Community Chat

[gloriajean]

God gives us what we need when we need it, which isn't necessarily what we
want when we want it. His timing is perfect. Lord, I will not fall into
doubt
and worry because I trust that You will bless me at the moment of my actual
need.

Scripture for the day:

"All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not
receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a
spirit of adoption. When we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" ~Romans
8:14-15

Meditation for the day:

God's spirit is all around us all day long. We have no thoughts, no plans,
no impulses, no emotions that God doesn't know about. We can hide nothing
from God. We need not make our conduct conform only to that of the world.
We need not depend on the approval or disapproval of others. God sees in
secret, but God rewards openly. If we are in harmony with God, doing our
best to live the way we believe God wants us to live, we can be at peace.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may always feel God's presence. I pray that I may live in
God's presence all day long.

Greetings my friends! Hope you all had a good day today! It was a good one
for us, relaxing, starting out with Mass, then Linus went to the Nursery to
find out about plants etc. He found out he should clean out the strawberries
entirely, put new ground in and start them over in the riser. And the
blueberries, too, to cut them down, and let them grow - b- ushing out more.
Tomorrow will be the third year for them, they should be good. I had a few
of them this summer but not much. Then he gets a phone call from our
neighbor - it was their house we were at last night for supper and Farkel -
he must have told him about some things that are wrong with the snowblower
and lawnmower, and he said to bring them over in the morning before he goes
to work and he'll fix them. Such nice neighbors! Wow! Such blessings God
give us! I had a nice long visit on the phone with my cousin tonight - she
is older than me, and oh, so busy with her life! She volunteers so much!
And my sister, the nun, is planning a birthday party for Deil - on Labor
Day. On her birthday, Oct. 8, Sr. LaDonna will be gone on her trip to
Medugorje for a Pilgrimage. Guess Linus will have to drive - it's in
Mpls. - we were hoping Lori could take us, but she's got plans to go sky
diving that day! Yes, that surprised me!

Homily of the Day


August 26, 2011

The Only Way To Get A Life Is To Give It Away!
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

1 Thes 4:1-8 / Mt 25:1-13

Most of our children have become as comfortable on their computers as they
are on their bikes. And watching them skimming along in search of
information for a report or simply scanning the horizon for what might
tickle their fancy can be a jarring experience for many of their parents and
grandparents. There is no doubt that many of the brightest people in the
generations just behind our school children are utterly baffled by e-mail,
internet, and this whole new world of communication.

If we take that bafflement as a model, we can capture the state of mind of
the majority of Jesus’ contemporaries and indeed of our own when they
examine Jesus’ life. With no promise of payback, he voluntarily gave his
life on behalf of the people he loved. Insanity is the only label that
these folks can apply to such a choice. But we know better.

As we’ve walked through our own lives with Jesus at our side, we’ve come to
understand that we find life and truly make it our own only as we give it
away. Good mothers, spouses, teachers, pastors, and many more, all know
that and live it. It seems to be an utter lapse in logic: two and two does
not equal four. But on an entirely different level it works. Indeed, it’s
the only thing that works.

If that is true, then each of us is left with some hard questions. Are you
giving your life wholeheartedly where it needs to be given? If not, what
are you holding back, and what’s holding you back? There’s no better time
than now to begin to change that!

