General Chat

Good morning :-)

Thank you for your kind words Vera and I am glad that your life has those wonderful bright spots in it. It makes such a difference to hear good news.

The Collect (special prayer for today)

Almighty God,
whose only Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence:
give us pure hearts and steadfast wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
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.


Cx :-)

An interesting and thought provoking couple of weeks as always Cynthia. Thank you. The Did You Know section mostly managed to show me how much I did not know which made me smile.

August was another up and down month for us 2 people close to us are very ill and a number of our friends have been dealing with illness and operations. That’s always a sadness but in between we’ve had some good news too. One granddaughter, who has some problems and lacks confidence, has got a new job as a trainee. It’s very good news as this company advertised for 12 traineeships and had over 700 applications and granddaughter had to go through 3 increasingly tough interviews. Her younger sister also brightened our month by getting good A-Level results and being offered various places. She has accepted an offer to read Physics and Astronomy at Nottingham uni.

These things are like beacons of hope in a rather doom laden month and we are so grateful for that and for everything else that’s right in our world. I hope all who read this thread are currently having more ups than downs in their lives.

Good morning :-)

God Knows Best
by Helen Steiner Rice

Our Father knows what's best for us,
So why should we complain
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain
We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear...
Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us, not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow...
For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of a chisel
Gives the marble grace and form...
God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain
For every loss He send to us
Is followed by rich gain...
And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And no time to lament...
For our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasure
When the soul's deep need is pain...
So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make our spirit strong.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A rather different version of the 23rd Psalm.

The TV is my shepherd, I shall want.
It makes me lie down on the sofa.
It leads me away from the Scriptures.
It destroys my soul.
It leads me in the path of sex and violence, for the sponsor's sake.
Yea, though I walk in the shadow of my Christian responsibilities.
There will be no interruption, for the TV is with me.
It's cable and remote, they control me.
It prepares a commercial before me In the presence of worldliness;
It anoints my head with Humanism, My coveting runneth over.
Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow me all days of my life:
And I shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We had a fantastic day with a children's festival at our church yesterday..............so.

A man and his young son went to church, and when they came out the father was complaining that the service was too long, the preacher was no good, and the singing was off-key.
Finally the little boy said, "Daddy, I thought it was pretty good for a pound."


A Sunday school teacher was teaching her class about the difference between right and wrong.
"All right children, let's take another example," she said. "If I were to get into a man's pocket and take his wallet with all his money, what would I be?"
Little Johnny raises his hand, and with a confident smile, he blurts out, "You'd be his wife!"

:-D :-D

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

When our bodies need protection we duck or hug our arms to our chests. We try and avoid dangerous situations in order to stay safe.

When our minds are in danger, we know that rest is needed and we try to relax and find less stressful things to do. We may share our problem with a close friend.

But how do we protect our spirits? We need to read the bible more, pray more and stay away from things that are evil. What is evil? Evil is anything that is opposed to God and what God wants for us. Most of us know right from wrong, so we stay away from what is wrong – be it a book, a TV programme, a place – anything which just does not feel good.

Many people go to fortune tellers, seances, tarot readers etc. In the world of the Christian, these are forbidden as it is saying that they are trusting these people rather than trusting God. Definitely a no-no for a Christian.

We need to protect our spiritual lives for eternity.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

We all know about our bodies and how to look after them: diet, exercise and, when problems arise we go to the doctors.

We all know (or have a fair idea_ about our minds: education, experience, ideas. If a problem arises, there are specialists to help us.

But what about our spirit? Hmmm. That's another thing altogether. Our spiritual lives are what connects us to God. How do we connect? We read our bibles!


WHAT IF WE TREATED OUR BIBLE THE WAY WE TREAT OUR CELL PHONE?
What if we carried it with us everywhere?
Turned back to get it if we forgot it?
Checked it for messages throughout the day?
Used it in case of an emergency?
Spent an hour or more using it each day?

‘What if’ indeed.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Happy Bank Holiday!


Alphabet Praise

A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o "thank" is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


DID YOU KNOW?

