General Chat

Good morning and what a wonderful way to start the day.....many congratulations to you all John - you must be so thrilled. :-)


Some words which are, perhaps, pertinent to the situation......in fact, to many situations..


Through Me.


Through me
let there be kind words, a warm smile, and a caring heart.

Through me
let there be a willingness to listen and a readiness to understand.

Through me
let there be dependability, steadfastness, trust and loyalty.

Through me
let there be compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love.

Through me
let there be every quality I find, O Lord, in Thee.

-Unknown


We had our annual Memorial Service last night. Not an overly large congregation but it went well. There were many tears and it was moving to see our dear late vicar's wife and daughter in the congregation. Who would have thought it...this time last year, he was conducting the service and we still miss him terribly.



I must go now....we have 5 adults and 4 children being baptised later this morning. The vicar who is conducting is the service is the new one who now has oversight of us. We will see what we will see but I think we will cope.



Cx :-)

Many thanks kandj and Cynthia. It has been difficult for us to keep a secret. Daughter has been calling baby Poppy (size of a poppy seed when she first knew), then gradually baby became larger and larger and she keeps changing the name :-D

Daughter and son in law went up to North Wales yesterday to see granny (now 96) and an elderly aunt (nearly 68) - so all family now told and it is official.

Just a word on the elderly aunt. She looks like a 50 year old, acts like a 20 year old and is now a great grandmother of four. Granny therefore now had 4 great great grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren , 7 grandchildren and 4 children (aged between 60 and 69).

And our first grandchild will be her 8th great grandchild. And she knows everything about every one of her large brood. Even us sons in law (aged 74, 72 and 67) get away with nothing :-D :-D

Good morning. We almost coped yesterday. Unfortunately, there has been a 'bit of a falling out' within some of the folk at church, so the atmosphere was a bit 'edgy'. Sadly, this sort of thing easily happens when there is no strong leadership.

Some folk find it odd that Christians can fall out with each other but it really isn't that unusual - it happened in the bible. I love the saying....."Church is a hospital for sinners.....not a museum for saints". We are all human and are subject to the same feelings of hurt, anger and distress as anyone else. Hopefully, all differences can be soon resolved in love.

Some thoughts for today:

Because, dear God, you are with me,
Because I know that you care,
I can endure whatever befalls me,
Because I know you are there.

Because I know that you love me,
I can never be lonely again,
Because you do reassure me,
I cannot be unsure among men.

I can face any foe that attacks me,
With weapons, or words, or with deeds,
Because you repeatedly strengthen me,
And provide me the armour I need.

Because I know you won't leave me,
Even though I stumble and sin,
You forgive, and forgive, and forgive me,
Your patience has yet to wear thin.

I can treat others gently and kindly,
Because you have shown me how,
I can now hug my sisters and brothers,
And tell them I love them aloud.

I can be in the cleft of the rock in the storm,
Protected by you ... safe and dry,
I can feel the sweet peace you have placed in my heart,
May I keep it there 'til I die.

Because you are merciful, righteous, and just,
Teach me to be more like you,
Teach me to love unconditionally,
Because that is the way that you do.

~ Virginia Ellis ~



Off to the eye hospital now........enjoy your day everyone......Cx :-)

If you get a chance today, Cynthia, ask if anyone remembers Theatre Sister Scott from 30 years ago. That is the great grandma aged nearly 68 I was mentioning yesterday :-D :-D Hope days goes well for you. m You are both in my prayers.

Had a good day yesterday. Told a few in chapel we were expecting a grandchild and word will soon get round the others. One lady had photos of her first grandchild, so that trumped my news as I only had a grainy photo of a baby that still looks smaller than a mouse. And I got some cards wishing me a happy retirement which I did not expect.

Off tomorrow for a couple of days to do some research (first time for over 10 years). Really looking forward to it. 6 hours and 3 changes on the train plus a tube round London, but no rush and I like to walk round the carriage and shake hands and have a chat with al the other passengers ;-) And I shall hang my mattress out of the hotel bedroom window to please the maid (cf Gerard Hoffnung's tips for foreign visitors when he was a guide at the Festival of Britain in 1951).

Sorry it is a bit difficult at the moment with changes in church. Hope you enjoyed your time helping old Vicar's widow. I was put in mind of this old hymn by Smuel J Stone (1839-1900):

Though with a scornful wonder
we see her sore oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping;
their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.

Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore;
till, with the vision glorious,
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.

