Community Chat

[gloriajean]

When you need to calm your emotions, stop and turn your attention
to God. Lord, I know that You are my help right now and will show me
simple answers to what seems complicated and impossible.

S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be
like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the
floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not
fall, because it had been founded on rock." ~Matthew 7:24-25

M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y
With God's help, I can build a protective screen around myself which
can keep out all evil thoughts. I can fashion it out of my attitude
toward God and my attitude toward other people. When one worrying or
impatient thought enters my mind, I can put it out at once. I know
that love and trust are the solvents for the worry and frets of life.
I can use them to form a protective screen around me.

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y
I pray that frets and impatience and worry may not corrode my
protective screen against all evil thoughts. I pray that I may banish
all these from my life.

Hello my friends! How was your Sunday? Hope very blessed. I was blessed today by a phone call from Lori offering to take me to see my sister, Erma, and I went. It was the first time I saw her new place - her assisted living place. Two small rooms, bedroom and living room - all one room - then a closet when you come in, and a big bathroom. It's very nice, and really all she needs because she gets all her meals at the dining room there, and we ate with her at noon there. It was very nice - always good meals, she says. We had Cornish Game hens today - with Rice Pilaf. Very good and it's been ages since I had Cornish Game Hens. With her walker she walks very well - without it, it's scary to hold on to her as I did in Oct. when she didn't have her walker. Remember she has Parkinson's. Lori drove to Erma's daughter, and she showed us where to go and had lunch with us there too. Now Erma is Lori's Godmother, and I am Donna's (Erma's daughter) Godmother. On the way home we did a little shopping at Trader Joe's - always like that store, but it's an hour away from here. Then Linus and I went to Mass tonight at the Cathedral - very good homily! Lori and I left this morning before our Mass time here. Seeing where Erma is and how she is treated there, and so many like her, and hearing that her mediations are there for her to take, day by day, and what time she should take them, and if she should miss - a timer goes off and help comes in to give her the medication. Isn't that neat? It gives me comfort that she is so well taken care of over there. She does seem happy!

Here is something my good friend, Mel wrote:

" WHAT COLOR IS THE SOUL ? "
The soul is a prism reflecting the Light
The radiance of which blinds our sight
A soul so attuned soars to great height.
The soul nearing the the Lord is lighter
And the closer to Him the brighter
Imaging Him it is even whiter.
God draws a beloved soul to His own
His Soul and the small soul coo in a moan.
The soul caught up in shameful sins
Moves away from God; satan wins ~
But God's love for that prodical son
Through the Blood of the Cross has won
The repentent soul and washed away
The filthy stain of blackness and gray.
God draws this soul close to His Heart
He blesses it by giving it a fresh start
He enlivens and enlightens the soul to pray
To ask for graces sufficient for the day.
The soul nearing the the Lord is lighter
And the closer to Him the brighter
Imaging Him it is even whiter.
© Mel Patterson, 1-16-11

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL
Author Unknown
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into
the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil,
before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never
forget, and you will
become the best pencil you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow
yourself to be held in Someone's hand.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but
you'll need it to become a better pencil.
Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.
And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark.
No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box
with purpose in its heart.
Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them
and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow
yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to
access you for the many gifts you possess.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by
going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a
stronger person.
Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow
through them.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the
inside.
And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No
matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in
everything.
By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this
earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with
God daily.

THE WAY TO GOD
If my days were untroubled
and my heart always light
Would I seek the fair land
where there is no night;
If I never grew weary
with the weight of my load
Would I search for God's Peace
at the end of the road;
If I never knew sickness
and never felt pain
Would I reach for a hand
to help and sustain;
If I walked not with sorrow
and lived without loss
Would my soul seek solace
at the foot of the cross;
If all I desired was mine
day by day
Would I kneel before God
and earnestly pray;
If God sent no "Winter"
to freeze me with fear
Would I yearn for the warmth
of "Spring" every year;
I ask myself this
and the answer is plain--
If my life were all pleasure
and I never knew pain
I'd seek God less often
and need Him much less,
For God's sought more often
in times of distress,
And no one knows God
or sees Him as plain
As those who have met Him
on the "Pathway of Pain."
By Helen Steiner Rice

Come As You Are. No Jacket Required
I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about.
But, this just couldn't be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required," and found the location.
Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy.
A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me, "Come as you are. No jacket required."
I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium.
"Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.
"Daniel F. Renken," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains.
He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?"
I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of course!"
He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there was a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red.
As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed.
There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence," "assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy."
I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where I was at. "God's Grace," was the name of this place!
The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the Day.' With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu."
You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this!
"What is the 'Special of the Day,'" I asked with excitement ringing in my voice.
"Salvation," was his reply.
"I'll take it," I practically cried out.
Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes.
Between my sobs I said, "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I'm unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, I Just can't afford it."
Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said pointing to the front of the room. "His Name is Jesus."
Turning, I saw a Man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this."
He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto Me. Ask Me to clean you up and I will. Ask Me to take away the stains and it is done. Ask Me to allow you to feast at My table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you."
Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life. Please change me and seat me at Your table and give me this new life."
Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished."
I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been lifted, and I found myself seated at His table.
"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me. "Salvation is yours."
We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God's Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible.
As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He whispered to me softly, "And Daniel, I am with you always." And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "My child, Do you see these empty tables throughout this room?"
"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied.
"These are reserved tables, but the individuals whose names are on each placards have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us yet?" Jesus asked.
"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations.
"Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave.
I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man... robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go.
I'll spread the Word.
I'll share the Gospel . . .
I'll hand out the invitations.
And I'll start with you.
"Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name, and here's your invitation . . .
Come as you are. No jacket required."
- Author Unknown
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Closing prayer:
A PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY
Heavenly Father, you have given us a model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth. Help us, O loving Father, to make our Family another Nazareth where Love, Peace and Joy reign. May it be deeply contemplative, intensely Eucharistic and vibrant with Joy.
Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow through family Prayer. Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our Family especially in their distressing disguise. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our Hearts meek and humble like His and help us to carry out our Family duties in a Holy Way. May we Love one another as God loves each one of us more and more each day, and forgive each others´ faults as you forgive our sins. Help us, O Loving Father, to take whatever you give and to give whatever you take with a big smile.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of our Joy, Pray for us.
St. Joseph Pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels be with us always, guide and protect us.
AMEN.

Good night and God bless you! Sweet Dreams! May your Monday be the start of a good week of blessings!