Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Those that meet you will most likely not forget you, but how you are
remembered is your choice. Lord, may I live with kindness, mercy, and
love in my heart.


Scripture for the day:

"So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is
love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in
them." ~John 4:16

Meditation for the day:

A consciousness of God's presence as one who loves us can make all
life different. The consciousness of God's love can promote the
opening of our whole being to God. It can bring wonderful relief from
the cares and worries of our daily lives. Relief can bring peace and
peace can bring contentment. We can try to walk in God's love. We can have a
contentment that no one can take from us. We can feel sure of God's
unfailing love and care for us and for all God's children. There is
freedom and serenity in those who walk in God's love, held safe in
God's loving care.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may walk in God's love. I pray that, as I go, I may
feel the spring of God's power in my steps and the joy of God's love in my
heart.

Hello my friends! Hope you all are having a good day! Really chilly over here - in the 50's. But it should warm up to the 70's tomorrow and continue on. I have a house showing at 11:30, I'll take Sammy for a walk during that time, good that it won't be raining again!! First day of sunshine all week! This is the showing that the realtor is optomistic about because they like our house pictures, our area, that it's on a cement slab and one story and the price is right. Hope they like it enough to make an offer that we can accept!
Not much to say tonight - just that Darla is here and will stay overnight - Lori's deck is being created now and worked on.


Homily of the Day


June 23, 2011

Talk Is Cheap, Why Not Do Something?
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Gn 16:1-12, 15-16 / Mt 7:21-29

A great deal of cynicism has arisen in our country about politicians, car dealers, advertising executives and the like. The common bond between them, at least according to common perception, is that their talk is cheap and their promises are not to be trusted or taken seriously. Indeed, they’ve all become a standard part of the national repertoire of humor.

Pointing an accusing finger at many of these characters can be amusing recreation and is often justified by the facts, but it does tend to distract us from the exploring the possible presence of the same self-deceptive virus in our own lives. We all talk too much, about our neighbors’ faults, about our leaders’ foolish mistakes, and about our own grand plans as if they were already achievements. We talk about our hopes and aspirations as if they were deeds, while denying others even a hint of the same luxury.

There’s no time like the present to replace all that talk with a humble and thoughtful silence that refrains from judging others and expends its energies on laying the foundations for deeds that will count and whose effects will last. Nothing less will be an adequate return to the Lord for all the gifts with which he has filled us.

The Seventeen Evidences of a Lack of Humility

The Servant of God, Blessed Josemaria Escriva once compiled and inventory of pride so exhaustive that it is like something written on the shield of a soldier who has learned it all in true combat. Saint John Vianney (Cure of Ars) wrote the same thing in shorthand when he signed his name to a clerical petition. His fellow priests circulated a petition accusing St. Vianney of sensationalism, ignorance, and ostentatious poverty and austerities. As it was addressed to all clergy, St. Vianney got a hold of it, read it, and promptly signed it. By 1834 the local priests themselves were going to St. Vianney for confession.

The seventeen evidences of a lack of humility are:

1. To think that what one says or does is better than what others say or do

2. To always want to get your own way

3. To argue with stubbornness and bad manners whether you are right or wrong

4. To give your opinion when it has not been requested or when charity does not demand it

5. To look down on another's point of view

6. Not to look on your gifts and abilities as lent

7. Not to recognize that you are unworthy of all honors and esteem, not even of the earth you walk on and things you possess

8. To use yourself as an example in conversations

9. To speak badly of yourself so that others will think well of you or contradict you

10. To excuse yourself when you are corrected

11. To hide humiliating faults from your spiritual director, so that he will not change the impression he has of you

12. To take pleasure in praise and compliments

13. To be saddened because others are held in higher esteem

14. To refuse to perform inferior tasks

15. To seek to stand out

16. To refer in conversation to your honesty, genius, dexterity, or professional prestige

17. To be ashamed because you lack certain goods

For more information on the Cure of Ars, we recommend the book "Saint John Vianney", by George William Rutler.

A funny story tells about a old lady who was living in the village. She
had never owned nor even been in a car before. One day, she was
returning home from the market carrying a big heavy basket on her head,
when a rich man riding his car passed by. Kindly, he offered to drive the
lady to her home. She thanked him and got into the car with her basket.

On the way, the man glanced at the lady in the mirror, still holding her
basket over her head. Astonished, he asked her to lay the basket down in the car and rest. The old lady naively replied, "Oh my son, your car is carrying me; this is enough, I should not burden it carrying my basket too!"

