Happy 4th of July everyone! We celebrated it tonight at Lori's - she had a big party - lots of her classmates were there with their kids, lots of them, and Darla and Greg - and they'll stay there for the night. We will see them again on Labor Day Weekend! Anniversaries are good, they bring kids home! Praying for all of you! Nice to see you Shorelady! And all of you who post, it's always a treasure to see you!! It's really late, so I'll be going to bed shortly.
When you are troubled, comfort someone more troubled, when lonely, reach out
to one that is lonelier and when unsure, give encouragement to the weary.
To care
for another makes us forget our own sorrows. Lord, You comfort me. Help me
now to be a comforter.
Scripture for the day:
"Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time,
but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who
have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and
strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so
that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed."
~Hebrews 12:11-13
Meditation for the day:
A truly spiritual man or woman would like to have a serene mind. The
best way to keep calm in this troubled world is to have a serene mind.
The calm and sane mind sees spiritual things as the true realities and
material things as only temporary and fleeting. That sort of mind we
can never obtain by reasoning, because our reasoning powers are limited
by space and time. That kind of mind we can never obtain by reading,
because other minds are also limited in the same way. We can only have
that mind by an act of faith, by making the venture of belief.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may have a calm and sane mind. I pray that I may look up,
around and away from myself.
Christ´s Saving Presence
Our Faith is not something that should be expressed or relied upon only when
we are in danger. It should cover all of our existence, giving value to our
every action. It is then that we realize God is with us, He is present, He
loves and protects us always.
PERSONAL PRAYER
Yes, Lord, I know that life is like a storm at sea, with my soul tossed to
and fro. In those few minutes of Communion, I hope to find peace and quiet.
Calm my fears, Lord, quiet my disturbed spirit, so that I may be happy
knowing that you are guiding me in life.
Lord, I am traveling abroad the barque of Peter. Thank you, Lord, for having
me on such a safe ship, with the pope, bishops and priests to look after me.
Let there be a good wind behind the ship, the Holy Spirit to guide us. Amen.
NINETEEN SOMETHINGS TO SAY TO CHILDREN
Author Unknown
1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you.
Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.
2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you
can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!
3. It's all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when
they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or
lonely. Big people cry too. I do.
4. You've made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do.
Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It's all over. You can
start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.
5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it
wasn't easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.
6. I'm sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.
7. You can change your mind. It's good to decide, but it is also fine
to change.
8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up
with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!
9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that
person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!
10. I have a surprise for you. It's not your birthday. It's for no
reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.
11. I can wait. We have time. You don't have to hurry this time.
12. What would you like to do? It's your turn to pick. You have great
ideas. It's important to follow your special interests.
13. Tell me about it. I'd like to hear more. And then what happened?
I'll listen.
14. I'm right here. I won't leave without saying good-bye. I am
watching you. I am listening to you.
15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to
use them, will you remind me?
16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!
17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it.
Let's see. I'll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.
18. I'll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you?
If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it
by yourself, but I'm glad to help since you asked.
19. What do you wish for? Even if it's not yet time for birthday
candles and we don't have a wishbone, it's still fun to hear about
what you wish for, hope for, and dream about
Raw Materials Inside You
The wisdom of God is shown in that He left the world unfinished so that we
might have the interest and delight in talking the "raw material" and
putting the world together.
He left the oil in the trap rock, the aluminum in the clay, the paper in the
pulp, the electricity in the clouds. He left the forest un-felled, the
mountains unsurveyed, the canals undug, the tunnels unbored.
He left the fields unplowed and unplanted. He left the music unwritten, the
poetry undreamed and the dramas unplayed. He left inventions unapplied and
cities unbuilt.
He left mind and character unperfected, that we might really be the children
of God - created in His own image - with latent powers to take the "raw
materials" and put the world together.
A Prayer for Peace & Strength
Lord, I come to you for help
Life is full of trials and turmoil
Sometimes it gets the best of even the strongest of your people
You, Lord, are the one to turn to.
I am in need of your guidance through this time
Lord, show me the way to obtain strength to combat the trials of life
I know your love is infinite
Because of your infinite love, peace can be obtained.
With strength and peace I can face turmoil
With all that life has to offer
Allow me to see your will in all that I do
Help me with your peace to help others.
Help me to see the good in everything around.
Help me to find and keep the peace that can be obtained from your love
With Jesus, I know I will gain strength.
His life had trials and turmoil.
Help me to learn from his sufferings.
Thank you for sending Jesus to show us that unconditional love is possible
With Jesus as our guide, our greatest goals can be achieved.
Amen.
DID JESUS USE A MODEM AT THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT?
Author Unknown
Did Jesus use a modem, At the Sermon on the Mount?
Did He ever try a broadcast fax, To send his message out?
Did the disciples carry beepers, As they went about their route?
Did Jesus use a modem, At the Sermon on the Mount?
