General Chat

Good morning everyone from a very wet and windy NW. I certainly don't think I will be hanging any washing up outside today..... Brrrrrrr :-)



Just a short prayer for today :


God whose mystery no tongue can describe and whose thoughts no speech can utter; receive the praise of your whole creation and illumine our souls with the glory of your presence, for you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

Gregory of Nazianzus (c.329-389)



I have lots of jobs to do today.....take care my friends. :-)

The weather is beginning to subside down in the Valleys - but what a night!!! Hope all are safe, particularly those in north of Scotland and in the already badly flooded areas. Next week looks a bit drier and less windy :-D

I am going to quote a passage from the Qur'an this morning. Just because I am always taken with the similarities of their texts and ours. It is about the ONLY Jewish "minor" prophet to appear as one of the Islamic major prophets - a man called Jonah.

So also was Jonah among those sent (by Us).
When he ran away (like a slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden,
He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was condemned:
Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame.
Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah,
He would certainly have remained inside the Fish till the Day of Resurrection.
—Qur'an, chapter 37 (As-Saaffat), verse 139-144

And, of course, the massive storm that caused the lots to be cast and Jonah jettisoned is known in all 3 religions - Christianity, Judaism and Islam :-)

Thanks as always Cynthia and thanks also to John for interesting post today.

Here in Yorkshire we are miles away from a river and so have the warmth and comfort of our humble home whilst looking at tv coverage and seeing the chaos and misery of all the flooded areas in our country.

It is cold, raining and the wind is increasing today but we only see the storms of nature and we are not experiencing personal tragedy as some people are now. During such times God assures us of His help and we are never left on our own.

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. (Isaiah 40:29).

O God, our help in ages past.
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home! (Isaac Watts 1674-1748)

Dear All

Hello


This prayer is entitled:

"GIVE STRENGTH"


"Give strength, dear God, to the brave people,
who are going to help places that are affected by the weather.

Keep them safe.

Help them to know what is the right thing to do.

Turn their efforts into miracles".

Amen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is dedicated to all the emergency services and volunteers who are helping:

in this country with flooding,

on the USA east coast and where there is drought in other states.

and for Canadian friends and cousins.


Take gentle care
Sincere wishes
Elizabeth,
xx

Good morning and thank you for those lovely words kandj and Elizabeth and I am sure that all the people who have been dreadfully affected by the recent floods, will be remembered in many churches today.

It has been so heartening to see how many folk have come forward to offer voluntary aid and to see all of the churches and leisure centres which are offering temporary respite to those in need. God bless them all.

'Lord, help us to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ: in your mercy, hear our prayer'.


The Collect for today:

Almighty God,
who alone can bring order to the unruly wills
and passions of sinful humanity:
give your people grace so to love what you
command and to desire what you promise, that,
among the many changes of this world,
our hearts may surely there be fixed
where true joys are to be found;
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.
Amen.



With my love, Cx :-)

A calm night here and a pleasant (and so far dry) morning. Services to look forward to, to learn new things about our God in three personalities, blessed Trinity :-D

And a rare baptism in my chapel with the congregation swollen from usual 20-25 to probably about 70. Lots of noise, lots of smiles, lots of solemn vows at the altar.

Thy mercy will not fail us,
Nor leave thy work undone;
With thy right hand to help us,
The victory shall be won;
And then, by men and angels,
Thy name shall be adored,
And this shall be their anthem;
One church, one faith, one Lord!

I notice on another thread that people are discussing name Eric. Sounds quite an old-fashioned name (seemed to be popular in 1930's). Our little boy today was Alfred (popular in the 9th century!!!!). And baby was as good as gold.

I loved to see chapel so full. And all the visitors seemed to be familiar with churches, confidently gave their vows to Alfred (the not so Great yet) and sang lustily. Chatting to them afterwards, the family is a very solid Valleys family on both sides and they had a variety of traditions. One was a Deacon in a Welsh Baptist chapel, another was a Lay Reader in an Anglican Church near Ponty (very high, someone told me). And a couple of godparents were Roman Catholic.

