General Chat

Interesting posts again this week Cynthia. I've been reminded of when I was a very little girl and I insisted my mother (who had a terrible singing voice, bless her) sang three songs to me before I would go to sleep. One of the three was Jesus Bids Us Shine which seems relevant to this week's postings.

After a few difficult weeks things are improving for us and I am feeling very grateful for that. We have also been given great joy - the birth of our first great-grandchild, a beautiful baby girl born yesterday. OH and I haven't stopped smiling yet. We are indeed blessed.

Good morning :-)

The Transfiguration.......so much light.

There’s nothing quite like coming home on a dark night and seeing a warm light glowing as a welcome sign. Teenage children, and spouses working late may have no need for the light as navigation, but as a sign that they are welcomed and loved, it is very special.

It was often the case that, when a young soldier left for war, his mother would light a candle and place it in the window ready for his return.
There is, apparently, a house in the USA where a candle (now electric) has been glowing for over 100 years. The young man never returned home and subsequent owners have honoured the mother’s wish.

For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.
- Psalm 18:28

Cx :-)

Hello all

We have bright sunshine for a change. Hurray!

Thank you Cynthia for your ongoing postings.

Thinking of all who are struggling today.

Good morning :-)

Light is something that we take for granted. Turn on a switch and voila, light! In most cities, streetlights shine throughout the night. Our homes can look like Crystal Palace at times. A few hundred years ago, though, people really appreciated light. Once the sun went down, the only light they had came from candles, simple lanterns, or the stars and moon. Night time must have been a literal nightmare for them!

If we are grateful for light in our everyday use, how much more should we be grateful for Jesus – the Light of the World.

Cx :-)

Good afternoon :-)

We are called to be lights in the world…………maybe we could…….

Respond to a stranger with a smile
Help someone out
Make a meal for someone who is sick or grieving.
Letting someone go before you in the checkout line.
Praying for your enemies or people who annoy you

“Don't shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him.” —C.S. Lewis

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, we also had Christ be Our Light on Sunday....a favourite of mine and so I was singing the chorus driving back home, it's very catchy.

Gentle hugs for all who feel sad today x

Good morning :-)


The Transfiguration – so much light!

The Transfiguration

Evening fast was falling
As Peter, James and John
Accompanied their Saviour
Sense of weariness forgone.

As they climbed the mountain
That led them to the place
Where an expression of His divinity
Left its illuminating trace.

While Jesus bowed in lowliness
Upon the stony ground
The heavens suddenly opened
And God’s glory shone around.

Holy radiance descended
Enshrouding His slight form
Divinity flashed through humanity,
His Godlike countenance was born.

Besides Jesus stood two beings
In the light of glory bright
It was Moses and Elijah
Seen so clearly in the night.

Clothed with the light of heaven
Christ, the King of Heaven stood
Before the crown, must come the cross
Followed by Priesthood.

Cx :-)

Good afternoon :-)

I had an unexpected visitor this morning so am running late...... :-D


The Transfiguration – Light

One of the hymns we sang yesterday fits the bill perfectly. It’s a tune that can go round and round in your head - all day! Happy singing! https://youtu.be/Tr5XhaRaL0M


Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Chorus

Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Chorus

Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Chorus

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Chorus

Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.
Chorus

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration - the day Jesus was made radiant in Glory.


Collect (special prayer) for today:
Father in heaven,
whose Son Jesus Christ was wonderfully transfigured
before chosen witnesses upon the holy mountain,
and spoke of the exodus he would accomplish at Jerusalem:
give us strength so to hear his voice and bear our cross
that in the world to come we may see him as he is;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Hello Vera and its good to know that, despite a couple of setbacks, your OH is progressing well. There's never a dull moment is there? Sending love. <3

Miserable weather today - so a couple of questions:


Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalms 117

Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalms 119

Q: Which chapter is in the centre of the Bible?
A: Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
Add these numbers up and you get 1188.

Q: What is the central verse in the Bible?
A: Psalms 118:8
Which reads:
"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?

You bet it does! <3

Cx :-)

Good to see you Tabitha. Very belated congratulations on your 25th anniversary. Your "Carp Ark" story made me smile :-)

I am enjoying this week's stories.

Thank you for your kind thoughts for my OH. He has made an amazing recovery. 7-8 days ago he was so ill that I thought it would take him weeks to recover and yet he is almost back to normal already. Without going into the boring details we have had another couple of setbacks this week but we're getting over them. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger so I think we must be getting very strong now ;-)

Sending a hug to anyone who looks in who is also going through a rough patch <3

Good morning :-)


Uncertain weather - read a story :-)


A well-respected scholar and avowed atheist was speaking at a large outdoor picnic. He spoke for two and a half hours attempting to prove that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that, as there was no such thing as the historical resurrection, the religious tradition of the church was groundless emotional nonsense because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions.

After about 30 seconds, an old preacher stood up. "Sir, I have one question," he said as all eyes turned toward him. He reached into his bag and pulled out an apple he had been eating. "My question is a simple question," he said before taking another bite of the apple. He continued, "I haven't read all the books you have, and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek." He took a couple more bites of the apple and said, "I don't know a thing about Niebuhr and Heidegger."

