Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Do not act as though you are watching a parade because we are each one

of the marchers. Lord, things change so quickly. Help me to celebrate the

constant newness of my life.

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

"The one who endures to the end will be saved." ~Matthew 10:22

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

How many of the world's prayers have gone unanswered because those who

prayed did not endure to the end? Sometimes we feel like it's too late,

that we need to act for ourselves, that God is not going to guide us. "The

one who endures to the end will be saved." Can I endure to the very end? I

can try to endure with courage. If I endure, God can unlock those secret

spiritual treasures that are missed by those who give up too soon.

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y

I pray that I may follow God's guidance so that spiritual success shall be

mine. I pray that I may never doubt the power of God and take things into

my own hands.

Hello my friends! Well Advent is over - we are soon to celebrate the Birth

of Jesus! Here's wishing each and every one of you a very blessed Christmas

season! Remembering the reason for the season!! Darla and Greg arrived in

Mpls. safely - and they are visiting with friends this afternoon and tonight

and we see them tomorrow. I called Linus' boss yesterday and told him Linus

has to be off tomorrow because that's the only day we'll see Darla. He will

work from 7:30 to 11 or 12 - which will give him plenty of rest before we go

over to Lori's. So that's good, and an answer to prayer. He was scheduled

to work until 5 - a full 8 hours and then he'd be so tired and shot and

hurting. May you all find answers to your prayers - I'm helping you pray,

thanks for your prayers for us!! God bless you!

WHO STARTED CHRISTMAS?

Author Unknown

December 23, 2013

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas

shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row

of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her

children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally

made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of

the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming,

taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every

single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on

our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who

sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car.

She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all

the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and

stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung

up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't

worry we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator

it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas

thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it,

just think of how different this whole world would be.

THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy

Christmas list

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts

that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of

its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with

complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a

hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least

expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will

go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true

meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a

little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, hope, peace and faith with

those around you.

REMEMBER MY BIRTHDAY?

Author Unknown

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year

there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the

celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people

shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV

commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that

my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people

think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many

years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all

that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the

reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a

lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The

dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted

nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were

many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know

something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't

remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that

great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my

face........ . and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In

truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close

their doors to me.

Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making

any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking;

there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at

everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat

man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room

yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the

children ran to him, saying : "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the

party were in his honor !

At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other ; I extended my

arms waiting for someone to hug me and .... do you know .... no one

hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them

one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked

to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your

birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one ? I then

understood that I was unwanted

at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the

gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this

Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that

you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to

this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today,

I only want that you believe this with all you heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their

party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one

has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final

arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an

invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will

make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in

my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to

the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left

outside. Do you know how you can answer this invitation? It is by

extending it to others whom you care for... I'll be waiting for all of

you to attend my party this year...

See you soon .... I love you !

A reflective Christmas prayer

Father God, When your precious Son became a tiny baby in a stable in

Bethlehem in poverty and simplicity, you changed our world. As we imagine

those surroundings, we join with the shepherds and the wise men in wonder

and praise. We thank you for our material lives, praise you for our

spiritual lives, and trust in you for our eternal life. Amen.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said: "Of

all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."

Let Your Face Shine on Us And We Shall Be Saved

The Fourth Sunday of Advent falls during the second part of Advent when

there is an increase in pace, intensity and expectation. The use of the "O"

antiphons" on the seven days preceding Christmas Eve at the Gospel

Acclamation contributes to the heightened sense of waiting. Each of these

titles may be used to refer to Jesus and, in fact, together they form a

miniature litany: Wisdom from above, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David,

Rising Sun, King of Nations, Emmanuel.

PERSONAL PRAYER

Lord Jesus, we thank you for your word and for the gift of yourself in the

Eucharist. Your Holy Spirit prepared God´s people to expect you as the

shepherd who would work to bring about peace and reconciliation.

Your whole life was about doing your Father´s will. Your first thoughts on

coming into the world was about doing his will. You gave your life on the

cross because it was your Father´s will. You taught us to pray to the

Father: "Your will be done."

Teach us to have a great love for your Father´s will; to be like your own

mother Mary, the great model of faith and obedience. Her reply to the angel

was: "Let it be done to me in accordance with God´s will."

May the Eucharist we have celebrated keep us faithful to your Father´s will.

Amen.

On Emails this comes out like a bell - too bad it doesn't here:

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3 :20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13 )

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans

5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph.

2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected.

(Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's

child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

Who you are?

Keep this bell ringing...pass it on

'The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you

And be gracious to you;

The LORD turn His face toward you

And give you peace...

Numbers 6:24-26.

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