Among Friends

[gloriajean]

Hello my friends! Well, I'm very tired, it was a long day, and a worthwhile day too.  Tomorrow is Darla's doctor appointment, not Wednesday and that's a good thing, the sooner the better!  I pray it's not serious and no infection. She says the ultrasounds are very short now but glad she's having one to see what's all inside.  I took a picture of Alyssa in the swing today, if I get it to email from my phone, I'll send it here.  I think they will soon know who Grandma is!  

Never tell yourself that it is "I" who has done all of this for me. 

Lord, I pray and give thanks because it is You who has given me

the abiliies and talents that I have to do all that I do.

S C R I P T U R E   F O R   T H E   D A Y  

"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of
these is love."  ~1 Corinthians 13:13

M E D I T A T I O N   F O R   T H E   D A Y 

Love is the power that transforms our lives.  We can try to love our
families and friends and then try to love everybody that we possibly
can, even the "sinners and publicans"--everybody.  Love for God is an even
greater thing.  It is the result of gratitude to God and it is the
acknowledgement of the blessings that God has sent us.  Love for God
acknowledges God's gifts and leaves the way open for God to shower yet
more blessings on our thankful hearts.  We can say: "Thank you, God," until
it becomes a habit.

P R A Y E R   F O R   T H E   D A Y 

I pray that I may try to love God and all people.  I pray that I may
continually thank God for all the blessings I receive.

DON'T WE ALL?

Author Unknown

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from
the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way
from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the
looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There
are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just
don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered
times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.

He didn't.

He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like
he could have enough money to even ride the bus.

After a few minutes he spoke.

"That's a very pretty car," he said.

He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond
beard keep more than his face warm.

I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came.
As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he
needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the
inner voice.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We
often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of
higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched
grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.

"Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the
street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun.

Don't we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed
help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but
enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words
still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have
accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter
how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep,
you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They
are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different
perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily
chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he
was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to
minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.

Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said,
"go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."

Don't we all?

Never be discouraged

There is really nothing we need to know
or even try to understand
If we refuse to be discouraged
and trust God's guiding hand

So take heart and meet each minute
with faith in God's great love
Aware that every day of life
is controlled by God above

And never dread tomorrow 
or what the future brings
Just pray for strength and courage
and trust God in all things

And never grow discouraged
be patient and just wait
For God never comes too early
and He never comes too late.

--Helen Steiner Rice

The Smile Starter

Smiling is infectious, 
You catch it like the flu. 

When someone smiled at me today, 
I started smiling too. 

I passed around the corner, 
and someone saw my grin. 

When he smiled I realized, 
I'd passed it on to him. 

I thought about that smile, 
then I realized its worth. 

A single smile just like mine, 
could travel the earth. 

So, if you feel a smile begin, 
don't leave it undetected. 

Let's start an epidemic quick, 
and get the world infected!

Author Unknown

	6:08 AM (15 hours ago)

IT'S IN THE VALLEYS I GROW 

Sometimes life seems hard to bear, 
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe 
It's then I have to remember 
That it's in the valleys I grow. 

If I always stayed on the mountain top 
And never experienced pain, 
I would never appreciate God's love 
And would be living in vain. 

I have so much to learn 
And my growth is very slow, 
Sometimes I need the mountain tops, 
But it's in the valleys I grow. 

I do not always understand 
Why things happen as they do, 
But I am very sure of one thing. 
My Lord will see me through. 

My little valleys are nothing 
When I picture Christ on the cross 
He went through the valley of death; 
His victory was Satan's loss. 

Forgive me Lord, for complaining 
When I'm feeling so very low. 
Just give me a gentle reminder 
That it's in the valleys I grow. 

Continue to strengthen me, Lord 
And use my life each day 
To share your love with others 
And help them find their way. 

Thank you for valleys, Lord 
For this one thing I know 
The mountain tops are glorious 
But it's in the valleys I grow! 

Have a blessed day!

St. Alphonsus Liguori - Feast Day Aug. 1

Holy Spirit, Saint Alphonsus was a civil and a canon lawyer, and he made it a point to always attend Mass before heading to court. His promised that he would never waste a moment of his life, and held fast to it for over 90 years, even when his rheumatism hurt so much that he could barely move. I ask him to pray for my use of time. O Lord, show me how to dedicate each moment to You. Help me to examine each activity—the work I do for employers, the ministries I do for the Church, the time I spend with my family, and my leisure time. May it all be used to glorify You and increase my holiness. Saint Alphonsus, pray for me. Amen.

August 1 - Jesus Calling

Nothing can separate you from My Love. Let this divine assurance trickle through your mind and into your heart and soul. Whenever you start to feel fearful or anxious, repeat this unconditional promise: “Nothing can separate me from Your Love, Jesus.”

Most of mankind’s misery stems from feeling unloved. In the midst of adverse circumstances, people tend to feel that love has been withdrawn and they have been forsaken. This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the adversity itself. Be assured that I never abandon any of My children, not even temporarily. I will never leave you or forsake you! My Presence watches over you continually. I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 8:38–39

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
—Joshua 1:5

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
—Isaiah 49:15–16

[gloriajean]

[gloriajean]

Alyssa

[nj]

Praying for Darla and hope all is getting better!  Take care of yourself Gloriajean.  

Everyone, hope you have a blessed Tuesday and a day filled with those little, ordinary miracles that make life wonderful.  I pray we all accept our challenges and embrace the day ahead.  Smile and hope your day is filled with joy and peace.

Peace, Nancy 

[meallen616]

[lovestopaint]

Gloria try to rest up a little bit.

I'm sure the pictures will be real cute.

How is Darla's Father-in law doing.

Blessings to all. Harlene(lovetopaint)

[gloriajean]

I sent the pictures.  Can you see them?  I see them clearly.  Didn't it come through for you?  Alyssa's picture was taken yesterday when I was there,  Both of them was taken Friday night.

Gilbert is in the hospital with pnemonia and will get a pace maker. That's all I know for now.

[Ruby Laine]

Beautiful sisters, Gloria!  Thanks for the meditations for this morning. You know I really like Helen Steiner Rice. 

I watered the flowers already and now I'm having my coffee and watching the news. After that it's off to the local cemetery for a 4-mile walk. I walk every day and even look forward to it. My hubby works part-time at a local restaurant a few mornings a week doing prep work. I love my quiet mornings!  

May all of us feel God's presence today. 

[lovestopaint]

Thanks Julie, now I can see the picture of the two little ones.

They are so cute.

Blessings

Harlene