Cynthia, I also can relate to the fallings out within a church family. It shouldn't happen, but it does and some times I have to wonder where the Christian....love thy neighbour as thyself....ethics come into how some people think and act even within the building!

I hope that your visit to the eye clinic with your husband is a good one for you both.

John, I am sure that you enjoyed sharing your good news with everyone in church yesterday. Hope you have a great time with your research in London.

'What is a true Christian?

More than 400 sects & denominations call themselves Christian. But they all have some basic & fundamental differences. Would Jesus Christ recognise His name today? How can I be sure what a true Christian should be?'

(Roderick C Meredith of The Living Church of God.)

Congratulations John and Mrs John on the good news. Grandchildren are one of life's great blessings. I hope your daughter has a comfortable pregnancy and no problems..

I hope everything goes well at the eye hospital Cynthia.

I am sorry there is a little friction in your church at the moment. It has always seemed such a happy church but it is bound to be a bit unsettled at the moment with the loss of a dearly loved vicar and not knowing exactly which way things are going to go. I am sure everything will calm down in time.

Many years ago we lived in a village where the vicar was adored by everyone regardless of whether they were believers or not. Eventually he had to retire and after a while a new vicar was appointed. He wanted things to be run his way, there was a fair amount of resentment and for a while things were rather difficult., But in time people came to accept him and he became less heavy handed and everything worked out well. I will keep your church in my thoughts and hope things turn out as well for your community.

Dermot. A great question. Two examples of Christians:

1. A lovely gentle lady in Greece who sold purple. Name was Lydia and her heart "fluttered gently" when she heard St Paul preach the merits of Jesus and the Cross.
2. A very small tax collector in Israel. A Jew called Zaccheus who was widely loathed as he collected taxes for Roman overlords.

See the connection? They both saw Jesus as the only way to heaven. The way to heaven, the only truth in this deceitful world and the only life we are to try and imitate. :-) :-)

Edit. Many thanks, Vera. Would love to see a few grandchildren, and the first must be very special indeed. Daughter is having a good pregnancy so far - so it must be a girl :-) But on the scan baby was doing acrobatics, so must be a boy :-) Either way, it seems a magical gift from God.

For John
Children's children are a crown to the aged..... Proverbs 17 v 6.
Enjoy spreading your good news. A new birth is always so very exciting.

For Cynthia
I hope that all went well for your husband and you at the hospital appointment.

For millennia, the cycle of human life has continued. Children are born; they grow up & most eventually produce children of their own.

One generation dies & is replaced by the next. But what is the purpose of this repeating cycle of life?

Good morning everyone. I'm happy to say that the doctor was very pleased with my husband's eye recovery and he doesn't need to be seen again for 4 weeks. It will be a while before we finally know how much vision he will have in that eye but we press on. :-)


Hello Dermot.

I have to admit that, when I saw your question, I was very tempted to reply........"to keep genealogists in work!" :-D

The whole of nature seems to be a continuing cycle......animals too, are born, reproduce and die and their offspring the same. Plants live, reproduce seeds and die and so it goes on. I am sure that a theologian could give you a much better answer but, personally, I consider it all to be part of God's plan for His world.

For today, I found the following quotes both interesting and, occasionally, amusing :


Words Of Inspiration and Encouragement

"The marvelous richness of human experience
Would lose something of rewarding joy
If there were no limitations to overcome.
The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful,
If there were no dark valleys to traverse."
~ Helen Keller ~

"I thank God for my handicaps,
For, through them,
I have found myself,
my work, and my God."
~ Helen Keller ~


A Diamond is only a chunk of coal ...
That made something good under pressure!

Every flower that ever bloomed
Had to go through
A whole lot of dirt to get there!

There is no oil without squeezing the olives,
No wine without pressing the grapes,
No fragrance without crushing the flowers,
And no real joy without sorrow.

If you want to see the rainbow ...
You have to put up with the rain!

Some days you're the pigeon ...
Some days you're the statue!

If you keep your face to the sunshine ...
Then you cannot see the shadow!

If you want a place in the sun ...
You've got to put up with a few Blisters!

After the clouds ... comes the sunshine!
After the winter ... comes the spring!
After the shower ... comes the rainbow!
After the night ... comes the day!

The soul would have no rainbows
If the eyes had no tears.

When it is dark enough ...
You can see the stars!

Some days you're the bug ...
Some days the windshield!


Have a good day.....Cx. :-)

Pleased all went well with OH eyes Cynthis <3 <3

Cynthia:-

Some days you're the pigeon...
Some days you're the statue!

