Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Our Father, Mount Carmel is where Elijah proved that You are greater than pagans gods. Nearby in Nazareth, Our Lady lived in piety and contemplation. Later, the Carmelites became a religious order devoted to contemplative prayer under her protection, and when its general, Saint Simon Stock, prayed for her help, she appeared to him and showed him a scapular for his order to wear. She said: "It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant." I ask Our Lady to pray for my protection, help me to live out my salvation, and fill my life with Your peace. Blessed Mother, pray for me. Amen.
Hold Me Tight Dear Lord
Take me by the hand, dear Lord,
When roads are washing out,
Provide me with protection,
And keep me from all rout,
When I'm getting real tired,
From struggling day and night, dear Lord,
When storms of life are raging,
And doubt reaches my way,
Remind me of your love, Lord,
To keep my fears at bay,
When all I see is failure,
And mountains hard to climb,
Just whisper in my ear, O Lord,
That you are still sublime,
This life may disappoint me,
So may people to,
Lord show me your faithfulness,
And keep me true to you,
When tears do fill my eyes, Lord,
And I'm seemingly blind,
Walk with me, precious Jesus,
And ease my tired mind,
Take me by the hand, Lord,
When roads are washing out,
Provide me with protection,
And keep me from all rout,
When I'm getting real tired,
From struggling day and night,
Hold me tight, dear Jesus,
Please be my guiding Light.
Author: Dr. Trudy Veerman
The Seven Wonders
I heard about a group of Geography students who studied the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of that section, the students were asked to list what they each considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World.
Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes: Egypt's Great Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, St. Peter's Basilica and China's Great Wall.
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.
The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."
The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are, to touch and to taste, to see and to hear . . . " She hesitated a little, "and then, to run and to laugh and to love."
It is far too easy for us to look at the exploits of man and refer to them as "wonders" while we overlook all that God has done, regarding them as merely "ordinary."
May you be reminded today of those things which are truly wondrous!
- Author Unknown
LUNCH WITH GOD
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long
trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a
six-pack of root beer, and he started his journey. When he had gone about
three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at
some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was
about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man
looked hungry so he offered him a Twinkie. He gratefully accepted it and
smiled at him. His smile was so incredible that the boy wanted to see it
again, so he offered him a root beer. Once again, he smiled at him. The boy
was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they
never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he
got up to leave. Before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around,
ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. The old man gave him his biggest
smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time
later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked
him, "What did you do today that made you so happy ?" He replied, I had lunch
with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, You know what?
He's got the most beautiful smile I have ever seen!" Meanwhile, the old man,
also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son asked,"Father, what did
you do today that made you so happy?" he replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park
with God." But before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much
younger than I expected."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a
listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all which
have the potential to turn a life around.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Let God
use you as an instrument of His love. "We are pencils in the hands of a
loving God, who is writing love letters to the world." - Mother Teresa
Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble
remembering to fly.....
July 16 - Jesus Calling
Self-pity is a slimy, bottomless pit. Once you fall in, you tend to go deeper and deeper into the mire. As you slide down those slippery walls, you are well on your way to depression, and the darkness is profound.
Your only hope is to look up and see the Light of My Presence shining down on you. Though the Light looks dim from your perspective, deep in the pit, those rays of hope can reach you at any depth. While you focus on Me in trust, you rise ever so slowly out of the abyss of despair. Finally, you can reach up and grasp My hand. I will pull you out into the Light again. I will gently cleanse you, washing off the clinging mire. I will cover you with My righteousness and walk with you down the path of Life.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
—Psalm 40:2–3
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
—Psalm 42:5 nasb
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
—Psalm 147:11
Blogs & Forums
Forums
Blogs
