Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Be able to do more today by expanding your vision of what you can
accomplish. Lord, help me realize that my limits are beyond what I
think and fill me with motivation to reach higher.

Scripture for the day:

"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us,
and his love is perfected in us." ~1 John 4:12

Meditation for the day:

Spiritual power is God in action. God can act through human beings.
When ever we, however weak we may be, allow God to act through us,
then all we thank and say and do is spiritually powerful. It is not
us alone who produce a change in the lives of others. It is also
God's spirit in us and working through us. Power is God in action.
God can use us as a tool to accomplish miracles in people's lives.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may try to let God's power work through me today. I
pray that I may get rid of those blocks which keep God's power from
me.

Hello my friends! I'm sending this early today - right now Darla and Greg
are on their way home and it's a 1600 mile trip with not sleeping over - so
please keep them in your prayers. They both need to be here by tomorrow
night for a start of a retreat and all day Saturday retreat for their
getting married in August. So they will take turns driving. I'm glad she's
not driving alone and on Tuesday he flies back and she'll stay another week,
I think, and Lori will ride back with her and help drive. I'm glad about
that too, that she's got someone with her going back too and then Lori flies
home. It seems like Darla will be making about 3 trips this summer back
and forth. Still praying for her to get a good job much closer to us.
Today is a very beautiful day! Linus has the day off, and he planted more
garden, corn, asparagus and tomatoes. But he enjoys this! Now he's off to
Lori's place to help her plant her garden!
Today I spend a good amount of time cleaning out my inbox - I'll never let
it get over 1000 in there again!!!! With my list it does accumulate. But
this took so much time to get it organized.
I have folders in which I put things in - I just have to do that right away
and not let it get so overwhelming again. I'd rather be outside helping
with the gardening, but now both are finished and that's good. My blessings
today - clean inbox, beautiful weather, and knowing better how to take care
of junk mails. You are right, unsubscribing isn't the answer. Darn! I will
be hitting junk, and blocking them from now on. That should work. My
charter has a charter security but you have to download it, and I'm scared
to do that - you never know if I could mess things up.
Thanks for your posts, and keep them coming! This thread is for you all! I
love to see your posts!


"I Don't Fit In"

A friend of mine witnessed what I am about to tell you.

Several years ago, a well dressed older gentleman entered an elevator in a
tall office building, apparently consumed with whatever business he was
taking care of that day.

It was mid-afternoon of the work day, and there were only three people on
that elevator -- the gentleman, a middle-aged woman and my friend -- all
being transported down to the street level.

Out of the blue, the woman starts crying. Taken aback, the gentleman and my
friend didn't know what to say or do.

"I'm sorry. I'm making a spectacle of myself," said the woman, sobbing and
searching her purse for a handkerchief.

The gentleman offered her his. "Thank you," she said, "I just don't know
anymore. I'm usually not like this, but I just don't know anymore."

"I'm sure everything will turn out fine -- don't you worry, Miss," he said.

"No. No. It's not that. I have so much to be grateful for," she said as
she shook her head. "It's not what you think."

Not wanting to pry, her elevator mates stood speechless.

"It's just that I don't fit in. I've never fit in. I do everything I'm
supposed to do, but I don't feel like I belong," she said, wiping the tears
from her eyes.

The elevator continued its downward journey as the distraught woman tried to
compose herself.

"I'm so embarrassed. You'll have to pardon me. Things have just caught up to
me," she said.

"Miss, I have something I want to tell you, if you have just a minute," the
old man said.

The elevator opened as they reached the lobby.

"Oh yes, please, I need to get my mind focused on something," she said.

They left the elevator and walked into the busy lobby. The old man turned to
my friend, and invited him to join them. By this time, my friend's
curiosity had got the best of him.

The old man's face had some well worn lines. His gray hair bespoke of his
experience, and his dark eyes peered over his bifocals, lending confidence
to his words.

"I don't know what your situation is Ma'am," he said politely. "However, I
was in the same boat many years ago. And while I was in my little personal
crisis, I felt the same way. Moreover, I came to find out that everyone,
sooner or later, feels like they don't fit in."

"Sometimes it happens early in life in school. Teenagers are thrown
together with strangers and told to fit in. It's almost an impossible
situation. Then, the same thing happens at work, or with your neighbors at
home. You always feel like you are the odd man out. Everyone else seems to
be happy. They look comfortable. They look like they belong, and you always
feel like you are an intrusion. I know all about that," said the old man.

"I know exactly what you're saying," the woman said as she nodded in
agreement.

