Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Hello my friends! Today's blessings are our friends, Ray and Ann! They took us to a musical - they hosted - and it was great! Then we had them over for supper and had a nice visit - they are wonderful friends, and a TREASURE - great gift from God! Tomorrow I start working for Lori again - only three days next week so that shouldn't be hard. That is to be available for selling Gift Certificates for Massages. Let's keep counting our Blessings and keeping Christ in Christmas - praying for you all!

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.

Dear Mom,

We're still in Bethlehem -- Mary and I and little Jesus.

There were lots of things I couldn't talk to you about last summer. You

wouldn't have believed me then, but maybe I can tell you now. I hope you can

understand.

You know, Mom, I've always loved Mary. You and dad used to tease me about

her when she was still a girl. She and her brothers used to play on our

street. Our families got together for supper. But the hardest day of my life

came scarcely a year ago when I was twenty and she only fifteen. You

remember that day, don't you?

The trouble started after we were betrothed and signed the marriage

agreement at our engagement. That same spring Mary had left abruptly to

visit her old cousin Elizabeth in Judea. She was gone three whole months.

After she got back, people started wondering out loud if she were pregnant.

It was cloudy the day when I finally confronted her with the gossip. "Mary,"

I asked at last, "are you going to have a baby?"

Her clear brown eyes met mine. She nodded.

I didn't know what to say. "Who?" I finally stammered.

Mom, Mary and I had never acted improperly--even after we were betrothed.

Mary looked down. "Joseph," she said. "There's no way I can explain. You

couldn't understand. But I want you to know I've never cared for anyone but

you." She got up, gently took my hands in hers, kissed each of them as if it

were the last time she would ever do that again, and then turned towards

home. She must have been dying inside. I know I was.

The rest of the day I stumbled through my chores. It's a wonder I didn't

hurt myself in the woodshop. At first I was angry and pounded out my

frustrations on the doorframe I was making. My thoughts whirled so fast I

could hardly keep my mind on my work. At last I decided just to end the

marriage contract with a quiet divorce. I loved her too much to make a

public scene.

I couldn't talk to you. Or anyone, for that matter. I went to bed early and

tried to sleep. Her words came to me over and over. "I've never cared for

anyone but you.... I've never cared for anyone but you...." How I wished I

could believe her!

I don't know when I finally fell asleep. Mom, I had a dream from God. An

angel of the Lord came to me. His words pulsated through my mind so

intensely I can remember them as if it were yesterday.

"Joseph, son of David," he thundered, "do not fear to take Mary home as your

wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

I couldn't believe my ears, Mom. This was the answer! The angel continued,

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins."

The angel gripped my shoulders with his huge hands. For a long moment his

gaze pierced deep within me. Just as he turned to go, I think I saw a smile

on his shining face.

I sat bolt upright in bed. No sleep after that! I tossed about for a while,

going over the words in my mind. Then I got up and dressed quietly so I

wouldn't wake you.

I must have walked for miles beneath the moonless sky. Stars pricked the

blackness like a thousand tiny pinpoints. A warm breeze blew on my face.

I sang to the Lord, Mom. Yes, me, singing, if you can imagine that. I

couldn't contain my joy. I told Him that I would take Mary and care for her.

I told Him I would watch over her--and the child--no matter what anyone

said.

I got back just as the sun kissed the hilltops. I don't know if you still

recall that morning, Mom. I can see it in my mind's eye as if it were

yesterday. You were feeding the chickens, surprised to see me out. Remember?

"Sit down," I said to you. "I've got to tell you something." I took your arm

and helped you find a seat on the big rock out back. "Mom," I said, "I'm

going to bring Mary home as my wife. Can you help make a place for her

things?"

You were silent a long time. "You do know what they're saying, don't you,

son?" you said at last, your eyes glistening.

"Yes, Mom, I know."

Your voice started to rise. "If your father were still alive, he'd have some

words, I'll tell you. Going about like that before you are married.

Disgracing the family and all. You... you and Mary ought to be ashamed of

yourselves!"

You'd never have believed me if I'd tried to explain, so I didn't. Unless

the angel had spoken to you, you'd have laughed me to scorn.

"Mom, this is the right thing to do," I said.

And then I started talking to you as if I were the head of the house. "When

she comes I don't want one word to her about it," I sputtered. "She's your

daughter-in-law, you'll respect her. She'll need your help if she's to bear

the neighbors' wagging tongues!"

