General Chat

Hello all

Paralympics Team GB have actually won 11 medals in the first day in Rio....
what an amazing achievement. I'm sure there may well be others to follow.

Our Grandson Jack is taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday morning.
We are all incredibly proud of him as Jack is quite a bad asthmatic but he has
trained hard and hopes to make a decent amount of money for Asthma UK.

Hope your sciatica is a bit easier now Cynthia. <3

You are right to be proud of your grandson Kandj. It's great that he is able to do the Great North Run and I hope he gets lots of donations for his asthma charity. We will think of him on Sunday.

There was a nasty accident in our town yesterday and a man tragically lost his life. My prayer tonight is for his grieving family, and also for everyone on our roads, that they keep safety at the forefront of their minds and take just that little bit more care. This is particularly in my mind at the moment as I have just heard that our granddaughter has passed her driving test and is anxious to get mobile.

Good morning :-)

I have now seen some of the action and have to say how amazing it all is. :-D

Sadly, my sciatica is no better at all Vera......causing me disturbed nights. I reckon I must rattle with the amount of painkillers I have had :-(

Awful news about the accident in your town - always so sad to hear of fatalities.

Good luck to your grandson tomorrow kandj - he's a brave lad.

For today:


My word, those Paralympians are incredible athletes. It seems that there are four types of disability covered in the classification process. These are for athletes with:

• an amputation
• celebral palsy
• vision impairment or blindness
• spinal injuries or other physical disabilities.

Much is made of the Disability Act but, in comparison to Olympic athletes Paralympic athletes do not enjoy equality of structures, resources or even media air time.

We can all learn from these youngsters that disability does not mean inability. We thank God for their determination to succeed in their chosen field.


Cx :-)

Hello all

I join in your thoughts and prayers Vera. A tragic death for the man and
a life changing event for all his family and friends.

Sorry that your sciatica is no better Cynthia. Perhaps another appointment
with a different GP might be needed?

The Paralympics Team GB have won

13 GOLD
6 SILVER
10 BRONZE

A total of 29 medals so far. How amazing is that?? A brilliant achievement
and there are still 10 more days to go. Very humbling to watch I might say.

We have spoken to our Grandson and he is relaxing today and doesn't seem phased by tomorrows half marathon. This is all new to Jack. He has stood on
the sidelines for several years cheering on the thousands of runners and he
decided last year to take part. He has been training for a year and found it hard
to keep motivated but the big day arrives tomorrow for him and many others!

Good morning :-)

Thinking of those taking part in the Great North Run today - I've just seen an item on the tv - so many good causes taking part.

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers
of your people who call upon you;
and grant that they may both perceive and know
what things they ought to do,
and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them;
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.


Today’s gospel reading tells the story of the lost sheep. A wonderful teaching story.

Cx :-)

Hello all

He did it......... awww. We didn't see Jack on TV but with over 70,000 taking part
that was always going to be unlikely. Jack phoned as he was waiting to begin and
he was clearly excited and slightly overawed by so many who had turned up early.

His number had a microchip and our daughter had a tracker so that she kept all
the family updated with all the miles that Jack completed. He did the Great North
Run in 3hr 3minutes and was a little disappointed afterwards as he had set a
2hr 30min personal target for himself, which we all felt was far too ambitious.

So far he has raised £370 and is more than happy as he wanted to get £350, so
the extra is a bonus for all his hard training and efforts on the course. Well Done!
We are so proud of him and know that Asthma UK will be pleased with donations

Well done to all who took part. It isn't easy but so many worthy charities will benefit

Good morning :-)

Well done to Jack indeed! That was a great effort on his part and you must be so proud. :-D

We had 3 babies baptised yesterday.......oh my! One family was from Nigeria so we had some beautifully coloured African outfits in church. Lots of children too - my daughter had about 10 under 8's to entertain with books and building blocks during the service. She did a grand job ably assisted by 2 11 year olds and a mum. I will have to go back and tidy up I think...... :-D

For today:

A young blind paralympic swimmer is not only showcasing her athletic talents; she is also putting her Christian faith into practice. McClain Hermes is currently in Rio de Janeiro for the paralympic games. At 15 years old, Hermes is the youngest member of Team USA’s paralympic team.

Hermes will compete in the 100-meter breaststroke, 400-meter freestyle, and 100 meter back-stroke events.
Her motto, a reflection of her religious beliefs, is “swim by faith, not by sight,” a reference to 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Hermes is not only a talented swimmer, however. She has a heart for those less fortunate.

"My father, Matt Hermes, and I founded Shoes for the Souls in 2009,” she said. “Shoes for the Souls donate shoes to the Atlanta Mission and we have collected over 15,000 pairs of shoes since we began the program seven years ago. We are constantly collecting shoes for the mission to be donated each winter."
Even though Hermes faces challenges by being blind, she doesn’t waste time feeling sorry for herself.

"I've turned my disability into my ability," she said. "Bad things have happened to me, but you can't let that hold you down if you have something that you love."

