General Chat

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

Great is thy faithfulness O God My Father
There is no shadow of turning from Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thy forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me.

Summer and Winter and Springtime and Harvest
Sun moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, witness and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Vera, these wonderful words have encouraged me very many times in my darkest days. I pray they will give you the strength to help you support your Aunt and her family and also your ex-neighbour, the little boy and his family now.

Remembering all who will find it hard to sleep tonight for whatever reason. xx

Thank you everyone for your kind words. They are much appreciated.

Auntie unfortunately broke her femur in her last fall. She has accepted that she can no longer take care of herself and is in hospital but awaiting a nursing home place. Unfortunately she is finding difficulty in swallowing so is eating next to nothing and this is a bit worrying as she weighed very little to start with. We are just hoping the staff can make her comfortable and peaceful.

As for the little boy, he has had four months of chemotherapy to try to shrink the tumour which is taking up a large part of his tummy. The operation to remove the tumour is taking place on Tuesday and he will then have intensive chemo and other treatment which may have a damaging affect on both his physical and mental development. This must be so hard for his parents to bear.

I have just been sent a photo of the little lad. In spite of uncomfortable tubes up his nose, he has the sunniest smile and his personality just shines out. I know we all have to play the hand we are given but sometimes life seems very unfair.

At times like this I remember my favourite line from a hymn - "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow". That's all we can wish for.

Remembering all who have asked for prayer.x

Thanks Cynthia. A trouble shared is indeed a trouble halved I think.

Popping in now to remind Vera that prayers are ongoing for her Aunt and the little boy and all of their family and friends who must be feeling shocked and worried.

We cling to hope that tomorrow will prove to be better, when we have our troubles
Agreeing with Emma that we never know how strong we can be unless we are tested. We are blessed with a belief that we are never left alone in our dark times.

"And we hold on to HOPE, in the glory of God's name.
Not only that, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
and character HOPE". words of encouragement from Romans 5: 2-4.

Remembering all who have family or friends in hospital today, and we give thanks for the skill and knowledge of doctors and nurses and for their caring ways. xx

Good morning :-)


What sad news to hear Vera - for both the elderly lady and for the little boy. They will certainly be remembered in prayer bless them.

I'm sure we are all grateful for the friendships in our lives - those people who make a difference - during good times and bad. I thought these words worth sharing.



God knows no strangers, He loves us all,
The poor, the rich, the great, the small ...

He is a friend who is always there
To share our troubles and lessen our care ...

No one is a stranger in God's sight,
for God is love and in His light
May we, too, try in our small way
To make new friends from day to day ...

So pass no stranger with an unseeing eye,
For God may be sending a new friend by.

(Helen Steiner Rice)


Love to all Cx :-)

Oh Vera you have had such upsetting news today, I am so sorry to hear this.

What a shock for your Aunt aged 91yrs to have fallen over twice, thank goodness she has not broken any bones, she must feel very fragile now bless her.

What a tragic story of your friends little 2yr old grandson diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and now facing surgery and ongoing cancer treatment.
Life can be very cruel. His parents and family will be devastated by this disease.

I will certainly remember your Aunt and her family and also the little 2yr old and his family in prayer. God bless and heal them and give strength to their families.

Vera I'm so sorry to hear of this sad news.
My thoughts and prayers are with this little
boy and his family <3

You never know how Strong you are
until being Strong is the only choice you have.x

Glad to hear that your husband is a little better today Cynthia. I hope Kandj's husband is comfortable and will begin to show an improvement soon.

Today I have heard two sad pieces of news. First my 91 year old aunt-by-marriage has had two very bad falls and spent considerable time in hospital. Her daughter tells me that she is now very frail.

Then I received an email from an ex-neighbour telling me that her 2 year old grandson is being treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital for an aggressive form of childhood cancer. He is shortly to undergo a complicated operation that will mean 2 months in hospital, followed by intensive chemotherapy and a year of treatment. Can I ask you please to remember this little one and his parents in your prayers tonight.

I am grateful for the skill and compassion of the medical and support staff.

Good to hear a little improvement for your husband Cynthia, hope that it continues.

Thank you Emma. Your kind thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 King James Version.

Thinking and praying for all the newly bereaved today.xx

Good morning :-)

Things improved slightly yesterday, and he seems more mobile this morning, so I am now hoping and praying that my OH will stabilise out for a while. Thank you for your caring words everyone... <3


I know of at least two funerals taking place today and thought I would offer this prayer :


Gracious God Surround Us

Gracious God,
surround us and all who mourn this day
with your continuing compassion.
Do not let grief overwhelm your children,
or turn them against you.
When grief seems never-ending,
take them one step at a time
along your road of death and resurrection
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Love Cx :-)

My thoughts and prayers to both your husbands.

I'm sure that you both have the strength at this
time to help you through. xx

God says in Exodus 15:26... for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

Oh dear Cynthia, I am so sorry to hear that your husband is struggling today.
I do hope that he improves so you both can enjoy a good day today.

Emma, my husband isnt very well but we are thankful he is home and not in hospital.

GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART.

Give thanks with a thankful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks.

We give thanks to You, O Lord
We give thanks.

Give thanks always and for everything in life to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.. (Ephesians 5 v 20).

Remembering today, all who face daily pain and ongoing poor health issues. xx

Good morning :-)

Oh dear.....we seem to be going through a bit of a bad spell here at the moment as my husband is very unsettled and slow. Hopefully it will pass as it has in the past.


