General Chat

Thoughts and prayers to those who need comfort
and strength to see them through difficult times <3

Dear All

Hello

A small prayer for something many of us take for granted but much others need so much around the world.

"WATER"



We praise and thank You, Lord,
for the gift of living water.

Guide us
to use it wisely,

learn from its humility,

consume it sparingly,

and protect its purity,

so that we may truly

enjoy water"

Amen.

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

Take gentle care
Best wishes
Elizabeth
xx

Good morning :-)

Thank you for those words Elizabeth - they are so very true. I know the charity WaterAid does all it can to provide safe water, hygiene and sanitation in many areas of the world. I have just looked at their website and there is some very interesting and startling information on there.


A smile for today :


Elegant Hugs

When God created elephants,
He thought, "Now, let me see ...
They must be big and loveable,
And as huggable as can be."

He experimented first with ants,
Then moved up, in size, to bugs ...
"They won't do at all," He said,
"They give such tiny hugs."

Next He worked on cats and dogs,
Then walruses and whales;
He even went as far,
As dinosaurs with tails.

He finally worked up to elephants,
Then, smiled and said with glee ...
"Elephant hugs are the greatest,
And not only that, they are free!"

"So, kids and folks can copy them,
And learn to hug their way ...
An elephant hug is an "elegant" hug,
Have you had yours today?

~ Virginia Ellis


Sending "elegant" hugs to kandj, Emma's young friend, and anyone else who needs one. Cx :-)

Good morning... :-)


I'm sorry to say that it appears that we have lost John from the boards once more. It seems that there was some sort of 'spat' on another thread for which he was reported by other members. I didn't see what happened but I do know that he and I stood shoulder to shoulder on faith issues......even if we didn't always come from the same starting block.

Personally, I am sorry that this has happened and will miss his contributions on here and on other threads. He certainly livened up what has become a very slow Chat board.

Our prayer for today:

Gracious God,
help us to listen gently,
pray daily,
read our Bibles carefully,
laugh kindly,
give generously,
love outrageously
and leave everything else to you.

Amen.


Cx

Good morning :-)


I hope all pop in here now and then are keeping well. We remember to pray for kandj and her husband and for Emma's young friend.



Dear God, grant me this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life,
Letting go every thought of anxiety, discouragement, self-seeing,
Cultivating joy, generosity, love, and the habit of holy silence.
Grant me to be faithful in the habits of prayer, work, study, exercise,
eating and sleeping.
As I cannot by my own strength do this,
nor even with the hope of success attempt it,
I look to you, O Lord my Father, in Jesus Christ my Savior
and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.



With love, Cx :-)

I am not much chop on the prayers bit but am thinking of your young friend Emms and hope she fairs okay..

You too Kandj , I wish you and your husband well.

and then there's John... I think it's rather harsh treatment to dish out to John an over six year ban from the chat boards.
I have no doubt it will free up his time somewhat to do other productive things but will miss his attitude albeit persistent at times.

Interruption over Cyns... normal transmission may be resumed..

Persie :-)

Thank you Cynthia and Persie.

My thoughts and prayers to all in need. <3

Dear All

Hello


This is a prayer for those who are looking for work:

A Prayer to Find Employment

"God be with me today in finding employment.

Lead me to work that I love, and that has value.

Guide me to a place with an atmosphere of respect and cooperation,

in a safe and happy environment.

Help me to find fulfilment mentally and financially".

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

Take gentle care
Best wishes
Elizabeth,
xx

Hello


This small prayer is for bus and train drivers:


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

"Dear Jesus, We thank you for the patience

and dedication of bus and train drivers

who are entrusted with

the safety and care of their passengers.


Watch over all of them

and guide them, in your mercy,

so that they, and their passengers,

may reach their intended destinations,

safely and securely".


Amen

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

Take gentle care
Best wishes
Elizabeth,
xx

Good morning... :-)


How nice to see folk popping in again......even our Persie - you are most welcome.

Thank you for your prayers Elizabeth - I really appreciate the support everyone gives on here.

