Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Stay close to God because He is the solution to all problems. Lord, I will
live in Your presence, protected by You and Your peace will be mine.

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

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and
I will give you rest." ~Matthew 11:28

M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and
I will give you rest." For rest from the cares of life, we can turn to
God each day in prayer and communion. Real relaxation and serenity come
from a deep sense of the fundamental goodness of the universe. God's
everlasting arms are underneath all and can support us. We can commune
with God, not so much for petitions to be granted as for the rest that
comes from our relying on God's will and God's purposes for our lives.
We can be sure of God's strength available to us, and conscious of God's
support. We can wait quietly until that true rest from God fills our
being.

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y

I pray that I may be conscious of God's support today. I pray that I
may rest safe and sure therein.

Greetings my friends! How was your day? Mine, ours was restful and peaceful! Linus enjoyed his two days off a lot, and his feet loved it!! Today’s blessings would start with – remember I told you we got our airline tickets now for Easter in Texas? Well, he is staying a week longer and Lori and me, and he scheduled himself in coming back on Monday, the 2nd of May – late. I told him that won’t work. He has to be her for the card club play-offs with is Monday, the 2nd. So he went on line to change it. He had to cancel the reservation, and make a new one and because they give you a grace period of 24 hours, we didn’t have to pay for the change. Ok – when he got his new reservation, he found out the airline tickets went down $35.00 so we told Lori, and she cancelled hers and registered again and saved $70.00 for the both of us! What a nice blessing that is!! Blessing No. 2 – had a long visit with Darla on the phone – both of us did. And she wants her Dad to do some landscaping – not heavy work, but some of his ideas – something she can have outside made by her Dad.
It snowed here again today – it’s a blessing we don’t have to go out tonight! Tomorrow he’s off to work again – and I have lots of organizing to do – and could use some help!! Bev? The Organizing Queen? Cleaning out my office drawers, there are lots of papers I have to go thru and throw away and see what has to be saved etc.
Time consuming! Lots of recipes there, too. Maybe I should make a recipe from there 3 times a week and dump it if it isn’t good!! LOL
Oh yes, another great blessing for today is that I found all my folders for my list!! I don’t believe I lost anything. The prayers are here!! Praise The Lord!!!!! This morning we had an older priest say Mass - I asked someone who he was, and found out he was the Bishop who went to Agats, New Guinea - and so I had to go talk to him. He knew my dear uncle, Father Benno well, and while Fr. Benno was Provincial of the Crosier Order, he founded the Crosier Missions in Agats, and he appointed this priest to become Bishop and become the first Bishop of Agats, New Guinea. What a small world!! It was so nice visiting with him about Father Benno!! By the way - I was born on Father Benno's Birthday, and I was born at home, and there was a party for him that day, and at 2 PM he took me to Church with my Godparents and baptized me - the same day I was born!!!
I always was very close to him! He died way too soon - 68 of a heart attack. He did a lot of good during his life! He was very much loved!

THE SON
Author Unknown
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young
son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled
around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their
collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many
others adorned the walls of the family estate.
The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child
became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp
business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with
art collectors
around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left
to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father
received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art
collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his
son again.
Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while
rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Easter holidays
with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and
his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On
Easter morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As
he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only
reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door,
he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He
introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son.
I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few
moments? I have something to show you."
As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had
told every one of his father's love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said
the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped
the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son.
Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the
painting featured the young man's face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang
the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier
had departed, the old man set about his task.
True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside
thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair
and spent Easter gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days
and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was
no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he
had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of
wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.
As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly
pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his
son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest
in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored.
He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art
world was in anticipation.
With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings
would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all
of the art works would be auctioned on Easter Day, the day he had
received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered
to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would
be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim
"I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting
that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's
son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent.
"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No
one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that
painting? It's just a picture of his son.
Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in
agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the
auctioneer.
"Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke.
"Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew
the boy, so I'd like to have it." "I have ten dollars. Will anyone go
higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer
said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell. Cheers filled
the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can
bid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and
announced the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What
do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old
guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of
dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of
the father, whoever takes the son . . . gets it all!"
Just as those art collectors discovered on that Easter Day, the
message is still the same-the love of a Father - a Father whose
greatest joy came from His Son who went away and gave his life
rescuing others. And because of that Father's love...whoever takes the
Son gets it all.
Finders Keepers
A wise woman who was travelling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveller who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.
The traveller left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious: Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."
Prayer:
Grant O Lord, My God, a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you
and a hope of finally embracing you.
- - -
Acts 20:35 - (Jesus said) "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving."

