General Chat

Good morning :-)

Today, we enter the season known as 'Passiontide'. It's the build-up to Holy Week and all extremes of emotions to come during that time.

Collect (special prayer) for today:
Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
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 :-)

Good morning :-)


God took the fragrance of a flower...
The majesty of a tree...
The gentleness of morning dew...
The calm of a quiet sea...
The beauty of the twilight hour...
The soul of a starry night...
The laughter of a rippling brook...
The grace of a bird in flight...
Then God fashioned from these things
A creation like no other,
And when his masterpiece was through
He called it simply – Mother.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent - non-biblical mothers of faith.


Gladys Aylward (1902–1970)
Although not a mother in the physical sense, Gladys could very well be described as an ‘adoptive’ mother. Small in stature but larger than life, Gladys Alyward responded to God’s call to leave the safety of her home in Edmonton, north of London, to minister in China. With little education or missionary training, she trusted God to meet her every need.

For some time, Gladys lived in Yangcheng, where she learned the language—and the favour of the Mandarin who trusted her with helping to enforce the local government’s edict against binding young girls’ feet. The Mandarin was so impacted by how Gladys cared for abandoned children and provided medical care to people who needed it that he eventually became a Christian.

Gladys received Chinese citizenship in 1936, but in 1938, war broke out with Japan, hitting Yangcheng hard. Without hesitation, Gladys transported hundreds of orphans impacted by the war by foot through the mountains of China to a river where boats waited to cross the children to safety in Fefung (a story that inspired the movie The Inn of the Sixth Happiness).

Gladys came home to London briefly to recover from an illness but returned to Asia in the 1940s, opened an orphanage, and worked with needy children until her death. Though she lacked the typical resources required for mission work, Gladys is an inspiring example of what it looks like to trust God’s still small voice—even when what he’s saying seems impossible. A mother in the real sense of the word.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent – non-biblical mothers of faith

Susanna Wesley (20 January 1669 – 23 July 1742)

Susanna was born on January 20, 1669. She never preached a sermon, published a book, or founded a church, yet Susanna Wesley is known as the Mother of Methodism. The example of faith and religious reverence she set for her children John and Charles inspired them to become powerful spiritual leaders and to launch the Methodist movement.

Susanna was the youngest of 25 children. At age 19, she married Church of England clergyman Samuel Wesley and bore 19 children. Managing a home took great planning but she made time to nurture each child. Susanna led by example. Her life and faith journey shaped Methodism in ways we see today.

Long before women were ordained, she would sometimes gather friends around the kitchen table and lead prayers when her preacher husband was away. She kept the parish going in his absence.

A daughter, a wife, and a mother, Susanna Wesley never had a high public profile. Controversy defined many of her days. Trials were never far from her. And yet, her name is being passed down through history, her life was a testimony to God’s power to work through surrendered, prayerful and ordinary people.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – non-biblical mothers of faith
(Mary Sumner - conclusion)

Mary’s idea developed in an incredible way gaining the support of bishops both here and overseas, becoming known as The Mothers’ Union.

Mary reflected: “A true home should be a light-house, shedding its quiet beams far and wide” – her dream was for every home to be filled with the light and love of Jesus.

On 9 August 1921 Mary died at the age of 92. 4,000 women attended her funeral, which was a service of Thanksgiving. She is buried with her husband in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral. She is commemorated in the liturgical calendars of the Church of England, the Church in Wales, the Anglican Church of Australia and other provinces on the date of her death.

In 1925 a central headquarters for the worldwide organisation was established in London known as Mary Sumner House, adjacent to Westminster Abbey. The integrity and social responsibility of The Mothers’ Union has always been highly regarded and in 1926 at the 50th Jubilee, The Mothers’ Union was granted a Royal Charter by His Majesty King George V.

Mary could not have conceived how the seeds she planted would grow into a movement which now has 4 million members across 83 countries, all putting their faith into action to nurture healthy relationships in families and communities and to fight for social justice - all in the name of Christ.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent - Non-biblical mothers of faith. Mary Sumner (Part 2)

Once she gained in confidence, Mary was asked to speak to various groups – including men, encouraging them to show more respect and love towards their wives. Others heard about her work and started groups in their own areas. In 1876, she founded “the Union of Mothers” – with a membership card and promise: “to be given up, body and soul, to Jesus Christ in Holy Baptism, and that your duty is to train your children for his service”.

In 1885, Mary Sumner was invited by the Presiding Bishop to speak to a packed church congress session for women in Portsmouth. He anointed her with the authority to speak - he felt that he had no authority to speak to a group of women whose prime concern was to get enough food on the table so that the children would not starve.

