Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Enthusiasm will be yours if you love God, love people, and love life.
Lord, the nearer I follow Your way, the happier I become.


Scripture for the day:

"I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the
world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the
world!" ~John 16:33

Meditation for the day:

"I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the
world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the
world!" We can keep an undaunted spirit. We can keep our spirit free
and unconquered. We can be undefeated and untouched by failure and
all its power, by letting our spirit overcome the world. We can rise
above the earth's turmoil into the secret place of perfect peace and
confidence. When a challenge comes to us, we can remember that we have
God's help and nothing can wholly defeat us.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may have confidence and be of good cheer. I pray that I
may not fear the power of failure.

Greetings to you all! Hope your day went well and you had some nice ordinary blessings. I did get a lot done today yet more to do yet before the realtor comes at 9 in the morning so this will have to be quick so I can get right back at it!! One nice blessings today - Lori came for lunch and we had a nice visit. It's seldom that she comes now, so it's really appreciative.

Homily of the Day


May 11, 2011

He´d Been Blind a Long time!
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Acts 8:1-8 / Jn 6:35-40

Saul, the future St. Paul, was a man of extraordinary talent and energy and a born leader. On top of that, he was a devout Jew who strove with all his heart to do the right and to defend the right. When the Christian “heresy” began to spread within Judaism, Saul set about to root it out, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles. He dragged people out of their houses and had them thrown in jail, and he presided with satisfaction at the execution of St. Stephen, among others. He did it all because he was so sure that he was right.

Saul was very sure…and very wrong! That can happen when our hearts are closed, when we become so full of ourselves and our way that there is no room for anything or anyone else. A good measure of the extent of God’s compassion not only for Saul but for all of us is the breakthrough-gift of grace that God gave him when his heart was so thoroughly closed and he was on the way to Damascus to kill yet again. He was thrown off his horse and at last came face to face with his own longstanding blindness. He repented and God forgave him, embraced him, and gave him the gift of true sight.

God offers the same gift to all of us who are too full of ourselves and our own way. He offers the breakthrough-gift of grace. Accept His offer, and watch your heart grow.

Short Meditation

Love Frees

Love frees. Hatred and stern harsh words and actions do not.
We in our modern world see this in the likes
of Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa.
In their littleness they have become global heroes because
our unconscious recognizes them
as Christ, as love, as reflections of the Father.

from Francis and the San Damiano Cross: Meditations on Spiritual Transformation

DON´T WORRY

To worry does no good at all,
But does a lot of harm;

It puts cross lines upon your face,
and dissipates your charm.

Whatever is to be, will be;
That, worry cannot change;

It only serves to dim your joy,
And all your friends estrange.

'Tis lack of confidence in self
That causes worry's fright;

A lack of faith in God's design
Your happiness will delight.

Then case aside those gloomy thoughts,
That bring on doubt and fear;

Just live your faith, and trust in Him,
And worry will disappear.

** 10 Steps to a Blessed Day **

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK

If someone is rude;
If someone is impatient;
If someone is unkind ...
I will not respond in like manner.

Love is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
(1 Corinthians 13:5)

2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY":

If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly,
I will quietly ask God to bless that individual.
I understand the "enemy" could be a family member,
neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

For God so loved the world
He gave His one and only son
so that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16)

3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:

I will carefully choose and guard my words,
being certain that I do not spread gossip,
slander or malign anyone in any way.

Love always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres
(1 Corinthians 13:7)

4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:

I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
I will find ways to make life more pleasant.

Greater love has no one than this
that he lay down his life for
his friends
(John 15:13)

5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:

I will forgive any hurt or injuries that come my way.
(I will also work to forgive injuries that have been inflicted
upon me in the past)

God is love.
(1 John 4:8)

6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE,
BUT I WILL DO IT SECRETLY:

I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another person.
We always thank God for you, mentioning you in our prayers.

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced
by faith, your labor prompted by love,and your endurance inspired by
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 1:1-2)

7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS AS I WISH
TO BE TREATED:

I will practice the Golden Rule -

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"-
with everyone I encounter.

8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE
WHO IS DISCOURAGED:

My smile, my words, my expression or support, can make the difference
to someone who is wrestling with life.

If anyone is thirsty, let him come
to Me and drink.
(John 7:37)

9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY:

I will eat less
I will eat only healthy foods
I will thank God for my body

10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY

I will spend a little more time in prayer today
I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today;
I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day)
and listen to God's voice.

A Crisp View of God

LORD, even when I have trouble all around me, you will keep me alive.
Psalm 138:7

There is a window in your heart through which you can see God. Once upon a time that window was clear. Your view of God was crisp. You could see God as vividly as you could see a gentle valley or hillside.

Then, suddenly, the window cracked. A pebble broke the window. A pebble of pain.

And suddenly God was not so easy to see. The view that had been so crisp had changed.

You were puzzled. God wouldn't allow something like this to happen, would he?

When you can't see him, trust him . . . Jesus is closer than you've ever dreamed.

Closing Prayer:

Thank you Dear Father, for giving us this glorious day! Thank you, Dear Father, for the many blessings you bring us each day, for food on our table, and shelter over our heads. Thank you for the sunshine, the trees and the beautiful blue sky. Thank you for our friends, family as well, and especially your son Jesus who died for us on the cross.

Father, I come to you today to ask for your blessings, and to pray for my friends both near and far, for Our Country, and Our people, for those who are sick, or ailing, for those who are down for whatever reason, for those who are happy, and for those who are sad after losing loved ones or just leading unsaved lives. I ask you to take their hands and lead them towards you instead of away from you.
Watch over them, protect them, and guide them. I ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen!

Good night and Sweet Dreams to you all! God bless you!