General Chat

Take a few minutes
today and just sit quietly
and be thankful for all
that you have.x

Hello all

On a bright, if chilly day today, what's not to be thankful for?

We have our aches and pains, but proof that we are alive today. We have food with several choices and a roof over our head in a nice neighbourhood with kind folk who will help if necessary. We have heat at the flick of a switch and money in the bank to pay the bills when we override the central heating in June!! We have each other in our mature years, both being past the biblical "three score and ten years", we both count our many blessings each and every day. We are thankful indeed.

Heavenly Father
We are happy to take life day by day
We try not to grumble or complain
but be thankful for the little things in life. Amen

Praying now for people who feel they have nothing to give thanks for today. xxx

Earlier this year I was reading about gratitude therapy, one of the latest therapies from America. The idea is basically to encourage people to be thankful for what they have rather than always wanting more and then they will have happier lives. To me that is common sense but it did make me think. So since then I have tried to think each night of something that has happened that day for which I am thankful and it is surprising how much I find. Perhaps someone I know in hospital has come home or I have had an unexpected phone call from an old friend.

So, like Kandj, I am thinking of those who are struggling to find anything to be thankful for. May their lives become less bleak.

Good morning :-)

I love Vera's posting about recalling things to be thankful for at the end of each day. Thank you Vera <3

To bring our week of ‘Take Time' to a close, we will finish with…..

Take time to pray

I got up early one morning
and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn't have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me,
and heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "But you didn't seek."
I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"My child, you didn't knock."
I woke up early this morning,
and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray.


Praying for those who find prayer difficult....... Cx :-)

Hello all

I also enjoyed reading Vera's thoughts on gratitude prayers.... haven't heard of that American idea before but I can only agree with it's principles

Prayer is as much a part of my day as breathing. It is so natural to me and it's ongoing.
Sometimes I don't have the words, but silence is prayerful and I believe that God knows my thoughts better than I know them myself.

Cynthia, a familiar poem thanks. Here is another one appropriate to this morning.

No Time To Pray.

I knelt to pray but not for long
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry on to work
For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty now was done
My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends
They'd laugh at me, I fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry.
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find,
I once was going to write it down.......
But never found the time."
(Author Unknown)
Makes one think reading these words!

Thinking of all who have a birthday today, hope it will be a happy one. xxx

Good morning :-)


A rather wonky start to the day. Last night I fell out of the chip shop - yes, really :-D

My son came over and took me to A. and E. because of concern over the 'egg' on my forehead. I am fine though thank goodness. A black eye, a slightly twisted ankle, a sore elbow and some scrapes....sheesh.....what a plank I am. :-D

Anyway, on to today.....
The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Lord, you have taught us
that all our doings without love are nothing worth:
send your Holy Spirit
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

In the Gospel story, we hear of Jesus bringing the widow of Nain's son back to life.


We have two baptisms this morning and, as I usually read the lesson at baptisms, it will be interesting to see the reaction to my black eye. At least they may actually listen!!!

Love to all. Cx

Hello all

Goodness Cynthia. I am sure that fall will have really shaken you up. Your son did
the right thing driving you to be checked over in A&E. Take care today, relax a little
and enjoy today's sunshine. It is a real tonic for us all.

How do you say "Thank you" for sunshine or health
For clear days and gentle rains,
For happiness, joy or love?
You say it by sharing what you have.
You say it by making the world a better place.
(Thomas D.Willhite, 1940-1983)

Embrace today's sunshine and pass it's warmth on to those in need. xxx

Oh dear Cynthia, I hope you are not too stiff and achy. These falls do shake you up so try to have a couple of quiet days. I know that's easy to say and hard to do but try to rest if you can.

I hope you start to feel better very quickly <3

Good morning :-)


Oh my word, did I receive some leg pulling yesterday at church!! After the shock had worn off, there were lots of jokes about my OH.....didn't think he had it in him; being drunk and disorderly (I don't even drink) and chip shops....did they sell flying fish....oh dear..*shakes head* :-D

As the baptism families arrived, some stopped to stare at me. My response? "I fell out of a chip shop" :-D

It was a lovely service conducted by someone who know us and is used to us, so there was a lovely atmosphere.

For today:

A couple of weeks ago we looked at the Fruits of the Spirit so maybe it would be interesting to look at the Gifts of the Spirit.

In the bible, there are three lists of these gifts – each one is similar but there are slight differences. For this week, we will look at the list in Romans….prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy.

The Greek word translated “prophesying” or “prophecy” in both passages properly means to “speak forth” or declare the divine will, to interpret the purposes of God, or to make known in any way the truth of God which is designed to influence people.

Lord, we pray for those who have the gift of prophecy, that they may use the gift wisely and well.



Love to all Cx :-)

Cynthia I'm sorry but I'm still laughing about
You falling out of the chip shop :-D

I could not write anything yesterday so much
of an opening to pull your leg about your fall.

