Hello my friends! I'm expecting the Sisters, Sister Pat and Sister Phyllis, over in a few minutes for supper - got the table all set - red tablecloth under a white lace, salad is made, making hash browns in the electric fry pan, our beans are going on next and the meat will be our deer sausage patties. I know they will love that!! So with that I'll send you the inspirations I picked out for you for tonight. God bless you all!!
Allow your mind to become quiet and less judgmental and you will feel
improvements
in all areas of your life. Lord, help my mind avoid twisting the words I
hear and misjudging
the intentions of others in order to justify my own righteousness. Help me
to spread Your peace.
S C R I P T U R E S F O R T H E D A Y
On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web
that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord
GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he
will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. ~Isaiah
25:6-10a
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed
when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame
walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.
~Matthew 15:29-37
M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y
What a wonderful day it will be when Jesus comes in His glory. All we hope
for will come into being. During this Holy Season though, the Lord calls
us to get involved in building His Kingdom ... by promoting justice and
building peace, by showing concern for the sick and the poor and bringing
God's healing presence, by living in a confusing world but following in
His footsteps.
P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y
I pray that God's dream for the world might be my dream. I pray that I may
become more and more involved in ushering in His Kingdom.
The Fruitcake
By Edith Helena
"I was bustling through another Christmas season, grumbling to my self about
all I was spending and what a nuisance the malls were, until one evening I
came home, exhausted, finally finished, just a few days before Christmas
day. I retrieved the mail, only to find, amongst credit card bills and junk
mail, a heavy parcel, almost like a cinderblock, if they made them squishy.
With a grim face I read the return address: it was my sister-in-law, for
whom I had just purchased an expensive angora sweater that had cost me
upwards of a hundred dollars of my hard-earned Christmas bonus. That was it
for me - I just snapped. Shoving the rest of the mail aside, I grabbed the
ponderous package and took it into the kitchen. I turned on the garbage
disposal and torn open the package, ready to destroy the fruitcake that I
knew was inside. Just above the fruitcake, however, was a piece of paper
that read:
'The humble fruitcake is a dessert that, like the followers of our savior
Jesus Christ, is often despised despite its sweet nature. It is unfortunate,
however, that so many feel this way, because in reality, a fruitcake is very
similar to any of the human beings on God's green earth.
The brown cake is our flesh, which was originally wrought by god's hands
from the dust. Though it is sometimes bitter, it is moist and thick,
symbolizing the labor and blood of human existence.
The nuts are little crunchy bits of sin that exist in all of us, since, like
the fruitcake, we are made with sin inside of us, and only a higher power
can take it out of us - provided we (or the fruitcake) let Him.
The bright fruits represent the joys of life that God gives us to uplift us,
like flowers, babies, and puppies. The red cherries are especially
important, because they represent the blood Jesus Christ shed to free us
from sin.
The entire fruitcake is baked until it has a firm crust, similar to our
skin, but possibly more similar to the shield that many place between
themselves and God. As we do with the fruitcake, God needs to cut off a
slice of us before the meaty insides and beautiful, tasty fruits are exposed
to Him. Some people are baked too long, and as a result are impervious to
God's love, so their tough skin and blinded minds eventually lead them to
eternal suffering in h ell, just as many an overdone fruitcakes are subjected
to the trash can, garbage disposal or family dog.
So, next time you receive a fruitcake, don't cast it aside with scorn -
where would we be if God had done that to us? Instead, enjoy the fruitcake,
share it with your friends and family, and remember what it represents - not
only ourselves, but the lord Jesus Christ, whose birth is not only the sole,
undisputed reason for Christmas, but also the reason that we have fruitcakes
today.'
A tear trickled down my cheek as I finished reading the note. All this time
I had been rushing through Christmas like it was a chore, when I had
forgotten the real meaning behind it all. The Christmas joy began to bloom
in my heart and, as I finished cramming the fruitcake down the disposal and
started preparing the sweater to return to the store, I vowed that I would
never look at Christmas, or a fruitcake for that matter, in the same way
again.
1 Tim 4:4
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is
received with thanksgiving
Teach the children
Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it
happened...
I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to
go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the
door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from
behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would
not
cry out.
"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my
throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was
gone.
Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.
He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I
was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one
quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.
As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the
old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has
forgotten."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it
before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the
stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting
hope
of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's
thoughts turning toward heaven."
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach
the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.
God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of
fulfillment of His promise."
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the
children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world,
and
when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the
darkness."
Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it
on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature
of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of
affection."
He then pulled from his bag and ornament of HIMSELF. "Teach the
children that I, Santa Clause symbolize the generosity and good will we feel
during the month of December."
He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly
plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our
Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."
Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that
God so loved the world that he gave..." Thanks be to God for his
unspeakable
gift.
Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and
presented him with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always
give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it
on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the
shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep
to
the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's
keeper."
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that
it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's
birth.The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest on earth peace and good
will toward men."
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out
a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the
sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes
guidance and return. Santa looked back and was pleased.
He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes.
He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and
do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that
is,
and I bow down to worship Him, Jesus Christ our Lord, our God."
(author unknown)
SYMPTOMS OF INNER PEACE
Author Unknown
* A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based
on past experiences.
* An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
* A loss of interest in judging other people.
* A loss of interest in judging self.
* A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
* A loss of interest in conflict.
* A loss of ability to worry (this is a very serious symptom).
* Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
* Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
* Frequent attacks of smiling.
* An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them
happen.
* An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well
as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
ABC of Faith
A - Accept anything with joy and peace will then dwell in your hearts.
B - Be willing to change in those areas that are preventing growth
C - Cleanse your soul and live, live the beatitudes
+++
D - Depend on the Divine and He will give you the strength needed.
E - Each must use their time wisely on this earth.
F - Fervently trust, trust, the Divine's mercy and love.
+++
G – Give thanks for all the blessings.
H - Have hope, and be patient, kind and loving.
I - It is so important to remain hopeful and live each day with joy
+++
J – Joy is given to those who do the will of the almighty.
K – Keep your hearts open to the Graces.
L – Let go of hate; and love, love one another.
+++
M – Many Graces are given to those who gather and pray
N – Nothing is impossible with God, so please trust and know that He is
with you.
O – Open your hearts fully to God’s love and mercy.
+++
P – Peace cannot exist if there is unforgiveness and division in your
homes, and community.
Q – Quiet time will truly help to nourish your prayer and spiritual life
R – Receive the grace needed to live a pure and holy life.
+++
S – Share those gifts God has blessed you with.
T – Take a moment today and reflect on all that God is teaching you.
U – Unite in prayer and encourage each other to live a pure and holy life.
+++
V – Victory over evil can be achieve if you keep your focus on the good and
worthy virtues
W – Walk in love and walk as children of light in order to bear fruit.
X – Xeric habits that prevent growth of the soul and spirit must be avoided
+++
Y – You must learn to be more patient with those around you.
Z – Zeal and faithfulness is needed to live a good and blessed life.
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