Hello my friends! This morning started out with no charter services, so no emails went or got sent here - I did get my list out yet before that happened, Thank God! So we had to have that guy in another state to work on it, and after a while, he got it working again, I don't know what was the matter in the first place! But now it's works and I started two new parts to my list, the Glory of God list, one is a selection of the Gospels daily, and the other is a Selection of the Catechism of the Catholic Church - got 17 signed up so far! It starts on Monday - it's offered by Lighthouse Catholic Media, and we signed up for it right away, and then I'll send the emails to those who want it. Ok - weather report - it was cold - 11 below zero! I believe I saw that tomorrow it should be -17. Thank God we have a warm house! I'll tell you what, Sammy doesn't say out long! Sometimes he likes to walk around, but not now. Have I told you lately that you all are a blessing to me?
Prayers for you all!
When your burden seems heavier than usual, know that your blessings
are more than usual. Lord, I call on you for the strength, the wisdom
and the confidence that I will need today.
Scripture for the day:
"When they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried
out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to
them and said, 'Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'" ~Mark 6:49-50
Meditation for the day:
I can take the most crowded day without fear. I believe that God is with me
and controlling all. I can let confidence be the motif running through all
the crowded day. I need not be worried, because I know that God is my
helper. Underneath are the everlasting arms of God. I can rest in them,
even though the day be full of things crowding in upon me.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may be calm and let nothing upset me. I pray that I may not
let material things control me and choke out spiritual things.
NO TIME
I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time to die.
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in His hands God held a book;
It was the Book of Life.
God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down . . .
But never found the time"
-- Author Unknown
A Prayer for a Loving Attitude
Lord Jesus Christ, You gave your life out of love for all people, and You
encouraged your followers to do good to others. Over the years many
Christians have found this difficult and I am no exception. I try, but it is
so hard to have a loving attitude toward all---and then I feel hypocritical
in claiming to follow You.
Help me, dear Lord, to really believe that Christian love is the greatest
energy in the world. Let me see that this is not an emotion, but a central
attitude of one's being---an attitude of service for others in Your Name. It
is the result of your grace, and prompts us to will only good things for
others as images of God. Grant that I may always strive to attain this
attitude and so live up to the noble vocation to which I am called. Amen.
Priceless Christmas Gifts to Share
For your enemies............Forgiveness
For your customers.......Your best service
For your opponent..........Tolerance
For a friend........................Your heart
For a child............................A good example
For your father................Reverence
For your mother...............Conduct that will make
her proud of you
For yourself.........................Respect
For all men ............................Charity
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and
glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt.5:16
FIVE WAYS TO HAVE A MORE JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
1. STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN:
If you discover yourself becoming dulled to the joys of the season, STOP!
Slow the pace down and become still, taking time to LOOK and LISTEN. Take a
winter walk, curl up in a favorite chair or before the fireplace. Helen
Keller once observed, "The seeing see little." So feel the comfort of the
glow of a candle, or the red of the poinsettias. Listen with new ears to
laughter and bells, and to the expression of love of found in the story of
the first Christmas.
2. BE WILLING TO BE SURPRISED:
Remember that God can come in the least likely ways - a Holy Child born in a
village stable, a brightly shining star, an angel song in the night sky.
Watch for Him to come in equally surprising ways to you, too. When we live
as if God is going to "surprise" us at any moment, in any way, in any place,
then He usually does!
3. FIND WAYS TO ANTICIPATE CHRISTMAS:
How about keeping an advent calendar? Commit yourself to perform at least
one special act of kindness for each day of advent. Write a note, letter,
card or e-mail to someone to express your gratitude, to tell someone you
love them, to forgive an old hurt, or just to count your blessings.
4. FREE YOUR CHILDLIKE SPIRIT:
Jesus held up childlikeness as a quality to be cultivated (Mark 10:15).
Children are experts at dreaming up simple things as delights that adults
don't, or have forgotten how to do. Can't you picture a little boy singing
"Jingle Bells" to a plastic Jesus in a store? Christmas often comes in
precious moments like this, when we spontaneously show our adoration for the
Baby in the manger.
5. SHARE THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WITH SOMEONE ELSE:
Nothing multiplies the sense of wonder in your life like giving it away.
The more you share (not just things, but yourself) the brighter Christmas
grows.
I hope that these simple steps will help you, or someone you can share these
with, keep the wonder and excitement of Christmas alive during this busy
season.
Just remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season."
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