Community Chat

[gloriajean]

We call on God in our big problems, but often forget to call on Him
in our ordinary moments, yet He is always there and always loving us.
Lord, every time I seek Your help, You draw me closer to You.

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

"O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand." ~Isaiah 64:8

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

I can be renewed. I can be remade. In this I need God's help. God's
spirit can flow through me and, in flowing through me, it can sweep
away all the bitter past. I can take heart. The way can open for me.
Each day can unfold something good, as long as I am trying to live the
I believe God wants me to live.

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

I pray that I may be taught, but as a child would be taught. I pray
that I may never question God's plans, but accept them gladly.

Greetings to you all. This inspiration was used the beginning of Jan. I was trying to organize my folder list - and there was a folder storage listed that was empty, so I deleted it and then I lost everything I had for folders, including all the Daily Inspirations etc. for the thread. So I emailed Nadine in Finland who takes over my list in my absence and hopefully she still has them for me to use. I was so shocked to see everything gone - I do hope somehow I can retrieve my folders. I wish I know this new system better, but I don't. It's called windows live mail 2011. Why do they have to make things so complicated? We are just simple people! Anyway, my blessings to this all is that Nadine, I'm trusting, can come to my rescue as always. And may God have mercy upon my mistakes at the computer and somehow help me out, or maybe I'm not supposed to have those folders back anymore? We'll see.
Another blessing - I did spend a lot of reading time today on my books, and we got back from shopping at Sam's club for some things. We like those skinny buns, got them, and also bought some turkey patties so he put them on the grill and we had a nice meal with fresh veggies and low carbs. We did go off the diet to try some kritchworst and it was delicious. Then he froze them all and wants to invite his brothers and sisters and spouses over for a meal with it. It's something that their mom or grandmother used to make on the farm.
Weather here has been above zero and no snow lately, roads are clear and not windy, so it was nice out. Monday is forcasted for more snow.

Homily of the Day

January 29, 2011
Worrying Won´t Get You Where You Want to Go
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Zep 2:3; 3:12-13 / 1 Cor 1:26-31 / Mt 5:1-12
A pastor was giving a sermon about worrying. In an effort to emphasize that worrying never achieves anything, he said, “Ninety-nine percent of the things we worry about never happen.”
“Aha,” said a woman in the back. ”You see. It does work!”
+ + +
For some reason, we cling to our worries and fears as if they were best friends, as if our worrying and being afraid could protect us from failure and hurt. But, of course, they can’t.
The only things that fear can do for us are all bad: It can paralyze us when we need to act; it can make us run away when we need to stay and work things out; or it can make us attack blindly when what we really need is to negotiate thoughtfully.
Fear and worry can’t get us where we want to go. Life has shown us that. Yet, far too often, we give in to fear because life’s dangers seem too great and its hurts seem too much to bear — especially if we’re weary and wounded already.
Sunday’s Gospel, the eight beatitudes, is Jesus’ response to us weary, wounded folks who are such easy prey to fear and worry. “Congratulations,” He says — eight times. (That’s what all those “blesseds” mean.)
“I congratulate you NOT because you’re poor, sad, lowly, or persecuted, but because, in spite of that, God our Father cherishes you, walks with you, and will not let you be destroyed by any of that — no matter what. Congratulations!
“I congratulate you further,” says Jesus, “Not just because you’re striving to be good, striving to be compassionate and faithful. I congratulate you because God our Father sees your striving, and will bless your efforts in His own way and in His own time — if only you’ll be patient. Congratulations!” Jesus says — eight times.
“Fear is useless. What is needed is faith.” How many times Jesus said that. And He’s saying it to us now. Listen to Him: “Our Father is with you. He knows exactly what you need, and He wants to give it to you. Trust Him. Open your heart to Him. Walk with Him and be not afraid, for all the world is His, and you are His own very special children.”