What an innocently funny response!

We sometimes do the same with God. Everyday, God carries us during the
day. Still, we insist on carrying our heavy baskets of worries and fear
of the future, for family, kids, spouse, money, job, etc...

We are carried by Almighty Hands, watched over by Sleepless Eyes and
God plans our future. Let us then relax and lay down everything in God's
Hands. The old lady, if she agreed to lay down the basket, would have
to carry it again when back home. But the beautiful thing about God is
that once we cast our heavy basket in His Hands, we do not need to think
about it anymore.

"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of
your heart."(Psalm 37:4) Have a wonderful blessed week - free of "baskets."



1. If you feel far away from God, guess who moved?

2. Fear knocked. Faith answered. No one was there.

3. What you are is God's gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.

4. I am God's melody of life and He sings His song through me.

5. We can never really go where God is not, and where He is, all is well.

6. No matter what is happening in your life, know that God is waiting for you with open arms.

7. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

8. Do your best and then sleep in peace God is awake.

9. God has a purpose and plan for me that no one else can fulfill.

10. The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you.

11. We are responsible for the effort , not the outcome.

12. We set the sail; God makes the wind.

13. Begin to weave and God will give you the thread.

14. Sometimes when God says "no", it's because He has something better in store for you.

15. The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.

16. Prayer: don't bother to give God instructions, just report for duty.

17. It's my business to do God's business and it's His business to take care of my business.

18. Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.

19. How come you're always running around looking for God? He's not lost.

20. God put me on earth to accomplish a number of things; right now I'm so far behind I will live forever

~THIS IS JUST A RESTING PLACE ~

Sometimes the road of life seems long
as we travel through the years,
And with hearts that are broken
and eyes brimful of tears,
We falter in our weariness
and sink beside the way
But God leans down and whispers,
"Child, there'll be another day."
And the road will grow much smoother
and much easier to face,
So do not be disheartened -
this is just a resting place.


Author Unknown

He was driving home one evening, on a two lane country road. Work in this
small Midwestern community, was almost as slow as his beat up Pontiac, but
he never quit looking. Ever since the factory closed, he'd been unemployed,
and with winter raging on, the chill had finally hit home.

It was a lonely road. Not very many people had a reason to be on it, unless
they were leaving town. Most of his friends had already left. They had
families to feed and dreams to fulfill. But he stayed on. After all, this
was where he buried his mother and father. He was born here and he knew the
country.

He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side, and
with his lights not working, which came in handy. It was starting to get
dark and light snow flurries were coming down. He'd better get a move on.

You know, he almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the
road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he
pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still
sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help
for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe, he
looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out
there in the cold.

He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you. He
said, "I'm here to help you ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's
warm? By the way, my name is Bryan,"

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough.
Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning
his knuckles a time or two.

Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands
hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and
began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only
just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.
Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk.

She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right
with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have
happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about the money. This
was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there
were plenty who had given him a hand in the past.

He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act
any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the
next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the
assistance that they needed, and Bryan added, "And think of me." He waited
until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing
day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a
bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip
home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The
whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone
of an out of work actor, it didn't ring much.

Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She
had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day
couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months
pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The
old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a
stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get change for
her hundred-dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone
by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be,
then she noticed something written on the napkin under which was four 100
bills.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote. It said:
"You don't owe me anything, I have been there too. Somebody once helped me
out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is
what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you,"

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve,
but she never stopped thinking about the lady. That night when she got home
from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what
the lady had written.

How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With
the baby due next month, it was going to be hard She knew how worried her
husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss
and whispered soft and low, "Everything's gonna be all right. I love you,
Bryan."

We are never prepared for what we expect.

THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE LOVE OF GOD,
AND THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
BE WITH ALL OF YOU. 2 Corinthians 13:13


God´s Hands

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God…Psalm 123:2 NKJV

Today is in God’s hands and so are you.

His hands are strong and will uphold you;
His hands are great and will enfold you;
His hands are gentle and will embrace you;
His hands are protective and will cover you;
His hands are reassuring and will quiet you;
His hands are powerful and will defend you;
His hands are parental and will train you;
His hands are masterful and will conform you;
His hands are compassionate and will care for you;
His hands are healing and will renew you;
His hands are calming and will comfort you;
His hands are giving and will bless you.