Facebook will track and record nearly everything you do if you browse the web while logged in to your Facebook account.

Broccoli is a ‘man-made’, plant and only came about after years and years of selective breeding between wild cabbage plants that started around the 6th century BC. In fact, the word “broccoli” comes from the Italian for “the flowering crest of a cabbage.

While authors and disciples were writing the New Testament, many historians wrote about the same events the way it was written in the Bible. For instance, Flavius Josephus, Tacitus, and many other historians corroborate the historical accuracy of the New Testament in their works.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

DID YOU KNOW?

A mason in 1700s Jerusalem left his wooden ladder behind after doing some work on a church, and now it can’t be moved without the agreement & permission of six different Christian leaders.


In 1644, English statesman Oliver Cromwell banned the eating of pie. He declared it a pagan form of pleasure. For 16 years, pie eating and making went underground until the Restoration leaders lifted the ban on pie in 1660.


Found in Isaiah 8:3, “Mahershalalhashbaz” is the longest word in the Bible. Mahershalalhashbaz means “Swift is the Spoils, Speedy is the Plunder.” The prophet Isaiah named his second son Mahershalalhashbaz? What a mouthful!


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

DID YOU KNOW?

The full Bible has been translated into over 3,000 languages. Among those include fictional languages like Elvish, Klingon, and Na’vi.

There were female gladiators in Ancient Rome! A female gladiator was called a gladiatrix (plural gladiatrices). They were extremely rare, unlike their male counterparts.

"Strengths" is the longest word in the English language with one vowel? According to the Guinness Book of World Records, "strengths" is the longest word in the English language with one vowel. The word contains nine letters, eight of them being consonants.

Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

DID YOU KNOW?
If you translate “Jesus” from Hebrew to English, the correct translation is “Joshua.” The name “Jesus” comes from translating the name from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English.

Roselle, a guide dog, led her blind owner down 78 flights of stairs during 9/11. The descent took about an hour, and they both safely made it out.

When we’re born, our only innate fears are the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds. All other fears are learned.

Jesus says, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe” (Luke 8:50).

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that:
- one spoonful of honey is enough to keep a person alive for 24 hours
- one of the first coins in the world featured a bee symbol
- honey contains live enzymes. The metal spoon kills these enzymes. The best way to consume honey is with a wooden spoon, if not, you can use a plastic one.
- honey contains a substance that helps the brain function.
- honey is one of the few foods on earth that alone can sustain human life.
- bees saved people from starvation in Africa.
- propolis produced by bees is one of nature's most powerful antibiotics.
- honey has no expiration date.
- the bodies of the world's greatest emperors were buried in golden coffins and then covered with honey to prevent them from rotting.
- the term "honeymoon" comes from the fact that the young couple consumed honey for fertility purposes after marriage.
- a bee lives less than 40 days, visits at least 1,000 flowers and produces less than a teaspoon of honey, but for her it is the work of a lifetime.
Thank you, dear bees!

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Over the last few weeks in church, we have heard much about Jesus being The Bread of Life…….this fits in nicely with yesterday’s reading.

The Bread of Life

As many grains make one loaf, and grapes are crushed for wine;
So we who eat the Bread of Life, become a living sign
As food becomes our energy, and with our bodies mesh
So we who eat this blessed meal become His living flesh

He talks through us, loves through us, meets our neighbour's needs
And through the work of our own hands, the hungry crowds he feeds
So in this blessed sacrament, we become what we eat
Then we too must broken be, poured out, His work complete

This sacrament reminds me of the holiness of life
And of the power of sharing in others joys and strife
So when we say "Amen" to "The Body of Christ",
We say Amen to all of us, His Body highly priced.

Thus this Living Bread is the bond of unity,
And it's a vital element of our community.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer for today)

Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things
which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation
of 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.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT : The task of seeking God is not limited to the beginner monk, it is a life-long commitment to prayer, both personal and communal.

The prayer of St. Benedict – completed.

