Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Not only must we know God's will, but we must do God's will to enter
the Kingdom of Heaven. Lord, I commit myself to obeying the will of
my heavenly Father.


Scripture for the day:

"You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of
joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore." ~Psalm 16:11

Meditation for the day:

"In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are
pleasures forevermore." We do not find true happiness by looking for
it. Seeking pleasure does not bring happiness in the long run, only
disillusionment. We need not seek to have this fullness of joy by
seeking pleasure. It cannot be done that way. Happiness is a
by-product of living the right kind of life. True happiness comes as
a
result of living in all respects the way we believe God wants us to
live, with regard to ourselves and to other people.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may not always seek pleasure as a goal. I pray that I
may be content with the happiness that comes when I do the right
thing.

Greetings my friends! Hope your day went well. We had a very windy and cool
day today with some rain, so much colder than yesterday, and tomorrow should
be even colder - well, this is Fall weather now. Talked to Darla this
afternoon, and told her that yesterday we had Texas weather, she said, oh
no - they have it in the 100's. and today too. It was so nice to talk to
her, she does a lot of dry beans, so I asked her how she does it - and she
told me she even cooks the beans after they've soaked all night - cook them
until done, then she drains that water and then starts the recipe whatever
she's making. I made navy bean and ham soup today - it was very delicious!
Blessings today - talking to Darla, grocery shopping with Linus, and we
started a new Bible Study tonight - a Jeff Cavins's (leader on Video tape)
book on James. It's very challenging and informative.

Homily of the Day

Don’t Forget How to See Them
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 / Jn 1:47-51

Every day we are surrounded by miracles, but we rarely notice any of them —
because they are always there and we grow accustomed to them. We domesticate
God’s wonders and take them as part of the ordinary furniture of our lives,
and that means discounting their value by almost 100 percent.

Think of the new parents who stand in wonder over the crib of their new
infant, marveling at those tiny fingers and toes, the eyes that are barely
open yet, and the cry that is so loud for such a little body. “It’s a
miracle,” they say, and they’re right. But before long, living every day
with the miracle becomes ordinary, the wonder fades, and the focus shifts to
“pick up your socks, take out the trash, and do your homework.”

It’s the way our minds work, and in one sense it’s probably a blessing
because otherwise we’d be exhausted and overwhelmed all the time at the
incredible goings-on all around us. But it is a pity, because so many of our
lonely feelings and our wondering if God is close to us could be eased if we
retained the gift of seeing what is right under our eyes.

We can regain and reinvigorate that gift of sight, if we take the time to
look at the simple things of our daily experience more closely and with a
more attentive spirit.

God is visible right here to those who have the eyes to see. Take the time,
and experience the joy of seeing Him — every day.

Pray Hardest...When It's Hardest To Pray.
Serving Him---until He returns, layman's 10 Commandments.


1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it
Is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout the journey.

2] So why is a car's WINDSHIELD so large & the Rear View Mirror so small?
Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move
on.

3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes a few minutes to burn, but it takes
Years to write.

4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not
last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

5] Old friends are gold! New friends are diamond! If you get a diamond,
don't forget the gold! Because to hold a diamond, you always need a base of
gold!

6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above
And says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!

7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD
Doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than
losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and
sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for
you.

10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES, it takes away today's
PEACE.

If you really enjoy this, please pass on to others. It may just brighten
someone's day...

Angel-Made Quilt


As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with
all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles.
An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a
tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged
and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each
square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the
challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life.I saw hardships
that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole
here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the
bright hues of worldly fortune.I gazed upon my own life and was
disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together,threadbare and
empty,like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed,held up to the
light, the scrutiny of truth.

The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries.So filled their
lives had been.My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.I hadn't had all the earthly
fortunes.I had love in my life, and laughter.But there had also been trials
of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from me my world, as
I knew it. I had to start over many times.I often struggled with the
temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin
again.

I spent many nights on my knees in prayer,asking for help and guidance in my
life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each
time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my
skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was,and I had to
accept it for what it was.I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of
my life to the light.An awe-filled gasp filled the air.I gazed around at the
others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes,
creating an image,the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with
warmth and love in His eyes.He said, "Every time you gave over your life to
Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine
through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through.

Please share this with someone you love, care about or even someone who
needs Jesus in their heart.They may scoff, but at least the seed has been
planted,and God will do the rest.

May God bless you today and Forever.

- Author Unknown

DO YOU CARRY YOUR UMBRELLA?
Author Unknown


We all have something to learn from this young girl.

As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community
of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to
keep their crops healthy and sustain the townspeople' s way of life.

As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer
meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in.
As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the
meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and
socializing with friends. When he reached the front his thoughts were
on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven
year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming
with excitement. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright
red umbrella. The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor
smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the
congregation
had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain, but the little girl had come expecting God
to answer.

WHY GOD GAVE US FRIENDS
Author Unknown




GOD knew that everyone needs
companionship and cheer,
He knew that people need someone
whose thoughts are always near.

He knew they need someone kind
to lend a helping hand.
Someone to gladly take the time
to care and understand.

GOD knew that we all need someone
to share each happy day,
to be a source of courage
when troubles come our way.

Someone to be true to us,
whether near or far apart.
Someone whose love we'll always
hold and treasure in our hearts.

That's Why GOD Gave Us Friends

It's A Wonderful World
By: Helen Steiner Rice

In spite of the fact this being a wonderful world, we complain and lament
and view this old world with much discontent, and grumbling because there's
so much injustice and so many flaws. It's a wonderful world, and it's people
like you who make it that way by the things that you do.
For a warm and ready smile, or a kind thoughtful deed, or a hand
outstretched in an hour of need can change our whole outlook and make this
world bright. Where just a minute before nothing seemed right.
It's a wonderful world and it always will be, if we keep our eyes open and
focused to see the wonderful things we are capable of when we open our
hearts to God and His love.

FROGS
Author Unknown
September 29, 2011


A group of frogs was traveling through the woods, and two of them fell
into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit.

When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs
they would never get out.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the
pit. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good
as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were
saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could.

Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and
suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.

When he got out, the other frogs asked him, "Why did you continue
jumping Didn't you hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was
deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

-----------------------------

This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word
to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through
the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to
kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross
your path.

The power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an
encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that
tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.

Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.
May your words be a blessing to someone today.


Listen In The Quietness
By: Helen Steiner Rice

To try to run away from life is impossible to do,
for no matter where you chance to go, your
troubles will follow you.

For though the scenery is different, when you
look deep inside you'll find the same deep, restless
longings that you thought you had left behind.

So when life becomes a problem much too great
for us to bear, instead of us trying to escape,
let us withdraw in our secret closet in prayer.

For withdrawal means renewal if we withdraw to
pray and listen in the quietness to hear what our
God will say in answer to our prayer.

Morning Offering to The Sacred Heart

Dear Lord, I adore Thy Sacred Heart, which I desire to enter with acts of
love, praise, adoration, and thanksgiving. I offer Thee my own heart as I
sigh to Thee from its very depths, asking that Thou will worketh through me
in all that I do this day; thus may I draw Thee closer to me than Thou wert
before. I offer Thee all the crosses and sufferings of the world, in union
with Thy life on earth, in expiation for sins. Please join my every action
and heartbeat to the pulsations of Thy Heart. I unite all my works of this
day to those labors Thou didst perform while Thou wert on earth, bathing
them in Thy Precious Blood, and I offer them to the Heavenly Father so that
many souls may be saved. Amen.

Good night everyone! Sweet Dreams - enjoy your Friday - beginning of another
weekend!! God bless you all!!