Her words, “Together, by the Grace of God… we can calm each other when we are afraid; strengthen one another when we are weak; and work together to raise our children to the glory of God. Unity is strength”, were an inspiration to all those present.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent - Mission and motherhood (part 1)

In the Church of England, 9th August is commemorated as Mary Sumner Day. Who? Another Mary?

It all started when Mary, married to George, Rector of the Parish of Old Alresford in Hampshire, was passionate about transforming the home lives of Parish families by helping the women to support one another in raising their children. She was already a grandmother but her husband was very supportive: “Just share your heart – God will do the rest.”

She was so nervous at the first meeting of the parish women, that she refused to speak, and asked George to take her place. In those days, it was very unusual for a woman to be a public speaker. However, George encouraged her to speak from the heart and it went so well that she found the courage to speak at future meetings.

Her talks were inspired by her faith – it was practical and down to earth – “Remember, Ladies, to be yourselves what you would have your children be”. (to be continued)

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Today is Mothering Sunday……that special day in the middle of Lent when we remember mothers and our Mother church.

Loving God,
Thank you for mums and children
and all the joy of family life.
Be with those who are grieving because they have no mother;
Be close to those who are struggling because they have no children;
Be near to those who are sad because they are far apart from those they love.
Comfort those whose experience of mothers and motherhood has been painful.
Let your love be present in every home,
And help our churches to have eyes to see and ears to hear the needs of all who come through our doors.
May we reach out to the lonely, the sad and those who do not yet know you
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – the most famous mother in the bible.

The Prayer Of Mary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent - Unnamed Mothers in Solomon’s Court

We find an interesting pair of quarrelling women in Solomon’s court in the Old Testament. They came to settle a dispute, and it was an ugly one.

Apparently, both women had recently given birth to a baby. One of the mothers rolled over on her child at night and it died. This woman then proceeded to claim the other woman’s baby was her own (which obviously didn’t go over well with the living baby’s mother.) Hence, they ended up in King Solomon's court.

Suffice it to say, that King Solomon was the wisest man in the world. He called both women together and, after listening to their story, ordered that the living baby be cut in half and divided between the women.

The woman who was lying agreed to this suggestion, but the baby’s true mother screamed "NO". She loved her child too much for this to happen. King Solomon then ordered that this woman was the true mother and that the child be given back to her.

This unnamed woman is a picture of selfless love in the purest sense. She was willing to sacrifice everything, to do what was best for her child’s wellbeing.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – A woman who sold purple cloth

Lydia was known as the first convert to Christianity in Europe, in the city of Philippi. She sold purple cloth, among the most expensive articles of ancient commerce, so she was, no doubt, a woman of considerable wealth. She was one of the few famous women in the Bible who owned a business.

She was not a Jewess by birth but a worshipper of God and, when Paul found her, she was gathered with a group of other women on the Sabbath at a place of prayer near the river outside of Philippi.

As a result of Paul’s preaching, Lydia was baptised and led her household to believe in Jesus and they too, were baptised. She opened her home to the disciples who often stayed with her.

Lydia's story shows God works through people by opening their hearts to help them believe the good news. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ through grace and cannot be earned by human works.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – Another holy mother

In the book of Acts, we come across another Mary. The Bible clarifies her identity through the name of her son: John, also called Mark. Scripture sometimes uses both names, as in John Mark.

Peter (the apostle) is in prison, expecting to be executed. Mary—risking imprisonment herself if she’s discovered—bravely holds a prayer meeting for Peter at her home. Her home and household played a big part in the lives of those early believers and they often met there for prayer and worship.

God answers the prayers of the believers, and an angel escorts Peter from the prison. Peter heads to Mary’s house, expecting to find some of his friends gathered there. They welcome him and celebrate God’s goodness.

It is thought likely that John Mark, witnessing his mother’s faith in action and God’s supernatural answer to their prayers, began to tell other people about Jesus. He went on to work alongside the disciples in spreading the Good News.

He is credited with being the author of the book of Mark.

Children watch what we do and say. What are they learning from us?

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – women who followed Jesus

Mary the Mother of James and Joses, and Salome, mother of James and John

There are several women with the name Mary in the bible and, one of these was Mary – the mother of James, one of Jesus’ disciples. She provided for Jesus’ ministry via financial means, and two of her sons seemed to follow from Galilee to Jerusalem alongside her. She witnessed Jesus’ death and, likely, His resurrection.

Salome, the mother of the other James and John, asked if her sons could receive “places of honour” in God’s kingdom. She also witnessed Jesus’ death and resurrection, as one of the women at the tomb.