Save Us, Lord
We implore You, Master,
to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us;
have mercy on the lowly;
raise up the fallen;
appear to the needy;
heal the ungodly; restore the
wanderers of thy people;
feed the hungry;
ransom our prisoners;
raise up the sick;
comfort the faint-hearted.
Amen.
Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

AN EVERYDAY SURVIVAL KIT
Author Unknown
Toothpick
Rubber band
Band aid
Pencil
Eraser
Chewing gum
Mint
Candy Kiss
Tea Bag
Here's why:
Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in
others...Matt 7:1
Rubber band - to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go
the way you want, but it will work out...Romans 8:28
Band Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone
else's...Col. 3:12-14
Pencil - To remind you to list your blessings everyday...Eph1: 3
Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's
okay...Gen. 50:15-21
Chewing gum - to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish
anything ...Phil 4:13
Mint - to remind you that you are worth a mint to your heavenly
father...John 3:16-17
Candy Kiss - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug
everyday...1 John 4:7
Tea Bag - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of God's
blessings... 1 Thess 5:18
This is my gift to you. May God richly bless you.
To the world, you may just be somebody...but to somebody, you may be
the world.
Send this to anyone who you think needs to know that they are loved by
someone in their lives. Make someone's day just a little brighter
today!

"Stepping Stones"
The Lord came to me like a dream one day and asked, "why do you sorrow?"
I answered, "Lord my life is so full of pain, I can't face one more tomorrow."
The Lord sat down beside me, and gently took my hand.
He said, "Let Me explain to you, and then you'll understand.
Each sorrow is a stepping stone you must surmount each day,
And every stepping stone you climb is a sorrow that's passed away.
The road of life is a mountainside, with crevices in which to be caught,
But as you struggle on your way, I, the Rock, will lend support.
Every stepping stone you climb, makes spirit and heart grow strong.
Exercising character and faith, this road seems painful and long.
The way is paved with stepping stones, to uplift your heart and soul,
Though difficult, they aid your way, to a City paved with gold.
I know that you are tired, for I too have walked this way,
My sorrows did they multiply, but I cleared many stones away.
I left My Rock to lift you up, I left behind My story.
To give you strength to make your climb, to that special place in glory.
And never fear, the Rock is here, you'll never climb this mountain alone.
Surmount life's sorrows, continue on, for they are but stepping stones.
--Author Unknown

TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED
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"
.....Author Unknown

This Prayer to St. Joseph is over 1900 years old, from the "Pieta Prayer Booklet".
O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God,
I place in you all my interest and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful
intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings
through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below
your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage
to the Loving of Fathers.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep
in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes
near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss
His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return
the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.
Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire.
It has seldom been known to fail.

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.

WASH DAY
Author Unknown
January29, 2011
Monday
Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve
you with perfect humility through the week ahead.
Tuesday
Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have
collected
through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday
Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for
others.
Thursday
Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been
hiding in the secret corners of my heart.
Friday
Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal
happiness for myself and all others in need of love.
Saturday
Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve
it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday
The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so
I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

Closing prayer:
Bless me, O Lord
Heavenly Father, Almighty God.
I humble myself before your Presence. What a joy it is to come to you.
I thank you and I praise for your infinite Majesty, Omnipotence and Perfections.
Please forgive me all my sins.
Lord I come to you in my nothingness.
I want to worship you and adore you, to love you with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul and with all my strength.
I want to burn with desire for you like an angel.
I need you my Lord, I am nothing without you.
I ask you to raise me before your Glory.
Shine your light upon me, allow me to walk with you and always do your Holy Will , protect me and bless me O Merciful Lord.
Fill me with your Holy Spirit, grant me peace, love and joy. Heal me, bless me and sanctify me O Lord; make me a blessing for all those around me.
Amen.

Good night everyone and God bless your Sunday! May you have a great restful day and remember to go to Church - Receive His Blessings!!
No matter what curves I get thrown here, I promise to do my best to get the opening for our thread!