I think everyone forgot their differences and enjoyed service immensely, and baptismal party went up the hill afterwards for merriment, tea and Welsh cakes :-D :-D

Lovely start to the week. And weather quite good too. :-D

Good morning everyone. :-)

I'm so pleased the baptism went well John and I imagine it lifted everyone's spirits. Names are funny things at times....I do wonder if there will be a sudden upsurge in the popularity of the name Eric... :-)

We have some very 'different' names passing through our baptism families, and it's a bit embarrassing when you have to ask parents to repeat the name of the child when chatting to them, because it's a name you are unfamiliar with. The other thing I've noticed, is that some parents are spelling the child's name phonetically rather than in it's traditional form. I always have to curb the urge to re-write it on the forms :-)


On with today's thought :


Each Day Brings a Chance to Do Better

How often we wish for another chance
To make a fresh beginning,
A chance to blot out our mistakes
And change failure into winning—
And it does not take a special time
To make a brand-new start,
It only takes the deep desire
To try with all our heart
To live a little better
And to always be forgiving
And to add a little “sunshine”
To the world in which we’re living—
So never give up in despair
And think that you are through,
For there’s always a tomorrow
And a chance to start anew.

- Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

HSR words always gets me thinking.

A chance to do better, we can only do our best
and hopefully we can succeed at some things.

Emma :-)

Good morning everyone....and hello Emma :-)


We haven't seen kandj for a couple of days, I do hope all is well with her.

The words I have chosen for today, made me think about how often the church tries to keep up with the latest trends by applying the latest 'techniques' to both worship and to governance. Is it always the right thing to do? It fits in so well with something I read a few days ago.

It was from the principal of a Theological College in Oxford and the gist of the article was how the church has faced fundamental challenges in every age. He feels that there are two distinct challenges facing us today which deflect and distract us from the main purpose of the church.

The first distraction he felt, was the divisive debates which go on ie the gender issue, but it was the second one which caught my attention.

Less talk about mission and growth, and more talk about God. He is sure that is what the world needs - and even hungers for. What an interesting thought indeed.



Peace In a Time of Chaos

O how well I remember
in the old-fashioned days,
When some old-fashioned people
had some old-fashioned ways;
In the old-fashioned meetings,
as they tarried there
In the old-fashioned manner,
how God answer'd their pray'r.

Twas an old-fashioned meeting
in an old-fashioned place,
Where some old-fashioned people
had some old-fashioned grace;
As an old-fashioned sinner
I began to pray,
And God heard me and saved me
in the old-fashioned way.

If the Lord never changes,
as the fashions of men,
Even tho He's the same,
why, He is old-fashioned, then!
As an old-fashioned sinner
saved thru old-time grace,
O, I'm sure He will take me
to an old-fashioned place.

- Herbert Buffum



I wish you all a peaceful day......Cx :-)

Good morning everyone :-D :-D Dry and pleasant here this morning.

Prayers for our friends in particular who are affected by these floods. We have been very fortunate in Valleys, and our annual floods in one strategic village on the river (a village called Trehafod) hasn't occurred this winter. And as far as I know, the problem hasn't been passed down the river to one of the villages or towns nearer Cardiff.

I am wrestling with something this morning. It is mid-week prayer meetings and mid-week prayer in general. I have long felt that a strong church is not so much to do with vicars, ministers, priests. They are simply servants, however competent and well-trained. Clerks in holy orders they were called on the censuses. And they are assisted (ably or not) by people like Cynthia and myself who try to do our bit to keep everything in the engine working.

No, the powerhouse of any church is prayer and particularly the midweek prayer meeting. It doesn't even need to be a large group meeting, just a sincere nucleus who look to Jesus in all things and make rest of church aware that they are part of a prayerful church.

Many churches round here are in terminal decline and people get very emotional when they see chapels being demolished or converted into flats. No family chapel to baptise or marry in, or be buried. It becomes a downward spiral. Probably it is worse in South Wales, because there was a major revival here 110 years ago - almost still in living memory. And I honestly think prayer in 2014 (heartfelt, genuine, sincere and positive) is what will herald the next revival in religion in UK.

Edit. Just read Cynthia's lovely post this morning. No, we did not get together first :-) ;-)

I'm here and fine thank you.

What interesting and thought provoking posts this morning. Thanks to Cynthia and to John. Are your chosen subjects "coincidence" or "divine intervention"?

The power of prayer is amazing and awesome, no question about that, imho.