Liking that particular one (story of my life!).

I am pleased that the hospital appointment was a good experience for your husband and yourself. It must have been a worrying time for the two of you.

Good morning and thank you Renes and kandj......we continue to take each day as it comes :-)

Has anyone seen Emma around? I miss her posting. Hope she's okay.

A thought for today:



Teach Me To Pray

Please teach me, Lord ...
I want to know
Exactly how to pray.
I need some words
Which ones are right?
Please tell me what to say.
I've bowed my head
I have knelt down,
But ... should I be upright?

I've closed my eyes,
I've raised my hands,
Or ... should I fold them tight?
Do I stand up?
Should I sit down?
Dear Lord ... what do you like?
Are lights turned on
Or are they off?
Maybe ... candle light?

Wear my glasses?
Take them off?
Be at my desk or table?
Should I whisper?
Speak out loud?
Do I quote the Bible?

What do you think
About the time?
Do You prefer the dawn?
Should I pray fast,
Or keep it slow?
Better short ... or long?

I'm new at this
What are the rules?
I want to do it right.
How do I know
You'll even hear
That I am in Your sight?

And while I sat there quietly,
Waiting for some sign,
I heard a gentle voice say,
"Oh, dearest child of mine ...
Do you think I really care
About the time of day,
Or whether you are standing up,
Or kneeling when you pray?"

"I don't care about your posture,
Or about the place you choose;
Just open up your soul to me,
I have no other rules.
Tell me what is in your heart,
And tell me what you seek;
Tell me of your sorrows,
And of those things that made you weak."

"Speak to me in private
About what concerns you most;
I know about your good deeds ...
You have no need to boast.
My child, you don't need lessons,
Just talk to me each day;
Tell me anything you want, dear child,
Anyone can pray."

~ Virginia Ellis ~


Cx :-)

Cynthia am still reading these lovely posts <3
Good to read about your husband's recovery :-)

Emma :-)

Praying for me is a continual ongoing chatter to God........ anytime, anywhere,
but I do like the Virginia Ellis poem, simple yet profound..
Many thanks Cynthia, your words are always very much appreciated.

Reason I have been so quiet is that I have been researching in the Wren Library in Trinity College in Cambridge since Tuesday morning and just got back.

An ancestor of mine who lived 1833-1909 and her husband (1828-1910) wrote very detailed diaries of everything they did in their lives. He was a gentleman and a Barrister and did gentlemanly things like go to the club, go to meetings addressed by Gladstone, was friends with Ruskin and the Rossettis. She was his servant for many years before marriage, a simple country girl with very simple tastes. Was very pleased to see that every morning they read a portion of the Psalms and Gospels and discussed their meaning over breakfast. And they never failed to attend church morning and evening wherever they were.

Their diaries are absolutely fascinating. And the Colleges in Cambridge are out of this world. What a priviledge to walk over the cobbles in the huge quadrangles, push open doors that have been in place for over 500 years and say good morning to the porters with their bowler hats.

Got back to the good news that your OH had a good report from St Paul's, Cynthia. Very pleased. And I too had missed Emma's posts.

I will end on a depressing note. I was standing on a crowded tube train near Baker St, and this young lady offered me her seat. I smiled and thanked her and declined - then have been upset ever since that she thought I was less able to stand than her :-(

Good morning everyone and it's nice to see you again Emma. :-)

Kandj - I'm a constant natterer to God too........I have to remind myself to take time out to actually stop and listen sometimes. :-)


Your visit to the library sounds wonderful John, and I completely understand how it must have felt to visit such an impressive place but, moreover, to actually have the privilege of reading an ancestor's diary with such a wealth of material in it. :-)


Your final comment made me laugh as a couple of similar things happened to OH recently. Firstly, the barber helped him on with his coat and then, on a visit to the dentist, about 3 people jumped up to let us sit in the waiting room. My husband said it made him feel old!! :-D

Some words for today:

Through me
let there be kind words, a warm smile, and a caring heart.

Through me
let there be a willingness to listen and a readiness to understand.

Through me
let there be dependability, steadfastness, trust and loyalty.

Through me
let there be compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love.

Through me
let there be every quality I find, O Lord, in Thee.

-Unknown


Enjoy your day. Cx :-)

John I too laughed out loud at your final comment.
Morning Cynthia and all.

Emma :-)

'Vatican launches world survey on modern family life'.

Should I be looking forward to participating in this exercise?