To refer the good I see in myself to God. To refer any evil in myself to myself. To fear the Day of Judgment. To be in dread of hell. To desire eternal life with spiritual longing. To keep death before my eyes daily. To keep constant watch over my actions. To remember that God sees me everywhere. To call upon Christ for defense against evil thoughts that arises in my heart.

To guard my tongue against wicked speech. To avoid much speaking. To avoid idle talk. To read only what is good to read. To look at only what is good to see. To pray often. To ask forgiveness daily for my sins, and to seek ways to amend my life. To obey my superiors in all things rightful. Not to desire to be thought holy, but to seek holiness.

To fulfill the commandments of God by good works. To love chastity. To hate no one. Not to be jealous or envious of anyone. Not to love strife. Not to love pride. To honour the aged. To pray for my enemies. To make peace after a quarrel, before the setting of the sun. Never to despair of your mercy, O God of Mercy.

Amen.

We thank God for these men and women of prayer.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you Cynthia for another interesting topic. Fascinating reading the lifestyle of the Benedictine monks and nuns. Amen to their prayers.

I've been on several retreats and spent reflective prayer time with the Cistercian Monks at St Bernard's Abbey in Leicestershire. Very peaceful.

Have a good Friday everyone.

Good morning :-)

THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT

Benedictine nuns wear a habit similar to that of Benedictine monks, but with some differences in style and colour. Benedictine nuns usually wear a veil that covers their head and shoulders as a sign of their consecration to God. Again, colour will depend on the tradition of the community.

The Benedictine habit reflects the monastic values of humility, simplicity, poverty, chastity, obedience, and contemplation. The habit is plain and unadorned, without any luxury or pride, and it reminds the monks and nuns of their commitment to live a simple and humble life.

St. Benedict’s prayer continued.
Not to be proud. Not to be given to intoxicating drink. Not to be an over-eater. Not to be lazy. Not to be slothful. Not to be a murmurer. Not to be a detractor. To put my trust in God.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

St. Benedict's rule

When Benedictines live in community, they are distinctive by what they wear. Each part of their habit has great significance

The men wear a tunic, a long and loose garment covering the body from the shoulders to the ankles. It symbolizes the simplicity, poverty, and humility of the monastic life.

There is also a scapular which is a rectangular piece of cloth that hangs from the shoulders to the knees on both sides of the body. It symbolizes the yoke of Christ, the burden of obedience, and the protection of the Holy Spirit. The scapular may be plain or decorated with a cross or other emblem.

A cincture is a rope or a cord that is tied around the waist to secure the tunic and the scapular. It symbolizes the chastity, self-discipline, and readiness for service of the monastic life.

The hood is a piece of cloth that covers the head and the neck and may be pulled over the face. It symbolizes the solitude, silence, and contemplation of the monastic life. The hood may be worn up or down, depending on the occasion and the weather.

St Benedict’s prayer continues

Not to give way to anger. Not to foster a desire for revenge. Not to entertain deceit in the heart. Not to make a false peace. Not to forsake charity. Not to swear, lest I swear falsely. To speak the truth with heart and tongue. Not to return evil for evil. To do no injury: yea, even to bear patiently any injury done to me. To love my enemies. Not to curse those who curse me, but rather to bless them. To bear persecution for justice's sake.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

St. Benedict's Rule

Those who wish to become a Benedictine – either as a monk or a nun, will go through a time of learning and listening. It is a lengthy process to help the person to discern their calling and grow closer to God.

Not all Benedictines live in monasteries or communities. Yesterday, we heard about Oblates. Oblates desire to live as a monk in the world, seeking God by striving to become holy in their everyday life, in their family, and in their workplace. Oblates are associated with a monastic community, offering their lives to God through prayer and service. Faithfully participating in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, Oblates promise to practice a prayerful life in their particular denomination.

St Benedict’s prayer continues

Not to kill. Not to steal. Not to covet. Not to bear false witness. To honour all persons. Not to do to another what I would not wish done to myself. To chastise the body. Not to seek after pleasures. To love fasting. To relieve the poor. To clothe the naked. To visit the sick. To bury the dead. To help in trouble. To console the sorrowing. To hold myself aloof from worldly ways. To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.

Cx :-)