For today:

Father, dear Father,

I am so grateful for everything that you have given me.
Thank you so much for the loved ones in my life,
For the many ways in which I am cared for and supported.
Thank you for the many ways I can serve and give to others.

Thank you for the rich tapestry of colours in creation,
For the beauty which is all around me,
For the skies and the ever changing cloud formations,
For the breathtaking sunsets and early morning mists.

My heart is so grateful and brimming with thanks.
I could write a thousand books about your great goodness,
And still have many stories to tell.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I thank you with everything I am.
All my being cries thank you Lord!

Amen.



Love to all. Cx :-)

What an interesting poem Dermot - quite powerful.

Cynthia, I hope your OH is having a good day and that your boiler is giving you no more trouble.

Hopefully your OH is gaining in strength Kandj.

My thoughts today are with those poor people in Nepal. What they are going through makes me feel ashamed of complaining about my minor difficulties. A fervent Amen to the prayers that have been posted.

I had never heard of Kuno Meyes and have just read up about this German scholar on Wikipaedia. He looks very stern and definitely is in need of a moustache trim!
Thank you Dermot. We live and learn something new every day.

Emma, I hope you have stopped "marching" now lol.

I agree Cynthia that the latest earthquake in Nepal is so tragic and heartbreaking.

Heavenly Father
We pray for the people of Nepal who are affected by another earthquake
May they feel Your presence in their darkest hour and know of Your compassion
Give strength and support to all the medical workers as they provide comfort there
We ask this in Your son Jesus' name. Amen.

Good morning :-)


My word Dermot, that's quite a piece of writing....and a very interesting and honest slant on things. Thanks. x


News of yet another earthquake in Nepal, has shocked everyone - those poor, poor people.

Lord of all compassion
We pray for all of those caught up in the midst of tragedy or disaster.
For those who have lost life and those working to save life
For those who are worried for people they love
For those who will see their loved ones no longer
Lord Have Mercy.
For those in need of the peace that passes all understanding
For all who turn to you in the midst of turmoil
For those who cry out to you in fear and in love
Lord Have Mercy.
For those in confusion and those in despair
For those whose tears are yet to dry
For those in need of your unending love
Lord Have Mercy
Amen.


Remembering all those who have asked for prayer. Cx :-)

I am Eve, great Adam’s wife.
‘Tis I that outraged Jesus of old.
‘Tis I that robbed my children of Heaven.
By right, ‘tis I that should have gone upon the cross.

I had a kindly house to please.
Grievous the evil choice that disgraced me.
Grievous the wicked advice that withered me.
Alas! My hand is not pure.

‘Tis I that plucked the Apple,
Which went across my gullet.
So long as they endure in the light of day,
So long women will not cease from folly.

There would be no ice in any place.
There would be no glistening windy winter.
There would be no hell; there would be no sorrow.
There would be no fear, if it were not for me.

(* Taken from Kuno Meyer’s {1858-1919}‘Ancient Irish Poetry’).

Cynthia as always I learn something from you :-)

Kandj I hope you realise I will not be able to get that
hymn out of my head today :-)

Remembering all in need of comfort and support x

Good to hear your boiler and TV sorted Cynthia.... wonder what will go wrong next?
Most things go wrong in threes in our home!!

Thank you for the information about Saint Pancras. I also hadn't hear of him before, but will think of this young boy now whenever St Pancras railway station is mentioned.

Today's posting brings the familiar hymn to my mind, so I will share the words with all.

O WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN.

O when the saints go marching in,
O when the saints go marching in;
O Lord, I want to be among the number
When the saints go marching in.

O when they crown Him, Lord of all
O when they crown Him, Lord of all;
O Lord, I want to be among the number
When they crown Him Lord of all.

O when all knees bow at His name
O when all knees bow at His name;
O Lord, I want to be among the number
When the knees bow at His name.

O when they sing, the Saviour's praise
O when they sing the Saviour's praise;
O Lord I want to be among the number
When they sing the Saviour's praise.

O when the saints go marching in
O when the saints go marching in;
O Lord, I want to be among the number
When the saints go marching in.

Remembering all teenage children and their parents in prayer today. x

Good morning :-)


The boiler problem is all sorted thank goodness. It took the chap two hours to fix it, but at least it's one.

Close on the heels of the gasman came the TV man. We have been having problems with the analogue bit and so I got him to come and sort it out. It was fixed in seconds................................seems as though I had plugged the analogue wotsit into the audio thingey in error. Oooops...... :-S


Today is the feast day of St. Pancras. Many of us will have passed through this station at some time in our lives, but how many know anything about the Saint after whom this station was name? Not me, that's for sure!



Saint Pancras was probably born in the late third century, possibly in Syria or Phrygia (a province of Asia Minor).

Some sources maintain that Pancras was orphaned at a young age and sent to live with his uncle Dionysious in Rome.

There Pancras became a Christian when his uncle converted.

It is believed that both were martyred during the Roman emperor Diocletian’s persecutions of the Christians in the 300s.

Pancras was only a teenager when he died for refusing to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods.

Pancras’ tomb in Rome was believed to be near the second milestone on the Via Aurelia. A basilica was later built at the site by Pope Symmachus.

Pancras is especially venerated in England because Augustine of Canterbury dedicated his first church to Pancras and his relics were presented as a gift to the king of Northumberland.

So he was just a young teenager bless him.


Prayer:

St. Pancras, pray for all teenagers that their faith may be as strong as yours, strong enough to lead them through all the trials of their life.


Love to all Cx :-)