I have heard from kandj once more. She is obviously coming to terms with their new situation and time is limited. However, she would like to thank everyone so much for all the kind thoughts and prayers which have been offered for her and her husband. We continue to remember her and Emma's young friend in our prayers.


Whilst watching TV the other day, Pilgrim's Progress was mentioned. I was quite startled to hear how popular the book remains and that there are Pilgrim's Progress walks available. With that in mind, maybe it would be a good morning to remind ourselves of the words of that wonderful hymn and, maybe, think of our friend John.

John Bunyan wrote these words during a 12 year prison sentence for refusing to conform with the state church. I have used the original words, the version I learnt at school....


Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither;
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather
There’s no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.

Whoso beset him round
With dismal stories
Do but themselves confound;
His strength the more is.
No lion can him fright,
He’ll with a giant fight,
He will have a right
To be a pilgrim.

Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit,
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies fly away,
He’ll fear not what men say,
He’ll labour night and day
To be a pilgrim.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yHJMPw8RHU


Wishing everyone a good day... Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia for that hymn from John Bunyan he
was my son in laws X amount of times great grandfather.

Emma :-)

Lovely hymn, Cynthia, thank you :-)

That's the words we used to sing back in our primary school in the sixties. The school has gone now, but I still have the little blue Songs of Praise (OUP) hymnbook I requested from my parents for my eighth birthday.

Love to all. Prayers for friends of friends I don't know personally, but prayers all the same. <3

(Also thinking of John. Hope he can still at least read this thread).

Edit: The BBC Radio 4 Daily Service ('The Act of Worship') now available on BBC iPlayer!

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/programmes/a-z/by/daily%20service/player

I have a lovely old copy of Pilgrim's Progress belonged to OH's Uncle. ."

We were just talking about hymns today:

We had been at Takapuna Beach when the children were young and we were walking back through the suburban streets to our parked car with two little girls singing at the top of their voices "yes Jesus Loves me."

We were/are fairly laid back parents and allow them to do their own thing .. and never discourage anything that does not hurt others. I don't think the residents of the area would have needed to get in noise control.

I'm still looking in almost every day, so thank you everyone for your posts.

John will be missed on here but with all your other posts I am sure the thread will carry on.

Still keeping Kandj, Emma's young friend, and others in need in my thoughts

Good morning :-)


"Yes, Jesus loves me"........my word Persie, that brought back some memories and it was something the children could sing without being particularly tuneful too......thanks for that... :-D


Lovely to hear different voices on here apart from mine....thank you everyone. Yes, John will be missed but he is in close touch with many folk apparently and will be looking in.


As for having John Bunyan in your family tree..................well............that is something else!!

A thought for today:


Lord, it’s Saturday,

A traditional day for sport and for shopping.

But some people still have to work.

Help me to think of shop workers,

Help me to think of those who are working in hospitals.

Help me to think of the police.

It’s so easy to think of myself and my own enjoyment

And to take for granted that others are working on my behalf.

May your will be done on earth

As it is in heaven.

May you be glorified today.

Amen

- Stanley Fitzsimmonds.


Enjoy your day Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Today is a very special day for three reasons.

Firstly - it is Sunday, the holiest day of the week. Our mini resurrection day.

Secondly - it is St. Peter's Day. Dear St. Peter, such a character. Such a rock.

Thirdly - it is our 46th wedding anniversary today.


So much to be grateful for.


The Collect for St. Peter's Day....

Almighty God,
who inspired your apostle Saint Peter
to confess Jesus as Christ and Son of the living God:
build up your Church upon this rock,
that in unity and peace it may proclaim one truth
and follow one Lord, your Son our Saviour Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Happy Anniversary Cynthia <3

Happy Anniversary Cynthia <3

Dear Cynthia

Hello

To wish you and your husband much happiness and contentment on your special day.

A very happy anniversary to you both.


With lots of good wishes
Love from
Elizabeth
xx

Cynthia, wishing both you and your husband a Very Happy 46th Wedding Anniversary.

Hope you have had a lovely day.

Love, Sallie. xx