Many of us could learn a lot from that young lady. 



Cx :-)

Hello all

Jack is aching in muscles he never thought he had this morning. We phoned and
asked if he would join again next year and he said "NEVER AGAIN"...... hey ho.
That is no surprise because our Grandson is the least likely candidate for any form
of exercise and that is why we are all really proud of his effort for Asthma UK.

Your congregation was very colourful yesterday Cynthia and I'm sure everyone
was happy during the baptism service.

Team GB are 2nd place now to China. They have 121 medals and we have 67....... GREAT, and we still have until 18th to add even more to that total. WELL DONE.

What a humbling posting this morning. We should all remember to count our
blessings each and every day, but sometimes forget.

Good morning :-)


Poor Jack....hope those aching muscles feel better soon bless him <3


We went to see the consultant registrar yesterday. He is very pleased with OH and our next appointment is......................in 12 months! I told him that we took each day as it came and were learning to adapt to the situation. The consultant added that OH was very well cared for. Well yes......I try my best....but could have strangled him last night when he had the 'fidgets'. Hey ho.


For today:

Blindness is one of the categories for entry into the Paralympic Games. Some of the entrants have been absolutely amazing despite this ‘disability’. We think of them and pray for all who suffer from any kind of visual impairment.

O God, you have sent your Son to be the true light. Grant that they who cannot see the things of this world may be the more enlightened and comforted by his inward guid-ance. Cheer them in their blindness with the sense of your presence, that, beholding you with increasing love, they may be conformed to your likeness, until they see you as you are, and awake to the full revelation of your glory. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Cx :-)

Interesting posts this week as always Cynthia.

I am pleased that your OH is doing so well but I know what you mean about the "fidgets" . I moved into another room at 3 am today so my OH could have the whole bed to move around in as his dodgy knee was playing him up.

Didn't your grandson do well Kandj - a great achievement. Congratulations to him.

Thinking today of Kandj's husband who is unwell and of Kandj as she cares for him, and of others who are in a similar situation <3

Good morning :-)

I sometimes call my OH 'Mr Fidget' Vera - and it usually involves me constantly getting up from either my chair or bed to help him settle........that's when my irritability kicks in sadly :-( Never mind, I appreciate it when he is settled...... :-)


For today:

Matt Lewis has been a committed member of Pakenham church for 10 years and was selected to represent Australia as a member of the wheelchair rugby team in Rio.

Following a tragic accident in 2011, Matt sustained life threatening injuries when a device exploded, leaving him in a medically induced coma for over a month. He ended up losing both his legs and most of the fingers on both hands and had more than a dozen operations to rebuild his body. Against the odds, Matt pulled through and had to adjust to a new way of life after spending eight months in hospital.

It was after someone saw him in rehab and mentioned that he would be a good candidate for wheelchair rugby that he got involved in the sport and has competed both nationally and internationally.

Before the accident Matt had been involved in the church’s youth ministry and had been doing a lot of motivational speaking to church groups and hospitals.

The church congregation rallied together and, with much fundraising, built and paid for an adapted house and car for Matt…. The pastor said... ”To God be the glory that we have been able to support such a determined inspirational young man.”

We thank God for all inspirational young people and for those who support them.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I have just caught up with my messages and find one from kandj. Her husband has got more problems with his back and so she feels she must step back from here for a short while because of caring for him bless her. We will miss her input and I am afraid you will just have to put up with me until kandj feels able to return. We send our love and prayers to them both. <3


For today:

Have you ever wondered about the equipment used by the Paralympians?

For more than 25 years Ottobock has been at the heart of the Paralympic Movement. As the longest serving Partner to the Paralympic Games, athletes at every summer and winter Games benefit from Ottobock’s experience providing technical service since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games.

Similar to the services provided by mechanics in motor racing, Ottobock is responsible for the repair and maintenance of equipment used by Paralympians and getting athletes back into the competition as fast as possible.

It is specialist and high pressure work. At every Paralympic Games Ottobock prosthetists, orthotists, welders and wheelchair technicians work from specialized repair centres in the Athletes’ Village and competition venues.

“Pride in our role supporting athletes and dedication to the importance of mobility drives a Passion for Paralympics that we are excited to share with people living with disabilities and members of the public all over the world.”

We thank God for the skill and patience given to those who provide and maintain such specialised aids for those who depend on them.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


My word, there has been some rain over the country in the last few hours, with more to come apparently :-( Stay safe everyone. x


For today:

Anna Sharkey – Goalball Paralympian – Team GB

(The sport is played between two three-a-side teams who aim to score by rolling the ball into their opponents' goal. It is played by visually impaired athletes with eye masks using a ball with bells inside and so requires silence from spectators during play.)


Anna is a follower of Jesus Christ: …“I went along to a Spring Harvest and it was incredibly inspiring to know that I could actually have a relationship with God. I think the differ-ence it makes is that you have no fear. To know Jesus is to know that this being who has created you and loves you would actually sacrifice himself for you. I think ultimately I do things wrong – I am human. Everybody does. But I know my God, my father, my daddy in heaven just loves me whatever I do”.


