General Chat

Vera ...............

I am so sorry to hear of your brother's death.

My condolences to you and your family. xx

May he rest in peace xx

Hello all

The snow is thawing here and rain is forecast later.

Vera, I'm really sorry to read the sad news about your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family right now.

May your brother Rest in Peace and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.

Good afternoon :-)

Oh Vera, I am so very sorry to hear that your brother has died and send you all my love and a virtual hug. These are such sad times but I am sure you must have so many happy memories of your time together with him. Each wild bird will bring comfort I hope. <3 <3

Thank you for that Tabitha - Emma loves HSR so I hope she sees this. <3

Some lockdown reading which I hope inspires....

A man's daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The priest assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.

"I guess you were expecting me," he said.

"No, who are you?"

"I'm the new associate at your local church," the pastor replied.

"When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up."

"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"

Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.

"I've never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man.
"But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head.."

"I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, 'Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here's what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I'll be with you always.' Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now."

"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."

The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her daddy had died that afternoon.

"Did he seem to die in peace?" he asked.

"Yes, when I left the house around two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange, in fact, beyond strange-kinda weird.

Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed."

-Author Unknown


Cx :-)

Thank you for that Tabitha.

My brave and much loved younger brother died last night. I seem to have spent much of the morning just staring out of the conservatory windows. My brother loved wildlife and, when he was well enough, would take his binoculars and go birdwatching. This morning our small garden is full of several types of birds and I have found it very comforting just to stand watching them and thinking of how he loved them. Somehow comfort is always there just when we need it. RIP brother.

Twenty nine years ago my mum spent the last year of her life in and out of hospital - because she was a long term patient and in over the Christmas she got taken to a lot of shows and events and did say it was one of her happiest years in a long time. She made a lot of friends and had people to talk to all day. Where as before it was only me since since retired. Occasionally the hairdresser and post office

I spent my evenings and weekends there, sometimes helping the staff mixing in with card games and so on, but when we just wanted to sit and talk i took my cross stitch while she knitted. I completed a lot of inspirational sayings, prayers and hymns and had some framed. This one is hanging in my spare room, which was once my bedroom.

I hope you like it.

Climb 'Til Your Dream Comes True

Often your tasks will be many,
And more than you think you can do.
Often the road will be rugged
And the hills insurmountable, too.

But always remember, the hills ahead
Are never as steep as they seem,
And with Faith in your heart start upward
And climb 'Til you reach your dream.

For nothing in life that is worthy
Is never too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it
And you have the Faith to believe.

For Faith is a force that is greater
Than knowledge or power or skill
And many defeats turn to triumph
If you trust in God's wisdom and will.

For Faith is a mover of mountains.
There's nothing that God cannot do,
So start out today with Faith in your heart
And "Climb 'Til Your Dream Comes True" !

- Helen Steiner Rice (1900 - 1981)

Good morning all - I always know where to come when i feel the need of a quiet moment with friends. I always appreciate your wid=se words and sayings - and every time i go away with something - and feel uplifted.

Take care keep up the good work - one day i may be able to add to your book of thoughts.

Keep safe, warm and well.

Good morning :-)

Some interesting thoughts on the opening/closure of churches :-D

Logically, I understand the reasoning for closure but, in my heart of hearts, I still feel we should be offering a place of sanctuary. Foodbanks are open to feed those who are struggling with hunger and yet there are also those who struggle with a spiritual hunger.

I think our RC churches remain open at the moment.

Moving on.... :-D


Good morning,

As you began your day, I watched and hoped you would talk to me. Just a few words, such as thanking me for something good in your life yesterday or last week would do, but I noticed you were busy selecting the right clothes for work. I waited again to hear from you. When you ran around the house collecting papers, I knew there would be a few minutes to stop and say hello, but you never slowed down.

I wanted to tell you that I could help you accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible if you would just spend some of each day with me. At one point, you waited fifteen minutes in a chair with nothing to do. I waited to hear from you.

Then I saw you spring to your feet; I thought you wanted to talk to me, but you ran to the phone and called a friend. I watched as off to work you went and I waited patiently all day long to hear from you. With all your activities you were too busy to talk with me.

I noticed at lunch you looked around; maybe you just felt embarrassed to talk to me. You glanced three tables over and noticed some of your friends talking to me before they ate, but you didn’t.

There was still more time left, and I hoped that we would talk. You went home and had many things to do. After they were done, you turned on the TV; just about anything goes there, and you spend many hours watching. I waited as you continued watching TV and ate your meal but again you didn’t talk to me.

At bedtime you were totally tired. After you said good night to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep. I had so much wanted to be part of your day. We could have had so much fun and accomplished so much together.

I love you so much that I wait every day for a thought, prayer or thanks. Well, maybe tomorrow! I'll be waiting.

Your Friend,
God

Cx :-)

Hello all

8 hours of snow yesterday and freezing fog this morning. Not a good combination. I'll stay inside.

Vera, I'll miss church but it's necessary now to close the building and keep everyone safe. I hope that your foot is improving and that your family good.

Sylvia, my C of E church is closed and yet the Catholic church in the village remains open??

Cynthia, yet more interesting postings. Thank you.

Keep warm and well. Stay safe everyone.

I believe services from our local church are online only but I think the church is still open from 10-4 each day for private prayer. Of course anyone visiting must wear a mask and stay distanced from anyone else and must sign in with name and contact details. While I understand the reasons for the closure of churches it seems wrong somehow so I am glad our local one has some form of limited opening.

I love the lessons to be taken from Noah’s building of the ark.

Stay safe everyone

Our churches in this province have been closed since before Christmas, and there is no sign of them opening.