"A lot of people avoid those feelings by limiting contact. Watching
television, or reading books, or sitting in front of a computer provides a
comfort zone, and if you can afford to do that, I suppose that's fine if
that's what you want to do. However, for many of us, the real world cannot
be escaped. We have to work. We have to make a living. And we have to
interact with relatives and strangers in settings everyday. And, Ma'am, this
is what I want to tell you..."

"You see, it's all in how you look at it. Some people face those feelings
and settings with a sense of adventure. Others face the same situation with
dread. Yes, we all have different personalities and some of us are more
sensitive and vulnerable than others. However, if you can remember just a
couple of things, it will make your life a whole lot easier," he said.

"Do you work in this building?" he asked.

"Yes," she said.

"Well, this is my first time here and I had no idea where I was going, and
had never met the person I was going to see. Now, who is the one who feels
like they don't fit in?" he asked. "But, somehow, I got through it, and
I'll be walking out that front door in a minute without a scratch."

She and my friend chuckled.

"You can safely assume that the people you are interacting with feel as out
of place as you do. So, you simply practice the Golden Rule and make them
feel as comfortable as you can. They don't teach the Golden Rule in school,
so this is something you have to pick up along the way. Suffice it to say,
if you make others feel comfortable, they will reciprocate."

"Second, remember that in order to sense that feeling of belonging, you have
to feel you belong to yourself. In other words, if you aren't settled and
comfortable with yourself first, you'll be a fish out of water. Be confident
about what you believe. Be true to your feelings. You don't have to pretend
to be someone else. Just be yourself and let the world appreciate what you
have to offer. Everyone is good at something, including you. Offer what you
are good at, and who knows, maybe the world might even pay you for it!", the
old man said as he started to laugh.

"You're not alone," he said as he patted the woman's shoulder.

"Don't go nuts trying to force yourself to fit in. There are too many holes
and too many pegs out there to even try. Just have a little faith in
yourself, associate with people who lift you up, and you'll soon find folks
coming to you for help. And when you get lost in helping them, you won't
even think about fitting in. At that point, you won't be looking at life,
you'll be a part of it."

"Oh, thank you," she said, as the old man walked toward the street.

My friend just stood there, not saying a word. At that split second of
awkwardness, the woman and my friend extended their hands and shook.

"Nice to meet you," they both said at the same time. And then, just as
quickly and simultaneously, they said, "Have a nice day," as they both went
in different directions.

While they never knew each others' names, it was an encounter they would
never forget.

- Author Unknown

You Ask Why I Follow This Jesus?

You ask why I follow this Jesus?
Why I love Him the way I do?
When the world's turned away from His teachings
And the people who serve Him are few.

It's not the rewards I'm after
Or gifts that I hope to receive
It's the Presence that calls for commitment
It's the Spirit I trust and believe.

The Lord doesn't shelter His faithful
Or spare them all suffering and pain,
Like everyone else I have burdens,
And walk through my share of rain.

Yet He gives me a plan and a purpose,
And that joy only Christians have known,
I never know what comes tomorrow,
But I do know I'm never alone.

It's the love always there when you need it;
It's the words that redeem and inspire,
It's the longing to ever be with Him
That burns in my heart like a fire.

So you ask why I love my Lord Jesus?
Well, friend, that's so easy to see,
But the one thing that fills me with wonder is
Why Jesus loves someone like me.

You Are...

You are strong...when you take your grief and teach it to smile.
You are brave...when you overcome your fear and help others to do the same.
You are happy...when you see a flower and are thankful for the blessing.
You are loving...when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of
others.
You are wise...when you know the limits of your wisdom.
You are true...when you admit there are times you fool yourself.
You are alive...when tomorrow's hope means more to you than yesterday's
mistake.
You are growing...when you know what you are but not what you will become.
You are free...when you are in control of yourself and do not wish to
control others.
You are honorable...when you find your honor is to honor others.
You are generous...when you can take as sweetly as you can give.
You are humble...when you do not know how humble you are.
You are thoughtful...when you see me just as I am and treat me just as you
are.
You are merciful...when you forgive in others the faults you condemn in
yourself.
You are beautiful...when you don't need a mirror to tell you.
You are rich...when you never need more than what you have.
You are you...when you are at peace with who you are not.



Once upon a time, there was a child ready to be born
and one day he asked God,
" They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow,
but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless ? "

God answered, " Among the many angels, I chose one for you.
She will be waiting for you and will take care of you. "

But tell me, here in heaven, I don't do anything else
but sing and smile ... that's enough for me to be happy.

" Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you,
every day. You will feel your angel's love and be happy. "

How am I going to be able to understand
when people talk to me,
if I don't know the language that men speak ?

" Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words
you will ever hear and with much patience and care,
your angel will teach you how to speak."

And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you ?

" Your angel will place your hands together
and will teach you how to pray. "

I've heard that on earth there are bad men, who will protect me ?

" Your angel will defend you, even if it means risking it's life."

But I will always be sad, because I will not see you anymore.

" Your angel will always talk to you about me
and will teach you the way to come back to me,
even though I will always be next to you. "

At that moment there was much peace in heaven, but voices from earth could
already be heard and the child, in a hurry, asked softly
Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.

" Your angel's name is of no importance. You will call your angel ~ "
Mommy "

Make Your Day Bright
By Thinking Right

Don't start your day by supposing
that trouble is just ahead,
It's better to stop supposing
and start with a prayer instead,
And make it a prayer of thanksgiving
for the wonderful things God has wrought,
Like the beautiful sunrise and sunset--
God's gifts that are free and not bought...
For supposing the worst things will happen
only helps to make them come true
And you darken the bright, happy moments
that the dear Lord has given to you...
So if you desire to be happy
and get rid of the misery of dread,
Just give up supposing the worst things
and look for the best things instead.
--Helen Steiner Rice

Prayer to St. Anthony for Those Suffering with Cancer
Dear St. Anthony, you recognized Our Lord Jesus as the Divine Healer. In
your goodness and kindness, please intercede for (mention name) who is
suffering from cancer.

If it is God's will, I ask that this day, the gift of healing be granted to
(name). Comfort him/her during times of unbearable pain, and ask our Lord to
grant him/her peace and patience in suffering.

May God give (name) the fullness of life here on earth, or call him/her home
to eternal glory forever. Amen.

Dearest Mother of Our Lord,

Sweet and blessed mother, guide our mothers that they too may lead us to
Your Son, just as you show us.
May they imitate Your love and devotion.
May we in return also be loving, patient, understanding and supportive to
our mothers.

Blessed Mother, we pray for all mothers - our own mums, our aunts, our
grandmothers... the living and the departed.

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with You.
Blessed are you amongst all women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't
move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down
beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I
sat I wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but
wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.
He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you
for asking," he said in a clear strong voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you,
grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted
to make sure you were OK", I explained to him. "Have you ever looked at your
hands," he asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?" I slowly opened my
hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms
down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure
out the point he was making.

Grandpa smiled and related this story: Stop and think for a moment about the
hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These
hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used
all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They braced and caught
my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my
mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in
prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my rifle and
wiped my tears when I went off to war.
They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy
and clumsy when I tried to hold my wedding band they showed the world that I
was married and loved someone special. They wrote the
letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and
walked my daughter down the aisle. Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug
my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friends foot.
They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger
when I didn't
understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and
cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and
broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me
works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to
fold in prayer.
These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life.
But more importantly it will be these hands out and take when he leads me
home. And with my hands He will lift me to
His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ. I
will never look at my hands the same again.

But I remember God reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and
wife I think of grandpa. I know he has been stroked and
caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God
and feel his hands upon my face.

When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you and
watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for
one another.

He Gives

He gives us the sun so warm and bright
He gives us the moon and stars to shine at night
He gives us rain that falls from the sky
He gives us all, I wonder why?
He gives us the grass so green with colorful flowers
It’s all here and it’s all ours
He provides us with food to eat and water to drink
He asks nothing in return and it makes me think
He gives us all these wonders from above
But best of all he gives us his unconditional love
He gives to us even when we are ungrateful
He gives to those whose hearts are hard and hateful
He gives to man a creature made from dust
He gives to all the just and the unjust.

The abbot of a large monastery was asked by some visitors how so many monks
of such different origins and different talents and personalities could live
and work so harmoniously under one roof.

He thought it over for a moment and then explained, "We are like a bicycle
wheel. It has a rim, spokes and a hub in the middle. The rim is like the
monastic wall around us. But that only keeps us together externally. Now
from the rim a whole series of spokes run toward the middle of the wheel
where the hub is. The hub holds the spokes together. We members of the
community are those spokes. The hub is Jesus Christ. The rim of the wheel is
just our monastery."

When the visitor nodded his approval, the abbot went on, "You will notice on
a bicycle wheel that the nearer the spokes get to the hub, the nearer they
come to one another. It is just like that in a community which has Christ as
its center and hub."

It is the same way in life: the more we make Christ the center of our lives,
the nearer we grow to one another.

May you all have a wonderful Friday and the beginning of a wonderful
weekend! God bless you with many blessings!