coming and going,
guide us,
in our living and our being,
protect us,
in our seeing and our hearing,
enrich us,
in our thinking and our speaking,
inspire us,
in our arriving and our departing,
preserve us.




Cx :-)

Didn't realise all that about house numbering John.......interesting.




Where There is Love

Where there is love the heart is light,
Where there is love the day is bright,
Where there is love there is a song
To help when things are going wrong…
Where there is love there is a smile
To make all things seem more worthwhile,
Where there is love there’s a quiet peace,
A tranquil place where turmoils cease…
Love changes darkness into light
And makes the heart take “wingless flight”…

- Helen Steiner Rice


Enjoy your day. Cx :-)

Really funny, Cynthia :-D

Had plenty of chuckles at those.

Superstition is a great thing. Have you noticed how many Christians live at No 13. Not because they are superstitious or anything - house just tends to cost a bit less money than 12 and 14. On many modern estates the numbering is 9, 10, 11, 12, 12a, 14, 15 :-) :-) :-)

Remember those pavement cellar doors Sylvia? You bet I do........we still have them! In fact, only the other day, I was walking along, stepped on one, and fleetingly wondered if it was securely fastened :-D



How about some humour for today?


Prayers from children............ :-D



"Dear God, I went to this wedding and they were kissing right there in church. Is that OK?"


"Dear God, thank You for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy."


"Dear God, it must be super hard to love all the people in the world, especially my brother. I don't know how You do it."


"Dear God, I love Christmas and Easter. Could you please put another Holiday in the middle, there's nothing good in there now."


"Dear God, are you actually invisible or is that just a trick?"


"Dear God, I want to be just like my daddy when I grow up but without so much hair all over."


"Dear God, is it true my father won't get in Heaven if he uses his golf words in the house?"


"Dear God, my Grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy. How far back do you go?


"Dear God, do you draw the lines around the countries? If you don't, who does?"


"Dear God, did you mean for giraffes to look like that or was it an accident?"


"Dear God, in Bible times, did they really talk that fancy?"


"Dear God, if you watch in Church on Sunday I will show you my new shoes."


"Dear God, is Pastor Dan a friend of yours, or do you just know him through the business?"


"Dear God, I heard the moon was made of cheese. Tonight half of it is missing. Did you get hungry?"


"Dear God, I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday night. That was really cool."


"Dear God, please take care of my daddy, mommy, sister, brother, my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we're gonna be in a big mess."



Enjoy your day everyone......... :-)

I still will not walk under a ladder .................. not so much because of the superstition, but because a relative had a can of paint tipped over them from above :-D

By accident, of course.



The other place I would not walk ............. and some of you may remember these ................. the pavement level doors into the cellars of pubs.

The delivery trucks used to open those doors, and then roll the barrels of beer down into the cellar.


Well, one set of those doors in my home town was once not fastened properly, and opened when someone stepped on it.

I must have been around 7 or 8 when it happened, but it made an indelible image in my mind!



My mother used to insist on saying

White horse, white horse
good luck to me

if we were on a coach trip, and saw a pure white horse in a field.


It was supposed to bring good luck!

:-S Indeed Joy :-)


I can remember reading Old Moore's Almanac many years ago and being fascinated with the story of Old Mother Shipton.

However, as a Christian, I have learned not to be superstitious and that it is discouraged in the faith. I can quite happily walk under ladders and don't think about Friday 13th.

I don't bother with horoscopes/ fortune tellers or 'good luck' symbols. I am content to leave my life in the hands of someone greater than me :-D


It's funny this has cropped because, this afternoon I have been working on Wedding Traditions ready for a marriage fair we are having later in the year.

So many of the traditions stem from superstitions - fear of evil spirits and bad luck!

Thank you, Cynthia; good to be back.


http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Sayings/Question36195.html
Before the arrival of Christianity, people in Britain believed that the hare and the cat were disguises taken by witches. As they bound about the place you might easily mistake a hare for a rabbit, so be careful not to kill bunny shaped things! In some places around Lancashire black rabbits were thought to be ancestral spirits trying to get home. White rabbits in Somerset were witches.

The incantation "White Rabbits, White Rabbits, White Rabbits" as the first utterance on the first of a month is supposed to neutralise the evil spells of the witch and bring luck and fortune during the next four weeks. In some places it is held to be necessary to incant "Black Hares, Black Hares, Black Hares" as the final utterance before sleep on the night before to ensure that the rabbit one will work the following morning. The most important morning in the calendar was New Years Day, which was until fairly recently the first of April. So the rabbit incantation was more important then than on any other day. However, you had to keep the good luck batteries charged by doing it at the start of every new month.

? :-S :-)