Community Chat

[gloriajean]

It is you, not where you are or what you have, that makes the difference.
Lord, may I always blossom where I am planted.


Scripture for the day:

"I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God
will hear me." ~Micah 7:7

Meditation for the day:

We can admit our own helplessness. God will hear our prayer. Our own need
can be recognized, then we can ask God for the strength to meet that need.
But once that need is recognized, our prayer is heard above all the music of
heaven. It is not theological arguments that solve the problems of the
questing soul, but the sincere cry of that soul to God for strength and the
certainty of that soul that the cry can be heard and answered.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may be humble enough to realize my need and ask for help. I
pray that I may feel certain that God will hear and answer my prayer.

Peace of Jesus to all you, my friends and all who just come to read and I
don't know you yet! Today was another planting day for my husband, I didn't
help today, he got everything in, we are even going to have corn on cob this
year!! It will be fun to see everything growing - a great blessing indeed
and our lettuce will be ready to pick in a week!! Praise God! We eat lots of
salads. The dressing I make is always with olive oil and plum vinegar, but
I'm out now so I used balsamic vinegar and that was great too! Then it
rained! It was a good rain, not anything else, no hail, no wind, no storm!
Praise the Lord again! Lori is gone to a Massage Seminar this weekend in
MPLS. She's always learning more and more for helping her clients. Got my
herbs in the ground now in the patio - I still don't know yet how to use
that stevia. Guess I'll google it. If any of you have tried the plant,
please tell me! My blessings today have been many - starting out with Mass
in the morning - and the nice sunny day until the much needed rain, and I
see very soon our peonies will start to bloom, maybe in another few days.
My cardinal has been missing, though, and I miss him!! We have enough food
out for him - hope he comes back. Thanks for all of your posts - and
felinemom, welcome back and hope you come again!
Praying for all your intentions - included in my daily Rosary and I place
you all in the Immaculate Heart of Mary - what better place to be! She will
take care of you - pray the Hail Mary! This month is Mary's month! As a
little girl I remember we always made a May altar for the Blessed Virgin -
with flowers etc. it was very pretty!!

Homily of the Day

May 4, 2012

Let nothing keep you from His Peace
by Food For Thought

Do you allow any troubles to rob you of God’s peace? As much as we try to
avoid it, we all inevitably encounter troubles and difficulties, and
sometimes more than we think we can handle! Jesus knew his disciples would
have to face adversity and trials after he left them to return to his
Father. Jesus assured them that his departure is for their good, in order to
secure a place for them in God’s house – a place of refuge, peace, and
everlasting happiness. The Lord Jesus assures us of a safe passage to our
true home in heaven with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

If heaven is our destination, how can we be sure we know the way without
some kind of map or guide? The scriptures speak of the way we should go.
“You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Youshall walk
in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you” (Deuteronomy
5:32-33). “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy
Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, and fools shall not err therein”
(Isaiah). Teach me your way, O Lord; and lead me on a level path” (Psalm
27:11). Jesus proclaims: “I am the Way.” The Lord Jesus does not simply
give advice and direction. He personally is the way, and we cannot miss it.
He leads and guides us personally every day. The Lord Jesus also is the
Truth. Many can say, “I have taught you the truth.” Only Jesus can say, I
am the Truth. Moral truth cannot be conveyed in words alone; it must be
conveyed in example. Jesus embodies the truth in his person. Jesus also is
the Life. He not only shows us the path of life (Psalm 16:11); he gives the
kind of life which only God can give — eternal life. Is there any fear or
trouble which keeps you from the perfect peace and happiness of a life
surrendered to Christ?

Reflection written by Don Schwager of www.rc.net

BLESSINGS OF THE ROSARY

1. Sinners are forgiven.
2. Souls that thirst are refreshed.
3. Those who are fettered have their bonds broken.
4. Those who weep find happiness
5. Those who are tempted find peace.
6. The poor find help.
7. Religious are reformed.
8. Those who are ignorant are instructed.
9. The living learn to overcome pride.
10. The dead (the Holy Souls) have their pains eased by suffrages.


BENEFITS OF THE ROSARY

1. It gradually gives us a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ.
2. It purifies our souls, washing away sin.
3. It gives us victory over all our enemies.
4. It makes it easy for us to practice virtue.
5. It sets us on fire with love of Our Lord.
6. It enriches us with graces and merits.
7. It supplies us with what is needed to pay all our debts to God and to our
fellow men; and finally, it
obtains all kinds of graces for us from Almighty God

If..

