Hello my friends! Hope your day is going well. It's been a good day here, Linus had the day off, so got some things done, which was a blessing to both of us! I even managed a nap! Please remember to pray for the intentions on the Prayer Request thread. I'm so happy that people are using it. May God grant all their wishes according to His Holy Will. It's a great blessing to me to see all of you posting! Thanks be to God!
Be yourself in all that you do and you will soon learn that you are very
special. Lord, help me find the peace that You have already placed within
my soul.
S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y
"Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the
test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to
those who love him." ~James 1:12
M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y
None of us entirely escape temptation. We can expect it and be ready
for it when it comes. None of us are entirely safe. We can try to
keep our defenses up by daily thought and prayer. That is why we
spend time in prayer each day. We can become able to recognize
temptation when it comes. The first step toward conquering temptation
always is to see it clearly as temptation and not to harbor it in our
minds. We can dissociate ourselves from it, put it out of our mind as
soon as it appears. We need not think of excuses for yielding to it.
We can turn at once to God for help.
P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y
I pray that I may be prepared for whatever temptation may come to me.
I pray that I may see it clearly and conquer it with the help of God.
Come As You Are. No Jacket Required
I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After all, I
couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several
times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this
place was all about.
But, this just couldn't be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the
invitation that clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you
are. No jacket required," and found the location.
Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a
room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed,
adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this
exquisite restaurant.
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in
stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy.
A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung
to my body. As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation
seemed to leap out at me, "Come as you are. No jacket required."
I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find,
I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind
a podium.
"Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.
"Daniel F. Renken," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep
into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains.
He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued,
"Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be
seated?"
I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said,
"Yes, of course!"
He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there was a placard with my name
written on it in a deep, dark red.
As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed.
There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence,"
"assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy."
I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to
the front in order to see where I was at. "God's Grace," was the name of
this place!
The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the Day.' With it,
you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu."
You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of
this!
"What is the 'Special of the Day,'" I asked with excitement ringing in my
voice.
"Salvation," was his reply.
"I'll take it," I practically cried out.
Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick,
painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes.
Between my sobs I said, "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I'm
unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, I
Just can't afford it."
Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken
care of by that Gentleman over there," he said pointing to the front of the
room. "His Name is Jesus."
Turning, I saw a Man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was
almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in
shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or
take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this."
He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you
just come unto Me. Ask Me to clean you up and I will. Ask Me to take away
the stains and it is done. Ask Me to allow you to feast at My table and you
will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is
accept this gift that I offer you."
Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my
life. Please change me and seat me at Your table and give me this new life."
Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished."
I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something
strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been
lifted, and I found myself seated at His table.
"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me. "Salvation
is yours."
We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent
with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like me to come back
as often as I liked for another helping from God's Grace. He made it clear
that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible.
As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He
whispered to me softly, "And Daniel, I am with you always." And then, He
said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "My child, Do you
see these empty tables throughout this room?"
"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied.
"These are reserved tables, but the individuals whose names are on each
placards have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind
as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us yet?" Jesus
asked.
"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations.
"Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave.
I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness
as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man...
robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord.
I'll go.
I'll spread the Word.
I'll share the Gospel . . .
I'll hand out the invitations.
And I'll start with you.
"Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name, and
here's your invitation . . .
Come as you are. No jacket required."
- Author Unknown
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that
not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
THE WAY TO GOD
If my days were untroubled
and my heart always light
Would I seek the fair land
where there is no night;
If I never grew weary
with the weight of my load
Would I search for God's Peace
at the end of the road;
If I never knew sickness
and never felt pain
Would I reach for a hand
to help and sustain;
If I walked not with sorrow
and lived without loss
Would my soul seek solace
at the foot of the cross;
If all I desired was mine
day by day
Would I kneel before God
and earnestly pray;
If God sent no "Winter"
to freeze me with fear
Would I yearn for the warmth
of "Spring" every year;
I ask myself this
and the answer is plain--
If my life were all pleasure
and I never knew pain
I'd seek God less often
and need Him much less,
For God's sought more often
in times of distress,
And no one knows God
or sees Him as plain
As those who have met Him
on the "Pathway of Pain."
By Helen Steiner Rice
PARABLE OF THE PENCIL
Author Unknown
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into
the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil,
before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never
forget, and you will
become the best pencil you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow
yourself to be held in Someone's hand.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but
you'll need it to become a better pencil.
Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.
And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark.
No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box
with purpose in its heart.
Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them
and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow
yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to
access you for the many gifts you possess.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by
going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a
stronger person.
Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow
through them.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the
inside.
And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No
matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in
everything.
By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this
earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with
God daily.
A PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY
Heavenly Father, you have given us a model of life in the Holy Family of
Nazareth. Help us, O loving Father, to make our Family another Nazareth
where Love, Peace and Joy reign. May it be deeply contemplative, intensely
Eucharistic and vibrant with Joy.
Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow through family Prayer. Teach us
to see Jesus in the members of our Family especially in their distressing
disguise. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our Hearts meek and humble
like His and help us to carry out our Family duties in a Holy Way. May we
Love one another as God loves each one of us more and more each day, and
forgive each others´ faults as you forgive our sins. Help us, O Loving
Father, to take whatever you give and to give whatever you take with a big
smile.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of our Joy, Pray for us.
St. Joseph Pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels be with us always, guide and protect us.
AMEN.
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