General Chat

Hello Joy, thank you for that. Good to see you back with us......




Hope those who read this thread, find these thoughts helpful today.



Everything happens for a Reason

Our Father knows what’s best for us,
So why should we complain–
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain–

We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear…

Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us, not to punish us,
But to help us meet Tomorrow…

For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of the chisel
Gives the marble grace and form…

God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain,
For every loss He sends to us
Is followed by rich gain…

And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And not time to lament.

For Our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasures
When the soul’s deep need is pain…

So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make Our Spirit Strong.


- Helen Steiner Rice.



Cx :-)

One day at a time sweet Jesus that's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine
So for my sake teach me to take one day at a time.

That is so true kanj....... none of us will see today again. We can only live a day at a time. Thank you for that blessing :-)

John, your FIL friends singing from the bottom of their hearts would have been awesome indeed and left a special priceless memory for your family that day.

Cynthia, how blessed you are to have young families to share your worship, perhaps your vicar's natural sense of humour is encouraging them to join your church family?

I love the simplicity of Irish blessings........ may I add a favourite of mine please?

May neighbours respect you
Trouble neglect you
The angels protect you, and
Heaven accept you.

Enjoy today everyone.(it won't ever come again!).

Two lovely Irish blessings to start the day, Cynthia. Many thanks. :-) :-)

Good morning.......

Two Irish blessings for today.......



"May the friendships you make,
Be those which endure,
And all of your grey clouds
Be small ones for sure.
And trusting in Him
To Whom we all pray,
May a song fill your heart,
Every step of the way."




"He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses more;
He who loses faith, loses all."



Cx :-)

Cynthia just like a child. :-)

I so agree wonderful voices from Welsh male voice choirs.

Emma :-)

When the Welsh sing - they really sing. Marvelous voices come from the Welsh Valleys.... :-D


A reasonably quiet morning at church even though there were quite a few tiddlies in.


Speaking to the Vicar later, he was telling us about 2 young mums who come to the mid-week service on Wednesday mornings.

They each have a small child and they are, apparently, two little characters. it seems as though one of them, when she is taken to the altar rail for a blessing, takes her dummy out of her mouth, says "Amen" and then pops it back in again.

Both mothers have asked to be confirmed later in the year which is rather nice :-)


Cx :-)

kandj That was final hymn at my father in law's funeral in 1994. He was one of the Welsh farming community in Flintshire. There must have been 200 of his friends behind us in church and as they began to sing "Mi glywais dyner lais" the roof of the church seemed to lift. It sounded like all the angels in heaven had joined in. One of life's great memories.

Think I have posted Y Gwahoddiad on another thread by Pendyrus (Cor Meibion Pendyrus), one of the local Rhondda male voice choirs (AnnC's late husband was a member).

John, a new one on me but beautiful to watch and listen to, thank you.

I also watched the link of Only Boys Allowed choir singing the same hymn in Welsh, which gave me goosebumps. Absolutely awesome, God bless them all.

Wonderful start to week. Cynthia - as one who is still setting highs for the bar and failing miserably sometimes. Not only tipping the high jump bar off, but failing to get my lead leg off teh ground and finishing in a heap on the floor. But at least each day and each week starts with ideals.

And yet another wonderful week in Christ's love, to be comforted by the Holy Spirit when needed.

I think it is such a shame when we hear Abide with Me, the Old Rugged Cross and Psalm 23 only at funerals. Almost as if they don't belong in a service where death is not a factor.

I must say that here in Wales Y Gwahoddiad (the Invitation) is very common as last hymn at funerals. I think in English it is "I hear his welcome voice". But it is so fantastic and can be used on many occasions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3dPXl6lxyk

John, as a golden oldie I also am drawn to the comfort and reassurance I find in the words of The Old Rugged Cross. Usually only sung with tears at funeral services lately though.

The Ideals words are thought provoking and helpful as always Cynthia, thank you and I hope your day is good too.

The Old Rugged Cross is a great favourite with older folk but, I'm pretty sure that it has bypassed the younger generations sadly. I'm not sure when I last sang it but it's a great hymn to sing I agree.



Cooler and damp here today, but not unpleasant.


Some thoughts for today....


Ideals

Remember that ideals
are like stars up in the sky,
You can never really reach them,
hanging in the heavens high ...
But like the mighty mariner
who sailed the storm-tossed sea,
And used the stars to chart his course
with skill and certainty,
You too can chart your course in life
with high ideals and love,
For high ideals are like the stars
that light the sky above ...
You cannot ever reach them,
but lift your heart up high
And your life will be as shining
as the stars up in the sky.

- Helen Steiner Rice


Hope everyone has a peaceful and happy day.... :-)

Aw John just the best.....Your Minister must be very old if he knows
what the cross looked like ;-) :-D
Thanks for the link :-)

I love The old Rugged Cross. I choose it quite often, have to print words out as it appears in so few hymn books today. My Minister is a bit snooty about it - emotional schmaltz, cross was not old, and it was not rugged etc.

And I am sure he would hate me posting this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z07w4848lvA

Who cares? Great hymn. Greatest of singers :-) :-) :-)

Thanks for that John, I knew nothing about the hymn writer,
5000 hymns wow. My daughter's favourite is The Old Rugged Cross
and must admit one of mine also.

Emma :-)

Many thanks Emma. Hymnwriter was Johnson Oatman Junior (1856-1922). (I wickied). He was a Methodist Episcopal Minister in New Jersey. A part time Minister as he also worked full-time in retail and insurance for most of his ministry.

And he wrote over 5,000 gospel hymns!!! Many still popular today. One I like is "I will trade the old cross for a crown"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOS1k71SP0Q

My OH was in the BB, as was the vicar kandj. We have a thriving group at the moment and that hymn is always sung at their re-dedication service each year. Great words. :-)

Cynthia Thank you. Count Your Blessings (we do every day), the words and tune come easily to mind from Sunday School days very many years ago now.

John your chosen hymn brings to mind a lovely neighbour who sadly lost his fight with cancer but was involved in Boys Brigade for several years. His widow chose Will Your Anchor Hold at his funeral service..... so appropriate I thought. He comes to mind whenever I hear this special hymn. Thank you.

Does your anchor hold in the storms of life
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tide lifts and the cables strain
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm_gmEJjHws

Thank you Cynthia, I also remembered the Luton Girls Choir
version of Count your Blessings which I loved listening to as
a child.

Emma :-)