Of course there are faith leaders complaining, including the Roman Catholic Archbishop of the province, based in Vancouver. They are all complying though, whether they be Anglican, Catholic, a branch of Judaism, Islam, Muslim, etc

The common cry is "but we do spatially distance, we don't sing, we do obey all the rules. Why should we be penalised when xxxx (eg gyms) can still operate?"

The huge problem is that "you" may obey, but there are several "churches" that are not, that have been visited regularly by police, issued with fines, and STILL have large congregations, no spatially distancing, etc.

BUT they are what we call "evangelical" churches, not of any of the main faiths .............. and just what would happen if the "Church of the Evangelical Christ" in xxxx or "Church of Everlasting Faith" in yyyy were shut down one by one while every other church was allowed to stay open. That is, the "-ologies" as I used to call them were singled out one by one.

Can't you just imagine the outcry from them AND from Civil Liberties and other "do-gooders" interested more in the freedom of speech or of religious freedom??

Plus, of course, the complete closure of all churches, temples, etc gives the province more rights in the legalities of enforcement, with warnings, fines and even prison terms.

Good morning :-)


Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark.


1. Don't miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something
really big.
5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you're stressed, float awhile.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs - the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Lots of churches have now shut their doors and it's so sad. I actually feel safer in church than in the supermarket - no queuing, no-one breathing down your neck or pushing past you to reach something. People drift into church at a gentle pace - one by one unless its a couple. I feel we offer a place to sit and take stock, to pray, to weep, to find rest - not all of these things can be done at home. Logically I can understand the closure, but my heart says differently. <3

Whilst we're in lockdown once more, a chance to read maybe........


The Story of the Cracked Pot -

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?' 'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'



We need to realize that regardless of our past, we can be used by God. Many of our scars and wounds have life experiences that have shaped us and moulded us. The pain we once had is something that God healed and allows us to provide hope for other people. Our bumps and bruises often help us relate to others, as we walk with them in life.

Many people who experience the benefits of counselling, support groups, or recovery houses are being led by the very people who have benefitted from these very programs. God is in the healing business - He is called the Great Physician and Counsellor.

Cx :-)

Hello all

The village church has closed down again with this recent lock down. I'm really disappointed but I can understand the reasons why PCC made this decision

As we start a New Year, may we open the door to Christ's light and love and, in a world where there is darkness, may we bring light and love to others.

Stay well and keep safe everybody.

Good morning :-)


Eternal God, You gave us the greatest gift: the gift of life.
In the coming year, help us use it wisely.
May we grow in generosity, kindness and forgiveness, hope, faith and love.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yesterday we celebrated the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the river Jordan.

Jesus was God’s son, so he was sinless and there was no need for him to receive forgiveness. John tried to refuse to baptise Jesus saying that it was he, John, who should be baptised by Jesus.

Jesus was about to embark on His great work, and it was appropriate that He be recognized publicly by His forerunner.

By baptizing Him, John was declaring to all that here was the One they had been waiting for, the Son of God, the One he had predicted would baptize “with the Holy Spirit and fire”. It was also an opportunity to show his authority as God confirmed he was his Son.

Father, renew in us the grace of our Baptism so that we may reflect ever more faithfully the image of your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus

The Collect (special prayer) for today..

Collect
Eternal Father,
who at the baptism of Jesus
revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit:
grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The third gift offered to Jesus……Myrrh to represent His humanity and suggests death and burial.

Myrrh was a product of Arabia and was obtained from a tree in the same way as frankincense. The most bittersweet of the gifts, myrrh had been imported to Egypt in droves for embalming rituals, and the practice spread out through the surrounding areas. As myrrh was connected with death and burial, it must have seemed a strange gift to bring to a child, but we are reminded of what was to face Jesus in the future.

Lord Jesus
may your light shine our way,
as once it guided the steps of the magi:
that we too may be led into your presence
and worship you,
the Child of Mary,
the Word of the Father,
the King of nations,
the Saviour of mankind;
to whom be glory for ever.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A heated wrap sounds just the thing Sylvia. Enjoy it!! :-D


The second gift offered to Jesus…….frankincense as a symbol of His deity

Frankincense, was highly prized—thought to be worth its weight in gold—but it wouldn’t have been hard to find. Trees that yield the fragrant resin were widespread in the lands of the Bible and beyond. Frankincense, woodsy and sweetly aromatic, is one of the oldest commercial commodities, spanning more than 5,000 years.

To collect frankincense, harvesters make incisions into the trunks and scrape out the oozing sap, which hardens into frankincense resin. Frankincense was a key part of worship in the Old Testament and a costly gift brought to the baby Jesus.

Incense is still used in many churches today. Its smoke symbolizes the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven.


Let us worship the Saviour with joy

and make our prayer to our heavenly Father.

The magi came from the east to worship your Son:

Father, grant to Christians everywhere

the spirit of adoration …


Cx :-)

Hello all

Happy birthday wishes Sylvia( a bit late in the day)

Granddaughter's birthday on 4th Jan... another family event I was unable to join in with.

A cremation service early in the morning, which I could well do without as I've been to the crematorium too often lately. Ice and snow is forecast so I hope its not too bad for me to drive.

Take care everyone and stay warm and safe.

Thank you all for your birthday wishes.

We have nothing planned, except my daughter will phone later today. This is such a very strange time for everyone, isn't it?

I received a lovely present from my daughter this morning, OH had hidden it since it arrived by mail just after Christmas. It's a microwave-able heat wrap for neck, shoulders and upper back, filled with rice and flax plus lavender and with a faux fur cover. I shall have to try it later, even though fortunately, my aches and pains are pretty good today!