Did Paul use a laptop, With lots of RAM and ROM?
Were his letters posted on BBS, At paul.rome.com?
Did the man from Macedonia, Send an e-mail saying "Come?"
Did Paul use a laptop, With lots of RAM and ROM?
THE GREATEST...
The highest aim in life - To know God and do His will!
The most enriching good habit - Complimenting others
The most destructive bad habit - Worry
The greatest joy - Giving
The greatest loss - Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work - Helping others
The ugliest personality trait - Selfishness
The most endangered species - Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource - Our youth
The ugliest look - A frown
The greatest "shot in the arm" - Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome - Fear
The most effective sleeping pill - Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease - Excuses
The surest way to limit God - Unbelief
The most powerful forces in life - Love
The most dangerous piranha - A gossiper
The Greatest Life-Giver - The Creator
The world’s most incredible computer - The brain
The worst thing to be without - Hope
The deadliest weapon - The tongue
The two most power-filled words - "I Can"
The greatest asset - Faith
The most worthless emotion - Self-pity
The most beautiful attire - A SMILE!
The most prized possession - Self esteem
The most powerful channel of communication - PRAYER
The most contagious spirit - Enthusiasm
The most urgent need - SALVATION
The greatest attribute of Jesus - Obedience
The GREATEST - GOD
-- Author Unknown
Trust in God
Into Thy Hands, O Lord, and into the hands of Thy holy Angels, I commit and
entrust this day my soul, my relatives, my benefactors, my friends and
enemies, and all Thy Catholic people. Keep us, O Lord, through the day, by
the merits and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all Thy
Saints, from all vicious and unruly desires, from all sins and temptations
of the devil, and from sudden and unprovided death and the pains of h ell.
Enlighten my heart with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit; grant that I may
always be obedient to Thy commandments; suffer me not to be separated from
Thee, O God, who livest and reignest with God the Father and the same Holy
Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Edmund
Did Moses use a joystick, At the parting of the Sea?
And a satellite guidance tracking system, To show him where to be?
Did he write the law on tablets, Or are they really on CD?
Did Moses use a joystick, At the parting of the Sea?
Did Jesus really die for us, One day upon a tree?
Or was it a hologram, or technical wizardry?
Can you download the live action video clip, To play on your pc?
Did Jesus really die for us, One day upon a tree?
Have the wonders of this modern age, Made you question what is true?
How a single man, in a simple time, Could offer life anew?
How a sinless life, a cruel death, Then a glorious life again,
Could offer more to a desperate world, Than all the inventions of
man?
If in your life, the voice of God, Is sometimes hard to hear.
With other voices calling, His doesn't touch your ear.
Than set aside your laptop and modem, And all your fancy gear.
And open your Bible, open your heart, and let your Father draw near.
HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILD
1. Pray NOTHING hinders your child from accepting Christ as his personal
Savior early in life. (Matthew 19:14)
2. Pray your child learns to know God and will have a deep desire to do
God's will for his life. (Psalms 119:27,30,34,35).
3. Pray child hears stories from the Bible that will be a basis for his
decisions throughout life. (Ecclesiastes 12:1, Psalms 71:17).
4. Pray child will-develop a keen sense of right and wrong and that he will
truly abhor evil and cling to that which is good. (Psalms 139:23-4).
5. Pray child will increase in wisdom (mentally) and in stature (physically)
and in favor with God (spiritually) and man (socially). (Luke 2:52). This
prayer covers his total development to his full potential.
6. Pray that child will develop a thankful heart and a positive mental
attitude. (Psalm 126:2-3, Romans 8:31)
7. Pray that God protect child from Satan and his wiles in every area of his
life. (John 17:55, Psalm 121)
8. Pray that God would destroy the enemies in his life whether they be
weaknesses, lying, selfishness etc. (Psalms 120:2; 140).
9. Pray that God would make him successful in the work God has for him to
do. (Psalm 118:25, 139:9-10)
10. Pray he have a strong sense of belonging to a family that is loving and
dwells together in unity (Psalms 133, Colossians 3:12-14).
11. Pray he will respect authority. (Romans 13:1, Ephesians 6:1-4).
12. Pray that his entire life will be a testimony of the greatness and love
of Christ. (Phillippians 2:15-16 Thess 5:2-3)
If you pray one of these a month, you will have your child covered for a
year!
A Prayer for Today
Today is the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle:
Lord Jesus, Saint Thomas doubted Your resurrection until he touched Your
wounds. After Pentecost, You called him to become a missionary in India, but
he doubted again and said no. He changed his mind only after being taken
into slavery by a merchant who happened to be going to India. Once he was
cured of his doubt, You freed him and he began the work You had called him
to do. As the patron saint against doubt, I ask him to pray for me when I
question the direction in which You are leading me. Forgive me for
mistrusting You, Lord, and help me to grow from the experience. Saint
Thomas, pray for me. Amen.
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