I'm sorry, Mom. You didn't deserve that. You started to get up in a huff.

"Mom," I murmured, "I need you." You took my hand and got to your feet, but

the fire was gone from your eyes.

"You can count on me, Joseph," you told me with a long hug. And you meant

it. I never heard another word. No bride could hope for a better

mother-in-law than you those next few months.

Mom, after I left you I went up the road to Mary's house and knocked. Her

mother glared at me as she opened the door. Loudly, harshly she called into

the house, "It's Joseph!" almost spitting out my name as she said it.

My little Mary came out cringing, as if she expected me give her the back of

my hand, I suppose. Her eyes were red and puffy. I can just imagine what her

parents had said.

We walked a few steps from the house. She looked so young and afraid. "Pack

your things, Mary," I told her gently. "I'm taking you home to be my wife."

"Joseph!" She hugged me as tight as she could. Mom, I didn't realize she was

so strong.

I told her what I'd been planning. "We'll go to Rabbi Ben- Ezer's house this

week and have him perform the ceremony."

I know it was awfully sudden, Mom, but I figured the sooner we got married

the better it would be for her, and me, and the baby.

"Mary, even if our friends don't come, at least you and I can pledge our

love before God." I paused. "I think my Mom will be there. And maybe your

friend Rebecca would come if her dad will let her. How about your parents?"

I could feel Mary's tiny frame shuddering as she sobbed quietly.

"Mary," I said. I could feel myself speaking more boldly. "No matter what

anyone says about you, I'm proud you're going to be my wife. I'm going to

take good care of you. I've promised God that."

She looked up.

I lowered my voice. "I had a dream last night, Mary. I saw an angel. I

know."

The anguish which had gripped her face vanished. She was radiant as we

turned away from the house and began to walk up the hill together.

Just then her mother ran out into the yard. "Wait," she called. She must

have been listening from behind the door. Tears were streaming down her

cheeks.

"I'll get your father," she called, almost giddy with emotion. "We," she

cried as she gathered up her skirts. "We," she shouted as she began to run

to find her husband. "We ... are going to have a wedding!"

That's how it was, Mom. Thanks for being there for us. I'll write again

soon.

Love, Joseph

John said to his disciples: "If anyone has two tunics he must share with the

man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same."

Rejoice in the Lord Always!

The people asked John the Baptist: "What must we do" to prepare for the One

who is to come? During Advent we must ask ourselves what must we do to

prepare for Christ´s coming to us at Christmas. What are the obstacles that

must be removed from our lives if Christmas is to be for us a time of grace

and spiritual growth?

PERSONAL PRAYER

I exult for you that you my Lord and my God have been good to come to me,

and my soul rejoices in you. I place myself in your hands, O Lord. Please,

use me as you will to achieve your plans. Help me to prepare the way for you

to come into the hearts of those whom I meet as I wander through the world,

and to come into my heart, just as the generations of prophets of the Old

Testament, and finally John the Baptist before the great event, prepared the

Jewish people and the world for your coming.

Let me be happy in constant prayer, just as I like to spend time talking

with my friends. Let me learn to place myself in your hands, to be guided by

the Spirit, so that I will be a faithful witness to you.

Through your love for me you saved me I know that doubt your goodness now

and again, but that is because I am a human being, not an angel or a saint.

Help me to trust in you, in your goodness, your kindness. Bless me, Lord,

with all the graces that I need in this life, and with the heavenly graces

that I will need at the hour of my death. Amen.

Christmas Video - Awesome!

Please watch...absolutely beautiful & very moving. Great Christmas spirit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Vnt7euRF5Pg&vq=medium

THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT MORE OF THIS IN OUR COUNTRIES! Very well done

indeed!

God Bless you!

Mother Teresa said...

May we all have hearts overflowing with love as a reflection of God's love.

God's love is what can save our families, our country, and the world.

You will make it to a PLACE called SUCCESS!

There is a CURVE called FAILURE,

A LOOP called CONFUSION,

SPEED BUMPS called FRIENDS,

RED LIGHTS called ENEMIES,

CAUTION LIGHTS called FAMILY,

And, you will have FLATS called JOBS.

BUT . . .

If you have a SPARE called DETERMINATION,

An ENGINE called PERSEVERANCE,

INSURANCE called FAITH,

And a DRIVER called JESUS,

You will make it to a PLACE called SUCCESS!