Community Chat

[gloriajean]

God can calm your fears, bring rest to your worry and fix your broken heart if
only you give Him all of the pieces. Lord, I ask You to fill me with Your peace
as I turn my troubles over to You.

Scripture for the day:
"Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, do not be far from me; make haste
to help me, O Lord, my salvation." ~Psalm 38:21-22

Meditation of the day:
It is not our circumstances that need altering so much as ourselves.
After we have changed, conditions will naturally change. We need spare
no effort to become all that God would have us become. We can follow
every good leading of our conscience. We can take each day with no
backward look. We can face the day's problems with God, and seek God's
help and guidance as to what we should do in every situation that may
arise. We need never look back. We need not leave until tomorrow the
thing that we are guided to do today.

Prayer for the day:
I pray that God will help me to become all that God would have me be.
I pray that I may face today's problems with good grace.

Greetings to you , my friends! Hope your day went well all day - here it was great! Nothing new with the house, trying not to stress about it because God is in charge, not us. Finished the cherries today - no more for this year. We beat the birds. Our raspberries are being picked every day, some I can freeze, most we just eat on cereal or oatmeal. Today I had a dish of raspberries, a little bit of stevia, and some almond mile and it was sooooooooooo delicious! I called our priest, Fr. Vince, the pastor, and invited him for lunch tomorrow for chicken soup, and he's coming! It's be the first time for him here!! Hope Sammy will behave!! For dessert, I thought what could be better than the fresh raspberries, a little stevia and almond milk?
It's good to get to know our priest better on a personal level, and make him our friend. He took Fr. Bernie's place, who had a stroke and had to resign.
Had a nice unexpected blessing today when Lori called and invited us to have lunch with her at Applebee's, so we did and had a nice visit with her.

Homily of the Day
July 27, 2011
Are You Fully Invested in Life?
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Ex 34:29-35 / Mt 13:44-46
There is something intrinsically fascinating about heroes, geniuses and other people of extraordinary achievement, whatever their field of endeavor. Where did they get it? How did Tiger Woods, Bill Gates, and so many others develop such seeming ease at what they do? Dozens of studies confirm the same answer: Single-minded focus from an early age!
It’s the very habit that Jesus is urging upon us in today’s gospel. “Get clear about what counts at the center and core of life,” He says, “and then go for it with everything you have.” It’s what most of us would do in business or in our professions. We’d sell everything in order to close the biggest deal of our lives. Why wouldn’t we do that at the core of life? The sad news is that quite often we haven’t and we don’t. Today is a golden opportunity to begin to change that!

Prayer for True Spiritual Vision
May the Lord Jesus place His hands on our eyes that we may begin to catch sight of the thing that are not seen more than the things that are seen.
May He open our eyes that they will alight on the things to come more than on the things of this age.
May He unveil the vision of our heart that it may contemplate God in spirit.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ to whom belong glory and power for ever. Amen.
Origen, 2nd century Theologian and Educator

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.

A Word of Kindness
Have I spoken a word of kindness today,
that would help someone find their way?
Did I tell him about Jesus who paid the cost?
Did I show him the way to the old rugged cross?
Was I there when he needed someone to pray
a little prayer that would brighten his day?
Did I pick him up when he stumbled and fell?
Did I tell him the pain of going to h ell?
Was I there with him to cast a smile
that would make his life a little worthwhile?
Did I try to make him understand
how God moves with a mighty hand?
And dear God, please let me know
if I am the one that I might show.
The way to bring someone to Thee
and tell him about Jesus who can set him free.
And as I praise thy name, I say,
"Dear Lord, let me show him the way!"
By Abel Norman

The Real Meaning of Peace
There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would
paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king
looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really
liked, and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for
peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky
with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it
was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and
bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which
lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming
waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a
tiny b ush growing in a crack in the rock. In the b ush a mother bird
had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water,
sat the mother bird on her nest in perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the
second picture. Do you know why?
"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in
the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That
is the real meaning of peace."
Author Unknown

COME AS YOU ARE. NO JACKET REQUIRED
Author Unknown
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 I 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 I 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.
"Jimmy D. Brown," 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
am unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this,
but, 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 as he pointed 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 a 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 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
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 sit 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 for 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 Lo, 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 placard have not
accepted their invitation to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out
these invitations to those who have not joined us as 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."
"For by grace are you saved through faith: and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2: 8,9

Morning Prayer

Lord God Almighty,
You have brought us safely to the beginning of this day.
Defend us today by your mighty power, that we may not fall into any sin,
but that all our words may so proceed and all our thoughts and actions be so directed, as to be always just in your sight. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Good night everyone! Sweet Dreams and a good positive day for Thursday!! God bless you!