I've Cried

I've cried to God as I've beheld the world wrapped up in fear,
of lack and death and war that looms to snatch lives held so dear.
I said, "My God' Have you not heard The newsmen on TV?
Do you not know the shape we're in? Do you not care for me?"
"I'm scared, Dear Jesus' Help us, please! There's news of fear and war
and I'm afraid Lord' I admit! Of what might be in store?"
"Peace be still My' child" He said "And hear now what I say,
for I have seen and heard the cries of those who to Me' pray.
Keep your eyes upon ME' now, not what you hear or see
as you do, you'll keep My' peace, if your mind stays on ME."
"It matters not what one man says or even many more,
for I am God' and I decide each day what lies in store."
"I've told you there would be such times when, of these things, you'd hear.
I told you so you'd be prepared and full of peace, not fear."
"For all these things must be fulfilled, yet My' word fails not.
For I am still your hiding place as all the fires rage hot."
"You're hidden beneath My' shadow now, and you can rest in me.
Yes you can trust My' words of love to last eternally."
"For I'm your Father' Counselor, and Friend. Your Alpha and your End.
If this was the world's last day, be sure for you I'd send."
"I've promised I'd save you a place, If you would stay in Me'.
Stay pure and faithful, eyes on Me' and victory you'll see."
"I can't tell you if it's 'the end' no human man can know,
but I can tell you, it is close, so be prepared to go."
"Each day I give you, reach in love to save another soul,
for snatching them from Me' for h ell is truly Satan's goal."
"Occupy until I come, live each day full in Me'
Just keep your eyes upon My' face and know that I do see."
"I see the world, I see your life, and I do care for you.
Know that, no matter what occurs, My' love for you stands true."
"I'm Alpha and Omega, I'm King and Lord of ALL...
I'll be right near to care for you as, on My name, you call."
"For I can change the hearts of kings, and I their hearts, do try.
I'm the one who formed this world, and says when it shall die."
"So, use this time to seek the lost, and tell them of My' Love.
That they too, may be saved and live with Me' again, above."
"Don't listen to fear's voice, hear Mine' then stand on what you've heard.
Don't fear yours or the world's fate, it's destined by My' word."
"Keep your eyes on Me' my child, and let Me' wipe each tear,
for I am God' and in control... So live in peace, not fear."

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Favored by God

Mary was favored by God more than all of creation in that she was chosen to
mother, love, and collaborate with the mission of her Son as he did the
Father's will in the love of the Holy Spirit.

The Shepherd's Care

He maketh me to lie down in green pasture: He leadeth me beside the still
waters; He restore my soul. Psalm 23:2
Did you know that sheep fear swiftly moving waters? They require quiet
waters or streams, because if their wool become wet it will pull them
under-----and they can't swim! Also, they must change pastures often because
they eat the grass so close to the root that it needs a chance to grow
again.

And sheep require constant care relying heavily on the Shepherd. As long as
the sheep follow their shepherd, they will have their needs met. He is an
expert and knows the best places for food and water. The shepherd carries
olive oil as a remedy for the injured or scratched lambs.

The Lord, our Shepherd, cares for us in the way a shepherd cares for his
sheep. He sees that we have our basic needs met and often blesses abundantly
above them.

Sometimes we focus only on our wants instead of our needs. Our Shepherd
isn't holding things back from us. But just as sheep can overeat and suffer
illnesses or death, so we often desire things that will hurt us
.
The Shepherd gave His life for His sheep; we can trust Him for all our
needs.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, Here's hoping for a blessed weekend.



HOW TO MAKE A PERSONAL PRAYER

Select a best time for your personal prayer and include it in your schedule.
Let it be the best time when drowsiness, tiredness or calls from outside do
not disturb you. For most people early morning is the best time. Try to pray
every day at the fixed time that it may become a habit in you. How wonderful
it is if you can meet the Lord at the same time every day.

Personal prayer is not reciting prayers from some pious books, it is not
saying the rosary, or reading the Bible, it is not time to pray for others,
it is not to pray before a picture or a statue. It is you and your God
alone; it is closing the door of your eyes and ears and entering into the
sanctuary of your heart where you meet the Father and the Son through the
Holy Spirit.

It is good to praise and thank God for sometime to enter into personal
prayer. Where there is praise there is God! Enter His presence with praise
and thanksgiving. Have a lot of praises and thanksgiving during your prayer.
Praises will keep you away from distractions and bondages that come from the
evil one.