If the world were full of Christians
who studied their Bible daily,
who really did believe
God’s commands applied to them,
who put what they learned
in God’s Holy Word into practice,
their actions reflecting that Word,
then earth would be close to heaven.
If the world were full of Christians
who knew that being a Christian
is more than going to church,
who lived their lives according to God’s will,
service to Him their main purpose,
who practiced Jesus’ teachings
every day, with everyone they met,
loving and helping their neighbors,
then the earth would be a place
of heavenly harmony and peace.
By Joanna Fuchs

A preacher in a rural church was giving a special service because of a
severe local drought. He began by saying, "You have all come here today to
pray for rain. I have just one question for you: Where are your umbrellas?"

This depicts the way most of us pray for things. With a vague kind of hope,
we say, "I hope the Lord will cure me of cancer," or "I hope the Lord will
straighten out this unhappy marriage." "I hope the Lord will get my son off
drugs, help me solve my financial problems and give me the job I want."
Often we don't really expect it to happen. Without expectant faith, our
spiritual life can be presumed to be at the kindergarten level.

While many people feel they have great faith, it is usually less than
mountain-moving. Others admit their weakness in faith but still "leave
their umbrellas at home."

from Faith: Key to the Heart of God by John Hampsch, CMF with Clint Kelly

A Prayer is Something We Give


A prayer is something we give to God
When we want to say Hi.
It's also how we ask for things
When we wish, hope, or cry.

A prayer is something we give ourselves
To ease our troubled mind.
It helps to know we have the ear
Of someone very kind.

A prayer is something we give to friends,
Family, and strangers too.
Prayer is always the answer to
"Is there anything I can do?"

So take the time to pray today
It doesn´t matter from whom.
Peace of mind is moments away.
So get to praying soon!

Author Unknown



Forever

"Forever" she said.
"Forever," he said.

First day of life and they made the vow to be together forever.

"I need some room," she said.
"I'll will always be here, just call for me" he said.

Ten years old and they made the vow to always be there.

"Does he like me?" she asked.
"I'll find out," he said.

Twelve years old and he made the vow to show her who loved her.

"He doesn't love me anymore," she said.
"I will always love you" he said.

Fourteen years old and he made the vow to show her love forever.

"Nobody loves me," she said.
"I know someone who does," he said.

Sixteen years old and he made the vow to love her forever.

"I'm getting married," she said.
"I'll be there," he said.

Eighteen years old and he made the vow to forever give her love.

"I got divorced yesterday," she said.
"I'm here for you," he said.

Twenty years old and he made the vow to be there for her forever.

"Why doesn't anyone love me?" she asked.
"I have always loved you," he said.

Twenty-two years old and he made the vow to keep on loving her.

"I could never just love you," she said.
"I could never stop," he said.

Twenty-four years old and he made the vow to never stop loving her.

"I can never see you," she said.
"I have lived in your heart from the day you were born," he said.

Twenty-six years old and he made the vow to live in her heart forever.

As she lays dying,
"I'm sorry, for not always loving you, please forgive me" she said.
"I told you I will always be here for you, I am here!" he said.

Twenty-eight years old and he kept his vow as her body lay in an open
casket he turned to her and said, "You shall come unto me to live and be
loved forever."

"Forever," she said
"Forever," The Lord said.


Each time you warmly greet a stranger
or beam a heartfelt smile,
you pass along


the effects lingering for awhile.

Each time you help a friend
or a neighbor you do not know,
you give of

and the effects just grow and grow

Each time you stop to listen
or judge not anothers' trials,
you show

then the effects travel for miles

Each time you console a burdened heart
or shoulder someone's tears,
you spread

the effects passing on for years.

Each time you "Love thy neighbor"
as He has always loved you,
you light a candle of

to last a lifetime through

Although our lives may differ greatly
our strengths and weaknesses may vary too
I know you are a special soul
because He brightly shines through you!

Now, if I can share but one small message
to you, my friend, I say:
hold on to this important promise
He has spoken every day...

"Each time you need a hand
or a friend to walk with you,
Remember I am always near
and My love is always true."

To help us make the wisest use of our time,
someone has offered these guidelines :

Take time to pray - it's a source of power
Take time to read - it's a fountain of wisdom.
Take time to play - it's a secret of youth.
Take time to be friendly - it's a path of happiness.
Take time to laugh - it's the music of the soul.
Take time to dream - it's a road to greater vision.
Take time to love - it's GOD like.

May your Saturday and weekend be filled with lots of blessings!! I love you
all and God bless you!