Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Through the power of God within me, I am stronger than any of my
circumstances.
Lord, I seek, I knock and I ask and You are always there and ready to give
me
the miracles that I need.

Scripture for the day:

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
~Psalm 119:105

Meditation for the day:

I know that the vision and power which I can receive from God are
limitless as far as spiritual things are concerned. But in temporal
and material things, I must submit to limitations. I know that I cannot
see the road ahead. I can go just one step at a time, because I do not
have a longer view. I am sometimes in uncharted waters, limited by
my temporal and spatial life, but unlimited in my spiritual life.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that, in spite of my material limitations, I may follow God's
way. I pray that I may learn that trying to do God's will is perfect
freedom.

Peace of Jesus to you all! How was your day? Nothing but the ordinary
here - except that he worked over 9 hours today starting at 5:30 and got
home at 4 - he did have an hour off for lunchSo at 4:15 AM I'm up making
coffee and breakfast! I did go back to bed again after he left. Darla
called tonight - talked about wedding plans - they are hiring someone to
decorate the hall for the reception because they won't have time. Please
pray that she gets accepted at St. Thomas University in St. Paul for a
teaching position - she heard from them, and no one else yet, and that's the
closest! That would be so wonderful if she got that job there! They wrote
that they are behind and will contact her again in Jan. So there's hope!
Greg's son, Dakota, is going to the Air Force the first part of Dec. He'll
be going to San Antonio, TX. Sure hope he stays, and doesn't quit - as he's
not much disciplined and there he will surely learn.

Homily of the Day


November 25, 2011

Will Good Ever Really Triumph?
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Daniel 7:2-14 / Lk 21:29-33

With the end of the church year upon us, the prophet Daniel draws upon his
own vivid imagination and the rich imagery of the Jewish apocalyptic
tradition to paint for us a stunning picture of the final confrontation of
good and evil. In his story, good triumphs, and we breath a sigh of relief,
for as real life in this broken world of ours continues to unfold, the
ultimate outcome can seem in doubt, especially on our bad days.

Within ourselves there are too many things which don’­t seem to get fixed or
get better across the years. And around us on every side, the same too often
seems true in our neighborhoods, in our cities, among nations, in the
eroding environment, in the eroding spirituality of so many. That’s the way
it looks at times, and the way it feels, so we have to dig deep for answers.

The ultimate answer is that it’s still God’s world, and it is still God who
breathes life into everything that lives, everything that is, from moment to
moment. If we try to build the kingdom on our own, all by ourselves, we will
fail. But if we let go of our own narrow agendas and let God guide our
hands, the kingdom will surely come, not necessarily on our timetable, but
it will come.

So relax in the Lord, give him your hands and your heart, and trust in his
power to make all things work for the good of those who love him.

What I'm Thankful For


- unknown

The mess to clean up after a party, because it means I have been surrounded
by friends.

The taxes we pay, because it means someone is employed.

The clothes that fit a little bit to snug, because it means I have enough to
eat.

My shadow who watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am
capable of walking.

All the complaining I hear about our government, because it means we have
freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.

The lady behind me in church who sings off key, because it means I can hear.

The piles of laundry and ironing, because it means loved ones are nearby.

The lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that
need fixing, because it means I have a home.

My huge heating bill, because it means that I am warm.

Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means that I
have been productive.

The alarm that goes off in early morning hours, because it means that I am
alive.

God's Other Blessings


- by Deborah Simmons

When we gather 'round the table--on the Thanksgiving Day, As you share a
meal with loved ones, and bow your head to pray...Thanking God for all His
blessings, for the bounty He bestows, For His wisdom and His kindness, and
for sharing all He knows...As you praise His loving guidance and take stock
of all His gifts, Take time to look beyond wealth--And allow your thoughts
to drift.

Don't overlook your struggles, or forget your daily strife, Don't thank God
for just the good times in this frantic earthly life. Take note of all the
worries that you've faced along the way, Recall your tribulations and your
stress from day to day... Remember all the cares and woes you've conquered
in the past, Reflect upon the tears you've shed and troubles you've amassed.

For all those woes and worries--why, they're merely stepping stones, And
troubles--they're just bricks along the path to Heaven's home... The tears
we've shed are Life's sweet rain; its flowers spring from strife. And trials
and tribulations are the mortar in this Life. The stress and strain upon our
souls unite to make us strong, Cares and struggles light the way--when our
road is dark and long.

