Hello my friends! Hope you all had a good day today - -3 is much better than we've had in a long time, but still icy though. Lori was here for supper - we're talking about places to have our Anniversary possibly in July and we'll check out a place tomorrow that seems reasonable enough. Tonight I don't have much to say so I'll just leave it at that and see you tomorrow. Praying for you all, that I always do.
Daily Inspiration, Scripture, Meditation and Prayer
Let life's lessons grow into wisdom so that you may be the light for someone
else's darkness. Lord, help me put to good use that which today brings so
that I am better prepared for tomorrow.
Scripture for the Day
"He said to them, 'Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest
a while.'" — Mark 6:31
Meditation for the Day
I can sometimes go aside into a quiet place of retreat with God. In that
place, I can find restoration and healing and power. I can plan quiet times
now and then, times when I can commune with God and arise rested and
refreshed to carry on the work which God has given me to do. I know that God
will never give me a load greater than I can bear. It is in serenity and
peace that all true success lies.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may strengthen my inner life. I pray that my soul may be
restored in quietness and peace.
Scripture Reflection by Patrick Carnevale
Today's readings 1/8/14
1Jn.4:11-18; Ps.72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk.6:45-52
I don't think anyone can honestly say they've never been afraid because we
live in a dangerous world that demands caution and awareness all the time.
Scripture tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"
(Prv.1:7) and so fear can be a good thing sometimes, we see a good example
of that in the disciples in that storm-tossed boat, and if the truth were
known we see it in ourselves as well. Like those terrified men our love and
faith isn't quite "perfect" yet, it's in the "beginning" stages so to speak,
and so we need to be patient with it so we don't fall into the trap of
discouragement that leads to the kind of fear our ancient enemy tries to
ensnare us in. In today's first reading St.John tells us "Perfect love
drives out fear" and frees us from it's crippling grip, but in order to
overcome fear we need to learn how to love perfectly, and that takes a
lifetime to accomplish. For three years Jesus' disciples spent almost every
waking moment with Him, they had a first hand view of His Death and His
Resurrection and yet they still had their moments of doubt and fear just
like we do, that is until the Holy Spirit came along and began to empower
them, then it was a whole different story! We're really no different, my
friends, it is the workings of the Holy Spirit that have enabled our love
and faith to mature, and that's why "Nothing will be impossible for you"
just like Jesus tells us in Mt.17:20, and that includes overcoming those
doubts and fears that plague all of us at times.
God bless you,
In Jesus - Pat
Rules For Daily Life
Begin the day with God
Kneel down to Him in prayer;
Lift up thy heart to His abode.
And seek His love to share.
Open the Book of God
And read a portion there;
That it may hallow all thy thoughts,
And sweeten all thy care.
Go through the day with God
Whate'er thy work may be;
Where'er thou art-at home, abroad,
He still is near to thee.
Converse in the mind with God
Thy spirit heavenward raise:
Acknowledge every good bestowed,
And offer grateful praise.
Conclude the day with God
Thy sins to Him confess;
Trust in the Lord's atoning blood,
And plead His righteousness.
Lie down at night with God
Who gives His servants sleep;
And when thou tread'st the vale of death,
He will thee guard and keep.
Pass this inspiration on ...
- Author Unknown
The Call
The Master called my name one day because He needed someone to go.
I said "Lord, in my spare time, between school, spending time with my
husband, working from 8 to 6, and trying to coordinate a program for my
community to help our children do better, I will help You look. See, I know
I can't go right now cause I have so much to do."
He said, "Well where shall I find such a person? I thought I saw your name
on my list of available people."
"Well Lord, that was the prayer that I prayed last year, but since then,
things have changed."
He said "Like what?"
"Well I'm working on my Ph.D. and I'm needed by so many people and my
husband is always wanting something done, and on top of that my community
expects me to help and give to them so..."
"Well, seeing that you're busy, I'll let you go, but we will talk again, if
you have some time."
I went on through the days, and the weeks, and the months completing my task
as always. One evening, while studying for my computer exams, I received a
call from the hospital concerning my husband.
He had been in a terrible accident and was in critical condition. I dropped
everything and ran to the hospital where I found my husband hanging on for
dear life.
I immediately begin to pray "Lord, don't take him now, I can't bear it",
but my prayer echoed off the wall and returned into my own ear.
That next morning I left the hospital tired and weary, and walked in the
door of my classroom just in time to begin my computer exams.
As the professors begin asking me questions I opened my mouth to speak but
nothing came out. In my mind, I began praying, praying hard, but my prayer
echoed again and I found myself upset at the Lord because He was nowhere to
be found. I could not explain to them what was happening.
After leaving from my exams, I called in to work because I was so distraught
at all that was going on. I explained to my supervisor what had happened and
she demanded that I take some time off.
After visiting my husband in the hospital that evening, I went home and fell
into a sunken state, crying and despairing. Just then I heard someone
calling my name.
"Lord, is that you?"
"Well yes it is. Do you have some time? I wanted to see if I could just talk
..... "
Instead of waiting to hear His questions, I lashed out in anger and
resentment. "How is it that when I needed You today, You couldn't be found
and last night I cried and cried but all I heard were echoes from the walls.
My husband is dying, I'm flunking out of school, I may not have a job and
You can just sit and say You want to talk".
The Lord interrupted me in my foolish speaking. "My child, I was busy out
looking for someone to go and tell others about me when you cried. By the
time I came to answer, you had moved on to something else.
So, I decided to let your husband rest, and keep you home for a few days
that way maybe you would get in touch with me, if you had some time. For
you see, before your husband, the community or your job needs you, I NEED
YOU.
And if all these things take you away from me, I have to almost take them
away from YOU, in order to get a moment. "
I calmed down and began to cry. For I remembered my prayer of wanting to go
and do for the Lord.
He said "I just wanted to recheck with you to see if you knew of anyone that
I could send to be a witness for me and tell others about me... anyone at
all....?"
With tears in my eyes and feeling so unworthy I said "Lord, send me, I'll
go."
The Lord should never have to ask us if we have some time. When He died on
the cross He put aside everything to insure us eternal life.
We should be more than grateful to do service for the Lord, to witness, and
to tell anyone we can about Jesus.
Don't let your "things", whatever they may be, get you so tied up that the
Lord has to become a meeting time in your yearly planner.
He had more than enough time for us. The least we could do is have time for
Him.
- Author Unknown
Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added to you.
"GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU..."
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