Once Upon A Pew I Sat
Once upon a pew I sat And heard the preacher ask,
"We need someone to teach a class, Now who will take this task?"
Then God sat down beside me there And said, "Son, that's for you."
"But, Lord, to stand before a class Is one thing I can't do.
Now Bill would be the man to call, There's nothing he won't do.
I'd rather hear the lesson taught From here upon my pew."
Once upon a pew I sat And heard the preacher ask, "We need someone to
lead the songs, Now who will take this task?"
Then God sat down beside me there And said, "Son, that's for you."
"But Lord, to sing before a crowd Is one thing I can't do.
Now Brother King will do the job, There's nothing he won't do.
I'd rather hear the music played From here upon my pew."
Once upon a pew I sat And heard the preacher ask, "I need someone to
keep the door, Now who will take this task?"
Then God sat down beside me there And said, "Son, that's for you."
"But saying things to strangers, Lord, Is one thing I can't do.
Now Tom can talk to people, Lord, There's nothing he won't do.
I'd rather someone come to me And greet me on the pew."
As years just seemed to pass me by, I heard that voice no more.
Until one night I closed my eyes And woke on heaven's shore.
'Twas four of us together there To face eternity.
God said, "I need just three of you To do a job for me."
"O Lord, I cried, "I'll do the job, There's nothing I won't do."
But Jesus said, "I'm sorry, Friend, In Heaven there's no pew."
- Author Unknown

Prayer to Defeat Satan
O Divine Eternal Father, in union with Thy Divine Son and the Holy Spirit and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I beseech Thee to destroy the power thy greatest enemy, the evil spirits.
Cast them into the deepest recesses of Hell and chain them there forever!
Take possession of Thy kingdom which Thou hast created and which is rightfully Thine.
O Heavenly Father, grant us the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
I repeat this prayer out of pure love for Thee, with every beat of my heart, and with every breath I take.
Amen.

Closing prayer:
Prayer for My Child
I come to You in Jesus name and give (name of
child) to You. I'm convinced that You alone
know what is best for him/her. You alone know
what he/she needs. I release him/her to You
to care for and protect, and I commit myself to
pray for everything concerning him/her that I
can think of or that You put upon my heart.
Teach me how to pray and guide me in what to
pray about. Help me not to impose my own will
when I'm praying for him/her, but rather
enable me to pray that Your will be done in
his/her life.
Thank You that I can partner with You in raising
him/her and that I don't have to rely on the
world's unreliable and ever-changing methods
for child rearing, but that I can have clear
directions from Your Word and wisdom as I pray
to You for answers.
Thank You, Lord, for the precious gift of this
child. Because Your Word says that every good
gift comes from You, I know that You have
given him/her to me to care for and raise. Help
me do that. Show me places where I continue
to hang on to him/her and enable me to release
him/her to Your protection, guidance, and
counsel. Help me not to live in fear of possible
dangers, but in the joy and peace of knowing
that You are in control. I rely on You for
everything, and this day I trust my child to You
and release him/her into Your hands.
~By Stormie Omartian

Peace of the Lord be with you always! Good night and Sweet Dreams to all and may you find lots of blessings throughout the day tomorrow.
God Bless you all!! I am remembering you all in my daily prayers.
--