The hands that hold you will never let you down.

REQUEST FOR TRANSFER
Author Unknown
June 23, 2011


TO: Commander and Chief Spiritual Armed Forces, Jesus Christ


Dear Lord;

I am writing this to You to request a transfer to a desk job. I
herewith present my reasons: I began my career as a private, because
of the intensity of the battle You have quickly moved me up in the
ranks. You have made me an
officer and given me a tremendous amount of responsibility. There are
many soldiers and recruits under my charge. I am constantly being
called upon to dispense wisdom, make judgments, and find solutions to
complex problems. You have placed me in a position to function as an
officer, when in my heart I know I have only the skills of a private.
I realize that You have promised to supply all I would need for the
battle. But Sir, I must present You a
realistic picture of my equipment. My uniform, once so crisp and
starched, is now stained with tears and blood of those I have tried to
assist. The soles of my boots are cracked and worn from the miles I
have walked trying
to enlist and encourage the instructed troops. My weapons are marred,
tarnished and chipped from constant battle against the enemy. Even the
Book of Regulations I was issued has been torn and tattered from
endless use. The words are now smeared. You have promised You would be
with me throughout, but when the noise of the battle is so loud and
the confusion is so great, I can neither see nor hear You. I feel so
alone. I'm tired. I'm discouraged. I have Battle Fatigue. I would
never ask You for a discharge. I love being in Your service. But I
humbly request a demotion and transfer. I'll file papers or clean
latrines. Just get me out of the battle--please, Sir.

Your Faithful, but tired, Warrior.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


To: Faithful, but tired, Soldier, Spiritual Armed Forces
Location: The Battlefield
SUBJECT: Transfer


Dear Soldier:

Your request for transfer has been denied. I herewith present My
reasons: You are needed in this battle. I have selected you, and I
will keep My Word to supply your need. You do not need a demotion and
transfer. (You'd never
cut it on latrine duty.) You need a period of "R&R" --Renewal and
Rekindling. I am setting aside a place on the battlefield that is
insulated from all sound and fully protected from the enemy. I will
meet you there and I will give you rest. I will remove your old
equipment and "make all things new." You have been wounded in the
battle, My soldier. Your wounds are not visible, but you have received
grave internal injuries. You need to be healed. I will heal you. You
have been weakened in the battle. You need to be strengthened. I will
strengthen you and be your strength. I will instill in you confidence
and ability. My Words will rekindle within you and renewed love, zeal
and enthusiasm. Report to Me tattered and empty. I will refill you.


Compassionately,
Your Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ



Where He Leads Me I Will Follow


In "pastures green"? Not always. Sometimes He
Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be.

And by "still waters"? No, not always so.
Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow,
And o'er my soul the waves and billows go.

But when the storm beats loudest and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by,
And whispers to my soul, "Lo, it is I."

So, where He leads me, I can safely go,
And in the blest hereafter I shall know,
Why, in His wisdom, He hath led me so,
and we will understand it better by and by.

MY DAILY OFFERING

(As each day begins,
please try to lift your mind and heart
to your heavenly Father,
and offer to Him the new day He has given you.)


Most loving Father,
I thank You for the gift of this new day.
Please help me to use it for your honor and glory.
By Your grace,
may all my thoughts, words, and actions
be pleasing today in Your sight.
In Your great kindness,
Lord Almighty,
preserve me this day without sin,
and protect all people from every evil.
May the ever-blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of our Savior,
keep us under her protection and by her prayers,
and the aid of all your Saints,
keep us ever intent on doing good today for your sake.
We ask these blessings through Your Son,
Jesus Christ,
our Redeemer.
Amen.

(At times throughout the day,
it is well to pause briefly in the midst of your work
to renew your daily offering.
This can be done without words,
but simply by lifting the mind and heart
to your Father in heaven.
A simple external gesture of touching the heart
will confirm and strengthen your interior intentions.
As opportunity permits,
you may wish to pray verbally in this way.)

Again I thank You,
Father in heaven,
for the blessings and graces you have given me this day.
Once more I entreat Your continuing protection.
Conscious of my own weaknesses and frailty,
of my many faults,
I entrust myself and all dear to me to Your care.

(This prayer has been taken from a pamphlet written by the Good
Franciscan Mission Associates, PO Box 598, Mount Vernon, NY 10551-0598)

Good night everyone - Sweet dreams - enjoy your night and your tomorrow!! May God grant you many lovely surprises!!