Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Everything we need to deal with life's problems lies within us. Our trials are tests to see if we can discover the solution. Lord, I call out Your name when I face my difficulties and together we will overcome them.

Scripture for the Day

"If God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you — you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." — Luke 12:28-31

Meditation for the Day

I know that God cannot teach anyone who is trusting in a "crutch." I can throw away the worldly things I have come to depend upon and walk in God's power and spirit. God's power can so invigorate me that I can indeed walk on to victory. There is never any limit go God's power. I can go step by step, one day at a time. God's will can be revealed to me as I go forward.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may have more and more dependence on God. I pray that I may throw away the "crutches" I sometimes rely upon and let God's power take their place.

Hello my friends! This is going to be early because we are going out for cards next door in a few minutes. The weather is nicer out now, and not too bad for walking there. How was your day? Hope it went well. Mine was good. Linus went fishing with his brother and came home with some fish. I tried a new cereal this morning from the Good Earth Food Coop it was a rice hot one - and good. I didn't add anything to it, but next time I'll add some fruits. I always like to check something new first just the way it is. You, too? Well, another ordinary day - except for the call to come and play cards next door!! Linus told them they don't have to serve desserts. Praying for all of your needs.

Homily of the Day
February 4, 2011
You Have Not Drawn Near to an Untouchable Mountain!
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Heb 13:1-8 / Mk 6:14-29
It’s hard to imagine what it would be like trying to get to know God and to give our heart to him if Jesus had never come on this earth as one of us. How would we ever dare to call God our father? How would we be so sure that he would forgive us and give us second chances when inevitably we sin? How would we know what we’re supposed to look like and be like without Jesus as our model? It’s so easy to forget what life without Jesus would be like, because from the very first moment of our lives he HAS been there as our brother and our savior.
St. Paul could remember a time in his life when he’d never even heard of Jesus, and when the weight of facing a fearsome judge-God burdened his soul mightily. So he reassures us in today’s epistle: “You have not drawn near to an untouchable mountain and a blazing fire, and gloomy darkness and storm and trumpet blast, and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that they be not addressed to them.” No, as Paul tells us, we have drawn near “to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant…”
Jesus is God’s own special word to us. And that word says, “I love you, and I always will.” Trust that love, and let the peace of Christ, which is beyond all understanding, fill your mind and your heart now and always.

Quotes of Mother Teresa:
"There are so many religions and each one has its different ways of following God. I follow Christ:
Jesus is my God,
Jesus is my Spouse,
Jesus is my Life,
Jesus is my only Love,
Jesus is my All in All;
Jesus is my Everything."

Tend Them Well
I sat next to the bed of old man, a friend for over twenty years, and held his hand. Hal was dying. We both knew these next few days would be his last.
We spent time reminiscing about his long and fruitful career as a church pastor. We talked about old friends. We chatted about his family. And I listened as he offered sage wisdom and advice to a member of a "younger generation."
At a lull in the conversation, Hal seemed to carefully consider what he was about to say next. Then he squeezed my hand, gazed intently into my eyes and whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, "Nothing is more important than relationships."
I knew that this was somehow near the pinnacle of his life's learnings. As he considered all of his experiences -- personal, professional, spiritual and family, this one ultimate observation surfaced above the rest: "Nothing is more important than relationships."
"Don't get overly caught up in your career," he seemed to be saying to me. "Likewise, don't use people in order to achieve your goals, then throw them away. No project, no program, no task should be pursued at the expense of friends and family.
"Remember," I heard him saying, as clearly as if he were speaking the words, "that in the end, only your relationships will truly matter. Tend them well."
Writer Og Mandino puts it this way: "Beginning today," he said, "treat everyone you meet as if he or she were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again."
At the end of a long life, my friend Hal would have agreed.
Author Unknown

Children Learn what they Live
If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to be guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
he learns to find love in the world.

CONVERSATION WITH GOD
God, hey how’s it going, just wanted to say "hi"
Feel so sad and lonely; feel like I want to cry
I know it´s wrong to feel that, but it is how I feel
I try to fight it off, but the feeling is so real
"My poor dear child, I know it can get tough
I always hear you yelling "Lord I've had enough"
Tell me all your problems; pass your weight to me
Don’t cry my dear child, you'll be OK just wait and see"
OK well, work for example, it’s always on my mind
Put all my heart into it, but get treated so unkind
And what about the gossip, whispers behind my back
I can’t trust anybody; it’s like attack after attack
"Gossip & Unkindness is not something that’s new
Put all your trust in Me, and I will bring you through
Do good always, even though you get let down
When you feel that love is lost, know that mine is still around"
God it’s like I have no luck, something’s always wrong
I’ve been struggling with my health, struggling for so long
When I feel the pain is going, it returns again but worse
Please stop this suffering Lord, please cast away this curse
"Whenever you’re in pain, remember I was there first
I’ll be by your side forever, for better or for worse
Carry your cross proudly; know that I’m watching you
I’ll provide you comfort, I died to make all things new"
OK Lord I will, I’ll try not to give in
But each time I have a problem I always turn to sin
I fall into temptation, even though I know it’s wrong
Help me God Our Father, help me to be strong
"Child of mine listen, take refuge in Me
Use Me as your light, and in darkness you will see
In Me you can do all things, Mountains you can sway
And if you feel you can’t, turn to Me and pray"
I can’t believe how better I feel, I came to you with doubt
But now I walk away knowing what your love is all about
Already I feel stronger, any challenge I can beat
I feel your presence in me, from my head down to my feet
"That’s the Spirit child, the Truth will set you free
Shine your light so bright, so those who doubt will see
I will not let go of your hand, so you can soar so high
I will shield you from all danger so that evil pass you by"
OK thanks for listening Jesus, you have truly made my day
I’ll continue to do your will, no matter what they say
I know its going to be tough, but I know I will survive
Nobody can defeat me; in my heart you are alive
"Remember to stay humble, Love others as I love you
Continue to help the needy, continue to be true
My Kingdom is coming child, Soon you’ll be in Paradise
I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life"
- - -
John 14:6 - (Jesus answered) "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me."

PEARLS
Author Unknown
February 4, 2011
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting
with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of
glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy, can I
have them? Please, Mommy, please?"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then
looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned
face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want
them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can
save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a
week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out
17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and
she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick
dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her
another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the
necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up.
She wore them everywhere-Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The
only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble
bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for
bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her
a story.
One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love
me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse
from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The
one you gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her
cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's Daddy asked again,
"Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new
one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the
yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you."
And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her
bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed
her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy.
And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a
little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out
with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand
he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a
strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the
time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so
he could give her genuine treasure.
Jenny's father is like our heavenly Father. He also is waiting for us
to give up our dime store stuff and seek Him first... so He can fling
open the windows of Heaven and pour us out such a blessing that we
will not have room enough to hold it.
What are you hanging on to?
Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember, amateurs built the ark.
Professionals built the Titanic.

Closing prayer:

Daily Prayer
Lord, our God, may your Son reign in our minds
so that we may think as He would have us think.
May He rule our hearts
so that we may love as He would have us love.
May He direct our whole behaviour
that it may be more like His.
Lord, for what we have, we are so grateful.
Help us especially to be sensitive and generous towards
others.
And finally, may we really want your Kingdom to come.
Amen.

Good night everyone - Sweet dreams to all - May your Saturday be richly blessed!! See you then!