We learn from these two women that even when God gives our children places in ministry, that does not mean we have no place in ministry either. These mothers gave up everything to follow Jesus and provide for His ministry. When their sons fled the cross, they stayed behind and had a chance to be the first witnesses to His miraculous work three days later.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent…….Jesus and women.

Mothering Sunday is almost upon us, that special day when we think of mothers and our mother church. There are many stories about women in the bible - some were mothers, some were not. Each story is significant in its own way.

Jesus had a very different view to women from that of his contemporaries. Jesus said, “. . . at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female”. Women are created in the image of God just as men are. Like men, they have self-awareness, personal freedom, a measure of self-determination, and personal responsibility for their actions.

For Christ, women have an intrinsic value equal to that of men. There are some biblical women we need to know better.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today:
Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
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

Today we hear how Jesus became angry with those in the temple

Good morning :-)

It's good to know that your spirits are lifting Vera.......a new baby can cheer even the saddest of times. I bet there were plenty of cuddles all round <3 I love the adaptation of Fishers of Men. That's now going to stick with me whenever I hear it next :-D :-D


Aspects of Lent – traditions and symbols

ALMSGIVING: donating gifts of money, food or time to help those less fortunate

Almsgiving is a traditional practice during Lent. Almsgiving refers to giving money or goods to the needy. Jesus assumed that people would give alms because he told them to do it in secret. He did not say, ”IF you give alms.” Rather He said, “WHEN you give alms.” St. Paul admonishes us to be a cheerful giver. St. James tells us that our faith is proved by our almsgiving to the needy. Almsgiving is not an option; it is a necessity for a person who claims to follow Jesus. Almsgiving is seen as a way to express compassion, generosity, and a sense of social responsibility towards individuals or communities facing financial difficulties or hardship.

LORD, open my hand wider so that a bit more of my plenty may escape to help those more in need than I. Amen

Cx :-)

Hello all

Happy St David's Day to all our GR friends.

Vera, I hope having cuddles with your great granddaughter helped with your sadness. How quickly the 6 months have passed by.

Cynthia, I second Vera's thanks for all the very interesting Lenten postings this week.

Thank you for your posts during Lent Cynthia. I have been enjoying them. It has been good to be reminded of some things I already knew but had forgotten and to learn one or two new things. For instance I knew, of course, that the fish was an early Christian symbol and I knew that the Greek name for it was ichthus but I never knew that the letters of the word stood for anything special.

I also smiled at today's post remembering how as children we would sing the Fishers of Men chorus with the words "I will make you vicious old men". It seems very irreverent now but as children we just thought it was funny.

Like many others, our life is still one of ups and downs but I do think that the ups are beginning to outnumber the downs at last so something to be grateful for. The end of February saw the 50th anniversary of my mother's death and the 18th anniversary of my father's and I always feel a little down then. They both died around my birthday which was last weekend but this year grandson brought his partner and beautiful 6 month old baby daughter to see us and this weekend one of my granddaughters is coming. As they all live in Yorkshire it is quite a trek for them and I feel very blessed to have such a good and loving family and very sad for anyone who is estranged from their family.

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent. Traditions and symbols

FISH:
A fish is a symbol of Lent because, for some Christians, all Fridays during Lent are meatless days. In medieval times, meat was not eaten at all during Lent. Early Christians used a fish as a symbol of Christ because the letters of the Greek word for fish (ichthus) formed the first letters of the phrase “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour.”
After the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus told Peter, James, and John, “From now on, you will be catching men.” So each Christian is symbolically one of those fish caught in God’s net and hauled into the Kingdom.

LORD, You are my God and my All. Catch me in Your net and take me home. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – traditions and symbols

HOT CROSS BUNS:
Those of a certain age will remember this: “Hot Cross Buns, Hot Cross Buns, One ha’penny, Two ha’penny, Hot Cross Buns! If you have no daughters, Give them to your son. One ha’penny, Two ha’penny, Hot Cross Buns.”

Once only available at Easter time, these tasty buns are now available all year round but they are, in fact, a Lenten tradition with quite a history. For example, in 1582 London, cross buns were temporarily banned because they were believed to have supernatural qualities, along the lines of warding off evil and curing illnesses. 10 years later, Queen Elizabeth had banned them entirely, unless for funerals and, of course, Good Friday.

Traditionally, the bun marks the end of the Christian season of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him at his burial and sometimes also orange peel to reflect the bitterness of his time on the cross.

LORD, may I follow You in Your suffering and passion so that I may taste the sweetness of eternity with You. Amen.


Cx :-)