I have been having a conversation today with someone who has just received very bad news about their health. I have been trying to explain how my faith helps me. we have been corresponding across the miles for a couple of years now and from time to time we get the feel of our lives connecting either through sorrow, joy, relief, sadness, or many other feelings. I sent in my last missive a small list of readings that have been well received and have been asked to publish the list. Well if you believe in God and His Holy Son Jesus try these when you need them.

HELPFUL BIBLE VERSES

• When you are lonely - Psalm 27; Hebrews 13:5
• When in sorrow - Cor 1;3-4 John 1:27
• When people seem unkind - Ephesians 4:32
• When you worry - Matthew - 6:19, 25-34
• When you are discouraged - Isaiah 40; Psalm 126
• When God seems far away- Psalm 139
• For those who are bereaved - Psalm 23; John 11;25
• When you want rest and peace - Matthew 11: 28-30
• When you grow bitter or critical - 1 Corinthians 13
• For one who wants to become a Christian - John 5:24

I hope they help someone, if you want some more or are particularly in need of spiritual help, I am here to try and help, and in the words of the good AA Advert "I know a man who can"

Norman

I have had the time today to watch the rugby, and I am about to watch the Scotland's game. what a fantastic job the Fiji team did against Wales. I wonder if the Scotland games is going to be as god. remember Italy soundly beat Scotland in the six nations so I am going to settle down in the study, with my marmalade tosties, and big mug of tea, to watch the action.

I have spent today resting listening to my talking books. I belong to Audible Books . I have started to catch up on the ones I have been waiting to listen to. Unfortunately today was a bad day, the pain in my foot and stomach has been a bit to much to bear. The only thing I can do when I have a day like that is to get as much rest as possible. If I try to do to much I know full well that I will suffer within a few days.
I am listening to one of the “Shannara” books by “Terry Brooks” they are ideal if you need to spend a little time in mental get away mode. Its lovely to get lost in the world a fantasy, and even better if you can lay back and listen to someone reading the books for you. A good talking book, a Recliner & Riser chair, large mug of sweet tea, and a packet of digestive biscuits “ the ultimate form of decadence. I almost get to forget about the pain. The only down side is that they are specific files and can either be played on the computer or an “ipod” they don’t come as MP3 files. But its possible to buy a programme called “SoundTaxi” you can then change the format to MP3. Only remember all of the files are copyrighted so you shouldn’t send them to your mates. They have got some serious stuff but the site has a large cross section of literature.
I did start to go out with Susan about mid day but couldn’t walk when we got to the shops, as I said a bad day. Sue decided to go to the “SavaCentre”. I did get a gift a bar of Thornton’s chocolate, and some underwear, boxers, cant stand y fronts.
As to my state of mind I always get a bit down when I have a bad day, that means a short blog for you today. Lets wait to see what tomorrow brings God Bless and stay safe.
Tonight has been a very bad time, I have the pain around my stoma again I haven’t felt like that for a couple of months but it is back with a vengeance. The time now is 2.30 and I haven’t any chance of sleeping I think I will go on to Christian Chat http://www.christianchat.co.uk/ some time talking to some of the others on line helps me to forget my own problems, there always seems to be someone in the rooms that needs my help.
That’s all today, I want to give you a few of my favourite Bible Readings tomorrow. I am not trying to come across a bible bore but some of you have asked for some more readings and prayers. So if you are not interested I am sorry that you feel that way, try some of the readings they may help to light a light in your heart. If not there’s nothing lost is there.

God Bless

Norman

I met an elderly gentleman the other day when I was in the hospital, having another of my very usual blood tests. (I suggested that they slit my wrist and attach a bucket to my arm that would save them the time and needles) any way back to the man he had recently lost his wife, and was obviously by his manner getting very lonely, he said that people don’t know how to talk to him. Susan and I found exactly the same when we lost our son a couple of months ago, she went to her hairdressers in Gillingham to have her hair cut for Derick’s funeral, and Pappie said the reason he was quite he didn’t have a clue what to say to us about our loss. We soon began to tell our friends to act as normal as they could we were grieving but we needed some sense of normality in our lives so that we could come to terms with what had happened. I explained all of this to the man in the hospital, he went away a bit happier I think. But I thought that perhaps if I write about the incident here, those of you who read this blog will be able to extent the feeling or normality to anyone who is recently bereaved. Yes they are hurting inside and yes they will be feeling lonely and hurt. But what we need in our grief is a shoulder to lean on an ear to hear us and most of all the friendship that allows us to be given that god gift of normality.

For those who are lonely

Oh God I am lonely, you know how depressed I get, you know how time passes so slowly for me, you know how at times I feel bitter and resentful.
Oh God help me to welcome those who offer friendship, to look for those who need to be comforted so that in giving I might have no time for loneliness.
Thank you for promising never to leave me alone, that in quietness and rest I shall find your strength.
Amen

Lazy day today, I have spent most of my time watching the Rugby World Cup, two good games this afternoon and I am waiting now for the start of France v Namibia I imagine that will be a walk over. mind you some of the match predictions that were being espoused at the beginning of the World Cup seem to have been shot down in flames. the only disappointment was that disgraceful showing England called a game. Sue spent the afternoon over Shelly's with Roxanne, they went for a long walk, mind you nanny was walking with Shelly Roxanne is in a wheelchair but loves nothing more than to get out of the house for a while, not much to ask.

Anyway the reason for this blog is to say something about the simple prayers I use as mentioned yesterday. its a sort of evening devotion, I found a card some time ago, or I should say it found me. it was inside a second hand book, the Medway Maritime Hospital sells second hand books just inside the entrance. I buy a few each time I have my blood test and the next time I bring some of them back as well as others that have been passed on to me. its something I have kept and passed on the prayers to others.

Evening

"Now I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone O Lord makest me to live unafraid" Psalm 4:8

Thank you O God, for watching over me today, for the good things, for the disappointments that through it all I may learn more about your love for me. Into your strong hands I place the friends who have shared their day with me, my love ones who's names I now mention........... myself with my fears, my worries, my hopes. O God help me to sleep well, and having rested to wake afresh ready to face a new day with you. Help me as I turn out the light to go to sleep thinking of You and your promises. Amen

Thanks to you that have read this and have the faith to pass the prayers on.

For the past few months I have had a great deal of reasons to doubt my faith, it has been tested to the full in every sense of the word. But as time has passed I have come to terms with god, I believe I have stopped blaming him now, and in some way have received comfort in prayer. over the next few days allow me to share with you some of my prayers, they are simple and take no more than a few seconds. perhaps they can help you in the same way they have reassured me.

Morning "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans for the good and not evil, to give you a future and hope. in those day's when you pray I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if look for me in earnest." Jeremiah 29:11-3

"O God thank you for your care during the night, for this new day, for the promise of your presence with me, for the comfort of knowing you. Give me strength to do what has to be done, patience to bear what cannot be altered, courage to accept pain, if it comes without complaining. Help me this day to put away sad thoughts, to think on those things that are pure and lovely, and to remember good things about others." " Amen"

Have a fantastic day today when you have read this, and I pray that it helps you as it does me, if you would like to know more please email me.

Norman