What an inspiring young woman .


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Hope everyone is well........ <3



Lord Jesus Christ,
your love is more than gold,
and the warmth of your welcome is a taste of heaven.
We thank you for all who have been involved in the Rio Paralympic Games;
for the skill and bravery of athletes;
for the wisdom and care of judges who ensured an equal chance for all;
for the support and encouragement of coaches and teammates;
and for the grace and kindness of volunteers who welcome all who went.
We ask that as the champions of the world united in the spirit of
Paralympic competition
you gave us a vision of a world
united in mutual respect and tolerance
united in fairness and encouragement
united in harmony and peace.
We ask this in your name.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I'm not actually sure if anyone is around on here these days, but I persevere :-)


How very sad to hear that an Iranian Paracyclist has been killed in Rio. A tragic end to a triumphant event. Thoughts and prayers are with his family today.

For today:

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face;
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.

The gospel readings tells that wonderful parable of the
sower…..Matthew 13 1-9.


This morning we are having our Harvest Festival Service. The vicar who is taking the service needed some conkers for today - so the churchwarden and her young son went out conker-ing on Friday :-D No doubt we will find out what it is all about later. :-D

Cx :-)

Thank you for continuing to post Cynthia. You must feel as though you are talking to yourself at times. There are probably people like me who read your posts each day and would miss your daily thoughts if you stopped writing, but who don't respond very much. I seldom feel I have anything useful to say but I do appreciate your efforts on this thread.

I hope your Harvest Festival service goes well. I shall be interested to hear what the conkers are used for.

I have been keeping Kandj and her OH in my thoughts. I hope he is improving and she is able to get some rest.

I wish you all a peaceful, happy Sunday <3

Good morning :-)

Thank you for those words Vera.....it IS nice to know there is someone around. <3

I don't really mind if people pop in and yet don't post - as long as the words encourage someone. :-)


A packed church yesterday morning........all ages, from tiny babies being fed to those who find mobility difficulty...... all came together in a wonderful act of worship and praise.

Lots of food was donated - the tinned goods will go to the local foodbank and the fresh produce to the local hospice.

Now, those conkers. :-D Several were given out and opened and the vicar talked about how conkers can feed animals, be used as a game or even grown into a tree etc. It was linked to the gospel reading of the sower planting seeds and paralleled to our lives and how we listen to God and use our lives. That's it in a nutshell.......(sorry, couldn't resist that). :-D


For today:

There are many beautiful prayers to be found both online and in books.

Celtic prayers hold a special appeal for many people…..


If there is righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.
So let it be.
(Scottish Blessing)


Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We are in the Harvest season.....lots to be grateful for.


We bless you,
God of Seed and Harvest
And we bless each other
That the beauty of this world
And the love that created it
Might be expressed though our lives
And be a blessing to others
Now and always. AMEN.


How can we be a blessing to others today?


Cx :-)

Hello all

Just popping in to say a BIG thank you for your thoughts and prayers right now.

Last week has been very painful to see hubby coping with another flare-up. I am
weary as I try to do everything I possibly can to make him as comfortable as I can.
A very tough week behind us now as we focus on him feeling a little better soon.

Can it really be Harvest Festival celebrations already?? Our village was once a
small farming community when I was very young. The Harvest Festival service
was a very big and exciting event as fresh produce was placed on the altar and
decorated all the deep church windowsills all that time ago. Gifted food would then
be taken to the elderly in our village who were so grateful to be remembered.
Now most churches ask for dried, packaged or tinned food items or money to be
handed over to the food banks or the homeless charities who work hard all year.
Times change but the old traditional hymns are still as popular as ever, even now.

We Plough The Fields And Scatter. It wouldn't be Harvest without this hymn!

We plough the fields and scatter
The good seed on the land
But it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand;
He sends the snow in Winter
The warmth to swell the grain
The breezes and the sunshine
And soft refreshing rain.

All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above
So thank the Lord
O thank the Lord
For all His love.

Thank you Cynthia for all your postings.
I hope to pop in again at some point when I have 5 minutes to myself.

It is lovely that you have found time to post Kandj. I hope your hubby is starting to improve and that you are able to get some rest. Take care - you are both in our thoughts <3

Harvest Festival was very special when we were young. My parents didn't go to church but my mother would make up a little box of fresh fruit and veg for me to take. The church always looked wonderful but I suspect some of the produce was past its best by the time it got to the recipients. Tinned and packaged goods may not look as beautiful but are much more sensible and giving them is just as much an act of thanks for the bounty of the harvest.

Like many others I have been knocked sideways by the attack on an aid convoy in Syria. I've been thinking about it since I heard it on the news and I cannot get my head round it. It's just incomprehensible to me. How can any group of humans treat any other group in this way? Apart from being deprived of food and medical aid, those poor people must be close to losing all hope. My heart goes out to them <3