He finished the apple and said, "All I want to know is: this apple I just finished, was it tart or sweet?"

The speaker paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion, "I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple."

The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag and said calmly, "Neither have you tasted my Jesus."

Have you tasted Jesus?

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



There was this Christian who saw a scorpion floundering around in the water. He decided to save it by stretching out his finger, but the scorpion stung him. The man still tried to get the scorpion out of the water, but the scorpion stung him again.

A man nearby told him to stop trying to save the scorpion that kept stinging him.

But the Christian said: "It is the nature of the scorpion to sting. It is my nature to love. Why should I give up my nature to love just because it is the nature of the scorpion to sting?"

Don't give up loving. Don't give up your goodness, even if people around you sting.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Rain and more rain..... when will it end?

Thanks Cynthia and Tabitha for sharing a much needed laughter post.

Vera, I hope that your hubby is on the mend now?
You two haven't had much luck recently.

Sending gentle hugs to all who feel low today x

Good morning :-)


Lol@ Tabitha. Good one! :-D :-D


Miserable day - storytime.

One Sunday morning during service, the large congregation was surprised to see two men enter, both covered from head to toe in black and carrying submachine guns. One of the men shouted, "Anyone willing to take a bullet for Christ remain where you are." Immediately, the choir fled, the deacons fled, and most of the congregation fled. Out of the large number there only remained around 20.

The man who had spoken took off his hood, looked at the preacher and said, “Okay Vicar, I got rid of all the hypocrites. Now you may begin your service. Have a nice day!”

And the two men turned and walked out.


Cx :-)

By the way - one more for you joke book - Cynthia

One day God calls down to Noah and says, "Noah me old mate, I want you to make me a new Ark".

Noah replies, "No probs God, me old Supreme Being, anything you want after all you're the boss...

But God interrupts, "Ah, but there's a catch. This time Noah, I do not want just a couple of decks, I want 20 decks one on top of the other".

"20 DECKS!", screams Noah. "Well, OK Big Man, whatever you say. Should I fill it up with all the animals just like last time?"

"Yes , well , this time I want you to fill it up with fish", God answers.

"Fish?" queries Noah.

"Yep, fish . . well, to make it more specific Noah, I want carp wall to wall, floor to ceiling Carp!"

Noah looks to the skies. "OK God, but let me get this right, You want a New Ark?"

"Check".

"With 20 decks, one on top of the other?"

"Check".

"And you want it full of Carp?".

"Check."

"Why?" asks the perplexed Noah,

"Dunno really", says God, "I just fancied a Multi-Storey Carp Ark instead."

Good morning :-)

Lovely to see you again Tabitha - glad you have enjoyed the posts. Take care. <3

Miserable weather - story week!

Two little frogs were playing leapfrog in a barn and both wound up jumping into the farmer’s milk can. They swam around having fun for a little while, and then they tried to jump out. When they realized they were too far from the top and couldn't jump out, they kept swimming.

After what seemed like an eternity, one little frog grew tired and weak. All seemed hopeless, and he slowly went under, a few bubbles rose to the top, and he sank to the bottom.

The second little frog kept paddling and paddling and memories from his life passed before his eyes when he recalled his old preacher, Rev. Toad quoting Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

That gave him a boost. His little legs started paddling a little bit harder. Time passed, and nothing seemed to change until he noticed the milk was getting thicker. He started praying as his tired legs paddled a little harder. The more he paddled, the thicker the milk became until it turned into butter, and he could stand on the firm surface and jump out.

The moral of this story is “Just keep swimming.” Do not give up and sink to the bottom. When we think we are too tired, God knows how much strength we have left. Hang in there.

Cx :-)

Good morning all
When I need cheering up or support I can rely on this thread to do it.

Hope you OH is on the mend Vera & everyone is keeping well.

We feel blessed to have celebrated our 25th Wedding anniversary in June, just the two of us & had a lovely meal out, as 2nd time around for us both, Our Auntie & Uncle celebrate their 74th wedding anniversary this week. I don't always post but keep an eye on you all to see how things are. Things are ticking along, could be better but just thankful we are all well.

Best laugh I have had in a few weeks, its a really tonic. Hopefully the weather will be brighter but we did need the rain for our gardens.

Keep up the good work Cynthia. <3

Good morning :-)

On a miserable day like today, who doesn't appreciate a good story?

Story week

A Christian wrote a letter to the Editor of the local newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.

"I've gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and, in that time, I have heard something like 3,000 sermons but, for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time … and the clergy are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”

This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column, much to the delight of the Editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: “I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. but for the life of me, I cannot recall what the menu was for a single one of those meals. I do know this: they all nourished me and gave me strength. If my wife had not given me those meals, I would be dead today.”

That pretty much ended the discussion!

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)




The Collect (special prayer) for today:
Almighty Lord and everlasting God,
we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern
both our hearts and bodies
in the ways of your laws
and the works of your commandments;
that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever,
we may be preserved in body and soul;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Gospel reading from Matthew 13, tells the story of the Mustard Seed.

Cx :-)