Once you are in His presence surrender yourself before Him with small songs
like "Father I adore you, lay my life before You (Son and Spirit)". Anyone
in the presence of the Lord will feel his unworthiness and unholiness to be
in His all Holy and Almighty presence. Hence one must spend little time
asking God pardon and mercy for the sins committed. You must experience the
compassionate and merciful Heart of Jesus from where the Living Water flows
into your heart washing you and cleansing you and giving you a new heart (Ez
36:26). After receiving His pardon and after having reconciled with God and
having forgiven all, you must again thank and praise God for His goodness to
you. Forgive everyone and be reconciled with all in your heart (Mk 11:25)

Spend sometime in asking the Lord to heal you from your past wounds of the
heart and of the present. Bring all your wounded memories to the Lord and
get yourself healed by the wounds of Christ. By His wounds you are healed (I
Pet 2:24). Present your hurt feelings, your feelings of rejections, unlove,
fear, anxiety, inferiority complex, etc. to the Lord's wounds and claim your
healing of the heart. Present the scars of your past sins, guilt, sadness,
etc. to Him and claim a deep inner peace and joy within. In this precious
moment of grace you must get yourself freed from all bad habits and the
desires of the flesh so that on that day you will not be conquered by sin.
You will hear Jesus telling in your heart, "My grace is sufficient for you"
(II Cor 12:9). During this time can ask for your own physical healings too
if you have any.

After having obtained a new life in Jesus through repentance and inner
healing surrender your entire self to the Lord, your heart, your mind, and
every part of your body, your plans, your desires, your work, your money,
your programs, your travel, your relationships, etc. (Rom 6: 12-19). You can
sing in your heart a good song of surrender like "All to Jesus I surrender"
Along with the surrender of your complete self you must ask the Holy Spirit
to fill you with power and grace. You may sing a small song to the Holy
Spirit. Open your heart to the Spirit and receive the Spirit with all
fruits, gifts and charismas (Gal 5: 22-23; Is 11: 2; I Cor 12: 4-10). This
must be the most beautiful time of your personal prayer. Here you will have
various experiences of God, like the Living Water flowing through you with
love, peace and joy. You may experience the Lord's presence in you with
spiritual, emotional manifestations too. You may, here, have visions;
perhaps you may hear the Lord speaking to you giving you guidance and
direction. If you have presented a problem to Him, you will definitely get
an answer. Through this insight, revelations, words of the Spirit within
you, you will hear the Spirit telling you "do this, don't do this, go this
way, don't go this way, etc. During this most important part of your
personal prayer you are entering into a personal friendship with Him. Here
you can speak to Him whatever you want like a brother or a friend (Jn 15:
15). Make intimacy with the Lord in your heart. During this time you may
make decisions with the Lord for that day so that all you do will be
according to His will and plan. If the Lord tells you not to do certain
things or to alter your plans be obedient to Him. Fill yourself with as much
as grace possible for you so that you may walk in His grace and love. Have
much thanksgiving and praise giving in His sweet and loving Presence. If you
spend the time well with the Lord, you will not know how your time has
passed with the Lord. When you end the prayer you may make a sign of the
Cross on important part of your body and entrust yourself to the blood of
Christ for protection and care. Thus with much grace and God's love do the
works of the day with much peace and joy. If you pray this you will see many
blessings of the Lord daily in your life and you will see that the Spirit
leads you.

A Prayer for Guidance

Lord I stand before you with a heavy heart,
I don’t have all the answers,
I am turning to you for guidance.

I want to be happy and healthy,
not if it offends you.
I want to know I am making the right decisions,
decisions that will not hurt you.

I am human and know I make mistakes,
I am human and know I am weak.
Allow me to gain strength from you.
I am asking for help.

Give me the strength to fight for what is important.
Give me the strength to help people as they help me.
Help me to see right from wrong through the trials of my life.
Never let me just give up on myself.

Forgive me for my mistakes and failures,
know I am trying to be the best and strongest person I can.
Never let me quit! ´

Amen.

Good night all - Sweet Dreams! Have a wonderful Saturday filled with many
blessings!