So thank Him for His bounty, for our families and our friends, And for
granting us forgiveness--when we must make amends... But recall God's other
blessings--for their merit's oft untold, Praise God for loving you
enough--to help you build the road... For giving you the tools you'll
need--mortar, bricks and stones, For the path that leads to Heaven and the
stairway to His home.

HELEN STEINER RICE'S 10 COMMANDMENTS

1. Thou shalt be happy.
2. Thou shalt use thy talents to make others glad.
3. Thou shalt rise above defeat and trouble.
4. Thou shalt look upon each day as a new challenge.
5. Thou shalt always do thy best and leave the rest to God.
6. Thou shalt not waste thy time and energy in useless worry.
7. Thou shalt look only on the bright side of life.
8. Thou shalt not be afraid of tomorrow.
9. Thou shalt have a kind word and a kind deed for everyone.
10. Thou shalt say each morning - I am a child of God and nothing can
hurt me.

The I Am´s of Jesus
JOHN 6:35
JESUS SAID: "I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE;
anyone who comes to me shall not hunger, and anyone who believes in me shall
never thirst.

JOHN 8:12
JESUS SAID: "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD; anyone who follows me will not
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

JOHN 8:58
JESUS SAID: "Truly, truly I say to you, BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM."

JOHN 10:11
JESUS SAID: "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The good shepherd lays down his life
for the sheep."

JOHN 11:25
JESUS SAID: "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE; anyone who believes in me,
even though they die, yet shall they live."

JOHN 14:6
JESUS SAID: "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; no one comes to the
Father, but by me."

JOHN 15:1
JESUS SAID: "I AM THE VINE,
and my Father is the Vinedresser."

JOHN 18:4
"Then Jesus, knowing all that would befall Him, came forward and said to
them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." JESUS SAID
to them, "I AM". When He said to them "I AM," They drew back and fell to the
ground.

TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED
-- Author Unknown


Sometimes people come into your life
and you know right away that they were meant to be there,
they serve some sort of purpose,
teach you a lesson
or help figure out who you are
and who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be:
your neighbor, child, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete
stranger
who, when you lock eyes with them,
you know at that very moment that they will affect your life
in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you
and at the time they seem painful and unfair,
but in reflection you realize
that without overcoming those obstacles
you would have never realized
your potential strength, will power, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason.
Nothing happens by chance
or by means of good or bad luck.
Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer
stupidity
all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests,
whether they be events, illnesses or relationships,
life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere,
safe and comfortable,
but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life
and the successes and downfalls you experience
create who you are,
and even the bad experiences can be learned from,
In fact, they are probably the poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart,
forgive them,
for they have helped you learn about trust
and the importance of being cautious to
whom you open your heart...

If someone loves you,
love them back unconditionally,
not only because they love you,
but because they are teaching you to love
and opening your heart and eyes to things
you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count.
Appreciate every moment
and take from it everything that you possibly can,
for you may never be able to experience it again...

Talk to people you have never talked to before,
and actually listen,
let yourself fall in love,
break free and set your sights high...

Hold your head up because you have every right too.
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself...
for if you don't believe in yourself,
no one else will believe in you either.

Create your own life
and then go out and live in it!
"Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last...
Tomorrow is Not Promised"

Take my Son.....

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had
everything in their collection, fromPicasso to Raphael. They would often sit
together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very
courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was
notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas

There was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large
package in his hands..

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son
gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to
safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly... He
often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this
package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think
your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The father Opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the
young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the
personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes
that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered
to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son
did for me. It's a gift.'

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to
his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them
any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his
paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great
paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his
gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid
for this picture?'

There was silence...

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous
paintings. Skip this one.

But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will
start the bidding? $100, $200?'

Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see
the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'

But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime
gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a
poor man, it was all he could afford.

'We have $10, who will bid $20?'

'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'

A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the
collection!'

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'

'What about the paintings?'

'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a
secret stipulation in the will... I was not allowed to reveal that
stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be
auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate,
including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!'

God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the Cross. Much like the
auctioneer, His message today is: 'The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?'

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything!

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER
BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

Good night everyone - Sweet Dreams - Enjoy your Saturday. Let us continue
praying for one another.