I hope you are feeling better today, why do we
find others misfortune so funny in some circumstances?

I put it down to the chip shop if you had fallen out of a public
house!!!

Take care x

Hello all

What a pity that no one prophesied your fall out of the chippie?
Seriously though Cynthia, I hope you are feeling less fragile today after the fall.

Another hot sunny day today, it is God's gift and a good tonic for all.

Thinking of family pets for whom the heat is not good. xxx

Good morning :-)


I didn't think of that kandj......... :-D

Today’s Gift of the Spirit – Christian Service


Question: "What opportunities are there for Christian service outside of the church?"

Answer: Any service that reflects Jesus’ love is “Christian service.”

From giving a cup of water to dying for someone - there are as many types of Christian service as there are needs in the world. Very few involve activity within the four walls of the church.

The Bible gives some specific examples of Christian service: show hospitality to strangers, re-member those in prison, provide for the needy, and mentor others.

Some examples speak to our day-to-day living: care for children, tend families, treat employees fairly, deal honestly with customers, and be diligent with employers’ resources.

As long as the act is done “in Jesus’ name”—that is, it is motivated by the love of Jesus—it is Christian service.



Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
- Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)


Cx :-)

Hello all

Today's theme brought back a memory of a chat I had with a lovely 94 year young
Christian gentleman. I asked what his secret was to look so contented in later life?
His answer was that he was happy serving God by serving others in his daily life.
Hans sadly passed away last February, but I have never forgotten his wise words.

A quote now from another elderly wise man:....... Albert Schweitzer.
"The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion
and the will to help others."

Praying for all newborn babies and their parents today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Sorry Emma, I missed your comment about your laughter.......yes, plenty of folk think its hilarious that I fell out of a chip shop. I think I will be teased about this for a while. I miss our late vicar on things like this - he would never have let me live it down :-D

The bruising got worse - as often happens. The black eye has turned into the black cheek and black chin........the purple elbow has turned into the purple arm........I am enjoying the looks I get I must admit. Some glance and look quickly away, whilst some just look and then there are those who look at me pityingly. I'm so glad I have a good sense of humour..... :-D :-D

On we go..............


Today, we think about another Gift of the Spirit......Teaching.

Almighty God,

We come to you today and give thanks for all our teachers and especially for those who teach the Christian faith.

Father, please fill their hearts with courage now by your mighty Spirit.

Fill them with your strength, so they may rise to every challenge and not grow weary.

Fill them with your wisdom, so that they may be able to make good judgement when guiding and helping others.

Fill them with your peace, so that when stress and anxiety comes it would not over-whelm them.

Fill them with your joy, so that the passion they have for their subject may become an infectious passion that spreads.

We ask all this in the wonderful name of Jesus.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Cynthia, my goodness that was some fall with all
those injuries .

I must admit I'm one of those people who fall over
fresh air, my daughter, grand daughter and now
great grand daughter are the same as me. I think
it's in the genes :-D

Take care x

Hello all

I have to admit being like Emma and having a chuckle about you falling out of
the chippie...... Sorry Cynthia. Not a very Christian thing to do!

I hope you don't frighten yourself by looking in the mirror. Best to avoid them for now.

"The best teachers teach from the heart and not from the book." Anon.

Thinking of Vets who take care of family pets and working animals each day. xxx

Good morning :-)

I don't mind people having a chuckle at my plight at all........laughter is good and I know it is all in good part. The bruising has spread.....down past my chin and further round my arm. I wonder how long it will take for it to disappear?

Not a good night with OH either - which I could have done without........ :-(


Today's Gift of the Spirit is, perhaps, apt for today..........the gift of Encouragement.

Dear Father,
We pray for those who encourage others and that you will make us encouragers too.

You lifted us up so let us also lift others in the spirit of encouragement and hope.

Today let us help others find the strength and the courage to use their gifts according to your master plan. Amen



Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia I hope that today will be a good one for yourself and your husband too.

I have been blessed to always see my glass as half full. It has certainly helped but
on down days it is good to be encouraged and to have more positive thoughts again.

Don't stress, do your best, forget the rest. A simple sentence to uplift us all.

Thinking of all anxious passengers who are flying today. xxx

Hope you are both feeling much better today x

Good morning... :-)


Thank you for your concern my friends......we had a much better night thank goodness <3

Looking forward to a quick visit to our grandson who is 17 today bless him. He is very much a 'Nana's boy' but I have warned him that I do rather resemble The Phantom of the Opera at the moment.... :-D

Remembering also, that today is the 95th birthday of The Duke of Edinburgh who has been such a devoted and loyal husband to our Queen. Happy birthday sir. x



Our Gift of the Spirit today is....................Giving


What we give to God is always more than just our money or our finances. It demands our whole selves - our whole beings and everything that we do and say. There are many ways in which we can give of our money, time and energy to God, whether this be to serve the church or to work outside of it.


"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving"
Mother Teresa (1910-1997)


Love,Cx :-)