I believe that life is a journey and we are given freewill to walk in solitude or seek company with Jesus who has the power to prepare us and enhance our daily lives
.
Being brought up in a Christian household, my faith has always just been a part of me. I also have worked through several tragic events and yet clung on to my faith, by my fingertips sometimes! Being a Christian doesn't guarantee us a smooth path.

Jesus has been my companion and my friend every step of the way. My daily prayers have been heard and answered but not always as I would wish and certainly not as quickly as I would like....... in His time, and not my own.

This Celtic prayer inspires me towards a deeper fulfillment and sense of peace in my daily life. It is known as St Patrick's Breastplate.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. Amen.

:-) :-) :-) @ kandj

Too many coincidences. How often Christians think exactly the same things at same time. Even friends on opposite side of the world. I know I have a Christian cousin in Johannesburg (who I have never met) and it is amazing how similar our thoughts are. It must be divine intervention. That is what we believe, anyway. :-) :-)

I once heard the late Bishop Cuthbert Bardsley say that he didn't believe in 'co-incidence', he believed in 'God-incidence'. I've never forgotten that.... :-) :-)

Good morning all and it is good to know all is well kandj. :-)


What interesting posts from yesterday and neither John nor I have the slightest inkling of what the other is to post.......honest injun!! :-)


Remembering that repentance and forgiveness are such important parts of our faith, I hope the following is helpful :



Forgive my sins, O Lord, both past and present. Forgive the sins of my soul and the sins of my body. Forgive the sins I have done to please myself, and those I have done to please others. Forgive my casual sins, and my deliberate sins. Forgive the sins I have sought to hide from myself and those I have presumed to hide, even from you; and all of these for your love and your mercies' sake. Amen.

Thomas Wilson (1663-1755)


Take care....Cx :-)

Hope this might make you smile...... it did me.

SUNDAY MORNING

Oh, the joy of Sunday solace
Waking with the morning sun
Rising just a little early
So to get the day begun.

Down to breakfast (toast and cornflakes)
Switching on the radio
Tea and news are shared with planning
How the Sunday day will go.

First a walk up to St Andrews
Striking at the quarter hour
Hearing birds up in the tree tops
Beauty to outshine the tower.

Slow the pace, reflect the moment
Appreciate the here and now
Drink in all of nature's bounty
Dandelion and blossomed bough.

Home again, the waking household
Breaks the stillness of the morn
But I've had my morning worship
Alone with birds and trees and dawn. Anon.

Good morning everyone. :-)



Those words me smile too kandj......and I actually found them quite peaceful. Thank you.

Some words for today:


How Faithful is the Lord

I don’t understand the Lord—

No person really can.

The nature of his being

Is beyond the scope of man.

He came from a void of nothing

To create all space and time;

He made the skies and heaven

And he made the sun to shine;.

And he made a puny race

To live on this good earth

And enjoy all that he made

And praise his Mighty Worth.

Yet our Lord is ever merciful

And faithful to all men

Even though we turn from Him

And too often fall to sin.

For when He provides a sunset

And we don’t praise his name,

The next day the sun again will rise

And set again the same.

- B. Killebrew


Take care. Cx :-)

Very true words written by B.Killebew...How Faithful Is the Lord? VERY faithful indeed

Our living God provides for us each and every day and how blessed is that?

We are given strength to work and prepare for our future and He meets our needs when we feel challenged or stressed. He gives us seasons of plenty so in life we learn to save and prepare for the seasons of need.

We have a faithful God who walks with us each day and in the night time too.

Thank you Lord, for the promise that You will meet our needs. Help us not to fear or doubt You. We are grateful that you are a faithful Lord who watches over us and that our cries for help will always reach your listening ears.

Thankyou very much kandj and Cynthia. I had a quiet moment down on the beach at Llantwit Major this afternoon and did feel extremely puny against the elements. That little cove had not done too badly in storms, but next bay had seen a lot of damage.

We admire our God for his power and for his gentleness. Today was a bit of both. :-) :-)

Good morning.........yes indeed, our God is a faithful God. I love the old saying....."When you feel far from God, guess who's moved!" :-)



A short prayer for today :


May you experience God's
vast, infinite, indestructible, expansive love,
that has been yours all along.
May you discover this love is as wide as the sky,
and as small as the cracks in your heart
that no-one else knows about,
and may you know deep in your bones
that you are welcome, invited and loved. Amen.

- Brian Anderson



Enjoy your day. Cx. :-)